Waiting for a Train
They told her to stay away. They said the dragon was likely dangerous, a monster who probably enjoyed fillies like her the same way she enjoyed cookies. They told her everything would be fine, that the dragon would probably leave on its own account without setting the entire city aflame if left alone. Probably.
If Glitter Belle had been a good little foal, she would have listened to her mommy and daddy and her teacher and the esteemed mayor of Ponyville. If Glitter Belle had been an obedient little filly she would have stayed indoors, hiding under her bed as she waited for the Royal Guard and the Princesses to arrive and deal with the dragon. If Glitter Belle had been a good little child, the kind of child that always got what she wanted for Hearth's Warming, she would not be on the trail leading up the mountain, to where the dragon now rested. If.
The young Unicorn filly had been gifted instead with a rebellious spirit and enough curiosity to kill at least a dozen cats. Such inquisitiveness had been praised by her teachers, her defiant attitude not so much. With that in consideration, Glitter Belle parents and instructors foresaw her becoming a scientist of sorts in the future, or perhaps an investigative journalist or a detective.
Today, she was swiftly growing into a cautionary tale to be told to naughty children in order to instill the importance of listening to authority, least you be devoured by hungry dragons. If the strong likelihood of her becoming just another statistic categorized under the epidemic curiosity bothered her, the filly certainly didn't show it. At least, not at first.
Glitter Belle could see the dragon now. She had been able to see its shape from her room and even make out a head, a neck, some jagged green things, but details escaped her. Those jagged green things, she could now see, were sharp spikes, which ran from the top of the dragon's head and all the way down its tail. From her current position she also spotted a pair of wings tucked against the dragon's side.
From town, it had proved difficult to gauge the beast's size and as she approached, Glitter Belle became aware of just how much she had underestimated it. As it laid on its stomach, the dragon easily covered half of the entire summit. No wonder ponies could see it from town. And though the path did not grow any more rugged or any less smooth, Glitter Belle struggled in taking her next step. As she got closer, the dragon grew larger and larger. The determination and stubbornness that had fueled her initially was quickly being replaced with fear and fatigue. Perhaps this was not such a good idea after all.
"Well well well, what do we have here?"
Glitter Belle lifted her head and brushed her sweaty mane out of her eyes. If she hadn't been so tired she might have gasped. There, right in front of her, sat the largest nose she had ever seen. She let her eyes drift to the dragon's mouth, where giant, bone pulverizing fangs protruded out from behind scaly lips.
A gigantic green eye the size of an over-sized beach ball stared back, its dark slit of a pupil focused on her. Glitter gulped as the eye disappeared behind a layer of purple scales before returning.
"You'll catch flies if you keep your mouth opened like that."
Glitter Belle waited for her ears to stop ringing before shutting her mouth. The dragon's voice was like thunder, with a deep, low rumbling. When it spoke, it flashed its powerful teeth.
"Do your parents know you're up here?"
Slowly, nervously, the filly shook her head no.
"That's not good. Don't you think they'll be worried?"
"Maybe." She had found her voice at last.
"Maybe?"
"Probably."
The ground shook as a loud rumble rang overhead. When Glitter dared to open her eyes, she saw that the tips of the dragon's lips were twisted upward, revealing more teeth. She gulped and her light violet coat grew pale. Was the dragon about to eat her now?
"And what was so important about this mountain that you couldn't tell your parents about?"
Glitter Belle took a moment to recognize the question. "What?" was her answer.
"Why are you up here?" the colossal asked. "It's a long trip from the town to up here, I wager. And I don't think little foals should be up on such a high mountain without supervision. So what are you doing here, I wonder."
"I'm not little."
"No?"
"I'm eight years old. I'm not little."
"Well, you certainly look little to me."
The loud rumbling returned. Glitter Belle scowled while she waited for the noise to roll over.
"That's not fair!" she cried. "Everything's tiny compared to you!"
A short gust of steam threatened to knock her over.
"That is true. You are quite observant for a...how old did you say you were again?"
"Eight. I'm eight!"
"Ah, is that right?"
"Yeah, but I'm going to be nine in two months."
"Truly? In two months? Well, then I must wish you a happy early birthday. I imagine there will be cake. Chocolate, perhaps?"
"No way! Not my cake."
"You don't like chocolate?" The dragon's mountain of a brow rose. "How odd."
"I like chocolate, just not on my cake. I hate chocolate frosting." Glitter stuck her tongue out as she made a face of disgust. "It's too sweet."
"Too sweet? What, are you mad, child? How can you say frosting is too sweet?"
Glitter Belle shrugged. "It just is. I'd rather have vanilla."
"But vanilla is tasteless," the dragon protested. It shook its large head slowly.
"How would you know?"
"I've tried at least two hundred flavors of ice cream in my lifetime and I can honestly say vanilla was the weakest."
"Two hundred flavors?" Glitter said, her jaw dropping in awe. "I've only had, like, five."
"And what flavors were those, hmm? Maybe those ones will be new to me."
"Well, I've had chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, um, mint chocolate chip, peanut butter, rocky road, cookies and cream, pecan, and, uh, that's it. Were any of those new?"
"No, but it has been awhile since I've even heard of cookies and cream. One of my favorites, actually, but it's a little hard for me to find nowadays. I haven't touched ice cream for almost four hundred years."
"Four hundred years!" Glitter Belle gasped. "Wow, that sounds rough."
"Yes, I've had a few hard centuries." The dragon blinked before continuing. "Have you ever had an ice cream cake before?"
"Once or twice," Glitter Belle answered. "Ice cream cake's really expensive so I can't eat it very often."
"Ah, I see. It is rather difficult to make, I suppose. So, will your plain old vanilla, non-ice cream birthday cake be store bought or homemade?"
"It won't be plain! There's gonna be strawberries and bananas maybe and kiwi slices and whip cream!" the filly argued. "I hope," she added, a little quieter.
"Eh? You're going to have to speak up."
"N-nothing. I didn't say anything." Glitter released a fake cough and looked away. As she did, the young pony failed to see those elephantine eyes roll.
"So, store bought or homemade?" the dragon asked again.
"Probably from the bakery. Mom's always too busy with her work for that kind of stuff."
"Oh. And your father?"
"Dad can't cook," Glitter Belle laughed. "He's a stallion."
"And? Who says guys can't cook."
"Everypony! It's a fact."
"That's not true. I used to know a baker, made some of the greatest pastries ever. Nothing could beat his speciality, carrot cakes, and I'm saying that when I don't even like carrots. And then there's Donut Joe-"
"Donut who?"
"Donut Joe. He was a culinary genius who wasn't recognized in his time, but his donuts were some of the best I've ever tasted. They're the reason why New Port City's even on the map." The dragon breathed deeply. As it exhaled, it release a short burst of wind that blew Glitter's pale-pink mane back. "You just can't find anything like them in this day and age. Have to wonder if his original recipe survived."
The dragon began to hum tunelessly. "You know," it said, "I used to be a bit of a chef myself, and I'm a boy too."
"Really? You?"
"Oh yeah, sure. Muffins, cookies, nothing too big mind you, but still delicious. I could make a mean jewel cake, if the darn gems bothered staying in one place long enough to be used. I wonder if I'm still able." The dragon lifted a claw the size of a bull and stared at it. "No, I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"I'm too big," he answered. Was it just her imagination or did the dragon sound sad? "I don't think I'd be able to handle a mixing spoon or use an oven, unless you make them jumbo dragon sized."
"Oh. That's too bad."
The dragon tilted his head slightly to the side. "You sound so disappointed, little filly. Why is that?"
"Well..." Glitter rubbed the back of her head. "I just thought it'd be neat to eat something a dragon made. I mean, how many other ponies can say they had cookies made by a dragon?"
The dragon lowered his head and closed his eyes for a second. "A few actually," he said. Either Glitter Belle was getting used to the dragon's thundering voice or the dragon was getting quieter. "At least six. Probably more."
"Do I know them?"
"It's possible. Do you like history?"
"Not really. It's kinda boring," Glitter admitted.
"Fairy tales? Myths? What about legends?"
"Nope. That stuff's for little foals."
"Then you probably haven't heard of them," the dragon said, sighing deeply. "It's been so long, I really shouldn't be so surprised that so many have forgotten them. Then again, you'd think ponies would at least remember their saviors."
"Huh, saviors?"
"It's nothing, child," the dragon said quickly. "Just an old dragon rambling on. That town down there, is it still called Ponyville?"
"Yeah. That's where I live. Hey!" Glitter cried out. "How'd you know its name."
"Because, once upon a time, Ponyville was my home too."
"You're kidding! Really?"
"It's true, my dear. It was a long time ago, when I was much younger."
"That's impossible. How could you fit?"
The ends of the dragon's lips were twitching again. "I was smaller back then, much smaller, and so was the town."
"When was that?"
"I was here before the train station was finished," the dragon said. "It made traveling to Canterlot much easier, I'll say."
"You've been to Canterlot too?"
"Yes. Used to live there too, for a time. Still have a few good friends up in that city. Haven't visited in awhile though. Have you gone to Canterlot before?"
"A few times, when my mom has business up there. I don't really like it too much. It's kinda boring."
"Ha, yes, I suppose compared to Ponyville, Canterlot's rather dull. I've been to many places and I've had many homes, but Ponyville will always be dear to me. So welcoming, so very friendly, but I'm sure you know all about that. You must have tons of friends."
"Not really."
"Oh? Why not?"
"Most of my classmates are jerks that only care about looking nice or stuff like that. It's boring."
"And the rest?"
"Well, there's this one girl with glasses that sits in the corner all alone and reads, but I don't really talk to her."
"And why don't you?"
"Dunno. Too much hassle, I guess. Besides, what am I suppose to say?"
"Anything," said the dragon. "You can talk about anything. See what she likes, what she dislikes, why she wears glasses, why she's alone. Who knows, you might find a kindred spirit. Do you like to read?"
"Sort of. It kinda depends on the genre."
"Well, maybe the two of you like the same sort of books. And if not, maybe you can introduce her to a new genre. And try talking to those jerks too. Maybe you'll see they're not as bad as you thought. Maybe you'll find friends with ponies you never thought you could."
"How do you know?" the filly challenged the dragon.
"Because I've seen it happen. I've seen a fashion impassioned, dressmaking diva become close friends with hardworking country gal who grew apples for a living. I've seen a friendship form between the biggest bookworm ever spotted in Equestria with the fastest, most athletic and daring daredevil known to ponykind. The shyest, gentlest, kindest pony I've ever known was good friends the craziest, loudest, most outgoing and fun loving pony I've ever seen. You never know where you'll find a fr-"
The dragon was seized by a sudden fit of coughs. Smoke stung Glitter's eyes and she herself was beginning to wheeze until the dragon's mighty claw brushed the smoke away.
"I apologize," the dragon said. "It's been a long trip for me and it has taken its toll. I'm not as young as I used to be, I'm afraid. Sometimes I wish I was still small enough to ride the train. Might not have been as fast as flying perhaps but definitely less exhausting."
"Did you like trains when you were younger?" Glitter Belle asked.
"I did. I didn't always have wings so usually I didn't really have much choice, though by the time I could fly I was much too big for trains anyways. I miss them, the rides I mean. Watching the trees and land roll by as you sit by the window, talking to a friend, that's not something you can do while flying. Train rides used to excite me when I was younger. Oh, I used to hop up and down at the edge of the platform in anticipation. I was such an impatient lad."
The ground shook as the dragon began to chuckle. Thunder roared and rang in Glitter's ears as he did so.
"I remember what she told me on my first train ride. Calm down, she'd said, shaking her head and grabbing me by my tail to pull me back so I wouldn't fall off the platform. I'd tell her I couldn't calm down, that I was far too excited, and then she'd roll those magnificent purple eyes of hers and laugh. It was a wonderful sound, that laugh of hers."
"Who was she?" Glitter asked. "Your mom?"
"In a way, I suppose. I don't know if I ever saw it that way. Maybe I should have. Heh, she'd try to act motherly on occasions, dropping a small piece of advice or something like that. Patience is virtue, she told me that day, as we waited for the train."
"My mom's always telling me that. It's annoying."
"You don't believe it's true?"
"Not sure, really. I'm too impatient to be patient. I mean, can I help it if I want a cutie mark right away?"
"You don't have a cutie mark yet? I hadn't realized."
"No." Glitter Belle sighed and shook her head. "Everypony else in class is getting theirs, it's not fair. I want mine right away."
"Naturally, naturally. But there are things you cannot rush."
"That's what Mom said too," she grumbled, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
"Heh. You remind me of another filly. She was a little older than you but she also didn't have a cutie mark. She became so desperate, she went all around town trying just about everything to discover what her special talent was. She even tried using a potion and ended up getting a strange disease called the Cutie Pox."
"Did it work?"
"The potion? No, of course not."
"No, I meant the running around town, trying all those different things? Did she ever get her cutie mark?"
"Eventually," the dragon said. "But it was only after she slowed down a bit and decided to take her time."
"Oh, so she just wasted her time then."
"Not entirely. She may not have discovered her cutie mark that way but she found something just as important, if not more."
"More important than a cutie mark? What's that?"
"Friends." The dragon dragged a claw through the dirt. "Kindred spirits. True companions. She met two other fillies her age also lacking cutie marks and they made it their mission, their crusade, to discover who they were and what their destinies were together. That trio got into so much trouble and it took awhile for them to finally get their cutie marks but they had fun and made plenty of memories together, and that's what really mattered."
The dragon lifted his claw, revealing a crude minimalistic sketch of a dancing filly wearing a cape.
"Wait, so are you telling me I should wait for my cutie mark to come or go out and try to discover it?"
"Neither. I was just rambling, as usual. Maybe a little of both. Take whatever lesson you want, I'll leave that up to you." The dragon raised his head slowly and squinted at the sky. "It's getting late, little filly. The sun will set soon. You'd best head back now, if you want to get home before dark."
"It's not that late," Glitter Belle protested.
"It will be soon. Your parents must be very worried. I'd take you back to town myself but, well..." The dragon gestured to his body and sighed. "I don't want to cause any trouble."
"Can I ask one more question before I go?"
"One more question?"
"Yeah. It's kinda the whole reason why I came up here."
"You came all the way up here, to meet a dragon, just to ask him a question?" the bewildered dragon said, scratching his neck. "You are a curious little filly." He looked back to the sky and tapped his chin. "Alright," he conceded, much to Glitter's evident joy. "We have time for one more question."
"Why are you here?"
The dragon blinked. "Pardon?"
"I wanted to know what you were doing here," Glitter explained. "I've never seen a dragon before. I don't think anypony in town has. Everypony's talking about how you're here to eat us or steal all our jewels or something like that."
"Is that right?" The dragon looked down toward the city below.
"But then you just sat on the mountain, not doing anything. I thought, maybe you were here for some other reason, like you were looking for something important somepony stole and hid in our town. I thought if I figured out why you were here, I could try to get you to leave."
"And now?"
"Huh?"
"Do you still want me to leave?"
"No way!" the filly answered. "I thought you were gonna be mean, like all the other dragons I've read about but you're not. You're, like, the nicest guy I've met. Are all dragons as nice as you?"
"Not all of them. A few. It just takes some time getting them to warm up to you. Most dragons just forget that there's more to the world than a cave filled with gems."
"I still wanna know why you're here though."
"Of course." This time, Glitter recognized the dragon's toothy smile when it appeared. "That thirst for knowledge, it reminds me so much of her. You even share similar colors, though you're missing the horn and wings."
The dragon became silent. "Why am I here?" he repeated softly. "I'm waiting for my friends."
"Your friends? Are they from Ponyville?"
"They were, but eventually they left. They all took a trip, to some distant place and forgot to bring me along, as usual."
"Why did they forget you?" asked Glitter Belle. "I thought you said they were your friends. That doesn't sound very friendly to me."
"Because it wasn't my time yet. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't go with them because I wasn't ready. But now, tonight, I'm going to see them again and they'll take me with them to that far away place."
"Didn't you miss your friends? Why didn't you search for them?"
"Because I made a promise. I promised I wouldn't chase after them when they left. I promised I would wait quietly for their return for me." The dragon's smile grew weak, as if it had lost all the mirth that had previously sustained it. "It's been many, many long years since I last seen them."
"How long exactly?" Glitter asked.
"At least a thousand years, perhaps. To be honest I've lost count."
"A thousand years?" Glitter Belle's mouth fell open. "I don't think I can even count that high! How did you last so long?"
"Patience is a virtue," the dragon said slyly. "And I've had many years of practice."
"But why-"
"Hey now," the dragon interrupted. "I said I would answer one question. I've must have already answered five. What a greedy filly you are. Look how low the sun is already. You really must head home now. No more questions."
"Aw, can't I stay?" Glitter asked. "I wanna meet your friends."
"I'm sorry, but you can't. It's too late for little fillies like yourself to be out."
"I'm not little," she grumbled.
"I know." The dragon's grin returned. "Run along now, and be careful on your way home, okay?"
Glitter Belle got to her feet. She turned to the path leading down the mountain and back into town. "Can I see you tomorrow?" she asked the dragon.
He shook his head solemnly. "Sorry, but by tomorrow I'll be long gone."
"Oh. Then, will I ever see you again? There still a lot I'd like to know."
The dragon considered the question silently. After several long seconds, he finally nodded. "Not for awhile, but perhaps someday I'll come back, just for you, and we'll have all the time in the world to talk."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, my little friend. Cross my heart and hope to fly, I promise I will return for you."
"Okay. Guess I'll just go home then. Well, bye, I guess." Glitter Belle stood in place awkwardly, trying her best to delay. She glanced up and sighed. The dragon was right; it was getting late. She placed her hoof onto the dirt trail and took her first step. She had taken another five before turning around. "Thanks, Mr. Dragon!" she yelled, waving wildly. "Thanks for being my friend!"
"It's Spike!" the dragon shouted back, raising a wrinkled claw in return.
"Thanks Mr. Spike! See you!"
The dragon's green eyes followed the little purple filly as she descended down the mountain. His attention completely monopolized, he failed to notice the two figures behind him until one gently brush a white feathery wing against his cheek.
"Oh, Celestia, you startled me."
"Apologies," the majestic Alicorn said. "That was never my intention. How have you been?"
"I suppose I've been alright," the dragon said. "I'm sorry I stopped visiting."
"You don't write anymore," the princess chided sadly. "I've missed your letters almost as much as I've missed your company."
"Finding the right sized quill and parchment's been a bit of a pain and I'm afraid I've forgotten that little spell you taught me."
"You never thought of hiring a scribe?"
"What, and pay for postage?"
The two shared a subdued chuckle. "I do have one last favor to ask of you, however."
"Name it."
"Could you..." The dragon took a deep breath. "Could you make sure the body is dealt with? I don't want to leave such a cumbersome and ugly eyesore over town."
"Of course we will. We'll be sure to take good care of it, right Sister?"
The darker Alicorn now approached. The dragon's features brightened at the sight of the younger princess.
"Luna, it's good to see you again," he said, breaking into a large smile. She did not give one in return.
"You're leaving us," she said curtly, her lips thinned into a line. Spike's own smile faltered.
"Yes, I suppose I am."
"C-can you not stay a little longer?" Luna whispered, her voice cracking. "Please, just a little longer?"
"I'm sorry, Luna. Truly, I am. I just don't have anymore life in me."
"I-I see. How long, then?"
"Until the day ends," he said, turning to the setting sun. "I feel it in my bones. My time is coming soon." He turned back to the dark blue princess, who was breathing slowing as she fought back tears. "I'm glad we got to know each other before I left. Your friendship has made this old dragon a happy one. If it hadn't been for you and Celestia after everypony else left, well..." The dragon gulped and shut his eyes. A large tear rolled down his massive cheek.
Celestia laid a comforting wing over her sister. "It's never easy seeing a friend go, is it?" Though she spoke to Luna, Spike was confident the message had been directed to him as well.
"No, it's not," he said. "I'm sorry, Luna."
"A-at least, th-this time, I am able to bid farewell." Luna separated herself from the older Alicorn and sat right beside the dragon. It was an odd sight to behold, a princess lowering herself into the dust and dirt next to a giant beast that made her appear as small as a filly.
"Good bye, my friend. I shall miss you."
"Good bye, Luna. I will miss you as well." The dragon looked to the horizon. The sun had disappeared, leaving behind only the smallest traces of light. The day had ended but evening had not yet begun. The time was at that precarious hour, where it was neither day nor night but somewhere in between.
"Twilight."
"Is something the matter, Spike?" Celestia asked, joining her sister next to the old dragon.
"I see them. They're here. She's here, at last."
The dragon folded his claws over each other and laid his heavy head upon them. Slowly, he closed his eyes.
"I'm glad I managed...to make one more friend...before I left."
Behind layers of amethyst scales, those emerald eyes were hidden forever.
*
