Princess Luna and I sat together under the tree nearest to the playground, my attention focused on Ruby as she played with three fillies that called themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The three were the first to greet us after we landed, stating that they had wanted to be her friends as well, but weren't able to find her half the time. My concentration was broke when I felt a certain wing rubbing my side. Princess Luna simply gave me a smile as she looked into my eyes. Those dominating azure eyes that I could never say no to. She turned back to facing the playing foals as she decided to break the comfortable silence.

"I spoke to Cherilee about Ruby while you two were gone." Her smile had disappeared into a small frown, she continued when she saw me turn to her from the corner of her eye. "It seems that she is an orphan; her mother died during her birth and her father abused her until she decided to run away from him. Ever since, she's been living in the orphanage near here." She let out a disappointed sigh as she continued, "It astounds me how things have changed so much since my banishment and yet seem so similar." She looked at me with those passionate eyes of hers, her sense of dominance missing as I gazed into them. This only lasted a second as she turned back to watching the fillies and colts run into the school building as a bell sounded again. "I feel sorry for her."

"What if we invited her to stay with us?" I couldn't stop myself from spouting it out. A lifted eyebrow was all I got as a response.... and a swat with her tail.

"Did you hit another mountain during your flight? What makes you think I'm ready to be a mother!?" A visual blush had appeared on her cheeks as I let out a small chuckle, earning another swat by her tail.

"She'd be under my care, Princess, I'll teach her the ways of both Dovah and Ponyfolk. Not to mention the fact that I'd be the fatherly figure she deserves."

Luna rolled her eyes at me and replied, "That's a scary thought if I ever heard one. Do you even know what its like to raise a foal?"

"Nope, not a single clue, but I am willing to try for her sake." Luna let out a defeated sigh as she lowered her head in thought.

"I don't suppose I can talk you out of it; I know how you are when your mind is on something." Obviously you don't since that sexy fla- who's in charge of the thoughts!

"We Dov are known to be stubborn at times yes."

"More like all the time," She giggled when it was my turn to swat her with my tail. "I'll go inside and speak to Cherilee and Ruby after school's out. You can sit out here and show the carriage where to land." She stood back up and started walking towards the school, my brain practically turning to mush as her tail swept under my chin. Passing the movement as an accidental brush, I stood back up and noticed the familiar pang of hunger deep in my stomach. Noticing the woods nearby I decided that a Cockatrice sounded fantastic.

Finishing off the last of my fire charred Cockatrice leg, I made my way back towards the school house. It was sad really. The devilish beast was able to turn any creature to stone with a look to its eye, and yet I reduced it to a charred meal with a simple blast of my fire; granted I could turn anything to ash since my flames could reach up to twelve hundred degrees. I swallowed the last of the Cockatrice and noticed that the school day had come to a close, since stallions and mares alike were coming and leaving with foals in tow. I snaked my way to my mistress only to be noticed by four fillies, one of which seemingly overexcited about something.

The air in my lungs shot out of me as a white rocket knocked me to my side. Ruby was literally jumping with excitement as she bounced up and down on my chest. I called out to Luna as the CMC jumped in and started to bounce as well, only to see her giving me the most mischievous smile I have ever seen her give. This worried me as she drew closer to the scene.

"Okay girls, I think Ruby's new father has had enough punishment for making me wait." So that's why she had that smi- wait, did she just call me Ruby's dad? My answer came in the form of a white ball of fur wrapping her hooves around my neck as she gave me a warm hug. I felt the three other fillies jump off my chest as I found myself hugging the hybrid.

"I promise to be the best daughter ever! I'll clean my room, water the plants, do my dishes, everything." I lifted her up as I rolled over and stood back up; helping her climb onto my back in the process.

"Relax, Ruby, there will be plenty of time for you to be the best daughter ever at the castle." I smiled as her eyes widened when she heard the word castle. She jumped off my back and went back to bouncing with her friends. My ears twitched curiously as I heard Cherilee and Luna talking.

"... You don't think that its a bit early for him to just... adopt her do you?" Cherilee cast a worried glance at a smiling Luna.

"Most ponies would think so, however, he has a way of forming these bonds. I'm not sure how to explain it myself, it doesn't work like any of the magic I have seen, but it seems more effective. Don't worry about Ruby, she's in good hands..."

The conversation was nice and all, except for the fact that another sound hit my ears. A sound that set my sail into defense mode by flattening itself against my back, I snarled towards the woods as the sound of another dragon's roar emitted from it. My golden eyes scanned the trees both above and in as the distant roar stopped. I must have been growling or something because Princess Luna quickly rushed to my side and stood next to the confused fillies. Another roar came from the woods, this time it sent a chill down my spine as it reached my ears.

"Vulonven!" The sound of my name in my native tongue gave me a very uneasy feeling. Somedragon from home wanted me to know they were there. And they meant business. I half expected to see whoever it was that called for me break from the treeline, but all I got was silence. After several tense minutes, I allowed myself to relax, giving my mistress the signal that the coast was clear. Steam erupted from my snout as I felt the heat of my fire building up after exhaling the air that was being held in my lungs.

My attention was turned elsewhere when I felt something soft rubbing against one of my legs. I looked down to see Ruby nuzzling into my leg in an attempt to calm me down. I in turn leaned down and nuzzled her back as Luna's chariot landed by the school.

"Come on, it's time to go home." I said softly as I nudged her towards the chariot. One look at the princess told me that tonight was not going to end well.

"Would you kindly explain to me what the buck that was about!?" Princess Luna and I stood on her balcony overlooking Equestria. Ruby was sound asleep in Luna's bed; forcing the both of us to talk just above a whisper, Luna's voice almost turning into a small hushed shout. I sighed, since I knew that this isn't going to end without me explaining myself, so I decided to let her know.

"About what? The part where I was ready to defend you, or the part where my name was yelled out?" Her angered look told me that jokes weren't going to work at the moment. "Yes... That was my name that the other dragon yelled. Since it knew my name I'm guessing it was from the Western Dragon Territories, where I'm from. Their purpose is a complete mystery; I'm not sure if its a challenge, a messenger, or some other cause all together, but I did know that defending those that I cared for took priority." Luna's face lightened up as she saw the truth in my words. I honestly had no clue why any other dragon from my old territory would be calling me and I didn't care to know why. I did know, however, that those azure eyes were staring into my sole and I couldn't look away. The reflection of the moon's light off of her fur amplified how beautiful she was.

"You know, I didn't just ask you out here to just discuss what happened today. I believe you for now, but I want you to know that you are to respond to the first sign of trouble." I just simply nodded, which enticed her smile even more. "Good, now," she planted a kiss on my cheek again, "With you having a foal now, I hope you plan on being the father she deserves." That was interesting, my curiosity was obvious as I tilted my head. A bright blush appeared on her muzzle as she found the courage to continue, "I was wondering... if you'd allow me to be apart of your family as well?" My ears couldn't believe what they were hearing- oh buck it, this was hard to believe at all. I mean a pony and a dragon!? Well we do have Ruby already but that's beside the point. I must've been taking to long to answer her, since her ears fell flat and her head lowered a bit. She started to back away but was stopped by my tail, leaving an opening for myself to hug her from behind in an understanding hug.

"It would be my honor, Kul-" A hoof shushed me as she looked back into my eyes. Her blush almost seemed vibrant as she lead me inside towards my bed of pillows. We lay down in a familiar setting; her body next to mine with my tail securely making a barrier, but for a different reason this time. We lay down with feelings known and an unbreakable bond between us. As sleep slowly crept up on us, we failed to notice an off white filly smiling at us and drifting back into the realm of dreams; happy to have a family again.

Author's Note

OK... This chapter more than likely, is the worst you will get in this story. I may go back and rewrite it later, but that depends on the response I get. As always let me know what you think, and don't be afraid to share. Until next time!