Links to the Past

Rarity looked at the sky just as the group finally got out of the Everfree forest. It was probably too late, and they expected to see Ponyville in ashes, since Vortex had told them the dragon held a grudge against the town. However, everything seemed normal, with the exception of the huge black dragon, flying in the sky, and the wave of scared ponies, running to their group, probably about to ask Princess Celestia to banish the beast. However, before the unicorn mare could even distinguish their faces, the black dragon suddenly moved and flew in their direction.

" On my mark! " Celestia commanded. Vortex, the princess of the day herself, Luna, Twilight, the five lords and even Discord aligned. Shortly, all skilled magical users.

" Set! " the princess' voice was heard again.

" Fire! "

10 different kinds of battle magic flew at the dragon. Vortex had chosen a normal magical ball, just like his nieces, the lords had fired a ball made out of their respective elements, while Discord threw a baseball in the air and struck it with a bat so hard, that the bat went on fire. Those were very scattered shots, so that at least one would hit the dragon. However, before they had even fired, the dragon suddenly flew up, succesfully letting those shots pass bellow him. That was a manouver he couldn't have made unless he was warned. Did this dragon have a sixth sence?

Rarity had no time to wonder. The ponies and the draconequus didn't have time for a second shot. Before even ten seconds had passed, the dragon landed mere 20 feet in front of them, hiding the whole town from their eyes with his massive body. A black pegasus with a zenith blue mane and tail jumped off, with a phoenix with some blue feathers on his left shoulder.

Rarity's heart felt like it was up in her throat. That was Hase! But why wasn't he running away?

" Hase, get away, so that we can fire again! It's the perfect moment! " Luna yelled, but hase stood where he was.

" He might be dizzy from that flight manouver. " Celestia said.

" I'll get him. " Vortex answered and made a few steps forward, halving the distance, but in that moment the dragon slowly slid his tail between the former emperor and his son. The spiky tip passed, leaving Hase visible over the tail. The black alicorn made a step back.

Hase just smiled and came forward. He jumped on the dragon's tail. Vortex expected the dragon would throw him away, but apparently it had nothing against that. Hase got both his hindhooves over the top and sat on the tail as if it was a bench. The tail moved forward, forcing the alicorn to go back to the group, while the tail with Hase on it was now only 10 feet from them, but the pegasus just stood there and watched.

Fluttershy feared, that Hase might have been hypnotised, so Applejack suggested her to use the Stare to bring him out of his trance. As this idea passed to the others, all agreed, so Fluttershy unwillingly stepped forward, knowing it's for her friend's goodbeing.

" But first! " Pinkie Pie got in front of her friend, pointed the dragon and made a scary face. Realising what followed, Rainbow Dash just sighed:

" Here we go... "

That's when Pinkie Pie began singing the adapted version of the song she always sang when she thought somepony was hypnotized.

" He's one malicious lizard,

  he's worse than a blizzard,

don't mistake him for kind,

he'll suck out your mind!

He'll grill you to a stake

and eat you at all stakes!

He'll swallow you whole

as if you're a cake!

Sooo... watch out! "

Pinkie Pie stood on her two backhooves, with her two forehooves spread as wings and her mouth opened in a threatening manner, as if she was in deed about to swallow somepony whole.

The song was greeted by the laugh of the pony Fluttershy was about to treat with her Stare, which confused everypony except Pinkie, who got back on all four, smiled, bounced and exclaimed:

" I told you he wasn't hypnotised! "

" How much time did you spend making that up? " Hase asked.

" Nah, you know Pinkie. She just came up with it. " Rainbow Dash replied.

Seeing this as a sign everything is OK, Rarity ran towards Hase.

" Rarity! " Twilight yelled after her, since they still weren't sure of the dragon's intentions, but by that time the fashionista mare had already jumped in her coltfriend's laps.

The unicorn laughed and cried simultaneously. Hase held her tight, but that didn't stop Rarity from getting out and giving Hase what she planned to do immeadietly after she returned to Ponyville. A real kiss. She could stay with their lips sealed forever, untill he reminded her:

" Rarity, don't you think there are more appropriate places for this than in front of your sister and all of our friends? "

" You're right, sweetheart. " the unicorn broke the kiss and jumped off the dragon's tail together with her beloved.

Hase looked at Rarity, and encouraged by the kiss he was given, stood between the dragon and the rest of the group and spoke:

" I think my father knows who this dragon is, and has probably told you all. However, I think what Formidon just showed you is also clear to you. Formidon? "

The dragon got up and Rarity shivvered, but the black pegasus hugged her and told her not to worry. As the dragon stood in his full size, he spoke:

" Mere minutes ago, my only desire was to take it back at Iron Ring, my creator, for forcing me to destroy my home. I was about to destroy his, when my friend, Hase, convinced me this would only lead to me following his will. He offered me his friendship and a second chance. A chance to know what friendship is. A chance to really rise above my three former selves, to become better than them not only by strength, but by soul as well. Zephyros, Terras and Magmaris would have had their revenge. I won't. "

" Hase. " Princess Celestia turned to the pegasus. He looked at her, indicating he was listening.

" I think you no longer need to right me letters about your friendship, unless you want to. These three days you met ponies and dragons, coming from the past, that would have bended and succumbed to evil deeds, if it wasn't for your support as a friend, and those were ponies, which the old Hase wouldn't have forgiven, and a dragon, who the old Hase wouldn't be able to stop. Through the lessons of friendship you have learned, you showed them, that past mistakes don't matter, when one has good intentions and is ready to fix those mistakes. You... "

Before the white alicorn could finish her speech, a big white portal opened above their heads and suddenly sucked everypony in, also Spike, Hermes and Formidon, but leaving the Starfliers, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom,Scootaloo and Discord behind. That portal closed as suddenly as it had opened, leaving the three adult pegasi, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the draconequus with the wave of worried ponies, who wondered where their princesses had vanished.