Chapters Part 1 - First Impressions
It was high noon. The sun was shining its brightest upon Ponyville, as the daily cycle of life thrived in the midst of the warm weather. It also happened to be spring, which had started a mere week ago. However, a few snakes refused to come out of hibernation, trying to sleep, only to be frequently annoyed by the yellow pegasus known as Fluttershy.
"You simply must leave the den, you don't have to hibernate anymore."
One of the snakes reared its head up, stared at her for a brief moment, then rested its head back down.
"Why are you still tired? Did you hibernate late?"
With no response whatsoever, she then left for a brief moment, then returned with a somewhat large bell. She rang it, waking the snakes up at last. However, when they were about to exit the den, they looked up, and noticed a tall silhouette over Fluttershy. In a vast state of panic, they retreated to the safety of their den. Oblivious, Fluttershy asks,
"What's wrong? Did I startle you?"
She looked inside to notice the snakes trembling in fear.
"It's okay, I'm not threatening. I-"
She is interrupted by someone clearing their throat. She turned to ask what they needed, only to realize that who she faced was not a pony. She panicked, as she looked into the creature's reptilian eyes, then ran home with the greatest of speed. The creature tried to stop her, but she was too fast for it. Watching her sprint home, the creature turned its head, revealing that it is a pony-sized dragon.
Later, the dragon left Fluttershy's front yard, heading straight for the town. This also revealed that the dragon is bipedal, and carries a metallic staff roughly its size.
"Zu faas Zu aal kos aan hokoron het." He said. "Zu fent draal ni wah kos."
He then continued onward. Hours later, Fluttershy peeked through the door, and cautiously snuck out, only to be petrified by the sudden appearance of Twilight Sparkle, who tried to ask what was going on. Fluttershy, realizing who it was, quickly regained her footing and asked,
"Oh Twilight," said Fluttershy, "it was horrifying! This scary red dragon snuck up behind me! It had teeth, horns, and really flabby skin!"
"A dragon?!" Twilight asked in shock.
"Yes!" Fluttershy replied. "It also had this stick that looked like-"
"Stop elaborating," Twilight said, "we have to stop it! Where'd it go?!"
"It looked like it was heading towards town." Fluttershy said. "I hope it doesn't hurt anyone."
"Fluttershy," Twilight said, "I assure you it won't."
She then rushed towards the town, trying to stop the dragon before he reached it.
On his way, the dragon froze, as he heard a sound he seemed to find familiar. He noticed a silhouette of a creature flying overhead.
"Qobriiven!" He yelled.
As he tried catching up, he saw the silhouette turn around. At first, he seemed joyful. But as the silhouette cleared, it was revealed to be Rainbow Dash.
"Get out of Ponyville, lizard!" She yelled, as she punched the dragon, carrying him a great distance and making him drop his staff.
He slid across the ground when Rainbow Dash let go, slowly recovering from the impact.
"Alright, scaly." Said Rainbow Dash. "You got five seconds to turn back!"
"Zu dreh ni hind wah grah!" The dragon exclaimed, in an unknown language. "Wo kos hio, naanaad?"
"Um...what?" Rainbow Dash replied in confusion.
"Zu'u ni aan hokoron! Pru nu!"
The dragon seemed somewhat aggressive, making Rainbow Dash think it was being hostile.
"I don't know what you said," Rainbow Dash said, "but it's not the response I was looking for!"
She rushed forward, and bucked the dragon back off of his feet. After a moment of silence, the dragon raises his head.
"Aaz! Aaz! Zu bolog fah aaz!" The dragon shouted.
"English, please!" Rainbow replied. "It's a language."
The dragon, confused at first, realized she can't speak the same language. So, he attempted to show that he means no harm. He started by going back to retrieve his staff, then returned to the same area. Then, he crouched down, holding his staff upward against the ground.
"Um..." Rainbow Dash hummed, wondering what it meant. "Does that mean you come in peace?" She asked.
"Rainbow, get back!" Shouted a random voice, who was revealed to be Twilight Sparkle.
She lifts the dragon off his feet.
"I don't want to hurt you, dragon. Just go back to your mountain, and everything'll be fine."
"Hii kos aan kro?!" The dragon replied.
"Don't worry, Twilight," said Rainbow Dash, "he doesn't want to hurt anyone either. He doesn't even know what we are, he's not even from Equestria."
Twilight paused for a brief moment, shocked that this dragon was foreign, then gently let him stand.
"Aan kro?" Asked the dragon. "Zu'u nahlot."
"Dragon," Twilight started, "we don't know what you're saying. Do you know any English?"
Once again, the dragon became confused.
"He might have been traveling here from his homeland, wherever it is." Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight turned to the dragon.
"Dragon, do you know about Ponyville?"
"Ponyville?" He replied.
"Twilight," Rainbow Dash said, "I don't think we'll be making any progress. We need a translating book of some kind."
"Alright," Twilight replied, "I'm going to the library to find something useful."
She quickly rushed home to find any information on the dragon, but ultimately found no results, outside of rumors and legends.
"Let's see." said Twilight, reading a page off a book, " 'There were undocumented reports of small dragons carrying strange staffs with a gem matching their skin color.' Why would a dragon do that? Is it part of some culture? Ugh! None of these say anything about their language!"
But then her mind clicked. She remembered hearing a spell having to do with languages.
She looked through her spell books, then found what she needed.
"Yes!" She said in excitement. "A spell for sharing languages!"
However, her relief was brief, as she read what the book said.
"'The spell will only work properly when the giver and receiver are the same species. Otherwise, they must both be capable of magic so the receiver can connect them.'?! Why is it some magic can't just go 'Poof!'?! It's going to take forever for him to learn our language naturally!"
She rushed back toward Rainbow Dash's area, only to hear more bad news.
"Where's the dragon?!" Twilight asked.
"He left." Rainbow answered. "He ran off, screaming 'Qobriiven! Qobriiven!'."
"And you didn't stop him?!" Twilight asked in frustration.
"I tried," Rainbow Dash said, "but he kept shaking me off when I tried to grab him. I could tell he's pretty old, but he's still got it."
"He also took my fire ruby!" Rarity yelled. "It's probably half way through his stomach by now! Actually, that's more disgusting than it was angering, now that I think about it....Uh, but never the less, he yanked it from me like the thief he was!"
"I remember reading that they would wear a gem matching their skin color." Twilight said. "The book never elaborated on that, though."
"What about the language?" Rainbow asked. "Anything on that?"
"I didn't find anything really known about them." Twilight replied. "Their species wasn't even defined! But I did figure out this spell that can transfer knowledge of a language you know. But there's one problem."
Every pony reared their heads in slightly closer to listen.
"Unless they are the same species," Twilight continued, "the giver and receiver of the language must both be capable of magic. A dragon doesn't know magic."
"Great," Rainbow Dash said, in a grumpy tone, "now, not only do we have a dragon on the loose, but we have a dragon that will take forever to teach a new language."
"Rainbow!" Shouted a familiar voice. It was Applejack, storming down the path with a rope. "We got ourselves a fast one!"
"Was it a dragon?" Rainbow asked. "Yep," Applejack replied, "and it flies fast! Really fast!"
"Alright, let's go- wait, 'flies?'" Rainbow Dash said in confusion.
There was a burst of speed across Sweet Apple Acres. Apples were being blown off of the trees by immense wind left by the fast object. It was another dragon, with skin lightly blue, very light yellow spiky fins that resemble lightning bolts down the back of the neck and around the vertical ends of the tail, and a lack of arms, being adapted to rely more on flight. The dragon soared overhead, searching around the entirety of Ponyville. Applejack, riding horseback on Rainbow Dash, followed.
"Okay, that's not the dragon we're after." Rainbow Dash said.
"It is, now." Applejack replied.
Once the dragon figured out it was being followed, it attempted to flee.
"Wow, that dragon does fly fast." Rainbow said in disbelief.
"Just try to keep up," Applejack exclaimed, "we can't lose it!"
Rainbow Dash picked up speed, while Applejack readied her lasso. However, despite their best attempts, the dragon kept making sharp turns that Rainbow Dash couldn't, gradually making her become more impatient. In a last ditch effort, Rainbow Dash flew as fast as she could to catch the dragon.
"That's it, Rainbow." Said Applejack. "Just a little more."
Soon enough, Applejack was just next to the dragon, and threw out the lasso. Unfortunately, it tightened only on the dragon's muzzle. The dragon, realizing what was happening, panicked, and divebombed downward to shake off Applejack. When close to the ground, the dragon quickly changed its direction to horizontal. As Applejack held on for dear life, Rainbow Dash chased them down, and eventually managed to tackle and pin down the dragon. Applejack, recovering from the harsh landing, went to resecure the rope around the dragon's wings.
"So we caught it," said Rainbow Dash, "now what?"
"Well," Applejack replied, "we should take it away from Ponyville, so it won't hoard anything."
"Ponyville?" The dragon asked, its voice sounding strangely female.
"You do know what Ponyville is, don't you?" Applejack asked to the dragon.
The dragon was confused, once again not knowing English.
"Can you even talk?" Applejack continued.
"It can," Rainbow replied, "it just doesn't know English."
"Well, shoot." Applejack said in disappointment. "I guess that means it's not even from Equestria."
"I just wonder how it, and that other dragon, got he-"
"Other dragon?" Applejack interrupted.
Meanwhile, the red dragon placed the fire ruby that he took from Rarity into the opening on his staff. It gave a brief, subtle glow, indicating that whatever he did, he did it right. He then vaguely heard Twilight Sparkle's voice in the distance, and peaked over a large tree root he hid behind to view.
"Dragon!" Twlight said. "I have some gems! We just want to bring you home!"
The dragon did not understand, but knew that she was looking for him. At first, he was about to run to avoid possible conflict, until he noticed the bowl full of gems. He considered it some sort of peace offering, and casually stood out from behind the root.
"Ah-ha!" She exclaimed, using her magic to capture the dragon. "Alright, I know you took something that isn't yours," she continued, "now give it back."
Suddenly, her magic aura controlling the dragon breaks.
"What?!" Twilight exclaimed. "How did you do that?!"
The dragon gave a quick glance at her, then ran. She tried to catch up to the dragon, though ultimately lost sight of him, not realizing she lost herself in the Everfree Forest. She could not tell which way she came from, and on top of that, it was getting dark. After aimlessly searching for a way out, she eventually decided she could get some rest, and fell asleep on the least wet grass she could find.
Later that night, she awoke to a strange sound.
"Who's there?" She asked. "Hello?"
She cast a light spell to help her see what was out there. She noticed movement behind some bushes in front of her, and gradually crept forward to investigate. Then, out leaped a large, coal black dragon, with jagged teeth, crimson red eyes, and a thick, spike-covered hide. Twilight shuddered. She was completely dwarved by this dragon, and it did not look the least bit friendly.
"Um..." She tried to speak, held back by its intimidating stature. "Hi dragon......want these gems?"
The dragon smacked the gems out of her aura as a way of stating it was not what he was there for, at all. "I guess not." She said, before running away to try and escape. As she tried to run, she did not know if the dragon was still behind her. Not paying attention to her surroundings outside of in front of her head, she trips over a rock, and slides into a large rock wall head-first. As she regained her conscience, she opens her eyes to see where she was. Unfortunately, she found out the dragon was still chasing her. It reared its head up, and struck out at her. But then, a red beam knocked its head clear of her way. Surprised, she looked to see who saved her life. It was the red dragon. His horns had a red aura surrounding them, as the fire ruby in his staff glew so brightly.
"A dragon...that knows magic?!" She said.
The black dragon, realizing what had hit him, grew aggressive towards the smaller red dragon, and charged at him. The red dragon leaped into the air, and shot another beam at the large animal's foot, tripping it over. He flew over the black dragon as it slid across the ground, hitting and knocking over a nearby tree. Despite the hit, the black dragon presisted, this time using its fire breath to try and cook the red dragon. He jumped behind a large rock, letting it take the heat for him until the black dragon ran out of breath. Once it stopped to breathe, the red dragon quickly jumped out from behind the rock, and grabbed the black dragon by the head. Its long, snake-like neck squirmed about as the red dragon desperately held on. Then, he managed to bring its head onto the ground, pinning it down with his staff. He then muzzled it with a vine, and then released it from his staff. Muzzled, it tried to scratch off the vine, but did not prevail. The red dragon then helped Twilight up, and they both ran to a safer location, ending up hiding in a tree.
"Um...thank you, for saving me from that dragon, dragon." Twilight said. "So, you know magic?" She continued. Then her mind clicked. "You know magic?!" She asked again. The dragon, confused, wondered what she was saying. "Okay, look, I know this spell that can-" She said, before remembering the dragon could not understand her. ".....well," she continued, "I think you can figure it out if I demonstrate."
She focused her magic on the mentality of the dragon, attempting to transfer the English language to him. The dragon realized in his mind what she was doing, and with his ability to read transferral thoughts through magic, allowed the definitions of english words to pass through. When they finished, they took a sigh of relief.
"So, can you understand me?" Twilight asked. The dragon was almost speechless.
At last, he spoke. "Yes.....yes, I can."
"Great! That's great!" Twilight replied in excitement. "So, what's your name?" She asked. "Mine is Twilight Sparkle."
"....I am Dremsilyol." He said. "It means 'Peaceful Soulfire.' Tell me, what does your name mean?"
"Oh, it doesn't really have a meaning," Twilight said, a little embarrassed, "it's just a name."
"But all names must mean something." Dremsilyol said. "What does yours mean?"
"Well, either way, we have more important things going on," Twilight said, "like how we're going to get out of the Everfree Forest."
"I know a way out from here." Dremsilyol replied. "We can go tomorrow, as we search for my daughter."
"You have a daughter?" Asked Twilight.
"Yes." Dremsilyol answered back. "She is a beautiful lightning wyvern, and flies with tremendous speed. She is also very likeable, once you know her well."
"I'm sure she'll be happy to be with us." Twilight said.
Meanwhile, a loud boom goes off in Ponyville. Then another. And another. It was the lightning wyvern, breathing not fire, but explosively loud lightning. She was trapped inside a box-shaped aura, attempting to break it.
"So tell us, Celestia," said Applejack, "do you know anything about this dragon?"
"Yes," Celestia replied, "but it was a long time since I last saw one of these with my own eyes. They're a more sentient race of dragons that live on the other side of the Earth. Everything there is usually more chaotic and cruel than it is here. It's even believed that changelings started their existence there. But how this poor girl ended up here is a mystery to me."
"Celestia," Rainbow said, "there's another dragon out there somewhere."
"And it took my fire ruby!" Rarity exclaimed in anger. "Honestly, of all the rotten thieves, that dragon has to be the lowest-" Rainbow Dash plugs Rarity's mouth with her wing feathers.
"Celestia," Rainbow started, "another dragon is out there, and we only know that he took Rarity's fire ruby, but we don't know why."
Celestia, puzzled, started asking questions.
"So the dragon took the ruby?"
"Yes, and he-" Rarity exclaimed again, before stopping herself. "Yes." She said.
"And what color was this dragon?" Celestia asked.
"Red." Rainbow Dash said.
"And it was carrying a staff?" Celestia asked again.
"Yes." Rainbow said again.
"Then I know what he needed it for. He wasn't just any dragon. He was a sorcerer. Sorcerer dragons invented an artificial way of using magic, using the power of a gem matching their skin color, and their horns, which were full of magic, but it couldn't be expelled until that point of discovery. They eventually constructed their own staffs to hold their gems in, and that it would also help concentrate their magic where ever they pointed it. Their evolution to sorcery one day made them lose their shoulder wings entirely, making them entierly adapted for use of sorcery."
"Wow." Said Applejack. "But, what are they doing here?"
"I'm confused about that, too." Celestia replied. "For now, we'll have to muzzle and sedate this dragon, as she's too unpredictable with her unknown language. It may seem harsh, but she can't just walk freely."
The wyvern is muzzled, and slowly brought to sleep by a sleeping spell.
To be Continued...
In Equestria, the morning was extremely cloudy, and even occasionally rained. The town of Ponyville was quiet, with little to no civilians wandering through the streets. Then, from the edge of the Everfree Forest, appeared two silhouetted characters, who were revealed to be Twilight Sparkle and Dremsilyol. Last night, they had narrowly escaped a dangerous encounter with a large, black dragon, and have managed to escape from the forest, with Dremsilyol knowing a path home.
"Finally, fresh air." Twilight said. "I forgot how humid the Everfree Forest is. Thanks for helping me last night, Dremsilyol."
"I welcome your appreciation." Dremsilyol replied. "Now tell me, why were you offering me gems that evening? Was that your way of offering peace?"
"No, it's just that dragons love to eat gems; it makes up ninety percent of their diet."
"Hm...This is not the case at all in our homeland."
"Oh? Let me guess, you like gold instead?"
"No."
"What about malachite?"
"No."
"Moonstone?"
"No."
"Iron?"
"No."
"Okay, bronze!"
"Still no."
".....Do you eat any minerals?"
"No."
"........Oh."
Twilight, coming to a realization, asked one more question.
"Well.....What do you eat, then?"
"Our main diet consists of fish." Dremsilyol replied.
"Oh!"
"More specifically, steelhead trout. They are the most common and nutritious fish in all of our rivers."
"You know, I think we have a few of those in our rivers and lakes. It's been a while since I read that Local Wildlife book."
"It does not matter. My focus, as of this moment, is to find my daughter, Qobriiven."
"Don't worry, we'll find her. I'm sure she's fine."
".....You might be right, but I have my doubts."
As they continued to walk, they were unaware that something was stalking them. Behind a bunch of bushes were glowing red eyes, watching them as they continued down the road. Recognizing them, it made a familiar bellowing sound.
Meanwhile, in the Canterlot dungeon, Qobriiven, the lightning wyvern, awoke from her sedation to find herself chained to the floor. Her wings were folded against her body by a large body cuff, and her neck was restricted by another cuff with a short chain. In a state of confusion, she started to struggle and yell.
"Nid! NID! Zu nis kren stin! Bormah! Bormah!"
"It's no use, dragon." Said a distant figure. "Your struggling and yelling won't get you anywhere." The character turns out to be the captain of the royal guard.
"Wo kos hio?" Qobriiven asked.
"I have no idea what you said, but it probably doesn't matter." The captain said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to moderate the rest of the dungeon."
After a moment of silence, Qobriiven softly spoke.
"Bormah.....Zu hind nust lost aaz nau hio."
On the other side of the door, Princess Celestia and the captain consult each other over what to do with Qobriiven.
"Your majesty," the captain said, "I feel that we must relocate this dragon. We can't keep it locked up here forever."
"I know." Celestia replied. "The problem is that we have nowhere in Equestria to let her go. If we let her go in the wild, especially the Everfree Forest, she'll be lost and confused, but if we let her go near any villages or cities, she may potentially cause destruction. I'm afraid we have no choice."
"Your majesty, with all due respect, you can't seriously be implying-"
"I am. There is only one place she can adapt to, and that's where she came from.....Eris."
Back at Ponyville, where it began to rain again, Twilight and Dremsilyol have made it to Twilight's library. Twilight, in a rush to get inside, slammed the door shut. The slam caught Spike's attention upstairs.
"Twilight? Is that you?" He asked as he walked downstairs. "Where have you been? You missed, like, five letters from Princess Celestia-AAAHHHH! Big dragon!" He yelled, quickly dashing back upstairs.
"Spike," Twilight said, "it's okay, he's not gonna hurt you."
Spike, nervous, made slow, careful steps towards Dremsilyol. Twilight, getting impatient, levitated Spike closer to him.
"Spike, Dremsilyol." She said. "Dremsilyol, Spike."
"Um...." Spike began. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
"The pleasure is all mine, young dragon." Dremsilyol replied. "Now tell me, what nutritional value do you find in gems?"
"Oh, well there's, um..."
"Ohokay," Twilight interrupted, "how about we have some late morning breakfast? I'm sure you're especially hungry, Dremsilyol."
"Indeed, I am. What do you usually make for breakfast here?"
"Well, not much, just a bunch of plain gems and herbs, although we do also have eggs."
"Eggs are fine, though I prefer them to be fried."
"Fried, got it. Now Spike, what was that about letters from Celestia?"
"Oh, right!" Spike shouted, spitting out chewed amethysts. "All these letters are urgent, Twilight, you should probably read all of them."
The first letter discussed something about independent weather patterns over Canterlot, beyond the pegasus' control. The second was on a subject about a black burrowing creature of some sort, and the last three were all status updates on the imprisonment of a blue wyvern dragon. Out loud, Twilight read the last bit of the last letter.
"'The lightning wyvern is too unpredictable. We're going to bring her back to Eris, and I want you to join me for the sake of experience. Your royal teacher, Princess Celestia.' 'Lightning wyvern?!' Dremsilyol, I think they have your daughter!"
"Then we must stop them!" Dremsilyol replied. They then left the library.
"Wait!" Spike said. "What about the eggs?!"
"Forget the eggs," Twilight yelled back, "just get the balloon ready!"
"Why do you want Spike to get a balloon ready?" Dremsilyol asked.
"We have a hot air balloon; it's mainly used for travelling to Cloudsdale, but can also help us get to the other towns in Equestria."
"Why not wait back at the library to help Spike fill the balloon?"
"Because we need a certain pegasus for a speed boost."
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had just quit searching outside of town for Dremsilyol, still thinking he had yet to be found.
"I haven't seen that dragon or Twilight all day." She said. "They better not have gotten lost in the Everfree Forest."
As she flew over Ponyville, she noticed two silhouettes below her, and calling out to her. She flew in, realizing it was Twilight and Dremsilyol.
"Whoa, Twilight, you made friends with the dragon?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yes." Twilight replied.
"Okay, and how many words have you taught him so far?"
"All of them" Dremsilyol replied. Rainbow Dash then gave an expression of disbelief.
"Okay, Rainbow," Twilight said, "I'm sorry to distract you from this phenomenon, but we're in a hurry!"
"What for?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"We're trying to find Dremsilyol's daughter!"
"......Daughter?"
"No time, let's go!"
Meanwhile, back at the dungeon, Qobriiven is still in chains.
"Bormah....Bormah...." She said, softly. Then the captain and two other guards entered.
"Alright, dragon, you're being released into the wild, now. I heard your home is pretty intense, so I wish you best of luck." He then let out a painful sigh, and gave the orders to the other guards beside him.
"Alright, men. Muzzle her. We're loading her up now."
The guards quickly muzzle and tie her, unchaining her afterwards. During the midst of her struggle, Qobriiven accidentally clawed the captain in the cheek. However, despite the anger he felt for being injured, he did not blame or scold her for it. They then carried her to a wagon outside, with two pegasi being the carriage ponies. Celestia watched, feeling great pity for her.
"Princess Celestia," the captain said, "we are ready to send her off."
"Then let's go." She replied. "I'll leave Twilight with one more letter to tell her where we'll be going."
With that, Celestia wrote a quick letter and sent it to the library.
"Let's go now." She said.
"Your majesty," the captain argued, "with all due respect, wouldn't it be easier if we went to see Twilight Sparkle?"
"We don't have time. The sooner we bring this lightning wyvern home, the less traumatized she may be. We're leaving now."
"Very well." And with that, they took off.
Meanwhile, back at the library, Spike had finished filling the hot air balloon just as Twilight and company showed up.
"The balloon's ready, Twilight!" Spike said. "I also didn't forget the eggs."
"Good work, Spike!" Twilight said in response.
"Come now, we must hurry!" Dremsilyol yelled.
"What about the eggs?" Spike asked. "They're gonna get cold."
"Very well," Dremsilyol replied, "I shall eat while we set out."
"Just don't make a mess in the balloon." Twilight said. "Wait! We don't even know where they're taking her!"
Suddenly, Spike belched a letter. Twilight read it out loud.
"'Dear Twilight Sparkle, we are heading to the eastern Equestrian docks to depart the lightning wyvern; please meet us there. Your royal teacher, Princess Celestia.'"
"I feel as if we now know." Dremsilyol said.
With the speed support of Rainbow Dash, they set out for the eastern docks.
As they set out to find the wagon carrying Qobriiven, the wagon had to stop, as the carriers grew tired, mainly due to Qobriiven's constant struggling. Celestia, in the meantime, tried to communicate with her, as she remembered being with some of these dragons a very long time ago, and even knowing some words of their language. Her memory so vague, Celestia tried to say a proper sentence.
"Zu..'u Celestia, ku....lass s...e f..aal......krein."
Qobriiven expressed a face of relief, as she felt someone may finally speak her language. Excited to respond, she sprang up.
"Zu'u Qobriiven se Eris! Hio tinvaak dovah?!"
Unfortunately, Celestia could only remember so much, understanding almost nothing from Qobriiven. It was such a long time ago, that even she, in all her wisdom, cannot remember more than ten words of the dragon language. Confused, she could only leave her in the carriage, never even trying to respond. She had no efficient way of communicating, despite her best attempts, and Qobriiven was just as confused, as well as traumatized. All that could be done was leaving her in silence. Soon after the conversation, the carriers were well rested, and continued pulling the carriage. The captain noticed a hint of depression on Celestia's face.
"Your majesty," he asked, "is all well?"
"No," Celestia replied, "all is not. I remember seeing someone just as confused and lonely a long time ago, and the mistake I made for not helping him."
"And who may 'he' be, exactly?"
Celestia glared at the captain briefly, then looked off.
".....That's a story for another day."
"Oh, I apologize, if I reminded you of something tragic."
"No need to apologize, I don't blame your curiosity."
"So, if I may ask, who is going to deliver this creature home to Eris?"
"We are. We're travelling by boat once we reach the eastern docks."
"Your majesty, a massive tropical storm is approaching there, it will be too dangerous."
"I've made a promise to bring her home, and that is what I'm doing, no matter the dangers."
"With all due respect, I'm beginning to question your sudden motivation."
"After what she reminded me of, I have every reason for said motivation."
"Very well. If you insist on this decision, I will still remain at your side. Carriers, take off! We're heading for the eastern docks of Equestria!"
"By your orders, captain!" The carriers responded. With that, they took off once again, unaware they did so just in the nick of time, as the creature from earlier was stalking them.
Meanwhile, the trio of Twilight, Dremsilyol and Rainbow Dash continued searching, asking nearby travelers if they saw Celestia's wagon fly by earlier. Thankfully, they all said they have, so it seems that they were on the right path. However, as they continued their journey, a great obstacle lied ahead. A massive thunderstorm with strong winds was being created by the local pegasi.
"Drat," Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "I forgot that was scheduled for this week!"
"Rainbow," Twilight said, "it might be a good idea to stop the balloon. Its floatation will make it completely defenseless against the wind, plus the lightning could fry us!"
"Okay, okay, I'll bring us down!" Rainbow Dash then flew downward to rest the balloon.
"Hey, look!" Twilight yelled. "There's a cave. We can go there until the storm passes." They then dragged the balloon inside the cave, and decided to rest there until the storm passed.
"Twilight Sparkle," Dremsilyol said, "we cannot rest for long. My daughter is still in peril, and I feel I may get cold from the forthcoming storm."
"Well, get a blanket," Twilight replied, "we did pack one."
"No, it will not work."
"Why not?"
"...I am ectothemic."
"What?!"
"I am cold-blooded. I cannot maintain my body temperature. If I were to sleep in cold weather, even with the blanket, I would be weak, worse case scenario, I would enter hibernation."
"Well, we'll make a fire! It still hasn't rained yet, so we can find some dry wood."
"I'll go look." Rainbow Dash said, before abruptly leaving. As she left, Twilight wanted to talk to Dremsilyol some more about his homeland.
"So," she asked, "could you tell me more about your country? What's it called?"
"It has many names," he said, "though everyone refers to it as Eris."
"Eris?! Isn't that a country where only chaos exists?"
"Indeed, it is. However, it has become more chaotic as generations passed. As I said, my name means 'Peaceful Soul Fire.' What it means is that I was the most docile among my kind. Many would mistreat me, mock me, even torment me throughout my years, due to the way I view the world. Even those I had sympathy for turned on me. I could not stand having my daughter witness this malicious behavior, so I had us migrate to a new land, for a better place to raise my daughter in. The unfortunate irony is, my daughter is about to return to that forsaken world, all because her language differs. Is this what you normally do to dragons in your town? Chain them, box them, and send them from whence they came?! It..." He paused as he started to disturb Twilight. "I...I apologize. My fatherly side was getting the better of me."
"....Well, I'm sorry that you lost her so suddenly."
"No, it is not your fault. That is, not the fault of your kind. After all, you were not the reason we got separated. All that I remember was her telling me, 'I will be back. I just need to find some food.' She had not come back for three hours since then. I assume she either got lost, or continued searching for food."
"Well, she was in Sweet Apple Acres. It could be she was looking for some fresh apples."
"You make a decent point. I prefer fish, but apples make for a good second option."
"I have another question. Can you tell me more on how your magic works?"
"Oh, yes. I have plenty to explain." Most of the explanation consisted of roughly the same elaboration as Celestia's from the other evening, but with one standout statement. "Basically, the power of our sorcery depends on how closely the gem matches our skin color, the number of horns our heads have, and how willful our spirits are. My willpower to find my daughter helps strengthen, I have four horns, and I have chosen this exceptional fire ruby."
"You know you stole that, right?"
"Stole? I never steal!"
"You took it from Rarity before."
"The pony with diamonds on her flank?"
"Yes, and that's her cutie ma-"
"I borrowed it."
"No, she called you a thief and everything."
"Well, she must be framing me, because I asked her politely if I could borrow it, and she willfully handed it to me."
"...I, uh, think she thought you just wanted to look at it."
"Hmm......Now that I think about it, this would explain why Rainbow Dash tried to stop me as I was walking away."
"Looks like that's another misunderstanding we have to make up for."
"Indeed." As they finished talking, Rainbow Dash returned.
"Hey guys," she said, "I got some wood, nice and dry for a good roaring fire."
"Great!" Twilight and Dremsilyol said in response. They set up the firewood, and were ready to ignite it. However, Rainbow and Twilight were silent, as they both stared at Dremsilyol.
"What is the matter?" He asked.
"Hello?" Rainbow said. "You're a dragon."
"Yes?"
"So use fire breath already!"
"...I cannot breathe fire." With that statement, Twilight and Rainbows' jaws drop in a bit of shock.
"Well, that's great!" Rainbow yelled. "We set up for a bonfire, and now we can't light it."
"Who said we could not?" Dremsilyol asked.
"What?"
"I may not be able to exhale flame, but I can cast it." Just then, he jumped to his feet, and cast a small flame spell onto the wood. Twilight was surprised, giving a dumbfounded look.
"B...But...." Twilight tried to say.
"Do you not know of pyrokinesis?" Dremsilyol asked.
"No, we don't. There's no fire-related magic at all!"
"Well, perhaps your kind was afraid of fire-related magic." As he was ready to speak again, he let out a good yawn. "Anyway, I grow tired. We shall set out again once the storm passes. Sweet dreams, my young friends."
"Right, good night!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, before falling asleep rather quickly. Twilight, on the other hand, as she fell asleep, was almost restless from her dreams.
"What? Where am I?! Hello? Is anyone here?!"
"There is only you....and I." A voice subtly whispered behind her. Twilight turned slowly, being introduced to a gigantic silhouette of an unknown creature.
"Who are you?" Twilight asked.
"That is not important." The creature replied. "I am here to tell you what is important. I know those dragons now live on your land."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"They left my land, and I want them back. I want you to help Celestia return them home."
"But they left because of how chaotic it is there! They want to live a new life in a new world!"
"They are my people! They will go nowhere in the outside world on my watch! Bring them to me, or I will retrieve them myself!" As the voice turned more aggressive, the dream world became darker and the noise became more disturbing.
"I.....I don't get it, though. Why do you want them back?" Twilight asked.
"I told you, they are my people. They mean everything to me, and I do not want them in a place they cannot adapt to."
"But they can adapt here! Dremsilyol already knows our language, and his daughter is...Well, I haven't met her, yet, but I can convince Celestia to let her live here in Equestria, with her father!"
"I will not allow them to live anywhere else, especially not in Equestria, not after what Celestia has done!" When the voice spoke those words, Twilight started to get more curious and concerned than argumentative.
"....What did Celestia do?" She asked.
"......That is a story for another day. All I want now is my people."
"I...don't know if I should..."
"I will give you some time. Tell them, and if they refuse, you have no choice but to force them. If they do not return, I will, and I mean that I WILL bring them home!" The voice finished speaking, the silhouette faded, and the dream turned into darkness. Suddenly, Twilight found herself abruptly wide awake. As she stood, she realized the fire had been reduced to a pile of ashes. However, the storm still raged on. She realized that, for some reason, the storm was still active, for several hours longer than they expected. On top of that, they overslept, and may be running out of time.
To be Continued...
Author's Note
Okay, this one took a bit to get together. So much is going on, I couldn't sum it up in two parts. Part three will eventually come around, and it will be the last of this three-part story arc. Be warned, though, it will be especially long. After that, thankfully, our draconic characters may finally get their break, and trust me, they would really like one after all this.
The storm raged on, and the fire was out, as Twilight started to panic from the realization.
"Rainbow Dash, Dremsilyol, wake up!" She yelled.
"Wh...What is it?!" Dremsilyol asked, quickly waking up.
"What's going on?!" Rainbow Dash yelled, almost instantly springing up.
"We slept in!" Twilight replied.
"What?!" Dremsilyol exclaimed. "Then we must move now, who knows how far from my daughter we could be?!"
"But the storm is still out, we can't take the balloon now!"
"Then we travel by foot."
"But it's not safe to walk in a thunderstorm!"
"This is my daughter we are speaking of! You may continue resting, if you wish, but I am going to continue my search for her!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Rainbow Dash interrupted. "Twilight said it's not safe."
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash-" Twilight said.
"Which is why I'm sticking with you!"
"WHAT?!"
"Don't worry, Twilight, I can easily clear the sky for us."
"Oh, right, because you're a pegasus."
"Yep, I'll be right back." Rainbow Dash then zoomed off, into the cloudy sky.
"Tell me, Twilight Sparkle," Dremsilyol asked, "what does her being a pegasus have to do with 'clearing the sky for us'?"
"Oh, well," Twilight replied, "pegasi maintain the weather. They're the ones who make the rain and snow fall, make the day sunny, the night bright, all that."
"That is....interesting." As they finished their short conversation, Rainbow Dash returned, but there was no visible sky.
"What happened?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know," Rainbow Dash replied, "the clouds are completely awol! The lightning even tried to strike at me!"
"So, that means..."
"This is an actual, dangerous, raging thunderstorm!"
"Well," Dremsilyol said, "if the storm has not cleared on schedule, then the chances are that it will not for a long time. It seems we have no choice, we have to search for her in these weather conditions." As he began to walk off, Twilight interrupted him.
"But your staff is metal!" Twilight yelled. "The lightning makes that thing a magnet!"
"Enough talk, Twilight Sparkle. I will find her now, or never." When Dremsilyol finished speaking, he continued walking.
"Hate to be against you, Twilight," Rainbow said, "but I'm helping him out. He could use an eagle-eye like me!" She then hovered off, following Dremsilyol. Twilight stood there for a brief moment, pondering the situation. She only spoke one statement.
"...A lightning wyvern..." She then ultimately decided to follow them.
Meanwhile, Celestia's carriage continued to make its way toward the docks. "Your majesty," said the captain of the guard, "the dragon is growing in agitation."
"That's understandable." Celestia replied. "She's been through a lot the past few days."
"The storm also hasn't stopped. I feel as if we should stop once more." Just as the captain finished speaking, a bolt of lightning struck near the carriage, staggering the carriers and passengers alike.
"Your majesty, we must land now!" The captain yelled. "Carriers, take us down!" The carriers started to fly downwards, when the lightning strikes started to become more violent and rapid. All the while, Celestia was seeing Qobriiven acting extremely focused. Then, in that instance, Celestia's mind clicked.
"Abandon the carriage!" She yelled.
"What is it?!" The captain asked.
"Just do it!" She leaped out of the carriage, as her guard and carriers soon followed. As they watched the carriage free fall, a huge bolt of lightning struck at it, before it shattered against the ground.
Meanwhile, Dremsilyol, Twilight and Rainbow Dash witnessed the powerful strike from a distance.
"Wow!" Rainbow yelled. "That was an awesome strike!"
"Yes..." Dremsilyol said. "Perhaps too awesome to be natural. Come on, we must investigate." They then hurried off to the area where the lightning strike occurred.
Back at the same area, Celestia and the guard examine what is left of the carriage.
"Strange." The captain said. "The dragon isn't here."
"It is just as I remembered." Celestia responded. "Her kind truly is phenomenal."
"What are you speaking of, your highness?"
"They're called lightning wyverns for a reason. She was concentrating."
"What?"
"She was concentrating the lightning strikes onto her, so she could teleport free. Lightning wyverns are so well-adapted to the severe thunderstorms of Eris, that they can use the lightning itself to their advantage. Basically, they can convert their bodies to become part of the lightning, going anywhere they want. It's come to the point where they control lightning whenever it's around."
"No offense meant, your highness, but that sounds preposterous."
"Have you noticed the sudden silence?"
"I'm sorry?"
"There hasn't been another lightning strike since that last one. Even the rain has suddenly stopped. She is searching, looking for a place to go."
"Your majesty, I-"
"Shh.......listen carefully..." For a brief moment, everything was silent. Then, moments later, one final lightning strike occurred nearby, followed by rumbling thunder.
"She went there!" Celestia said, as she began to give chase. The captain, without words, soon followed.
As they left it, Twilight and company soon arrived to the crash site.
"Oh no!" Twilight said in worry. "What happened?! Where's Celestia?!"
"Where is the lightning wyvern?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I have a feeling they are where the last lightning bolt struck." Dremsilyol replied, genuinely calm in tone.
"Why are you suddenly nonchalant about this?" Twilight asked.
"Because I know my daughter is safe. She actually did it."
"Did what?"
"I will explain along the way. Come, I feel as if I know where we can find at least Princess Celestia."
Meanwhile, in the last strike area, Qobriiven was confused, trying to recover from the rough teleportation. As she regained awareness, she started to speak, gaining excitement.
"Zu.....Zu drey nii.....Zu drey nii! Zu drey nii! Keh, keh, keeeeh!!! Tol lost morokei! Bormah, Zu fen daal!" In her excitement, Qobriiven flew off, once again aimlessly searching for her father. Just as she left, Celestia and the captain appeared.
"Well," said the captain, "it's not surprising that she isn't here, but where could she have gone?"
"Wherever we aren't." Celestia replied. "By now, she probably thinks all of us are evil. And I doubt the other dragon thinks any differently. Come on, we have to find her before she hurts anypony."
"She would not do that!" A familiar voice yelled from behind. "I raised her better than to harm so much as an ant." Celestia and the captain turned their heads to see who spoke, and it was revealed to be Dremsilyol.
"Hault, dragon!" The captain shouted, jumping in front of Celestia. "You will not confront her majesty!"
"Relax, captain," Celestia said, walking past him, "he means no harm. Tell us, good dragon, what is your name?"
"I am Dremsilyol," he replied, "and I am honored to meet her majesty at last. Now tell me, if you know, where is my daughter?"
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said, rushing in, "where's the lightning dragon?" As she finished speaking, Twilight Sparkle walked up front casually, asking Dremsilyol,
"So lightning wyverns can TELEPORT?"
"Yes, when there is a strong enough thunderstorm." Dremsilyol replied.
"I'm sorry, Dremsilyol," Celestia said, "but your daughter isn't with us anymore."
"Yes, I know that. Where IS she?"
"Given her speed, she could be anywhere by now."
"Don't worry, everypony," Rainbow shouted, "I'll find her, no matter how fast she is!"
"Rainbow, wait!" Twilight shouted, as Rainbow dashed off.
"Well," Dremsilyol said, "I am at least happy to know Qobriiven is no longer in chains."
"What is that supposed to mean?" The captain asked.
"Calm yourself, I just hope this experience has not traumatized her."
"Regardless," Twilight asked, "where could she be?"
Meanwhile, Qobriiven tried to hide in the clouds, hoping not to be seen by Celestia. She was desperately trying to continue flapping her wings to stay in the air. When she finally grew tired from using up her stamina, she started to fall. However, she felt that she landed on something rather quickly. It felt soft, almost like a pillow. She raised her head to see what she was laying on, surprised to see that it was a cloud.
"Zu...Zu mah nau...su?" After realizing this, she let out a little cheer for this new discovery. "Nu DAAR los lot!" After that, she let out a sigh of relief, and decided to rest on the cloud. As she relaxed, she began to ponder the situation she was in. When she was not thinking about the repercussions of running away from the law, she was thinking about her father. 'Where could he be,' she thought. Her train of thought was short, though, as Rainbow Dash had apparently spotted her.
"Hey, uh....Qubrevin!" Rainbow Dash yelled. Qobriiven, as soon as she saw her, panicked, and tried to fly off, remembering what had happened last time she encountered her.
"Hey, wait, we just wanna talk!" Rainbow Dash yelled, before quickly giving chase. Both of them flew with great speed, blowing away clouds as they zoomed by them.
"Slow down, Qo, we're trying to help!" Rainbow Dash continued. Unable to understand her, Qobriiven could only keep flying away. However, while she was faster than Rainbow Dash at the start, her stamina was running low again. Finally, she felt she could no longer hold back, and used all her might to fly as high as she could. Once she could fly no higher, she stopped flapping her wings, folded them against her body, and divebombed downwards, towards the previously pursuing Rainbow Dash. She inhaled a deep breath, and in the blink of an eye, as she passed by Rainbow Dash, she breathed out a powerful bolt of lightning, zapping Rainbow Dash. She then flew off, leaving Rainbow Dash to try to comprehend what just happened.
"That was so awesome....Why can't I do that?!" She then remembered Qobriiven being able to outrun her. "And why can't I be that fast?!" Outmatched by a dragon?! Rainbow Dash felt cheated, as if she lost a race. She flew back down to tell her friends the news.
"Hey, guys!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "I saw Qo..bru..vine fly that way!"
"We know, Rainbow," Twilight replied, "we saw the whole thing."
"Wait...Where's her dad?"
"Dremsilyol ran the same direction, trying to keep up with her."
"He must be quite determined to see her again." Celestia said. "He hasn't seen her for at least three days, and to be this close? I would act the same, if it was my sister in such danger."
"Alright, everypony," Twilight said, "it seems we're back at square one. We have two dragons to find, and we need to find them before sundown. We saw where they went, so let's see if we can catch up!"
"Right!" Everypony yelled. They all started rushing off, except for Celestia.
"Twilight, wait." Celestia yelled.
"Yes, Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked.
"There is something I need to tell you about those two, about where they came from."
"They're from the land of Eris, right?"
"Yes, but what I haven't told you is why we wanted to bring them back."
"They left their land because they didn't like it there, why do you want to send them back?" After a moment of silence, Celestia felt it was time to explain to Twilight.
"....It all started....when Luna and I founded our kingdom..."
Elsewhere, Dremsilyol was calling out for Qobriiven.
"Qobriiven!" He shouted, speaking in his native language. "Nii los Zu, hin bormah! Qobriiven!" He continued searching, calling out for her. Suddenly, the red-eyed creature from much earlier found him, and sprang out of the large bush in front of him. It was the large black dragon from the previous night. This dragon held a strong grudge against Dremsilyol for having its course taken from it, and was ready to go all out against him in this second confrontation.
"You again?! Be gone, evil dragon!" He yelled.
"Ah." The black dragon said. "So you can actually speak now?"
"You....You can talk, as well?!"
"That doesn't matter, you chased my dinner away, and now I'll destroy you for it!" The black dragon then lunged at Dremsilyol, grabbed his staff and tossed it into the trees, preventing him from using magic.
"Now you have no way of defending yourself!" The black dragon yelled.
"He may not be able to help himself..." A familiar voice said. "....But we can help with that!" It was Rainbow Dash, along with the captain.
"By the order of the princess," the captain yelled, "you will stop now, dragon!"
"What authority do you have over me?" The black dragon asked.
"Here, let me show you what authority." Rainbow Dash said, before kicking the dragon in the chest. Unfortunately, the dragon seemed unphased. His scale-armored skin was simply too strong for even Rainbow Dash's momentum.
"Ha ha, puny authority!" The dragon chuckled, before knocking back Rainbow Dash. "Now stay out of my way!" He continued, before breathing fire around him and Dremsilyol. "This little dragon is mine!" The fight carried on, as Dremsilyol had nothing to rely on but his wit and whatever he happened to find within the ring of fire. Eventually, after a few close dodges, Dremsilyol, with his age great, his body overheating, his stamina running low, and the smoke infecting his unadapted lungs, was beginning to pass out from the tension. At last, he could not move quickly enough anymore, as the black dragon caught him, and held him down, ready to finish him off.
"Pathetic." The black dragon said. "All your wisdom in experience, all your energy, all wasted from your size and age."
"I am the pathetic one...?" Dremsilyol asked. "Who is the one trapping me in an inferno I am being cooked by? Who is using my age against me? Who is holding a grudge over losing one course meal? YOU are the pathetic one..."
"At least I'll feel satisfied, knowing I'm rid of you!" Suddenly, the fire was extinguished, as put out by Twilight and Celestia at last.
"Dragon, let him go!" Celestia yelled.
"Never!" The dragon yelled back in frustration. "And don't think you will be able to phase me! I am a wall even the fastest pony couldn't break! None of you can stop me now!" Suddenly, an unknown, speeding force knocked the dragon upside the head. The dragon was saying a bunch of gibberish, before its head collapsed onto the ground.
"What was that?!" Twilight asked. "Rainbow?"
"Nope," Rainbow Dash replied, "I'm right here."
"Then who was the..." Twilight stopped speaking to see that Qobriiven was there. It was she who knocked the dragon out.
"Bormah!" Qobriiven yelled. "Nii los Zu, Qobriiven! Zu'u het fah hiu...Bormah.....? Bormah?!" Dremsilyol was silent, as he actually has passed out from the tension. Qobriiven was starting to break down, repeatedly shouting 'bormah' at him. After a moment of silence, Dremsilyol was finally starting to come to.
".....Qo....Qo..briiven?"
"Bormah!" Qobriiven yelled. "Hiu kos nahlaas!"
"Keh, Qobriiven, Zu'u." Dremsilyol was finally awake, and struggled to stand up. His daughter was there to help him up. Once he finally stood, he and Qobriiven hugged each other with all their might, shedding tears over seeing each other again at long last.
"Hey, Drem." Rainbow Dash said. "Sorry to interrupt your family reunion, but...here's your staff."
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash." Dremsilyol replied. "And yes, I know what I must do with it." He turned towards Qobriiven. "Qobriiven, Hiu lost wah morah nau Zu. Zu fen aak hiu zeim daar." Qobriiven nodded, trying to keep herself mentally focused. Dremsilyol's gem and horns then started to glow an aura. After moments of everyone being silent, waiting, Dremsilyol had finished, and Qobriiven was shaking her head from the mental influx she just went through.
"Qobriiven," Dremsilyol said, "do you understand what I am saying...?" After being silent, she finally spoke again.
"Zu-....I-......Ke-........Y-......I do....I do. I do! I did!" She then started flying around and jumping in excitement. "I understand! I can speak another language! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Everyone started cheering, and hugging each other. However, Twilight, after thinking about the dream from the other night, as well as whatever Princess Celestia explained to her, looked like she was about to see them off, even though they had no plans to. Celestia then trotted next to Twilight to talk to her.
"Twilight, it's okay. You can tell them later, if you wish. In the meantime, I must return to Canterlot, as well as find a place to transfer that black dragon, so he won't harm anypony else. I expect a letter by tonight." Twilight nodded, as Celestia took off. The captain then also consulted Twilight.
"Miss Sparkle, since I am in a hurry, I just wanted to say, tell those two that we're greatly sorry for the way we treated them. That'll be all, I wish you and them good luck getting home safely. Good day." He then followed Celestia back to Canterlot.
"Twilight," Dremsilyol, "what is the matter?" Twilight was silent for a brief moment, then decided to answer him.
".....Oh, just that the captain and Celestia wanted to say they're sorry for how they treated you."
"Ah. Well, I forgive them. What about you, Qobriiven? Do you forgive them?"
"Mmm.......Yeah, I do." Qobriiven replied. "All is well! Now, how are we going to get back to Ponyville?"
"Hmm...Perhaps I have a solution." Dremsilyol said. "Can that wagon from before be fixed?"
"Maybe," Rainbow replied, "if we work together."
"Then work together, we shall. Come on, let us move!"
Later that evening, everyone made it back to Ponyville, with the now fixed wagon, and Rainbow Dash and Qobriiven carrying it.
"I can't believe wagons can be carried so easily by fliers!" Qobriiven said.
"It's all about the wingpower, Qo!" Rainbow Dash replied.
"Rainbow Dash!" Yelled a familiar voice, tackling Rainbow Dash in a burst of speed.
"Oh, hi, Pinkie Pie." Twilight said. "Back from your vacation already?"
"Of course, silly! I got a letter from Rarity saying a dragon took her fire ruby, then I thought it was Spike, until I realized Spike wouldn't do that, because now he knows he's not supposed to take what's his, and that Rarity didn't say it was Spike, so I knew it was a different dragon, and I knew Rainbow Dash would try to chase it down, but it would get away, so you and Rainbow Dash had to find it before it hurt anypony else, and then it would-"
"Okay, Pinkie Pie," Rainbow Dash interrupted, "you're only half right. Now please get off me."
"Oooooh, but I'm just so happy you're back, with Twilight, a dragon and another..dragon...Huh."
"....I like this pony." Qobriiven whispered to Twilight. "She's a lot of fun."
"Of course I'm fun!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Wanna play Kick the Whatever?"
"Sure. What's that game?"
"It's where you find anything you're allowed to kick, and kick it back to where you live!"
"Pinkie Pie," Twilight asked, "when did you come up with this?"
"Fifteen seconds ago! Gotta start fresh!"
"But these two don't have a place to live yet. We were about to make arrangements."
"Oh, okay......I'll just cartwheel home, then!" She then started cartwheeling home. "Hey, that can be another new game! Homing Cartwheel! I must make a memo! Uh-oh..." She then crashed into Applejack's apple cart.
"Pinkie Pie!" Applejack yelled. Everyone else chuckled at the little accident.
Later, Twilight began writing a letter to Princess Celestia.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
Today, I've learned that, no matter what land someone is from, no matter how old or foreign they could be, no matter even what species they are, deep down inside themselves, they can all be what we all are; friends. Friends get to know each other, play with each other, and stick with each other until the end. I really hope I have enough time to get to know and stick with my new friends until that end.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle"
"Spike," Twilight said, "send this, please."
"With pleasure, Twilight." Spike said, before taking the letter and burning it out the window.
"Such a strange, magical world." Dremsilyol said.
"You'll get used to it." Twilight replied.
"So I shall reside here in the library, whilst my daughter resides at Rainbow Dash's home in this....Cloudsdale?"
"Yes. For some reason, your daughter really wanted to go there."
"Perhaps she simply likes the sky to that extent."
"Or, maybe she just knows how comfortable a cloud can be." Dremsilyol then looked at her in a funny way. "What? They are, when you can actually touch them!"
Back at Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash welcomed Qobriiven to the new town.
"So, this whole place is Cloudsdale." Rainbow Dash said. "It's where the weather is made, where the pegasi games take place, and even where some pegasi live, including myself."
"How does this work?" Qobriiven asked.
"Well, it's easy, you see-"
"I mean the clouds. How am I standing on clouds?"
"Oh, well, since you can fly, you can stand on clouds."
"Hmm....If you ask me, I think being able to fly is the true magic here. Tee hee."
"Well, anyway, you'll be sticking with me, in my room."
"Alright, I'm okay with that." Rainbow Dash then opened the door to her bedroom, and introduced Qobriiven to the interior.
"I know it's not much, but it has some good stuff. I couldn't get another bed at the moment, so I just took whatever clouds I could find, and put them all together to make a cushion." As Rainbow Dash finished speaking, Qobriiven fell flat on the cloud cushion.
"I love it!" She then curled up into a sleeping pose similar to a bird.
"Oh, okay, cool! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Daring Do novel to finish tonight!" Rainbow Dash then hopped into her bed, kicked back, and opened her book to the page her bookmark left open. "Night, Qo."
"Good night.....Rainbow Rush..."
"It's Rainbow Dash..."
"Sorry."
Elsewhere, the black dragon finally awoke from the hard hit he took.
"Ugh....My head hurts." He said. "Wait. What?! Where am I?! I can't move! I'm...chained?!"
"Yes," a voice said, "you are." It was the captain of the guard. "You have defied the name of the law, you attempted to end the life of the innocent on multiple occasions, and you threatened the princess. Your punishment is banishment from Equestrian grounds! Have you anything to say for yourself?"
".....Could I please just have something to eat?!"
"Very well. Men, bring the dragon his dinner." Two guards then trotted in, carrying a covered dish.
"At last, I can eat." The black dragon said, as the lid was lifted. "Wait. What is this?!"
"They are gems." The captain replied "A common food source for dragons."
"Not for this dragon! I demand meat! Give me a fish, at least!"
"We don't have that kind of food. We didn't realize you were a full-fledged carnivore. Regardless, see if you can make an exception." The captain then left the cell, leaving the dish of gems there with the dragon. After letting it all sink in, the dragon broke down.
"No....No...NO, NO, NO, NO, NOOO! GRAAAAAAAH!"
Author's Note
And so ends the third chapter. Everyone has finally found each other once again, and our two favorite dragons are finally getting the break they needed. However, this doesn't mean the story's over for them. I have plenty more ideas being thought out and written down, and I have been hinting at something really big throughout the last two chapters. But that's a story for another day.
Also, in this chapter, I have been using "everypony" and "everybody" separately. The reason is because when one pony character refers to another, they refer to them as "somepony," but if they refer to a dragon, or some other non-pony character, they refer to them as "somebody" or "someone." Well, that's the way I see it, anyway. So it's not a consistency error, it's just different referring methods.
Overall, I'm glad I finally managed to get this major story arc finished, I hope you all enjoyed it, and will enjoy whatever else I write later on.
Part 4 - Return of the Joke
Another bright and sunny morning shined upon Ponyville, as Applejack prepared to work.
"Mornin', Applebloom." She said. "I'm headin' into the field."
"Alright," her sister Applebloom replied, "just watch for those mosquitos. They were all over me!"
"Heheh, 'tis fine. I'll just get the cactus juice." Applejack then went outside before mosquitos started following her. She opened her apple cellar, and brought out a bottle of cactus juice. She then opened it, and the mosquitos nearly instantly started flying away.
"Yeh, works like a charm." Applejack quickly smelled the scent, reacting in minor disgust. "Ugh, it's startin' to repel me, though. Horse apples, that juice is gettin' sour." She then rested the bottle, and went into the field to start bucking apple trees, when she spotted Dremsilyol picking some off the trees with his newfound magic, and placing them in a bucket.
"Hey! Dragon!" She yelled, running towards him. "Whaddya' think you're doin' with my apples?!"
"I am only doing what I said I was going to do today." Dremsilyol replied. "Twilight Sparkle assumed you needed help today, so I am here to assist in getting the apples off of the trees."
"Wait, since when did you start speaking mah language?"
"....Roughly three days ago. I do know your name, by the way, Applebloom, since Twilight Sparkle told me."
"Uh....I'm Applejack."
"Hmm? Ah, that is interesting. Is there another 'Apple' in the family?"
"Yeah, my younger sister in the house is Applebloom, but what in tarnation could she need help with?"
"I do not know, either. Twilight Sparkle was apparently busy with a task of her own, and writing an entire check list about it....Or was she having Spike do that? Ahem, anyway, I should go see what she needs help with." Dremsilyol then started walking off towards the Apple family's house. "Ah, I almost forgot, my name is Dremsilyol." He then continued on.
"Well, that was a strange welcome." Applejack said. "Also, did I just see him use magic? Ah well, doesn't seem to matter. Any friend of Twilight, I can tolerate."
Dremsilyol entered the house to see if anyone was home.
"Hello?" He asked, as he looked around. He then saw Applebloom, thankfully not frightened, as she saw him talk with Applejack just moments ago. "Ah, you must be Applejack's sister. Is there anything you need help with, young pony?"
"Yeah, sure, dragon." Applebloom replied.
"My name is Dremsilyol."
"That's a weird name. I'll just call you 'Draco'. It has a vibe to it."
"If you say so."
"Anyway, I just need help cleanin' mah room. It ain't much, just a few toys scattered."
Moments later, they enter Applebloom's room to see the interior. There were broken toys everywhere, the window was cracked, and clothes were completely scattered about.
"This is what you call a 'few' toys?" Dremsilyol rhetorically asked. "No matter, I can handle this, never the less. Stand back, I need room." He then used his staff to focus his magic, slowly lifting every scattered object.
"Alright, Applebloom, this is where I need your help. Simply tell me where certain things go."
"Well," Applebloom replied, "all mah toys go in the box by my bed, the clothes go in the closet over there, though you can just pile them up in the closet, in no kind of order, and the window...has a hole in it?! Quick, Draco, leave the room!"
"Gah, alright!" They then rushed out of the room, and Applebloom bucked the door shut.
"What happened?!" Dremsilyol asked.
"Don't you know what happens when your window is cracked?!"
"I cannot say I do..."
"Mosquitos can get in there!" Dremsilyol was briefly silent, making a slightly dumbfounded face.
"...Haha, please, Applebloom, I know you are a young and paranoid child, but something as minute as a mosquito?" They then paused, hearing a strange sound in Applebloom's bedroom.
"What's that?" Applebloom asked.
"Some sort of.....buzzing?" Dremsilyol then decided to open the door slightly, to see what was buzzing. As he did, a big bumblebee flew out of the cracked door, buzzing around to annoy Dremsilyol.
"Gah! Blasted bee, flying into my face!" He grunted. However, he notices something strange about the bee as it landed on him.
"Applebloom, look at this bee. Does anything strike it as 'strange'?"
"Yeah, it's got some sorta long pointy thing on its head, and not a stinger on its behind."
"Precisely, and- GAH! It......bit me?"
"Bees don't bite, silly, they sting!"
"But that felt nothing like a sting. It did feel like some sort of small needle, but the venom should have made it hurt more."
"Maybe it's a bee that learned to suck blood!"
"Ugh....I feel somewhat....woozy...."
"Maybe you should go rest somewhere."
"Very well....Oyy...."
Later that morning, Qobriiven and Rainbow Dash were having a quick race to see who was faster.
"I'm getting ahead of you already, Rainbow Run!" Qobriiven cheered.
"Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "And not for long, because I just have a slower start than you!"
"Work on that first, then we'll talk!"
"Why not now? I'm right next to you, now!" Rainbow Dash then flew somewhat faster than Qobriiven, as she began to tire out from flying so quickly.
"What's wrong, Qo? Ya tired?"
"No, no! I can keep going....hss......hss.....I can....ugh..." Qobriiven then started losing control, and falling downwards. However, Rainbow Dash did not have to save her, as she landed on a cloud, panting with most of her body deadweight.
"You alright, Qo?"
"Yeah....I guess, being a reptile, I just don't have as much stamina."
"You know, you don't have to keep flapping. If you build momentum, you can glide through the air, and just keep your wings straight. You know, like a bird. Heck, it'd probably be easier with your tail fin thing you got there."
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind. In the meantime, I think I need some rest."
"Right, I'll go check the weather schedule." Rainbow Dash then zoomed off.
"Whew....I really do need a breather. That race was pretty long, and I only have so much stamina in me- OW!" She felt a sharp pain on her back, and noticed the strange bee biting her.
"AH! BEE, BEE, BEE, BEE!" Qobriiven jumped, and flew off.
"Bees. I HATE bees! They're so annoying.....Um, is it me, or did that bee sting not hurt? In fact, did it even sting me? I'm gonna go see how Rainbow Doo is holding up." As Qobriiven continued flying casually, she noticed she was getting a little bit slower.
"Huh? I can't be tired, I don't feel tired anymore. Althouugghh, II doo feeel sloooweeer....."
Elsewhere, Dremsilyol was seen resting on a hay bale.
"Hay is for horses, Dremsil." Applejack said. "What's your problem?"
"I just feel like my mentality fell." Dremsilyol replied.
"You mean you feel like you got a headache?"
"That, and I think my speech pattern is out of whack."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I'm talking more differently."
"Alright, so does that imply you're getting dumber?"
"No. It only means I'm not talking the same as I always do."
"Heheh, now you're REALLY speakin' my language."
"Well, this is just great."
"Faaaaatheeeeerrrr...." Said a deep, but familiar voice.
"That's funny." Dremsilyol said. "It sounds like Qobriiven." He got up from the hay bale, and went to see who it was. "It IS Qobriiven. Wait....What in the world...?"
"Faaaaatheeeeerrrr...." Qobriiven said, with a lower, slower tone of voice. "Whyyyy aaaaarrrrree yyyyoooouuuu sssssoooooo fffaaaasssssttt......?"
"I think it's more along the lines of 'why are you so slow'?" Applejack asked.
"Yeah," Dremsilyol continued, "you're speaking like a snail covered in molasses. Wait....Did I say that?!"
"Yyyyyeeeeessss yyyyoooouuuu ddiiiiddd." Qobriiven replied.
"Well, this is awkward." Applejack said. "I'm gonna go get some help, you two stay here!" As she left, both of them replied "okay."
Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike were investigating a strange epidemic, with a magic bubble around them. Applejack came galloping towards them.
"Twilight! Twilight!" She yelled, as Twilight opened her bubble to let her in.
"Alright," Applejack continued, "first off, why do you have a magic bubble around ya? Second, what's with all the bees? They don't fly anywhere in Ponyville except at the flower shop. Third, Dremsil and the other lightning weevurn thing are acting strange..." Applejack then realized what was going on around her. "....as well as everypony else. Seriously, everyone's actin' funny, and have blue dots....on them...."
"Starting to put the pieces together, Applejack?" Twilight asked.
"These ponies are all infected with poison joke!" Spike replied. "I've never seen such an epidemic!"
"Have you found out the cause?" Applejack asked.
"I have a theory..." Twilight replied, staring at a bee on her bubble.
Later, back at Sweet Apple Acres, Twilight was using a magnifying glass to look at one of the bees, with Applejack, Dremsilyol, Qobriiven and Spike all watching in curiosity.
"So, Twilight," Dremsilyol asked, "what's your thoughts?"
"I might have figured it out." Twilight replied. She then noticed the cactus juice bottle still lying on the table where Applejack left it. "Applejack, what's in that bottle?"
"Cactus juice." Applejack replied. "Why?"
"Well, then I know what all this is. Mosquitos are everywhere, there's a poison joke epidemic, bees with blue spots on them are biting instead of stinging, that's it! These 'bees' are all mosquitos! They must've sucked the nectar of some poison joke before biting everypony.....and dragon, which turned them into bees!"
"Hold on," Dremsilyol interrupted, "what's this whole 'poison joke' thingy? What's it do?"
"It makes bad jokes when you touch it. All we have to do is find Zecora, and-"
"ZECORA?!" Dremsilyol and Qobriiven shouted.
"Um...Do you know her?" Twilight asked.
"Heck yeah, we do!" Dremsilyol said. "She's a world-wide trader! She used to go ANYWHERE in the world to trade items, stopping at our country the most for some good stuff, such as potion ingredients and flawless jewels. How do you think she has all those items?"
"Ssshheeee aaaaalllsssooooo hheeelllpppeedd uuuuusss ttoooo lleeeeaaarrrnn wwhheeeeerrrree tttooo ffiiiinnddd ggeeeeemmssss." Qobriiven said.
"Interesting." Twilight responded, curious to know more. "Zecora used to trade? And she knew your language?"
"Yep." Dremsilyol replied. "She knows lots of languages. And she's HERE?! We thought we'd never see her again!"
"Yes, she is here, and we need to find her, so she can make the cure."
"Shouldn't you've written it down?" Dremsilyol asked.
"Admittedly, yes, but even then, we don't have the right ingredients."
"Well, let's go, everypony....and dragon," Applejack yelled, "let's hope Zecora's in town today."
"You need not look throughout the town," a voice interrupted, "I do wish that you do look down."
"Why's that, Zecorrrrrr-" Twilight asked, before seeing Zecora. She then asked,
".....What happened to all your...stripes?"
"Yeah," Applejack said, "you're completely black, like the Black Stallion of old-time Canterlot."
"The less we know how the poison joke connects to that," Zecora replied, "the less you'll actually laugh hard at the fact."
"Either way," Dremsilyol said, "we're hoping you have the cure ready. How'bout it?" Suddenly, Applebloom screamed at the top of her lungs, being heard in her own bedroom and making everyone jump.
"Who's screaming?!" Dremsilyol yelled.
"That was my sister!" Applejack also yelled, before rushing to Applebloom's bedroom.
"What's wrong, sis?!" Applejack continued, before giving a dumbfounded look.
"Mah hair's turned into a giant flower!" Applebloom replied.
"....Gee, that's takin' 'applebloom' to a new level. Where's your bow?"
"It turned into the pedals!"
"Well, make like a plant, and stay there. We're gonna be gettin' rid of these mosquito bees." Applejack then ran out of her house to see what the others were doing.
"Ah, Applejack," Twilight called, "you're back. Listen, I know a way we can get rid of the mosquitos. We just have to place open bottles of cactus juice throughout all of Ponyville."
"What?!" Applejack replied. "But I don't have enough in one bottle!"
"Which is why we need as many bottles of it as possible. Sorry, if that means not having any while you work later."
"...Alright, alright, you can take as much as ya need. As long as it means I don't shrink again from gettin' bitten."
Soon after collecting all the cactus juice, everyone set out to place a bottle within each acre of Ponyville. It eventually works, and the bee-like parasites started flying off into the forest. Everyone starts to celebrate as a result of their success.
"Yes!" Twilight yelled. "They're all gone! No more bees OR mosquitos!"
"That was awesome!" Dremsilyol cheered.
"Hey!" Yelled Rainbow Dash, as she just arrived. "That's my line! Hey, what was so awesome for YOU to say it, anyway? And why's Qo the speed of a butterfly?"
"I'll talk about it later."
"Wwwweeeeeellllllll, tttthhhhhaaaaaatttttt'ssssss nniiiiiiicccceee," Qobriiven said, "bbbuuuuuuttttt wwweeeee'rrrreee sssttiiiiiilllllll nnnooooooottt ccuuuuurrrreeeddd......."
"Yeah," Dremsilyol said, "what IS the cure for poison joke?"
"Well, you really just have to take a bath with certain herbs-" Twilight said, before being interrupted by Dremsilyol.
"ALL YOU DO IS TAKE A BATH?!"
"With certain herbs....Yes."
"........Okay, then, let's warm up some water, and cut some grass!"
"Hold on one second, my draconic friend," Zecora said, "everypony else needs one on their end."
"Alright, alright. Since we've got an entire town to cure, I suggest forming some sort of line. Just a quick question. Could Qobriiven and I go first?"
Eventually, almost everyone, including the dragons was cured, with only a small line left to wash away the effects of the poison.
"Goodness me," Qobriiven said, "it feels GREAT to talk normal again!"
"Heheh, you dunno the half of it." Dremsilyol replied humorously.
"You! Red dragon!" A familiar voice yelled, marching up to Dremsilyol.
"Yes?"
"You took my fire ruby the other day! I would like it back now, please!"
"Calm yourself, Miss...?"
"Rarity..."
"Rarity, I only took it because I thought you were offering it. You held it out as if you were trying to give it out."
"Besides," Twilight intercepted, "he needs it to use magic."
"It's okay, Rarity," Spike said, "he can have it. It was originally mine, anyway."
"Well," Rarity said, "alright. Just don't break it."
"Please," Dremsilyol replied, "I know well not to break something I need."
"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get my hair fixed from the poison joke." Rarity then trotted off to take a herbal bath.
"Truly, there is more Qobriiven and I need to learn about this country." Dremsilyol said. "It seems, at this point, that anything can happen." Suddenly, he noticed Applebloom, her hair still a flower, next in line.
"Ah, Applebloom. I am glad you finally arrived."
"Yep, I'm here!" She replied.
"Go on, then. Get that flower off of your head." Applebloom then left to take a bath.
"Well," Twilight said, "this was quite the day."
"It must have been, if it brought you to say that. I just hope those mosquito-bees do not have any effect on the local wildlife."
"No need to worry. Zecora told me the effects of poison joke wear off after about a week."
"Well, that is certainly good news." With that, everyone let out some relieved laughter.
