Dragonshy

Sunset tightened her saddlebags as she and the others looked up at the tall mountain. Everypony excluding Roseluck as Silverspeed gulped nervously, giving a anxious flutter of her wings.

“Where in Equestria is she?” Sunset asked finally and turned to face Derpy, the gray pegasus shrugged.

“No idea. Said she had to get some pony to help us. And Lily, for some reason,” Derpy answered and glanced up. “Long way. Sure you can’t teleport us up there?”

Derpy and Trixie both groaned as Sunset shook her head.

“No can do. Teleportation is a science in it’s own right as Trixie knows. The wind could push us off course and I’m not entirely fond of us falling screaming to our deaths. Or we could accidentally cause a rock slide,” Sunset answered with a smirk as some town ponies shuddered.

Over half the town watched as Shoeshine stretched out with a yawn, Lyra and Bon Bon included as they both stared up at the mountain.

“Finally,” Sunset grumbled as Roseluck trotted up with Lily and Fluttershy, Sunset raising an eyebrow. “What are they doing here?”

“Fluttershy’s special talent is talking to animals. Figured she could be helpful and she owed me a favor. Lily wanted to tag along. That’s okay with you, right?” Roseluck asked and Sunset nodded.

“Yeah, it’s cool. As long as they stay quiet and stay on our flanks. I’d rather come down with all eight of us intact,” Sunset community casually before glancing backwards. “We will sort this whole dragon thing out. Don’t worry everypony.”

Lyra shifted nervously on her hooves as she chewed her lower lip. She still was a bit wary of Sunset, even if she and Minuette had been the most friendly to her during school.

Sea Swirl and Sassaflash both shared a look as the two stood with Caramel as the elements, Fluttershy and Lily started trotting slowly up the dirt path leading to the caves on the top of the mountain.

“Well, at least they’re on this,” Caramel commented as he cracked his neck. “I trust them, especially Shoeshine.”

“Yeah, me too,” Sea Swirl agreed as Lyra listened without them knowing. Lyra shifted casually as the three continued talking. “Sunset helped me organize a fundraiser for some dolphins in captivity. I
went to school with her, you know?”

“We know,” Sassaflash rolled her eyes and hip checked Sea Swirl with a smile. “I’m going home. You coming dear?”

Caramel nodded as the two trotted and Sea Swirl kicked some dirt aside with a sad sigh as Lyra patted her on the shoulder reassuringly.

“Why do I have to be so weird?” Sea Swirl asked aloud and her shoulders sagged slightly.

“What do you mean?” Noteworthy asked and the blue stallion stood next to her.

“Maybe the fact I’m in love with my best friend? I’m happy for them but wish it was me,” Sea Swirl glanced up at Silverspeed and Sunset in the distance talking. “Why can’t I have what they have?”

“Sunset is dating Silverspeed?” Lyra asked incredulously and Sea Swirl tapped a hoof against her chin.

“I think so? I mean, they live together for crying out loud. You can’t tell me there’s nothing go on behind closed doors there. We should spy on them one day,” Sea Swirl suggested with a grin.

“Ah yes. Spying on the Solar Representative to see if she’s dating her Royal Guard. What a great idea to get us tossed in jail,” Noteworthy snarked and Sea Swirl shot him a frown. “What? It would!”

“I don’t even know if they are dating. The paparazzi is all over the Saviors of Equestria ever since they defeated Nightmare Moon. If Sunset and Silverspeed were together, it’d be on the papers,” Lyra commented and Noteworthy nodded along.

“My cousin is correct. And I’m certain Sassaflash will come. Caramel is nice but well, just doesn’t really suit Sassaflash’s personality. You will always have us if you want to vent,” Noteworthy patted Sea Swirl on the back.

“Yeah, thanks.”

Fluttershy trotted behind Shoeshine, nervously glancing up at the rocks overhead.

“Doing okay?” Lily asked curiously as the pink mare trotted next to her.

“Mhm,” Fluttershy muttered and brushed her mane aside. Lily had to strain to hear the yellow pegasus and gritted her teeth slightly, forcing her anger down. Fluttershy was probably one of the most shy ponies Lily ever met. “You?”

“My hooves ache but other than that I’m good. I always did secretly enjoy climbing mountains. It’s exciting. I’m gonna have to come back up here after this,” Lily grinned and bounced on her hooves excitedly.

“O-oh. Just be careful,” Fluttershy brushed her mane aside and peered at Lily. “I’d hate for anything to happen to you.”

Lily debated internally for a second if that was a thinly veiled threat or not before kicking herself. This was Fluttershy she was talking about. Fluttershy didn’t threaten ponies, let alone leave her house.

Sunset stifled a laugh as Ray poked his head out of her mane and her eyes rolled up to see him, missing Trixie’s confused expression.

“You seriously brought Ray along?” Trixie scoffed and Sunset nodded as she levitated Ray onto her back.

“Why not? He’s a member of this team just as much as you are. Isn’t that right, Ray?” Sunset giggled slightly as she nuzzled Ray and nuzzled his head with hers. “Who’s my cute bearded dragon? You are.”

“Okay, ew,” Trixie gagged and Sunset stuck her tongue out at the blue unicorn as Trixie levitated the lizard back onto Sunset’s mane. “Take your pet back before I puke.”

“What a cute little guy,” Fluttershy fluttered above Sunset and stared at Ray. “Can I hold him? Please?”

Sunset shrugged and levitated Ray onto Fluttershy’s hoof as the pegasus gently ran her hoof over his head before glancing at Sunset.

“He says thank you, by the way,” Fluttershy commented and Sunset tilted her head. “I can talk to animals, as you know. All animals, including Ray here.”

“Uhm, why is he thanking me exactly?”

Fluttershy tilted her head down at Ray as he made another noise.

“For saving his life. He was very thirsty when you found him. He went to a bunch of houses, begging for water and you were the only pony kind enough to bring him in and give him water. He also says he loves you very much,” Fluttershy continued and Sunset stared at Ray with wide eyes.

“I love him too. I never really had a pet growing up other than Philomena. But then again, she’s more of Celestia’s pet really than mine. I was just doing what seemed right. I thought he would have hit the road after, in all honesty.”

“Nope, he says he is in your debt and likes living with you. Though he does ask that you make his habitat a little bigger and put in some more rocks for him to sun bath on,” Fluttershy looked at Sunset and smiled before placing Ray on Sunset’s mane. “I’d love to come by and help. If you don’t mind, of course.”

“Anytime. Huh, maybe I can try to make something so that way I can communicate with him better. Like so he can speak Equestrian,” Sunset mused and rubbed her chin with a hoof. “How do you feel about Ray? Would you be into that?”

“He says yes,” Fluttershy translated with a nod. “I’m more than happy to try to help too.”

Sunset beamed as she rolled her eyes up to look at Ray.