"By the way, how long until the other dragons realize this gem is here? I mean I already can guess why it wouldn't be good for any of the countries, dragons coming to reclaim a stolen artifact but once they fully realize what it is..." Brandon said since it's been on his mind since she told them about it.

"It'll be a few more days, and you are right that it will cause a civil war between us. It may not have the power to fully control a dragon, the fact that it can contact all dragons across the world and make them irritable at the least. Also, I should tell you how these gems are made," Glow said making him raise an eyebrow.

"I feel like that is a secret that very few, maybe only you keepers really know," Brandon said making her nod.

"First, outside of the one currently being used, there are five more making six in total. They weren't always gems though, at one point they were hearts..." Glow said making Brandon slow down his pace a bit. "A few thousand years ago, there were a total of six Dragon Lords who were referred to as the six true dragons."

"They ruled over all of our kind in unison and harmony, possessing powers beyond what a normal dragon should be capable of. I guess you could say they were similar to that princess of a mare friend of yours, but some of their citizens grew jealous of them. As you can imagine, their greed for power led them to start a rebellion to try to claim the true dragon's power."

"It is the dragon's most horrific war, one which has been erased from most of our history. That war is why there are not as many dragons now then there were. To end the war and once again bring peace to their people the six true dragons took out their own hearts."

"Though before the last one did they made a decree, they were going to hide their heart somewhere full of traps and puzzles and the first one to retrieve the heart would be declared the Dragon Lord. This led to the first Dragon Lord of another era to be crowned, but you see they had thought they would need to eat the dragon's heart to gain the power."

"But of course when the first dragon came across what was supposed to be the heart they found the first crystal, and when they touched it they felt the power transfer to them. This Dragon Lord figured out what had happened, the six dragons' power had crystalized their hearts once they had been removed. He knew how dangerous these could be if the truth was known, and he understood not all would be worthy to wield their power."

"So he set out to find the other five with his twin brother and they agreed since he had been the one to find the first he would be the one who got the title. While this dragon brother agreed to watch over the other gems, to be their keeper, and once that deal was made all six gems glowed at the same time. Since then, that is why every Dragon Lord is blessed with twins."

"It was also the start of the gauntlet to see who was worthy, though they would not attune to just any dragon but one that has the best intentions. We as Keepers always figured that the six dragons' made it this way so one day all six would be attuned to the right dragon, but only the first was able to become attuned as no other dragons could attune to the other gems. They eventually just became a legend to my people, and only very few know of their existence, and only two, no three know of the true history."

"You're friend Spike is actually the true Dragon Lord as the attuning that happened when he claimed the scepter was the most potent attuning any Keeper had ever seen. But when he gave it to my sister it did give her access to some of its power, but he is the one who has the ability to access its full power. She very well knows that, but knew he had made up his mind on where he belongs."

"Who knows, he might even be the true savior of our people and the start of the true dragons again. But again, if the other dragons figure out that they aren't just legends it could restart that war, and this time there would be no one to sacrifice themselves to stop it. Shit, the last war is also why the badlands that we use as our nesting grounds were formed due to the last war," Glow explained making Brandon think a moment.

"Not to take away from your story, but this kind of sounds similar to the Elements of Harmony," Brandon said making Glow look at him in slight confusion.

"I have heard of those before, but what are they?" Glow asked.

"I don't know the full history, but they are from the Tree of Harmony and they utilize the power of harmony between ponies for power. It is their most powerful weapon you could say, though not exactly a deadly weapon. But there are a total of six of these gems and each one represents a different part of friendship."

"They can only be attuned to those who truly believe in the harmony and friendship of those around them. It seems those six dragons may have had a similar idea as the one who created the elements," Brandon answered making Glow give a nod of understanding.

"So, why tell me that?" Glow asked.

"Simple, I doubt you have an interest in trying to take them nor do I think you go around telling all the other dragons as well. But here's the thing, I feel like the reason why you told me about all that is because you actually could as if you were bound not to tell," Brandon stated making Glow smile.

"Very perceptive, yes as a chosen Keeper I am bound by magic not to tell others from this world. At least that's my guess as to why I'm able to tell you cause I really can't tell anyone else at all. You see when our eggs are laid the current Keeper takes the scepter to see which one it reacts to and the more it glows then that means that twin is decided to be the next Keeper."

"I believe it's at that point that the spell that keeps me from telling others was placed. But yet I can tell you, and only you, and the only difference is you are not from this world," Glow said making Brandon nod.

"But here's the thing, I don't think this group fully understands what they have. They might have been looking into them but with the fall of one of their main headquarters, I doubt they completed their research. For all they know it was just some gems that belonged to the Dragon Lord and figured that would be enough to start the war," Brandon said as he thought about it.

"That would make sense, but still the fact that they did know of their existence is troublesome in of itself let alone them being able to take them from under a fully trained Keeper and their apprentice," Glow said.

"Are you sure there are no records though? Also, as for getting in and stealing one, there are several spells that might help them. Then again, we really don't know just who they might have been able to get to. Just wish there was a better way to track it," Brandon stated and as he looked up he saw a line from Glow to somewhere deeper in town.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Glow asked.

"To make sure, you have absolutely no friends here right?" Brandon asked making her shake her head. "Listen, do you mind if I take the lead and you tell me if we're getting closer, alright?"

"But I don't see how..." Glow started until she realized his eyes were glowing a bit. "That's a neat-looking spell, wish you told me about it. But what does it do exactly?"

"First, I don't have much control over it and second, it allows me to see links between others," Brandon explained making Glow sigh in confusion.

"Ok, still don't know how that helps since I don't have connections here except you guys," Glow muttered as they started walking.

"Well, you did say that those gems used to be dragon hearts. So it wouldn't be surprising if you had made a connection with it a bit, especially with helping to take care of it," Brandon continued to explain as he followed the line. "Any changes by the way?"

"Yeah actually, it is getting stronger," Glow said though as he took a few more steps his eyes stopped glowing and the line faded from his view.

"Shit, well at least we know the general direction," Brandon said as he slowed down to match Glow's pace.

"It's hard to believe you're a human though, the ones I've heard of in legend looked similar to you in description but they had several differences," This caught his attention.

"You know of legends regarding this world native humans?" Brandon asked making Glow nod.

"Yes, they were wiped out due to their more violent nature. I mean a greed-grown dragon's violence pales in comparison. Granted, from what I heard of you're world they had similar natures. Though your world humans at least could manage to get along enough to not totally kill each other," Glow explained.

"Wouldn't be so sure of that, keep in mind in the modern day they start wars just to drain the population instead of finding other solutions. We are a violent species by nature as we were never on the top of the food chain without tools, but from what it sounds like the humans here may have been more akin to cavemen," Brandon said.

"Cavemen?" Glow asked.

"Ancient humans who were more animalistic in nature in a lot of ways, chances are they never evolved here as they did in my world. So it wouldn't be a surprise if they were far more violent than the humans of my world. Maybe after this, you can tell me more of what you know," Brandon said giving her a little smile.

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind that," Glow said returning his smile as they continued.

"Alright then, and Glow?" Brandon said with a smile as she looked him in the eyes. "I'm really looking forward to having you as a new friend."

"Well, not that I want to be friends with some creature like you..." Glow replied as she blushed a bit and looks away from him before mumbling some he couldn't make out but had an idea.

As they walked and changed the topic Brandon could feel someone following them now and from how Glow was looking around she hadn't sensed them yet. He quickly grabbed her claw and started pulling her through some twists and turns before coming out of the town's edge. Glow was giving him a dirty look which he couldn't blame her until she saw the group of ponies emerging from where they had just come from putting her on edge.

"You guys really haven't learned your lessons yet, your group is falling apart as most of your leadership is dead or is now arrested. So why not just give back what you stole from the dragons..." Brandon said making the leader of this small group chuckle.

"I'm sure your dragon friend here can tell you we don't have the gem on us, but can't wait until the fireworks!" The leader snorts.

"You're all really ok with putting this many lives at stake because of your own racist attitudes?" Glow growled out.

"Racists? We are only trying to protect the innocent from the likes of humans.... AAAGGG!" Suddenly the one talking was now missing part of his leg making him teeter a bit as both Glow and Brandon looked almost as surprised as the group.

"You are all idiots for thinking humans are the threat now, since you stole the dragon's gem you have put the entire country at risk. So, you sure you want to keep hiding the gem?" Knuckles asked after spitting out the leg of the leader out of his mouth.

"Y-you bastard! You're the one betraying all of pony kind by siding with that thing!" The leader gritted out.

"Humans haven't been around for thousands of years in this world, so why hold onto all that hate especially since most of the population believes they were nothing but myths?" Glow asked.

"Being a dragon, you wouldn't know. But then again, you three might not.... " Before he could finish he was turned to nothing but ash by Glow making the others back up.

"Knuckles, make sure you leave some of them alive alright?" Brandon says grabbing Glow once more making Glow confused until she sees his eyes.

"Did you pick up the trail of the gem?" Glow asked making him shake his head.

"No, but I can see the connections between that group and the ones who are still in town. Hopefully, this may lead us to where they're at least hiding." Brandon said and as she followed him she could smell the gem getting closer.

"You sure we should have left him back there?" Glow asked as they slowed down.

"From what I know of him, he is essentially special ops making him an elite soldier so I'm not worried. What I am worried about is just how many of that groups seem to be in town all cluttered together." Brandon says as he stops in front of a decent-sized building. As Glow sniffed she could smell the gem inside.

"It's in there alright..." Glow said before looking at him as he turned a bit pale.

"Look around, we're not too far from where they'll hold celebrations. This isn't good, Glow I know you want to reclaim that gem but for right now let's head back to inform the others." Brandon said trying to stay out of sight from the building.

"But what about just getting it now?" Glow asked making him give her a harsh stare.

"We are in the middle of town during a celebration time, too many civilians are at risk right now. If you're worried they'll move locations I doubt it since this would be a good spot to hide the gem in order to make dragons think it was this town in particular that stole it. Not to mention as I said before, this isn't that far from the main stage you could say and my guess is this is the only place they could secure due to what's been going on anyway. I swear to you that they most likely will not move at the very least, the gem from this location." Brandon said and as they locked eyes she sighed and nodded her head.

"Let's get going then, but we do have to hurry though. I'm getting a bad feeling about all this." Glow said making Brandon agree since he has the same feeling.

"Ok, let's head back then," Brandon said as he led her through the streets. Though he still had a hold of her claw she found she really didn't mind making her blush slightly. "Oh, right sorry I didn't mean to hold onto your claw like this..."

"I-it's fine, I don't know my way around yet. But I can still use my eyes if nothing else." Glow says though her tone was a bit more gentle and softer even if not by much.

"So, have you managed to think of anyone yet?" Brandon asked catching her off guard for a second.

"Oh, um, not that I know of. Granted I will admit I don't know if my teacher has permitted someone before I was born." Glow admitted.

"Listen, there is nothing wrong with doubting the people you trust sometimes. Who knows, this may just have been some sort of test for you. Of course, I do hope for your peace of mind that your teacher wasn't a part of this, but as long as you understand it is still an option." Brandon says as he stops and looks at her.

"I-I know, and thank you for saying that..." Glow says before shaking her head. "What are we doing just standing here? Let's just head back, but how are we gonna tell the others? Just wait until they come back?"

"Knuckles probably has gotten ahold of everypony so I wouldn't worry about that," Brandon replies with a smile.

"But what did he tell them? He wasn't with us when we dis..." That's when she remembers how he can somehow phase in and out of shadows making Brandon nod his head.

"Like I said, he is the best of the best of the Lunar army," Brandon says.

Glow couldn't help but wonder what forces were behind this one human who had found themself in a different world. All the creatures he has been around are important figures in one way or the other. She couldn't help but think some entity had his back or something, though she didn't care since he seemed like a good creature even if he had suffered. That was the real reason she told him about the history of the gems.

"Hey Brandon?" Glow says before taking a breath. "I-I'm sorry for..."

"There is nothing for you to apologize for Glow. This stuff happens regardless of how peaceful a world may seem. If you're feeling sorry about my past in my homeworld, then there is especially nothing you should feel sorry about. It was my life, I made my choices just like I'm making my own choices now, you understand?" Brandon says as he closes his eyes.

"Still, at least let me apologize for trying to burn you to a crisp..." Glow says a blush forming on her cheeks.

"Fair enough, how about you agree to show me around your home, or at least the parts someone like me can go to anyway," Brandon suggests making her give a little smile.

"I would gladly do that." Glow replies feeling her cheeks burning a bit.

The two continued walking in a more comfortable silence after that, she was wondering if this is how friendship actually feels. Even if it was a small part of friendship she was glad she got to experience it. However, she knew she would want more of it and that maybe, at the very least, that is why her teacher sent her so she could have this experience.

Author's Note

Remember to smile, smile, smile!