Inner Dragon Chp. 6

FLASHBACK...



Florentine turned her head upon the mound of grass that had been collected to provide as her bed and speculated the forest surrounding her. The slumber she had just experienced moments before waking up seemed to be one of the best she had thought she ever had.

She had earlier been quite giddy yet calm and somewhat serene to the point taking so much excitement made her ever more desired for a good night's sleep. But waking up now, and feeling a familiar object gently lay upon her chest as she shifted her weight to lean on her back, the emotions came back, and that same smile from earlier shone on her face.

"I can't believe it..." Florentine sighed silently, her fingers tracing the necklace. "I'm one of them now. What's more..."

Her gaze wandered over to a familiar figure who was leaning against a nearby tree, snoring softly and arms folded against his bulk chest. Since the first night Florentine had spent sleeping in this forest, Garble had decided to stay close by. He made it evident how reluctant he was to be 'babysitting' her, but, as Florentine contemplated everything that had occurred between them, she was sure he enjoyed sidling as her nightly company as he does in sunlight. Of course, he wouldn't admit it; she was sure he felt quite embarrassed after confessing.

Florentine's eyes softened as she continued regarding the red teen dragon, her gaze trailing from his broad facial features toward his wings that were tucked behind him. His tail laid limp on the floor as his knees bent in front of him. He looked so peaceful.

The feline female couldn't cease the smile from spreading across her face as she rolled onto her stomach, continuously gazing at him. Finally, she broke away and reached over and plucked a nearby daisy. She let out a deep sigh, her fingers idly flicking its petals.

Then she ate it.

For as long as she could remember, flowers had been her favorite delicacy. And considering this was Equestria, that was about as pony as she could be.

Of course, she had never told Garble or his friends this interest. The leader himself had already stated that he was wrong to consider her pony-ish. So what if Florentine had to hide eating any flowers within her grasp? A small price to pay to be considered a special addition to the gang.

They were now her gang. Her friends. Her...family?

Florentine lowered the decapitated stem as her eyes trailed down to her i-phone, which she had put away after listening to it for some time. Reaching over, she opened to its main page. Then she clicked on 'Camera'. Then clicked through the photo gallery.

A familiar mammoth's furry face came into view, the bright light of the i-phone radiating upon Florentine's face, nearly blinding her.

Her bottom lip quivered before she sucked in her breath, trying to keep calm as she continued regarding the face she had left behind.

"Oh, Gazpacho..." She sighed sadly. "If only you understood how wrong you were."

And her eyes turned toward Garble, and her smile returned, followed by a twinkle in her eyes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight sadly gazed out the window of her library house. Princess Luna's moon shone like a white blanket upon Ponyville and every house in the town had already shut off its light for a good night's sleep.

Except for one.

"Lovely night, isn't it, sweetie?"

The unicorn turned and managed a tiny smile as a green hand handed her a steaming cup of cocoa. She gladly accepted it, the red/fuchsia aura from her horn grasping the cup before her.

"Yeah, I guess it is, Baldwin..." She murmured softly, her eyes casting down and her smile slowly vanishing.

The pregnant male seahorse before her gazed at the pony he was proud to call his daughter figure. He had decided to pay her a visit earlier, feeling that staying in his underwater apartment seemed a bit lonely at this time. When he had arrived at the library, he was quite shocked to find both his beloved pony daughter and her assistant comforting a certain mammoth.

The explanation was just as shocking, and he had given his condolences to Gazpacho, who was now lying on the couch, half-asleep, his dreams clouded with remorse and desperation.

"Flora...my Flora..." The mammoth murmured, his closed eyes tightening as sweat began to seep down the side of his furry face.

Mr. Baldwin gulped, adjusting his glasses before turning back to Twilight. "Are you sure it was wise to send Rocky and the girls out there?" He asked carefully. "I mean, sure, they're not like Apple Bloom and the Crusaders, but still..."

The unicorn sighed sadly, unable to take a sip from her cup. "Rocky and her friends are very close with Florentine. As complicated as it is for a few girls to journey through Equestria to find dragon migration grounds, I know Rocky can lead them off to success. I mean..." She gave her father figure a small smile. "Isn't leadership what Rocky strives at, since she's, you know, a KND operative?"

"You got me there," Mr. Baldwin rubbed his hair-thinning head. Then he smiled back. "But either way, Gazpacho over there." Her jerked his head in the mammoth's direction, who was being comforted by Spike. "I can't imagine how I would feel if I lost you, Twilight." His eyes nearly teared up, and he bit his lip to calm himself. "My daughter. My pony daughter."

Twilight beamed a bit, ever so touched by his words. "Oh, come on, sea daddy," she chuckled, "you never have to worry about me."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Baldwin sighed. Then he smirked. "Still, what I would give to see how you went and 'fired' Rigby and Blondecai for roughing up your house earlier!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I did not 'fire' them," she corrected, "I simply pushed them out the door and threw my money at them before slamming in their faces. There."

"This is exactly why Benson looks up to you," the seahorse smiled, raising his cup in agreement before taking a sip.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRESENT...




"Oh, yeah, Baldwin was the best," Gazpacho chuckled, recalling that memory. "I tell you, he and I get along so well! As palatable as bread and butter!"

"I got to admit," Shining Armor laughed, quirking an eyebrow "you two sure have some things in common."

"Yes, as well as one very important thing," the mammoth said in a steady, hushed tone.

After a few moments, he beamed.

"We both have girls we love very much!"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FLASHBACK...




Florentine sat atop a rock as she held up her i-phone. She gazed at the screen as she focused it on a certain red dragon, keeping cautious he wouldn't take notice of her capturing him in his usual activities.

He was doing simple workout, starting with a few push-ups, followed by the stretching of his wings, then he bent himself back before leaning forward. Finally, he inhaled before releasing.

And Florentine couldn't help but smile. She would have considered taking a video of him, but she decided a picture was all she really needed of the dragon she had began to praise. Garble would become incredibly annoyed if he found himself in front of a camera.

Quietly, Florentine zoomed in a bit further; she made sure to get Garble's face as well as most of his upper body before she clicked her device.

Finally, after a few seconds, the photo was taken. And it was perfect.

The feline couldn't break her gaze away from the accomplishment on her screen. She would consider using it as her background sometime.

However, when she reached her photo gallery, pain struck her deep down.

A familiar furry face appeared onscreen, and Florentine felt her heart tighten even more.

"No, not now..." Florentine muttered, before reaching a finger and sliding the photo away, with another one taking its place.

This next one featured her in her football uniform, surrounded by her team after winning a game where she scored the final touchdown. In the center was her and the coach himself.

Gazpacho smiled, proudly wearing the whistle around his wide neck.

Florentine swallowed hard, then immediately put the phone away.

"Yo, Flors!" She jerked her head in Garble's direction, the red dragon smirking at her. "We're going to take some air." He motioned to her with his arms held out. "Well, don't just stand there! Get over here, unless you prefer to walk!"

Her eyes widened a bit, but then she beamed. Grabbing her bag, she rushed over to him, allowing him to grasp her around the waist.

Soon, his wings unfurled and he slowly lifted them off the ground, following behind the other teen dragons as they raised to the skies in formation.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike's green eyes glistened as they gazed at the clear, blue sky. While on the way to run an errand for Twilight(as well as Gazpacho), he had become so focused on the sky.

As if he was waiting for something. Anything.

Who's to say Garble and his gang weren't inflicting harm on poor Florentine? They nearly tried to emit such actions on Spike himself, as well as his friends who came to rescue him. What if they had crossed paths with Rocky and the girls as well? It's not like the child herself had a horn that could transport them away in an instant.

Maybe the baby dragon should have been more clear with Florentine. True, he wasn't exactly one of the biggest creatures in Equestria, let alone the strongest, and he was sure Florentine sometimes had her doubts about him...

But she was his dear friend. Regardless of each other's impressions, he knew they both considered the other just as special in their own way. Wasn't that the whole reason Florentine had defied Gazpacho and set off to search for Garble and his friends?

Even with her fast legs, sharp claws, and tough attitude, Spike was sure she could possibly be in danger beyond belief.

"Oh, please bring her back!" He practically begged to the sky, clasping his hands together as if forming a prayer. "Please! Please! Please! Make sure she's safe!"

"Uh, who are you talking to?"

Spike turned and smiled in embarrassment as an Earth pony with orange mane and tail casted a confused look down at him.

"Uh, nopony..." He said sheepishly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Although she had rode on a pegasus a number of times, the flight Garble had given was even greater in comparison. And she it all recorded on her phone as well!

Time had really taken flight since they left the mountain(no pun intended), and now they were back in the forest. Garble explained that they simply wanted to relax and other usual laid-back dragon activities. Whatever it was, Florentine was glad to be part of it.

"I got to be honest," Florentine chuckled as she walked alongside Garble as they ventured through the forest as they had usually done, "I never thought I would stay this long out here where you dragon dudes are. I mean, somewhere in the back of my head, I assumed it would simply be a 'sit and run' and that would be it."

Garble chuckled. "Well, kid, you're with us now," he gave her a playful punch on the shoulder, "only a loser coward would run, and trust me, you ain't no loser coward."

"And you're not bad yourself, red," Florentine responded swiftly. "Gazpacho should have totally gotten to know you better before he got all protective and whatever."

The red dragon's smile curved into a frown as her rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Flors, what does it matter what he thinks of me? I mean, come on, compared to us, he looks as if he can't perform a simple sit-up."

As his eyes focused on the path before them, he was unaware as the stunned expression covering Florentine's face as she regarded him with her jaw unhinged.

But he has managed to do a sit-up...She wanted to say, more than two...

The feline shook it aside and decided to remain silent as they continued through the familiarity of the forest. After a few moments, Garble halted them.

"What's up?" Florentine asked, mildly surprised.

Garble hastily shushed her before pointing a claw above their heads. Florentine raised her eyes and took notice of two birds, no, two Phoenixes, cuddling against each other's fiery red feathers as they slumbered. Surrounding their nest were a few eggs.

"Wow," Florentine muttered, "I never seen Phoenix eggs before."

Garble smirked. "And I bet you never smashed one before either."

With that comment, Florentine immediately whipped her head in his direction, a look of horror clouding her face. "Say what?"

"Well, it's not exactly a sport," Garble spoke nonchalantly, eyes gazing at the nest, "but we do so every once in a while." He eyed her. "See, last time we were here, our so-called operation was ruined by some dumb little dragon. He was friends with some totally girlish ponies." He shook his head. "One of them was totally nuts, I tell you."

Florentine found it difficult to swallow as she bit her lip.

Spike...

"Wait here," he suddenly instructed her before he raced off, "I'm going to see if I can find a big rock to throw at those birds."

As if she wasn't disgusted enough, Florentine could only watch Garble as he searched for what tool he needed to perform his horribly prank.

As soon as he was out of sight, Florentine turned and gazed up at the family of Phoenixes. The two mates had slowly awoken from their slumber and peered down at her, their stares mixed with calmness yet slight appearing as if awaiting something. Florentine just stood below, her ears lowered and her tail drooping, feeling her heart sink as well.

"What?" She tried to put some authority into her tone but she was sure those birds could sense some sort of vulnerability. "What are you gawking at me for?"

The male and female turned from her and gazed at each other. Finally, their bright eyes fell on their eggs. They began to move.

Florentine's eyes widened as the scene began to unfold. Not only was this the first time she had ever seen Phoenix eggs, but also the first time she would see them hatch.

First egg crackled, then a hole pocked through the topped. Soon, a tiny beak emerged, followed by a faint squawk. Two enormous eyes opened and tiny wings held high as if savoring life for the first time.

The girl's eyes widened even further, astonished by her discovery. She immediately whipped out her phone and zoomed in to record everything. The other two eggs joined their siblings, squawking in triumph as they bursted through their shells and saw their home for the very first time.

Florentine zoomed her camera further, smiling in amazement. She watched as the two proud Phoenix parents bent down to greet their children for the very first time.

The male parent bent down and nuzzled his three hatchlings, the curve of his beak gently touching the top of their heads. He then unfurled his wings and wrapped them around his children, holding them close, as if not bearing to let them go even for a second.

A father's love.

For a moment, Florentine thought the screen on her phone was having trouble taking the image. But then she realized, as she blinked at the screen, that it was actually her own vision.

Her eyes were blurred by tears.

She didn't even bother to wipe them away as she continued watching the male parent continue holding his kids. It reminded her so much of how large, furry hooves wrapped around her every now and then, being told sweet words of how much she was loved and cherished no matter what happens.

No matter what...whether it was defiance, aggression, or even the matter of running away for one's own desires.

"Oh, Gazpacho..." Florentine fell to her knees, cupping her face in her hands and sobbed quietly. "Mama Jam..."

There was no denying it now. She missed them. Terribly. And Marzipan City. And all her her friends, who were probably just as worried.

She finally managed to cease her crying before raising her head up and gazing at the Phoenix family that had looked down at her from their nest. Their eyes told her various things.

Go.

With that mental conversation concluded, the two parents quickly picked up their children with their beaks and set off, flying away from their nest, perhaps going to their actually home.

Home.

"Alright, I'm back!"

Florentine was grateful her tears had vanished as Garble came trudging back, a rock the size of his fist grasped with excitement. The feline gulped, even more grateful the Phoenix family took off when they did.

"Aw, you got to be kidding me!" Garble growled, glaring at the now empty nest. He wheeled toward Florentine. "You didn't stop them?"

Florentine had been silent for a few moments before she found her voice. "I...I was suppose to?" She asked quietly.

Garble just groaned and rolled his eyes before tossing the now useless rock over his shoulder. "Whatever. I'm sure we'll find more dumb birds when we leave this joint."

Florentine's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" Her voice trembled. "W-we're leaving?"

"Well, yeah," he responded with a shrug, "migration's almost over. We're heading back to where we came from."

Her whole body shook, her hands twitching. "S-so am I?"

Garble eyed her closely. "Well, yeah, bro," he said, "I mean, you're one of us."

"Yo, Garble! Flors!" Florentine turned to find the rest of the teen dragons flying close by and landing before them. "Dude, we're ready to ditch this place and head off!"

"Yeah, hang on, man," Garble called back before turning back to Florentine. He grinned. "Ready, bro?"

Florentine gazed at him intently, her heart pounding and her head throbbing with anxiety.

Leave. Leave everything behind? And be even farther away from home.

Leave when she had a family she missed desperately?

"I..." Florentine gulped.

Garble raised an eyebrow at her, his smile vanishing. "What now?" He asked in an irritated tone.

She played with her fingers, her feline eyes about ready to tear up. No. No way was she going to cry in front of these teen dragons. She was going to be strong. And honest.

Finally, she sighed. Then gazed at him sadly.

"I don't want to go."

The other teens gasped by her response. Garble's eyes widened in disbelief.

Then they lowered into slits as he glared at her with hostility.

"What do you mean you don't want to go?" He demanded. "Of course you want to! I mean, that's why you're with us, right? To be with us dragons!"

Florentine's body remained firm, despite the growing anger projected by the leader. She stood upright, head held high.

"I...I changed my mind," she managed to say.

"What?" Garble shouted.

"Look, Garble," Florentine explained calmly, "being with you guys is like one of those most awesome things ever, and I really had fun. But my family-"

"This is about that big, wooly guy?" Garble snapped.

Florentine shut her mouth, blinking up at him.

"You got to be kidding me!" He roared. "After all we've been through, you still miss that oversized, long-nosed, weight-dragging, pea-for-brains, daddy moron?"

That did it. That really triggered something within Florentine.

"Hey, watch it!" She growled furiously, shoving herself at his face. "That's my guardian you're talking about!" She slitted her eyes, matching his. "Lizard face."

"Ooooooh!" The other dragons groaned and hollered, stunned by her comeback.

Garble was slightly shocked by her response, but he quickly got over it, baring his sharp teeth. In response to that, Florentine unsheathed her claws, hissing furiously, her natural instincts clicking in that completely contrasted with his.

The teen dragon towered over her, their eyes locked, growling and hissing in unison.

Finally, Garble leaned back, as if the sight of her was contagious and sickening to him.

"I take it all back," he muttered quietly, the hostility still recognizable in his tone. "You really are just some dumb kid."

Those words pierced her more than her claws could on complicated material, and the pain was visible on her face for a few moments, but she kept strong.

Every last bit of admiration for him had now vanished completely.

Glaring at him for a few moments, Florentine slowly reached through the collar of her shirt.

She pulled out the necklace and held it out to him.

"Oh, dude..." One of the dragons stated, taking sight of the action. "That's deep."

For a second, Florentine thought she saw a flicker of hurt on Garble's face. But the red dragon quickly pushed it aside, scoffing instead before reaching out and grabbing the item from her.

After that, he turned away, and began walking back toward his friends. Florentine just stood where she was, hands balled into fists and her head held high.

"Let's go," Garble muttered to the others, not bothering to look back.

"But Florentine..." One of the dragons began.

"I said let's go."

Florentine closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she turned her head away. The sound of beating wings invaded her ears, then slowly it died down.

Opening her eyes, she watched as their silhouettes coursed across the moonlight before they were finally gone.

"That's it then..." Florentine swallowed, clutching her bag. "I guess I better get ho-"

Suddenly, the rustle of leaves startled her and she jerked her head in numerous directions.

"Who's there?" She shouted. She quickly held out her unsheathed claws, ready to strike. "Come on out! If I can take on a dumb dragon, I can take on the likes of you!"

Her eyes fell on a nearby bush, which rustled louder. Florentine held her breath, ready to fight.

Suddenly, something fell out of the bush and onto the ground, blonde hair coming in contact with grass.

"Veronica?" Florentine cried in disbelief.

"Flora!" The Dimmsdale girl squealed before she quickly got to her feet and rushed over to embrace her.

"What are you...?" The feline's voice was barely audible as she was hugged, her face pressing against her friend's. "You've been looking for me?"

"We've all been looking for you!"

She turned and emerging from the bush was the Miracle City girl herself and Georgia's face brightened, followed by Rocky, who was just as happy.

"Oh, Flora, thank goodness you're okay!" She cried. "Those dragons haven't hurt you have they?"

"Uh, no," Florentine responded quietly, "actually, they-"

"Where are those guys?" Abjay stated impatiently. "I mean, sure, they're scary beyond belief and encountering them would be so terrifying." She calmly flipped her hair.

Then rage filled her now teeth-baring face that she hardly appeared like the Abjay they all knew as she crouched a bit, fingers splayed like claws, ready to fight.

"BUT I'LL SHRED THEM TO PIECES IF THEY TRIED TO TOUCH A SINGLE HAIR ON YOUR HEAD!"

Florentine was stunned for a few moments, same for the others girls as Georgia trembled behind Rocky.

"Uh, no, Abjay..." Florentine assured her quietly. "That's okay. They're gone."

"Gone?" Rocky blinked in confusion. "Gone just like that?"

The feline lowered her head sadly. "Migration's over, they're going home."

"So you escaped them that easily?" Georgia asked.

Florentine turned to her for a moment, then lowered her head and sighed. "Not exactly..." She placed a hand to her aching heart, her bottom lip quivering. "They're not...they were never..." She paused. "I thought we were friends..."

The other girls regarded her closely, then realization sank in and they remained silent.

"Oh, Florentine," Rocky spoke softly, "I'm so sorry things didn't turn the way-"

"You know what?" Florentine snapped, her eyes tightening. "Forget it!"

"But-"

"Just forget it!" She growled.

Rocky shut her mouth, watching the pain fill her friend's eyes as Florentine began trudging past them.

"Come on," Florentine sighed miserably, "let's go home so I can get in trouble."