Fluttershy wandered through the harsh wasteland and looked for Razer.

“I need to set things straight once and for all, and I can’t do that as a pony,” Fluttershy said trying to reassure herself.

As she made her way to some lava pools she saw some drakes laying in the lava.

“U-um, hey,” Fluttershy asked and they noticed her.

“Oooh, hey there beautiful,” A drake smiled.

“H-hey, I was hoping you would point me to a red dragon named Razer, his den I mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“She doesn’t have a marking scent, she’s not taken,” A red drake said to another.

“Yeah, and she’s a hot one, let’s get her,” A blue drake said and they got out of the lava and approached her.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well you aren’t taken, and you approached a group of drakes, don’t you know the rules? Now we’re gonna have some fun,” One of the drakes said.

“Oh dear…” Fluttershy cursed herself.

Fluttershy was hidden behind a large rock panting.

“Whew, managed to get away, who knew the dragons had such a surreal way of choosing a mate…” Fluttershy said before continuing onto a more careful search.

As she made her way over a hill she saw more lava pools and some dragonesses lounging in them.

“Alright, this should work,” Fluttershy said going up to them.

Fluttershy was hidden behind another rock and panting heavily.

“That was insane, who knew dragonesses were so hostile,” Fluttershy said before shaking her head “I need to learn the ways of this place, before I end up dead,” Fluttershy said before taking to the air.

As she flew she suddenly felt a weight on her wing and she turned to see Discord laying on it.

“How’s it going Flutters?” Discord asked.

“Discord? How long have you been here?” Fluttershy asked.

“Since you ran from Ponyville,” Discord said.

“....And you didn’t think to help me when I was nearly dogpiled by drakes and attacked by dragonesses?” Fluttershy gave him a flat look.

“I erased your scent so they couldn’t find you,” Discord said.

“Still, what am I going to do? This land is so different from Equestria,” Flutters said.

“I get that, You're trying to communicate as a pony, be more dragon-like,” Discord said.

“How do I do that?” Fluttershy asked.

“Be more aggressive, so they know you're not a weak dragon, you're a strong one,” Discord said.

“.....Or I could ask Ember,” Fluttershy said.

“Or that, but my way sounds more filling for the story,” Discord said.

“Alright, I’ll try,” Fluttershy said as she flew around, looking for somedragon she knows, when she did she went towards the ground and came upon Garble and one of his friends.

“I gotta say some of those pony dragons were my type, shame none of them were real dragonesses,” Fume said.

“Yeah, but hey, plenty of diamonds in the dirt, as they always say,” Garble said before Fluttershy landed in front of them.

“Huh?” They looked to see her approaching them.

“Whooooaaa, babe alert,” Fume said.

“Idiot, that’s a pony dragon,” Garble said.

“Oh…” Fume sighed disappointedly.

“Listen, I am… requesting… no demanding that you show me where Razer is! And I… won’t say please!” Fluttershy said and Garble and Fume just laughed.

“Yeah, total pony,” Fume said.

“That’s the most polite demand I ever heard out of a dragon's mouth,” Garble laughed.

“I-I’m being serious, you wouldn’t want to mess with… me!” Fluttershy said.

“And what will happen if we don’t talk?” Garble asked.

“I’ll… ask again?” Fluttershy said.

“.....HA!” Both Fume and Garble laughed.

“Darn,” Discord sighed from behind a rock.

“Get lost pony!” Fume called.

“...” Fluttershy began to slink off before she overheard something.

“Man Razer made a mistake reeling her in, however, considering what a wuss he is, they belong together,” Garble high fived Fume.

“....No….” Fluttershy turned and marched back up to them and stood over them.

“Huh?” Garble and Fume paused.

“I SAID NO!” Fluttershy boomed using her greater height to her advantage “He is NOT a wuss, he has a heart bigger than either of you! He cared about me even though I was a pony! He made me feel happy when I was conflicted! He saved me! You both are… are….” She busted out the stare “SELFISH JERKS!” Fluttershy shouted intimidating the two drakes.

“Uh… wow, look at the time,” Fume said before running off.

“Don’t mess with me pony! I-I can fight big dragons too!” Garble snarled.

“....I’d like to see you try me,” Fluttershy said pressing her head against his.

And Garble backed off.

“OK OK! You passed,” Garble said.

“I did?” Fluttershy said.

“If you're serious about this being a dragoness thing then get lost and find him already,” Garble said.

“Where?” Fluttershy asked.

“He lives on Spineback Mountain, the one with a spiral of caves, he lives at the bottom,” Garble said.

“Ok, Thank you,” Fluttershy said turning and walking away.

“Wow, you did well Shy,” Discord said floating beside her head.

“Thanks… I don’t know why I got so defensive back there…” Fluttershy said.

“I think it’s obvious,” Discord said.

“...” Fluttershy looked away.

Fluttershy made it to the mountain that matched Garble's description and she made her way up to the cave at the bottom.

Looking behind her she saw Discord giving her a thumbs up before he disappeared.

Fluttershy gave a sigh and she approached the cave entrance and entered.

As she made her way in she eventually saw the telltale signs of a dragon's hoard, gems and gold lined the floors.

And when she got to the end of the cave she came upon a big pile of gold and gems that had Razer’s tail sticking out.

“Here goes nothing,” Fluttershy said before poking his tail.

“Hnngh…” Razer snorted smoke and resumed snoring.

“Razer… it’s uh… me,” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Mmmh…” Razer snorted smoke from his snout sticking out of the gem pile.

“Alright, I suppose I should wake him, and I’ll do it the same way I wake Angel,” Fluttershy said before reaching forward and pinching his nose that was sticking out.

“Hnngh! Grah!” Razer woke startled and he opened his eyes and spotted another dragon.

“What did I say about picking at my hoard while I’m asleep!” Razer rose out of the hoard ready to attack the intruder, but he froze when he saw Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy? Wha-....What do you want?....” Razer slumped back into the pile.

“Razer…. I want to clear the air,” Fluttershy said.

“Then clear out, I’ve had enough of being rejected,” Razer said bitterly.

“...I understand, but I… want to talk, preferably outside,” Fluttershy said.

“I’m good, I was recently considering imbibing on black diamonds and taking a permanent nap,” Razer rolled over.

“Razer! Surely you wouldn’t go so far over me,” Fluttershy said remembering what Ember said about black diamonds being poisonous.

“Not just you, every dragoness who turned me away, I’m not going to be a pity case either, let me have some dragon pride before I go,” Razer sighed.

“I’m not pitying you, I’m trying to help you, please, get up!” Fluttershy said.

“Leave me alone!” Razer barked.

“No!” Fluttershy said.

Razer growled and stood up before pushing her away.

“I am SICK of being treated like a lesser dragon simply because I don’t break rocks for fun, or get the ladies, or because i’m a freaking crybaby! I can’t help being sensitive!” Razer backed her up as he ranted “And just when I had hope again, this time with a pony, even she turned me away! Do you know how much that stings!? NOW GET OUT!” Razer said.

Fluttershy wanted to run crying but something in her held her to the ground she was standing on and she stared back defiantly.

“Look, you can either waste away in your cave, feeling sorry for yourself until you work up the nerve to eat poisonous crystals, or you can try again with a pony who might like you!” Fluttershy barked back before realizing what she said.

“....You… you like me?” Razer asked.

“...” Fluttershy looked red in the face and didn’t know what to say and she sat down.

“I…So what? You still turned me away… how do I know you're not just pitying me?” Razer asked.

“.... Razer, do you ever think that I came all this way, despite my fears, because deep down I… felt something, you can turn me away, just say the word and I’ll leave and become a pony again, and we’ll never see each other again. Or we can talk and try to work past this,” Fluttershy said.

“.....I……..ok,” Razer conceded and he helped her up “I suppose I can trust one more time,” Razer said before he walked around her and Fluttershy followed.

Fluttershy and Razer sat down on a cliffside and conversed.

“You… used to be scared of dragons, what changed?” Razer asked.

“I did, more specifically my form, I guess being what you fear is therapeutic in itself,” Fluttershy chuckled.

“I guess so,” Razer chuckled.

“I will admit I was worried about you before, with how I made you move to another cave, but to be fair, we didn’t want Equestria to be polluted,” Fluttershy said.

“I get it, I was upset for a while, but I would say the same too I suppose,” Razer said.

“Razer… I don’t know if it’s the difference in species talking but, I feel content being around you, you're just like Spike in a way,” Fluttershy said.

“A handsome drake?” Razer said.

“A friendly one… and that,” Fluttershy said leaning on him.

“Heh,” Razer blushed.

“I was eager to be a pony again before, but when it was about to happen… I panicked… for some reason, I remembered you, and suddenly I didn’t want to be a pony anymore… I think… I really do have feelings for you,” Fluttershy said.

“You mean it? You really do?” Razer asked.

“Yes, where other dragons see a coward, I see a drake whose willing to be himself, if just a little worried about others opinions, I am the same, I was always scared, always looking to accommodate everypony, but my friends taught me to be myself, maybe you just needed friends… and a special somedragon,” Fluttershy said shyly.

“I… your right, thank you!” Razer hugged her and started crying and she patted his head “I’m always trying to act tough, always trying to be like the other dragons, but… I secretly like pony society,” Razer admitted.

“You do?” Fluttershy asked.

“Why do you think I chose a nest so close to Equestria, I’m tired of living among my judgmental brethren, I wanted to see if after a long nap… there would be room in pony society for a shy drake,” Razer admitted.

“That’s sweet,” Fluttershy said.

“My dad never approved, he even kicked me out when I suggested we all move to Equestria,” Razer said.

“That must have been rough,” Fluttershy said.

“Ah, I hated living there anyways, but point is… I was hoping a pony dragon would see it my way, can… you be that dragon?” Razer said.

“...Yes, I can,” Fluttershy said before hugging him and he hugged back.

Both walked towards the lava pools.

“A-are you sure? They chased me away last time,” Fluttershy said.

“Just follow my lead,” Razer said as he walked up to the pools where several dragons were chatting, upon seeing them they got defensive and a big orange one got in their way.

“What’s the yellow one doing back here, we said no ponies allowed!” The orange drake snarled.

“I say she is allowed, got a problem?” Razer growled.

“Yes, I do, take her elsewhere,” The orange dragon growled.

“No,” Razer growled and the two looked eachother in the eyes… before laughing.

“Huh?” Fluttershy ceased her cowering.

“You're still a little flinchy with the approach Raz, but I like your gusto, could it be the yellow one?” He asked.

“I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t it, her name is Fluttershy, Fluttershy, this is Boulder,” Razer said.

“Uh… hi?” Fluttershy said.

“Yellow is definitely her color, she needs to toughen up, otherwise, a less kind drake might take advantage of her,” Boulder said climbing back into the lava.

“Well, we passed, come now,” Razer said as he took Fluttershy’s claw and led her into the pool.

If the artificial pool of lava Discord made for her back in Equestria felt nice, this was a new experience, it felt like her whole body was heating up in a pleasant way.

“Aaaah,” Fluttershy leaned back as Razer sat beside her.

“Yeah, the first time in a volcanic lava pool is the best,” Razer said.

“This is better than a hot tub,” Fluttershy moaned.

“Yep, now get cozy, we’ll tell stories of conquerings we’ve made,” Boulder said.

“Huh?” Fluttershy asked.

“And he never walked my direction again,” A red dragoness said.

“Hah! Showed him,” A pink one said.

“That… was graphic,” Fluttershy shivered.

“What about you Shy? Did you ever have a mighty foe you single handedly faced?” Boulder asked.

“Well… I once had this mosquito that refused to leave my house, no matter how gently I nudged him towards the window, and-” The other dragons laughed at this.

“Forgot she was a pony,” The pink dragoness laughed.

“Well, I also defeated and then befriended Discord, with help though,” Fluttershy said.

“Huh… That’s more like it,” Boulder admitted.

“By the way, Pink Diamond,” Fluttershy having learned the names of the two dragonesses during the conversation.

“Yeah?” Pink asked.

“I… know dragons don’t usually do friendships, but do you have any friends?” Fluttershy asked.

“Nodragon but me an Quartz here’s mate,” She said pointing to Boulder.

“Your… both his mates?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yeah, unlike ponies we dragons are cool with multiple mates,” Boulder said.

“Speaking of which, have you two lovelizards sealed the deal?” Quartz asked.

“....” Both Shy and Raz blushed upon hearing that and they looked away.

“Ahahaha! I can see it now,” Quartz said.

“Stop,” Fluttershy said.

“Well get moving, now that your all warmed up, why not take a tumble in the gemstones” Pink said.

Fluttershy knew the pony version of that innuendo.

“Eeep!” Fluttershy meeped.

“Alright, alright, enough, I’m taking her to try some gems,” Razer led her out of the pool and they wandered off.

“Have fun!” Pink called.

“Shut up!” Razer called back.

Fluttershy and Razer sat on the cliff next to his cave eating gems.

“I never knew gems tasted so great,” Fluttershy said.

“You never tried any?” Razer asked.

“Not really,” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah, when you consider the age and type, the flavor changes, so… yeah,” Razer coughed into his claw and they awkwardly sat there.

“...So, I should think of leaving soon, it’s getting late,” Fluttershy said.

“Do you really have to?... I just, I’ll miss you,” Razer said.

“I have to get home and feed my animals,” Fluttershy said.

“Indeed, but… I am sure they can last a night without you…” Razer said scooting closer.

“What are you implying?” Fluttershy asked.

“Nothing perverted, I promise!” Razer said.

“I understand, I… guess I can stay tonight,” Fluttershy said.

“Great! Um, wanna… come back to my cave? Or would you rather have a separate cave?” Razer asked.

“I… wouldn’t mind sharing,” Fluttershy said with a blush.

“Alright, come on then,” Razer said leading her to his cave and he laid down amidst his hoard and he patted the ground in front of him.

“Y-your sure?” Fluttershy asked.

“Nothing will happen,” Razer assured.

“O-ok,” Fluttershy came up to him and curled up next to him, her slightly smaller body pressed up against him and he folded a wing over her and hugged her closely to his chest.

Fluttershy hummed, even though she was lying on a cave floor covered in gemstones and gold this was like a comfy bed.

Sleep came soon and they slept together in a cozy embrace.

Not noticing Discord taking a selfie with a camera outside the cave.

“Awww, how sweet,” Discord said before leaving to go assure Twilight where she was.

Author's Note

I'm back and out of my funk.

For now at least.

Sorry for keeping you all waiting.