Sparky sighed as he sat on a bench that overlooked the ocean. The young dragon felt lonely. He knew he was loved by many; mainly his Aunt's, Stepmother and his father. But, he didn't have any friends his age. It wasn't because he was afraid of trying to make new friends. It was that pony's were afraid of him. He was the only dragon in town. Hay, he was the only dragon in Equestria. He looked up as he saw a group of Fillies walk by. He waved at them; only to have them walk by.
He shook his head and jumped down from the bench. He began to walk down to the beach. He enjoyed walking on the sand; listening to the gentle sound of the waves crashing on the shore. As he walked down to the beach; he became lost in thought. He wondered why so many ponies were afraid of him? Why kids his age went out of their way to avoid him? Why was he so.....different from the others?
He asked himself. “Is there something wrong with me?”
He stared down at the sand as he walked along the beach. He walked close to the edge of the water. Allowing the waves to wash over his feet. He heard the fizzing sound of the sea foam. The gentle crashing of the waves. The sound of some gulls flying over head. Yes, it was all the best sounds to put ones mind at ease. But, for him it was not working. He wasn't mad or upset. No, he was actually heartbroken.
Posy's voice echoed in his mind. “Keep that mutt on a leash!”
He sighed as another voice spoke to him. “Watch that fire you stupid punk!” it was followed by another. A mother warning her child about him. “No, No, sweetie. We don't play with dangerous animals.”
Why did they think he was dangerous? He had been living among them for the last ten years. He was hatched by the sheriff for crying out loud. Sure there were times he did something wrong. But, what child hasn't done something wrong before? Sure no pony child ever set anything on fire when they would sneeze. Or when they would have gas. But, he'd never do any of that on purpose. His father and his mother raised him better than that.
Another voice echoed in his mind. “You're a accident waiting to happen.”
He remembered that voice; it was the voice of the pony known as Sprout. That jerk made the mistake of saying that while he was with his mother. Sparky thought his father was mean when somepony spoke ill of him. Well, his mother proved she was just as mean. If not more mean than he was. He chuckled a little as he remember Sprout running home. A fully grown stallion running home; crying for his mommy. That was a prime example of worthlessness.
Sparky eventually stopped walking and just stared out over the ocean. He didn't say a word; all he did was watch the water. Almost like he was hoping that it would provide him some words of comfort. The sun was now starting to set. It cast a wonderful red light across the sky and water. It was a wonderful sight to see. A sight many take for granted. The young dragon then looked own. He noticed something buried in the sand just next to his foot.
He reached down and wiped away some of the wet sand that was on the object. He also made use of a recent wave; the water helped him wash some more of the sand off. He stood up and gazed at the object in his hand. It was a sand dollar. A whole sand dollar; he saw quite a few of these on display at some of the shops in town. He never imagined he'd be that lucky and find one himself. He remembered a story his Aunt Sunny told him. He held the thing close to his chest; closed his eyes and just at the moment the sun was halfway set. He pulled his arm back and threw the sand dollar over the waves.
He watched as it skipped across the water four times before it's momentum faltered and it sank beneath the waves. He then wished. “I wish I had a friend.”
A loud crashing sound followed by someone screaming echoed across the beach. Sparky nearly jumped out of his skin as he looked around. Trying his best to find where the scream had come from. He saw some loose sand flying up into the air close by. He quickly ran towards the area; hoping that whoever cried out was okay. When he reached the area; he saw what had happened. Apparently a sandcastle that had been built earlier had came crashing down. But, it had come crashing down onto something....blue?
Sparky was looking at something blue stuck underneath the sand. It was the backside of some kind of creature. It's hind-legs kicked wildly in the air. Trying it's best to get it's upper-body out from under the sand. Without a second thought he ran up to the creature.
He said. “Hey! Hold on I'll help you!”
He grabbed hold of the creature and started pulling. After a few hard tugs the creature was freed. Both of them yelled out as they fell and landed on their backs. Sparky felt a weight on top of him. The creature had landed on him and he was the one now with a sandy back.
He asked it. “Are you okay?”
It responded. “Yeah, thanks.”
It was then both of them got a better look at the other. Both of them screamed in fear as they backed away from each other. Sparky had no idea what the creature was. Instead of being all blue; it was a mixed color of blue and light gray. The creature looked like a pony but it looked more like a bug. It had a hard shell on it's back and on it's forehead was a horn. Both of them stared in silence at one another.
The creature asked. “Who are you?” It also asked. “What are you?”
At first Sparky didn't want to answer. But, he was also curious. He answered. “I'm a dragon.” He then waved at it before introducing himself. “Hi, my name is Sparky.”
The creature waved back and introduced itself. “Hi, I'm Moss.”
Sparky smiled and commented. “Moss, that's a pretty name.”
Moss blushed before she said. “Thanks.”
He asked her. “Moss, what are you?”
For a moment the two sat in silence again. Moss looked down to the ground trying to hide her face from him. He tried to apologize. “I'm sorry. I wasn't.”
She interrupted him. “No, it's okay.” She then answered. “To answer you're question, Sparky.” She looked at her hooves and continued. “I have no idea what I am.”
This confused him; she didn't know what she was? He asked her. “Where's your mom and dad?”
Moss sighed sadly and answered. “I don't have a mother and father. I've been on my own since I was born.” She felt some irritation under her wing and started to flutter them.
Sparky yelled out. “Whoa!” He shielded himself from the small amount of sand that was kicked up.
Moss groaned a little; the sand was irritating her wings horribly. To make it a little worse the sand was stuck in a spot that was hard to reach with her hooves. And, it was difficult to dislodge the debris when fluttering her wings. In fact it made the sand grind against her wings. She looked at the ocean. She knew if she jumped into the water it would help. But, she also didn't want to get wet again. It took awhile for her wings to get dry and she would also smell bad after jumping in the water.
She looked at Sparky and asked. “Can you help me?”
Sparky nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
She lifted her wings and motioned towards them. As sparky walked up she told him. “There's sand stuck underneath one of my wings on the left. Can you brush it out?”
Sparky nodded he was a little surprised at how beautiful her wings looked. They were transparent but they had a little bit of shine to them. He saw where the sand was and started to gently brush it out with his claws. He noticed that she was shivering and he asked her. “Are you okay?”
Moss nodded and answered. “Yes.” She had to keep herself from giggling. “I'm just a little ticklish there.”
He nodded and tried his best to get the sand out a little quicker. He didn't want to accidentally poke her with his claws. With one more brush of his claws the sand was out. She sighed in relief and fluttered her wings a little. She looked at him and thanked him. “Thanks.”
He replied. “You're welcome.” It was then the sun had set and night was upon them. Noticing this he looked around before saying. “Whoa! I forgot how quick the sun sets this time of year.” He looked back at Moss and said. “It was nice meeting you Moss. But, I have to go home now.” He smiled before he finished. “Hope I see you tomorrow.”
Just as he was about to walk away; one of his arms were suddenly grabbed. It almost threw him off balance. He turned and looked seeing her clinging to his arm. Before he could ask her she apologized. “I'm sorry.” She then asked. “This may sound dumb but can you walk me home?” She looked around her eyes were filled with fear. She explained. “I'm scared of the dark.”
Sparky had to think about this; normally he was home by now or just a minute or two after nightfall. Both his father and mother wanted him home by then. Maretime bay wasn't as dangerous as one would think. But, it was always dangerous to walk alone at night. At the same time she was asking him to help her. Almost like how one of the others ponies would ask his father for help. Maybe, his parents would forgive him for this? After all his father and aunts were always helping others.
He nodded and said. “Okay. Where do you live?”
She smiled before answering. “I live in a cave just up the beach.”
Sparky looked in the direction she was motioning towards. Thankfully, dragons could see very well in the dark. It allowed him to spot the cave. Before they started walking he asked her. “Do you want to hold my claw?” She looked up at him possibly expecting him to tease her. He said. “To be honest I'm not a fan of the dark either.” That was a lie; the dark didn't really bother him. But, he wanted to make her feel better. After all he was teased none stop about his fear bees from the other fillies and colts.
Moss nodded and let go of his arm. Only her hoof remained clutched in his claw; the two started to walk towards the cave. She blushed a little as they walked together. She didn't know what she was blushing. And, she didn't know why she was suddenly tasting something sweet in her mouth.
Eventually both of them reached the mouth of the cave; Sparky couldn't believe she lived here. He wanted to ask her but she was eager to get inside. He was almost dragged into the cave by her; thankfully he was able to keep his balance as she lead him inside. Eventually though they came to a stop; he noticed they weren't too far in. Since he could still see the mouth of the cave. But, they were just far enough in that the darkness of the cave would hide them from wandering eyes. He felt her let go of his claw. Thinking he could leave he was about to tell her goodbye. But, he was interrupted when she suddenly started a fire. Although small it's flames illuminated the small area they were in. allowing him to see all the drawings she had made over the various rocks and walls of the cave.
He spoke in awe. “Wow.” He asked. “Did you draw all these?”
She answered. “Yep.”
He noticed her shivering again but it didn't look like a shiver a fear. She was hugging herself tightly and she was sitting a little close to the fire. The fire she made was small; he looked around but didn't find anything to add to it. Although he knew he still asked her. “Cold?” She nodded.
Like his father he didn't like seeing anyone in need of help. Without a second thought he walked over to her. Sitting down next to her before wrapping an arm and a wing around her. He jumped a little she wasn't cold. She was freezing. Moss wanted to pull away from him but his warmth felt nice. She looked up at him.
He explained. “Whenever I get too cold my dad snuggle's with me till I'm warm.”He smiled as he asked. “Feeling better?”
She nodded and the two sat in the silence of the cave. Eventually the fire she lit burnt out; leaving both of them in darkness. He felt her shiver a little but he pulled her closer to his body. Reminding her she wasn't alone in the dark.
She asked him. “Sparky?”
He replied. “Yes?”
She asked. “Can you grab my sleeping bag please?” She pointed over to some rocks and said. “It's over there.”
He nodded and walked over to where she had pointed. He looked behind the rocks and found the sleeping bag. It was big and it was really worn. He carried it back and handed it to her. She thanked him before she unrolled the bag and shook what little sand she had on her off. Sparky watched as she climbed into the bag. He wanted to go ahead and start making his way home. But, he began to wonder if she would be okay. She was afraid of the dark and although the sleeping bag looked like it would keep her warm. It also looked like it was going to fall apart.
He knew he was going to get in trouble with his parents. But, he also knew she was in need and he asked her. “Moss do you want to have a sleepover?”
She looked at him and asked. “A what?”
He explained. “Since you're scared of the dark. I can spend the night with you; that way you're not alone tonight.”
Moss didn't even hesitate and quickly nodded; she smiled at the thought. Not being alone tonight in the cave. That would be wonderful. She noticed him walking over to a spot opposite of her. Was he going to sleep there? She asked him. “What are you doing?”
He answered. “Oh, I was going to sleep right here.”
She never liked sleeping on the rocks; that was why she was grateful when she found this sleeping bag. The ground was way to hard and uncomfortable. Especially with the sand that coated most of the rocks. She quickly shook her head and said. “You don't have to sleep over there. My sleeping bag is big enough for two.”
He asked her. “Are you sure?”
She replied. “Well I think it is.”
For a moment Sparky pondered the thought. Eventually he shrugged and walked over to her. Like her he dusted what little sand was on him off before climbing into the bag. Thankfully, the bag was larger than it looked. It could easily hold both of them. After a little adjustments both of them were snug inside the bag. Before Sparky fell asleep he felt her shiver again.
He asked her. “Still cold.”
She answered. “A little.” She couldn't hide the quiver in her voice. “B-B-But I-I-I'm no-not as cold. As I-I-I-I was earlier.”
He didn't think twice and pulled her closer to his body. She gasped a little at the sudden contact of his warm body. He wrapped both his arms and wings around her. He asked her. “Better?”
She answered. “Better.” She rested her head in the crook of his neck. He was warm and comfy. She thanked him. “Thanks.”
He replied. “You're welcome.” He yawned before saying. “Goodnight Moss.”
She said back. “Goodnight Sparky.”
Author's Note
New story. I know I've been posting and deleting just trying to put out one that's decent. Lol.