Origin of Dragon Charge(Short Story)

They weren't taken to a hospital. Mrs. Broomstick realized it would ruin her reputation if it got out that she had abused her children. So she kept Dragon and Critic at the old, dusty orphanage, where the insects and mice crawled on the floors, where dirt and filth was the norm.

So, naturally, over time Dragon's hooves became infected, and Mrs. Broomstick had no other choice but to take him to the emergency room. There, he met a nurse by the name of Sunny Hills. The look on her face when she saw him was something Dragon had never seen before from an adult. Sympathy? Compassion? She got right to work on his hooves, but told Mrs. Broomstick that he'd probably have to stay there a few nights. After a brief argument, Mrs. Broomstick reluctantly allowed him to stay there.

It was the happiest he ever was as a child. No beatings, no dirt and grime, and actual food, this place was the life. And yet, when Nurse Sunny placed a blanket over him at night, he felt something... familiar, as if there was once someone who loved him. Someone who tucked him in at night, sang him lullabies, who would do anything to make sure he was okay.

That night, as he slept, he dreamed of his mother, not knowing who she was. She cuddled him, read him stories, and called him her son. Dragon didn't care if it was real. He needed something to hold on to. Memory or dream, he never wanted it to end.

A week later, he thought about telling the nurse of Mrs. Broomstick's cruelty, but then realized that he would be putting his fellow orphans in danger every moment they were alone with her.

One day, a familiar blue earth pony hopped in through the window.

"I have no idea why Dusty keeps this tall ladder lying around. Maybe it's because her fat flank is too heavy for her to stand on her tippy hooves."

Critic, of course. "Yeah, I can leave any time I want. But, hey, before you came along, I was the only one who cared enough about the others to stand up to her. They need us, I guess. So, how are you doing?" He looked around. "This place... so this is what 'clean' looks like. A bit underwhelming, but it's still miles ahead of our place, huh?"

There was a moment of silence. Dragon looked at the ground, deep in thought, and after a minute, he spoke. "It won't be our home for much longer."

Critic looked puzzled. "What do ya mean?" he asked with a slightly confused look on his face. Dragon looked him right in the eyes as he replied.

"Last night, I had a dream. I've been having similar ones. In it, a unicorn mare told me that I have powerful magic stored away within me. I think it's high time I let it out."

Critic snickered a bit at first, but then his face grew very serious. "Look, buddy, it was a dream."

Dragon kept his serious gaze, but couldn't help but smile a bit as he answered his friend. "I know that voice from somewhere. I think it was... my mother."

Critic was a bit skeptical, but hey, it was worth a shot if it meant getting the others free.

So, Dragon's hooves eventually healed and a few weeks after he had been sent back to the orphanage, he approached Mrs. Broomstick. Critic asked him if he knew what he was doing. "Nope.", Dragon replied as he continued walking. "Hey, Dusty Windbag!", He called out to Mrs. Broomstick.

"What did you call me?" She asked, shocked and furious.

"You heard me, Mrs. Dipstick! It's over. You're done pushing us around." But strangely, as he looked around the room, he saw that no one except for critic stood with him.

Mrs. Broomstick laughed. "You know, when I picked up that note in your basket when you first arrived at the doorstep of this forsaken place, it said you would be destined for greatness, but you can't even gain the support of your fellow children, ha!"

Dragon's face grew angry, and his eyes became a fiery red. "There was a letter?!" He shouted, his voice growing monstrous.

"Oh, that's right, I never told you, did..." Mrs. Broomstick started before seeing what was going on.

Dragon Charge's mouth grew rows of sharp teeth, his nose had become a large, scaley snout, and horns and wings sprouted out from him. His hooves became great claws and legs. He was a real dragon now. He flew around the room, breathing fire and desperately searching for his letter. Mrs. Broomstick approached him with the crowbar once more, but one whip of his tail and she was out, flung across the room. He eventually found his letter in her office. He met Critic at the door.

"Where are the others?"

Critic looked at the ground. "They told me they'd rather live with an old hag than follow a monster. I'm sorry, buddy."

Dragon couldn't believe it. All of the suffering he did, all of the pain and sadness he and his friend had endured, it was all for them, and they spit in his face. Very well then, he thought, let them suffer for their own cowardice. We've given everything we can.

After he and Critic had walked for a while, not sure where to go next, he opened and read his letter.

My Dear Dragon Charge,

Please know that I love you, and that I never wanted things to be this way. Someday, you'll understand that things can't always be the way you dreamed they would be. I wanted to raise you, to sing you to sleep at night, to teach you how to use magic, to watch you grow up, and I hope that wherever you are, you're happy. Just remember, no matter how bleak life seems, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what happens, don't give up on those who care about you. Stay strong, and someday you will do great things. I regret that I'll never get to see the stallion you'll become.
Your Mother,

Prism Light.

Dragon held onto his mother's letter. She was the first pony to ever love him. He wouldn't let her down, nor would he abandon his friend Critic. They were in this together now, and whatever lied ahead, they would face it together.