The Dragon in Equestriaby GoontersGonnaGoontChaptersPrologueChapter 1: Grand Ponyville HarvestChapter 2: Hearty Vegetable StewChapter 3: We are a FamilyPrologue Unyielding were the howling winds that grazed the dry, death ridden dunes. Their sands used as building blocks to give shape to rolling dunes stretching hundreds of miles in all directions. Each hill reflected shades of tan and beige, complementing the hue of the god-like rays emitting from the sweltering ball of flame suspended over open air. Any living creature unfortunate enough to be caught unprotected from the golden light would surely fry and cook until only a husk remained. Such was reason why many intellectually gifted creatures would steer clear of the brutal atmosphere generated by the ever-shifting geography of the land and the overpowering intensity of the heat of the sun. The desert was a soul-eater. A consumer of life with a hunger unmatched by any neighboring biome. An organism well adapted to the grueling hellscape would follow instinctual advice to bury itself within the flowing sands to take shelter during the day to avoid its ravenous appetite. Thus, the desert’s meals consisted mainly of lone travelers blissfully ignorant to the lengths at which they must stride to reach its end, or poor souls exiled from their homes with nowhere else to go, or the select few who come only wishing to cut their own life short. Those who gave their highest effort to survive were inevitably digested inside the belly of the beast. Ultimately, remains of the living are swallowed, never to be seen again. But as the sun approached the horizon, briefly transitioning the sky into an amber orange, the moon breached into view casting a silver glow onto the landscape below. This was the beginning of another beautiful night. And it was this night that the desert slept. Gone was the blistering heat of the sun. Ceased were the growling winds that carried sand to and fro. A peaceful silence fell over the terrain. The air was still, and the sands just the same. From within the sands arose life. All creatures of the night awoke and emerged from their homes to take advantage of the calmed storm. Almost immediately, a sagebrush lizard climbed out of a lost drinking mug to search for that juicy beetle he saw roaming around earlier. A scorpion crawled out from under a skull—likely belonging to a much larger being—whilst carrying her children aboard her back. A sidewinder gazed at the scorpion with slitted pupils as she slithered out from a pit in the sand silently hoping she’d one day have a family of her own. Upon the graveyard which thousands of lost souls lie, many young souls continue their routine as nature intended. The desert was a cruel, barbaric wasteland. But from under the sands, life found a way. From above, the sky was littered with specs of light collectively creating a starry canvas against the black void of outer space. But they were all dwarfed by the gargantuan, luminous sphere hanging midway above the horizon. The moon. If one were to look closely, it would appear to have a faded marking of a creature of equestrian nature donned with a horn sprouting from its head. The lunar body would also appear to be glowing a deep green along its outer circumference while radiating an arc of electricity around its equator. Light reflected from its surfaced dimmed to a barely perceivable level before projecting its energy into a slender beam. The laser punched through the emptiness of space and the planet’s thick atmosphere, drilling into the ground and amassing a devastating blast. Then all was quiet once again. The moon returned to its natural luminescence fast enough to shine light on the desert’s inhabitants frantically scurrying about from the unwelcomed disturbance to their night of peace. Frantically, many clambered away from the newly formed crater that now lay etched into the local geography. For a while, nothing else came from this bout of excitement. Smoke and steam continuously emanated from the crater’s center, signifying that this event involved an astronomical amount of heat. This, in turn, had pulverized some of the surrounding sand into tiny shards of glass. As if the world had finally gone back to rest, the silence was broken when something stirred under the sand. A small part of the land had become alive, rolling and twisting. From under the ground grew a sizeable mound of sand that began to give way to reveal what was underneath. A wing erupted from the mound. Its leathery membrane stretched outward allowing sand particles to slide off. Its outer brim, lined with gray-colored scales, creaked and popped with strained muscle before curling back in towards its owner. Next, the second wing extended to repeat a similar process. One after the other, parts began to show from under the sand: four legs sprawled underneath it each ending with a paw equipped with razor sharp claws, a long tail with short spines running its length, a head topped with a pair of horns and a thick black mane, and a long muzzle decorated with rows of jagged teeth. A dragon. He lay on his side in the sand, eyes closed. With his snout now clear of obstruction, he took his first full breath, expanding his lungs as far as they could go before letting it out in a soft sigh. It was smooth going in and out. The air was dry, but it was clear. This made it a little easier to jolt the rest of his body awake by arching his back and tensing every muscle to force blood-flow through the veins and vessels in his limbs. Lifting a paw, he leisurely brushed the length of his muzzle feeling the scales that covered his skin shortly before reaching another paw to rub the back of his head and run his digits through his thick mane. He tasted the inside of his mouth and ran his tongue along his teeth. He felt real. Real, like the physical manifestation of being in his own body was new to him, and that every sensation, breath, and heartbeat was telling him he was alive. It had been a long time since he last felt that way. The journey wasn’t over, because the desire to see the world became overwhelming. Slowly wrenching his eyelids open, the darkness of the night made its presence known. When his pupils dilated to accommodate for the lack of light, he began to make out the environment he was resting in. Sand upon sand. There seemed to be nothing else to focus on but the sand that blanketed the very ground beneath him. But glancing up, he set eyes on the most beautiful night sky. Such a bright moon. He squinted to view its surface more clearly. Since the last time he saw it, it most definitely received a makeover by some extraordinary phenomena. The dragon gazed at the moon for quite some time. Its natural radiance enraptured his focus away from everything petty or small compared to its charm. Eventually, curiosity took the wheel as he lowered his gaze to himself. His body was steel-gray in color with crimson streaks highlighting his wings and his tail. Laying on his side, he could see that his underbelly was a lighter gray than the darker tone on the outer part of his hide. Familiar. He held an outstretched paw in front and flexed his toes around to feel the muscular contraction responsiveness within his tissue. Clenching and relaxing a fist, he extended his claws. Each, black in color, came to a fine point. A few looked damaged. Satisfied knowing his body was indeed his own, the dragon rolled onto his stomach and slid his legs underneath. Like waking up after a long nap, he tried pushing himself on his feet but fell back to the ground. Jaw clenched, he heaved himself upward, finally putting his weight on his legs. From a higher elevation, the dragon was able to view the crater in which he spawned. Its diameter be ten times his length from head to tail, an indication that, from who knows where, he arrived on impact. He looked around, hoping he didn’t crash into anything, or rather, anyone. But the sand dunes were barren. Nothing marked the desert save for a deceased corpse in the early stages of nature’s slow burial process. The dragon tilted his reptilian nostrils to the sky and took a whiff of the air. With great speed and ferocity, he leapt off his hind legs and sprung his wings into flight. The sudden gust of wind emitting from his powerful strokes blew the sand below him into large dust clouds. He ascended into the sky so quickly he even surprised himself. After circling in place, the dragon chose a direction. And he flew. Chapter 1: Grand Ponyville Harvest Art by DennyVixen: https://www.deviantart.com/dennybutt Fluttershy flipped the top of her saddlebag closed, pinching the iconic pink butterfly pin with a snap. She had made sure she stuffed a healthy number of bits into the pouch along with the last few carrots left for her white cottontail companion, Angel Bunny. The yellow, pink-maned pegasus' cottage was the warmest hug to all guests who entered her domain. A subtle scent of vanilla and the smell of vegetable stew brewing over the stone-lined fireplace glazed the welcoming air. Paintings of rainbows and butterflies and long, cozy couches decorated the interior, creating an inviting atmosphere to sit down, relax, and have a cup of tea. The entire structure was topped with a thick patch of moss that acted both as heating insulation and a very 'environmentally-friendly' design. Everything about the household reflected the kind and loving persona of the mare who called it 'home.' Today was the Grand Ponyville Harvest sale for all things green and juicy, and Fluttershy intended to surprise her beloved animals at Sweet Feather Sanctuary with a special dinner. Originally, her own cottage was the sanctuary thanks to the mare’s generous hospitality. But ever since her furry, scaly, and feathered friends took up residence at the new place, she hasn’t had to worry about stumbling into a fragile bird’s nest or walking face first into a spider web on her way to bed. With a deft pull of a wing, Fluttershy hoisted the saddlebag onto her back; It was weighty given how much cheddar she was packing, but it was comfortable. “Everypony is going to be at the market today, Angel.” She began. “I think this year’s harvest is going to be the biggest harvest sale yet.” Fluttershy glanced over at Angel Bunny still curled up on a purple floor pillow half-asleep. Fluttershy hid a smirk. A week ago, a small case of lice broke out around town. Though Angel was checked clean, he insisted he remain bed-ridden for however long he deemed necessary. “Angel.” His caretaker whispered in her ever-so-soft voice. “If you come with me, I’ll let you eat your favorite snack.” She dragged out ‘favorite’ to emphasize the tempting offer. The sleepy rabbit responded with a prolonged glare before shoving his face back into the pillow, a gesture signifying “five more minutes, please.” Fluttershy was swayed too easily by his tactics. “Oh, you look so cute when you’re mad while trying to sleep.” She squealed, elevating the pitch of her voice. “Alright, you can stay home today. I’ll be sure to grab every fruit and vegetable needed to make that special meal you love so much.” Angel liked to entertain the idea that he receive a gourmet meal every dinner, one dish in particular. As much as she loved her fluffy pal, Fluttershy usually refused due to the difficulty in obtaining most of the ingredients it required. Fluttershy trotted over to plant a quick peck on his forehead before turning to the door. “Be good, Angel.” She said. The rabbit waved her off with a paw. Even when he’s rude he is still absolutely adorable! With the silence of a feather hitting the ground, Fluttershy exited her cottage. Leaving the comfort of home wasn’t the challenge it used to be when she was a filly. Dark clouds haunted the sky and pestering bullies littered the airborne town of Cloudsdale. It didn’t help to have a fear of heights either. Though equipped with wings, Fluttershy was a weak flyer. She wouldn’t dare get close to the town’s edge. Life came without warning for the sensitive Pegasus. Nopony ever related her severely introverted composure and complete lack of confidence. Every loud noise, frightening image, and spooky story were all too good a reason to stay indoors, preferably her own home. On one fateful day, when she volunteered as flag bearer for her childhood friend’s race, Fluttershy was blown off the small cloud on which she stood. That cloud was the only thing standing between her and certain death. Thus, the little filly was sent tumbling to the ground, screaming as she fell. Amidst everything she tried to prevent such a scenario, she was still going to finally ‘eat it.’ When life nearly struck the defining blow, Fluttershy decent was halted not by dirt or rock, but by a flock of butterflies. The small insects were utterly alien to her. Yet they were first of many to introduce her to the wonders of nature. Creatures the little filly had never believed existed thrived in the world below. Small ponds housed gorgeous koi fish and tall trees provided refuge for magnificent birds. More important than discovering the bottom dwellers, she experienced the value in caring for and appreciating life rather than to fear it. Even the smallest organisms that crawled, sneaked, and slithered and the bigger, meaner ones who were only longing for understanding found their way into Fluttershy’s loving embrace. Soon, the pink and yellow mare became the staple pony for the care and love of all living things. From then on, Fluttershy chose to live on the ground rather than the sky and strived to lead a life of kindness and compassion, earning her her signature three-butterfly cutie mark. Eventually, she was given the title of “Element of Kindness” to join with the other five “Elements of Harmony.” Stepping into the outdoors, Fluttershy was greeted with the world she cherished with all her heart. Celestia’s sun hung just over the horizon, casting a golden glow overlapping the baby blue sky. A flock of geese flew in perfect triangle formation directly overhead. The morning’s breeze composed a song loud enough to allow the trees to dance and sway their leaves to the music of the wind. Dew glazed the grass surrounding her front yard, the healthy breakfast smoothie for any three-legged insect just waking up. Fluttershy couldn’t help but grin. “Good morning, World!” She exclaimed, hooves sprung out above her head as an attempt to reach out and give mother nature a warm hug. Walking along the cobble path to Ponyville, the pegasus took some time to address everything she viewed as a work of art. “Good morning, grass! Good morning, trees! I hope the neighborhood termites haven’t been bothering you.” She said, cheery as ever. The nearby pond was her next target. "Good morning, fishies!" Came the bubbling greeting as she stuck her head underwater. She waved a 'hello' to the chirping frog sitting on a lily pad. A little highway of ants intersected her path after she crossed the bridge. Fluttershy bent down to greet a particular specimen. “Good morning, Colonel Antony!” She said sternly with a hoof raised to her brow. The ant officer stopped to return the salute before returning to whatever duties he had for the day. Such was the mare’s passionate morning routine she never started her day without. But today, time was of the essence. A few hours’ worth of grocery shopping awaited her, so she incorporated a little pep in her step to beat the inevitable crowd at the market. The Ponyville market was set up near the center of town with a long rows of tents, tables, and tiny makeshift storefronts, each designated to its own freshly harvested crop: apples, pears, carrots, potatoes, beets, lettuce, spinach, pumpkins, and…watermelons? Thanks to the Wonderbolts, Ponyville’s athletic speedsters, the seasons were more predictable than most other places. Annual harvests synced with one another. As a result, enjoying a watermelon slice during the summer whilst baking a pumpkin pie in the oven became a luxury available only to the residents of Ponyville. On rare occasions, farmers in the tropical regions of Equestria would visit the small town to sell their citrus fruits and ripe coconuts. Hence, one could understand why today’s event was called the Grand Ponyville Harvest sale for a reason. Fluttershy arrived rather early to beat the impending crowd the town’s market sales tended to attract. Confrontations with fellow shoppers never happened to be fun. Most cases ended in the mare shying away and blandly apologizing after being cut in line. In the past, her friends encouraged her to join a self confidence building group. The results were initially profound, but due to the extreme measures the overbearing instructor pressured on her, she ended up losing sight of her original persona and became what she hated most of all, a bully. Fluttershy has tried to remain true to the qualities she lives by ever since. Today, she hoped being the first shopper would help to avoid competition. However, as early as she was, most of the vendors had yet to open their shop to the public. Luckily, the ‘early-bird’ idea was shared with one of Fluttershy’s closest friends. An orange mare running the apple stand was everypony’s favorite country gal, Applejack, the element of Honesty. She waved her brown stetson at Fluttershy before slapping it back onto her noggin. “Mornin’ Flutters!” Applejack rang. “Happy to see ya here bright n’ early!” Her country twang warmed her soul. “Good morning, Applejack.” Fluttershy sang back before turning her attention to the much larger red stallion behind the stand. “Congratulations on your marriage, Big Mac! You and Sugar Belle are the cutest couple in Ponyville right now.” Big Macintosh instinctually returned with a slow, dreamy “Eeeeeyuuup” before realizing he was given a complement and frantically rebounded with a deep “Oh! Uh…Thank you, Miss Shy.” Fluttershy giggled at that. The brawny earth pony had towed two wagons’ worth of freshly picked apples consisting of three classic colors: yellow, red, and green, ripe for the taste buds. (Though Applejack preferred ponies call them by their real names.) Releasing a long sigh, he slumped into the grass and rested his aching head. His newly wed wife, Sugar Belle, was setting up her portion of the stand to sell some of her yummy baked apple fritters to complement the surplus of fruit. “Ya want yur usual, sugarcube?” Applejack interjected. Fluttershy was a regular customer, and she hardly varied her choices. “Why yes I would, please.” The yellow mare answered sweetly. “Big Mac!” Applejack’s new authoritative demeaner jolted the red stallion awake. “Three pounds of pink ladies plus a pound of granny smith, stat!” Big Mac hurried to his hooves and dumped the requested apples onto a makeshift scale for weighing before tossing them into a brown paper bag. Fluttershy snatched a few bits from her saddlebag and placed them on the counter of the wooden stand. “If we’re goin’ to keep up with them customers today, you better be on the tip of yur hooves, big brother!” Applejack added. “Eeyup!” Applejack turned back around to hand the pegasus the bag of juicy, ripe apples, closed shut with a Sweet Apples Acres branded ribbon. A peaceful exchange between two ponies. And with business out of the way, the two mares engaged in healthy conversation. “This is gonna be some harvest sale, huh?” Began Applejack. “Oh I know! I usually don’t spend so much on fresh produce. But the variety of crops that are going to be sold here is wonderful!” Fluttershy looked around at the other stands lining the market. “I’ve heard some vendors are coming from the tropics. That means pineapples and bananas and coconuts are going to be sold today!” “Ya act like you like coconuts or somethin’. I know you, Flutters. You’d never go near those things.” Applejack rested her elbow on the stand’s countertop. “They’re not for me.” Fluttershy replied with a smile. “I figured I’d stock up on food for the animals at my sanctuary. I know they’re going to be so happy to have their favorite meals for dinner.” Applejack looked over her friend’s shoulder and spotted a pair of ponies had found their way to the market. “Well ya best hurry yurself. This place is going to be bustlin’ with more ponies than the post office on Hearth’s Warming Eve.” She said, her countryisms always a welcome addition. Fluttershy wasn’t ready to leave her friend’s comforting presence so soon, but she understood her concern, especially when she knew how Fluttershy felt in large crowds. “Right. Well…good luck with the harvest sale, Applejack.” She said, tentatively. Content with her purchase and the brief interaction, Fluttershy waved a goodbye, a gesture eagerly returned by its receiver. The Apple family is so kind and welcoming. I wish more ponies could be like them. She clipped the paper bag now full of apples to the strap of her saddlebag. Gazing around the premises, she noticed a couple more Ponyville residents had shown up for their market spree. Applejack is right. I better be quick. The entire first half of the day was spent browsing food items for the animals back at the sanctuary. Celestia’s sun now hung midway into the atmosphere highlighting everything caught in its warming glow. What seemed like minutes became hours as Fluttershy browsed the other vendors. Her saddlebag would shrink bit by bit as the collection of brown paper bags stuffed with a collection of fruits and vegetables grew to a sizable mass atop her back. Grocery shopping was an enjoyable activity, but when you had the responsibility for hundreds of spoiled rotten critters completely dependent on your care, it became a regular exercise. By lunch time, the market was flooded with patrons of all shapes and sizes. Everypony…no…evercreature in Ponyville was now shopping to stock their own shelves with local and foreign goods. Ponyville was a tightknit town overall, a kind of everypony-knows-everypony type place. Lyra and Bon Bon could be seen holding hooves as they strolled past the vendors. All three members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders were on some makeshift adventure through the market streets while being followed by younger, noncutie-marked foals. Unsurprisingly, the Flim and Flam brothers had set up their own stand to sell whatever magical, world defying concoction they’ve conjured up lately. And even that infamous cross-eyed mare paused her mail delivery to pick up a few boxes of blueberries. Fluttershy was hidden somewhere in the mix. Personal space became nonexistent as she found herself constantly bumping flanks with others. “Oh. Excuse me.” “Pardon me, Sir.” “Sorry about that, Ma’am.” Were her apologies for the all-too-frequent collision. “Watch your hooves, little filly!” One of them had said. Fluttershy didn’t like that, especially being called a filly, and wanted to berate the stallion for his rudeness. But she said nothing. The weight on her back was no help either. Often, the poor mare had to pick up after herself after one or two of her paper bags tore open, spilling its contents onto the hoof and claw infested floor. Oh dear, I think I’ve bought too much. She thought, fumbling with the sticks of celery on the ground. As she did so, wings and tails grazed past her face, briefly obscuring her view. Leaving became a desirable option fairly quickly. As a matter of fact, there was a swarm of critters awaiting their promised ‘specialty’ dinner back at her sanctuary. Flicking the top flap of her saddlebag open, Fluttershy peered inside at the number of the bits she had left. Her suspicions were correct. I did buy too much. Being the element of kindness is not only a title, but also a full-time job whenever she went on perilous adventures with her friends. Although, however terrifying the adventures were, they were rewarding in character growth and in pay. So, she need not worry. Forcing herself out of the dense crowd, Fluttershy safely departed the Grand Ponyville Harvest sale, a farewell to a productive day of grocery shopping. The walk to the sanctuary to the sanctuary wasn’t a long one, but with the cargo on her back the distance may as well be tripled. Celestia’s sun now approaching the west horizon, the sky was a brilliant orange. Dinner time. The walk from the produce market was as long as anticipated. This was mostly due to the accumulated mass of food atop her back. The combined weight forced the mare on her hooves, preventing flight. She didn’t have Rainbow Dash’s speed, nor would she ever match the strength of Applejack. Physical exercise was foreign territory. Thankfully, the forest tunnel opened up to a much wider landscape. Relief spread across the mare’s face. The first, attention-grabbing feature of Sweet Feather Sanctuary was the waterfall that wash over slated rock, cascading into a pond, which joined into a winding stream that extended across the terrain. A hoofwoven, red hammock lay strung up between two palm trees. Wooden platforms and tiny bird houses decorated the trunks of eucalyptus trees. ‘Paradise’ would come to mind for anypony fortunate enough to lay eyes on the place. For the animals, it was heaven. But it was quiet, too quiet. How odd. Fluttershy, red in the face from exhaustion, approached the center of the field and dropped her cargo. The freedom of movement steadily returned after a swift pop in the spine. Turning around, she expected to find the delightful company of her beloved animal friends. Instead, she was greeted with a tidal wave of disapproving faces. “Hello, friends! Caretaker Fluttershy has returned!” She exclaimed while retaining a gentle tone, oblivious to the tension the atmosphere. Harry, the brown grizzly bear, stood with his arms folded, brow furrowed. A raccoon family of three all spat a glare at the yellow Pegasus. Even the pond’s fluffy ducklings seemed carried a feeling of contempt. Every animal on the premises shared a similar feeling in some form or fashion. Fluttershy blinked. Awareness finally gripped her. Was it something I said? Harry pointed a paw to his belly with the rest of the animals following suit, pointing to wherever their stomach lies in their body. Then, high-pitched, whiney noises swelled, as if somepony somewhere was winding up a large siren. The group began to encircle the mare. Fluttershy’s thinking machine went into overdrive. Is it…because they’re hungry? No, they shouldn’t be… The earthshaking drum of Harry’s growling stomach proved otherwise. “Now, wait just a minute.” Fluttershy pleaded. The volume of moans and groans increasing ever so slightly. “There’s no need to be upset. I have plenty of f-” Their cries easily drowned out her own. The sounds were deafening to her ears. Each creature held a pathetic expression on its face. All souls in her midst acted like a punishment had been inflicted upon them for some unknown, undeserving reason. A little grey goat had the gall to pretend to faint, likely an act to obtain sympathy for the apparent suffering shared across the entire sanctuary. This type of mass tantrum could only mean one thing: They ran out of food and were starving. And it blew a fuse. “ENOUGH!” Fluttershy demanded with vigor and righteous authority. The blast of her command reverberated the nerves of every creature within its range, presumably, even those a mile away. The whining stopped, and all grew wide-eyed at the fuming mare. “I have spent my entire day gathering food for all of you and dragged it all the way here! By! My! Self!” She didn’t hesitate to get up in their faces. The animals were frozen, completely dumbstruck. “And if that isn’t enough for you, I spent extra time choosing your all your favorites! I could have just bought you bags of kibble for Celestia’s sake!” Her voice cracked. “It is also very clear to me, that most of you don’t know how to share! I gave you a months’ worth of food TWO weeks ago! No wonder you’ve run out so quickly!” Tears formed in the eyes of all who beheld the mare’s wrath. “You have nocreature to blame but yourselves, yet you all are upset at me!?” They cowered in fear, some covering their ears, dreading the final blow. “I am VERY disappointed in you!” A long moment of silence passed before every animal, in unison, erupted into a series of wails and sobs. Tears showered the grass below, drowning it in an endless sea of sadness. Fluttershy winced, shocked by the result of her own making. Her expression rapidly softened. What have I done? I’m a monster! What once was a furious outcry became a flood of pain and misery. A tissue box passed around the group to provide some aid to the profuse torment. “Everycreature, please stop crying and listen to me.” Fluttershy spoke in the softest voice she could muster, though loud enough to be heard. “I am sorry for lashing out at all of you.” The sobs slowed upon hearing the apology. “But you must understand that you all live here together. That means you need to care for each other.” She walked around the circle as she spoke. “I can’t be here all the time because I have other responsibilities.” Her words worked deep to the bone as the animals stared at her with watery eyes. “It also means that you need to share your food with your neighbors. Nocreature should take more than they need.” The message appeared to ring clear. A select few had guilty expressions, contemplating their actions. Their caretaker truly wanted the best for them. Fluttershy lowered her head. “Again, I am very very sorry for my…emotional outburst.” She looked up with innocent eyes. “Do you forgive me?” She asked. What followed was a barrage of nods and approvals. The mare perked up and smiled. “Well then I forgive you too!” Fluttershy opened her arms and embraced the residents of Sweet Feather Sanctuary. The group hug was tight, but it was warm and forgiving. “And I hope you’re still hungry, because I brought you all something extra special.” She picked up the paper bag with the Sweet Apple Acres ribbon. She eagerly began opening it to showcase to the surprise inside. But when she glanced back upward, there was no creature in sight. Abandonment never felt so confusing and unprecedented. Fluttershy scanned the surrounding area. Nothing but a few feathers lay where her animals once stood. “Hello? Friends? Where did you run off to?” Did I say something wrong? Again? All the sudden, the world got a little bit colder. The sky seemed to fade a few shades darker, and her heart started to pump a few beats faster. Turning around, Fluttershy glanced up and saw it. Her pupils dilated and her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. She dropped the paper bag spilling freshly picked apples everywhere. The creature, slightly larger than Celestia the sun goddess, sat on the ground before her. Its steel-colored scales a stark contrast to the blue sky. Its sharp claws sunk deep into the dirt. Its wings reflected the fire of the sun. Its head and neck curled into the shape of an S. “Dr..dr…dr…dr…dr…” Fluttershy stood trembling in place. Words failed her as they always did in times of stress. “Uh…hi there. Do you think you can help me?” Spoke the dragon. Author's Note Hello! Chapter 2: Hearty Vegetable Stew “DRAGON!” Fluttershy squealed in anguish. However, she didn’t possess the lung capacity to produce a cry that would match the magnitude of her fear at that very moment. The brief interaction with the newcomer quickly ended as the terrified pegasus darted to the nearby eucalyptus tree with a speed that would make Rainbow Dash impressed. Only a cloud of yellow feathers were left floating in the air where the mare once stood. “Oh! I’m sorry!” The dragon shouted. “Please don’t go! I just want to talk to you!” His plea went unanswered. Looking around, it didn’t take the dragon long to spot where the frightened pony had gone off to. Conveniently, for him, the number of feathers the mare had shed during her flight laid a perfect trail leading to her place of refuge. The dragon grunted in frustration. Of course, he knew approaching the tiny pony from behind was a bad idea, especially given his size. Although, he thought if he used a soft, nonthreatening tone to get her attention, she wouldn’t react as dramatically as she did. Following the trail of avian-like quills, the dragon contemplated if following the tiny pegasus was the right thing to do after their little…encounter. Would she continue to flee? Would she breakdown into a crying fit? Would she try to attack him? The questions rang against the inside of his skull. He was trying to set a good impression here, after all, and so far, it wasn’t going well. The feather trail ended at the base of a tree. On its bark, a multitude of flat wooden planks were stuck, like a series of platforms. A few of the planks were topped with colorful blankets, expertly woven with alternating patterns and colors. If one looked closely, little hairs speckled the fabric as if something with a lot of fur had been resting there, basking in the early afternoon sun. But no creature of the sort was in sight, for nighttime was nearing. Just underneath the tree’s canopy lay a rectangular box with a triangular roof bolted to its top. The dragon was familiar with the concept of a ‘bird house;’ a petite structure designed to nest creatures of avian descendance. But, in blatant contrast, this particular bird house seemed to possess an extra, probably unwanted piece of decoration. Somehow, someway, the mare, in her frantic escape, had jammed her head into the tiny hole that was the only entrance to the bird’s nest. The rest of her body lay exposed, her hind legs quivering in place. Tiny, squeaky whimpers echoed within its wooden structure, like she had slapped a metal bucket over her head and decided to cry about it…because reasons. The dragon propped his forelegs up against the tree trunk, leaning in to get a better view (not that there was much else to see other than the wiggling rear end of a frightened pony.) He cleared his throat, fluffed his mane, and put on the sweetest voice he deemed appropriate to coax the pegasus out of her makeshift hidey hole. “Little mare. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He moved his head closer so she could hear him properly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk.” More whimpering. Impressively, she even managed to wedge herself a couple more inches through the tight entrance. Hopefully whoever’s eggs were in there didn’t mind the intrusive company. Eventually, it became quite clear that the frightened pony wasn’t going to come out anytime soon. For all the dragon knew, she would pass out from repeated attempts at conversation. So, he decided not to push it. The dragon pushed off the tree, releasing a deep sigh, not willing the situation to get the better of him. “That’s okay. I can wait.” He shambled a few clicks away before settling down on the grassy field, the cushioning emerald blades a welcoming rest for his joints. There, until dusk, he waited in the desperate hope to recover what should have been a casual introduction. Minutes hopped by like sheep over a fence. But for the mare stuffed inside the bird house, time was irrelevant. The memory of the brief interaction with the dragon replayed in her mind. Truth be told, she was spooked at first contact. Fluttershy could never adjust to jump scares playfully inflicted by her friends. Even cheap and utterly repetitive pranks during Nightmare Night never ceased to terrify the pegasus out of her wings. Whatever the case, if she wasn’t prepared for it, she would surely suffer. As often as she was, being surrounded by the crowd of cute and cuddly animals she had grown to treat like her own children had not prepared her for the overpowering, magnificent creature standing behind her earlier that day. Dragons were supposed to be a fear of the past that, overtime, she had learned to conquer. Even nowadays, she often held meaningful, trusting conversations with her draconic friends like Spike, Ember, and Smolder as if they were no different from ponies. But this dragon, showing up at that time; it was all too much and too sudden. Thus, just as whenever fear took the wheel, she succumbed to her usual antics of bolting to the nearest rock for cover or cowering behind a bush to hide. The bird house was, admittedly, not her finest choice. It was cramped, stuffy, and hot. Let alone thinking about its bird residents who’ll erupt into a raging fit when they see an intruder wedged headfirst into their private bedroom. In the time Fluttershy spent stuck, she overheard movement from the outside. Though hard to discern, it sounded like sticks and logs crumbling to the ground. Shortly after, she heard a whoosh, like a gust of wind, followed shortly by subtle crackling and popping noises. What's happening out there? It didn't matter at the moment. What could she do about it with half her body jammed into a bird house? After some time crying whatever tears she had left in her ducts, Fluttershy composed herself. She wasn’t scared anymore, nor was she no longer in panic mode. Frankly, she was embarrassed. Some poor, presumably lost creature had come to her for help, and all she did in return was cower and hide away, too frightened to respond even as it pleaded with her to come out. She scoffed at herself. Some Element of Kindness I am. Gah! I am supposed to set an example. The tight space eventually grew unbearable in her current position. Naturally, the seal created by her head and neck on the bird house’s circular entrance prevented fresh air from entering the enclosure. Therefore, beads of sweats began dripping off her nose and chin. By now, the mare knew the time for her own fearful shenanigans was over. She had to confront the stranger. This was going to be an awkward conversation. Corkscrewing her back and pulling with what little might she possessed, Fluttershy fantastically freed her noggin from the bird house with a loud foomp, mimicking the sound of somepony opening a fresh bottle of champagne. How long she spent in that bird house was unknown to her. The sun had set; a dimming glow still emanated from under of the horizon. The night’s stars were piercing through the atmosphere after Luna’s black canvas replaced Celestia’s blue sky. Crickets and cicadas composed their nocturnal serenade, gifting a white noise for all daytime creatures to hear during their slumber. The warm wind had blown away, because the night brought with it cold air. Gazing around the premises, she saw an abundance of fireflies dancing about in the field, flashing their bright bottoms like there was no tomorrow. Though, something was off. She couldn’t immediately spot the newcomer. Had he left? I offended him, didn’t I? The anxious pegasus pondered. Peering down over the wooden plank on which she stood, hiding the rest of her body except for her curious eyes, Fluttershy saw an active campfire crackling by her eucalyptus tree. It’s purpose she did not know, but she did understand the reasonable indicator that the stranger could still be in her sanctuary. Only a moment later, she caught movement in the corner of her eye. Stepping out from tree line, a large, horned silhouette emerged from the darkness. It was the newcomer! The stranger…the dragon. In his maw he carried a small bundle of sticks. Coming to stop by the campfire, he bent down and spat his cargo into the hungry flames. He then casually blew a puff of his own flame into the already burning pile of wood to accelerate the charring process. As a result, the ring of orange light surrounding the camp grew wider and brighter, revealing more of the draconic specimen's body. From above and far away, Fluttershy was able to look at the stranger in his entirety. A pair of wings, striped with crimson markings, lay folded neatly against his back. A pitch-black mane hid a few of the spines that lined his back from his doubled-horned head to his crimson dipped tail. He rested comfortably on the ground; his hind legs were slumped to the side with his forelegs out in front. Peculiar. Forelegs. Four legs? Fluttershy drew a breath. Alright, Fluttershy. Let’s keep a calm, collected, and…welcoming environment for our guest. The pegasus leapt off the plank and gracefully floated downwards, like a feather. Though she didn’t fly often, she was thankful she learned to master the most important part of activity: the landing. The sound the winged pony landing in the grass could match the level of a pin drop. Like a lighthouse alone in the vastness of the sea, the campfire was a solitary light in the void of darkness. The moon, now well above the horizon, reflected bright enough to see the outline of the Everfree Forest. But that light, that fire shined brighter than any flame she ever saw before. The dragon tilted his head up to take a whiff of the air. Aside from the burning wood and the ashy smoke, a faint vanilla tinge now tickled his nostrils. Fluttershy practiced a brief breathing technique taught to her by Rarity during times of crisis, savoring its relaxing effect, before approaching the newcomer. With all shreds of fear now reduced to merely a small pang in her chest, she revealed herself in the fire’s golden glow. “Um…hi.” She whispered, half her head hidden behind her pink mane. The dragon perked up and smiled. “Heh…Hi.” Any trace of tension between the two souls evaporated. Nothing made Fluttershy happier and feel more welcome than a simple, friendly hello. The pegasus side-stepped over to the larger creature and laid down a few feet from his side. The two didn’t say anything more for a few minutes. Rather, both sat watching the orange and red flames writhe and twist atop the charring wood, seeing how their dance flicked glowing embers into the air. Neither of them had the immediate desire to spark a conversation, as if they could already telepathically communicate what they saw in the fire. But it was Fluttershy who eventually broke the ice. “Sorry for…overreacting earlier. I didn’t see you behind me.” She said, holding a hint of regret in her tone. It was polite to maintain eye contact. Thus, the mare did so while still keeping half her face hidden. Her friends called it her 'trademark Fluttershy look.' “I get spooked pretty easily.” The dragon rolled to his feet to sit up, willing to embrace Fluttershy’s calming aura whilst maintaining a respectful distance. “No, I should be the one to apologize. I know I have a rather intimidating figure.” He gestured with his wings and his claws. “I shouldn’t have approached you so unannounced.” He looked down at his paws, running his digits through blades of grass. His tail was curled protectively around his base. “Oh, don't worry. I forgive you anyways.” Fluttershy returned. She didn’t want the dragon to feel like that was the lasting impression he made on her. In fact, the dragon even seemed surprise at her quick jump toward forgiveness. The mare held out her hoof and smiled. “I’m Fluttershy.” The dragon stared for a second, flustered, before reaching his paw to cup it around the little mare’s hoof. “Torran.” The two exchanged a small hoof/paw shake. “Torran.” Fluttershy repeated his name, tasting the word on her tongue. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a name like that before.” She didn't mention it, but she was familiar a similar, two-syllabled name starting with the same first letter. Torran chuckled. “I don’t think I have ever heard a name like ‘Fluttershy’ before. Let me guess, you must be a shy pony, huh?” He teased. Fluttershy cheeks burned red. “Yeah…you can say that.” She was often asked about that. “It’s kind of ironic how my whole family’s name is Shy, even though I’m the only one who is actually shy.” “Oh, really? That is strange.” Silence befell the lighthearted conversation once again. The midnight chirping of the crickets and cicadas became the primary background noise behind the sweltering pile of sticks. Its deep, yellow glow shone no farther than the length of Torran’s tail. Everything else was black, save for the twinkling specs of stars and the milky white moon; the gorgeous, awe-inspiring moon. “Well, what about your name?” Fluttershy began. “What does your name mean?” The question caught the dragon off guard. He blinked and shuffled around in place to get a little more comfortable amidst the anxiety spiked inquiry. “I…don’t know.” He choked. His eyes were now focused on something in the distance. “Oh?” Transitioning from his sitting position, Torran slumped back to lie on the ground. “Actually, I don’t even know how I got here.” His gaze turned towards Fluttershy, now the pony of interest. “I was kind of hoping you could help me with that. You’re the first…intelligent being I’ve seen for hundreds of miles.” His eyes. They look tired, and they’re so green. "I really don't know what else to do at this point." Torran added. His demeanor suddenly falling shallow. The mare quickly jumped to a conclusion. “Oh I get it, you’re lost.” She blurted. Of course! Why didn't she think of that earlier? “Random ponies I’ve never met have stumbled upon my sanctuary and asked for directions before. I can see why. This place is kind of in the middle of nowhere to be fair. I’m sure I can find a map to help get you to where you’re going.” Not a second's thought passed as she did a double-take on herself. “Wait! I think I have a simplified map of Equestria in my saddlebag. I'll go get it!” Fluttershy jumped to her hooves to retrieve the item she left at the center of the field earlier, but she hesitated to leave the safety of the fire’s light. "Could you come with--" “Fluttershy.” Torran interrupted her rant. She flung her head around. “Yes?” “I can’t remember anything. I know that my name is Torran, that’s it.” The dragon assured calmly. “I don’t even know if I have a home.” It took the mare a second for that to click. Her smile faded as her mind processed what he had just said. Now this was a situation out of the ordinary. Is this a joke? Is this some kind of cruel prank somepony is pulling on me? Despite Fluttershy's suspicions, It seemed like even Torran couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I woke up somewhere, in the middle of some desert.” His eyes were shut tight, straining to recall his most recent of memories. “It was dark, I don’t remember how or when I got there.” He dropped his head into his forelegs to hide his face. “It’s all so fuzzy.” And then, as if her world stopped revolving around her preconception of an average good Samaritan duty, the realization finally hit her. This was no lost traveler seeking assistance and direction from a local. It was a confused, abandoned, wandering soul suffering from a terrible case of amnesia. Amnesia. When life couldn't be any crueler than to steal away one's cherished memories, only to leave a blank void of questions. The mare's ears drooped at the sudden gravity of the situation. Fluttershy leaned over to rub Torran's shoulder with a hoof. The scales were smooth to the touch. “I’m sorry. That has to be very hard to deal with, Torran.” She emitted her deepest condolences. The sad truth meant this dragon basically lost his entire identity. A desert, with no food, no water. How long was he unconscious before he woke up? Who left him there? Why did they leave him there!? “You must have felt so alone.” Torran lifted his head back up and starred into the night sky. “I don’t know what to think of it, you know? I feel like I should be mad at whoever, or whatever did this to me. But…I have nothing to go on.” The yellow pegasus wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Repairing the fractures of a mind filled with shattered memories was not within her range of expertise. However, within the hurricane of helplessness, Fluttershy's ability to relate and sympathize with others allowed her to understand the stress Torran was going through. Waking up in a foreign place with no recollection of yesterday or the day before was a frightening image to think about, let alone being the individual experiencing it. Dear Celestia, this dragon needs help. In time, the campfire had reduced itself to a mere candle-sized flicker before blinking out with a puff of smoke. Darkness returned to blanket the campers in its cold embrace. The change of scenery, or complete lack thereof, snapped Fluttershy out of her trance and plunged her back into awareness of her own fear of the night. Torran noticed her subtle shift into paranoia. “Sorry. I was little distracted.” He said, bellowing his gullet to blow another puff of flame to reignite the campfire. Fluttershy interjected before he could do so. “How about you sleep over at my cottage tonight?” She asked. “It’s cold outside. I don’t want you to freeze.” Obviously, they weren’t going to find any immediate answers to Torran’s predicament overnight. Amnesia wasn’t an easy thing to resolve as far as the mare knew. Often, one would have to readjust to life and move on from their forgotten past. But not all hope was lost; some ponies would still be able to reconnect with their loved ones. On rare occasions, just spending time in their own home brought back the memories they had lost. Torran’s situation, on the other hand, may be a bit more complex. From what Fluttershy could see in the dark, Torran looked surprised at her offer. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.” He gripped the end of his tail with a paw. Burden? Wow, he really doesn’t know me. I am Fluttershy, the queen of hospitality! “You are certainly no burden! You are my guest. And I would be more than happy to let you rest your wings at my home. They must be sore after using them all day.” He had to say 'yes.' She and Torran both knew he had nowhere else to stay. “That’s very kind of you, Fluttershy.” The dragon bowed his head after a moment's hesitation. Fluttershy gleefully bowed in return. Success. “Great! Let’s hurry, I forgot I had a stew going!” And she led the way. The trip home was going to be difficult at night, but with a dragon at her side, she owned the forest. Thank Celestia. As black as the night rung, the warm light emanating from the windows of Fluttershy’s cottage beaconed under the starry sky. Still were the trees, for they no longer danced. Silent were the birds, for they no longer sung. Quiet was the world, for it was asleep. The duo had arrived at their destination after crossing the small bridge over the frog-ridden pond. Swiftly, little pegasus trotted up to the main front door to be the first to welcome her guest into her home. “Torran, before you go in, I should let you know that I have a pet rabbit. Angel is his name. I’m…not too sure how he will react to your…presence.” Fluttershy tried her hardest not to offend her draconic guest, but she felt it right to tell him. Angel Bunny, as much of a bundle of joy he is, is rather unpredictable. “Oh. I don’t mind if you’d rather me sleep out here if he isn’t comfortable.” Torran suggested. What a gentledrake. But her guest...outside? Absolutely not! That would be unacceptable. So, Fluttershy insisted. “No no. It’s still too cold out here. I want you inside tonight. Angel will just have to adapt, he’s pretty good at that.” That was a lie. Angel is terrible at adapting! What are you thinking, Fluttershy!? She swung her door open with a hoof, spilling the interior light out into the darkness. “Come on in!” She said with a gleeful smile plastered on her face. The cottage light from inside was like a tractor beam, drawing the steel-colored dragon in. Sizing up the entryway, Torran did his best to condense his larger body to accommodate for the doorframe's tight fit. Dragons were usually nimbler and more flexible than other creatures their size, so his shoulders and torso managed to slip through nicely. His flanks, however, were a bit of a squish. A feeble shove from his hind end forced the rest of his body past the doorway. Then, taking a long gander at his surroundings, Torran was the greeted with the what could be the coziest of all places. The scent of vanilla mixed with a brewing stew invaded his sensory organs. Never would he have thought such a domain belonged to the likes of somepony as shy as Fluttershy; this place was a welcoming haven! Round area carpets decorated the wooden flooring, dampening any possible echo when one spoke. A couple of bookshelves leaned against the walls, humbly stocked with a number of books just low enough for a few of them to tip over into the leftover empty space. An ornately framed painting of butterflies fluttering in front of a cascading rainbow was placed behind a table topped with a porcelain tea set. A purple pillow lay in the far corner; a small ball of white lay curled upon it. Fluttershy’s dear companion, Angel Bunny. The little marsupial slept soundly, dreaming of whatever rabbits dreamed of. Torran, as per Fluttershy’s prior warning, didn't seem adamant about introducing himself just yet, thankfully. They both shared a glance at the sleeping Angel. Fluttershy gave her appreciation to Luna herself that Angel was such a heavy sleeper. “I think it’s best if he stays asleep for now,” she whispered after lowering her voice, “Please, follow me.” The pegasus quietly lead Torran past the staircase and the lounge area into a separate room segregated from the rest of the household by a wall and a frame. The significant feature of this room was the small cobblestone arch against the far wall. Within the structure rested a metal rack suspended over a pit of hot coals. The cast iron pot set atop the rack was a clue suggesting to anypony that the structure also doubled as a cooking oven. Adjacent to the cobblestone, wooden shelves held common household ingredients like flour, salts, and seasonings. The rusty old refrigerator contained a mysterious assortment of goodies known only to the mare herself, a secret she liked to keep. It wasn’t much, but it was Fluttershy’s humble kitchen, and she cherished it. Trotting over to the far corner, she dusted off a couple of chairs and dragged them and a short, rectangular table into the open. “I don’t get a lot of visitors often, aside from the usual tea party with my friend, Discord.” She stated before turning back to Torran. She looked him up and down and back at her chairs. After realizing her mistake, the mare pushed one of the chairs back to the corner. Torran laughed as he ran a paw through his mane. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy. I don’t mind sitting on the floor.” The yellow pegasus huffed. She hated having to settle for the least of accommodations for her guests dependent on their size. “My vegetable stew should be done by now.” She grabbed a pair of ceramic bowls from her shelf and brought them over to the pot. The stew was done three hours ago. I just got home later than... intended. “It smells wonderful.” Torran complemented. His nostrils flared around, working their magic to entice the dragon's appetite. “It’s a simple recipe: yellow onions, mushrooms, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and, of course, the secret ingredient.” Fluttershy recited. She held a ladle with a wing as she poured her culinary skills into generous serving portions. “Which is…?” Torran questioned. “I’ll never tell.” The mare said over her shoulder, playfully. All these greedy guests begging to know her special ingredient will never break her. Balancing a soup bowl on each wing, Fluttershy steadily carried them over to the table, setting the bowl for Torran down first before setting hers down. Her guest inhaled the vapors rising from his steaming dinner. Indeed, it was the familiar scent he smelled from when he first entered the cottage. Fluttershy trotted over to a light switch on the wall and gave it a flip. All the ceiling lights in her house turned off save for the one cheap chandelier dangling over the dinner table. To her, It felt like proper etiquette to set the mood for what could be a lengthy and difficult conversation during a late-night mealtime; Rarity would be proud. Content with the current setting, Fluttershy then trotted back over to the opposite end of the table and plopped her rump comfortably into the wooden chair. By Celestia, it's been a long time since she had the opportunity to do this. Across the table, Torran shuffled his wings about, whether out of discomfort or aching soreness Fluttershy didn't know. He ought to be sore if he came from a desert. Still, a plethora of questions unequivocally begged to be answered, no doubt, but that would have to wait. Her own appetite begged to be satisfied. She held her soup bowl up with both hooves and slurped. Ting! Yikes! “Ouch! Oof! That is much too hot!” Fluttershy hissed. “We should wait for them to cool before we dig in.” “Sure.” Torran said. His responses have gotten shorter. The mare had thought that by inviting Torran into her home and providing a warm meal would allow him to open up. But so far, he seemed to be lost in his own head. Whatever the case, Fluttershy silently hoped the coincidence that the lone wandering dragon meet with the most sweet, most gentle, most caring individual would surely help to calm and soothe his worries. She lightly tapped her hooves together whilst struggling to conjure up an opening conversation. “So, Torran, you’re having trouble remembering things before…well…waking up in a strange place?” “That’s right. Like I woke up from a long nap." "Okay. You said you woke up in a desert?" She already knew what he had said before, but wondered if Torran still remembered. "Yeah. Do you know anything about it? Maybe something happened there?” Torran inquired, perking up on his paws. “Sorry, no. Even though I know what desert you are talking about, I’m no detective.” Fluttershy assured, feeling helpless. Rarity is the only pony who can tackle mystery cases in Ponyville head-on without a sweat. But me? I’m not cut out for this! Torran's exuberance died a little. “That’s alright. You’re just the first sentient being I’ve talked to since waking up. I didn’t expect you to know the answers. I’m just disoriented is all.” He rubbed his neck. Disoriented? Oh, right! “Now that is something I can help with!” Fluttershy beamed. She couldn't bare to delay introducing Torran to the land of Equestria any longer. The pegasus left her seat and trotted over to the kitchen counter to grab her saddlebag. In it, she dug out a rolled piece of paper held shut with an elastic band. Then, she brought it to the table and unrolled the paper to reveal a large-scaled geographical map. “EQUESTRIA” in big letters was written at the top. The overall shape of the landscape appeared to be one, enormous continental island with a couple smaller islands to its right. A rocky, white mountainous image illustrated the northern hemisphere, while a dry, deserty geography depicted the south. A greener, lusher valley lay between the two hazardous biomes. “You are here,” Fluttershy pointed at the little village-like icon on the map, “the beautiful town of Ponyville. A home for all ponies and creatures alike. It’s a small borough, but it has a big heart.” She shifted her hoof up and to the left at a series of clouds hovering next to a pack of rainbows. “This here is Cloudsdale, where I was born.” Torran adjusted his position to get a better look at the map. “It looks like a bunch of clouds.” Quite the observation there, Torran. Admittedly, the reference to her childhood home as 'a bunch of clouds' would be considered insulting to its residents, but the mare held her tongue. Torran was new after all. “Uh-huh. Pegasi live there. We are the only ponies with wings.” The pegasus gave a few cute flaps of her own feathered flight appendages. “And do you all have… like... houses up there?” “We do. It’s kind of hard to explain how living in the clouds works, but honestly, it is nothing short of a miracle.” Scattered around the map were locations marked with unique but unclever names referencing to equestrian attributes: Filly Delphia, Los Pegasus, Manehatten, Baltimare. The trend made sense as they were all built upon the gargantuan supercontinent of Equestria. They wouldn't have nearly enough time to go through each location, but if Torran inquired about any of them, she would happily provide a brief history. A few minutes passed as the pair discussed the local geography. Eventually, Fluttershy left Torran to view the map by himself and returned to her chair across the table. She loved talking about her favorite place in all of everything she adored, however, trying to explain the physical laws of Equestrian nature to a dragon who didn't know that pegasi lived in clouds was an exhausting effort. “What about here?” Fluttershy noticed Torran pointing at a towering mountain at the center of the map with a royal castle attached to its side. “Who lives there?” He asked. “Why Princess Luna and Princess Celestia of course! They are the two alicorn rulers of Equestria. Celestia, the eldest sister, uses her power to raise the sun, and Luna the moon.” Fluttershy gleefully recited. The commonest of all knowledge. Even with amnesia, how could somepony not know about the Princesses? The words hit the dragon like a brick wall. “Princesses…alicorn.” He muttered. Fluttershy noticed his subtle contemplation. “It just means that they have a pair of wings, like me, and also a horn to use magic.” This information came rather easily for Fluttershy. It was like telling somepony the sky was blue, and the grass was green. “Magic…” Torran whispered, trying to process the amount of content he now had to remember. It was like the basic Equestrian terminology sounded alien to him. Is this dragon serious? But the conversation was becoming stale. Incorporating the dragon back into society, or rather, the land of the living, was going to be a rocky road. There were fundamental norms he clearly didn’t understand. Oh boy. Fluttershy, desperate for a good impression, took the initiative. “I-I think the soup has cooled some.” Torran blinked out of his wits. “Oh, right.” He scooted back, scooped his bowl into his paws and lofted it up to his maw. As he begun to pour the concoction into his gullet, he peered over the edge of the bowl to see Fluttershy doing the same. Chunks of carrots, potatoes, and peas flooded his oral cavity, exploding his taste buds into a fireworks display of flavor and tang. Upon this sudden gust of satisfaction, Torran closed his eyes and tilted his head back to allow the nutritious sludge to slide into his awaiting stomach. Fluttershy giggled at his childish demeanor. “I am very flattered, Torran. I’d imagine you would be hungry after such a long day. But you must slow down! I don’t want you to get a bad tummy ache.” That last part slipped out like holding a wet soap bar between her hooves. The mare’s verbiage in her warning utterly flummoxed her guest. Locking dinnerplate-sized eyes with him from across the table, she couldn’t hide her embarrassment. Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hooves, cheeks piping hot. Although, her action only added to her own shock and disbelief. At the other end of the table, Torran held his breath as the two engaged in yet another bat of awkward silence. It certainly wasn’t the kind of dinner she was expecting. But thank Celestia, the awkwardness was short lived as the duo burst into rambunctious laughter. Joyously, Torran waggled his tail, thumping it against the wooden floor. The whole table shook as he slapped it with his paws in hysterical fashion. Fluttershy did not stray far from the dragon’s antics. In fact, she too rocked her chair back and forth from the sheer magnitude of laughter. “I’m sorry.” Fluttershy choked out in between breaths. “I didn’t mean to talk to you like that. I meant it when I said I usually don’t have many guests. My animal friends are the ones I talk to the most these days.” The mare believed she would never be able to live that moment down for as long as her relationship with Torran lasts. “That’s alright.” Torran said, still grinning ear to ear. “I can’t say that I haven’t been talked to like that before. I wouldn’t know!” The joyful moment calmly subsided as he looked down at his empty bowl. “Feel free to help yourself with some more stew! I’m still on my first bowl.” Fluttershy said. Torran nodded and did just that. With a single paw, he gripped his bowl under his claws and walked over to the fireplace in an offset, three-legged gallop. In this light, Fluttershy was able to get another full-scale view of her guest. He was certainly unlike any dragon she had ever seen before. The dragons she knew stood upright and walked on their hind legs. Their muzzles also usually came to a point at the end of their nostrils in a beak-shaped nose. In Torran’s case, his nose was more rounded and smoother, like a dinosaur. There were also dragons of much larger scale. In her earlier days with her best friends, Fluttershy was forced to confront a towering behemoth of a dragon whose thunderous snoring nearly blocked out all sunlight in Ponyville with his smoke and ash. Thus, in Equestria, most dragons Torran’s size would be considered teenage, but Torran was by no means small in comparison. He was probably a horn or two taller than Celestia herself if they stood side-by-side. The way his muscular, yet lithe frame was built suggested that he was roughly fully grown. Though Fluttershy wouldn’t know. She and the dragon in question may never know what his actual age might be. But what fascinated Fluttershy most of all was his mane. Equestrian Dragons typically had large fins atop their head. Her dear friends Ember and Spike each had their own uniquely colored fins that complemented or contrasted the color of their scales. Peculiarly, Torran had a silky, pitch-black mane like that of a pony. From some angles, he’d remind her of King Sombra. The dragon even shared that steel-colored coat of his. And those red markings. Fluttershy shook from her trance when Torran returned with his bowl refilled with some of her stew. Without further delay, he immediately dug in to the healthy, filling deliciousness. She smiled at his voraciousness. Rationally enough, she couldn't possibly enforce politeness on a guest so eager to enjoy her culinary delight. Suddenly, a little hint of white in the corner of her eye caught the mare off guard. Angel. Oh dear. The petite marsupial was leaning around the corner, looking on in horror at the abominable scaled creature inside his own home. Apparently, the mare guessed that recent bout of noisy laughter heard in the kitchen had roused him from his peaceful slumber. Torran noticed Fluttershy’s lingering gaze past his shoulder, in which he followed her gaze to see what gave her that concerning expression. As soon as the dragon locked eyes with the small hare, Angel closed his own to faint backwards, generating a soft whump as his small form collapsed onto the floor. “Oh Angel.” Fluttershy scooted her chair backwards and left to go rescue her beloved companion. She scooped him up in one arm before turning towards her reptilian guest. “I better go put him to bed.” “Sure thing. I’ll finish the last of my stew and clean these dishes up.” He immediately began licking his bowl clean. “You don’t have to that, Torran. You are my--” “Please, I insist. It’s the least I can do in return.” The dragon was already finishing up in putting the wooden chair and table away. Fluttershy couldn’t argue with his forwardness. Celestia be damned, she couldn’t argue with anypony. That was a skill in constant development. “Thank you.” Was all she could muster. And she headed off upstairs. By the time Fluttershy tucked Angel in for a good night’s sleep, she went back downstairs to find Torran rinsing the soapy suds off the soup bowls and the cooking pot into the grass outside. The water he was using came from one of her rainwater buckets. Careful to preserve as much of the liquid as he could, the dragon washed his paws off and set the bucket back on the ground. "I'll take those off your paws." Fluttershy held out a hoof, at which Torran obliged and handed her the bowls. “If you would follow me, please.” She gestured with a wing. “I’d like to show you where you are sleeping tonight.” After Torran managed to squeeze himself through the door, this time with a little more ease, Fluttershy led him to the lounge area of the cottage. Near the bottom of the staircase lay a mishmash of blankets, pillows, and quilts she had thrown into a wide pile. Some of the furniture had to be moved around to accommodate for the floor area the pile took up. “I don’t have a mattress that’s large enough for your size, so I though I’d find all the soft things in my house and put them here.” I wish I was more prepared for guests. It’s been so long. Torran gave a respectful bow to the little pegasus. “Thank you for putting this together, Fluttershy. You’re very kind.” There it was again. Fluttershy grew a few shades redder at hearing his thanks. The word ‘kind’ used to describe her was a humble yet flattering complement. It gave her pride in that she was living up to her title: ‘Element of Kindness.’ “You are very welcome, Torran.” She said, returning his bow. One by one, the dragon brought each leg into the pile of soft things. Funnily enough, this was probably the most amusing part about his size. The simple truth that the only comfortable place to for him to sleep was the conglomeration of bed toppings on the floor embarrassed her own skills in presentation finesse. One may call it lazy, but there were truly no alternatives. Fluttershy didn’t want him sleeping on the hard wooden flooring; that would be…uncouth of her, as Rarity would put it. She put a lot of faith in that fashionista. The pillowy heap sucked the dragon’s legs into its mass, coaxing him into a prone position. “It’s comfy.” He remarked. Fluttershy snickered. “I sure hope so. I don’t think I have anything softer in this house other than Angel.” The mare trotted over to the far wall and performed a swiping motion on its surface with a hoof. Suddenly, the ceiling light above the center of the room shut off. Now, the interior of the cottage was lit only by the light from upstairs: Fluttershy’s bedroom. Torran watched the pegasus as she trotted over to the bottom of the staircase to begin her ascent. “Fluttershy.” He said, stopping her in her tracks. “Yes, Torran?” Is this going to be another 'thank you?' He looked down at his paws. “I know I’ve thanked you a countless number of times today. But I don’t believe you understand how grateful I am to have met you.” Fluttershy wasn’t sure where this was going, but she listened in. “You offered me, a total stranger, a warm meal and hospitality after I had frightened you out of your feathers.” The dragon’s tail swished idly in the mass of blankets. “Not only that. See, you…you trusted me. You believed me when I said I couldn’t remember anything, that I have amnesia. For all you know, I could have lied my way into your home and robbed you. Anyone could have lied about that.” He said ‘anyone.’ Fluttershy thought. What could that mean? “I can’t say if this has ever happened to me before. But what I can tell you is that…this whole amnesia thing…it’s…it’s terrifying.” Torran locked sorrowful eyes with Fluttershy, exchanging glances with her cyan blue gems and his green emeralds. "I just can't comprehend how lucky I am to have run into you." The mare didn’t budge for at least a minute. She normally dealt with fairly heavy topics, because she was more adamant about engaging in a heart-to-heart conversation than many of her friends were comfortable with. But this time, it was different. “Torran. This is who I am. This is the kind of life I choose to live. When most others don't, I see the beauty in the happiness of others. The joy I see on ponies’ faces when I wish them a good day or complement their appearance or appreciate their personality gives me the energy to become a better pony myself.” Pride reverberated in her voice. It wasn’t her usual tone, but she refused to live herself down. “I’ve been through a lot during the past few years. I have been in many terrifying situations and endured countless harrowing experiences, but I learn and grow from them. We all do. More importantly, I couldn’t have become the mare I am today without the help of my friends along the way. And you, Torran, are most certainly one of my friends.” Though confidence did not come easily for her, this was one of those 'rare' occurrences. The dragon sat in utter silence a moment. Now officially addressed as one of Fluttershy’s friends, he looked as though he were in awe at the pegasus standing before him. “That…means a lot to me. Thank you for that, Fluttershy.” Torran finally said. Fluttershy smiled at him like a mother at her newborn foal. “Of course, Torran. Now please, get some sleep.” The mare continued her way upstairs before turning back to her guest once last time. “Oh, and Torran.” “Yeah?” “I might know somepony who can help you get your memories back.” She said. And with that, she found her way to silent slumber. Goodnight, little dragon. Chapter 3: We are a FamilyThe rocky ledge in front of the cave gave way for a picturesque view of the vividly saturated landscape. High enough near the mountain peak but just below cloud level granted onlookers the magnificent sight: rolling hills and dark green mountains spanning for miles, a mirror-like lake settled neatly in the valley to the left, and a column of smoke rising from the bustling village just below the horizon. For the dragoness perched atop the ledge above it all, she cherished that spot as her refuge from the stresses of life. Only weeks after learning to fly, the dragoness found solace up there after a tense argument with her parents. The location was far enough away from the dragon tribes down in the valley that she essentially had the whole mountain range to herself. Any sign of life up there was the occasional mountain goat tiptoeing up the cliffside in a daunting effort to lick at the salt deposits within the cracks of the stony wall, oblivious to the impending danger. But the insurmountable peace it offered cooled her anger while it warmed her soul. Eventually, the dragoness found herself fleeing to the safe space whenever she needed, often staying for a couple days before coming back home. Nobody else knew where she would go, and she preferred to keep it that way. She was a grown dragon now, having moved away from her tribe and into the cave that dug deep into the mountain precipice not too long ago. At this point, she wished her refuge was even farther away from her village, but she would never find another place like it. Tonight was a night of reflection. Ever since the dragoness adopted the cave as her home, she no longer had to flee somewhere else. Though she would try to get out to explore and hunt more often, her presence was needed at the cave for a very special reason. Out of the many stones life had thrown at her over the years, it recently tossed her something miraculous--something wonderful. The moon illuminated her ocean blue scales, each one gracefully overlapping the other to create the artistic canvas that was her draconic form. Her lighter hued, slightly translucent neck fins stood perked, flowing nicely behind her head. Her beautiful azul wings lay folded comfortably on her back; she hadn’t used them in a while, all for good reason though. Her forelegs dangled over the cliff’s edge, swaying her paws through the blowing midnight breeze. Her head held high, blissfully absorbing the moon’s luminescence through closed eyes. The wind briefly altered direction after she heard a subtle flapping sound behind her. She knew who it was, but refused to regard his arrival. An orange-colored drake carrying a brown pouch in his maw had landed onto the wide platform in front of the cave’s entrance. “I trust you were able to find them.” She said without batting an eye, her snout held aloft. The drake trotted over to her resting place and plopped his rump beside her. “As a matter of fact, I did.” He responded, mimicking her crude tone. He untied the knot at the pouch’s opening with a foreclaw and pulled out a sizable bunch of deliciously plumb bananas. “This was the last bunch they had. The market only sells so much of these you know.” He added, handing the dragoness the yellow fruit for inspection. Had the green-tinged peels not already suggested, a few whiffs along the rinds indicated these bananas were of sufficient quality--ripe. No brown spots. “These will do fine.” She finally announced after her prolonged examination of the fruit. The dragoness leisurely tossed the bunch back into the pouch and slung it over her shoulder. Rising from her perch, wings flared and joints creaking, before turning towards the entrance of the cave, leaving the orange drake at the cliff. “Wha-?” He started, scrambling to his paws in a hurry. “W-wait a minute! Don’t I get a thanks and some appreciation?” He donned a pitiful pout upon his muzzle paired with teary puppy-dog-eyes. The dragoness halted in her tracks, then turned back around after putting on the fakest smile she deemed the drake worthy of. “Of course! Thank you so much, Norwin, full the most succulent, most ripe, most banana-est bananas you have given me. I knew you’d eventually figure out what they were!” She had enlisted his help in finding the rare fruit a few days ago. Although, he returned multiple times with the wrong item, and his effort was more than she gave him credit for. Appalled, Norwin stamped his paw hard against the flat rock. “Hey! You’re the one who kept telling me ‘Yellow, Norwin! They’re always yellow!’ when every fruit and vegetable I see down there at the market is yellow and long like you said.” “Yellow squash and banana peppers are not bananas.” She hissed; her voice was glazed with a tempting sweet undertone yet spiced with condescendence. “You should really ask the vendors what you’re looking for next time.” Norwin squinted his eyes at her. “Well, I’m glad those bananas are to your liking.” He teased, clearly enjoying the banter. The dragoness’ mocking expression dimmed. “Yes…they are. Though it was a bit of a delay, you did fetch them for me.” She admitted. Honestly, she was intensely grateful he would be willing to do such a thing for her. “I really needed them, you know,… for Torr.” The name too casually slipped out of her mouth. Her face froze, regretting bringing him up in the conversation. Torran, the little ray of sunshine life had given her, broke free from his eggshell prison only a few days ago, their newborn child whom the mother chose to raise herself. For now. Norwin quickly dropped his playful demeanor at the mention of his son’s name. “Hey,” He took a small step forward. “H-how is he?” The dragoness heaved a great sigh upon hearing his question. “He’s fine, Norwin. He hasn’t done much but sleep, squeak, and eat since he hatched.” “Heh,” The orange drake glanced down at his paws and smiled, “Got a big appetite, huh? Reminds me of a certain someone.” His left foreclaws lightly scratched at the rock floor. The dragoness tried to hold back a smirk. A certain someone. Ha. “Can…” He muttered, before looking back up at his mate so she would hear him properly. “Can I see him?” Oh no. Gods, Not this please. The dragoness could see the moisture and redness accumulating in his eyes, a sight she couldn’t bear to see. Yet, that look told her he already knew the answer. “No, Norwin. Not today.” She hated saying that. Her mate quietly swallowed as he nodded in response. She continued. “I…need some time…away. I appreciate you helping me care for him, but…I—we need distance.” Her expression donned that of mellow frustration. Did she need to remind him every time? Norwin faded into a solemn stare. “I understand. I leave in a week. My squadron commander has requested that we report in a little earlier than expected.” He turned his head away to hide his wavering voice. “I really thought that you would…that we could be ‘ok’ before I go off.” A week? Until he goes off to that…horrible shit. Her sympathetic expression dissolved. “That is your choice, Norwin.” She spat with extra venom. “Of course we wouldn’t be ‘ok’ when you leave us for some damn war.” Norwin winced at her retort, somewhat in disbelief. “You’re not being fair! They need me!” He shouted, but the anger was no substitute for his sadness. “I can’t just stand still and watch our kind burn. I’m doing this to protect you! I’m doing this to protect our son!” “And leave the both of us behind!? What am I going to do?” Now her own angry tears began shedding from their ducts. “What am I going to do when Torr needs a father figure and you’re not here!?” “I will be doing my part to protect you both! Gods, do you not understand what will happen if we do nothing?” Norwin broke from the intensity to gaze beyond the horizon. “It’s…it’s my duty.” “No it’s not! Don’t be stupid, Norwin. Your duty is to Torran!” “Then why won’t you let me even see him!?” “B-because…--” “Because you don’t care about the dragon race. Torr won’t have a world to grow up in when we are all dead!” Norwin’s voice stretched to breaking point. “Then stay with me! We’ll go somewhere where we will never be found. We will be safe, away from all of it.” “I can’t just do that. I-I have to stand up for our people.” “Dammit, Nor. Why this!? Why now!? You said—no—you vowed that you’d stay with me when we were mated! So why are you so eager to leave? We were going to be a family!” “WE ARE A FAMILY!” Norwin roared; an echo enhanced by the geological structure of the mountains shattered the silence. The shockwave had startled a nearby goat licking at a tasty salt deposit, causing it to skid down the rocky slope a few feet before a brief struggle to regain its footing. A slow moment passed after the larger chunk of his anger had been exerted before he sank back down on himself. He waited for the quiet to return. “We are a family, Auria. So long as we have love, we are a family.” The blue dragoness frowned as she gazed at the ground in disdain, unable to even look at Norwin. “No…We’re not. Not like this.” Norwin could hear the final nail being hammered into the coffin somewhere. This felt like the last straw to both dragons. They have had the same argument over and over again ever since he announced he would be joining the dragon military, yet each time they ended up in the same pit. “Auria, please…please don’t say—” “Just go. And don’t come back.” If Auria chose to look at him right now he would probably look sick to his stomach. The orange dragon’s neck frills and tail drooped downward. The damage had been done, and her wishes were to be respected. “Okay…I’ll go.” He turned towards the cliffs edge and unfurled his wings, but he wasn’t eager to go right away. Rather, he stood in place for at least a minute as if he had forgotten how to fly. But he knew how to fly. With sunken sorrowed eyes, he craned his neck back to his mate. “Goodbye, Auria. I will…always, always love you.” And with that, he leapt off the cliff. The dragoness lifted her gaze as she watched the orange disappear into the black night. It wasn’t long before she could taste the salt from the tears dripping into her mouth as Auria cried. She loved Norwin. So much so she believed he would be the drake partner she daydreamed about as a fledgling. To finally escape the cruel world with another lost soul like her. But maybe severing her ties with him would rid her the pain of ever losing him. Gods. I’m so selfish. A tiny squeak echoed from within the cave behind the dragoness. A mother’s calling. The switch now had to be flipped. Wiping the burning wetness from her eyes, Auria turned into the wide cave entrance, head held low. The cave entrance narrowed into a winding tunnel of rock, like a worm boring through the flesh of an apple. The stone walls were naturally decorated with glowing deposits of illuminous crystal, casting the cave in a dim yellow hue. Most may find it difficult to see even with the aid of the natural light emitting from the stones, but the biological advantage of a dragon’s slit iris allows for clarity at greater distances and clear nocturnal vision. The stomach of the cave opened into a spacious, yet comfortable layout for its dwellers. The mineral glow here was far brighter than the path leading to its inner confines. Dragons did not require furniture like some other creatures, nor did they find the necessity in decoration. A home to a dragon only needed be only two things: loving and warm. This cave in particular was no exception. At the corner of the room lay a pile of expertly woven blankets with dazzling patterns of colors and stripes. Though a little worn, they offered a soft, cozy embrace for the little dragon that lie on top of it. “Hello, my little Torr.” The dragoness cooed after dropping the brown pouch nearby. The dragon hatchling perked up at the sound of his mother’s soothing voice. His eyes remained shut--he had yet to fully open them for the first time--but he was very much awake. “I’ve brought you something extra special. They don’t grow anywhere near us, that’s for sure.” She laid down beside the mound of blankets, curling her form around it for added warmth, and dragged the brown pouch over with her tail. “They are called bananas. Can you say ‘bananas,’ Torran?” “Banz!” The youngling replied. “No. It’s ba-NAN-nas. Say ba-NAN-nas.” “Ba...banza…banz!” An excited squeal escaped his tiny little lungs as if he finally figured it out. Auria huffed a tired laugh. The hatchling’s speech acquisition was already beginning to surface just a few days out of the egg. Although, she suspected that he may only be attempting to imitate the sounds she made rather than trying to understand a word’s meaning. “Yes, Torran. I brought you some banzas.” A swift fumbling with the pouch’s opening revealed the yellow deliciousness inside. The mother gently tore one banana from of the bunch—they were puny in her paws—and set in on the cave floor to be cut. She was familiar with the fruit. As a dragon, tearing off the peel of the fruit without squishing the soft, internal flesh was always a challenge for her. Her claws could easily slash through materials as hard as cast iron, so she need be gentle, especially around her newly hatched son. With a single foreclaw, she slowly traced the tips along the length of the fruit to pierce and separate the yellow seal. She flipped the fruit on its opposite side to repeat the same process. As she worked, tiny pinpricks went up her back. The hatchling had already begun climbing atop her gigantic body to investigate. He really was a pawful, both figuratively and literally. “Hey you.” She cooed. After a bit of tugging on the peel, the dragoness managed to free the cream-colored fruit from its prison. Its wafting scent also seemed to rouse the little hatchling crawling about. “Be patient, little Torr. You’ll have your dinner soon.” She calmy assured, nipping at the nape of his neck to set him back atop his bed of blankets. The little hatchling squeaked in protest. Flexing a singular claw out from its sheath, Auria delicately sliced the banana into chunks small enough for her son to swallow without choking. He was going to eat a lot tonight knowing his voracious appetite, so she made sure to feed him in small quantities. After the entire banana had been thoroughly diced, Auria gingerly scooped up the fruit pieces and sprinkled them over the blanket. She made sure to toss them into Torran’s peripheral so he would stumble upon them as he crawled about. The proud mother watched her son perform a micro-hunt within the soft, rolling blanket folds. With just a couple whiffs of the air alone, he was able to track down each piece of banana within his midst, like a bat giving chase to a flying insect. Auria giggled at the voracious effort he gave to stuff the food down his tiny gullet. “You’re going to be so big and strong someday. Like your father.” One peculiar feature of little Torr’s appearance she noticed right out of the egg was the small tuft of fur atop his head. Though she cared little about the way he looked, she still couldn’t place the biological logic for it to even be there. Regardless, the tiny ball of energy was nothing of miracle in her life; one that she would cherish. And she couldn’t be happier that he was with her, in her cave. Her refuge. Her solace. Her sanctuary. The lonely cave cooled during the nights being at such high elevation. The only trace of airflow inside came from a smaller port near the roof, offering a quiet white noise for the inhabitants. But out of some mysterious aura that seemed to emanate within the mountain cavity, the dragoness swore she could feel heat radiating from the rock beneath. Naturally, the glowing cave crystals began to dim, signifying their rest period. Funny as it was that the crystals needed rest, almost like the miniscule forms of life inside of them were calling it a night. Regardless the mood or weather outside, Auria felt welcomed here. She would often entertain the idea that if the cave entrance had an engraved message it would say, “Come inside, stay awhile.” That she certainly did. Her meandering thoughts were rudely interrupted by the pathetic squeaks coming from the bundle of blankets squirming in her forepaws. The hatchling had already snuffed down the last bit of banana and was making a desperate attempt to escape the soft confines. “Torr.” His mother huffed, a little weary from dealing with this pawful of joy. But instead of scampering off, the mother watched her child scoot closer to her foreleg before settling comfortably upon her, his fragile body draped over her appendage. “Such a charmer.” It seems like everyone in the universe was telling Auria to go to sleep. The cave was dim and cool, and the impossibly small lifeform on her leg fell into a snooze without a sound. Yet, she couldn’t follow suit. In fact, she wanted to, but the effortless task seemed too difficult right now. Especially after her multiple fights with Norwin. Her meals became fewer and farther between due to the stress the whole situation put on her. A perfect life was just around the corner and then…no. Don’t think about it. It was his decision. Her body betrayed her nonetheless as her eyes watered and her gut clenched. Maybe she could cry herself to sleep this time, she pondered. A far memory fell into view. A hymn sung by an unknown voice she heard as a hatchling at night in the village. It felt like no other dragon could hear it aside from her. Beautiful, melancholy, and comforting it was to her ears. In any case, it could have been sung by another sorrowful soul somewhere else in the village, as if no one cared to hear his song. But she did. That music was special to her, because it was the only remedy when she suffered from insomnia. Over time, she had forgotten the words, but the tone was forever engrained into her heart. Taking extra care to not disturb the bundle of slumber on her leg, she rested her head snugly over her son. Hopefully, in this position, he could feel the vibrations from his mother’s throat as she hummed herself to sleep.
Prologue Unyielding were the howling winds that grazed the dry, death ridden dunes. Their sands used as building blocks to give shape to rolling dunes stretching hundreds of miles in all directions. Each hill reflected shades of tan and beige, complementing the hue of the god-like rays emitting from the sweltering ball of flame suspended over open air. Any living creature unfortunate enough to be caught unprotected from the golden light would surely fry and cook until only a husk remained. Such was reason why many intellectually gifted creatures would steer clear of the brutal atmosphere generated by the ever-shifting geography of the land and the overpowering intensity of the heat of the sun. The desert was a soul-eater. A consumer of life with a hunger unmatched by any neighboring biome. An organism well adapted to the grueling hellscape would follow instinctual advice to bury itself within the flowing sands to take shelter during the day to avoid its ravenous appetite. Thus, the desert’s meals consisted mainly of lone travelers blissfully ignorant to the lengths at which they must stride to reach its end, or poor souls exiled from their homes with nowhere else to go, or the select few who come only wishing to cut their own life short. Those who gave their highest effort to survive were inevitably digested inside the belly of the beast. Ultimately, remains of the living are swallowed, never to be seen again. But as the sun approached the horizon, briefly transitioning the sky into an amber orange, the moon breached into view casting a silver glow onto the landscape below. This was the beginning of another beautiful night. And it was this night that the desert slept. Gone was the blistering heat of the sun. Ceased were the growling winds that carried sand to and fro. A peaceful silence fell over the terrain. The air was still, and the sands just the same. From within the sands arose life. All creatures of the night awoke and emerged from their homes to take advantage of the calmed storm. Almost immediately, a sagebrush lizard climbed out of a lost drinking mug to search for that juicy beetle he saw roaming around earlier. A scorpion crawled out from under a skull—likely belonging to a much larger being—whilst carrying her children aboard her back. A sidewinder gazed at the scorpion with slitted pupils as she slithered out from a pit in the sand silently hoping she’d one day have a family of her own. Upon the graveyard which thousands of lost souls lie, many young souls continue their routine as nature intended. The desert was a cruel, barbaric wasteland. But from under the sands, life found a way. From above, the sky was littered with specs of light collectively creating a starry canvas against the black void of outer space. But they were all dwarfed by the gargantuan, luminous sphere hanging midway above the horizon. The moon. If one were to look closely, it would appear to have a faded marking of a creature of equestrian nature donned with a horn sprouting from its head. The lunar body would also appear to be glowing a deep green along its outer circumference while radiating an arc of electricity around its equator. Light reflected from its surfaced dimmed to a barely perceivable level before projecting its energy into a slender beam. The laser punched through the emptiness of space and the planet’s thick atmosphere, drilling into the ground and amassing a devastating blast. Then all was quiet once again. The moon returned to its natural luminescence fast enough to shine light on the desert’s inhabitants frantically scurrying about from the unwelcomed disturbance to their night of peace. Frantically, many clambered away from the newly formed crater that now lay etched into the local geography. For a while, nothing else came from this bout of excitement. Smoke and steam continuously emanated from the crater’s center, signifying that this event involved an astronomical amount of heat. This, in turn, had pulverized some of the surrounding sand into tiny shards of glass. As if the world had finally gone back to rest, the silence was broken when something stirred under the sand. A small part of the land had become alive, rolling and twisting. From under the ground grew a sizeable mound of sand that began to give way to reveal what was underneath. A wing erupted from the mound. Its leathery membrane stretched outward allowing sand particles to slide off. Its outer brim, lined with gray-colored scales, creaked and popped with strained muscle before curling back in towards its owner. Next, the second wing extended to repeat a similar process. One after the other, parts began to show from under the sand: four legs sprawled underneath it each ending with a paw equipped with razor sharp claws, a long tail with short spines running its length, a head topped with a pair of horns and a thick black mane, and a long muzzle decorated with rows of jagged teeth. A dragon. He lay on his side in the sand, eyes closed. With his snout now clear of obstruction, he took his first full breath, expanding his lungs as far as they could go before letting it out in a soft sigh. It was smooth going in and out. The air was dry, but it was clear. This made it a little easier to jolt the rest of his body awake by arching his back and tensing every muscle to force blood-flow through the veins and vessels in his limbs. Lifting a paw, he leisurely brushed the length of his muzzle feeling the scales that covered his skin shortly before reaching another paw to rub the back of his head and run his digits through his thick mane. He tasted the inside of his mouth and ran his tongue along his teeth. He felt real. Real, like the physical manifestation of being in his own body was new to him, and that every sensation, breath, and heartbeat was telling him he was alive. It had been a long time since he last felt that way. The journey wasn’t over, because the desire to see the world became overwhelming. Slowly wrenching his eyelids open, the darkness of the night made its presence known. When his pupils dilated to accommodate for the lack of light, he began to make out the environment he was resting in. Sand upon sand. There seemed to be nothing else to focus on but the sand that blanketed the very ground beneath him. But glancing up, he set eyes on the most beautiful night sky. Such a bright moon. He squinted to view its surface more clearly. Since the last time he saw it, it most definitely received a makeover by some extraordinary phenomena. The dragon gazed at the moon for quite some time. Its natural radiance enraptured his focus away from everything petty or small compared to its charm. Eventually, curiosity took the wheel as he lowered his gaze to himself. His body was steel-gray in color with crimson streaks highlighting his wings and his tail. Laying on his side, he could see that his underbelly was a lighter gray than the darker tone on the outer part of his hide. Familiar. He held an outstretched paw in front and flexed his toes around to feel the muscular contraction responsiveness within his tissue. Clenching and relaxing a fist, he extended his claws. Each, black in color, came to a fine point. A few looked damaged. Satisfied knowing his body was indeed his own, the dragon rolled onto his stomach and slid his legs underneath. Like waking up after a long nap, he tried pushing himself on his feet but fell back to the ground. Jaw clenched, he heaved himself upward, finally putting his weight on his legs. From a higher elevation, the dragon was able to view the crater in which he spawned. Its diameter be ten times his length from head to tail, an indication that, from who knows where, he arrived on impact. He looked around, hoping he didn’t crash into anything, or rather, anyone. But the sand dunes were barren. Nothing marked the desert save for a deceased corpse in the early stages of nature’s slow burial process. The dragon tilted his reptilian nostrils to the sky and took a whiff of the air. With great speed and ferocity, he leapt off his hind legs and sprung his wings into flight. The sudden gust of wind emitting from his powerful strokes blew the sand below him into large dust clouds. He ascended into the sky so quickly he even surprised himself. After circling in place, the dragon chose a direction. And he flew.
Chapter 1: Grand Ponyville Harvest Art by DennyVixen: https://www.deviantart.com/dennybutt Fluttershy flipped the top of her saddlebag closed, pinching the iconic pink butterfly pin with a snap. She had made sure she stuffed a healthy number of bits into the pouch along with the last few carrots left for her white cottontail companion, Angel Bunny. The yellow, pink-maned pegasus' cottage was the warmest hug to all guests who entered her domain. A subtle scent of vanilla and the smell of vegetable stew brewing over the stone-lined fireplace glazed the welcoming air. Paintings of rainbows and butterflies and long, cozy couches decorated the interior, creating an inviting atmosphere to sit down, relax, and have a cup of tea. The entire structure was topped with a thick patch of moss that acted both as heating insulation and a very 'environmentally-friendly' design. Everything about the household reflected the kind and loving persona of the mare who called it 'home.' Today was the Grand Ponyville Harvest sale for all things green and juicy, and Fluttershy intended to surprise her beloved animals at Sweet Feather Sanctuary with a special dinner. Originally, her own cottage was the sanctuary thanks to the mare’s generous hospitality. But ever since her furry, scaly, and feathered friends took up residence at the new place, she hasn’t had to worry about stumbling into a fragile bird’s nest or walking face first into a spider web on her way to bed. With a deft pull of a wing, Fluttershy hoisted the saddlebag onto her back; It was weighty given how much cheddar she was packing, but it was comfortable. “Everypony is going to be at the market today, Angel.” She began. “I think this year’s harvest is going to be the biggest harvest sale yet.” Fluttershy glanced over at Angel Bunny still curled up on a purple floor pillow half-asleep. Fluttershy hid a smirk. A week ago, a small case of lice broke out around town. Though Angel was checked clean, he insisted he remain bed-ridden for however long he deemed necessary. “Angel.” His caretaker whispered in her ever-so-soft voice. “If you come with me, I’ll let you eat your favorite snack.” She dragged out ‘favorite’ to emphasize the tempting offer. The sleepy rabbit responded with a prolonged glare before shoving his face back into the pillow, a gesture signifying “five more minutes, please.” Fluttershy was swayed too easily by his tactics. “Oh, you look so cute when you’re mad while trying to sleep.” She squealed, elevating the pitch of her voice. “Alright, you can stay home today. I’ll be sure to grab every fruit and vegetable needed to make that special meal you love so much.” Angel liked to entertain the idea that he receive a gourmet meal every dinner, one dish in particular. As much as she loved her fluffy pal, Fluttershy usually refused due to the difficulty in obtaining most of the ingredients it required. Fluttershy trotted over to plant a quick peck on his forehead before turning to the door. “Be good, Angel.” She said. The rabbit waved her off with a paw. Even when he’s rude he is still absolutely adorable! With the silence of a feather hitting the ground, Fluttershy exited her cottage. Leaving the comfort of home wasn’t the challenge it used to be when she was a filly. Dark clouds haunted the sky and pestering bullies littered the airborne town of Cloudsdale. It didn’t help to have a fear of heights either. Though equipped with wings, Fluttershy was a weak flyer. She wouldn’t dare get close to the town’s edge. Life came without warning for the sensitive Pegasus. Nopony ever related her severely introverted composure and complete lack of confidence. Every loud noise, frightening image, and spooky story were all too good a reason to stay indoors, preferably her own home. On one fateful day, when she volunteered as flag bearer for her childhood friend’s race, Fluttershy was blown off the small cloud on which she stood. That cloud was the only thing standing between her and certain death. Thus, the little filly was sent tumbling to the ground, screaming as she fell. Amidst everything she tried to prevent such a scenario, she was still going to finally ‘eat it.’ When life nearly struck the defining blow, Fluttershy decent was halted not by dirt or rock, but by a flock of butterflies. The small insects were utterly alien to her. Yet they were first of many to introduce her to the wonders of nature. Creatures the little filly had never believed existed thrived in the world below. Small ponds housed gorgeous koi fish and tall trees provided refuge for magnificent birds. More important than discovering the bottom dwellers, she experienced the value in caring for and appreciating life rather than to fear it. Even the smallest organisms that crawled, sneaked, and slithered and the bigger, meaner ones who were only longing for understanding found their way into Fluttershy’s loving embrace. Soon, the pink and yellow mare became the staple pony for the care and love of all living things. From then on, Fluttershy chose to live on the ground rather than the sky and strived to lead a life of kindness and compassion, earning her her signature three-butterfly cutie mark. Eventually, she was given the title of “Element of Kindness” to join with the other five “Elements of Harmony.” Stepping into the outdoors, Fluttershy was greeted with the world she cherished with all her heart. Celestia’s sun hung just over the horizon, casting a golden glow overlapping the baby blue sky. A flock of geese flew in perfect triangle formation directly overhead. The morning’s breeze composed a song loud enough to allow the trees to dance and sway their leaves to the music of the wind. Dew glazed the grass surrounding her front yard, the healthy breakfast smoothie for any three-legged insect just waking up. Fluttershy couldn’t help but grin. “Good morning, World!” She exclaimed, hooves sprung out above her head as an attempt to reach out and give mother nature a warm hug. Walking along the cobble path to Ponyville, the pegasus took some time to address everything she viewed as a work of art. “Good morning, grass! Good morning, trees! I hope the neighborhood termites haven’t been bothering you.” She said, cheery as ever. The nearby pond was her next target. "Good morning, fishies!" Came the bubbling greeting as she stuck her head underwater. She waved a 'hello' to the chirping frog sitting on a lily pad. A little highway of ants intersected her path after she crossed the bridge. Fluttershy bent down to greet a particular specimen. “Good morning, Colonel Antony!” She said sternly with a hoof raised to her brow. The ant officer stopped to return the salute before returning to whatever duties he had for the day. Such was the mare’s passionate morning routine she never started her day without. But today, time was of the essence. A few hours’ worth of grocery shopping awaited her, so she incorporated a little pep in her step to beat the inevitable crowd at the market. The Ponyville market was set up near the center of town with a long rows of tents, tables, and tiny makeshift storefronts, each designated to its own freshly harvested crop: apples, pears, carrots, potatoes, beets, lettuce, spinach, pumpkins, and…watermelons? Thanks to the Wonderbolts, Ponyville’s athletic speedsters, the seasons were more predictable than most other places. Annual harvests synced with one another. As a result, enjoying a watermelon slice during the summer whilst baking a pumpkin pie in the oven became a luxury available only to the residents of Ponyville. On rare occasions, farmers in the tropical regions of Equestria would visit the small town to sell their citrus fruits and ripe coconuts. Hence, one could understand why today’s event was called the Grand Ponyville Harvest sale for a reason. Fluttershy arrived rather early to beat the impending crowd the town’s market sales tended to attract. Confrontations with fellow shoppers never happened to be fun. Most cases ended in the mare shying away and blandly apologizing after being cut in line. In the past, her friends encouraged her to join a self confidence building group. The results were initially profound, but due to the extreme measures the overbearing instructor pressured on her, she ended up losing sight of her original persona and became what she hated most of all, a bully. Fluttershy has tried to remain true to the qualities she lives by ever since. Today, she hoped being the first shopper would help to avoid competition. However, as early as she was, most of the vendors had yet to open their shop to the public. Luckily, the ‘early-bird’ idea was shared with one of Fluttershy’s closest friends. An orange mare running the apple stand was everypony’s favorite country gal, Applejack, the element of Honesty. She waved her brown stetson at Fluttershy before slapping it back onto her noggin. “Mornin’ Flutters!” Applejack rang. “Happy to see ya here bright n’ early!” Her country twang warmed her soul. “Good morning, Applejack.” Fluttershy sang back before turning her attention to the much larger red stallion behind the stand. “Congratulations on your marriage, Big Mac! You and Sugar Belle are the cutest couple in Ponyville right now.” Big Macintosh instinctually returned with a slow, dreamy “Eeeeeyuuup” before realizing he was given a complement and frantically rebounded with a deep “Oh! Uh…Thank you, Miss Shy.” Fluttershy giggled at that. The brawny earth pony had towed two wagons’ worth of freshly picked apples consisting of three classic colors: yellow, red, and green, ripe for the taste buds. (Though Applejack preferred ponies call them by their real names.) Releasing a long sigh, he slumped into the grass and rested his aching head. His newly wed wife, Sugar Belle, was setting up her portion of the stand to sell some of her yummy baked apple fritters to complement the surplus of fruit. “Ya want yur usual, sugarcube?” Applejack interjected. Fluttershy was a regular customer, and she hardly varied her choices. “Why yes I would, please.” The yellow mare answered sweetly. “Big Mac!” Applejack’s new authoritative demeaner jolted the red stallion awake. “Three pounds of pink ladies plus a pound of granny smith, stat!” Big Mac hurried to his hooves and dumped the requested apples onto a makeshift scale for weighing before tossing them into a brown paper bag. Fluttershy snatched a few bits from her saddlebag and placed them on the counter of the wooden stand. “If we’re goin’ to keep up with them customers today, you better be on the tip of yur hooves, big brother!” Applejack added. “Eeyup!” Applejack turned back around to hand the pegasus the bag of juicy, ripe apples, closed shut with a Sweet Apples Acres branded ribbon. A peaceful exchange between two ponies. And with business out of the way, the two mares engaged in healthy conversation. “This is gonna be some harvest sale, huh?” Began Applejack. “Oh I know! I usually don’t spend so much on fresh produce. But the variety of crops that are going to be sold here is wonderful!” Fluttershy looked around at the other stands lining the market. “I’ve heard some vendors are coming from the tropics. That means pineapples and bananas and coconuts are going to be sold today!” “Ya act like you like coconuts or somethin’. I know you, Flutters. You’d never go near those things.” Applejack rested her elbow on the stand’s countertop. “They’re not for me.” Fluttershy replied with a smile. “I figured I’d stock up on food for the animals at my sanctuary. I know they’re going to be so happy to have their favorite meals for dinner.” Applejack looked over her friend’s shoulder and spotted a pair of ponies had found their way to the market. “Well ya best hurry yurself. This place is going to be bustlin’ with more ponies than the post office on Hearth’s Warming Eve.” She said, her countryisms always a welcome addition. Fluttershy wasn’t ready to leave her friend’s comforting presence so soon, but she understood her concern, especially when she knew how Fluttershy felt in large crowds. “Right. Well…good luck with the harvest sale, Applejack.” She said, tentatively. Content with her purchase and the brief interaction, Fluttershy waved a goodbye, a gesture eagerly returned by its receiver. The Apple family is so kind and welcoming. I wish more ponies could be like them. She clipped the paper bag now full of apples to the strap of her saddlebag. Gazing around the premises, she noticed a couple more Ponyville residents had shown up for their market spree. Applejack is right. I better be quick. The entire first half of the day was spent browsing food items for the animals back at the sanctuary. Celestia’s sun now hung midway into the atmosphere highlighting everything caught in its warming glow. What seemed like minutes became hours as Fluttershy browsed the other vendors. Her saddlebag would shrink bit by bit as the collection of brown paper bags stuffed with a collection of fruits and vegetables grew to a sizable mass atop her back. Grocery shopping was an enjoyable activity, but when you had the responsibility for hundreds of spoiled rotten critters completely dependent on your care, it became a regular exercise. By lunch time, the market was flooded with patrons of all shapes and sizes. Everypony…no…evercreature in Ponyville was now shopping to stock their own shelves with local and foreign goods. Ponyville was a tightknit town overall, a kind of everypony-knows-everypony type place. Lyra and Bon Bon could be seen holding hooves as they strolled past the vendors. All three members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders were on some makeshift adventure through the market streets while being followed by younger, noncutie-marked foals. Unsurprisingly, the Flim and Flam brothers had set up their own stand to sell whatever magical, world defying concoction they’ve conjured up lately. And even that infamous cross-eyed mare paused her mail delivery to pick up a few boxes of blueberries. Fluttershy was hidden somewhere in the mix. Personal space became nonexistent as she found herself constantly bumping flanks with others. “Oh. Excuse me.” “Pardon me, Sir.” “Sorry about that, Ma’am.” Were her apologies for the all-too-frequent collision. “Watch your hooves, little filly!” One of them had said. Fluttershy didn’t like that, especially being called a filly, and wanted to berate the stallion for his rudeness. But she said nothing. The weight on her back was no help either. Often, the poor mare had to pick up after herself after one or two of her paper bags tore open, spilling its contents onto the hoof and claw infested floor. Oh dear, I think I’ve bought too much. She thought, fumbling with the sticks of celery on the ground. As she did so, wings and tails grazed past her face, briefly obscuring her view. Leaving became a desirable option fairly quickly. As a matter of fact, there was a swarm of critters awaiting their promised ‘specialty’ dinner back at her sanctuary. Flicking the top flap of her saddlebag open, Fluttershy peered inside at the number of the bits she had left. Her suspicions were correct. I did buy too much. Being the element of kindness is not only a title, but also a full-time job whenever she went on perilous adventures with her friends. Although, however terrifying the adventures were, they were rewarding in character growth and in pay. So, she need not worry. Forcing herself out of the dense crowd, Fluttershy safely departed the Grand Ponyville Harvest sale, a farewell to a productive day of grocery shopping. The walk to the sanctuary to the sanctuary wasn’t a long one, but with the cargo on her back the distance may as well be tripled. Celestia’s sun now approaching the west horizon, the sky was a brilliant orange. Dinner time. The walk from the produce market was as long as anticipated. This was mostly due to the accumulated mass of food atop her back. The combined weight forced the mare on her hooves, preventing flight. She didn’t have Rainbow Dash’s speed, nor would she ever match the strength of Applejack. Physical exercise was foreign territory. Thankfully, the forest tunnel opened up to a much wider landscape. Relief spread across the mare’s face. The first, attention-grabbing feature of Sweet Feather Sanctuary was the waterfall that wash over slated rock, cascading into a pond, which joined into a winding stream that extended across the terrain. A hoofwoven, red hammock lay strung up between two palm trees. Wooden platforms and tiny bird houses decorated the trunks of eucalyptus trees. ‘Paradise’ would come to mind for anypony fortunate enough to lay eyes on the place. For the animals, it was heaven. But it was quiet, too quiet. How odd. Fluttershy, red in the face from exhaustion, approached the center of the field and dropped her cargo. The freedom of movement steadily returned after a swift pop in the spine. Turning around, she expected to find the delightful company of her beloved animal friends. Instead, she was greeted with a tidal wave of disapproving faces. “Hello, friends! Caretaker Fluttershy has returned!” She exclaimed while retaining a gentle tone, oblivious to the tension the atmosphere. Harry, the brown grizzly bear, stood with his arms folded, brow furrowed. A raccoon family of three all spat a glare at the yellow Pegasus. Even the pond’s fluffy ducklings seemed carried a feeling of contempt. Every animal on the premises shared a similar feeling in some form or fashion. Fluttershy blinked. Awareness finally gripped her. Was it something I said? Harry pointed a paw to his belly with the rest of the animals following suit, pointing to wherever their stomach lies in their body. Then, high-pitched, whiney noises swelled, as if somepony somewhere was winding up a large siren. The group began to encircle the mare. Fluttershy’s thinking machine went into overdrive. Is it…because they’re hungry? No, they shouldn’t be… The earthshaking drum of Harry’s growling stomach proved otherwise. “Now, wait just a minute.” Fluttershy pleaded. The volume of moans and groans increasing ever so slightly. “There’s no need to be upset. I have plenty of f-” Their cries easily drowned out her own. The sounds were deafening to her ears. Each creature held a pathetic expression on its face. All souls in her midst acted like a punishment had been inflicted upon them for some unknown, undeserving reason. A little grey goat had the gall to pretend to faint, likely an act to obtain sympathy for the apparent suffering shared across the entire sanctuary. This type of mass tantrum could only mean one thing: They ran out of food and were starving. And it blew a fuse. “ENOUGH!” Fluttershy demanded with vigor and righteous authority. The blast of her command reverberated the nerves of every creature within its range, presumably, even those a mile away. The whining stopped, and all grew wide-eyed at the fuming mare. “I have spent my entire day gathering food for all of you and dragged it all the way here! By! My! Self!” She didn’t hesitate to get up in their faces. The animals were frozen, completely dumbstruck. “And if that isn’t enough for you, I spent extra time choosing your all your favorites! I could have just bought you bags of kibble for Celestia’s sake!” Her voice cracked. “It is also very clear to me, that most of you don’t know how to share! I gave you a months’ worth of food TWO weeks ago! No wonder you’ve run out so quickly!” Tears formed in the eyes of all who beheld the mare’s wrath. “You have nocreature to blame but yourselves, yet you all are upset at me!?” They cowered in fear, some covering their ears, dreading the final blow. “I am VERY disappointed in you!” A long moment of silence passed before every animal, in unison, erupted into a series of wails and sobs. Tears showered the grass below, drowning it in an endless sea of sadness. Fluttershy winced, shocked by the result of her own making. Her expression rapidly softened. What have I done? I’m a monster! What once was a furious outcry became a flood of pain and misery. A tissue box passed around the group to provide some aid to the profuse torment. “Everycreature, please stop crying and listen to me.” Fluttershy spoke in the softest voice she could muster, though loud enough to be heard. “I am sorry for lashing out at all of you.” The sobs slowed upon hearing the apology. “But you must understand that you all live here together. That means you need to care for each other.” She walked around the circle as she spoke. “I can’t be here all the time because I have other responsibilities.” Her words worked deep to the bone as the animals stared at her with watery eyes. “It also means that you need to share your food with your neighbors. Nocreature should take more than they need.” The message appeared to ring clear. A select few had guilty expressions, contemplating their actions. Their caretaker truly wanted the best for them. Fluttershy lowered her head. “Again, I am very very sorry for my…emotional outburst.” She looked up with innocent eyes. “Do you forgive me?” She asked. What followed was a barrage of nods and approvals. The mare perked up and smiled. “Well then I forgive you too!” Fluttershy opened her arms and embraced the residents of Sweet Feather Sanctuary. The group hug was tight, but it was warm and forgiving. “And I hope you’re still hungry, because I brought you all something extra special.” She picked up the paper bag with the Sweet Apple Acres ribbon. She eagerly began opening it to showcase to the surprise inside. But when she glanced back upward, there was no creature in sight. Abandonment never felt so confusing and unprecedented. Fluttershy scanned the surrounding area. Nothing but a few feathers lay where her animals once stood. “Hello? Friends? Where did you run off to?” Did I say something wrong? Again? All the sudden, the world got a little bit colder. The sky seemed to fade a few shades darker, and her heart started to pump a few beats faster. Turning around, Fluttershy glanced up and saw it. Her pupils dilated and her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. She dropped the paper bag spilling freshly picked apples everywhere. The creature, slightly larger than Celestia the sun goddess, sat on the ground before her. Its steel-colored scales a stark contrast to the blue sky. Its sharp claws sunk deep into the dirt. Its wings reflected the fire of the sun. Its head and neck curled into the shape of an S. “Dr..dr…dr…dr…dr…” Fluttershy stood trembling in place. Words failed her as they always did in times of stress. “Uh…hi there. Do you think you can help me?” Spoke the dragon. Author's Note Hello!
Chapter 2: Hearty Vegetable Stew “DRAGON!” Fluttershy squealed in anguish. However, she didn’t possess the lung capacity to produce a cry that would match the magnitude of her fear at that very moment. The brief interaction with the newcomer quickly ended as the terrified pegasus darted to the nearby eucalyptus tree with a speed that would make Rainbow Dash impressed. Only a cloud of yellow feathers were left floating in the air where the mare once stood. “Oh! I’m sorry!” The dragon shouted. “Please don’t go! I just want to talk to you!” His plea went unanswered. Looking around, it didn’t take the dragon long to spot where the frightened pony had gone off to. Conveniently, for him, the number of feathers the mare had shed during her flight laid a perfect trail leading to her place of refuge. The dragon grunted in frustration. Of course, he knew approaching the tiny pony from behind was a bad idea, especially given his size. Although, he thought if he used a soft, nonthreatening tone to get her attention, she wouldn’t react as dramatically as she did. Following the trail of avian-like quills, the dragon contemplated if following the tiny pegasus was the right thing to do after their little…encounter. Would she continue to flee? Would she breakdown into a crying fit? Would she try to attack him? The questions rang against the inside of his skull. He was trying to set a good impression here, after all, and so far, it wasn’t going well. The feather trail ended at the base of a tree. On its bark, a multitude of flat wooden planks were stuck, like a series of platforms. A few of the planks were topped with colorful blankets, expertly woven with alternating patterns and colors. If one looked closely, little hairs speckled the fabric as if something with a lot of fur had been resting there, basking in the early afternoon sun. But no creature of the sort was in sight, for nighttime was nearing. Just underneath the tree’s canopy lay a rectangular box with a triangular roof bolted to its top. The dragon was familiar with the concept of a ‘bird house;’ a petite structure designed to nest creatures of avian descendance. But, in blatant contrast, this particular bird house seemed to possess an extra, probably unwanted piece of decoration. Somehow, someway, the mare, in her frantic escape, had jammed her head into the tiny hole that was the only entrance to the bird’s nest. The rest of her body lay exposed, her hind legs quivering in place. Tiny, squeaky whimpers echoed within its wooden structure, like she had slapped a metal bucket over her head and decided to cry about it…because reasons. The dragon propped his forelegs up against the tree trunk, leaning in to get a better view (not that there was much else to see other than the wiggling rear end of a frightened pony.) He cleared his throat, fluffed his mane, and put on the sweetest voice he deemed appropriate to coax the pegasus out of her makeshift hidey hole. “Little mare. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He moved his head closer so she could hear him properly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk.” More whimpering. Impressively, she even managed to wedge herself a couple more inches through the tight entrance. Hopefully whoever’s eggs were in there didn’t mind the intrusive company. Eventually, it became quite clear that the frightened pony wasn’t going to come out anytime soon. For all the dragon knew, she would pass out from repeated attempts at conversation. So, he decided not to push it. The dragon pushed off the tree, releasing a deep sigh, not willing the situation to get the better of him. “That’s okay. I can wait.” He shambled a few clicks away before settling down on the grassy field, the cushioning emerald blades a welcoming rest for his joints. There, until dusk, he waited in the desperate hope to recover what should have been a casual introduction. Minutes hopped by like sheep over a fence. But for the mare stuffed inside the bird house, time was irrelevant. The memory of the brief interaction with the dragon replayed in her mind. Truth be told, she was spooked at first contact. Fluttershy could never adjust to jump scares playfully inflicted by her friends. Even cheap and utterly repetitive pranks during Nightmare Night never ceased to terrify the pegasus out of her wings. Whatever the case, if she wasn’t prepared for it, she would surely suffer. As often as she was, being surrounded by the crowd of cute and cuddly animals she had grown to treat like her own children had not prepared her for the overpowering, magnificent creature standing behind her earlier that day. Dragons were supposed to be a fear of the past that, overtime, she had learned to conquer. Even nowadays, she often held meaningful, trusting conversations with her draconic friends like Spike, Ember, and Smolder as if they were no different from ponies. But this dragon, showing up at that time; it was all too much and too sudden. Thus, just as whenever fear took the wheel, she succumbed to her usual antics of bolting to the nearest rock for cover or cowering behind a bush to hide. The bird house was, admittedly, not her finest choice. It was cramped, stuffy, and hot. Let alone thinking about its bird residents who’ll erupt into a raging fit when they see an intruder wedged headfirst into their private bedroom. In the time Fluttershy spent stuck, she overheard movement from the outside. Though hard to discern, it sounded like sticks and logs crumbling to the ground. Shortly after, she heard a whoosh, like a gust of wind, followed shortly by subtle crackling and popping noises. What's happening out there? It didn't matter at the moment. What could she do about it with half her body jammed into a bird house? After some time crying whatever tears she had left in her ducts, Fluttershy composed herself. She wasn’t scared anymore, nor was she no longer in panic mode. Frankly, she was embarrassed. Some poor, presumably lost creature had come to her for help, and all she did in return was cower and hide away, too frightened to respond even as it pleaded with her to come out. She scoffed at herself. Some Element of Kindness I am. Gah! I am supposed to set an example. The tight space eventually grew unbearable in her current position. Naturally, the seal created by her head and neck on the bird house’s circular entrance prevented fresh air from entering the enclosure. Therefore, beads of sweats began dripping off her nose and chin. By now, the mare knew the time for her own fearful shenanigans was over. She had to confront the stranger. This was going to be an awkward conversation. Corkscrewing her back and pulling with what little might she possessed, Fluttershy fantastically freed her noggin from the bird house with a loud foomp, mimicking the sound of somepony opening a fresh bottle of champagne. How long she spent in that bird house was unknown to her. The sun had set; a dimming glow still emanated from under of the horizon. The night’s stars were piercing through the atmosphere after Luna’s black canvas replaced Celestia’s blue sky. Crickets and cicadas composed their nocturnal serenade, gifting a white noise for all daytime creatures to hear during their slumber. The warm wind had blown away, because the night brought with it cold air. Gazing around the premises, she saw an abundance of fireflies dancing about in the field, flashing their bright bottoms like there was no tomorrow. Though, something was off. She couldn’t immediately spot the newcomer. Had he left? I offended him, didn’t I? The anxious pegasus pondered. Peering down over the wooden plank on which she stood, hiding the rest of her body except for her curious eyes, Fluttershy saw an active campfire crackling by her eucalyptus tree. It’s purpose she did not know, but she did understand the reasonable indicator that the stranger could still be in her sanctuary. Only a moment later, she caught movement in the corner of her eye. Stepping out from tree line, a large, horned silhouette emerged from the darkness. It was the newcomer! The stranger…the dragon. In his maw he carried a small bundle of sticks. Coming to stop by the campfire, he bent down and spat his cargo into the hungry flames. He then casually blew a puff of his own flame into the already burning pile of wood to accelerate the charring process. As a result, the ring of orange light surrounding the camp grew wider and brighter, revealing more of the draconic specimen's body. From above and far away, Fluttershy was able to look at the stranger in his entirety. A pair of wings, striped with crimson markings, lay folded neatly against his back. A pitch-black mane hid a few of the spines that lined his back from his doubled-horned head to his crimson dipped tail. He rested comfortably on the ground; his hind legs were slumped to the side with his forelegs out in front. Peculiar. Forelegs. Four legs? Fluttershy drew a breath. Alright, Fluttershy. Let’s keep a calm, collected, and…welcoming environment for our guest. The pegasus leapt off the plank and gracefully floated downwards, like a feather. Though she didn’t fly often, she was thankful she learned to master the most important part of activity: the landing. The sound the winged pony landing in the grass could match the level of a pin drop. Like a lighthouse alone in the vastness of the sea, the campfire was a solitary light in the void of darkness. The moon, now well above the horizon, reflected bright enough to see the outline of the Everfree Forest. But that light, that fire shined brighter than any flame she ever saw before. The dragon tilted his head up to take a whiff of the air. Aside from the burning wood and the ashy smoke, a faint vanilla tinge now tickled his nostrils. Fluttershy practiced a brief breathing technique taught to her by Rarity during times of crisis, savoring its relaxing effect, before approaching the newcomer. With all shreds of fear now reduced to merely a small pang in her chest, she revealed herself in the fire’s golden glow. “Um…hi.” She whispered, half her head hidden behind her pink mane. The dragon perked up and smiled. “Heh…Hi.” Any trace of tension between the two souls evaporated. Nothing made Fluttershy happier and feel more welcome than a simple, friendly hello. The pegasus side-stepped over to the larger creature and laid down a few feet from his side. The two didn’t say anything more for a few minutes. Rather, both sat watching the orange and red flames writhe and twist atop the charring wood, seeing how their dance flicked glowing embers into the air. Neither of them had the immediate desire to spark a conversation, as if they could already telepathically communicate what they saw in the fire. But it was Fluttershy who eventually broke the ice. “Sorry for…overreacting earlier. I didn’t see you behind me.” She said, holding a hint of regret in her tone. It was polite to maintain eye contact. Thus, the mare did so while still keeping half her face hidden. Her friends called it her 'trademark Fluttershy look.' “I get spooked pretty easily.” The dragon rolled to his feet to sit up, willing to embrace Fluttershy’s calming aura whilst maintaining a respectful distance. “No, I should be the one to apologize. I know I have a rather intimidating figure.” He gestured with his wings and his claws. “I shouldn’t have approached you so unannounced.” He looked down at his paws, running his digits through blades of grass. His tail was curled protectively around his base. “Oh, don't worry. I forgive you anyways.” Fluttershy returned. She didn’t want the dragon to feel like that was the lasting impression he made on her. In fact, the dragon even seemed surprise at her quick jump toward forgiveness. The mare held out her hoof and smiled. “I’m Fluttershy.” The dragon stared for a second, flustered, before reaching his paw to cup it around the little mare’s hoof. “Torran.” The two exchanged a small hoof/paw shake. “Torran.” Fluttershy repeated his name, tasting the word on her tongue. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a name like that before.” She didn't mention it, but she was familiar a similar, two-syllabled name starting with the same first letter. Torran chuckled. “I don’t think I have ever heard a name like ‘Fluttershy’ before. Let me guess, you must be a shy pony, huh?” He teased. Fluttershy cheeks burned red. “Yeah…you can say that.” She was often asked about that. “It’s kind of ironic how my whole family’s name is Shy, even though I’m the only one who is actually shy.” “Oh, really? That is strange.” Silence befell the lighthearted conversation once again. The midnight chirping of the crickets and cicadas became the primary background noise behind the sweltering pile of sticks. Its deep, yellow glow shone no farther than the length of Torran’s tail. Everything else was black, save for the twinkling specs of stars and the milky white moon; the gorgeous, awe-inspiring moon. “Well, what about your name?” Fluttershy began. “What does your name mean?” The question caught the dragon off guard. He blinked and shuffled around in place to get a little more comfortable amidst the anxiety spiked inquiry. “I…don’t know.” He choked. His eyes were now focused on something in the distance. “Oh?” Transitioning from his sitting position, Torran slumped back to lie on the ground. “Actually, I don’t even know how I got here.” His gaze turned towards Fluttershy, now the pony of interest. “I was kind of hoping you could help me with that. You’re the first…intelligent being I’ve seen for hundreds of miles.” His eyes. They look tired, and they’re so green. "I really don't know what else to do at this point." Torran added. His demeanor suddenly falling shallow. The mare quickly jumped to a conclusion. “Oh I get it, you’re lost.” She blurted. Of course! Why didn't she think of that earlier? “Random ponies I’ve never met have stumbled upon my sanctuary and asked for directions before. I can see why. This place is kind of in the middle of nowhere to be fair. I’m sure I can find a map to help get you to where you’re going.” Not a second's thought passed as she did a double-take on herself. “Wait! I think I have a simplified map of Equestria in my saddlebag. I'll go get it!” Fluttershy jumped to her hooves to retrieve the item she left at the center of the field earlier, but she hesitated to leave the safety of the fire’s light. "Could you come with--" “Fluttershy.” Torran interrupted her rant. She flung her head around. “Yes?” “I can’t remember anything. I know that my name is Torran, that’s it.” The dragon assured calmly. “I don’t even know if I have a home.” It took the mare a second for that to click. Her smile faded as her mind processed what he had just said. Now this was a situation out of the ordinary. Is this a joke? Is this some kind of cruel prank somepony is pulling on me? Despite Fluttershy's suspicions, It seemed like even Torran couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I woke up somewhere, in the middle of some desert.” His eyes were shut tight, straining to recall his most recent of memories. “It was dark, I don’t remember how or when I got there.” He dropped his head into his forelegs to hide his face. “It’s all so fuzzy.” And then, as if her world stopped revolving around her preconception of an average good Samaritan duty, the realization finally hit her. This was no lost traveler seeking assistance and direction from a local. It was a confused, abandoned, wandering soul suffering from a terrible case of amnesia. Amnesia. When life couldn't be any crueler than to steal away one's cherished memories, only to leave a blank void of questions. The mare's ears drooped at the sudden gravity of the situation. Fluttershy leaned over to rub Torran's shoulder with a hoof. The scales were smooth to the touch. “I’m sorry. That has to be very hard to deal with, Torran.” She emitted her deepest condolences. The sad truth meant this dragon basically lost his entire identity. A desert, with no food, no water. How long was he unconscious before he woke up? Who left him there? Why did they leave him there!? “You must have felt so alone.” Torran lifted his head back up and starred into the night sky. “I don’t know what to think of it, you know? I feel like I should be mad at whoever, or whatever did this to me. But…I have nothing to go on.” The yellow pegasus wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Repairing the fractures of a mind filled with shattered memories was not within her range of expertise. However, within the hurricane of helplessness, Fluttershy's ability to relate and sympathize with others allowed her to understand the stress Torran was going through. Waking up in a foreign place with no recollection of yesterday or the day before was a frightening image to think about, let alone being the individual experiencing it. Dear Celestia, this dragon needs help. In time, the campfire had reduced itself to a mere candle-sized flicker before blinking out with a puff of smoke. Darkness returned to blanket the campers in its cold embrace. The change of scenery, or complete lack thereof, snapped Fluttershy out of her trance and plunged her back into awareness of her own fear of the night. Torran noticed her subtle shift into paranoia. “Sorry. I was little distracted.” He said, bellowing his gullet to blow another puff of flame to reignite the campfire. Fluttershy interjected before he could do so. “How about you sleep over at my cottage tonight?” She asked. “It’s cold outside. I don’t want you to freeze.” Obviously, they weren’t going to find any immediate answers to Torran’s predicament overnight. Amnesia wasn’t an easy thing to resolve as far as the mare knew. Often, one would have to readjust to life and move on from their forgotten past. But not all hope was lost; some ponies would still be able to reconnect with their loved ones. On rare occasions, just spending time in their own home brought back the memories they had lost. Torran’s situation, on the other hand, may be a bit more complex. From what Fluttershy could see in the dark, Torran looked surprised at her offer. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.” He gripped the end of his tail with a paw. Burden? Wow, he really doesn’t know me. I am Fluttershy, the queen of hospitality! “You are certainly no burden! You are my guest. And I would be more than happy to let you rest your wings at my home. They must be sore after using them all day.” He had to say 'yes.' She and Torran both knew he had nowhere else to stay. “That’s very kind of you, Fluttershy.” The dragon bowed his head after a moment's hesitation. Fluttershy gleefully bowed in return. Success. “Great! Let’s hurry, I forgot I had a stew going!” And she led the way. The trip home was going to be difficult at night, but with a dragon at her side, she owned the forest. Thank Celestia. As black as the night rung, the warm light emanating from the windows of Fluttershy’s cottage beaconed under the starry sky. Still were the trees, for they no longer danced. Silent were the birds, for they no longer sung. Quiet was the world, for it was asleep. The duo had arrived at their destination after crossing the small bridge over the frog-ridden pond. Swiftly, little pegasus trotted up to the main front door to be the first to welcome her guest into her home. “Torran, before you go in, I should let you know that I have a pet rabbit. Angel is his name. I’m…not too sure how he will react to your…presence.” Fluttershy tried her hardest not to offend her draconic guest, but she felt it right to tell him. Angel Bunny, as much of a bundle of joy he is, is rather unpredictable. “Oh. I don’t mind if you’d rather me sleep out here if he isn’t comfortable.” Torran suggested. What a gentledrake. But her guest...outside? Absolutely not! That would be unacceptable. So, Fluttershy insisted. “No no. It’s still too cold out here. I want you inside tonight. Angel will just have to adapt, he’s pretty good at that.” That was a lie. Angel is terrible at adapting! What are you thinking, Fluttershy!? She swung her door open with a hoof, spilling the interior light out into the darkness. “Come on in!” She said with a gleeful smile plastered on her face. The cottage light from inside was like a tractor beam, drawing the steel-colored dragon in. Sizing up the entryway, Torran did his best to condense his larger body to accommodate for the doorframe's tight fit. Dragons were usually nimbler and more flexible than other creatures their size, so his shoulders and torso managed to slip through nicely. His flanks, however, were a bit of a squish. A feeble shove from his hind end forced the rest of his body past the doorway. Then, taking a long gander at his surroundings, Torran was the greeted with the what could be the coziest of all places. The scent of vanilla mixed with a brewing stew invaded his sensory organs. Never would he have thought such a domain belonged to the likes of somepony as shy as Fluttershy; this place was a welcoming haven! Round area carpets decorated the wooden flooring, dampening any possible echo when one spoke. A couple of bookshelves leaned against the walls, humbly stocked with a number of books just low enough for a few of them to tip over into the leftover empty space. An ornately framed painting of butterflies fluttering in front of a cascading rainbow was placed behind a table topped with a porcelain tea set. A purple pillow lay in the far corner; a small ball of white lay curled upon it. Fluttershy’s dear companion, Angel Bunny. The little marsupial slept soundly, dreaming of whatever rabbits dreamed of. Torran, as per Fluttershy’s prior warning, didn't seem adamant about introducing himself just yet, thankfully. They both shared a glance at the sleeping Angel. Fluttershy gave her appreciation to Luna herself that Angel was such a heavy sleeper. “I think it’s best if he stays asleep for now,” she whispered after lowering her voice, “Please, follow me.” The pegasus quietly lead Torran past the staircase and the lounge area into a separate room segregated from the rest of the household by a wall and a frame. The significant feature of this room was the small cobblestone arch against the far wall. Within the structure rested a metal rack suspended over a pit of hot coals. The cast iron pot set atop the rack was a clue suggesting to anypony that the structure also doubled as a cooking oven. Adjacent to the cobblestone, wooden shelves held common household ingredients like flour, salts, and seasonings. The rusty old refrigerator contained a mysterious assortment of goodies known only to the mare herself, a secret she liked to keep. It wasn’t much, but it was Fluttershy’s humble kitchen, and she cherished it. Trotting over to the far corner, she dusted off a couple of chairs and dragged them and a short, rectangular table into the open. “I don’t get a lot of visitors often, aside from the usual tea party with my friend, Discord.” She stated before turning back to Torran. She looked him up and down and back at her chairs. After realizing her mistake, the mare pushed one of the chairs back to the corner. Torran laughed as he ran a paw through his mane. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy. I don’t mind sitting on the floor.” The yellow pegasus huffed. She hated having to settle for the least of accommodations for her guests dependent on their size. “My vegetable stew should be done by now.” She grabbed a pair of ceramic bowls from her shelf and brought them over to the pot. The stew was done three hours ago. I just got home later than... intended. “It smells wonderful.” Torran complemented. His nostrils flared around, working their magic to entice the dragon's appetite. “It’s a simple recipe: yellow onions, mushrooms, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and, of course, the secret ingredient.” Fluttershy recited. She held a ladle with a wing as she poured her culinary skills into generous serving portions. “Which is…?” Torran questioned. “I’ll never tell.” The mare said over her shoulder, playfully. All these greedy guests begging to know her special ingredient will never break her. Balancing a soup bowl on each wing, Fluttershy steadily carried them over to the table, setting the bowl for Torran down first before setting hers down. Her guest inhaled the vapors rising from his steaming dinner. Indeed, it was the familiar scent he smelled from when he first entered the cottage. Fluttershy trotted over to a light switch on the wall and gave it a flip. All the ceiling lights in her house turned off save for the one cheap chandelier dangling over the dinner table. To her, It felt like proper etiquette to set the mood for what could be a lengthy and difficult conversation during a late-night mealtime; Rarity would be proud. Content with the current setting, Fluttershy then trotted back over to the opposite end of the table and plopped her rump comfortably into the wooden chair. By Celestia, it's been a long time since she had the opportunity to do this. Across the table, Torran shuffled his wings about, whether out of discomfort or aching soreness Fluttershy didn't know. He ought to be sore if he came from a desert. Still, a plethora of questions unequivocally begged to be answered, no doubt, but that would have to wait. Her own appetite begged to be satisfied. She held her soup bowl up with both hooves and slurped. Ting! Yikes! “Ouch! Oof! That is much too hot!” Fluttershy hissed. “We should wait for them to cool before we dig in.” “Sure.” Torran said. His responses have gotten shorter. The mare had thought that by inviting Torran into her home and providing a warm meal would allow him to open up. But so far, he seemed to be lost in his own head. Whatever the case, Fluttershy silently hoped the coincidence that the lone wandering dragon meet with the most sweet, most gentle, most caring individual would surely help to calm and soothe his worries. She lightly tapped her hooves together whilst struggling to conjure up an opening conversation. “So, Torran, you’re having trouble remembering things before…well…waking up in a strange place?” “That’s right. Like I woke up from a long nap." "Okay. You said you woke up in a desert?" She already knew what he had said before, but wondered if Torran still remembered. "Yeah. Do you know anything about it? Maybe something happened there?” Torran inquired, perking up on his paws. “Sorry, no. Even though I know what desert you are talking about, I’m no detective.” Fluttershy assured, feeling helpless. Rarity is the only pony who can tackle mystery cases in Ponyville head-on without a sweat. But me? I’m not cut out for this! Torran's exuberance died a little. “That’s alright. You’re just the first sentient being I’ve talked to since waking up. I didn’t expect you to know the answers. I’m just disoriented is all.” He rubbed his neck. Disoriented? Oh, right! “Now that is something I can help with!” Fluttershy beamed. She couldn't bare to delay introducing Torran to the land of Equestria any longer. The pegasus left her seat and trotted over to the kitchen counter to grab her saddlebag. In it, she dug out a rolled piece of paper held shut with an elastic band. Then, she brought it to the table and unrolled the paper to reveal a large-scaled geographical map. “EQUESTRIA” in big letters was written at the top. The overall shape of the landscape appeared to be one, enormous continental island with a couple smaller islands to its right. A rocky, white mountainous image illustrated the northern hemisphere, while a dry, deserty geography depicted the south. A greener, lusher valley lay between the two hazardous biomes. “You are here,” Fluttershy pointed at the little village-like icon on the map, “the beautiful town of Ponyville. A home for all ponies and creatures alike. It’s a small borough, but it has a big heart.” She shifted her hoof up and to the left at a series of clouds hovering next to a pack of rainbows. “This here is Cloudsdale, where I was born.” Torran adjusted his position to get a better look at the map. “It looks like a bunch of clouds.” Quite the observation there, Torran. Admittedly, the reference to her childhood home as 'a bunch of clouds' would be considered insulting to its residents, but the mare held her tongue. Torran was new after all. “Uh-huh. Pegasi live there. We are the only ponies with wings.” The pegasus gave a few cute flaps of her own feathered flight appendages. “And do you all have… like... houses up there?” “We do. It’s kind of hard to explain how living in the clouds works, but honestly, it is nothing short of a miracle.” Scattered around the map were locations marked with unique but unclever names referencing to equestrian attributes: Filly Delphia, Los Pegasus, Manehatten, Baltimare. The trend made sense as they were all built upon the gargantuan supercontinent of Equestria. They wouldn't have nearly enough time to go through each location, but if Torran inquired about any of them, she would happily provide a brief history. A few minutes passed as the pair discussed the local geography. Eventually, Fluttershy left Torran to view the map by himself and returned to her chair across the table. She loved talking about her favorite place in all of everything she adored, however, trying to explain the physical laws of Equestrian nature to a dragon who didn't know that pegasi lived in clouds was an exhausting effort. “What about here?” Fluttershy noticed Torran pointing at a towering mountain at the center of the map with a royal castle attached to its side. “Who lives there?” He asked. “Why Princess Luna and Princess Celestia of course! They are the two alicorn rulers of Equestria. Celestia, the eldest sister, uses her power to raise the sun, and Luna the moon.” Fluttershy gleefully recited. The commonest of all knowledge. Even with amnesia, how could somepony not know about the Princesses? The words hit the dragon like a brick wall. “Princesses…alicorn.” He muttered. Fluttershy noticed his subtle contemplation. “It just means that they have a pair of wings, like me, and also a horn to use magic.” This information came rather easily for Fluttershy. It was like telling somepony the sky was blue, and the grass was green. “Magic…” Torran whispered, trying to process the amount of content he now had to remember. It was like the basic Equestrian terminology sounded alien to him. Is this dragon serious? But the conversation was becoming stale. Incorporating the dragon back into society, or rather, the land of the living, was going to be a rocky road. There were fundamental norms he clearly didn’t understand. Oh boy. Fluttershy, desperate for a good impression, took the initiative. “I-I think the soup has cooled some.” Torran blinked out of his wits. “Oh, right.” He scooted back, scooped his bowl into his paws and lofted it up to his maw. As he begun to pour the concoction into his gullet, he peered over the edge of the bowl to see Fluttershy doing the same. Chunks of carrots, potatoes, and peas flooded his oral cavity, exploding his taste buds into a fireworks display of flavor and tang. Upon this sudden gust of satisfaction, Torran closed his eyes and tilted his head back to allow the nutritious sludge to slide into his awaiting stomach. Fluttershy giggled at his childish demeanor. “I am very flattered, Torran. I’d imagine you would be hungry after such a long day. But you must slow down! I don’t want you to get a bad tummy ache.” That last part slipped out like holding a wet soap bar between her hooves. The mare’s verbiage in her warning utterly flummoxed her guest. Locking dinnerplate-sized eyes with him from across the table, she couldn’t hide her embarrassment. Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hooves, cheeks piping hot. Although, her action only added to her own shock and disbelief. At the other end of the table, Torran held his breath as the two engaged in yet another bat of awkward silence. It certainly wasn’t the kind of dinner she was expecting. But thank Celestia, the awkwardness was short lived as the duo burst into rambunctious laughter. Joyously, Torran waggled his tail, thumping it against the wooden floor. The whole table shook as he slapped it with his paws in hysterical fashion. Fluttershy did not stray far from the dragon’s antics. In fact, she too rocked her chair back and forth from the sheer magnitude of laughter. “I’m sorry.” Fluttershy choked out in between breaths. “I didn’t mean to talk to you like that. I meant it when I said I usually don’t have many guests. My animal friends are the ones I talk to the most these days.” The mare believed she would never be able to live that moment down for as long as her relationship with Torran lasts. “That’s alright.” Torran said, still grinning ear to ear. “I can’t say that I haven’t been talked to like that before. I wouldn’t know!” The joyful moment calmly subsided as he looked down at his empty bowl. “Feel free to help yourself with some more stew! I’m still on my first bowl.” Fluttershy said. Torran nodded and did just that. With a single paw, he gripped his bowl under his claws and walked over to the fireplace in an offset, three-legged gallop. In this light, Fluttershy was able to get another full-scale view of her guest. He was certainly unlike any dragon she had ever seen before. The dragons she knew stood upright and walked on their hind legs. Their muzzles also usually came to a point at the end of their nostrils in a beak-shaped nose. In Torran’s case, his nose was more rounded and smoother, like a dinosaur. There were also dragons of much larger scale. In her earlier days with her best friends, Fluttershy was forced to confront a towering behemoth of a dragon whose thunderous snoring nearly blocked out all sunlight in Ponyville with his smoke and ash. Thus, in Equestria, most dragons Torran’s size would be considered teenage, but Torran was by no means small in comparison. He was probably a horn or two taller than Celestia herself if they stood side-by-side. The way his muscular, yet lithe frame was built suggested that he was roughly fully grown. Though Fluttershy wouldn’t know. She and the dragon in question may never know what his actual age might be. But what fascinated Fluttershy most of all was his mane. Equestrian Dragons typically had large fins atop their head. Her dear friends Ember and Spike each had their own uniquely colored fins that complemented or contrasted the color of their scales. Peculiarly, Torran had a silky, pitch-black mane like that of a pony. From some angles, he’d remind her of King Sombra. The dragon even shared that steel-colored coat of his. And those red markings. Fluttershy shook from her trance when Torran returned with his bowl refilled with some of her stew. Without further delay, he immediately dug in to the healthy, filling deliciousness. She smiled at his voraciousness. Rationally enough, she couldn't possibly enforce politeness on a guest so eager to enjoy her culinary delight. Suddenly, a little hint of white in the corner of her eye caught the mare off guard. Angel. Oh dear. The petite marsupial was leaning around the corner, looking on in horror at the abominable scaled creature inside his own home. Apparently, the mare guessed that recent bout of noisy laughter heard in the kitchen had roused him from his peaceful slumber. Torran noticed Fluttershy’s lingering gaze past his shoulder, in which he followed her gaze to see what gave her that concerning expression. As soon as the dragon locked eyes with the small hare, Angel closed his own to faint backwards, generating a soft whump as his small form collapsed onto the floor. “Oh Angel.” Fluttershy scooted her chair backwards and left to go rescue her beloved companion. She scooped him up in one arm before turning towards her reptilian guest. “I better go put him to bed.” “Sure thing. I’ll finish the last of my stew and clean these dishes up.” He immediately began licking his bowl clean. “You don’t have to that, Torran. You are my--” “Please, I insist. It’s the least I can do in return.” The dragon was already finishing up in putting the wooden chair and table away. Fluttershy couldn’t argue with his forwardness. Celestia be damned, she couldn’t argue with anypony. That was a skill in constant development. “Thank you.” Was all she could muster. And she headed off upstairs. By the time Fluttershy tucked Angel in for a good night’s sleep, she went back downstairs to find Torran rinsing the soapy suds off the soup bowls and the cooking pot into the grass outside. The water he was using came from one of her rainwater buckets. Careful to preserve as much of the liquid as he could, the dragon washed his paws off and set the bucket back on the ground. "I'll take those off your paws." Fluttershy held out a hoof, at which Torran obliged and handed her the bowls. “If you would follow me, please.” She gestured with a wing. “I’d like to show you where you are sleeping tonight.” After Torran managed to squeeze himself through the door, this time with a little more ease, Fluttershy led him to the lounge area of the cottage. Near the bottom of the staircase lay a mishmash of blankets, pillows, and quilts she had thrown into a wide pile. Some of the furniture had to be moved around to accommodate for the floor area the pile took up. “I don’t have a mattress that’s large enough for your size, so I though I’d find all the soft things in my house and put them here.” I wish I was more prepared for guests. It’s been so long. Torran gave a respectful bow to the little pegasus. “Thank you for putting this together, Fluttershy. You’re very kind.” There it was again. Fluttershy grew a few shades redder at hearing his thanks. The word ‘kind’ used to describe her was a humble yet flattering complement. It gave her pride in that she was living up to her title: ‘Element of Kindness.’ “You are very welcome, Torran.” She said, returning his bow. One by one, the dragon brought each leg into the pile of soft things. Funnily enough, this was probably the most amusing part about his size. The simple truth that the only comfortable place to for him to sleep was the conglomeration of bed toppings on the floor embarrassed her own skills in presentation finesse. One may call it lazy, but there were truly no alternatives. Fluttershy didn’t want him sleeping on the hard wooden flooring; that would be…uncouth of her, as Rarity would put it. She put a lot of faith in that fashionista. The pillowy heap sucked the dragon’s legs into its mass, coaxing him into a prone position. “It’s comfy.” He remarked. Fluttershy snickered. “I sure hope so. I don’t think I have anything softer in this house other than Angel.” The mare trotted over to the far wall and performed a swiping motion on its surface with a hoof. Suddenly, the ceiling light above the center of the room shut off. Now, the interior of the cottage was lit only by the light from upstairs: Fluttershy’s bedroom. Torran watched the pegasus as she trotted over to the bottom of the staircase to begin her ascent. “Fluttershy.” He said, stopping her in her tracks. “Yes, Torran?” Is this going to be another 'thank you?' He looked down at his paws. “I know I’ve thanked you a countless number of times today. But I don’t believe you understand how grateful I am to have met you.” Fluttershy wasn’t sure where this was going, but she listened in. “You offered me, a total stranger, a warm meal and hospitality after I had frightened you out of your feathers.” The dragon’s tail swished idly in the mass of blankets. “Not only that. See, you…you trusted me. You believed me when I said I couldn’t remember anything, that I have amnesia. For all you know, I could have lied my way into your home and robbed you. Anyone could have lied about that.” He said ‘anyone.’ Fluttershy thought. What could that mean? “I can’t say if this has ever happened to me before. But what I can tell you is that…this whole amnesia thing…it’s…it’s terrifying.” Torran locked sorrowful eyes with Fluttershy, exchanging glances with her cyan blue gems and his green emeralds. "I just can't comprehend how lucky I am to have run into you." The mare didn’t budge for at least a minute. She normally dealt with fairly heavy topics, because she was more adamant about engaging in a heart-to-heart conversation than many of her friends were comfortable with. But this time, it was different. “Torran. This is who I am. This is the kind of life I choose to live. When most others don't, I see the beauty in the happiness of others. The joy I see on ponies’ faces when I wish them a good day or complement their appearance or appreciate their personality gives me the energy to become a better pony myself.” Pride reverberated in her voice. It wasn’t her usual tone, but she refused to live herself down. “I’ve been through a lot during the past few years. I have been in many terrifying situations and endured countless harrowing experiences, but I learn and grow from them. We all do. More importantly, I couldn’t have become the mare I am today without the help of my friends along the way. And you, Torran, are most certainly one of my friends.” Though confidence did not come easily for her, this was one of those 'rare' occurrences. The dragon sat in utter silence a moment. Now officially addressed as one of Fluttershy’s friends, he looked as though he were in awe at the pegasus standing before him. “That…means a lot to me. Thank you for that, Fluttershy.” Torran finally said. Fluttershy smiled at him like a mother at her newborn foal. “Of course, Torran. Now please, get some sleep.” The mare continued her way upstairs before turning back to her guest once last time. “Oh, and Torran.” “Yeah?” “I might know somepony who can help you get your memories back.” She said. And with that, she found her way to silent slumber. Goodnight, little dragon.
Chapter 3: We are a FamilyThe rocky ledge in front of the cave gave way for a picturesque view of the vividly saturated landscape. High enough near the mountain peak but just below cloud level granted onlookers the magnificent sight: rolling hills and dark green mountains spanning for miles, a mirror-like lake settled neatly in the valley to the left, and a column of smoke rising from the bustling village just below the horizon. For the dragoness perched atop the ledge above it all, she cherished that spot as her refuge from the stresses of life. Only weeks after learning to fly, the dragoness found solace up there after a tense argument with her parents. The location was far enough away from the dragon tribes down in the valley that she essentially had the whole mountain range to herself. Any sign of life up there was the occasional mountain goat tiptoeing up the cliffside in a daunting effort to lick at the salt deposits within the cracks of the stony wall, oblivious to the impending danger. But the insurmountable peace it offered cooled her anger while it warmed her soul. Eventually, the dragoness found herself fleeing to the safe space whenever she needed, often staying for a couple days before coming back home. Nobody else knew where she would go, and she preferred to keep it that way. She was a grown dragon now, having moved away from her tribe and into the cave that dug deep into the mountain precipice not too long ago. At this point, she wished her refuge was even farther away from her village, but she would never find another place like it. Tonight was a night of reflection. Ever since the dragoness adopted the cave as her home, she no longer had to flee somewhere else. Though she would try to get out to explore and hunt more often, her presence was needed at the cave for a very special reason. Out of the many stones life had thrown at her over the years, it recently tossed her something miraculous--something wonderful. The moon illuminated her ocean blue scales, each one gracefully overlapping the other to create the artistic canvas that was her draconic form. Her lighter hued, slightly translucent neck fins stood perked, flowing nicely behind her head. Her beautiful azul wings lay folded comfortably on her back; she hadn’t used them in a while, all for good reason though. Her forelegs dangled over the cliff’s edge, swaying her paws through the blowing midnight breeze. Her head held high, blissfully absorbing the moon’s luminescence through closed eyes. The wind briefly altered direction after she heard a subtle flapping sound behind her. She knew who it was, but refused to regard his arrival. An orange-colored drake carrying a brown pouch in his maw had landed onto the wide platform in front of the cave’s entrance. “I trust you were able to find them.” She said without batting an eye, her snout held aloft. The drake trotted over to her resting place and plopped his rump beside her. “As a matter of fact, I did.” He responded, mimicking her crude tone. He untied the knot at the pouch’s opening with a foreclaw and pulled out a sizable bunch of deliciously plumb bananas. “This was the last bunch they had. The market only sells so much of these you know.” He added, handing the dragoness the yellow fruit for inspection. Had the green-tinged peels not already suggested, a few whiffs along the rinds indicated these bananas were of sufficient quality--ripe. No brown spots. “These will do fine.” She finally announced after her prolonged examination of the fruit. The dragoness leisurely tossed the bunch back into the pouch and slung it over her shoulder. Rising from her perch, wings flared and joints creaking, before turning towards the entrance of the cave, leaving the orange drake at the cliff. “Wha-?” He started, scrambling to his paws in a hurry. “W-wait a minute! Don’t I get a thanks and some appreciation?” He donned a pitiful pout upon his muzzle paired with teary puppy-dog-eyes. The dragoness halted in her tracks, then turned back around after putting on the fakest smile she deemed the drake worthy of. “Of course! Thank you so much, Norwin, full the most succulent, most ripe, most banana-est bananas you have given me. I knew you’d eventually figure out what they were!” She had enlisted his help in finding the rare fruit a few days ago. Although, he returned multiple times with the wrong item, and his effort was more than she gave him credit for. Appalled, Norwin stamped his paw hard against the flat rock. “Hey! You’re the one who kept telling me ‘Yellow, Norwin! They’re always yellow!’ when every fruit and vegetable I see down there at the market is yellow and long like you said.” “Yellow squash and banana peppers are not bananas.” She hissed; her voice was glazed with a tempting sweet undertone yet spiced with condescendence. “You should really ask the vendors what you’re looking for next time.” Norwin squinted his eyes at her. “Well, I’m glad those bananas are to your liking.” He teased, clearly enjoying the banter. The dragoness’ mocking expression dimmed. “Yes…they are. Though it was a bit of a delay, you did fetch them for me.” She admitted. Honestly, she was intensely grateful he would be willing to do such a thing for her. “I really needed them, you know,… for Torr.” The name too casually slipped out of her mouth. Her face froze, regretting bringing him up in the conversation. Torran, the little ray of sunshine life had given her, broke free from his eggshell prison only a few days ago, their newborn child whom the mother chose to raise herself. For now. Norwin quickly dropped his playful demeanor at the mention of his son’s name. “Hey,” He took a small step forward. “H-how is he?” The dragoness heaved a great sigh upon hearing his question. “He’s fine, Norwin. He hasn’t done much but sleep, squeak, and eat since he hatched.” “Heh,” The orange drake glanced down at his paws and smiled, “Got a big appetite, huh? Reminds me of a certain someone.” His left foreclaws lightly scratched at the rock floor. The dragoness tried to hold back a smirk. A certain someone. Ha. “Can…” He muttered, before looking back up at his mate so she would hear him properly. “Can I see him?” Oh no. Gods, Not this please. The dragoness could see the moisture and redness accumulating in his eyes, a sight she couldn’t bear to see. Yet, that look told her he already knew the answer. “No, Norwin. Not today.” She hated saying that. Her mate quietly swallowed as he nodded in response. She continued. “I…need some time…away. I appreciate you helping me care for him, but…I—we need distance.” Her expression donned that of mellow frustration. Did she need to remind him every time? Norwin faded into a solemn stare. “I understand. I leave in a week. My squadron commander has requested that we report in a little earlier than expected.” He turned his head away to hide his wavering voice. “I really thought that you would…that we could be ‘ok’ before I go off.” A week? Until he goes off to that…horrible shit. Her sympathetic expression dissolved. “That is your choice, Norwin.” She spat with extra venom. “Of course we wouldn’t be ‘ok’ when you leave us for some damn war.” Norwin winced at her retort, somewhat in disbelief. “You’re not being fair! They need me!” He shouted, but the anger was no substitute for his sadness. “I can’t just stand still and watch our kind burn. I’m doing this to protect you! I’m doing this to protect our son!” “And leave the both of us behind!? What am I going to do?” Now her own angry tears began shedding from their ducts. “What am I going to do when Torr needs a father figure and you’re not here!?” “I will be doing my part to protect you both! Gods, do you not understand what will happen if we do nothing?” Norwin broke from the intensity to gaze beyond the horizon. “It’s…it’s my duty.” “No it’s not! Don’t be stupid, Norwin. Your duty is to Torran!” “Then why won’t you let me even see him!?” “B-because…--” “Because you don’t care about the dragon race. Torr won’t have a world to grow up in when we are all dead!” Norwin’s voice stretched to breaking point. “Then stay with me! We’ll go somewhere where we will never be found. We will be safe, away from all of it.” “I can’t just do that. I-I have to stand up for our people.” “Dammit, Nor. Why this!? Why now!? You said—no—you vowed that you’d stay with me when we were mated! So why are you so eager to leave? We were going to be a family!” “WE ARE A FAMILY!” Norwin roared; an echo enhanced by the geological structure of the mountains shattered the silence. The shockwave had startled a nearby goat licking at a tasty salt deposit, causing it to skid down the rocky slope a few feet before a brief struggle to regain its footing. A slow moment passed after the larger chunk of his anger had been exerted before he sank back down on himself. He waited for the quiet to return. “We are a family, Auria. So long as we have love, we are a family.” The blue dragoness frowned as she gazed at the ground in disdain, unable to even look at Norwin. “No…We’re not. Not like this.” Norwin could hear the final nail being hammered into the coffin somewhere. This felt like the last straw to both dragons. They have had the same argument over and over again ever since he announced he would be joining the dragon military, yet each time they ended up in the same pit. “Auria, please…please don’t say—” “Just go. And don’t come back.” If Auria chose to look at him right now he would probably look sick to his stomach. The orange dragon’s neck frills and tail drooped downward. The damage had been done, and her wishes were to be respected. “Okay…I’ll go.” He turned towards the cliffs edge and unfurled his wings, but he wasn’t eager to go right away. Rather, he stood in place for at least a minute as if he had forgotten how to fly. But he knew how to fly. With sunken sorrowed eyes, he craned his neck back to his mate. “Goodbye, Auria. I will…always, always love you.” And with that, he leapt off the cliff. The dragoness lifted her gaze as she watched the orange disappear into the black night. It wasn’t long before she could taste the salt from the tears dripping into her mouth as Auria cried. She loved Norwin. So much so she believed he would be the drake partner she daydreamed about as a fledgling. To finally escape the cruel world with another lost soul like her. But maybe severing her ties with him would rid her the pain of ever losing him. Gods. I’m so selfish. A tiny squeak echoed from within the cave behind the dragoness. A mother’s calling. The switch now had to be flipped. Wiping the burning wetness from her eyes, Auria turned into the wide cave entrance, head held low. The cave entrance narrowed into a winding tunnel of rock, like a worm boring through the flesh of an apple. The stone walls were naturally decorated with glowing deposits of illuminous crystal, casting the cave in a dim yellow hue. Most may find it difficult to see even with the aid of the natural light emitting from the stones, but the biological advantage of a dragon’s slit iris allows for clarity at greater distances and clear nocturnal vision. The stomach of the cave opened into a spacious, yet comfortable layout for its dwellers. The mineral glow here was far brighter than the path leading to its inner confines. Dragons did not require furniture like some other creatures, nor did they find the necessity in decoration. A home to a dragon only needed be only two things: loving and warm. This cave in particular was no exception. At the corner of the room lay a pile of expertly woven blankets with dazzling patterns of colors and stripes. Though a little worn, they offered a soft, cozy embrace for the little dragon that lie on top of it. “Hello, my little Torr.” The dragoness cooed after dropping the brown pouch nearby. The dragon hatchling perked up at the sound of his mother’s soothing voice. His eyes remained shut--he had yet to fully open them for the first time--but he was very much awake. “I’ve brought you something extra special. They don’t grow anywhere near us, that’s for sure.” She laid down beside the mound of blankets, curling her form around it for added warmth, and dragged the brown pouch over with her tail. “They are called bananas. Can you say ‘bananas,’ Torran?” “Banz!” The youngling replied. “No. It’s ba-NAN-nas. Say ba-NAN-nas.” “Ba...banza…banz!” An excited squeal escaped his tiny little lungs as if he finally figured it out. Auria huffed a tired laugh. The hatchling’s speech acquisition was already beginning to surface just a few days out of the egg. Although, she suspected that he may only be attempting to imitate the sounds she made rather than trying to understand a word’s meaning. “Yes, Torran. I brought you some banzas.” A swift fumbling with the pouch’s opening revealed the yellow deliciousness inside. The mother gently tore one banana from of the bunch—they were puny in her paws—and set in on the cave floor to be cut. She was familiar with the fruit. As a dragon, tearing off the peel of the fruit without squishing the soft, internal flesh was always a challenge for her. Her claws could easily slash through materials as hard as cast iron, so she need be gentle, especially around her newly hatched son. With a single foreclaw, she slowly traced the tips along the length of the fruit to pierce and separate the yellow seal. She flipped the fruit on its opposite side to repeat the same process. As she worked, tiny pinpricks went up her back. The hatchling had already begun climbing atop her gigantic body to investigate. He really was a pawful, both figuratively and literally. “Hey you.” She cooed. After a bit of tugging on the peel, the dragoness managed to free the cream-colored fruit from its prison. Its wafting scent also seemed to rouse the little hatchling crawling about. “Be patient, little Torr. You’ll have your dinner soon.” She calmy assured, nipping at the nape of his neck to set him back atop his bed of blankets. The little hatchling squeaked in protest. Flexing a singular claw out from its sheath, Auria delicately sliced the banana into chunks small enough for her son to swallow without choking. He was going to eat a lot tonight knowing his voracious appetite, so she made sure to feed him in small quantities. After the entire banana had been thoroughly diced, Auria gingerly scooped up the fruit pieces and sprinkled them over the blanket. She made sure to toss them into Torran’s peripheral so he would stumble upon them as he crawled about. The proud mother watched her son perform a micro-hunt within the soft, rolling blanket folds. With just a couple whiffs of the air alone, he was able to track down each piece of banana within his midst, like a bat giving chase to a flying insect. Auria giggled at the voracious effort he gave to stuff the food down his tiny gullet. “You’re going to be so big and strong someday. Like your father.” One peculiar feature of little Torr’s appearance she noticed right out of the egg was the small tuft of fur atop his head. Though she cared little about the way he looked, she still couldn’t place the biological logic for it to even be there. Regardless, the tiny ball of energy was nothing of miracle in her life; one that she would cherish. And she couldn’t be happier that he was with her, in her cave. Her refuge. Her solace. Her sanctuary. The lonely cave cooled during the nights being at such high elevation. The only trace of airflow inside came from a smaller port near the roof, offering a quiet white noise for the inhabitants. But out of some mysterious aura that seemed to emanate within the mountain cavity, the dragoness swore she could feel heat radiating from the rock beneath. Naturally, the glowing cave crystals began to dim, signifying their rest period. Funny as it was that the crystals needed rest, almost like the miniscule forms of life inside of them were calling it a night. Regardless the mood or weather outside, Auria felt welcomed here. She would often entertain the idea that if the cave entrance had an engraved message it would say, “Come inside, stay awhile.” That she certainly did. Her meandering thoughts were rudely interrupted by the pathetic squeaks coming from the bundle of blankets squirming in her forepaws. The hatchling had already snuffed down the last bit of banana and was making a desperate attempt to escape the soft confines. “Torr.” His mother huffed, a little weary from dealing with this pawful of joy. But instead of scampering off, the mother watched her child scoot closer to her foreleg before settling comfortably upon her, his fragile body draped over her appendage. “Such a charmer.” It seems like everyone in the universe was telling Auria to go to sleep. The cave was dim and cool, and the impossibly small lifeform on her leg fell into a snooze without a sound. Yet, she couldn’t follow suit. In fact, she wanted to, but the effortless task seemed too difficult right now. Especially after her multiple fights with Norwin. Her meals became fewer and farther between due to the stress the whole situation put on her. A perfect life was just around the corner and then…no. Don’t think about it. It was his decision. Her body betrayed her nonetheless as her eyes watered and her gut clenched. Maybe she could cry herself to sleep this time, she pondered. A far memory fell into view. A hymn sung by an unknown voice she heard as a hatchling at night in the village. It felt like no other dragon could hear it aside from her. Beautiful, melancholy, and comforting it was to her ears. In any case, it could have been sung by another sorrowful soul somewhere else in the village, as if no one cared to hear his song. But she did. That music was special to her, because it was the only remedy when she suffered from insomnia. Over time, she had forgotten the words, but the tone was forever engrained into her heart. Taking extra care to not disturb the bundle of slumber on her leg, she rested her head snugly over her son. Hopefully, in this position, he could feel the vibrations from his mother’s throat as she hummed herself to sleep.
