Dragon
When Pon got home, he talked a little with his parents and went to bed. His parents weren't always kind to Pon. Sometimes they disciplined him strictly.
The next day. Pon had a lot on his mind, so he went to meditate on a hill near the Hill of Beginnings. Opo had always told him meditation was dangerous, but he wanted to think things through a little.
'If I keep going like this, what will become of me...? No friends. No skills. No girlfriend... No money either. All I can do is hone my own abilities and my ability to talk... I'll become an adult someday... If I wait until then to hone myself, it'll be too late... I have to hone myself while I'm still a child..."
Just then, Ponchi, who was good friends with Pon, came over.
“It's terrible! We're in trouble. A dragon appeared on the Hill of Beginnings and is rampaging. Momo and Kenshi are fighting it, but Pon, help!” said Ponchi. Ponchi always showed up during crises.
Pon hurried to the nearby spot where the dragon had appeared.
The Hill of Beginnings was chaotic. Twin pillars of fire stood in the sky.
“Gwaaahhhhhhh!!”
The dragon roared. It was about the size of three buildings. Its height reached the spires of Aina, and its girth spanned three buildings wide.
The onlookers watched, holding their breath.
“How's it going?” asked Pon, who had rushed over.
“It's... terrible...”
“We're in trouble...” Punch says.
No one can attack the dragon. They simply can't bring themselves to strike.
Opo silently readies his sword. Momo, slightly frightened, prepares with her magic staff.
Pon feels a complex mix of fear and burning determination.
(This opponent is far too powerful. Opo said to run when you can't win, to value your life... but...)
This is the Hill of Beginnings, a sacred place commemorating the founding of this land.
Pon steeled himself and swung his sword at the dragon. The dragon immediately breathed fire at Pon. Pon couldn't dodge in time.
Tori took the hit, shielding Pon. Pon actually hates fire.
“Riku!” Pon and Momo cried out.
Riku waved his staff, saying, “It's okay...” His healing magic mended the wounds a little.
Truthfully, Riku's healing didn't work very well on himself. He knew this, but his own healing didn't affect him. Because it worked best when infused with another's energy.
The dragon fell silent for a moment, glaring fiercely at everyone.
“You lot,” the dragon used telepathy, “my appearance here is no whim. It is to test you...”
“You have a future. If one of you has wounded me... then... retreat from here...”
“Then... I will!”
“No, I will!”
“This is Momo's turn!” The people shouted one after another.
“Pon! Can you do it?” Opo asked.
“Yes, Father!”
“Everyone, let's leave this to my son, Pon! He is the greatest warrior in the land, and he has even driven back this Opo!”
'Hurry up!'
So it fell to Pon.
Pon first gathered his spirit and struck at the dragon. But nothing happened. He struck twice, thrice, yet could not cut the dragon.
“Pon!”
“Pon!” Ponchi called too.
“Pon! Believe!” Ponchi called again.
Pon remembered the sword.
'If only I could wield that sword...'
“Pon!” Opo called too.
Pon believed. Thinking of the Sword of Light, he swung his sword.
The Sword of Light shot forth, cleaving the dragon's tail clean in two.
“Pon! Well done!” Opo rejoiced.
“Very well... Opo's son, Pon, I recognize you as a hero. Farewell... Next time, defeat me...”
With that, the dragon vanished.
Pon's strength left him, and he collapsed.
“Pon!” Momo cried out.
“Pon!” Riku cried out too.
“Yeah... Thank you, both of you... I...”
“Pon, make a vow.”
Opo said.
“I vow... I, Pon, to make Riku and Momo my lifelong friends...”
“Momo, I vow the same.”
“I, Riku, vow the same.”
The Hill of Beginnings glows. Light emanates from Pon's sword.
“Then, I, Pon's Sword, acknowledge your oath.”
Hearing this, the three laughed together.
The End.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
