Title:           Scholar with Scales pt2
Author:          Kurgash
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/h4ZAVe9i
First Edit:      Friday 21st of November 2014 09:38:09 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Friday 28th of November 2014 01:38:15 AM CDT
 
>It's been a short while since you began to have regular sessions with Spike. Begrudging at first but the tenacious little dragon proved to be an eager student. You even began to enjoy it.
>You slowly turned the lessons of being a dragon, the original topic slowly having run out of material given your lack of knowledge, into more so teaching about your world since he pestered you relentlessly with questions about it.
>Slowly as the lessons took root, you were able to remember a little more about yourself as time went on, as if collecting the scattered pieces to rebuild the whole image. You would never fully recover but anything was better than nothing you supposed.
>Today you were again in the forest. It was spacious and your wings were in need of a stretch.
"So at one point the entire known world was conquered by a vast empire? What happened? Are they still in charge today?"
>Rome. A subject that seemed to bring with it a steady stream of memories. It was how you learned that your subject of choice was History.
>"It grew too large to manage. Soon it fractured into two empires and with it stability was lost. A prime example that we sometimes grab too much and cannot hold it."
>Much like Spike's habit of stuffing too much into his mouth at once. You would work on manners someday. Maybe when he's older.
"Why did your kind conquer one another? Weren't they happy already? I mean, I understand the need to make sure your people are happy and taken care of but there could be better ways than war. Did friendship not exist where you come from?"
>"Sadly we are a very xenophobic lot, clutching closely those that share only our own ideals and languages. We had a saying: 'those who are not with us, are against us'. Friendship did indeed exist but it was more circumstantial. A mutual benefit if you would."
>Spike bombarded you with question after question. You filled in the blanks where you could but soon his over enthusiasm proved too much.
"You have to go already? We were just starting to have fun! Ok, next time tell me all about those Dark Ages you mentioned. Where your world had it's own knights and dragons, I want to hear what they were like!"
>"In due time. For now, let's get you back. Twilight must be getting worried."
>Picking up your student, you drop him off at the edge of town. Despite your calmed demeanor you were still viewed with suspicion and fear by the ponies and it would certainly raise a commotion if you were to fly overhead.
"So next time, would it be alright if I brought some friends with me? I mean, you like teaching so I figure the more the merrier."
>You didn't hate the idea but then again you weren't a baby sitter.
>"I'll think about it. I'm not so sure how the ponies will take to the idea of their young playing around a dragon. Much less being educated by one"
"Well I'm a dragon and they don't mind me."
>He's got you there.
>"Take care Spike. I'll let you know next time."
>He ran excitedly into town as you headed back into the forest, drinking in the scenery. Coming to the open field where you first took Spike for lessons, you could almost imagine setting up a sort of primitive classroom like the ones you had back home.
>Home. Yes, it was time to head back. You needed to rest, having been sucked dry of energy from an information sponge. You couldn't help but admire his desire to learn. He truly was starting to come around as a faithful student.
>Your faithful student...
>You were awoken to the sound of a peculiar noise. Again. A repeating trend was beginning to form.
>Dragging yourself from your stupor you were greeted once again by Spike. And tiny ponies. You could feel the frown creeping on your face.
>"I thought we discussed this Spike? That I would contemplate on whether to take on more students given that I already have my time monopolized by you."
>Spike started to laugh nervously.
"Well yes you said that but see, they were really excited when I started to go tell them about you."
>You wanted to scold Spike but you notice the three young ponies staring at you with a thousand yard stare. A pegasus, unicorn and plain one. It kind of disturbed you the way they sat in total silence as you went back and forth lecturing Spike.
>"Can I, help you somehow?" The silence was instantly broken.
"What kind of dragon are you?"
"Do you fly?"
"Have you set any ponies on fire?"
"Would we get our cutie marks if we became dragon slayers?"
"What do dragons eat?"
>Their prattling continued on without end, a colossal migraine brewing as you tried to absorb and break down their non-stop verbal assault.
>"Enough!" They stopped and looked back up at you, again with that thousand yard stare children have. If you had skin, goosebumps would start prickling.
>"Now I understand Spike said some things about possibly me teaching more than just him but for now I assure you I simply do not have the capability to do so."
>Or the patience.
>Their look of disappointment pained you but sometimes you had to be tough. The little earth horse's lip started to quiver.
"So you're not going to teach us dragon things? We were really interested and it might even help us get our cutie marks."
>A low groan escapes your throat. Surely a few more couldn't hurt. You would just have to figure out how to keep them together and safe during travel.
>"Alright. Fine. You win. We'll call this a trial session." You give Spike a look and take the fillies on board.
>You decided to take your small field trip to just an open field.
>It was spacious, your cargo couldn't get lost and any perceivable threats were in plain sight.
>The only problem was so were you but surely being a scaly, fire breathing lizard with wings that wouldn't be a problem.
>Setting the girls down, Spike takes the opportunity to slide down your back off your tail like a simple slide. Giving it a sharp flick, you send the message that you aren't a playground.
"So what does a dragon do all day exactly? M'ah sister said you mostly just lay around in your cave sleeping, leaving it only to take away livestock."
>Charming. The little earth pony already stereotyped you as some winged creature of the night snatching your meals as you pass by.
>"I haven't had beef in a long while mind you. Mostly the odd traveler or caravan passing through, I try to keep to a mineral diet but one can't live off rocks forever." You give Spike a grin as by now he knew your brand of humor.
>The unicorn and earth pony giggled at your attempt of a fierce portrayal but the little pegasus seemed more so enthralled than frightened.
"So you really just swoop down and breathe fire on whatever you want? Grabbing your victims to be hastily devoured in a sea of sharp teeth?!"
>Where do they get these ideas?
>"I-uh no, see let's move on. Why exactly did you want to join Spike in today's lesson?"
"Well he told us all about the stories you shared with him and tales from a faraway land. We were hoping that maybe expanding our horizon of learning might yield new ways to develop methods of getting our cutie marks."
>It took you a few moments to digest all the information pouring from the unicorn. It was clear she was the one who reads in their little trio.
>"What exactly is so important about these cutie marks? You've mentioned them several times as if they were the end all be all, that you had to have them."
"Having a cutie mark basically means you've found your calling, the talent that you're good at."
>Predetermined abilities that manifest themselves when you're young so you are set on a career path for the rest of your life? Sounds familiar.
>"So you're trying to see if anything you gain here will help you in seeing what you will do for the rest of your life?"
>You notice their enthusiasm at the idea. Perhaps there are some who just want to grow up fast.
"The rest of our class has already gotten their cutie marks. We're the only ones left. Some of them even call us blank flanks to remind us of it."
>So that's it. Bullied for being different. Doesn't that hit home.
>"You shouldn't worry about circumstances beyond your control. Just enjoy yourselves and in due time you'll find what you're looking for. As unfortunate as it seems, those that are different come under scrutiny and become the subject of gossip. If you're looking for your cutie marks to simply avoid being bullied then it will feel hollow and unappreciated when you get them. Simply let them occur and enjoy them when it happens. It's best to not rush a crucial part of your life."
>The little ponies sat in contemplation as they tried to absorb your words. You weren't entirely fluent in the subject of magical talent but you knew that rushing to get old was always for the wrong reasons.
"So we should just stop trying to find our cutie marks and just let it happen? What about the club?"
>The earth pony caught you flat footed. They made a club about this whole ordeal?
>"No, not at all. Er, just understand the reason you're trying so hard to find your special talents. Make sure it's not for nothing."
>The more you stayed in this world, the more confused you became as you interacted with it's inhabitants. At least your message seemed to have cheered up the little trio.
>You decided to spend the rest of the day entertaining the blanket of questions about what it was like being a dragon. Apparently breathing fire was a fascinating topic for them.
>Noticing it was starting to get dark, you brought them to the edge of town and bid them farewell.
"Take care Mr. Anon! You're not the scary monster everyone made you out to be, you're really nice!"
>The small unicorn ran off to her home leaving you to absorb what she said. A pained expression slowly took hold as Spike came up to you before heading off as well.
"Hey, you ok?"
>You look ahead still at the bustling town of small, equine creatures.
>"Spike. Am I a monster?"
>Your question surprised him.
"Oh don't listen to the rumors from town. They don't know you like we do. The girls thought you were scary at first but after a short while they liked you. You're not a monster. You're my friend and teacher!"
>His childlike logic did have merit but you were still concerned with how you were regarded by the rest of the town. One step at a time, they'll come around to you. Change is painful after all.
>"Thank you Spike. Perhaps I'm letting local gossip simply get the better of me. Take care, I'll see you soon."
>You made for your cave and settle down on your treasure pile, hoping with some rest you could forget the evening.
>Only..something was off. You couldn't help but shake the feeling there was something wrong. It didn't feel like it normally did.
>Rummaging around you discovered things were not where you left them or even worse entirely missing. Small knickknacks or cut gemstones were strewn about as if they were picked through by something. Or someone.
>You started to develop a small panic as more and more you found things were missing. Your things. Hastily scattering odd trinkets all over the cave you realized something else was missing. Unleashing a gout of flame from your mouth you discover the one thing you treasured most was missing and it's enclosure smashed on the ground.
>You always took great care to not get absorbed in primal urges.
>Ever since the ultimatum you respected the distance from the town and kept to yourself to avoid trouble.
>But now, someone decided to invade your private sanctum. To steal from you.
>"Thieves!" Your voice bellowed across the mountain side as you tore your door away to let the world know of your anger.
>A thunderclap echoed across the night sky as you took off, consumed in primal fury akin to the species you were. Down below you saw the town slowly come to life in the dead of night as it's denizens were alerted that something terrible was coming.
>Landing in the town square your eyes quickly scanned for any possible hiding places, logic completely abandoned in your search to reclaim what was stolen. Draconic greed and malice pumping steadily in your blood you smashed apart carts and shopping stalls in your juvenile tantrum.
>"Where is it? Where are you little thieves hiding it?" Barely able to form coherent sentences, you were reduced to a berserk animal as you sprayed the skyline with fire to illuminate where it might be hidden. You cared little if several homes were aflame in the process.
>The ponies fled in terror as you laid waste to whatever was within reach. A sudden jolt caught your attention long enough to turn to find a small winged unicorn standing alone before you.
>"Where is it little insect? Where is my treasure?" What manner of composure you had was abandoned as now something dared to threaten your search.
>Twilight only gave you a sorrow filled stare as her horn started to glow.
>Firing a burst of flame at her, you were beyond approach as you vented your rage at her.
>A shield was raised around her as the flames passed harmlessly around, scorching the earth pitch black.
"We warned you Anonymous. I told you that there would be consequences should you grow to be out of control of your temperamental urges and become a threat to Ponyville."
>A surge of magic struck your underbelly sending sensations of painful stings all over.
>Raking where she stood with your talons, you only grabbed clumps of dirt as she moved herself behind you to again unleash her magic on you.
"Anonymous! Twilight! Stop!"
>Another purple creature came into view. Something familiar. Your jaw glowed as you unleashed another spray, directed at it.
>He was enveloped in a shield as Twilight reacted just in time. Losing focus long enough, you blind sided her with your tail to knock her away. Spike ran to her as the shield collapsed, putting himself in front of her.
"Please Anonymous, remember. Don't be the monster everyone thinks you are."
>You paused at his words, something slowly taking root. Your rage boiled again and you smacked him away, leaving him sprawled out on the ground as you towered over the injured princess.
>With a cry of pain she cast a final spell on you. Fully enclosed in a shield, you tore at it with blind fury. Slowly becoming exhausted, you realized you couldn't breathe and each strike lost strength behind it as you slumped to the ground, your vision blurring.
>The small purple dragon caught your view as your eyelids closed in unconsciousness, watching him slowly get up from your hit.
>"Spike....my faithful student."