Chapter Eighty-Five: A Convene With Danger

As Smokey removed his hand from Terra Cotta's head to give Fluttershy attention, the mare practically melted into his touch as his claws combed through her mane. She leaned into him, though took great care not to disturb the filly between them. The other mares smiled as the dragon lowered his head to touch his snout to the yellow pegasus' forehead. In response, she tilted her head back to brush her muzzle along his chin. As they watched the pair exchange nuzzles, their smiles broadened, never having seen their feathered friend so happy.

"Well," Twilight Sparkle spoke up in order to break the silence and garner the attention of her friends, "Should we go ahead and pack up and head out? Or… should we wait a little longer?"

"Let's wait," Fluttershy answered, turning her attention to the alicorn. A soft blush tinted her cheeks, feeling the scales of her beloved's nose continuing to rub against her cheek. "The children are sleeping."

"It's getting dark… er, anyway," Smokey added, emitting a purr to the pony he was nuzzling. "We won't be able to see where we're going."

"You've got a point," the young princess stated, pursing her lips. "We're already lost as it is."

"Can't git anymore lost than we already are, right?" Applejack chuckled.

"Oh, no, if we're not careful, we could be out here for days. Weeks, even."

"… Well, excuse me for trying ta lighten the mood," the orange-furred mare huffed.

"We cannot afford to get lost." Still nuzzling Fluttershy, Smokey pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, emitting a purr in a higher pitch. "We would run out of food and possibly not find enough. The children… and the rest of us would starve."

Fluttershy was silent for a moment, blushing and stroking a hoof over the dragon's arm as he furled it around her.

"… I'm not scared," she declared, with full confidence. That stole the attention of her friends. Normally, she would have been cowering by one of her friends, scared stiff and worried about how they were going to get home.

"… My, my, that's… a bold statement, coming from you," Rarity commented. "Ever since we left Ponyville, you've been a… a drastically different pony!"

Fluttershy smiled down at the filly at her side and the chick in her foreleg.

"I have to be brave now. I've got two little ones depending on me. And besides…" She turned to her loving expression to Smokey and then a look of admiration to her friends, "I have all of you."

"I'll protect you and the children," Smokey murred, touching his lips to the yellow pegasus' ear.

"You better leave the physical stuff to us," said Rainbow Dash, eyeing the dragon's bandage.

Fluttershy giggled, her ear twitching at the tickling sensation spreading through her nerves.

"I agree with Rainbow Dash. You're still hurt."

"I wouldn't even worry," Twilight Sparkle said. "Between the seven of us, there's nothing we can't do! We've been left alone all day. I highly doubt anything would come our way now-"

The mare was cut off by a slamming BOOM located not too far away. Flocks of birds took flight, fleeing from the trees into the safety of the sky. She blinked in bewilderment, her eyes focusing on the canopy before dropping back to the rest of the group with her mouth agape.

The unexpected noise jolted the young ones awake, sending Chenoa into a fit of frightened wails. Terra Cotta bolted up with a cry, latching onto Fluttershy. The pegasus, holding the griffon close to her chest, wrapped her other foreleg around the filly to draw her into a comforting embrace. The remaining equines immediately clamored to their hooves, Applejack moving to position herself near Fluttershy and Smokey.

Rainbow Dash had been about to take to the air to scan their surroundings, but a loud rustling from behind caused her to whirl around, she and everyone else letting out a horrified gasp as two pairs of bright yellow eyes pierced the inky blackness between two large trees several yards away.

"What in the world…?" Rarity gasped.

Placing herself between her friends and the pairs of eyes, they cyan pegasus' brows sank against her glare, non-verbally threatening them that if they tried anything they would have to deal with her. Though, the owners of the eyes didn't seem affected. Emerging from the trees were two dragons-one male and one female-with a similar coloration as Smokey. However, they were built differently. Their bodies were slim with lengthy mid-sections and long black horns spouted from the backs of their heads. As they slowly and deliberately came closer, they crept along the ground on all fours.

Fluttershy whimpered, holding her children closer as she scooted closer to Smokey. Rarity and Pinkie Pie, fear surging through them, took a couple of steps back while the remaining three equines stood their ground.

"… Dragons?" Twilight Sparkle breathed. Glancing from them to Smokey and back, she took notice of a few similarities such as their size and coloration. Was it possible that they might be…? No, that seemed silly, but… perhaps?

"It looks like we have ourselves visitors…" the male remarked, a devilish smirk spreading across his maw as he and his partner stalked closer.

"Hey! Back off!" Rainbow Dash snorted, digging a hoof into the earth.

Putting on a smile in order to appear fairly nonchalant, Twilight Sparkle stepped forth to take point.

"Hello. Is this your territory? Please, don't mind us, we were just passing through and resting up for a bit-in fact, we were just getting ready to leave! If you don't mind, we'll be right on our way."

The draconian pair exchanged glances with expressions of consideration. As long as they didn't loiter much longer, they figured they would allow them to leave… This was their decision until the female spotted Chenoa.

"Is that… a pure white griffon chick?" she questioned, a look of what appeared to be recognition dawning in her eyes-as well as the yellow pools of her male companion.

"Um… yes." Growing even more uneasy with how the dragons were staring at Chenoa, squeezed her and Terra Cotta to her torso. "… Why do you ask?"

"She looks like she came from the same family that stole our eggs instead of hunting for their own food," the female replied, her voice overflowing with bitterness. "So, we took their offspring."

"However," the male interjected, his intonation also seeping with venom. "After we killed the couple, one of their chicks eluded us somehow. In order to avenge our clutch, we vowed to finish off the entire family."

"Including that chick you have in your possession."

"Whaaaat?!" came the exasperated reply from Fluttershy, though the rest also cried out their disbelieving shock. Wha-but! You… that's not fair! She's just a baby! She couldn't have even been aware of what happened! How can you blame her for something she wasn't even responsible for?!"

"A life for a life. That's how we live," the male replied. "You cannot expect us to let that chick live while the soul of our last dragonling is crying out for revenge."

The dragoness nodded in agreement.

"Now, hand over that griffon and we'll spare the rest of you."

"No!" Smokey hissed, slowly rising to his feet and joining Rainbow Dash's side despite the pain. "She's right. That isn't fair!"

"Now, hold on a moment!" the alicorn princess intervened, taking a step forward. "Wait! Wait a minute. I'm fairly certain we can reach a reasonable and conclusive compromise with a civil discussion."

The others turned their attention to the mare, who cleared her throat in preparation to resume speaking.

"If I may present my opening argument… RUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNN!"

With that, she turned and fled. The remaining members of the traveling party looked to each other, temporarily dumbfounded, before they screamed in unison and followed suit. Fluttershy, with both children in her hold, gasped, and turned to Smokey. Wrapping her tail around his arm to tug him along, she flapped her wings as hard as she could as she led him along. He didn't need any encouragement. Teeth clenched as agony shot through him, he ran as fast as his legs would permit him.

With intentions on acquiring what they want, the dragons pursued.

Chenoa and Terra Cotta buried their heads into Fluttershy's chest, sobbing in terror as they curled up against her as much as they could. The mare, unwilling to leave the dragon behind, remained close to him to urge him to run faster and provide what meager assistance she could.

Within minutes, they emerged from the tree lines and came upon a spacious clearing that was occupied by a rocky chasm and valley. There did not seem to be much else to run to, as Twilight Sparkle proceeded to frantically direct the others down the slope and into the caverns below.

Smokey pumped his legs, steadily catching up. Since the mares could obviously move faster considering his injured state, he thought about just letting Fluttershy fly ahead with the children.

"F… Fluttershy!" he gasped.

The mare glanced over her shoulder at him.

"We're nearly there! Just a little farther!" she encouraged, pulling him with her tail.

"Nearly where?!" he exclaimed, trying his very best to draw out more speed.

"THERE!"

She gestured ahead with a tilt of her head, to where Twilight Sparkle was wildly directing everyone else into a small crevice. Darting ahead, she reached the crevice right when Pinkie Pie jumped inside.

"Here!" Kissing both children on top of their craniums, she foisted them both onto Pinkie Pie. "Keep them safe!"

"Wha? Fluttershy-!" the lavender-coated mare called as Fluttershy took off and returned to Smokey's side to furl both of her forelegs around his arm to pull.

"Come on! A little bit farther!"

Smokey was relieved once the ponies and griffon disappeared into the depths of the crevice. However, that relief shifted into anxiety when Fluttershy didn't slip in herself. Prying her hooves off of him, he shook his head.

"Go in now! I will catch up!"

"No!" Fluttershy refused, fervently shaking her head. "I am not leaving you! Not now! Not-"

She was cut off as a large shadow passed over them. Gasping, she glanced up to see one of the dragons had leaped overhead-seemingly uninterested in them, and focused on getting at Chenoa. The female, landing near the entrance, took a breath, flames licking at the sides of her mouth.

Twilight released a gasp of horror, frozen on the spot. Her wings sprang out, to shield her friends behind her…

Terra Cotta let out a wail of terror, and Fluttershy immediately reacted.

"NOOOOOOO!" she roared. "NOT MYYY DAAAUUUGGGHHHTTTEEERRRRSSSS!"

It all seemed to happen in slow-motion. The female dragon lowered her head, as Fluttershy flew by to meet her. The mare spun her body in a wide arc, bringing her legs back. The dragoness opened her mouth, searing heat rising from her lips. About to spew forth a blast of flame, a powerful shattering kick slammed her jaws shut. Staggering backwards as flames scorched the roof of her mouth, gums, and tongue, she twisted away in pain-choking down an aborted attempt to shoot fire while spitting out smoke with a howl.

Fluttershy hovered there, glaring… before sudden realization dawned upon her. She hadn't even been aware of what she had done until after she had actually done it.

"Way to go, Fluttershy!" cheered Rainbow Dash. Despite the intense terror wafting over the group, she had managed to summon her words.

As the male leaped over Smokey to aide his companion, Smokey lunged forth, wrapping both arms around his tail and sending them both to the ground.

"Oh…! Oh, my!" Fluttershy squeaked, reaching out to the dragon she had kicked. "I'm so sorry, I-"

She yelped as she felt a sharp tug on her left hind leg and was subsequently yanked out of the air, landing hard on the ground as Applejack dropped the rope she had lassoed her with.

"Fer land sakes, girl! Git in here!" the farmer hollered. The pegasus immediately complied, clambering behind Twilight Sparkle and huddling with her friends.

"Smokey!" She gathered up Chenoa and Terra Cotta into her forelegs again to comfort them. "Where's-is he…?"

"He's still out there!" Rarity proclaimed, extending a hoof to the maw of the crevice. "Look!"

Both male dragons circled each other with an intense fire burning in their eyes. Smokey was determined to protect his family and friends. He would stand and fight even if he was injured and this other dragon appeared stronger than him.

Patience running thin, the horned dragon barreled into Smokey's gut, knocking the wind out of him. He didn't waste any time as he began savagely biting and clawing.

The female snarled into the direction where the ponies and griffon were hiding. Claws digging into the ground with an earth-shattering roar, she charged and slammed her shoulder against the crack in order to create a larger opening.

Fluttershy screamed as Smokey was attacked. Foisting her children into the hold of the pony closest to her, she got up and made a move for the exit-

"NO!" Applejack cried, grabbing the pegasus and hauling her back. "Fluttershy, you can't-"

She was interrupted as the dragoness slammed into the crevice again. Screaming, the rest of the group drew back, though Fluttershy continued to cry out to Smokey.

"SMOKEY! SMOOOKEEEYYY!" she screeched, sobbing in terror and anger.

"Fluttershy, no! NO!" Pinkie Pie contributed, assisting Applejack with restraining the rosy-maned mare.

"This can't be happening…" Fluttershy mumbled. "This can't be happening! THIS ISN'T HAPPENING! SMOKEEEEEEYYYYYY!"

"Stay back!" Rainbow Dash ordered as she came to Applejack and Pinkie Pie's aid.

The equines couldn't see what was happening through the dragon outside the small cavern. After several tense minutes slowly elapsed, she was removed from the entrance by a battered Smokey. He was bleeding from several new wounds on his shoulders, neck, back, and belly. Enraged, the female turned on the dragon who had pulled her away, soon to be joined by the male, who attacked Smokey from behind.

"Smokey…" Fluttershy panted and screamed out again. "SMOKEY! SMOKEY, QUICK, GET IN HERE!"

Now Twilight Sparkle had to join in as the pegasus was ever-so-slowly inching her way to the entrance despite being physically held back by three of her friends, completely driven on will. Rarity, desperately trying to comfort the wailing Chenoa and Terra Cotta, had her hooves full and was unable to help.

"We… have to… get… back!" Twilight Sparkle grunted, and slowly, between the four of them, they were able to force the thrashing and screaming pegasus back.

The sounds of snarling, roaring, and pained yelps echoed through the chasm and reverberated off the walls of the crevice. These other dragons were obviously brought up in the wild and were much stronger than Smokey. The domesticated reptilian had no chance of defeating them by himself… even if he was fueled by his resolve to protect the ponies and baby griffon. Even though he knew this, he fought on.