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.

"Okay, girls, you heard them! The fate of Equestria is in our hooves. Do we have what it takes?"

Everypony else cheered but Fluttershy. "Um, actually..." Malibu put a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "It'll be ok, we won't have to fight him," he said gently. Fluttershy relaxed a little but was still scared as she and the others went to prepare. Malibu prepared his own supplies, and Twilight, who took a map with her to find their way.

The group met up outside the library, all geared up for the mission, with Fluttershy wearing overprotective clothing. Twilight pulled out a map, addressing them.

"All right girls, listen up. I'm mapping out the fastest route, but we've all got to keep a good pace if we expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall. The dragon is in the high cave at the very top."

Malibu gazed up at the mountain, swallowing slightly for he never had been up that high on a mountain. Applejack looked too. "Looks pretty cold up there," she stated. Rainbow nodded. "You bet it is! The higher you go, the chillier it gets!"

The teal alicorn went to Rainbow. "How are you pegasi able to live in Cloudsdale then?" Rainbow grinned at him. "Our blood pressure getting warm from all the wing flapping," she said in an obvious tone. Malibu smiled back a little at that. He then went to Twilight and read the map with her, not noticing Fluttershy behind them.

"Uh, Malibu? Twilight? I know you two are busy but I-"

Malibu looked at one place Twilight was looking at. "Seems like an ideal pathway to take, but we may have to avoid this," he said. Twilight nodded. "I agree," she said. Fluttershy spoke again.

"So, um, I was thinking I would just stay in Ponyville..." Fluttershy suggested. Twilight replied, but not focused on Fluttershy. "Uh huh."

Fluttershy sighed. "Oh, good. I'll stay here and—" Malibu noticed, nudging Twilight who jerked in surprise. "Wait, you have to come! Your way with wild animals would surely come in handy!" Malibu nodded. "Yes, you're the most important one for this mission," he explained.

But Fluttershy was nervous. "I don't think I—." She protested. "Don't worry about your little friends in the meadow. Spike's got it all under control!" Twi stated with a smile. Malibu saw Spike with Angel next to him with a couple birds on his arms. "You can count on me!" He confirmed, but it was short lived when Angel suddenly stomped on his head; the animals now running off. "Hey! Wait!"

Or maybe not... Malibu thought in worry, watching Spike chasing the animals while going to group with Twilight and his friends. But I'm sure he'll be fine...

Rainbow went to them. "Are you sure you want Fluttershy to come along? I mean, that pony's afraid of her own shadow. She's just going to slow us down." She protested. "Oh she's just a little nervous. Once we get going I'm sure she'll be fine," Twilight said. Malibu didn't understand Rainbow's words at first, puzzled, until he saw Fluttershy literally yelp at seeing her shadow, jumping to hide in the bushes. He looked at Twilight then.

"You sure she'll be alright?" Malibu murmured while Applejack guided Fluttershy out. Twilight nodded. "We'll help her, don't worry," she reassured. Malibu grinned but hoped Flutter could hold up. The former gargoyle and his pony friends minus Fluttershy gathered around.

"Alright, girls! Let's move out!" Twilight declared. Fluttershy backed up but got caught in the group, screaming as the 7 friends made their way to the mountain.

....

Another hour or two and they reached the bottom. Malibu's ears flattened at how high the mountain was. A loud growl sounded from above. Fluttershy gasped and hid behind Applejack. "Whoa! What was that?" Rainbow asked. Malibu had felt that growl sending shivers down his spine.

"That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores," Twilight explained. Malibu swallowed. "Sounds angry to me," he said, backing away a little, still unsure about facing this thing. Fluttershy was even more scared. "It's so... high!" She whimpered. Rainbow looked deadpanned at her. "Well it is a mountain. I'm gonna fly up there and check it out!" She began to fly up but Malibu used his magic to grab her tail.

"No, it's better if we stick together to go up this thing," the teal alicorn suggested. Rainbow mumbled under hear breath but agreed, flapping slowly alongside Malibu who kept his eyes on the others.

Rarity looked excited about something. "I hear the only thing that sparkles more than a dragon's scales are the jewels they use to build their nests. Ooo, if I play my cards right, I might be able to convince him to part with a few!" Malibu gave her a look. "You really think that?" He questioned. Rarity shrugged while Pinkie imitated a dragon.

"Welcome to my cave, Rarity! Care for a diamond? Raargh!" This cheered up Malibu for a moment until Twilight interrupted.

"Guys, this is no laughing matter!" She snapped. Malibu's ears flattened again. "They were only lightening the mood," he said. Twilight nodded. "I know. But the fate of Equestria falls to us, Mal if we don't get that dragon to leave we'll have smoke infesting the sky for a long time," she said in a stressed voice. "Fluttershy, you're the expert on wild creatures. What do you think the dragon would be like?"

No answer. Malibu looked about. The yellow pegasus wasn't around. "Flutter?" He called, until he spotted the shy pony hiding back on the ground in a bush. Rainbow folded her hooves. "Hey! What are you waiting for? An invitation?" She snapped. Pinkie brightened up.

"Ooh! I think I have one in my bag!" She pulled one randomly out, with confetti coming out of nowhere. Malibu shook his head. No questioning Pinkie Pie sometimes.

Fluttershy cowered. "It-it's so... steep..."

"It's alright, Fluttershy. I can be near you when we fly up," Malibu suggested. Fluttershy looked at Malibu then nodded, watching him fly up then tried to do it, and was able to for a few seconds before the dragon snored, scaring Fluttershy's wings into closing and she fell into a bush. Malibu flinched, going to check on her. She was only dazed while trying to open her wings again.

Twilight sighed. "We don't have time for this!" She said impatiently. Malibu looked at her. "Then what else can we... uh, AJ, why did you take the map?" The orange pony had snatched it out of Twilight's bag, reading through it.

"I'm gonna need this if we are to take her around the mountain another way," she informed, then sliding down to join Fluttershy and Malibu. Rainbow groaned. "Around the mountain? That's gonna take them forever!"

Malibu spoke up. "I'll help Applejack, two ponies can make the journey quicker. You guys go on ahead," he said. Twilight nodded and the group headed out.

The duo then proceeded the challenge of pulling Fluttershy along the different pathway around the mountain, which wasn't easy.

....

On the other side the others waited, while Pinkie and Rarity played tic tac toe. Pinkie won. "Woo hoo! I win again!" She trilled. Rarity huffed. "That's 35 games in a row. Best of 71?" As soon as she said it an exhausted Applejack and Malibu came. Malibu knew he could've used his magic but Fluttershy wouldn't have appreciated floating in the air without wings, plus it would've made her more afraid.

The two collapsed. "We... made... it..." Applejack croaked. Malibu couldn't speak, sweat coming down. What he does to represent the Element of Love...

Rainbow looked at Twilight. "Told you it was gonna take them forever!"

...

Another mile of hiking later and the mane 7 reached a split in the mountainside cliff edge where they needed to jump. The 6 were able to do it, except for Fluttershy. She was still scared.

Malibu nodded out to her. "It's your turn. It's easy." But Fluttershy was reluctant. "It... it is so... wide..." she whispered.

Twilight sighed. "Come on, Fluttershy! We should be much farther along by now!" She said. Applejack smiled at Fluttershy. "You could just leap on over," she encouraged. Fluttershy peeked over. "I... I-" the dragon snored again, making her cower. "I don't know..."

Pinkie then tried her own way. "There's nothing to it, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump!" She jumped over to Fluttershy's side. "See?"

Malibu smiled then Pinkie began to sing. "It's not very far just move your little rump you can make it if you try with a hop, skip and jump!"

Twilight sighed again. "We don't have time for this!" She insisted but Pinkie kept going, Fluttershy beginning to smile while Pinkie jumped over the ledge multiple times.

"A hop, skip and jump,

Just move your little rump,

A hop, skip and jump,

A hop, skip and jump,

A hop, skip and jump,

A hop skip and jump,

A hop skip and jump!"

She ended the song with Fluttershy glancing over the edge nervously. "Okay... a hop... skip... and...!" The shy pony jumped. "Just don't look down," Twilight said. Malibu gave her a look. "Not helping," he said. She was puzzled when Fluttershy was once again scared by the dragon snore mid jump, looking down, spreading out her hooves, touching both sides, for it was a short gap.

Rainbow groaned, going to push her over. The two collapsed to the ground, everypony else looking at her who smiled sheepishly. "I guess I forgot to jump," she whispered. Malibu couldn't help the small laugh from the back of his throat, helping them to their feet before moving on.

....

The gang kept up their big trek, entering a pretty dangerous area. Twilight looked at her map. "Let's keep it down. According to my map, we're entering an avalanche zone. The smallest peep can cause a huge rockslide."

Malibu gulped, gazing at the terribly loose looking boulders above, not wanting to be smashed into a pancake. They all attempted to keep quiet, but Fluttershy was still shaking, until a leaf landed on her.

She shrieked. "AVA—!" Applejack covered her mouth, but too late as the noise echoed everywhere, and Malibu began feeling rumbling in the ground. His ears fell when seeing small rocks falling down, turning next into bigger ones, an avalanche threatening to bury them!

They ran for it, trying to dodge the rocks. Malibu panted, eyes round, ducking boulders left and right. But then he yelped in pain and shock when something fell onto his hoof, stopping his running. He whimpered, looking around and seeing a terribly big rock on top of his hoof. He gazed at his friends who were still running. "Guys! I'm stuck!" Malibu cried in despair, reaching out. Applejack had just saved Twilight when hearing Malibu's calls for help.

She spotted her friend stuck under a rock, his hoof and tail trapped. Eyes widening, Applejack looked up seeing Rainbow dodging boulders. "Rainbow, help me get Mal!" She shouted. Rainbow saw her best friend stuck and nodded, the two running instantly to his side.

Malibu was shaking, face pale, the pain in his leg excruciating and on fire. "AJ... Rainbow... help..." he begged. Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder, petting it gently. "Don' worry, we'll have ya out," she assured. The two then did the task of pushing the rock, taking care not to injure their friend further, shoving it off finally, Malibu wincing as the pressure was taken off.

Rainbow helped him up. The teal alicorn limped on his three legs, a bad bruise showing on the bad one. "C'mon, let's get ya ta saftey and get you first aid," AJ offered. Malibu nodded, gritting his teeth in pain while limping, Rainbow supporting him carefully until they were out of harm's way, meeting with the others.

"Everypony else ok?" The farm pony asked. Twilight went to hug her and Malibu. "Thanks to you, Applejack, I am. But Malibu, what happened?" Malibu fell down, coughing. "Boulder... fell on me," he choked. Twilight nuzzled him to give comfort. "You'll be ok, you're safe," she said softly. Applejack dug through her saddlebag and pulled out first aid; taking bandages and wrapping up the leg, splinting it.

"Jus' a bad sprained ankle. Ya was lucky it didn't hit yer head," Applejack said. Malibu winced from the bandages tightening but gave his friend a grateful look. "Thank you," he mumbled. The group then saw the piles of rocks in their way, groaning. "Sorry..." Fluttershy whispered, guilty causing this roadblock and her friend being injured. Malibu smiled weakly. "I don't blame you," he said. Twilight nodded. "Yeah! But now we'll just have to... climb over..."

Rainbow came over. "I'll fly you to the other side if you want. Your leg won't be able to make it over this thing," she offered. Malibu nodded. He felt too sore to fly himself anyway. The rainbow pegasus carried the teal alicorn over the pile, landing him gently over to the other side while the others struggled over the pile. Fluttershy slipped, sliding into them, collapsing to the ground.

Rarity looked up. "My apologies," she said. Rainbow gave Fluttershy a disapproving gaze. "Not your fault!" Fluttershy lowered her head again.

"Are you sure you can keep going with your leg, Mal?" Twilight asked in worry. Even Pinkie was looking upset at his leg injury. Malibu cringed from pain but nodded. "Equestria is in danger. I won't let a sprained ankle stop me," he croaked. Applejack smiled. "That takes guts," she praised, going to let Malibu lean on her. "Bu' I won't let ya face the dragon with it. Ya can cheer us on instead," she offered. Malibu then agreed, knowing now that there was no way he could approach a deadly dragon with this as they kept going.

....

They got closer with every step; Applejack helping Malibu walk, too. Rainbow whispered ro Twilight.

"Still think it was a good idea to bring Fluttershy along?" She asked. Twilight was nervous. "We're about to find out!" Malibu then saw the mouth of the dragon's cave, heart fluttering. "We're here..." Twilight said to the others.

Malibu swallowed. "So, this is it..." he said croakily, both from pain and nerves as Applejack sat him down in a safe place to rest his foot. Twilight nodded, then turned to Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash, you'll use your wings to clear the smoke," she instructed. "Mhm!" Rainbow replied, zipping into the smoke cloud. Malibu was glad he wasn't gonna do it.

"Rarity, you and Pinkie distract thr dragon if things get a little hairy in there," Twilight said, with Pinkie Pie suddenly pulling out a rubber chicken, throwing it around. Rarity looked confused, as was Malibu, tilting his head at his pink friend.

Twilight shook her head before continuing. "Applejack, you be ready with the apples in case he decides to attack," she ordered. Applejack kicked two apples at a dead tree, grinning from her strength. Malibu felt admiration at her bravery while Twilight continued. "But it shouldn't come to that; for Fluttershy would do everything she can to wake him up."

Everypony nodded. Twilight then went to go inside. It was only a few minutes before she came back to get Fluttershy who didn't even move an inch forward with Twilight.

"Oh, come on!" She began to push Fluttershy forward, everypony else joining in. Malibu tried after Rarity began pushing too, slipping a little on his bad leg. "We got to do this! Now! Every second longer that dragon sleeps is another acer of Equestria covered in smoke!"

Right as she finished Pinkie joined last, hitting against Malibu awkwardly who cringed in agony, bending his broken leg badly and making everypony trip. Fluttershy kept still. "I-I can't go into the cave..." she said timidly. Malibu and his friends all sighed, shaking their heads. Rainbow folded her arms. "Oh, great! She's scared of caves now, too!"

Malibu came up, limping. "You don't need to be scared of caves," he said. But Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm not scared of caves, I'm scared of..." she trailed off. Malibu tilted his head. "Huh?" He asked. "What's that, sugarcube?" Applejack questioned. "I'm scared of..." Fluttershy said timidly. "What?" Twilight then asked.

Fluttershy blurted out her secret. "I'mscaredofdragons!" She squeaked rather fast, the dragon snoring out a black smoke cloud right then. Malibu coughed from inhaling it, surprised at Fluttershy being scared since he saw how well she handled herself around fierce animals. Twilight came up to her after the smoke cleared. "But Fluttershy, you have a wonderful talent dealing with all kinds of animals," she said. Malibu nodded. "She's right, that's what makes you brave," he said.

The yellow pegasus just lowered her head. "Yes, but they aren't dragons," she said. Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! We watched you walk up to a horrible Manticore like it was nothing!" Fluttershy peeked around Twilight. "Yes, because he wasn't a dragon!"

Pinkie walked up. "Spike's a dragon, you're not scared of him!" Fluttershy looked at her. "Yes, because he's not a huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, sharp-scale having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could eat a pony in one bite, totally all grown-up dragon!" She whimpered when the dragon snored again. Malibu frowned. "But Flutter, if you were that afraid of adult dragons why didn't you say anything before all of us came up here?" He asked. Fluttershy, flinched from his voice.

"I was afraid to..." she whimpered. Rainbow Dash groaned again.

Applejack smiled. "All of us are scared of that dragon..." "I'm not!" Interrupted Rainbow Dash with a grin. Applejack rolled her eyes. "Almost all of us are scared of that dragon. But we've got a job to do! So get in there with Twilight and show her what yer made of!"

Malibu nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I know you can be brave, Flutters!" He said, cringing again from a twinge in his leg, looking forward to get this done so he could get proper treatment later.

But Fluttershy's eyes watered. "I... I... can't..." she mumbled sorrowfully, turning and walking away, hiding behind a rock nearby. Everypony looked after her in sadness. "Oh, Fluttershy..." Twilight said softly.

....

After discussing their plans Twilight volunteered to go first. Malibu wished her luck, happy he didn't have to face that dragon. It was a few minutes but then she came back out, coughing heavily, smoke coming after her and engulfing the friends again. Malibu waved his hoof. He seriously was gonna be drinking tons of water soon. This was too much smoke. Rainbow coughed. "So much for persuading him!"

Rarity stepped up. "Obviously, this situation just calls for a little "pony charm". Allow me, girls." She strode confidently in. Malibu cringed at how bold she was, maybe too bold. At first it seemed to work, until Rarity ran back out again, looking frightened then pouted, sitting down. "I was this close to getting that diamond," she moaned. Malibu raised his brow. "You mean, getting rid of that dragon, right?" He corrected. His white unicorn friend shrugged. "Uh huh, yeah. Sure," she stuttered.

A sudden party horn noise sounded. Malibu blinked. "What in, Pinkie?" He exclaimed in surprise at her outfit and held a party flute in her mouth. Rarity frowned. "Darling, you look ridiculous!" She argued. Pinkie grinned. "Exactly! Sharing a laugh is a sure-fire way to get someone on your side!" She went in.

"Hi!" A crash noise followed, making Malibu cringe; seeing Pinkie come out a mess, her outfit ruined. "Heh, apparently he doesn't like laughing... or sharing..."

Rainbow had had enough. "All right, that's it. We tried persuasion, charm, whatever it is Pinkie Pie does!" Malibu saw Pinkie blow a raspberry through the broken party flute.

"It's time to stop wasting time! I'm going in!" The teal alicorn admired Rainbow's bravery but he didn't want the dragon to hurt her, or for Rainbow to hurt the dragon. "No, Rainbow, don't!" He shouted but too late. He heard her inside.

"GET OUT!" He heard a thump; knowing she must've kicked the beast's snout. A big mistake.

Low snarling sounded, as next a mighty roar echoed; Rainbow Dash blown out of the cave. Ignoring his sprained leg Malibu flew into the air, catching his best friend, the two tumbling to the ground and missing the others. Malibu felt dizzy and in pain from landing on the bad leg, Rainbow smiling that he had saved her.

It was short lived when the dragon revealed himself; a huge vicious brute, eyes blazing in anger, glaring at them all. Malibu and Rainbow got up (with Rainbow supporting Malibu again), eyes widening as the dragon shot smoke at the group, knocking them all into the rock Fluttershy hid behind. Malibu felt sick and dizzy again, ready to pass out. Fluttershy saw what the dragon did, eyes widening then narrowing in fury.

"How dare you... HOW DARE YOU?!" She shouted, flying up and landing on the dragon's snout. The dragon's glare faded from this. Malibu looked up through his pained vision; startled at what was happening.

"Listen here, mister. Just because you're big doesn't mean you get to be a bully! You may have huge teeth, and sharp scales, and snore smoke, and breathe fire. But you do not—I repeat—you do not! Hurt! My! Friends! You got that?" She gave him her evil eye. The dragon whined, cowering. Malibu gave a smile from what Fluttershy was doing; standing up for her friends.

"Well?"

The dragon pointed at Rainbow Dash. "But that rainbow one kicked me!" He argued. Malibu gazed at Rainbow who nodded, smiling.

"And I'm really sorry about that!" Fluttershy apologized, making Rainbow frown. "But you're bigger than she is and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures."

The dragon looked guilty even further. "But I..." Fluttershy didn't take his excuses. "Don't you but I me, mister. Now what do you have to say for yourself? I said... what do you have to say for yourself?!"

The dragon couldn't resist her anymore and began to bawl; its tears falling down onto everypony. Malibu and the other ponies were all proud.

Fluttershy comforted him. "There there, no need to cry. You're not a bad dragon, you just made a bad decision. Now go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep, that's all."

The gang gathered around Fluttershy when she landed back on the ground. Dragon noticed Malibu, seeing that he had hurt his leg in their quest to help him.

"Razer say sorry... don't mean to hurt anypony..." he rumbled, holding out his talon. The former clone gargoyle smiled gently up at the dragon now named Razer, touching it. "We forgive you. Just try hard not to breathe any smoke when you snore, and I hope you find a nicer sleeping spot," he replied to Razer who grinned, gathering up his collection and flying off then.

After that the friends made their slow way back down, mostly due to Malibu's sprained leg that would heal back in Ponyville.

....

They were able to return, Spike happy that Fluttershy was home and Malibu received the well deserved care for his leg, and in a day or two can walk again. The Pegasi cleared away the smoke too.

Spike had written a letter to Celestia as well. Which said:

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I am happy to report that the dragon has departed our fair country, and that it was my good friend, Fluttershy, who convinced him to go. This adventure has taught me to never lose faith in your friends. They can be an amazing source of strength, and can help you overcome even your greatest fears.

Always your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle."

Malibu read the letter. "Another good lesson, Twi," he said with a smile. He was growing used to these letters sent to his Mother now. But he hoped to revisit her and reconnect with Aunt Luna.

Applejack called through the window. "Mal! Twi! Spike you gotta come see this!" The trio ran out. Rainbow was still bouncing her ball. "She's just five away from a new pony record!"

"347, 348..."

Then suddenly a roar sounded. Rainbow yelped. "DRAGON!" She fell onto her back. That made Malibu laugh. He knew the roar was fake instantly. Rainbow panicked. "Why are you laughing?! That awful dragon is back!"

Pinkie zipped in, still roaring. "Pinkie Pie, you scared me!" Rainbow snapped, then flushed from seeing Malibu smirking. "I-I mean... you broke my concentration!"

Fluttershy giggled. "It's ok, Rainbow Dash. Not everypony can be as brave as me!" Rainbow rolled her eyes, blowing a leaf onto Fluttershy's back. She shrieked, falling down the same way Rainbow did, but laughed along with everybody in the end.

Malibu's heart felt light. He was happy to have friends to laugh with, unlike back in the Labyrinth. He knew they would all watch over one another and protect each other against any threat.