Dragonshy

by TheKing2001

Rating: teen
Tags: Mystery, Fluttershy, Princess Celestia, Sunset Shimmer, Main 6, Profanity, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Drama, Lily
Length: 15070

When a sleeping dragon threatens to ungulf Ponyville in it's smoke, causing Sunset and the others to intervene.

When the smoke of a sleeping dragon disrupts the skies of Equestria, Sunset and the Mane Six are tasked by Princess Celestia to convince it to leave. Sunset is accompanied by the last two ponies she expected, Fluttershy and Lily when Roseluck wants her sister to come with her after she and Lily get into a fight.

https://www.fimfiction.net/group/217456/sunsetverse

Published 2024-08-29 21:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-09-14 20:42:27 UTC

Well, that's over

Sunset dropped down onto her bed, stretching out her aching hooves and muscles as she sighed contently, idly twirling a quill in her teal aura.

“Well, that’s over,” Sunset muttered to herself and she yawned. “Gotta send Celestia a letter too now. Joy to the freaking world.”

Sunset glanced as somepony knocked on her door and it was opened to reveal the silver pegasus shifting on her hooves.

“What’s up Silverspeed?” Sunset asked as she started to write on a piece of paper.

“Are you busy?” Silverspeed questioned, her purple eyes flicking around the room anxiously. Sunset shook her head and waggled a hoof in the air.

“Nah, just finishing up this letter to Celestia. You?”

“Nothing. Just got done hanging out with Fern and I introduced to some ponies around town,” Silverspeed answered and licked her lips. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

“What’s wrong with your bed? Nightmare again or something? That dragon was kinda scary,” Sunset conceded and finished writing, putting her quill down. “I’ll send the letter later. Come on.”

Sunset rolled on her flanks as she levitated the blanket up, tapping the bed with a hoof.

Silverspeed resembled a blur instead of a pony as she laid down next to Sunset draping a foreleg over Sunset’s barrel and a hind leg over her cutie mark as the blanket dropped over them.

“You’re warm,” Silverspeed noted and Sunset chuckled quietly.

“Mhm. Shush and go to sleep, Silvie.”

Silverspeeds turned a faint pink but nodded as Sunset’s horn flashed, shutting the lights off and Silverspeed laid there, idly listening to Sunset’s soft snoring. Sunset always impressed her and her friends with how fast she can fall asleep. Even Trixie was impressed.

“I really, really love you,” Silverspeed nuzzled the unicorns mane with a sigh. “I’ll probably never be able to tell you when you’re actually able to hear me but holy Celestia does it feel nice to say.”

Silverspeed gave a tired sigh before glancing at the letter Sunset abandoned in favor of sleep and closed her eyes to join the other mare.

Slow day

Derpy yawned and leaned against the counter inside the post office, counting the ponies walking around outside. For once, it was surprisingly slow at the post office. Scarily slow, in fact. Whenever things got slow at her job, Derpy automatically had a feeling the next few days were going to be nuts.

But she needed the bits, so she continued to lean against the counter and stare into space, idly hoping for something exciting to happen. If only she knew how much she was going to regret hoping for that later on next week.

“I’m bored,” Derpy muttered and stretched out her hind legs before jumping from hoof to hoof to keep her blood flowing. She had delivered all of her mail already. Apparently not many ponies were expecting letters or packages today. Normal for a Wednesday if she was being honest. “Three more hours.”

“Hey Derpy,” Berry Punch called out as she trotted in, the door shutting with a pleasant chiming sound. “You look bored.”

“I am,” Derpy commented flatly and focused on her friend. “What are you up to? Aren’t you supposed to be running your wine stand?”

“Nah, it’s taken care of,” Berry Punch waved a hoof dismissively and Derpy narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her. “What?”

“You pawned watching the stand off on Junebug again, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you are referring to,” Berry Punch laughed nervously and looked away. “Well, look at the time. I really should be heading to get Ruby from school.”

Derpy moved with speed that startled Berry as Derpy stood in the doorway with her wings spread and a frown as Berry gulped anxiously.

“No. School doesn’t get until the end of my shift and you’re not leaving me here bored. Sit your flank down young lady,” Derpy ordered and Berry snorted.

“Young lady? We’re both thirty!” Berry exclaimed and Derpy narrowed her eyes. “Alright, you win. I actually did come here to hang out so you are technically correct about me bribing Junebug to watch my stand.”

Berry flung herself onto the bench inside the office and sighed as she stretched out.

“Slow day, huh?”

“You have no idea,” Derpy groaned and sat down. “Slower than molasses.”

“It’s not outside. I needed a break. Wanna get lunch?” Berry asked hopefully and nudged her saddlebags. “Got some wine if you want a sip.”

Derpy looked around quickly before taking the offered wine and took a long sip before wiping her lips with a foreleg and setting the bottle back in Berry’s bat.

“Jeez girl. Save some for the rest of us,” Berry teased as Derpy turned pink. “And ponies say I have a drinking problem, sheesh.”

“Not a word to anypony,” Derpy warned and Berry chuckled softly.

Berry snapped her saddlebags shut to hid the bottle from anypony who may walk in. Getting her friend drug on the job wouldn’t necessarily be a good look for either of them. Especially Derpy.

“You still going to the single mom’s meeting again tomorrow night?” Berry asked and Derpy nodded. “Thank Celestia. You’re my only friend there.”

“Yeah I just gotta make sure Amethyst doesn’t sneak out again to go hang out with Minuette and Sea Swirl. Raising a teenager is hard.”

“You make me scared of Ruby being a teen. She’s already sneaky as is,” Berry shook her head and groaned. “The kid is a magician, I swear. Especially with Trixie trying to teach her magic tricks.”

Derpy hid her wince at that. Trixie taught a magic class on the weekends or when she wasn’t busy. It usually backfired, especially when Sweetie Belle tried to teleport. Mayor Mare pretty much forced Trixie to keep a fire extinguisher present after that incident.

“And yes, I’m down to get lunch. It’s in the back. I’ll go get it and flip the sign outside to closed,” Derpy answered and stood up, heading for the back break room.

It was a small room that had been hastily turned into a break room. It used to he used for storage but all the post office storage got moved to city hall to keep thign neater at the post office. When Derpy returned with her brown lunch bag, she noticed Berry had already flipped the front sign around to say closed and had locked the door.

“You always keep the spare key in the register in the back,” Berry explained and pulled out her own lunch, idly making a note to buy Derpy a real lunch bag for Hearths Warming.

“I forgot about that. I only got thirty minutes.”

“Well, I can hang out with you the rest of your shift. I’m sure Junebug won’t care if she has to watch my stand a bit longer.”

Junebug pushed another bottle of wine across the stand and shoved the bits into Berry’s bag hidden under the wooden counter as she glowered at the post office.

“I-I-I’m gonna kill Berry one of these days,” Junebug grumbled in her trademark stutter.

Sunset hummed to herself as she continued reading her novel as she laid on her side on her couch, turning a page as Silverspeed watched her read with a bored expression.

“I’m bored,” Silverspeed said finally and Sunset jabbed a hoof at the bookshelf. A random book glowed teal and landed jn front of Silverspeed. “Treasures, pleasures and happy endings: an erotic pirate novel?”

Sunset turned red and quickly flung the book into her bedroom before placing another book in front of Silverspeed as she picked it up.

“How to please a mare?” Silverspeed read aloud and raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“Just pick your own book. I give up,” Sunset muttered and Silverspeed snickered before shoving the book aside.

“Firstly, I think I know how to please mares just fine thanks. And secondly, why do you have books on that topic?”

“Don’t ask,” Sunset grumbled and gave her a curious look. “Wait, you’re into mares? Since when?”

“I’m into both mares and stallions. You?”

“Same but I prefer mares. I didn’t know that about you. To change the topic from my weird book choices, get off the leg. Redheart said to take it easy,” Sunset levitated Silverspeed next to her. “Rest.”

“Sunset, that was two weeks ago. I’m fine. I appreciate the concern, really I do, but I’m okay. I can even walk and skip on it.”

Silverspeed and Sunset stared each other down before realizing how close their muzzles were to each other and they each pushed themselves to opposite sides of the couch.

“So uh,” Sunset coughed nervously into her hoof with a blush. “Crazy weather out there, huh?”

“Yeah,” Silverspeed agreed with a blush of her own and looked outside at the sunny day with barely any clouds out. “Crazy.”

A letter popped out of thin air, dropping onto Sunset’s lap as she unfurled it and started reading.

“What’s it say?” Silverspeed asked curiously.

“Something about reports of a rogue dragon in Equestria. Celestia doesn’t know where it could be. Just a simple warning. We can tell the others if we actually come across him or her.”

“Okay. As you wish,” Silverspeed shrugged and glanced at Sunset. “Wanna get shakes?” Sunset tapped a hoof against her chin before putting a book mark in her book and closed it.

“Yeah, sure let’s go. On me.”

Following orders

Celestia walked down a hallway, her hoof steps being the only sound as her two guards stopped outside a closed door as Celestia examined some pictures hanging on the wall before knocking softly.

“Enter!” Spitfire called out and one of the guards opened the door with his magic. Celestia nodded gratefully at him and trotted inside. Spitfire was at her desk with a stack of paperwork in front of her. “What do you want, Soarin? You’re supposed to be out there with Fleetfoot and Blaze. You should be an example at following orders.”

“He’s doing quite a good job at it,” Celestia said casually and Spitfire stiffened before glancing around the mountain of paperwork with wide eyes as she hastily stood up and saluted.

“My apologies Princess. I thought you were somepony else. How can I assist you today?” Spitfire asked and Celestia examined some medals on the wall.

“Easy Captain Spitfire,” Celestia chuckled and Spitfire relaxed as she lowered her hoof. “I’m hoping I can borrow a couple of your Wonderbolts for a few days. I’ve heard reports from some nearby towns about a rogue dragon.”

“As you order Princess. I’ll get my best on it ma’am,” Spitfire answered and Celestia gave her a smile.

“So you mean yourself?” Celestia teased and Spitfire turned a faint pink.

“Well, yes ma’am. Along with Soarin, Wave Chill, Rapidfire, Misty and Blaze.”

“I see. Well, I’m ready when you are,” Celestia commented and Spitfire paused, giving her a startled look.

“Princess?”

“Yes, I will be joining you. I do enjoy a good adventure, after all,” Celestia winked at Spitfire. “Shall we go get our fellow compatriots?”

“I-I guess so,” Spitfire muttered and closed her jaw. “After you Princess.”

“Thank you. And I trust you’re keeping our secret?” Celestia asked as the two both walked out and started trotting down the hall, both of the Royal Guards immediately flanking them.

“Yes ma’am. I’m not sure we are allowed to speak about this in front of them,” Spitfire nodded subtly at the stoic looking guards.

“Wind Vapor and Storm Skies are my two most trusted guards. They will not say a word, Captain.”

“Permission to speak freely then, your Highness?” Spitfire asked and Celestia glanced at her before nodding.

“Granted as always, my little pony.”

Spitfire shook her head slightly. Celestia for some reason always called her that for unknown reasons. Most ponies were surprised that Spitfire regularly had meetings with Princess Celestia and occasionally Princess Luna.

“Keeping Sunset in the dark about your plans for her will only backfire. Once she finds out that you, me and Raven orchestred the Elements meeting, she’s going to be angry. Hell, if I was in her horseshoes, I’d be fuming.”

“It was for the best. And I stay out of Sunset’s life for the most part except to give a gentle nudge here and there. Sunset had to realize they were her friends, not me shoving them down her throat. If I tried to force her to befriend them, it’d only push her away. There’s more than a million universes out there and in more than one, I push Sunset away. I do not intend to follow in their hoofsteps,” Celestia answered as Spitfire gave her a stunned look.

“A million universes? How is that even possible?”

“Not even I know the answer to that, my little pony. I doubt Luna herself fully understands it. And we didn’t truly have a hoof in the Elements meeting. They all resided in Ponyville. That town is also Silverspeed’s home since she was a kid. Sunset made the decision to allow them to get close to her and followed them in the Everfree instead of going alone.”

“I suppose so. I don’t know much about any of them or this Sunset Shimmer. I just hope this whole plan you have for her doesn’t blow up in your face,” Spitfire said and Celestia sighed before she added, “ma’am.”

“You and me both Captain, you and me both.”

Raindrops stood warily on the ground as she eyed Trixie and the box next to her that had locks and chains all over it.

“What the hay is that?” Raindrops asked finally and Trixie gave a frustrated stomp of her hind leg.

“Does Trixie have to explain it again?” Trixie exclaimed and rolled her eyes as she trotted around the box. “Okay. I will go inside, correct?”

“Uh huh.”

“Trixie will get locked inside without the key,” Trixie continued and levitated a key in the air. “See?”

“Yes Trixie, I see the key,” Raindrops sighed and examined the box again. “I’m not so sure about this one. This one seems worrying.”

“At least it’s not like the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive that you said was,” Trixie scoffed and slammed the door shut and Raindrops gave a startled jump followed by a whinny.

“You could die!”

“I could die walking down the damn street!” Trixie shot back incredulously. “I could get struck by lightning or eaten! I just need the right unicorn to help. Sunset refused because she’s worried I’ll die.”

Thank Celestia, Raindrops thought to herself and they both jumped at a loud shout coming from Roseluck’s house.

“What the hell was that?” Raindrops asked and Trixie shrugged.

“Roseluck or Daisy fighting with Lily. Or Daisy fighting Lily. They are such unique personalities, it’s mind blowing. Or they could have hurt themselves. Gardening is a dangerous job. More so than a magician.”

Raindrops gave her a doubtful look. Trixie seemingly loved dangerous tricks more than anything else. The more dangerous the trick, the more ponies she attracted to her shows, which got her more bits. Trixie may not seem it, but Trixie was actually very smart and a good business pony.

Trixie trotted slowly to the window and peered in with Raindrops behind her. Lily and Roseluck stood in their living room as Daisy hastily stood between them.

“I swear, you ruin my life!” Lily shouted and Roseluck’s eyes widened before she glared back.

“Oh save it, Lily. If anything you ruined my life. I spent my bits on those flowers, I get to plant them when I want!” Roseluck shouted back as the two mares watching both gave each other worried looks.

“I helped with the bits so cut the shit! And they’re our bits, this is our family business!” Lily exclaimed and Daisy pushed Lily back. Trixie inhaled and opened the front door as some ponies watched warily.

“What in Equestria started this?” Trixie asked with a raised eyebrow and Daisy shrugged helplessly.

“I don’t even know. I woke up to these two going at it worse than they’ve ever been. Get Roseluck outside or something. The green house is empty,” Daisy grunted and shoved Lily into a chair. “Sit down. I got some migraine from you two screaming at each other.”

“Alright,” Trixie started pushing Roseluck out of the door. “Move it, Rose. Lily scares me and she’s mad. I don’t want to be around when she snaps again and goes all crazy.”

“I am not crazy, just pissed!” Lily screamed through the door and Trixie faintly made out Daisy shouting back louder.

“What the fuck was that?” Trixie asked and Roseluck shrugged as the two headed for the greenhouse.

“We bought these really rare flower seeds and I planted them. Don’t know what has her mane all tied up,” Roseluck scowled and kicked some dirt. “Poor Daisy got woken up and ran down the stairs so fast. Never seen Daisy run so quick in all my life.”

“Huh. Well, you can assist the Great and Powerful Trixie with her magic tricks!” Trixie exclaimed and stood on her hindlegs, throwing down a smoke bomb.

Roseluck coughed repeatedly and glared at Trixie as the smoke disappeared.

“Oops?”

Worked out our issues

Shoeshine stifled a yawn as she continued flipping through her comic and shifted on her seat. She hated to admit it, but she was bored. She had already cleaned her entire house, her entire small farrier shop, visited Carrot Top and her sister.

"Anypony home?" A soft, melodic voice called and Shoeshine tensed up, breathing softly. If she didn't move or make a sound, Lyra wouldn't see or hear her. "Shoeshine?"

Shoeshine quietly slid off her chair and started tip hoofing away, praying Lyra wouldn't hear.

"Hi!"

"Gyah!" Shoeshine screamed and flailed backwards as Lyra appeared in front of her. "What the fuck?"

"I thought you didn't hear me. Hiya!" Lyra waved happily and Shoeshine scowled at her before pointing at the door.

"Out. Now."

Lyra's ears flattened as she gave her a confused look and Shoeshine glared at Lyra harder.

"Why?" Lyra asked sadly and shook her saddlebags. "I just wanted to get my horse shoes replaced. And we're friends. Remember all the benches we used to sit on?"

"Oh yeah," Shoeshine laughed bitterly and worked her way to table. "Used to."

To say Shoeshine was jealous was understatement. She and Lyra used to be best friends till this Bon Bon became friends with Lyra. Bon Bon even shared Shoeshine's mane style. Shoeshine pretty much tried to avoid Lyra as much as she could now. But that usually only worked for a bit evidently. Lyra was a pretty prominent member of Ponyville and was often seen everywhere. Hell, Shoeshine even saw her at the Grand Galloping Gala for some reason.

"Sit down," Shoeshine barked and Lyra hastily complied. "On your stomach. It helps me get to your old horseshoes."

Lyra rolled onto her stomach and Shoeshine gave a frustrated sigh as she started examining Lyra's hooves.

"I hate this," Shoeshine mumbled and Lyra flicked an ear curiously as Shoeshine picked up her hoof knife.

"I thought this was your job? It's on your flank, after all. How can you hate your flank?" Lyra asked cheerfully and Shoeshine glared at the back of her head.

"I meant being here with you."

"Why?" Lyra asked and gave her a hurt expression that Shoeshine hated to admit hurt her to see.

"Gee, I don't know?" Shoeshine replied sarcastically and started trimming Lyra's hoof. "Maybe the fact you abandoned me for Bon Bon? Some friend you turned out to be, huh?"

"I didn't abandon!" Lyra protested and started to sit up as Shoeshine pushed her back down.

"Don't sit up like that!" Shoeshine snapped angrily and inhaled. "I'm working on your hooves with a knife. I could have cut your hoof open. As hurt and mad as I am, I don't want you injured."

Lyra nodded and relaxed slightly on the wooden surface as her eyes flicked around the shop anxiously.

"I'm sorry," Lyra said softly and Shoeshine paused. "I never meant to make you feel abandoned."

"Hmph."

Lyra shivered slightly at her words. It took a bit to speak Shoeshine's language. A simple "hmph" meant she was more upset than she was willing to let on.

"Truly I am," Lyra continued as Shoeshine put down her knife and picked up her hoof nippers to start removing the excess hoof wall on Lyra's hooves. "I just kinda got caught up with Bon Bon and all. She's uh, cute and all, you know?"

"I'm happy for you. By extension, I'm cute because she copied my mane style, so thanks for the compliment," Shoeshine grunted as she moved onto another hoof.

"You weren't this snippy seven months ago," Lyra noted and Shoeshine gave a dry laugh.

"Yeah well, I've spending a lot of time with Trixie and Sunset. Those two go back and forth a lot."

"Oh yeah Sunset," Lyra commented and Shoeshine shot her a flat look.

"Don't even start about Sunset. Yeah, she was apparently aggressive in her early years. But she's a close friend of mine and the girls. So watch your tone. Please."

"I didn't say anything!" Lyra shot back and Shoeshine raised an eyebrow as she kept working. "In all honesty, Minuette and I were the nicest to her compared to the others. Even Twinkleshine was neutral to her. It's Moondancer, Twilight and Lemon Hearts who Sunset has issues with. For an element of harmony, you're surprisingly angry."

"Just because I'm an element of harmony doesn't mean I'm not allowed to have feelings, Lyra. You literally stopped showing up in favor of Bon Bon. You hurt my feelings, for crying out loud. You think I like being this upset for almost a year? Hell no, I don't," Shoeshine sighed and wiped a few stray tears away. She set down her hoof nipper in favor of a hoof rasp to smooth the inside of the hoof.

"I waved hi to you all the time, Shoe. You just turned around and walked away. Maybe we can just not avoid each other anymore?" Lyra asked hopefully and Shoeshine hesitated. "I'm not a mean pony by nature. You know this. I'm one of the most friendliest ponies around."

"I guess we can," Shoeshine conceded after a long silence. "As long as I don't get forced to be around Bon Bon. I'm not entirely sure she likes me. I'm actually fairly certain she hates me."

"She is actually quite fond of you, believe it or not-" Shoeshine snorted and Lyra snickered. "I'm serious. How is Sunset?"

"Well. Going to see her later on in the day for a regular get together with Roseluck I think. I heard about the screaming match she and Lily had."

Lyra winced slightly at that. She was the three sisters neighbor and she occasionally heard fighting. More than not the three got along very well. Lyra didn't have any real siblings so she didn't understand why they occasionally argued. Only ponies she knew with siblings was Twilight and Twinkleshine. And Berry Punch, of course. And Rarity. And the Apples. Okay, maybe more ponies that she knew had siblings now that Lyra really thought about it.

"I quite like Sunset, actually. She's doing a lot for Ponyville to be honest. She wasn't necessarily mean to any of us when she first came to town. Just kinda a loner and occasionally rude, you know? She just wanted friends deep down and didn't know how to go about it. I can relate," Shoeshine continued as she kept working on Lyra's hooves.

"I'd say me too but well, I've always been a really friendly pony even as a kid. How much longer till you're done?" Lyra asked curiously and glanced back.

"A couple more minutes. Still gotta clean out the dirt in your hooves then place your shoes on. I still have your size in stock."

"Okay. How much do I owe you?" Lyra asked and her saddlebags glowed a faint gold. "I made sure to bring enough bits with me."

"Seventy bits," Shoeshine said simply and Lyra winced. Seventy bits was a lot but Shoeshine was known around Ponyville for her excellent work. And Shoeshine wasn't afraid to let that fact be known. She was a pretty proud mare and make sure ponies knew of her accomplishments.

"Wanna get milkshakes after this? Or some other time?" Lyra asked hopefully with a wide smile as the mint green unicorn shifted slightly.

"Maybe not today. Me and the girls got plans to watch a movie at Silverspeed's house. But tomorrow, we definitely can," Shoeshine promised and stepped back. "And done. You can get off now. Get off my table, I mean. Not get off as in getting off."

"Sounds good. I'm really glad we worked out issues, Shoeshine. I really missed you," Lyra commented and hugged Shoeshine with a smile.

Shoeshine hesitated before hugging her back.

"Yeah me too Lyra."

Author's Note

This chapter with Shoeshine and Lyra would be a pretty decent canon story. I should do that. Anyway, there's actually a lot of fan art of Shoeshine and Lyra. She sat on the bench with Lyra, not Bon Bon. People just colored Shoeshine in Bon Bons colors.

Poking the bear

Spitfire gave a lazy flap of her wings as she looked next to her at Celestia. Spitfire was still honestly a bit mind blown that Celestia herself decided to tag along. The others she had decided on were equally confused.

“So if she is here, who’s leading Equestria?” Blaze wondered aloud as she did a barrel roll.

“Luna is,” Celestia answered and gave a flap of her large wings to stay aloft. “She was admittedly less happy. Just wait until she finds out that day court isn’t a thing on weekends. I’m most definitely entertained by it.”

Celestia gave a faint laugh and the Wonderbolts gave each other looks.

“Do you normally trick Princess Luna like that?” Soarin asked and Celestia tapped a hoof against her chin.

“Yes. Just last week, she filled my quarters full of whipped cream. I naturally retaliated of course with making her bed room bright colors like pink. She was quite angry. It was funny,” Celestia giggled and received a few stunned looks. “What? Do you not prank each other?”

“Oh, all the time!” Blaze chuckled and Misty rolled her eyes. “But that’s more of Surprise’s gig, to be fair.”

“I’m just a bit surprised the Solar Princess goes around pranking ponies like-” Wave Chill started and waved his forelegs around in the air.

“Like a normal pony?” Celestia inquired and Wave Chill sheepishly nodded. “Oh, I’m not like a normal pony. I could easily destroy this whole world, but I naturally choose not to. But I do enjoy a good prank and adventure. Being stuck in that throne room all the time irritates me. It’s so boring.”

The pegasi all gave each other wary looks. They all knew Celestia was obviously powerful. She raises the sun, for crying out loud. But there’s a difference between knowing somepony is powerful and then knowing they could destroy the whole world with a flick of a hoof.

“So what dragon are we looking for exactly?” Soarin asked before Wave Chill could ask any more questions.

“Don’t know until we find it. All I know is it’s large and red. But this is part of the fun, is it not?” Celestia asked with a large grin as she gave another beat of her wings. “I personally think so.”

“I guess,” Misty said finally as the smaller mare looked around. “I just hope this whole adventure thing doesn’t end up with us poking the bear more than we imagined.”

Internally, Spitfire hoped the exact same thing.

Lily shifted on her bed as Daisy sat across from her, staring her down with a glare that Lily deep down found terrifying. Her anger had gotten the best of her. Again. And that scared Lily if she was honest.

“It wasn’t about the flowers,” Lily started finally and broke the silence as Daisy simply raised an eyebrow.

“Then pray tell, what was it about?” Daisy grumbled and continued rocking in her chair.

“We were supposed to do it together. All three of us. We got three flower seeds for each of us. And she just went ahead and did it anyway,” Lily flung her forelegs up and Daisy’s eyes widened. “That’s why I got angry. And it scares me. I don’t like being angry.”

“Lily, I was the one who planted them. You two never told me in your excitement when you both got home. I just saw three new seeds and was like hey, I’ve never seen these before, wonder what they do. You should be yelling at me, not Rose,” Daisy said and Lily gave her a startled look as Daisy sighed. “I’m sorry. I really am. If I had known, I’d have waited for you two.”

“I forgive you. Oh buck!” Lily shot up and Daisy jumped in surprised. “Rose! I have to apologize to Rosie!”

Lily galloped out of the room and Daisy gave a frustrated sigh before she followed after her sister. Lily ran down the stairs into Roseluck as the two both fell over as Daisy trotted down the steps at a slower pace.

“Ow,” the two moaned in unison with winces as they rubbed their foreheads.

“Lily, what has gotten into you?” Roseluck grumbled and stood up, pausing to help Lily up. “You’re only this excited about flowers, playing in the mud and sleep.”

“Okay yeah I am. I’m sorry. For yelling at you,” Lily blushed and scuffed a hoof on the wooden floor. “You never planted them. Daisy did accidentally.”

Rose shifted on her hooves anxiously as Daisy glanced at her.

“It’s true,” Daisy admitted and shrugged. “I planted them. You guys never said anything to me about wanting to plant them. I’m sorry as well.”

“Yeah I’m sorry too. Yelling wasn’t really the appropriate response. I’m sorry Lily,” Roseluck stepped forward and nuzzled Lily. “I forgive you both.”

Lily hugged Roseluck and Daisy joined in after a minute of watching.

“I hate being angry all the time. You both are just so more liked than me. I put myself out there all the time and nothing. And Roseluck has her little adventures she gets to go on,” Lily sighed and Roseluck looked thoughtfully at the door.

“Next adventure, you can tag along,” Roseluck promised and Lily’s eyes widened. “Daisy too if she wants.”

“Really?”

Roseluck chuckled at Lily’s eager tone.

“Yeah of course. I get pretty scared during some. But it’s easier when my friends are there.”

“You girls have fun. You two are more adventurous than I ever will be. I prefer to stay at home and all. Just be safe you two. I’d hate to loose either of you.”

Daisy untangled herself from her sisters and closed the front door. Lily and Roseluck hugged for a few seconds longer before stepping away from one another.

“I do like when we get along. The house is nice and quiet,” Daisy noted dryly as the other two shot her glares. “What?”

“You know, know that we know who planted those flowers,” Roseluck started casually and picked up a pillow. Lily mimicked her actions with a wide grin as Daisy’s eyes widened.

“Girls, we can talk about this,” Daisy pleaded as she started to back up slowly.

“Hmm nah,” Lily shook her head with a smirk. “Ready, Rosie?”

“Ready.”

Daisy let out a scream as a barrage of pillows was thrown at her.

Roseluck and Lily both burst out laughing and laid on the floor against each other as Daisy poked her head out of the pile of pillows she was stuck under.

“You two are so in trouble when I get out of this,” Daisy threatened and failed to stop the laugh that escaped her throat.

A pillow slammed into Roseluck’s face and Lily jumped as Daisy snickered.

Oh buck, Lily thought to herself as she and Rose hastily prepared for Daisy’s counter attack.

This is oddly new

Derpy stifled a groan as she trotted inside town hall with Berry Punch next to her as the two expertly navigated the halls.

“I hate coming here,” Derpy muttered and stretched out her wings. Berry gave a dry laugh and held open a door.

“Me too. I have to be friendly and shit. Half of these mares in here I hate,” Berry agreed and trotted in after Derpy. “At least Blueberry Pie is here. Oh goody, Vinyl and Octavia. Hey, wasn’t this a group meeting for single moms?”

“It is. They’re just here to hang out I suppose,” White Lightning flung a hoof on the edge of her chair. “It’s been entertaining. They’ve been growling at each other.”

Sprinkle Medley sat next to her and snickered as Octavia glared at Vinyl. Berry suddenly was even less interested than before about being here, if that was possible. Angry Octavia was scary. Berry would rather face an evil Celestia over an angry Octavia if she was being completely honest.

“They’ve been like this all day. Mayor Mare isn’t here yet,” Blueberry noted and stretched out on the floor, playing with her purple mane with a bored expression. “I’d rather be at home with my foal than be here right now, no offense to you all.”

Derpy and Berry both agreed with that secretly. It was a bit harder for Berry to find a baby sitter for Ruby. Derpy had it a bit easier because Sparkler offered to watch Dinky.

Golden Harvest trotted in and both Berry’s and Derpy’s expressions brightened as the orange mare plopped down on the ground.

“Hey Carrot Top,” Derpy waved and Carrot Top trotted over.

“You’re lucky I only let you two call me that. Next thing you know, more ponies are gonna start calling me Carrot Top instead of Golden Harvest,” Carrot Top rolled her eyes and rolled a hoof. “What I’ve always dreamed of.”

“You love us,” Berry grinned and nudged her with a hoof. “Don’t lie.”

“Yeah, fine I do. Why is Redheart here?” Carrot Top jerked her head over to the nurse sitting with a magazine in front of her, her blue eyes scanning the page.

“The mayor is stuck in an meeting. She asked me to host this week’s single mom’s meeting for her,” Redheart answered and turned the page of her book. “And considering a frequent flyer was coming in right as her aid delivered the message, I decided I wanted to.”

“Isn’t being a nurse your job?” White Lightning asked and Redheart shot her a scowl.

“You try being there working twelve hour shifts with no extra pay cleaning out bed pans and having ponies like how the nurse outfit fits my flanks and see what you say,” Redheart grumbled as everypony fell silent, even Octavia. “That’s what I thought.”

“I wonder what Sprinkle Medley would look like in a sexy nurse outfit,” White Lightning whispered and Sprinkle promptly smacked the back of her head with a wing as Sprinkle Medley brushed brightly.

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that,” Redheart rolled her eyes. “I’d like to remind you all I’ve helped in all your labors. Well, minus Octavia and Vinyl because they have no kids so I’ve seen all of your bits. Don’t make me regret coming here.”

They all paled and more than half the room blushed as Derpy hesitantly raised a hoof.

“Yes Derpy?” Redheart asked with a wide smile. Derpy was one of her more favorite ponies in Ponyville. Dinky was one her favorites as well.

“You’re not gonna actually uh talk about my mare parts in public, right?” Derpy’s eyes flicked around the room nervously as Redheart laughed.

“Of course not. That was a joke. Nurses have humor though after working in a hospital for so long, we have a dark sense of humor. How do stars die?” Redheart asked and she got a few confused glances.

“How?” Berry asked finally.

“Usually an overdose.”

Derpy gave a strangled gasp as some ponies eyes widened and Redheart giggled to herself.

“Every time my grandmother and I were at a wedding she’d say: “you’re next”. So I started saying the same thing to her at funerals.”

“Oh sweet Celestia,” Carrot Top muttered and slammed her face into a pillow. Berry resisted the urge to make a bad joke about Carrot and pillows.

“Oh! Grandma: Most people your age are married by now, why aren’t you?
Me: Most people your age are dead by now, why aren’t you?” Redheart laughed again and Sprinkle bit her lip. “Celestia, I love dark humor. We’re a bit desensitized due to the bullshit we see. I love telling jokes about orphans. What are they going to do, tell their parents?”

“That was bad,” Blueberry muttered with a raised eyebrow. “But oddly funny.”

“Anyway! I brought snacks,” Redheart gestured to the table. “For afterwards.”

Celestia dropped down on a stony surface with the Wonderbolts behind her as she started trotting up to a large red dragon snoring in a cave ontop a large pile of gold.

“You might want to cover your ears,” Celestia warned and the other ponies nodded before quickly complying.”Hello!”

Even with their ears covered, the Royal Canterlot Voice still made Spitfire and the others jump in surprise. The dragon shifted slightly and lifted it’s head, glaring at the alicorn.

“What do you want?” The dragon scoffed and Celestia raised her head higher. “No yelling in my cave. It has a bad echo.”

“I’m sorry but your snoring is causing smoke to cover Equestria. I’m not about to sacrifice all Equestria has built. There’s the entire Dragon Lands for you.”

“Hmph.”

Soarin and Misty shared a look as the dragon laid his head back, blowing some black smoke all over Celestia.

“Well then,” Celestia’s horn flashed briefly and all the soot that covered her was gone. “I suppose we can always teleport you back?”

“You do realize I can kill you all, right?” The dragon sneered and Blaze gave him a cocky grin.

“I’d like to see you try,” Blaze stepped forward and the dragon narrowed his eyes at the mare.

“I wouldn’t,” Celestia tried and her eyes widened as the dragon breathed fire all over Blaze, her eyes widening in her horror. The orange mare shot out of the fire and Celestia’s jaw dropped slightly as Blaze started flying in a circle rapidly around the fire, the blaze rapidly getting smaller.

Blaze landed on the ground with a smug grin, bouncing the small ball of fire from hoof to hoof as the dragon gawked.

“My special talent,” Blaze said simply and pointed to her flaming heart cutie mark. “I can easily tame all fires by flying around them in a fast enough circle and I can make fires just as easily. Spitfire had me come along just for this reason.”

“We should probably fall back now,” Wave Chill nudged Soarin and Spitfire. “Let the princess and Blaze sort this out.”

“No. We stay,” Spitfire slammed a hoof into the stone. “We leave nopony behind.”

“Actually, we should. Let Sunset and the elements sort this out,” Celestia commented and glanced down at Ponyville nearby. “I’ll send a letter.”

“Princess?” Spitfire stepped and glanced at Ponyville too. “All due respect, Sunset and the elements are not soldiers. They don’t have any experience in fighting a dragon. Not even we have much experience. We should get more royal guards to come help us run the dragon out.”

“Do you trust me, Spitfire?” Celestia asked and faced the mare.

“With my life,” Spitfire said instantly and pushed her fiery mane aside.

“They can do this. I’ve know Sunset her entire life. From a wide eyed filly eager to find her place to a beautiful grown mare. She and her friends can do this. I trust Sunset with this.”

“Then we do too,” Spitfire answered and the others nodded as Celestia’s horn glowed gold for a moment and they all teleported away.

“Huh,” Sunset muttered as she read the letter that had dropped onto her desk. “Well, this is oddly new. Celestia doesn’t send me letters often. It’s usually the other way around.”

Sunset glanced out her window at the black smoke in the distance and sighed. Her horn glowed teal and she disappeared with a pop.

“Out of everything she could have asked me to deal with, it’s a dragon. At least Spike was nicer than most dragons I’ve met,” Sunset grumbled as she trotted to Shoeshine’s house. “Now I have to round up everypony.”

Sunset had a feeling she was going to regret waking up today.

Ray can talk, apparently

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.

Afraid of heights

Derpy glanced down over the edge of the cliff they were on and gulped nervously, swaying slightly on her hooves as her face turned a faint green. Ponyville was just a dot in the distance and she resisted the urge to vomit over the edge.

“You okay?” Roseluck asked as she paused next to Derpy.

“Yeah. Just a long way down,” Derpy mumbled and Roseluck risked a glance down before she gulped too and her eyes widened.

“Y-yeah,” Roseluck muttered and danced anxiously on her hooves. “Too far down for my liking.”

Roseluck shared a hatred of heights with Derpy. Derpy was fine with flying and such. She just hated climbing mountains where the air was so thin and cold. Or well, colder to normal ponies. She, Fluttershy and Silverspeed were lucky enough to have extra fur because of being pegasi. It was useful for flying in colder atmospheres that the weather ponies were used to.

The others, however weren’t that lucky. Sunset, Lily, Shoeshine, Roseluck and Trixie were each shivering as they continued trotting up the gravel path. Even with Sunset’s spell that warmed up the non pegasi, they were all still clearly freezing.

“Stupid cold,” Shoeshine growled and kicked some rocks over the edge. “Remind me why I agreed to this again?”

“M-m-maybe because a dragon snoring black toxic fumes threatens you too?” Sunset suggested through chattering teeth as Trixie tightened her scarf she pulled from her saddlebags.

Shoeshine paused briefly to ponder her words before conceding with a nod. She did have a fair point there, but doesn’t mean she had to like it per se.

“Do you happen to know any more heat spells? My hooves are freezing,” Lily complained and rubbed her hooves together. She’d be having more fun if she had enough time to properly pack. But she definitely intended on coming back up here after. With proper equipment, naturally.

“Sorry, but no. This is the only one I know. There’s not really any trees up to use for fire wood anyway. I suppose I could level the mountain,” Sunset mused and crunched some leaves under her hooves. “Joking. I’m powerful, but not that poweful.”

“Praise Celestia,” Roseluck grumbled and cracked her neck. “I don’t even want to imagine what would happen down below if the entire mountain collapsed.”

“Well, extreme loss of life and the destruction of Ponyville would be a pretty decent assumption.”

“That was a rhetorical comment lily,” Roseluck rolled her eyes and stepped over a small crack in the rock.

“Oh.”

Silverspeed snorted and shifted her lance was carrying into a more comfortable position on her side. She had opted to leave her armor behind. Dragons were obsessed with gold and she didn’t intend on her or her armor being added to his inevitable pile of stolen items.

“I hate this,” Derpy commented and flapped her wings idly. “Heights, I mean.”

“Aren’t you a pegasus?” Trixie asked and Derpy nodded. “Isn’t heights what you do?”

“Correction, I hate heights up here. I have no control up here. Flying, I have control. Anything can happen up here,” Derpy explained and Silverspeed voiced her agreement shortly after.

“She’s right. Even I’m a bit wary and I’m a guardspony. I didn’t take a mountain assault course in the Academy. Maybe I should have,” Silverspeed muttered to herself.

“What courses did you take? It’s never come up,” Sunset glanced at her and Silverspeed looked back thoughtfully.

“Oh, huh. You’re right. Anyway, I was trained in air assault along with ground assault. But being a pegasus, aerial assault is my main thing. Secretly, I enjoy ground assault more fun. It’s the pegasus in me, but there’s something fun about fighting on the ground.”

“Isn’t the Royal Guard divided into like groups?” Trixie asked and Silverspeed nodded.

“Mhm. It varies by where you are assigned by the brass. For example, I’m a member of the ninety fifth battalion, third squadron. But her Majesty Princess Celestia herself assigned me to Sunset’s post as her Royal Guard and escort. Therefore, I take orders from Sunset,” Silverspeed finished explaining to the group.

“Interesting,” Roseluck mused and Silverspeed gave a smug nod. “Is it normal to just be assigned to a pony?”

“Well, yeah. Nobles are assigned a group of guards depending on their importance. You can transfer to the VIP service. Which I guess is what I’m doing. But it’s not normal to be assigned right out of the Academy like it was with me. Usually they go for somepony with more experience in the Guard. I’m still a bit new to the Guard. I had just graduated the Academy before Nightmare Moon returned, about a week or two before?”

“And dignitaries from outside of Equestria get assigned some Guards too,” Sunset chimed in from the front. “Like from Yakyakistan, Prince Rutherford gets some guards if he forgets to bring some. Which, he always does. Blueblood has some,” Sunset gagged at his name and the group excluding Lily and Fluttershy laughed strictly because they didn’t know who he was. “Ya know, basically anypony important enough to Equestria gets guards.”

“I was praying hard I didn’t get assigned to Bluebloods detail. I’d have deserted in a heart beat. And if I remember correctly, you didn’t even want me on your detail,” Silverspeed smirked at Sunset and the unicorn gave a rare blush.

Silverspeed had her there. Sunset hadn’t really seen a point of having a royal guard with her at all times. But she did suspect Princess Celestia was going to have assigned her one at some point. She was Princess Celestia’s personal student, after all. Not that many ponies, if any went after Sunset. None of the Nobles wanted to end up on Celestia’s bad side. And after hearing how Sunset handled Blueblood, most stayed far away unless absolutely necessary. But that was Canterlot. Ponies were a bit more friendly in Ponyville, Sunset noted. Some didn’t even lock their front doors.

Well, except Sunset. She insisted on locking her doors when it wasn’t business hours. She did have a few confidential documents from Princess Celestia and the rarer one from Princess Luna locked in her office. Not to mention Silverspeeds armor or weapons the pegasus kept in her room.

“You got me there,” Sunset admitted with a sigh and Silverspeed smirked triumphantly.

“Damn right,” Silverspeed bumped her flank against Sunset’s and flicked her neck gently with her tail as Roseluck and Trixie both shared a smirk. “What are you two grinning about?”

“Oh nothing,” Roseluck said casually and Derpy snickered into her hoof.

“Nothing at all,” Derpy chimed in with a knowing smirk. Sunset scowled slightly and glanced at each of the smirking ponies before sharing a confused look with Silverspeed.

Sunset shrugged before she jumped over a ledge to the next side with the others quickly following suit, even Lily and Roseluck surprisingly. Sunset internally thought that there might have been more coaxing needed considering how those two got scared sometimes.

“Come on Fluttershy,” Sunset rolled a hoof impatiently. “Let’s go.”

“It’s so far,” Fluttershy gulped and received an annoyed look from Trixie.

“It’s not even ten feet apart,” Trixie deadpanned with a glare. “Giddyup. Let’s go.”

“Are you sure this was a good idea?” Shoeshine whispered Roseluck’s ear. “I mean, we all did it. Why can’t she?”c

“Be nice. Fluttershy goes at her own pace,” Derpy muttered with a disappointed look their way and they both scratched their manes guiltily. “Come on Shy. I did it and I’m afraid of heights up here too. You can do this.”

“Can’t you just levitate her across?” Lily asked Sunset and the unicorn shook her head, much to Lily’s frustration.

“When doing magic, it’s not just what you see. It creates a ripple effect so to speak. So whenever I use my magic or Trixie uses hers or any unicorn really, it affects our environment in subtle ways. Given how high up we are and the likelihood of my magic triggering an avalanche, I’m not sure to risk it. Picture throwing a rock onto the water. Naturally, the rock will disrupt the calm waters surface and make ripples. Magic is the exact same way,” Sunset explained and Lily found herself inching away nervously from the mare.

“You can do that?” Trixie whispered and Sunset nodded. “Hmph, lucky.”

“So why use your magic to warm us up? That seems to be tempting fate,” Roseluck commented as Silverspeed fluttered her wings in frustration as Fluttershy eyed the ledge.

“I was cold. And I barely used much mana. It was risky but still, hopefully not enough to disturb much here,” Sunset glanced up anxiously at the rocks above them.

“I’m five seconds away from picking you up,” Silverspeed grumbled and narrowed her eyes as she stretched her wings.

Lily had never truly known how tall Silverspeed was until now. Silverspeed was a bulky pegasus and a few heads taller than Lily. She towered easily over Fluttershy, Derpy, Roseluck and Trixie. The only two who were somewhat close to Silverspeeds height was Sunset and Shoeshine. Even then, Shoeshine occasionally had to stand on her tippy hooves to look her in the eye.

In terms of heights in the group, it went Silverspeed, Sunset and Shoeshine at the same height of nine feet tall, Derpy, Roseluck and then Trixie at being the shortest of the Elements at six feet, four inches.

Lily herself was only about six feet or so. Which was roughly the same height as Daisy, give or take. She idly wondered how tall Celestia was. I mean, that mare is huge. Lily was there for the Summer Sun Celebration, after all.

Fluttershy inhaled and jumped across the almost comically small gap and Lily resisted the urge to face hoof. Even she wasn’t afraid of jumping over. But she was almost certain she and Roseluck would find something else to be scared of later.

“Good job Fluttershy,” Derpy smiled and gave a quiet golf clap before shooting a look at the others. “Right, girls?”

“Absolutely,” Sunset nodded and her eye twitched briefly. Lily didn’t know if the others noticed it, but she certainly did. “We should probably get a move on. The longer we sit around, the more smoke could potentially spread around Equestria.”

“She’s right,” Silverspeed agreed and slammed her collapsible lance onto the stone before shoving it into her saddlebags. “We can’t waste any more time.”

“Sorry to waste so much time,” Fluttershy brushed her pink mane aside as Shoeshine hooked a foreleg around her with a grin.

“We got time. Don’t apologize, Shy. Right guys?”

The others all chimed in their agreement, including Lily as she curiously noted Sunset stayed silent.

Avalanche

Fluttershy continued hovering softly in place as they all approached a large canyon and she looked around with wide eyes.

“It’s so pretty,” Fluttershy whispered in awe as the others quietly voiced their agreement as Derpy pointed at a weathered metal sign that was bent.

“Be aware of rock avalanches caused by loud noises. Avalanches create a low rumbling sound. Be alert, stay alive,” Derpy read quietly.

“Staying alive sounds preferable,” Silverspeed grunted and shifted her weight slightly. She kicked a rock and they all jumped at a metallic clanging sound. “The hell?”

Sunset and Trixie both shared a look as they approached where the metallic sound came from. They both knew they didn’t really have time for this but they felt drawn to a nearby cave.

“Trixie, can you feel that?” Sunset asked and Trixie nodded slowly.

“Mhm.”

“Sunset? Trixie?” Shoeshine asked warily as the two kept trotting forward and disappeared inside. “Does anypony else know what’s going on here?”

“Not a clue,” Lily shook her head. “Should we follow or-?”

“Follow,” Derpy answered and started trotting after the two unicorns with the others behind her. “I don’t like this. It was weird.”

“Agreed. Sunset?” Roseluck called out quietly as they entered the cave. Roseluck felt bad for Silverspeed as the pegasus cursed loudly and forced herself into the cave with a grunt. “What are you- woah.”

They all looked around in awe at the multi colored cave of different blues and pinks with crystals surrounding them. Sunset and Trixie sat on their haunches next to a circle that glowed blue.

“What is this place?” Shoeshine asked finally as she finished examining the cavern.

“During Celestia’s fight with Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago, rumor was Celestia used so much magic from the elements that when the magic hit the ground, it created caverns like this,” Sunset gestured around them. “It’s said that these walls can replenish an Equestrians magic. Even earth ponies and pegasi.”

“It’s beautiful,” Fluttershy commented and hovered next to some crystals on the ceiling.

“That’s what this is. It’s straight to the core of Equestria and magic flows freely out into our world. Only unicorns can feel them. It’s like a tingly sensation in the base of our horns. It felt really nice,” Sunset turned a faint red with Trixie. “It pretty much leads us to it.”

Silverspeed and Lily both approached the two and peered into the hole, each raising an eyebrow at the swirling colors of the rainbow. When Sunset had said straight to the core of Equestria, this wasn’t really what the two had in mind.

“So what was that clanging sound we heard?” Roseluck asked and Sunset shrugged.

“Not sure. But this is so much cooler than anything I’ve ever seen before. I never imagined this would be on the outskirts of Ponyville,” Sunset and Trixie both placed a hoof on the dirt surrounding them reverently.

Roseluck and the others assumed it was some unicorn thing they were doing as they watched with raised eyebrows.

“Let’s go. Trixie, remember where this was. I wanna come back with you later. We need to do some tests here,” Sunset told the blue mare as Trixie levitated her cape and hat back on she had discarded at the door.

“You got it.”

The two stood up and Sunset paused before brushing some dirt off a book and she levitated it to her muzzle, her horn glowing a bright teal to illuminate the cover.

“Huh. Has names inside,” Sunset started flipping through the pages. “These were occasionally used to help young unicorns get a hold of their magic and taught magic. Like a school.”

Derpy hummed to herself before glancing at Sunset and Trixie curiously.

“Like Dinky,” Derpy commented casually and Sunset nodded.

“Yes, exactly. I suppose I could take Dinks up here. Maybe round up some more unicorn fillies and colts,” Sunset shot Trixie a look. “Maybe have Trixie help if she wants.”

“The great and powerful Trixie would be a great and powerful teacher,” Trixie proclaimed and they all rolled their eyes with smirks.

“Just one problem,” Silverspeed raised a hoof and they all looked at her. The pegasus was half stuck in the exit and growling. “How do we get out?”

After almost an hour of the entire group pushing Silverspeed, they were finally able to keep going up the mountain and Sunset wiped some sweat away from her eyebrows.

She had spent more time pushing on the pegasus’ flanks than she had entirely wanted to if she was being honest.

For being a pegasus, Silverspeed was surprisingly heavy. Even Derpy had noticed it but opted to keep her mouth shut. Trixie and Lily, on the other hoof had no such problems on commenting on it.

Silverspeed shot Trixie and Lily a dirty look as she continued preening her wings to smooth down the feathers that got disrupted.

“I swear, I’m gonna run those two through,” Silverspeed continued grumbling and Roseluck gulped. Silverspeed had woken up in a pissed off mood and most of them were refraining from angering her. Most of them, at least. “I’m getting too big in the back. I’m gonna have to run laps to work it off.”

“Well, at least some ponies are into that,” Roseluck suggested and nudged Silverspeed with a smirk. “Or Sunset might.”

“What are you getting at?” Silverspeed fixed her gaze onto Roseluck and she flinched.

“Seriously? I’m a bit shocked you two don’t have a thing going on. You spend more time together than anything. Hell, you got a room in her house. You’ve had to at least had some sort of feelings to Sunset,” Roseluck winked and Silverspeed felt her cheeks warm up slightly.

“Okay maybe once or twice I’ve stolen glances,” Silverspeed admitted and Roseluck smirked at the taller mare.

“I see,” Roseluck hummed and Silverspeed continued trotting behind the group.

“There’s no real rules against but still. I’m just waiting. Besides, Sunset is a nice mare. She most likely has other ponies after her. I know off the top of my wings stallions and mares in town who are after me too.”

“She is pretty cute, isn’t she?” Roseluck questioned with a smirk as they both watched Sunset stand on a rock ahead of them.

“Yeah,” Silverspeed muttered and turned redder. “Oh shit.”

Roseluck snorted and starting laughing as Silverspeed stared at her with her jaw dropped wide open.

“I’m so bucked,” Silverspeed rubbed her face with her hooves. “I’ve been staring at my friends plot for almost five minutes.”

“Could be worse,” Roseluck suggested and Silverspeed shot her a scowl.

“And pray tell, how could this be worse?” Silverspeed demanded and Roseluck shrugged.

“She could be married but isn’t. That makes her fair game,” Roseluck winked and nudged her. “Go for it.”

“Hell no. This my friend we’re talking about. I don’t sleep with friends. They are off limits,” Silverspeed shot back and Roseluck simply raised an eyebrow.

“Didn’t stop you from sleeping with Trixie night of the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Shush!” Silverspeed let out a growl and Roseluck jumped. “I only told you that. Don’t tell anypony else.”

“Woah, fuck!” Shoeshine cursed as she tripped over a rock and slammed face first onto the dirt as everypony froze.

“I think we’re okay,” Sunset commented after a moment and everypony sighed in relief. “We need to keep quiet or else-”

A rumbling sound cut her off and her head snapped upwards at some pebbles falling into the canyon.

“Run for your lives!” Sunset shouted and started galloped away after yanking Shoeshine onto her hooves and the two took off with wide eyes.

“Oh fuck!” Trixie cursed and narrowly escaped a boulder bouncing down. Silverspeed and Derpy each picked up Lily and Roseluck as the two pegasi carried them above the rocks.

Roseluck resisted the urge to vomit as Silverspeed did a quick barrel roll to avoid some rocks and Roseluck turned green at the maneuver. To her left, Lily was pretty much suffering the same fate as she continously screamed her head off.

Sunset risked a glance back at the rest of her group and her jaw dropped slightly at Fluttershy jumping from rock to rock and occasionally doing flips mid air to get to higher boulders.

“And here I thought she was just scared of everything,” Sunset whispered to herself as she and Shoeshine reached the end of the canyon, the sound of rocks falling being a deafening sound.

Silverspeed and everypony else joined them excluding Trixie as the unicorn continued galloping in fear.

“Come on!” Derpy gestured a hoof and Trixie jumped over a rock. Sunset’s horn started to glow red as some rocks slammed into where Trixie stood and a cloud of dust went up.

“No,” Shoeshine sat down on her plot hard and coughed. “I got her killed.”

A torn shred of purple fabric from Trixie’s cape sat under the rock once the dust started to clear and the group stared in shock at the sight.

Roseluck sniffed and Derpy hugged her as Sunset stared with a stunned expression next to Fluttershy and Lily. Silverspeed shoved her weight against the rock and grunted as she tried to lift the boulder.

“Come on and help me. We gotta get her out,” Silverspeed let out a strained groan and Lily sighed.

“She’s dead, Silverspeed. There’s no way anypony could survive a boulder falling on them,” Lily answered and scuffed a hoof on the dirt sadly.

“Yeah well, at least I’m trying!” Silverspeed snapped back angrily and glowered at her furiously before turning her attention to the rock. “Move, damnit!”

“What is she doing?” Trixie asked behind the group and dusted some dirt off her shoulder.

“Oh, just trying to move some rock off the top of your body to do I don’t know what,” Sunset answered dismissively as she glanced back. “Hey wait.”

“Trixie?” Shoeshine asked and stood up before tackling her. “Trixie!”

The others grinned and hugged her as Lily tapped Silverspeed on the shoulder and pointed at Trixie as the silver pegasus sighed in relief.

“How didn’t you die? We saw the rock crush you or well, I thought we did,” Roseluck scratched her mane as Derpy nuzzled Trixie.

“I did a somersault right before off another rock. Flew right over you all. You must have missed me in the cloud of smoke,” Trixie explained and levitated her torn cape off before tossing it on the ground. “Oh well. At least that was my spare cape.”

“Don’t ever scare us like that again,” Silverspeed trotted forward and hugged Trixie. “Or else I’ll-” she paused to search the blue unicorn with her eyes. “I don’t know what I’ll do, but it won’t be good!”

“Very ominous,” Trixie snarked with a smirk and leaned into the hug for a rare show of affection. She rarely hugged ponies in general unless absolutely necessary.

The whole group burst out laughing, Silverspeed begrudgingly joining in with a genuine smile.

Friends come from unlikely sources

Lily trotted silently next to Fluttershy, occasionally stealing glances at the yellow pegasus as the two opted to stay behind everypony else. Trixie was practically joined at the hip with Shoeshine after the whole avalanche incident.

Lily grudgingly admitted Trixie looked nice without her cape on. Showed off more of her natural figure in Lily’s eyes.

“If I didn’t know Shoeshine was straight, I’d make a joke about them,” Lily muttered after taking a sip of water from a bottle she had brought with before hesitantly holding out the flower themed bottle to Fluttershy.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy brushed her light pink mane out of her eyes and took a small sip of the liquid before she hoofed it back and Lily tucked it into her saddlebags. “So uhm how are you?”

“Fine. You?”

“I’m doing okay. Lily, right?”

“Yeah.”

The two fell into an awkward silence as Fluttershy hovered a few feet above Lily, idly listening to Roseluck laugh loudly about something.

Lily didn’t really know what to say. Not many ponies talked to Fluttershy other than Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie. Odd group but Lily had seen weirder groups of friends. The only times Lily saw Fluttershy was winter wrap up or whenever she needs to get stuff from the market.

“You don’t talk much, do you?” Fluttershy asked and Lily shot her an incredulous look.

“That’s a bit ironic coming from you, no offense.” Fluttershy giggled behind a hoof and shrugged as Lily watched her warily.

“I know I’m a bit shy. It’s in my name, after all. Fluttershy. I’m perfectly happy with who I am. And besides, shy is cute right?” Fluttershy flipped her mane and Lily chuckled with a smirk.

“I suppose so. I didn’t think you kept up with what happens outside,” Lily stretched out her hind leg.

“I get deliveries of Canterlot Match,” Fluttershy said simply and Lily raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Same. I like reading about the scandals from Canterlot and beyond. The shit ponies do is insane. Like how that one pony cheated on his wife with a maid. Crazy shit.”

“I read about that. I felt so bad for the poor mare.”

“Meh, apparently she was cheating on him and he did it as a revenge sorta thing. This is why I don’t date. Too much drama. Same with friends. I only one friend,” Lily commented and Fluttershy shot her a confused look.

“Why’s that?” Fluttershy asked curiously and Lily exhaled sharply. “If you don’t wanna answer-”

“No, it’s fine,” Lily cut her off with a grunt. “I have anger issues and stuff, you know? I’m pretty shy sometimes. I rub ponies the wrong way, you know what I mean? Ponies don’t like me. I’m just weird, I guess. I’m not meant to have friends I think. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt. I will admit, I occasionally cry myself to sleep but I don’t really like admitting that. Holy shit, I normally need to be drunk to talk about this.”

“I’d be your friend,” Fluttershy offered and fluttered her wings briefly. “I’m shy too and I shockingly enough have friends. Most ponies don’t like me either. I’m too quiet I guess. And it’s okay to cry yourself to sleep. I used to do that as a filly.”

“You’d be my friend?” Lily whinnied and Fluttershy nodded. “You uh do know there’s a lot of baggage with that, right? I get angry occasionally.”

“There’s a lot of baggage with being Rainbow Dash’s friend too,” Fluttershy retorted with a small smile. “A lot of baggage, believe me. You can come over for tea but uhm I got a bunch of animals I take care of. A lot.”

Lily stared and forced herself to blink in surprise. She expected a lot of things to happen today, but definitely not one of the most shy ponies this side of Mount Everhoof.

“Yeah, sure. I got a lot of things to do after this. I kinda wanna come back up here and explzore properly. Might go camping more. Do new things.”

“I think that would be fun. As long as you do it safely, of course. The woods can be scary. Who knows what could be waiting for you in there,” Fluttershy shuddered and Lily had to admit, she had a point.

Everypony knew the Everfree wasn’t natural. There were things in there Lily didn’t even went to begin to imagine. But she did know there was dozens of other tamer forests nearby she could visit.

She, Roseluck and Daisy once spent a few nights at Whitetail Woods. That had been one of the best weeks of her life. She might bring it up to her sisters.

Lily watched Fluttershy stretch her legs out with a content sigh and continued to talk, missing a grinning Roseluck watching.

“And that is why I brought her along,” Roseluck told Sunset with a wide smile. “See? She’s happy and made a friend with Fluttershy. She could use a friend like Fluttershy.”

“You seem to have made the right call,” Sunset conceded after a moment. She was a big enough mare to admit when she was wrong about something. She occasionally liked Lily’s company. She did find her snarky, rude comments entertaining at times. As long as it wasn’t directed at her or her friends or overly rude, that is.

Sparkler stretched out on the couch and levitated a spoon full of cereal to her mouth, idly switching between reading a book and keeping an eye on the fillies and one colt in the dining room.

“So what exactly does this spell do?” Noi asked as she, Ruby, Dinky, Twist, Sweetie Belle and Rumble sat around a table.

“Don’t know,” Ruby answered and squinted at the book. “Oh, levitation.” Sparkler watched with a smile as Rumble propped his head up with a groan.

“I’m not so sure about this one guys,” Rumble commented and shot Sweetie Belle a look. “The last time Sweetie tried a spell, she turned all my toys into spaghetti noodles.”

“That was one time!” Sweetie Belle squeaked and glared back. “One time!”

“I’m still finding spaghetti noodles to this day,” Rumble flicked his tail and Sweetie Belle growled as he paled. “On second thought, all is forgiven.”

Noi and Twist both laughed at the colt as Sweetie sat back down on her chair.

“Good anther,” Twist pushed her glasses up with a hoof. “Theetie Belle is scary when mad.”

“Yeah yeah. Hey, you got any candy canes?” Ruby asked and licked her lips. “You make the best ones. Well, you and Miss Bon Bon. She supervises or whatever, right?”

“Yeah, she does. Bon Bon is a pretty nice mare all things considered. A bit thubborn though,” Twist admitted and Sparkler gave a half snort, half laugh at that. “What?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Sparkler coughed and slammed her hoof into her chest. “Just my book is all.”

“Okay,” Twist eyed her and Sparkler bit back another laugh, this time genuinely from her book. She glanced outside at the black smoke and chewed on her lip anxiously. She didn’t necessarily like the idea of her Mom going up there with a dragon. She didn’t necessarily have any control over that, but she did have a control of how Dinky felt.

Which is why she agreed to have Dinky’s friends come over to distract her. Can’t get worried about something when you’re busy doing something else so Sparkler loaned them an old spell book she had. Most of them were easy spells but she didn’t think they would learn any of them today. It had taken Sparkler a long time to even levitate things and that’s a spell every unicorn knew.

Even Lyra knew how to and she preferred using her hooves or mouth for everything. Lyra was always different like that compared to other ponies.

“Sparkler?” Sparkler glanced down at Dinky staring outside with the others.

“Yeah, Dinks?”

“Mom and the others are fine, right?” Dinky asked and Sparkler sucked a breath in before nodding.

“Don’t tell anypony I said this, but Mom is a badass. She’s invincible. She can handle anything Equestria throws at her,” Sparkler declared with a confident grin followed by a wink. “Don’t you all worry. She’s incredible on her own but with the Elements? Nothing can stop them. I have faith in them and you should too.”

Sparkler booped Dinky with a hoof on the noise and the filly went crossed with a snicker.

“She’s right,” Noi chimed and Rumble nodded in agreement as the yellow filly shifted on her chair. “Miss Derpy is cool. They will get this whole thing sorted out quick. Wish Liza was here. Stupid flu or whatever she has.”

Ruby gave a brief nod as her eyes flicked around the group before they fell on Sparkler.

“Are you sure?” Ruby asked hesitantly and crossed her forelegs together. “Momma said the same thing that they would be fine.”

“Yeah, Thunderlane said the same thing,” Rumble agreed and the gray colt yawned.

Sweetie Belle stayed silent as she listened. Rarity had said something similar herself about Derpy, Fluttershy and Shoeshine but nothing about the rest. A part of Sweetie suspected Rarity disliked Sunset. Sweetie Belle didn’t have any interactions to her knowledge with the unicorn but heard she was stern sometimes.

Sweetie thought the two would have gotten along with that similar trait between them. According to Apple Bloom, Applejack didn’t have any real opinion on Sunset yet. And according to Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash wasn’t too fond of her for how they met apparently. Something about the two arguing?

Sweetie continued to listen to the group as Sparkler levitated Dinky onto her lap and hugged her with a smile as the older mare nuzzled Dinky.

Sweetie Belle decided then she was gonna at least try to meet Sunset Shimmer.

Facing fears

Roseluck and the group stared at an entrance of a cave where the smoke was heaviest. For the past four hours, they all been trotting up this Celestia forsaken mountain. Roseluck’s hooves ached, she was cold and hungry.

“So do we just charge in or?” Trixie scratched the back of her head as Silverspeed grinned, extending her lance as Sunset slapped it away with her magic.

“No killing or maiming, Silverspeed. I remember how you were for weeks after the other incident. You had nightmares for weeks,” Sunset shot her a stern look and her guard put her weapon away with an embarrassed look. Silverspeed would never admit this out loud, especially in front of Sunset but she had to admit that Sunset holding her felt nice.

“As do I,” a feminine voice agreed and they spun around as a doe jumped off some rocks to stand in front of them. “I take it you’re here for the dragon, same as me?”

“Fern?” Silverspeed asked with a raised eyebrow as the other elements eyed the doe with distrustful gazes. “Yeah, we are. How do you know about it?”

“Same way you all do. With my eyes,” Fern pointed at her green eyes with a hoof. Or whatever it was deer had. Roseluck wasn’t entirely taught in deer anatomy. “It’s been busy in the village. I’ve been made the Head Councildoe in replacement of the old council members.”

Roseluck bit back a harsh comment as she instead nodded along. She still didn’t necessarily trust the smaller creature. I mean, who would blame her? If it wasn’t for Silverspeed, Roseluck and the others were up for execution simply for stepping hoof in the Everfree. Roseluck was a bit shocked Sunset had been perfectly content to allow the deer they left behind in the trial room to be killed.

“Who is this?” Lily whispered into Roseluck’s ear as the pink mare hid behind Roseluck.

“It’s complicated. I’ll explain back at home,” Roseluck whispered back and Lily nodded in satisfaction.

“I’ll go first. Just to make sure it’s safe,” Silverspeed glanced at Sunset and the amber mare nodded reluctantly. Sunset wasn’t entirely fond of the idea of splitting up and it showed on her face.

Silverspeed flapped her wings a few times and the others watched her fly cautiously inside, glancing around the large cave as her jaw dropped slightly.

A large red dragon laid upon piles of gold with his tail wrapped around him. Silverspeeds mouth went dry as she landed in front of him, picking up some bits and letting them fall between her hooves.

“I’ve never seen so many bits in all my life,” Silverspeed whispered and fluttered her wings, glancing up at the dragon nervously. “Or a living creature so damn big.”

Silverspeed glanced around and tossed some bits into her saddlebags. Not like he’d miss any. He had a shit ton of bits and other golden items.

While Silverspeeds parents did have a lot of money, Silverspeed never saw any of it when she signed up to become a Royal Guard. And contrary to popular, while the Royal Guard does have great benefits, it doesn’t pay much.

With half of what she took, she could entirely pay off the classes she took at West Hoof if she wanted, which seemed like a pretty good idea to her. Silverspeed tightened the strap on her saddlebags and trotted back out.

“He’s the only dragon. You won’t believe what’s inside.”

“Gold?” Shoeshine guessed as they all started to trot inside and all of their jaws dropped in awe.

“By Celestia’s cake loving flanks,” Sunset muttered with a stunned expression.

“Holy shit,” Trixie commented and Shoeshine stared with wide eyes.

“Roseluck and I could expand our business so much,” Shoeshine whispered and Roseluck nodded slowly with Lily following suit after.

“Dinky and Amethyst won’t ever have to worry about paying for college,” Derpy added and her wings slowly opened. “I could give them a much nicer house too.”

They all looked at the gold surrounding them, random trophies or whole statues as they each individually thought about how they could make their lives better or their families lives better. All but Trixie as the blue mare picked up a coin.

I could get so many fireworks. A pool full of bits, Trixie thought to herself with a smirk.

“Easy girls,” Sunset shook her head. “We’re here to stop the dragon from killing us all with toxic smoke, not pillage like barbarians. Put back whatever you took and let’s try to get him back to the Dragon Lands.”

Reluctantly, the others complied and Silverspeed shifted her weight with an innocent smile, ignoring Sunset’s suspicious gaze.

“Silverspeed?”

“Yes Sunny?” Silverspeed maintained her innocent smile as she locked eyes with the pony of her affections.

“You probably have best intentions, but dump your saddlebags out. We’re not thieves, after all.”

Silverspeed sighed but complied. She hadn’t really planned on keeping them all for herself. There was a dozen charities that would have benefited from said bits. And her friends of course.

“So how do we wake him up?” Derpy asked and glanced at the still sleeping dragon.

“You might wanna cover your ears,” Shoeshine warned as Trixie’s horn started to glow. All their eyes widened and hastily pressed their hooves their ears as loud boom echoed throughout the cavern and Trixie panted briefly, her horn slowly stopped glowing pink.

Even with theirs ears covered, all the present ponies felt their brains rattling against the skull from the noise.

“What was that?” Lily demanded in a whisper, shooting a glare at Trixie.

“Trixie’s sonic boom. It’s a special talent I got when I got my mark. I actually got my cutie mark because of a magic trick going wrong. I just repurposed it in later years,” Trixie explained with a smug grin, dusting off her mane.

The dragon yawned and briefly smacked his lips before rolling onto his side as Trixie stared in stunned silence. Trixie would never admit it, but she was terrified. Facing fears wasn’t something she was good at.

“Okay, so that didn’t work,” Roseluck commented and Trixie shot the cream coated mare a dirty look. “What now?”

“I got this one,” Derpy answered and stretched her wings as she flew up his nose and started to tap on it. “Hello? Sir?”

They all held their breath as the dragon frowned and Sunset tilted her head to the side.

“Well, at least we got somewhere. Frowning means he might be close to waking up,” Sunset mused and cracked her neck with a content groan as Silverspeed pointedly tried to ignore the sounds.

“Why don’t we just teleport him away?” Fluttershy asked and Sunset shrugged.

“Never been to the Dragon Lands before. Most unicorns need to at least have been to a place before once before teleporting creatures and items to said place so we can have that mental image ready. And besides, if I teleported him, we risk getting trapped inside here. None of us want that,” Sunset explained and Fluttershy paled at that.

“Wake up!” Shoeshine turned around and bucked him hard in the face as everypony gasped. The dragons eyes shot open and Shoeshine stumbled backwards in fear.

“Oh fuck me sideways,” was all Shoeshine managed to get out before the dragon roared in her face, sending her mane and tail straight backwards. In any other situation, Sunset would have laughed hard. The dragon smacked Shoeshine with a claw, sending her flying into Roseluck and the pair bowled Sunset and Trixie over.

“Ughh,” Silverspeed moaned and her eyes rolled around her head. “Can someone make the room stop spinning? Please?”

Derpy groaned loudly as Lily and Fluttershy watched in horror, the two cowering in the corner as Sunset pushed herself off of a blushing Silverspeed.

“How dare you?” Sunset jumped slightly at a furious looking Fluttershy and Lily approaching with narrowed eyes.

“I really wouldn’t,” Sunset warned as the three glowed teal. “Don’t antagonize him further. I’ll handle this. Hello, my name is-”

“Sunset Shimmer,” the dragon finished with a scowl. “I know who you are.”

“How exactly?” Shoeshine whispered and Sunset shrugged.

“I uh fought a dragon as tall as Silverspeed once. Kicked his ass. Apparently the small dragons fear me now. This dude is like thirty to forty feet tall.”

Nopony really knew what to say as Lily stepped forward angrily with Fluttershy.

“How dare you hit my sister?” Lily sneered and shifted her weight as she raised an hoof.

“The blue one hit me,” he commented flatly as Fern jumped on his head from the shadows and he growled.

“And she regrets it,” Fern growled back in his ear. “We just need you to leave. You’re spreading your smoke all over Equestria. At the rate you’re going, there will be nothing left.”

“Hitting me doesn’t make me want to comply with you all whatsoever,” he snorted and Lily glared at him.

“Shoeshine was wrong yes, but you’re much bigger than we are. You should know not to hit anything smaller than you,” Fluttershy’s scowled as she flew up to his eyes and stared at him intently. Sunset had never really seen anything like that in all her life. It wasn’t directed at her and she wanted to do two things: run away or do whatever Fluttershy wanted. “Apologize. Now.”

Sunset was absolutely certain Fluttershy was about to become burnt pegasus any minute now. Sending letters about ponies dying wasn’t something Sunset entirely was good at.

“Fine,” the dragon agreed after a very long tense moment and glared at Shoeshine. “I grudgingly apologize because this mare is scary.”

Sunset never thought Fluttershy of all ponies was scary, but that opinion has quickly changed.

“I uh accept?” Shoeshine said in confusion and the blue mare glanced around her. “So you’ll leave?”

“Since I’m being evicted, apparently,” the dragon grumbled and grabbed claw fulls of gold. “Good day.”

They all watched in surprise as he flew away.

“Well, that happened easier than anticipated,” Fluttershy broke the silence and they all nodded.

“At least the walk down is gonna be easier than the walk up,” Silverspeed suggested with a shrug. “And remember, leave the gold behind.”

They reluctantly started to follow as Trixie tossed a coin in her bag, internally hoping nopony saw.

“Trixie!”