Celestia shook below the towering form of the oldest Dragon in history, wondering why she had let her sister put her up to this. While they were Alicorns, and stronger than regular ponies, Celestia seriously doubted even she could defend herself against such a monster. She jumped as it blew a gust of wind that nearly blew her away, and two golden eyes slowly opened.
“Why do you disturb me?” The voice shook the cave, and Celestia crouched low, shivering in fear, unable to speak. Celestia had no doubts, she was going to die here. Briefly, she noticed a dragonfly buzzing beside the Dragon, being ignored. Gulping, Celestia realised she had no choice but to try and speak, and force words to escape her mouth.
“M-My sister dared me to enter the cave. I-I’m sorry for bothering you.” Celestia silently hoped the Dragon would let her go, but seriously doubted that would be the case. The Dragon glanced toward the dragonfly as it buzzed in a strange pattern, before looking back toward the Alicorn, and bringing it’s head closer. Celestia screeched, and hid under her hooves, knowing she was going to be eaten.
“You can relax, I am not going to eat you.” Was that a hint of amusement in the voice? Celestia slowly looked up as the eyes dimmed, and she realised that there was amusement hidden behind it. The Dragon found it amusing she thought he was going to eat her. That enough made Celestia stand up, and take a better look at the Dragon.
Rippling purple scales, golden spikes going down its back, and eyes consumed by amusement. Celestia glanced toward the back of the cave, seeing a Dragon skeleton curled around a nest of some sort. Glancing back, she watched as the Dragon followed her gaze, and his eyes softened.
“She was my mate. I will follow her soon.” The Dragon looked toward Celestia curiously, and glanced once more to the dragonfly as it buzzed sporadically. Celestia frowned, tilting her head in confusion. Just what was going on.
“Tell me, pony, do you know the tales of Spyro?” The Dragon waited, and Celestia shook her head. No, she had never heard of somepony named Spyro. The Dragon seemed to accept this, closing his eyes as he absorbed this fact.
“So I have finally outlived my legends…” The Dragon paused, and looked toward the nest, putting a claw to his chin, musing. The dragonfly’s buzzing grew insistent, even trying to block him as he reached into the nest, and pulled out a single egg. Turning, he held it toward Celestia, who hesitantly took it in her magic. Or she tried to, her magic rolled off it. Picking it up with a hoof instead, she was surprised by how light it was.
“That is my son, he is inert, destined to never hatch, despite the life throbbing in the egg. Only a strong magic pulse could ever hope to hatch him, and so I bequeath him to you, the pony who chanced upon me as my life draws to a close.” The Dragon laid down once more, eyes dimming. It was as if that one movement had drained him of all his energy.
“But…” Celestia wasn’t sure what to object to first. Why was this Dragon giving her an egg? What possible reason would he have to do so? Dragons were ferocious, and never even spared ponies a glance. And yet, this one seemed to be highly intelligent. Were all Dragons like this? Could they be reasoned with? Slowly, the Dragon turned his gaze back to her.
“There is nothing more I can do for my son. His only option prior to your arrival was to grow up as a Dragon. But now, he can grow up as a pony, and maybe learn to overcome his instincts. My blood will not help him now, as it slowly begins to stop beating through me. You are my last hope at his chance for a life with meaning.” The Dragon closed his eyes, and the dragonfly came to land on the snout.
“But, what can I do? I’m just a pony, and I know nothing about raising a baby.” Celestia held out the egg, trying to get the Dragon to take it back. However, as she watched the color slowly begin to drain from the scales, she wondered if it was too late to do so. The Dragon breathed out, giving a final breath.
“Goodbye Sparx. Goodbye son. Goodbye…” The Dragon finished breathing out, and was gone. Celestia felt a tear come to her eye, despite not knowing much about the Dragon. The dragonfly dimmed, laying on the Dragon’s snout. Celestia decided it was probably wise to excuse herself. Stepping outside, Celestia bit her lip, and narrowed her eyes as she looked to the egg.
Spyro, she would remember the name.
Celestia closed the ancient book carefully, her magic the only thing holding it together. Smiling sadly, she remembered the Dragon who had given it to her, a female called Ember. Celestia had been lucky, as that Dragon had been close to fading as well. Celestia pulled out a brand new book, filled with blank pages, and began to rewrite the ancient book, word for word.
“Your legend lives on, as does your son,” she spoke to herself, letting a sad smile fall on her face. Celestia had much to thank the Dragon for. If she hadn’t met him, she would have never tried to negotiate peace between ponies and Dragons, earning them a treaty that was lasting lifetimes.
A scroll appeared above her head, and she caught it with her magic, opening it and reading the letter. To her surprise, it was Spike that was sending the friendship report this time. Celestia smiled warmly, and glanced out the window. One of the clouds almost looked Dragon-like in shape, she smiled.
Celestia finished her task, and let her magic fade on the ancient book, watching it crumble to dust. Covering the new book in a dozen spells to keep it from aging as quickly, she slotted it back into place on her private shelf. Turning, Celestia walked out of the room, and wondered what legends would be made about the son of the Dragon.
For she had no doubts the Dragon would be proud of his son.
Author's Note
This is my headcannon.
