Title:           Scholar with Scales pt3
Author:          Kurgash
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/xSfzxDQm
First Edit:      Monday 1st of December 2014 11:50:42 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Monday 1st of December 2014 11:50:42 PM CDT
 
>To say you awoke in clarity would be a far cry from the truth.
>Consciousness slowly crept on you as your body returned to a state of awareness. Thoughts racing as you were thrown into disarray recalling the events prior to what is going on in the now.
>Nothing. Nothing but flashes of images you struggle to comprehend. It was like waking up for the first time in this strange new world. Perhaps you were reborn again?
>Your sight failed you as you could only see pitch black. Trying to move, you were greeted with the cold sensation of metal around your neck and the sound of chains.
>Pulling on the confinement revealed that your limbs suffered a similar fate as well as your wings. Held tight, you could barely move your head off the floor.
>Animal instincts of fear took hold and unfamiliar sounds escaped your throat followed by small eruptions of flame to illuminate your surroundings.
>Metal bars in the distance greeted your eyes as you became aware of your disposition: you were a prisoner.
>Summoning the strength to fire a more concentrated burst, you felt sharp prongs awaiting your neck as you drew in breath.
"I wouldn't do that, you might hurt yourself."
>The smell of the intruder was unfamiliar. It was a chaotic blend of different animals and scents. Rotten yet sweet.
>"And who would be the one to tell me what I can and cannot do?"
>A sensation of weight resting on your head, you could feel someone or something taking residence on you.
"Oh just a humble creature, far from the magnificence that is a dragon."
>The words seemed serpentine, dancing around the question yet giving you just enough.
>"Be plain with your words, cease with your riddles little worm. I've no time for games."
"Hmm. But it would seem in your current condition you have all the time in the world now. Confined down here with your shiny new chains and choker."
>The stranger leaped off your head and landed in front of you, just out of claw's reach.
"And to think I had the decency to come check on you. What after that whole show you put on in Ponyville, I'd be surprised if anyone dared to see you again."
>The words stung as the truth sunk in. You recalled losing yourself to complete draconic fury and lashing out at the nearest thing you could find.
>"So this is to be my fate now? Locked away like some beast that bit the hand that fed it?"
>A snort was heard and a flash of light caught your eyes.
"Now where's the fun in that? No, I'm sure the royals up there are deciding what to do with you properly. Even now I can see the garden being prepped for it's newest statue. Oh the pigeons will just love you!"
>This brand of humor was familiar but grating.
"If you ask me, I don't see any reason to punish at all. You were simply being a dragon, can't be held accountable for that. It's not like there's more to you than you're letting on? Just a simple monster living in his cave above town, comes down to wreak havoc when he chooses to do so."
>"Enough with your words. You didn't come here to simply mock me at your own leisure, staying just out of reach."
>If he was a few feet closer you would have snapped at him, choker prongs be damned.
>Another flash of light and he was now in the shadows, still to not reveal himself.
"How boring. Fine, you've found me out. I'm here to offer you a choice, a second chance if you would. You're in a very precarious position and I came to help at the request of a proprietor I'd rather not mention."
>"I'm listening."
"You can either stay here for who knows how long until they remember you're down here and figure out what to do with you OR you could escape and figure out what to do from there."
>Considering your wealth of choices it was clear what you would do.
>"That's all well and good but the problem with your little deal is I'm bound and shackled here."
>Another flash of light and a weight was lifted from your frame.
"It's all taken care of. Now I trust you won't disappoint me. The rest is up to you."
>You could crush him in an instant, a simple swipe but you didn't. Something told you there was no harm in his actions.
>"What do you stand to gain from all this? Surely you aren't the charitable type?"
>The stranger stepped forward, his form a distorted mess of animals fused together. His face curled into a smile with a single snaggle tooth protruding out.
"My scaly friend, I'll have you know that not too long ago I too was a miscreant, doing what I will with no concern for my actions. Imprisoned but I was given a second chance I rightfully didn't deserve. But someone trusted me, believed I could change. Sure I let them down but in time I realized how much weight a little faith placed on you has. That same faith is being placed on you, I trust you know what to do with it."
>He was gone shortly after his little speech. You could only suspect who put him up to the task of setting you free. Gathering your wits, you appraised your holdings and the bars in front. They were clearly more for ornament or weaker beings as they were torn from the wall with a simple strike.
>Voices of alarm sounded after your announcement of freedom. You weighed your options.
>A set of spiral stairs seemed to be your only escape. Large enough to squeeze through, you could only imagine the effort to get you down here. Surely magic had to compensate.
>Snapped out of your musings, a pair of guard ponies greeted you with fearful but stalwart defensive postures. Their spears raised up in hopes to dissuade you from attacking.
>You brushed them aside with your wing, taking care to not injure them. Barreling down the main halls, you soon became lost. There were no windows to escape from and all the doors looked the same. Finally coming to a large wooden door, you were greeted on the other end with another winged unicorn. A milky white horse with a mane of flowing rainbow.
>Her expression was more concern than shock. Several guards stood by and slowly approached, ready to defend their charge at all costs.
"You can stand down. This isn't necessary."
>Slowly backing away, they gave her worried looks.
"It would seem you found a way to free yourself. I trust you know the circumstances and why I'm quite troubled in what to do next. Given your recent rampage in Ponyville, leaving you unattended will have serious consequences. I cannot allow you to go about endangering anypony else."
>Her words were motherly and filled with concern. You approached her slowly before resting a few paces away from her throne.
>"I don't want to fight you little horse but if you're barring my freedom I will go through you."
>A smile adorned her face now.
"But you won't. Because that's not the person you are. You're more of a scholar than a soldier, right Anonymous?"
>Her words caught you off guard.
>"And what would make you believe that? I'm a beast, a great monster from the mountains. That's what you ponies think of me. It's how I was shackled in your pit like some damned animal!"
>Flames started licking from your mouth as your temper started to flare.
"Given your nature we had to take precaution. You had already lost yourself to your dragon side once."
>"And what exactly do you know of my nature? I'm nothing more than a flying lizard wreathed in flame."
>She slowly walked toward you and placed her horn on you. You wanted to pull away but you were held in place as a soothing sensation enveloped you.
"I know that deep inside, there is a wounded soul of someone lost and unsure."
>Her words slowly tore down your walls and you relaxed at her touch.
"Spike has told me a great deal about you in his letters. How you've given him hope that he too will overcome his fears and achieve what he sets his mind to. Despite your appearance you've displayed very curious habits for a dragon that had taken to instilling lessons to a younger mind."
>You are reminded of all the sagely advice given to Spike, how you took up from your experiences as a human and translating them into making him a better dragon. The sort of noble dragon he claimed he wanted to be originally.
"From one teacher to another, I know how much you want for him to grow and strive to better himself. It's what drives all of us when we take another under our tutelage."
>"So what am I to do now then? Given my recent tantrum I doubt I can show myself near the town or even expect Spike to want to see me again."
"I'm sure you will find a way to make amends. After all, he was the one who put Discord up to freeing you to begin with. Although the little rampage through my halls was not part of the plan."
>"If everything you say is true, still, what happens should I go out of control again? Surely you can't account for good behavior from here on out?"
"Then the pigeons will have a new roosting spot in the garden."
>The grin on her face amid the severity of the issue troubled you more if she was serious or not.
>"So that's it? I'm simply to leave and start all over? This almost seems too good to be true."
"Quite the contrary, I expect you to do everything you can to help fix the damage you've done, both physically and mentally. Do your best now."
>"I'll consult Twilight on what to do to help the town through proxy. I doubt they'd enjoy my presence so soon."
"Do what it takes. I would like to see this problem resolved sooner rather than later. Also to avoid further damage the balcony is to the left. Try not to tear up the carpet on your way out."
>Her smile was haunting as you left. The entire time during your exchange you could tell he bargained from a position of strength, at a moment's notice capable of putting you back in your cell or worse.
>Back at the castle Celestia watched as Anonymous took flight and made for home.
"That could have gone better. I could have sworn at the moment he started spitting fire you looked concerned."
>Celestia kept looking outward, not turning to her new guest.
"Was it really necessary to incite him to such extremes? You know the danger he represents. We can't have a dragon running about unchecked, even if it's true he's not of our world the fact remains he's dangerous.
>Discord falls back on a newly materialized chair, soda cup and snacks in hand.
"You have to admit he put on quite the show. Who'd have thought all it took was rummaging through his things, especially taking that gaudy orb he kept in glass. You should have seen the look on his face, it was like taking a child's favorite toy away."
>Celestia turned to Discord, concern and anger on her face.
"And how exactly did you know this would set him off? Even for you, this was no random act."
>Discord snapped his fingers and the walls of her room were replaced with all manner of ears.
"I believe this metaphor speaks for itself. I do love eavesdropping on a bit of gossip between friends, especially when they're secrets discussed with our newest little princess."
>Celestia restored the state of her walls and worry took hold.
"And where is his treasure now? I'd like you to return it lest we have another episode."
>Discord scoffed.
"And here I thought you would enjoy the idea of keeping a dragon in your hoof."
>Celestia grew furious.
"At the risk of countless ponies, I would never hope to use something like him as a mere pawn. The very idea is appalling! I want you to return it to him at once."
>Discord rolled his eyes and materialized Anonymous' globe.
"See, it's right here. No harm, no foul. All the dramatics over a chunk of gemstone. I'll never understand dragons."
>Celestia stared at the globe, her features reflecting off the various surfaces and landmarks. The entire thing looked completely alien to her.
"When I talked with him, there was definitely more than just a dragon inside. It will be a struggle but if this is anything to go by, he has the capability of holding himself together and keeping his wits. At least I hope so."
>Discord takes away the globe in a flash of light again.
"If there is anything to be learned here is that nothing is beyond redemption. Take me for example."
"Sometimes I wonder how reformed you really are."
"You are too cruel Celestia. And here I was going to invite you to tea with Fluttershy."
>With another flash Discord was gone, leaving Celestia alone to her thoughts. She had hoped handling the issue with Anonymous would be less messy but some collateral damage in Ponyville was an unfortunate necessity given the results, she admitted.
>She hated the idea of subterfuge. She also hated the fact she left it up to Discord to handle this issue given he had a very frightful way of getting results. An enraged dragon tearing apart Ponyville was the last thing she wanted to see.
>Still, Anonymous was for the most part contained for now. She knew his motives and given the case Spike defended him amidst this ordeal she could trust in the small dragon to help keep his friend in line.
>All that was left was for him to find a way to discover himself and keep his monstrous side in check.