>You were tired. You wanted to go home. Put this entire ordeal behind you and sleep it off in a week or two.
>Landing at the mouth of the cave you looked inward. Nothing but scattered treasure and blackness greeted you.
>Memories of what had transpired before your greed induced rage came back. The fury of having your sanctum defiled by interlopers, panic in losing what you treasured most in this new world and most of all contempt for everything with reach of your claws.
>Hesitating, you let out a long sigh as you turned away from the cave. It was just starting to turn dark but try as you may, you weren't ready to settle in since there was business to attend to. The small town below started to come to life as lights popped on to drive away the darkness.
>Getting a good look at the destruction you caused, guilt wracked your brain as came to terms that you had to set things right.
>Begrudgingly, you took flight again and headed for the Ponyville.
>Seeing your shadow glide across the ground, you were well aware of the shock and panic the ponies were already experiencing.
>Ignoring the passing screams, you set your sights on a very gaudy crystal, treecastle thing off the edge of town. You had recalled Spike mentioning the new home literally sprouting out of the ground after a seed of sorts was planted.
>Wonders truly never cease in this strange, alien land.
>Landing outside the main door, you raise your talons to knock when a voice greets you sharply.
"Who goes there?! Speak your business!"
>Recognizing the voice instantly you roll your eyes and play along.
>"Anonymous the Red and you know exactly why I'm here."
>You see a little purple head pop over the balcony edge and look you over. Giving you a nod, the main door opens and Twilight walks out. Her face is wracked with aggravation.
"Tell him he can play door keeper once and it suddenly goes to his head."
>She looks up to you, a mixture of greeting and apprehension showing on her face.
"Wel-welcome back Anonymous. I wasn't expecting you so soon."
>She must not have been informed by Celestia you had left on rather amicable terms.
>"Neither was I. Truth be told i would have rotted away in that miserable little stone prison had it not been for some outside elements seeing to my escape. Let's cut to the chase before I change my mind about this. I'm here to make amends in any manner suitable."
>Twilight looked shocked as you started laying out details on your escape from prison and your confrontation with her mentor.
>Spike greets you outside as well and you notice his smile despite previous circumstances.
>"I believe I have you to thank for finding a means of escape earlier. Though your messenger could have been of better choice."
"It's what friends are for."
>His large, goofy grin stirs something inside you. It was...unsettling.
>"Yes, quite. Tracing steps back to the matter at hand. I was told that I should find a means of safely helping the locals in making amends of this situation. As you can quite guess, I have several ideas but I don't think they would kindly take to the idea of a fully grown dragon walking about town unaccounted for."
"But you wouldn't be unaccounted for. We could just tell them we're in charge of you as you are going through your reform program."
>Twilight's face beamed as her assistant came up with a rather ingenious plan.
>"So we basically treat me as on some sort of probation program? Not the best solution but I'm open to the idea."
>How soon you would grow to regret those words.
>The townsfolk were very skittish at first. A dragon being claimed to undergo reforming thanks to Princess Twilight's lessons on friendship had been a hard sell but the seed was planted and slowly it took root for them to get used to you.
>Being mainly utilized for manual labor, you've come to realize the extent which claws and digits on them were far superior to hooves.
>Slowly but surely, you were winning the town over but as always, xenophobia ran thick here. Only so much damage to be healed at a time. The children seemed interested in you at least. Not often do they get to interact with a large, flying, fire breathing lizard.
>After your first week you felt more warm smiles greet your approach than icy stares. It wasn't easy but with your help you had managed to largely fix the damage you caused or improved enough to make a difference.
>Nightfall came and those who wanted to enjoy the fruits of their labors were headed out to enjoy the nightlife. Seeing young couples enjoying themselves reminded of something you no longer had. Wanting to distance yourself from the others, you went to the edge of town, a look of want on your face as you stared at the moon.
"Something troubling you Anonymous? You have this very dour look on your maw."
>Snapping out of your spell, you turn to see a white unicorn with a purple mane. Diamonds adorned her flank.
>"Just thinking of times long gone."
"Oh, I see. Well when you're done with all that do try to make an appearance at the party. Spike has worked quite hard to make you the talk of the town and would love to see you there. Such the little gentleman, he would love nothing more than his beloved teacher to come to a social event."
>Her posture told you there was something else she wanted to discuss.
>"If that's all, tell him I'll be there in a short while. Every now and then I tend to enjoy some personal time for myself so I shouldn't be long."
>You noted the unicorn's slow retreat away as you went back to your thoughts. Spike has been quite busy trying to rebuild your image. You owed it to him that much to pay a visit at least. Show you cared a little.
>Turning to follow you stopped when a familiar serpent caught your eye. With a playful gesture he materialized in front of you.
"Hello again nonny the red. How are you? Love what you've done with the place. Really. Gives the town that 'I survived a dragon rampage and got this t-shirt' feeling.
>You weren't going to enjoy this.
>You ignored the little jab the stranger made at your recent destructive tendency. He was one to get under skin, nothing more than a parasite.
>"You again? I would guess thanks are in order for what you did for me earlier but our business is done now. Begone, your incessant little games annoy me."
"Oh but we were just starting to have fun. See I want to play a game. You do like games don't you? Of course, I mean this whole charade of yours is a game after all."
>"What are you getting at?"
"Why the ignoring your true nature. Don't be silly, you didn't really think this kind of life was meant for you. After all, you're so different from all the others. Dragon or not."
>It gave you a smirk and started to circle you, as if trying to appraise you to some measure.
>"If all you're trying to do is bother me, it's working."
>The creature gave you the feeling of a cat that just found a new toy, something to bat around and play with before disposing of it.
"Now now, no need to be rude. We're all friends here after all. Don't want to lose our temper and get hot headed."
>You could feel your mouth slowly open from instinct, bearing your teeth as to drive away an intruder. Taking notice, you quickly close it.
>The more you let the creature circle you, the more threatened you felt. With every gesture, every sentence, you got more agitated. Like he was purposefully trying to see how far you could be pushed.
>"Stop! I'm done listening to you prattle on. I'm expected elsewhere and I'll not ruin this evening spending anymore time with something like you."
>Turning back towards the awaiting party, Discord materializes in front of you again.
"I'm not trying to be a nuisance. Mostly. But I'm trying to help you. Look around you, this whole town is nothing more than a stack of straw just waiting for a match. You don't want to hurt anyone do you? Of course not but you can't help being what you are."
>For whatever reason, you kept listening. As if entranced, you couldn't move away. His words had flawed yet sensible logic, you couldn't make heads or tails of what his goal was.
>"And what am I exactly?"
"I was hoping you'd be able to answer that yourself. See, you intrigue me. There's something unique about you that I can't quite put my paw on."
>He appeared behind you now, lifting and lowering your tail.
"You have the demeanor and temper of a dragon BUT there's something more. Quite a mystery. Otherworldly even."
>His poking and prodding with words started to hit uncomfortable territory.
>"I'm done letting you ramble on. Out of my way."
>Flicking your tail out of his claws you head towards the waiting crowd you see in the distance.
"Then I guess that little rock of yours has no significant value?"
>You stopped dead cold.
>You turn back to him and get down to his level, your maw mere feet away from his face.
>"Choose your next words. Carefully."
>Venom and raw malice dripped from your statement. This, thing, has overstepped it's bounds and you were done playing along.
"Tsk tsk, now what would our dear Celestia think if she saw you like this? Acting all brutish over a gaudy piece of sparkling dirt. You should really learn to lighten up."
>You paused as Celestia was mentioned. You had to be reminded of possible consequences should you lose control again. SO, that was this creature's game.
>"Hmm. You almost had me going there. Quite the little actor are we?"
>Picking your head up you turn around and leave. A feeling of triumph beating in your chest, you allowed yourself a rare smirk.
>Discord was left to simply watch you leave.
"Oh yes, definitely most intriguing."
>For the most part, the party was a lively affair. The ponies enjoyed themselves with drinks and foods unknown to you. Several attempts were made for you to try several pastries but the sugary taste didn't sit well with you.
>You attempted to make small talk with what locals were brave enough to draw near but for the most part they enjoyed a relative safe distance from you, which was understandable but a little disheartening.
>Spike at least came over to you when he could, checking on you and introducing you to his other friends. Fruitless yes but you let him try, at least to not make the night a bore.
>With the party winding down you watched as the locals slowly dispersed to their own homes. Spike came over to you with something tucked behind his back.
"I know things have been rough these last few days, so I made you something as a sort of thank you. For everything."
>He held out a small jewel. On it were some carvings, little land masses unfamiliar to those that were on the jewel of your own.
>"What's this?"
"It's supposed to be Equestria. Twilight told me that Flourite would be the easiest to use so I figured since you couldn't find the gem of your old home, you could have a gem of your new one."
>Home. Maybe this could really become your home?
>"Thank you Spike. It's, it's very kind of you."
>You patted him on the head and held the jewel gently in the other claw. The white unicorn from before was coming over to you, her more fearful side replaced with one of a soft smile.
"Ah, there you are. It's well past your bedtime. Little dragons need their sleep to grow up big and strong. Twilight gave me strict instructions to make sure you were well taken care of while she was on business in Canterlot. Now off to bed with you. Go on!"
>Rarity nudged Spike along to her boutique despite his protests and then came back to you.
"I wanted to thank you before, for all the help you've done here. Ponyville may not be exactly the same as it was before but these wounds will heal. I must say, you're not exactly what I pictured when the gossip mongers whispered about you. You're actually quite kind for a dragon, scholarly even. Sweetie belle talked my ears off when she came home from one of your sessions with Spike. Going on and on about these fanciful stories and lessons you were saying. Perhaps there's a gentle soul deep down underneath all those scales."
>"I'm simply trying to instill what wisdom I can into an eager, young mind. That's all. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Just one more thing, you were talking to somepony else shortly after I left. I could hear from half the town over it wasn't a pleasant conversation, are you sure you're alright?"
>"Yes, just a slight disagreement. That's all. Tell Spike I'll see him soon."
>You left in a hurry to make for home. Getting to the mouth of the cave, you dragged the boulder aside to reopen it.
>Greeted again with treasure scattered about, you made your way to where the glass case originally resided. Having cleaned up the broken pieces several days ago, all that was left was a stone pillar.
>Gently resting Spike's gift on it, you stared at it blankly for a while. Perhaps this little land could be called home for something like yourself. Higher powers willing, you may not be able to remember who you used to be but there's still the chance of becoming what you wanted to be.
>Resting your head on your arms, you drifted off to have a much needed sleep.