Chapter 7: Dragonshy

Next to Pinkie Pie he sat and watched Rainbow Dash, the ever so competitive Pegasus. Performing the most silly but apparent huge record challenge, bouncing a ball on her muzzle. He kept count and was ready to pick up in case Pinkie would easily distract herself from the spectacle. Though he had to admit, Rainbow was holding her own, a bit sweaty under her rainbow mane, but not losing a beat. She was near three hundred fifty, not too far from the world record.

"You're going to have brain damage after this! You know that right?"He called out while Rainbow Dash merely chuckled and smiled.

"The thing I'm going to have...! Is another record under my belt!"Rainbow Dash quickly yelled before getting back to counting.

"What belt?! You don't even wear pants!"Orion corrected while Pinkie suddenly started counting balloons for ponies when Rainbow beat the record.

Only to trip Rainbow up, making her go from three hundred fifty four to four five and six. Orion began to laugh to himself as Rainbow shook off the confusion and then lost the ball. Now she had to start over once again thanks to Pinkie Pie.

"Pinkie Pie! Now I have to start all over!"Rainbow Dash ranted while Orion continued to laugh at her.

"Jeez, forget brain damage, she's going to be brain dead by the end of her record breaking,"Orion said to himself before finally catching the words start a new village from the quiet Fluttershy,"Oh hey Fluttershy, didn't see you there. What exactly were you saying? You're kind of quiet...!"

"We need to start a new home!, Danger has come to Ponyville, we're doomed!"Fluttershy squeaked out so quietly for the prince to hear.

"What?"He questioned before Twilight announced Fluttershy's warning for her.

"Every pony listen up! Smoke is spreading all over Equestria!"Twilight explained while the ponies were growing worried and speaking among themselves.

"Oh... That's what you were talking about."Orion realized the issue finally after glancing up at the sky to see the thick black smoke..

"But Don't worry. I have just received a letter from princess Celestia, informing me that is is not coming from a fire!"Twilight continued on explaining the situation after cutting off Fluttershy.

"Oh thank goodness...!"Fluttershy sighed with false relief.

"It is coming from a dragon!"Twilight's answer to the cause made all but Orion gasp in horror, but he was shocked all the same.

"A dragon...?! What on Equestria's good soil is a dragon doing this far south of the mountains?"Orion asked while cutting off Fluttershy's panic and even Applejack.

"Sleeping. According to princess Celestia, he's taking a nap,"Twilight went into the situation with detail,"His snoring is what's causing the smoke."

"He should see a doctor. That doesn't sound healthy at all...!"Pinkie joked.

"At least he's not snoring are we meant to do about it?"Rarity questioned.

"I'll tell you what we need to do. Give him the boot! Take that! And That!"Rainbow chose violence as an idea only to swing wildly and get her hoof caught in Orion's grasp.

"We can start by not doing something that may motivate him to burn down the town...!"Orion reminded Rainbow before letting her go.

"We need to encourage him to take a nap somewhere else. Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail,"Twilight explained the mission before meeting at Orion's side,"If we do, Equestria will be covered with smoke for a hundred years...!"

"Then failure is not an option, and we must do anything possible to stop this dragon!"Orion agreed to the terms of this mission while noticing the trembling Fluttershy's gasp of fear.

"Talk about your beauty sleep...!"Rarity mused at the thought of sleeping for a hundred years.

"Alright every pony. I need you to gather supplies quickly. We've got a long journey a head of us. Lets meet back here in less than an hour."Twilight suggested for a plan.

"Ok girls, you heard her. The fate of Equestria is in our hooves! Do we have what it takes?!"Rainbow tried to motivate the group.

"Of course we do! Together there is nothing we can't do!"Orion agreed as well as every pony except Fluttershy.

Thirty minutes later, Twilight and Orion were preparing for the journey to the mountains. He simply packed some drinks and extra water for burn injuries as well as some fruits. Twilight packed some books and maps as well as a compass for direction, just in case. The man threw a pack over his shoulders and onto his back before making odd hand signs with his fingers. Before suddenly making his skin shine, as it was then coated an a layer of smooth crystals.

The gleam of the crystal armor melded and disappeared like camouflage, the perfect armor. Discrete, but ore than a match for dragon fire and claws should violence be a resort. The shine slowly faded after blending into his skin, but not before glaring the light in Twilight's eyes. She turned to see the crystals disappear as if they vanished into his skin. It stroked her as both curious and a bit concerned, ever since she witnessed his true power against an Ursa Major.

"Those crystals sure are a gift. And you wield them so well...!"She broke the ice with friendly compliments.

"As do you and your friends when it comes to the Elements Of Harmony, and like so. It was a gift we were destined to have,"He smirked and already saw through the smile to feel the concern,"I wouldn't blame you for asking me not to go Twilight. My power is... Somewhat different, and even scary ever since the whole Ursa thing..."

"N-no! I don't mean that, it's a part of who you are Orion...! Just like my magic is a part of me,"Twilight tried to explain while putting on her pack,"It's just. Your skill, the crystals you control. They're so much more different from what I've seen the princess use."

"Really? Well... That is the power and responsibility that Equestrian warriors have Twilight. Like you said it's who we are."He offered to open the door for Twilight while she continued to ask questions.

"I never really looked up much on Equestrian warriors. I never even knew they existed till a few days ago,"Twilight went first while Orion followed from behind,"And so far... You seem like a very violent kind. Full of pain and violence and... Things I'm not exactly accustom to..."

"Because I am all but the last of the warriors, the others all died in glory, or by shame for turning to darkness. That was the Equestrian warrior way,"Finally he decided to give her a small lesson on Equestrian warriors,"See... There are those out there gifted with extraordinary abilities. We are found, or in my case, born. We are trained to our very limits, and made to serve Equestria as it's true body guards."

"Oh my gosh I gotta write this down!"Twilight was lightning fast to pull out a quill and paper to write down the details.

"For the most part we are good and serve as fighters against foreign enemies or domestic dark ones who threaten the land,"The man continued as he thought of the hundreds of warriors he once called his second family,"But there are some... That go bad. And an Equestrian warrior can be the most fearsome enemy to Equestria itself..."

"Uh huh. And... You're now the only one?"She stopped for a moment with a suspenseful pit in her gut.

"No... There is one other that I know is alive... He and I... Were close, but the darkness that took him. Forced me and my sisters to seal him away. I'd rather not go into detail..."He finally decided to not dwell on the matter.

Twilight respectfully jotted down the facts she was given, and put her paper away in her pack. It was not too long before they met back up with their friends. They all seemed ready up with the essentials for an adventure up the mountain, including food and even fashion. They all seemed ready, but Fluttershy still appeared to be nervous and unsure of this mission. Orion could not be bothered with weakness, but he knew Fluttershy was vital to stop the dragon.

"Um, excuse me Twilight? I know you're busy."

"Uh huh. Well we could go this way...!"Twilight decided to go over mapping with Orion.

"But... If I could just have a second..."Fluttershy's plea was met by Orion looking to her.

"What is it?"He asked before looking back to the map.

"So um, I was thinking, um. Maybe it would be better if I stayed here in Ponyville?"She asked as Orion instantly looked back with a frown.

"No...! We need you. Your talent to speak with wild animals is a vital asset to reasoning with the dragon so lives don't need to be lost,"Orion said sternly while Fluttershy begged for reason,"It's time to have some guts and face fear if you wish to overcome it...!"

"He's right Fluttershy. Besides, you won't need to worry about your little friends at the meadow. Spike's taking care of them while you're gone."Twilight ensured the shy Pegasus.

"You can count on me! Hey, Hey! Wait!"Spike tried to be cool and in control but was already chasing the out of control animals.

"I... Don't think he's really up to the task. Maybe, maybe... No!"Fluttershy seem to be cracking under the pressure.

"Are you sure you want Fluttershy to come along? The pony is afraid of her own shadow. She's just going to slow us down...!"Rainbow Dash seem to agree with the shy mare not going.

"She's just nervous is all, once we get going. I'm sure she'll be fine."Twilight tried to reassure as Fluttershy squealed and his in a bush from her shadow.

"Alright girls and guy. Move out!"The six of them charged for the mountain. Picking up a screaming Fluttershy up and carrying her off to the mountains.

The journey to the dragon's resting mountain lasted for hours, full of unwavering courage. Orion himself felt the excitement and honor to be pursuing an enemy along side new friends. It was like he was leaping into battle once more along side the warriors of old again. Only this mission was preferred to go peacefully rather than be coated in the blood of an enemy. He did understand the means of doing such a thing peacefully, but he knew he may have no choice but to kill the dragon should Fluttershy fail.

His eyes were full of the red crystal energy, and he was looking to the mountain from every angle. Though he could not see into the dragons keep, It's scales were most likely the cause. It's strong and reflective scales shine with like the crystals themselves, bringing their shines of light together. Orion's vision was only seeing bright white light in place of a dragon. The closest he could see was the cave mouth, and a few angles inside where treasure was hidden.

Finally they came to the mountain, and promptly took a breather for a moment. Orion needed only a little water before he felt reinvigorated and ready to press on. Though he only waited until his friends were ready as well, they all ate apples, courtesy of Applejack. Just as they then began to pack up and begin to go for the mountain. The great snore of the demon lizard shook the ground and made the mountain itself tremble.

"Whoa, what was that?"Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"That... Is the snore of a dragon...!"Twilight enlighten the obvious.

"No kidding. And it sounds like he just entered his sixth hour of slumber, waking him up will most likely cause him to be quite grouchy..."Orion said with a mused look.

"It's so high!"Fluttershy feared.

"Well it IS a mountain. I'm gonna fly up there and check it out!"Rainbow Dash was about to fly up only to be stopped by Applejack.

"Whoa now. I think we should all go up together. Safety in numbers."Applejack suggested while Orion suddenly began going straight up the mountain.

"Hey...! Where you going? Mister O!"Twilight called as he oddly scaled the mountain as if he was merely walking on the ground.

"If you're all going together, you'll need a path up to the cave...! I'll just walk up and make out the paths for you,"Orion said as he continued upwards toward the mountain top,"Just look for the shards of red crystal that glow, they'll show you the path!"

"But... How is he doing that?"Rainbow was then answered as Twilight pointed to the sharp sticks of red crystals that were under his feet.

"Like his own personal pair of spike boots...!"Applejack gave hats off to the man as he ventured to the mountain top on his own.

In truth, Orion chose to be their eyes around the mountain so he didn't need to be slowed by Fluttershy. He knew all too well that she was nervous about facing a full grown dragon. In his experience he could understand a civilians fear of such a fearsome creature. Only thing is, Fluttershy to him was no longer considered a mere civilian, none of the girls were considered as such any more. They were now the wielders of the elements of harmony and now had a duty to Equestria.

He let out a big sigh to relieve stress from the troublesome fact while spreading red crystal shards upon the first length of the path the girls were on. It took only one swing of his hand before a cloud of tiny crystals flew from his palm. Littering the dirt and rock road with glowing red crystal that illuminated the path. With the team following his special crystals, he could continue his trip up the mountain. Though he could see that Rainbow was wishing she could be going his way up.

Fluttershy was already needing to be pushed by Applejack along the path, and that meant slow progress. He shook his head and continued throwing crystals down like a handful of sand. They were only stopped an hour in when they came to a drop, only to find the path again. Simply parted by a foot and a half gape that lead straight down to the bottom. He watched the girls from above before throwing crystals down to show them the tiny gape that was easy to hop over.

Of course, the moment he was going to move on higher up the mountain, they hit a road block. In the form of Fluttershy being skittish over jumping the tiny gape, he groaned in anger. He turned and saw her shaking at a tiny gape that she could walk over for Celestia sake. Not to mention she's a PEGASUS, she could fly over the gape with one flap of her wings. Finally his outrage boiled and he screamed from above.

"WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG?! IT'S A FOOT AND A HALF LONG, JUMP OVER IT,"The hidden prince shouted as Flutters looked up and trembled at him now,"WE HAVE A DRAGON TO MOVE! KICK YOUR IRRATIONAL FEAR ASIDE AND DO WHAT YOU MUST TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION!"

He didn't want to be that guy, but he lost many allies due to fearful cowards who abandoned them in battle. He had no time for cowards, and he had no time to wait for some pony to push her over the path. He parted without them and simply continued the path on his own. Unaware that it simply took a talk from Pinkie, as well as a hop and a skip and a jump. Before Fluttershy barely made it over the gap, and continued along the road.

An hour later from a solid hundred feet up, it appeared to finally be going smoothly. A long and undisruptive path straight up the mountain, right to the cave, it seemed to easy. Though judging by the shaky rocks he stood on, too much noise would cause an avalanche. The last thing he needed was for him and his friends to be crushed to death by rocks. Just because some pony ended up screaming to the top of their lungs for some strange reason.

Not to mention he was already looking to be in some hot water for shouting at Fluttershy. Twilight appeared not to approve of his anger towards the shy Pegasus and was shooting him looks. Luckily he was too use to looks and hate to be bugged by any sort of negative thought towards him. By now all he wanted to do was just get the journey over with and get back home to forget about this day. Though it seemed his luck once again frowned upon them all, for conveniently the light, but loud scream of Fluttershy echoed over the mountain.

"AVALANCHE!"Her squeaky voice had then brought the forsaken disaster she called to.

Rocks, snow, and dust began breaking, bursting, and falling from the mountain top. Orion's eyes widen as it looked like a tidal wave of rock like death. He knew they would not survive, unless they were quick and able to stop the avalanche before it grew too big. He opened his hands and allowed two red crystal swords from his wrists to take a pose. Only to quickly jump and spin to deliver thirty slashes in one blow in a mere second.

Slicing through two boulders, before jumping from a stone and slicing through another boulder. The smaller rocks met his knuckles and shatter as he swung across, and above at bigger rocks. His versatility was unmatched as he also flipped and hopped from stone to stone. Making sure never to hit the mix of dirt and snow, it would result in being crushed and buried under debris. Finally he made a huge leap to the mountain top while looking back to his friends.

With a swing of his hand, he raised large pillars of red crystals to stop boulders cold before they were crushed. Some were even split into two before the avalanche was finally stopping. He took a deep breath and retracted his crystals while the girls dealt with a new problem. The collapse had sealed off the path, and the girls were now trapped with one more option. Climb the mountain slowly and hope to eventually meet the top.

"We'll just climb up to you! It won't be too long!"Twilight called up to the prince before he frowned.

"NO! I'm not waiting any longer because SOME PONY can't shake her fears,"He yelled back and lifted his hand up before a stair case of shiny red began raising from the rocks,"I'm already here! Just take the crystal steps up!"

The girls did so, and took the smooth but hard steps that were shiny to the mere stare. Fluttershy lowered her head, trying not to cry or feel shame for his scorn. They picked up the paste and broke a sweat before they all came up. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and finally Fluttershy came up last and sat in the dirt. They took a deep breath, and wiped off the sweat from their run to the top.

"Can I talk to you O? I think we need to talk...!"Twilight asked after sipping some apple juice from Applejack.

"You sure this is the time? There is a dragon in that cave that needs moved out of the mountain still."He crossed his arms while Twilight simply nodded and went over to talk with her friends.

Orion awaited this talk while the girls were speaking with Fluttershy about her performance. All he heard so far was fear, worry, but it felt irrational to him. Her fear of dragons, the closest thing she had come to a dragon was Spike, and he's just a baby. How could she possibly be afraid of something she has only heard stories of. His only fears were shaken away as a child, now all he ever feared was his family dying.

Finally they began to try their turn with getting the dragon to leave the cave, Twilight turned out not to be effective. All that he cold see was her being ignored and blown off by the beast. She came out of the cave with her ears low and decided to let some pony else go. So then she was able to go to Orion, as he perched himself on a small rock. She cleared her throat and got his attention as he stood up, and then stepped down from the rock.

"I take it you failed in your chance to reason with the giant lizard?"He asked while ignoring Rarity going into the cave.

"Yes. At least it gives us a chance to talk about your behavior with Fluttershy."Twilight sat down while he looked over the side to see Fluttershy leaving.

"You let our only hope of properly negotiating with the dragon leave. Now we are hopelessly trying to do so ourselves...!"

'You shouldn't have been so mean and hard on her. You certainly didn't treat her like she was our true hope!"

"I was simply trying to shake her of her fear! Fear is a great and powerful enemy, she would not be able to do what she must when she is too afraid to even try,"Orion crossed his arms and heard Rarity screaming and leaving with jewels she took from the dragon,"Great... That's going so well. That! Is what irrational fear has lowered us to...!"

"So she's scared, shy, nervous and all. She's still a friend with a lot of talent we could have relied on!"

"And instead it's going down the mountain like an accursed coward! A type of pony I have absolutely NO respect for!"

Suddenly as fast as Rainbow Dash flew into the cave last to approach the dragon. She came back out screaming before a roared followed her all the way out. They broke from their argument, and turned to the roars as they approached the entrance. The mouth of the cave g;owed with orange and red before fire blasted the cave mouth open nice and wide. Finally after scooping Twilight and getting her away from flying fiery rocks, they saw it.

A large, red dragon, with scales as red and shiny as his very crystals. It's eyes were yellow and slit like a demon, and the spikes on it's head and down it's back were like swords. Smoke leaked from it's nostrils as it growled and roared at them all as they all screamed.

"What did you do Rainbow?!"Orion questioned to the Pegasus as she scratched at her mane.

"I may have hit it in the nose and told him to beat it, funny thing is... They clearly don't fall for the tough act."Rainbow said as the beast opened it's mouth to unleash it's fire.

"You don't say! You never attack a dragon unless you're certain that you can defeat it!"

The girls screamed as a river of flames burst from the lizards jaws, it was like a gate to Tartarus. Luckily after a moment, the girls saw that a dome of crystal was between them and the fires. With one hand, the prince held the creature at bay and began to move forward. With a heavy and slow swing of his arm, he shield bashed the beast across the face to shut it's fiery jaws. While the dragon stepped back and crashed against the mountain side, the giant dome vanished into the human pony's hand.

The dragon roared while rubbing it's eyes to wake up more for the fight Rainbow Dash started. Orion spread his hands, and the red crystal swords slid from his palms and into his grip just in time to jump. His jump spared him being grabbed by a giant red paw with four giant claws. With a fast wave of spins he sliced at the dragons arm and shot a beam from the tip of his right sword. The blast smoked the beast in the head, but it's scales proved to be durable.

"Strong... But I know the spot where a dragon is most vulnerable...!"He spotted the vital spot directly in the center of the throat.

His father's voice echoed in the instruction on how to kill a dragon, only one certain way. Cut the throat open, pull, stab, or slice the heart that rested just below the soft spot. Take out the heart, and slay the wicked beast for good. Since being peaceful was now out the door, killing the dragon was now the only option, now that it threatened to kill ponies. He ran to the dragon, and side flipped over a swipe from the demon lizard. He stopped and jumped over the animals head before almost getting bit in two. His left blade swiped, and sliced two sharp scales from his back clean off. Before almost not seeing the incoming tail of the monster.

He caught the tail against his chest and grabbed it before swinging the tail with full force. Making the giant dragon grind it's rear on the rocks before smashing it's back against the destroyed cave. It's head bent back from the chaotic crash and exposed it's neck just for the warrior. With one swing, a slash of red shot from his sword and smacked against the dragon's throat. Slicing a perfect cut to open the throat, and giving Orion the gate way to slaying the beast.

He ran for the injured dragon again, but saw the beast open it's mouth to unleash fire once more. Though the man was ready to take a few burns just to destroyed the dragon's heart. It was then that Orion grind to a stop as Fluttershy suddenly flew before him and screamed.

"WAIT! Let me try...!"She begged while his swords lowered for a moment.

"You once fled the the mountain out of fear! I hope you will not repeat that action again!"Slowly he lowered his weapons and let Fluttershy go to the dragon.

It was only a few moments before Orion was shocked to see Fluttershy actually scolding the dragon. She almost sounded like him on a bad day, or during arguments he had with Celestia. She spat on the beast for attacking her friends, for smoking out their home. Each one of her words resulted in a knife to the dragon's apparent gentle heart. Before they knew it, she had gotten the dragon to actually cry with hurt feelings.

He did not know whether to be amused or confused to see this side of a dragon. Clearly this dragon needed a hug, especially now that it was weeping like it's ice cream got smacked from it's claws. It was then that the timid Pegasus began to comfort and bring a motherly kindness to the dragon. With a little encouragement, and some kind words she manage to do it. The dragon was on it's way towards a more secluded mountain range away from any civilization.

He watched the sky, and bare witnessed the departure of the primitive lizard towards the horizon. The outcome of this journey was not as he expected, he expected much blood and death of a dragon. He thought they would even lose one of group at least, and Fluttershy would have been the cause. Instead, she came through in the end and shed her fear before stopping the dragon peacefully. It was then that his thoughts were interrupted by Fluttershy tugging on his cloak to get his attention from bellow.

"Um... I'm sorry I almost let you down. I know I can't make it up to you, but I hope we can still be friends..."She offered peace and kindness to the prince as he sighed and calmed himself.

"What matters is that you came back and finally showed some sort of bravery in the face of danger,"He lowered his head and shook it to try and find reason in his mind and force out his next words,"I'm... Sorry. I should not have been so hard on you... I... Let my past control how I do things in the present, some I dare to deem questionable..."

"It's ok. It's just who you are...! Mean, big, tough, but in the end there's nothing but good in you...!"She went as far as to even hug Orion to squish the issues they had.

"I'm just gonna ignore that first part and accept your kind words..."He said before hugging the timid mare back.

As crazy as it was to bare witness to sudden make up between her more aggressive friend and her shy friend. It warmed Twilight's heart and made their trip down the mountain quite the breeze. It appeared that the fight Twilight and Orion were in was a thing of the past. Now they could just take a flight of crystal steps down to the town. Not to mention they could go with pride that they completed their mission and saved Ponyville.

Before they knew it, they were back in Ponyville watching Rainbow Dash do what she had tried to do before. Take the record for the most times a ball has bounced on her head. He sat next to Twilight and shook his head at Rainbow while she once again was writing a new friendship lesson to Celestia. He didn't know whether to be bothered more to see Twilight writing to his sister, or Rainbow Dash risking brain damage for a record. Finally all but Orion jumped as Pinkie roared like a dragon.

He burst into laughter as he saw the tough Pegasus scream like a little girl. Only to come back down and land hooves first to complain to Pinkie.

"Pinkie Pie! You scared me! I mean... Uh... You broke my concentration...!"Rainbow tried to cover up being spooked by the pink pony.

"Well it beats getting brain damage for a stupid record."Orion mocked playfully before he could finally stop laughing.

"Don't worry Rainbow Dash. Not every pony can be as brave as me..."Fluttershy joked only to be scared by a leaf falling on her flank.

"Well, I guess she can learn to let go of fear in baby steps..."Orion sighed and held a small smile while Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder for support.

I know you guys can tell that this is a bit rushed, but writing continues to be a struggle for me these days. So please continue to show your patience for me and you'll surely be rewarded. Spirit out.