A Clone Gargoyle's Equestrian Tale

First Lessons: Dragonshy

Another nice sunny day arrived in Ponyville. Malibu was just sunning himself with Twilight and Spike, taking time off from lessons.

Malibu sighed, peace uplifting his soul from the rays comforting him. "A great day for relaxing, you think?" He asked. Spike nodded. "The sun does wonders for my scales..." he moaned. Twilight smiled. "I suppose it is nice to have a break sometimes, especially when no errands or missions need to get done."

But then suddenly Spike had begun to convulse, a hand on his mouth and groaning until he burped, a letter coming out. Malibu frowned at this when Twilight took it. "I spoke too soon..." she muttered, opening the letter to read.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle and son.

A dragon had begun hibernating in Equestria; breathing smoke into the air as it snores. This could be hazardous to the citizens of Equestria and I'm trusting in you two and your friends to convince the dragon to leave and stop spreading his smoke. If he doesn't leave Equestria would be covered in smoke for a 1,000 years. I wish you luck,

Princess Celestia."

Malibu's ears fell at the idea of a dragon spreading smoke everywhere. "So uh... do you have a plan?" He asked nervously after Twilight folded the letter and put it away. "First we have to warn everypony then gather our friends for a meeting," she said, looking determined to fix this.

Already black smoke could be seen in the sky, and that was trouble. Malibu himself felt nervous about confronting a full grown fire breathing beast, but he had his friends by his side, and felt reassured, following Twilight to tell the citizens of Ponyville.

They stopped in the park where everypony was hanging out. Malibu could see Rainbow Dash bouncing her ball and counting, but was interrupted by Pinkie. Twilight then spoke up.

"Listen up! Smoke is spreading through all of Equestria!" She announced, causing the ponies to chatter in worry. "But don't worry, Princess Celestia informed me and Malibu that the smoke isn't coming from a fire! It is coming from a dragon!" Malibu and Twilight didn't see a certain yellow pegasus looking terrified at the idea while calling their friends to the meeting in the library.

Applejack was stunned. "What in the name of all things cinnamon swirled is a full-grown dragon doing here in Equestria?" She asked. Malibu looked at her. "Uh, sleeping," he replied. They gave him strange looks. "According to Princess Celestia he's taking a nap." Twilight said. "His snoring is what's causing all this smoke in the first place," Malibu added.

Pinkie frowned. "He should really see a doctor, that really doesn't sound healthy at all!" She stated. Malibu sighed but smiled a tad. "Not the time for jokes, Pinkie, even if that was a good one," he said. The pink pony nodded. Rarity looked concerned. "Well, at least he's not snoring fire! What are we meant to do about it?"

Before Malibu or Twilight spoke Rainbow cut in. "I'll tell you what we're meant to do, give him the boot!" She knocked the decoration on the table that started wobbling. "Take that!" Rainbow went to do it again. "And that!" Malibu quickly levitated it out of the way, shaking his head but smiled. "We need to encourage him to take a nap someplace else," Twilight corrected.

Rainbow frowned while Malibu had a hoof on her shoulder. "Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail. If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next one hundred years." Twi continued. Malibu saw Fluttershy gasp softly. "Don't worry, we won't let it happen," he reassured. She smiled at him.

"Hmph, talk about getting your beauty sleep!" Rarity huffed. Malibu chuckled, shaking his head as Twilight looked determined and ready.

"Alright, everypony, I need you to gather your supplies quickly. We got a long journey ahead of us," she stated. Malibu nodded. "And have courage for what we are about to face, too." Fluttershy cringed slightly from it but didn't speak.