“I...I don’t understand..” Ocellus choked, putting her focus on Smolder.

“What’s there to understand?” She asked. “I just thought you were too smart to have your paper cheated off of.”

“That’s not the point, Smolder!” Ocellus sighed as Smolder quieted down. “The point is... I’m worried about you...”

“Cel. C’mon, seriously? I’ll be fi-“ Smolder was cut off by a rude interruption.

“Ahem, sorry to interrupt, but...” A unicorn colt paused as he walked up the the two of them, two smirking smugly. “About that rematch...” he scowled, in a much deeper voice. Smolder stretched her wings.

“Fine. You already lost to me once. Next time, just don’t cheat off of other’s papers.”

“Alright, scales for brains.” He deadpanned. “Let’s hope you can back up those fighting words. Creatures like you don’t belong at the school of friendship.” This caused Ocellus to step up, a determined look on her face.

“Hey! Smolder does belong here! Don’t you dare ever say that again...”

“Easy for you to say, bottom feeder.” He replied in a snarl, causing the rest of the creatures in the library to crowd around them.

“Hey!” Smolder snapped, pointing a claw at him. “You’re looking pretty confident to be calling some creature a bottom feeder, leech.” There was a gasp in the crowd, followed by a distant Oh snap!

As they both neared each other, Ocellus began to try and protest against their fight, but stopped abruptly right in the middle of it. This seemed oddly familiar. The fifth stage was... what...?

“The Last and Final, The Attack Mode Stage, where said dragon will attack anyone that comes near the hoard, including their closest loved ones. On top of that, if not given an awakening, the dragon might lose its life to lasting conditions if not treated thoroughly.
Example - Starvation, Thirst, Sleep Deprivation.”

This must be it, the last and final stage. No wonder Smolder had been acting so possessive lately. She looked to Smolder, then at the colt. Before she knew it, the trash-talk session was over, and it was time to scrap.

The unicorn sent a fierce punch toward Smolder, who was missed by a single scale. Straight after she regained her balance she punched hard at the colt, landing straight on the side of his face.
He hit the ground, regaining air and slamming into the ground again before crashing into a bookcase.

“How d’ya like that...?” She chuckled as she cracked her knuckles.

“Wait!” Cried Ocellus, jumping out in front of her. “Don’t you think you should just calm down a little...?“ Before she could finish, Smolder had enveloped Ocellus into the hardest dive roll, dodging a beam from the colt.

“Name’s Onyx, by the way.” He laughed, as Smolder puffed smoke from her nostrils.
“So why don’t we just settle this outside?!! He yelled, before shooting a laser beam at Smolder, who threw Ocellus from her grasp.

Ocellus, as she regained her balance, cried out. “S-Smolder!” She quickly ran toward the hole in the wall, seeing her crush who made her impact at the base of a now-broken tree. “Oh my gosh, are you okay?!”

“I’m... fine... just- just move.” Smolder urged, standing up. “He’s not gonna mess with you anymore.” She growled, getting into the best fighting stance she could as she grumbled, “You’re lucky I won’t set you on fire.”

“I hope you’re ready-“ he shot another beam before Smolder unleashed a ginormous flame from the depths of her throat and toward that beam. Her throat started hurting while her nose started to bleed. “Just- just give up, dragon!”

Before he could blast Smolder once more, Ocellus tackled him, sending them both tumbling. “Stop fighting! It’s not going to change anything!” She shouted as the colt stood up and wobbled a little.

“Not until we finish...” he growled while smirking. Before he could turn away from Ocellus, he was already blasted by a wave of flames, scorching his mane and tail.

“Thanks for distracting him for me.” She said while walking over to Ocellus.

“You could’ve just let me handle that. You didn’t have to set him on fire.” She groaned.

“You say that now.” Smolder was now glaring at the colt, who was heavily charred and shaking. “I believe there’s someone you need to apologize to.”

The colt looked at Smolder. “You?” He sighed, as Smolder did a face-palm.

“No, you idiot.” She turned him to face Ocellus. “I’m not the one you cheated off of.” She continued, causing Ocellus to blush lightly.

“Fine,” he rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I cheated off you.”

“Like you mean it.” Smolder growled.

“Okay, Okay! I... I apologize for cheating off of you...”

Ocellus sighed. “I forgive you. Sorry for... today.”

“Don’t apologize to him!” Smolder yelled. “Ugh, fine. Just stop cheating off of others.” She said as she let him go. “Alright, see you later, Cel-“

“Not until we talk.” She cut her off as she trotted back into the school, Smolder following closely behind. As they neared her dorm, Ocellus stopped abruptly.

“What’s wrong, cel?”

“Everything! How are we supposed to explain to the teachers that gaping hole In the library wall?!”

“Hey, that wasn’t even my fault.” Smolder deadpanned.

“And the pony you burnt...?” Ocellus added.

“Okay, That was my fault.” She admitted with a sigh.

“What’s gotten into you lately?”

“I don’t know, maybe it’s just me being a dragon.”

“I- That was a joke, wasn’t it...?”

“Yep.” Smolder added, as she and Ocellus were now at her dorm. She unlocked it and opened it, both of them entering the room. She closed the door behind her and turned to Ocellus.

“Okay,” She said. “I’m going to explain this now. What you’re going through are called the Five Stages of Greed.”

“The wha-“

“Let me finish.” Ocellus stated uncharacteristically firmly, causing Smolder to jump uncomfortably. “Right now, you’re on the fifth stage. Very dangerous. That’s why I’m trying to help you.” She stressed this with a lump in her throat. “If you don’t let me, you're going to-“ She paused, the lump in her throat growing bigger while tears formed in her eyes.

Smolder groaned, trying to be the most sympathetic she could. She didn’t think anything would happen to her, so, why would Ocellus bring up something like that? It was probably an excuse for her to get rid of her hoard. She discarded these examples as she hugged Ocellus close. “...There, there...”

Ocellus sniffed. “I’m serious. You’re going to- you’re going to die if you don’t let me help you...” she sniffed again before nuzzling into Smolder’s shoulder, causing her to blush.

“W...What are you trying to say...?” Smolder was now burning up.

“I’m trying to say that... that I...” she choked, her face covered in an endless blanket of teal. “I love you!” She flushed, burying her face in her crush’s chest.

“I... uh...” she stuttered, not sure what to say. Ocellus was now uncomfortable and embarrassed from all the silence, hugging into her chest even more. There was still silence in the air. She took a deep breath, opening her mouth to speak, but as soon as she tried, there was a knock on the door. “Ah, hold on.” Smolder walked toward the door, opening it to the pony on the other side.

“Smolder, I wanna have a talk with you.” Said Twilight Sparkle, disappointment clearly worn on her face.

“...Okay, I guess.” She said as she walked with her to her office. As they arrived, Twilight sat on her desk while looking sternly at Smolder.

“It has come to my attention that you’ve been getting into fights lately.” Twilight discussed. Smolder winced. She knew she was going to get in trouble eventually, and she thought that she didn’t care. Maybe something changed about her. Maybe it was wearing off. Thanks to Ocellus. “Onyx reported to me that you’ve been repeatedly picking fights with him, along with setting him on fire.”

Smolder groaned, slamming her head on the desk. “He told you that...?”

“Three weeks detention,” she replied, eliciting a smaller groan from Smolder.

Ocellus sat in the middle of Smolder’s dorm, having a near heart attack. She was hyperventilating out of control, set on edge by what could happen to Smolder if she continued any further. As she continued to panic, there was another knock on the door.

”Who else...?” she thought, opening the door to what turned out to be Gallus.

“Whoa. Didn’t know you’d be in here.” He deadpanned, Ocellus tapping a hoof impatiently.

“Why wouldn’t I be in here...?” She replied, stamping her hoof lightly.

“Because you’re not supposed to be?” Gallus replied, scratching his head.

“Oh, right...” she rubbed her hoof on another, grinning sheepishly.

“So, where’s the pyro?” Gallus inquired while looking around for Smolder, searching under her bed covers.

“She’s- busy.”

“I’m guessing she wasn’t busy sleeping.” He joked, causing Ocellus to giggle.

“No, she’s just... doing stuff... you know her.” She giggled nervously while darting her eyes around.

“Definitely.” He replied, suspicious of Ocellus’s reply. “Something’s going on with her. Come on, Ocellus.” Ocellus didn’t even reply. All she could muster was a simple squeak.

“Let’s go. Everyone else should be pretty keen on helping her out.”

“But-“

“Huh?”

“But shes going through... a lot.”

“Like what?” He asked.

“Like-“ she stuttered.

“Like... hormones...?”

“NO!” Ocellus yelped, her face burning up.

“Then... she’s looking for a mate or something...?”

Ocellus squeaked again, blushing even more. “N-No... at least I don’t think so...” She plopped down on her rump while tapping her hooves together. “Look, the point is,” she breathed. “Smolder is going through some phases. if we don’t save her in time, she could seriously hurt herself.”

“...So she’s not having hormones...?”

“No!” She screamed, blushing even harder.

“I mean, she seems to be around you a lot more than usual.” He chuckled, causing Ocellus to swat at him defensively.

“H-Hush!!!” She hissed, still swatting at him.

As she continued to futilely attack him, who was in stitches, they heard Smolder unlock and open the door. “Hey guys.” She sighed, closing the door behind her.

“S-So... what’s the verdict?” Ocellus asked her while trotting over to her supportively.

“Three weeks detention,” she replied. “All because of that leech.”

“Leech?” Gallus repeated, putting a claw to his chin. “Who..?”

“She got into a fight.” Explained Ocellus.

“Oh.”

“That reminds me, Gallus,” Smolder interjected. “What are you doing in here?!”

“Uh-“ Gallus tried to explain, failing as Smolder cut him off.

“Get out!!!” She shouted, shoving him out of the door.

“Wow,” Ocellus giggled. “Who fed you the wrong gemstones this morning?”

“Hardy har, har.” She deadpanned, smiling and rolling her eyes.

“But... h-how do you feel..?”

“I feel fine.” She said, missing the point. “I just- ...Oh.”

Ocellus looked at her. “So, you don’t feel the same way...?” She filled in her answer, turning away dejectedly.

“No! I just... no. That’s not it-“ she replied. “It’s just... I dunno. You kind of threw me off there-“ She stammered. “The point is...” she paused, thinking about how much quality time she had spent with Ocellus. Failing to finish what she said, she hugged Ocellus from behind, nuzzling her cheek as she blushed. “I-I love you too...”

These words caused tears to form in Ocellus’ eyes. She giggled slightly, turning to give Smolder a hug. “Thank you.” She whispered while nuzzling into her neck.

“You said there was these stages I needed to worry about...?”

“I dunno. I mean, you haven’t noticed that your junk pile was missing this whole time.” Ocellus giggled, glancing at the section of the room where Smolder’s hoard once stood.

“What?!” She frantically looked around. “B-But...”

“Shhh.” Ocellus comforted her. “You don’t need it anymore. I mean, you’ve got me...” Ocellus suggested meekly while blushing.

“Of course.” Smolder looked at the ceiling. “Right.”

“So, are you ready to apologize?”

“Let me guess, to you?” Smolder sighed.

“Nope.” She replied. “I have somecreature else in mind.”

Smolder pouted as she folded her arms. “Why are we here...?” She groaned as they both stood in front of a familiar pony.

“Smolder,” Ocellus urged. “We’re not leaving until you apologize.” She said, gesturing to Onyx, the pony standing in front of them.

“I guess we’re not leaving.” Smolder deadpanned, turning the other way.

“Maybe I should leave,” Onyx chuckled.

“Nope, neither of you are leaving until Smolder apologizes.” Ocellus replied, causing Smolder to snort.

“Fine, but only because I can’t stand to look at your face anymore.” She sighed. “Im... sorry.” She muttered.

“So he can hear you, Smolder.”

“I’m sorry!” She shouted.

“I forgive you.” He whispered, chuckling at her.

Ocellus giggled. “Okay, we can go now.” Ocellus giggled some more as Smolder grunted.

Once they arrived at Smolder’s dorm again, She plopped on her bed. “So,” she started. “We’re a couple now...?”

“Maybe.” she added while playfully nuzzling her.

“Definitely.” She breathed, her face burning into a crimson inferno.

“Mmhm.” Ocellus replied, snuggling up to Smolder. “So, what do we do now?”

“Depends.” Smolder started. “What do you feel like doing...?”

“I feel like cuddling.” She whispered, snuggling up to her some more.

“I can see that.” Smolder whispered back. Ocellus decided to take charge and tackle Smolder onto the bed while weighing her down.

“Then cuddle me, you doofus.” She added playfully. “You’re not a doofus.” She giggled, smooching her on her neck.

“You don’t treat me like one,” Smolder chuckled. “Or, at least not how I’d treat a doofus.”

“Mm, hush.” Ocellus kissed Smolder once more.

“Man, I haven’t eaten at all today.”

“Seriously!?” Ocellus exclaimed, jumping up instantly.

“I honestly haven’t eaten in a week.” Smolder replied.

Ocellus grabbed her claw as she rushed her into the kitchen. “Hold on, I’ll make you something to eat.”

“It’s... really not that serious.”

“Okay, I know me might not have any gemstones, but I think we might-“

“OCELLUS!!!” Smolder shouted, causing her girlfriend to stop dead in her tracks. “Calm down. Let’s just go find something for me to eat, like, a restaurant.”

“Are... are you asking me on a date?” Ocellus blushed, rubbing her hoof, while Smolder froze.

“I-I guess...” She stammered.

“Well, I’ll get ready.” Ocellus giggled, heading to her dorm to change.

“Um-“ Before Smolder could explain, Ocellus was well on her way, kissing her cheek as she left. Smolder was set on edge.

“See you there, Smoldy~” Ocellus winked at Smolder as she left, her first attempt at being flirtatious.

“S-See you there...” she muttered under her breath, blushing heavily.

Author's Notes:

So, this story wasn’t a total train wreck. If you made it to the end, thank you. I appreciate you for reading this story. I tried to do a little better on it by adding a little more depth to it, and making Ocellus a little less... Emotional. Anyway, looking back on all the stories I’ve made before just made me cringe. It was like having Vietnam flashbacks.(That was a joke.) So, I tried to improve a bit, and move out of my comfort zone. Hopefully you enjoyed. Bonus chapter coming soon!