Prologue Pt. I
Tendrils of light from the fast fading sunset whirled around in small curls, looking like boney fingers that clutched the last remnants of a life they once knew. Inside of the the shroud of dusk was a lone orange dragon with rows of tiger striped purple lined in various spots. At times he was confused for a discolored zebra.
A gentle, happy hum escaped his throat as he trotted peacefully alone in the vast hallways that was Canterlot Castle. Though a maze, he enjoyed his all but silent trek. In solitude was where he often found the answers that would lead to new poem or story ideas. It was in this translucent state between reality and his mind that he always sought comfort, and where he was always accepted no matter his deeds.
Behind him marched a line of seven royal guards, each one intent to keep a watchful eye on the dragon as he bounced along. Some had to stifle chuckles when they noticed the hop in his step. The eldest of them only managed a wry smile as he kept his distance from the other six, a knowing sigh escaping.
Rounding a corner, the dragon kept up his smile as he made his way down another long corridor to the entrance of the castle. Two guards stood tall and proud in their regal, shining, golden armor with Celestia's royal seal embroidered on their breastplates. A quick nod told them that he would be returning, but not too quickly. Their quick nods spurred him on, a deep breath exhaled when he broke free of the entrance.
A gentle breeze carried with it a few golden orange leaves, some swirling around into a tiny tornado that whisked past. The faint smell of wet grass and dry leaves wafted into his nose, making his heart soar to new heights. “I love the fall,” he murmured.
The dragon let his grin fade and his head drop as he began to trudge away from the castle, leaving behind his escort. The elder guard adopted a sorrowful expression as he watched the dragon sulk away. In his mind he knew that there was nothing that could be said to brighten the dragon's spirits.
Thus the drake trudged along in relative silence, his humming gone, replaced with a discontent sniffle. He had to hold back the pain he felt inside. Tears would come soon enough, but when he was alone, not here. The soft clicking of his talons was the only noise he could decipher aside from the occasional rustle of leaves. He opened his wings, stretching out the taught muscles. He felt the wind whisper through his leathery appendages, the ache to fly building in his mind and wings.
With three mighty strokes of his colorful wings, he was airborne. A smile adjourned his sulking features as he rose to higher distances, feeling the air grow colder. At times it would plaster his face with a warm moisture that would quickly chill, but he didn't care. From high above the world he could see the beauty of Canterlot.
It was glowing with a certain radiance that he could never explain. From the higher class buildings where the nobles and rich lived, to the commons where the poor lived, was truly a beautiful sight. Each slanted roof gave the majestic city a fierce battle proposition that sometimes dared its enemies to try and beseech her walls. Higher up towards the center of the city was the castle where he had come from.
It looked beautiful when seen from afar. The way that it was plastered against the mountainside made him realize just how much he loved it here. Though he would never admit it to anypony, he found that the city of Canterlot in of itself was a wondrous place to visit, and even live. He had often entertained the thought of living here permanently, but then it would be harder for him. He would have to give up seeing his friends everyday, and miss seeing her. He felt a shudder course through his body at just the thought of the mare whom had captured his heart.
Turning around, he began to dive back towards the hardened earth below. Air rushed past, his breath came in shallow gasps, and up here, at these speeds, he wasn't only free, but alive. Soaring through the skies was like a fantasy that he could never grow old of. Although he was not as fast as Rainbow Dash, he still felt like a serious athlete with the speeds that he was able to maintain.
Clouds were broken apart as he shoved right through them. Mist clung to his scales, soaking down to his flesh beneath. A content sigh escaped him as he whirled around thrice, before coming to a soft landing. Adrenaline was coursing through his body, his mind in a haze, and his heart beating erratically.
He took a steadying breath, then began to walk onwards. By now the sunset had all but kissed the world away, leaving behind vibrant, early rays of moonlight to take its place. Lamps dotting the streets lit up one by one, each one more bright than the last. Their rays were reflected off what he had always assumed was the golden road that they all trotted on. It was colored as such by the reflection of light.
It wasn't long before the drake came across a small café that he knew all too well, The Golden Dragon. A small smirk found its way across his lips as he made his way inside. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, espresso, herbal tea, and even smoothly rich hot chocolate assailed his nose. Being the dragon he was, he couldn't resist getting something.
After getting a cup of vente green tea, he took up a seat near the doorway. His eyes looked around the interior of the café to see what had changed in the two years that he was away. The tiles were still tinted a deep shade of crimson red, with the curtains a lighter crimson. Despite most of it being the same, there were a few subtle changes. The counter tops had been redone, instead of wood there were now a black marble, while the pillars that held up the building had been repainted to look more like oak.
Droplets of water dripped from his frills as he brushed it out, gasping at the mural that was painted in the ceiling. It depicted Princess Celestia and Princess Luna when they were younger and the Lunar War was raging fierce. Beneath each princess was her army, loyal to the very last. Each one looked peacefully at each other, while the armies barred their teeth, eagerly awaiting the command to attack. What the masterpiece of the mural was however was the golden tri-arch between the two princesses that served as a conduit of peace.
The tri-arch was designed to look as significant as the princesses themselves, but more than that, it resembled the actual tri-arch that legend told unified the sisters after the war. He couldn't help but take a mental picture for later when he was going to meet with Princess Celestia about the publication of his latest string of poems about her and her sister.
Since early into last year things had been looking up for the dragon. He had published his first book entitled, “Elements of Harmony,” shortly after he got a special invitation from Princess Celestia herself to attend a gathering in Canterlot where he was to appear as her special guest. Before going he had taken a poem that he had written about them, which was prominently the very first poem in his book for the two celestial sisters.
Ever since that night when he had first read the poem to the two princesses, and had told them just what they meant to him, he had gotten more bits than he could ever have dreamed of. Almost everypony was lining up to buy his latest poems and books. Three more books he had published since then, one of which was dedicated to the princess of the moon, a historical fiction that showed that neither princess was in pursuit of their own gain, but rather in pursuit of harmony. It showed Equestria that Luna was as peaceful as her sister, and maybe even worthy of their admiration.
Celestia and Luna were like guardians to him, Celestia was more of like an aunt, while Luna was more of like his mother. Luna had taken a liking to the child, even adopting him and his sister when they met. He had befriended Princess Cadence pretty quickly, and together they were like brother and sister. Whenever Rain was visiting, he was always welcome at the castle. Nopony but the guards knew about his presence, and he was always brought in as a guest whenever press ponies were around.
Tonight had been no different. Along with the six elements of harmony, he was called in for a special occasion. Tomorrow was Luna's birthday, and over half of Canterlot was in a buzz about it. Seeing as how she was the ruler over the night, she was going to have her birthday during her time. Celestia has asked that all attending would sleep some through her day so that they could be there for her sister.
The stallion stifled his laughter as he thought about the train ride in. It had been awkward for him to be sitting next to her on the train, but he didn't mind. The whole ride though he wanted to tell her how he felt, but he was afraid. He was afraid of whether or not she felt the same way, or if they could be anything more than friends.
Now here was inside of the old café that he came to when he was younger. A slight smile splayed across his lips as he looked around the small café once more. A content sigh escaped him as he sipped his tea, thinking over his present for his adopted mother. He would have invited Cobalt out tonight, but she was back in Ponyville with her girlfriend Sweetie Belle. It was the first time in a long time that they were allowed to be alone, especially after Sweetie Belle had launched her singing career.
It was funny when he thought about it. Over the last few years Sweetie Belle had become a common household name. Maybe it was because she had a truly beautiful voice, or maybe it was because she had a famous sister, he could never tell. When she had started out it was a little rough, and she was afraid that she wouldn't get anywhere, but Cobalt was always there to help her out. She was always there for emotion support, and to relieve stress too. He laughed at his own little joke.
Ringing from the bell above the door drew his attention. In walked Spike, a little dragon that he knew as the personal assistant to Princess Twilight Sparkle. Beside of him was Rarity, the older sister to Sweetie Belle and highly respected fashionista responsible for Sweetie Belle's ensemble and such stars as Sapphire Shores. He couldn't help keeping the smile that he had when he noticed that their tails were interlocked behind them. Spike's eyes were filled with wonder and disbelief, while Rarity's were filled with naught but love, and strangely, optimism.
Together, the young couple strolled over towards the counter, where they quickly placed their order. The drake couldn't help but notice the way that they acted. From what he could see; Spike was a little bit too afraid, to cautious, almost as if he was rethinking things, while Rarity seemed more relaxed, and judging by the way that she scooted closer to him as they waited, she was perfectly content and at ease. Before he had a chance to look away, the drake almost blushed when he caught sight of Rarity kissing the amethyst dragon's cheeks, the dragon himself freezing in place at the gesture.
Rarity giggled as the dragon gently caressed where she had kissed. After getting their drinks they were about to walk back out when the mare noticed Rain sitting alone at the table, idly sipping his tea while looking over the photos of the original owners that hung on the wall beside him. The mare whispered something to the drake. They made their way over towards the topaz dragon, neither one speaking as they came to reside in the seats across from him. “How are you darling?”
He smirked, “I'm fine.... Just thinking about m- I mean, Luna's party tomorrow.” Though he had been friends with the elements of harmony for over a year, he and Luna both agreed that nopony outside of him, Cobalt, or Celestia would ever digress about their adoption. To the world, they were orphans.
“Well Rain, tomorrow night shall be a quaint party. Nobles from as far as Saddle Arabia will be coming to wish merriment to the Lunar Princess, and we shall all be there to support her too. Right Spikey-Wikey?” Spike only nodded, too lost in gazing at the mare who, until recently, never batted an eyelash in his direction. His ogling did not go unnoticed. “May I ask what you have planned for our dear old Princess Luna?”
Rain shook his head, a soundless breath leaving him. “Despite what Twilight may think, I am not going to be doing anything too big. It's a secret that only Princess Celestia and I have discussed.”
Spike paid little attention to the conversation as the two ponies began to discuss what she had planned for the princess. The little dragon was so lost that he never noticed when Rarity had pulled his arm around her, nor had he noticed when she had leaned into him.
“.....But that's not to say that I.....” Rain wore a perplexed expression when he noticed the way that the Spike was looking at Rarity. “Uh, Rarity? What's wrong with your coltfriend?”
She had to stifle a string of giggles. “First off dear, he is not my coltfriend, but my dragonfriend. Secondly, he is simply not used to this. Bare in mind darling, this is only our second date.”
“Wow. Really? From the poise, your posture around him, I assumed that...”
“I know. Most ponies do. It wasn't like we were two strangers who wound up together though.”
“That's true.” Rain looked around the table, the café even for something to discuss. An awkward silence befell the group as the two ponies just looked around for anything to talk about. Eventually, Spike seized his initiative and dove for Rarity. Rain was shocked that the dragon was so bold after what he had witnessed at the counter, but what shocked him more was the fact that the dragon and pony were locked in a kiss, and neither one was pulling away! Rarity let herself get lost in the moment, in the passion of their love for a moment as she indulged the little dragon sitting beside her.
When they broke apart, Rarity had to stifle another fit of giggles as she saw the wide-eyed expression on Rain's face. “Spikey-Wikey gets like that sometimes. He'll just have these moments where he has to see if it's all a dream or not. I still remember when he first did that at the boutique the day after out first date. He was so cute too.”
Spike managed another blush as he shied away from Rarity, who couldn't hold in her laughter any longer. Rain soon joined in, not really knowing why, but felt that Rarity didn't want to be alone. A few moments passed before they calmed down enough for Rain to ask, “Rarity, I sort of have something... personal to ask of you.” His tone was sweet, honest, and nervous. She nodded. “Well, you see, I have this crush, I think, and well...”
“I understand darling. You have your doubts as to whether you should say anything. You're not alone in that. I doubted whether I should have said anything to Spike about my feelings, but thankfully, he gave me that chance by asking me out. I never thought that he would find the courage and that I was going to have to ask him.” She leaned over to nuzzle his cheek, both smiling. “Who's the lucky dragoness?” Rarity said when she pulled away.
“What?”
“You know. Who is it?”
“Oh.” Rain scratched at his frills, feeling the moisture from the clouds still freshly damp against his flesh. “It's A....” He murmured. Rarity motioned for him to continue. By now his heart was pounding in his chest, his lungs struggling to take in air, and his hands getting sweaty. “You see.... It's uh.... She's.....” He wanted to say her name, but was afraid of what Rarity would do. Would she spoil it for him? Would she tell the mare? Would she gossip about it to the Canterlot Elite? A part of his mind told him that it was finally time to tell somepony other than Cadence or Cobalt.
“It's alright darling, take your time. We aren't going anywhere soon.” To emphasize her point, the mare snuggled in closer to her dragonfriend and just switched between rubbing her head against her amethyst drake's and watching the orange and purple striped dragon.
Rain kept glancing at the two from his tea, wondering if he was ever going to feel what they felt. His mind tried countless scenarios where she would say yes to his words of love, but he had doubt in himself. She was a pony after all, and he was a dragon. But when he saw Rarity and Spike, he knew that what they were didn't matter. Rarity loved Spike, that much he could easily see, but why was another story. “Rarity..” he finally managed, “why do you love Spike? I mean, he is a dragon, and you are a pony...”
The fashionista could see where the drake was going. “When a pegasus and a unicorn find love, do they stop to think about what species they are? Love exists between everything, it is never gender blind, nor does it chose to stay within one species, it just happens. I love Spike for who he is, not what he is. Even if Spike were to be a fully grown dragon that was the size of a mountain, I would still love him.” The genuine smile that she gave the drake told him that what she said was not only true, but that she had meant every word.
“Applejack.” He managed to breath out after the silence had again shrouded their booth. “I don't think it's just a crush either.”
“Of course not darling. You mind may think so, but your heart says another.”
“How do I do it? How do I tell her?”
“Be honest.” Rain chanced a glance up to see the amethyst drake looking at him, a small smile registering on his lips. “Applejack would want you to be honest with her.”
Rain mulled over the drake's words for a few moments before he opened his mouth to speak. “What if she doesn't feel the same way?”
“Then at least you'll know. I took a chance, and now I can hold the mare I love in my arms.” Rarity kissed his cheek. “I wouldn't be able to do that if I hadn't faced my fears and admitted how I felt. Trust me when I say that it's all worth it in the end...”
A gentle breeze blew in through the open glass door, soothing the orange country mare's fur as she lied on her bed. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she held out the latest book written by Rain Winter, her friend and secret love. For the past year she had been struggling with her own heart's desires, but ultimately she was unable to speak of anything to the drake.
Gently, she rose from her bed and made her way over to the door and strode out onto the balcony. From here she could see the setting sun in all of its virtuous splendor. It always tugged at the back of her mind when she watched the orange conflict with the purple and pale yellow of the sky and clouds. It was an image that she had grown to love and eagerly awaited at the end of each day.
Far below her the city was beginning to stir with life, the citizens knowing to stay up late so that they would be able to sleep in the morning. Even the little foals were running around and playing as, one-by-one, the street lamps lit up the night. Another sigh escaped her as she watched them playing, wishing with all of her heart that her little sister could be there with them. But more than that, she wished that Rain was standing there with her, able to appreciate this wonderful beauty with her. A single tear rolled down her cheek but quickly dispersed at the swipe of her hoof.
A soft knock echoed in the room. Another, more forceful knock accompanied it. “Come in.” She said from her roost.
As delicate as a feather, a pink alicorn strode into the room, a slight bounce in her step as she approached the orange mare. “Applejack, what a pleasure to see you again.” Applejack didn't even flinch when the mare alighted herself beside of her, looking out over the city with her. “Canterlot is a very beautiful city.” A simple nod was her only response. “What's on your mind?”
“Nothin' sugarcube.” Applejack said nonchalantly. A hint of sadness laden her voice, something that the alicorn immediately picked up on.
“Your heart says otherwise.” She giggled as silence fell. “Your a terrible liar Applejack.”
This time Applejack joined in the giggle, though she still felt a bit depressed. “Ah guess there ain't no hidin' nothin' from ya. Ah've just been doin' some thinkin' 'bout Rain.” With the way that she said his name, she knew that the alicorn could tell just what she meant by 'thinking'.
“What's the matter Applejack? You should be happy to be in love.”
“It's not that.... it's just that.... well... ah don't know how to say anyhin' to 'im 'bout it.”
“I see.” The alicorn grew a mischievous grin as she turned her attention to the night sky. Above she could see her mother's beautiful twinkling stars that seemed to stir inside of a new sense of adventure, but also of love, and an inspirational idea. “Do you truly love him Applejack?” She wouldn't say it, but below she could see the drake in question walking towards the keep that the orange mare was residing in.
“Yes ah do.”
“Then tell him how you feel.” With that, the alicorn swept her mane across the balcony and took off into the night sky, a faint giggle escaping her as she watched the drake enter the bottom of the keep. Applejack was left feeling confused, and alone when the alicorn left. Thus she returned to her bed and began to read some more of Rain's book.
A knocking at her door a few moments later made her groan as she looked over at it. Still holding the book in her hooves, she said, “Who is it?”
There was a pause before, “It's R-Rain.” Almost immediately she felt her heart stop beating, and her breath escaping her. Sweat began to roll down her face as she debated as to whether or not letting him in was a good idea.
From the door to her bed was only a few short steps, but they were the longest that she had even taken. Each step was hesitant, as her body was ready to sprint away in a moment. Stealing her resolve, she took the final step across the room and opened the door... Standing just on the other side was Rain, just as he had said. There was a ghost of a smile on his lips as he stared at her, his heart beating as fast as her own. “C-C-Come in.” She finally managed.
After they were both seated beside each other on the bed, the drake took in a shallow breath. Applejack took in a shaky breath of her own, thinking about what to say to break the ice between them. After what felt like hours of silence Rain finally spoke. “I t-talked to Spike and Rarity tonight. Did you know that they were together?”
A faint 'ya' was his response. “Ah just talked to Princess Cadence.”
“What did she say?”
“We were talkin' 'bout the stars, about Princess Luna's birthday.”
“Me too.” Though he was hesitant, the drake found the courage to reach over with his claw and brush the mane from her face, sweeping the stetson from her head. When he looked at her he saw nothing but absolute beauty. Even without the make-up that Rarity wore, she was more beautiful than even the regal princesses of whom he had come to know and love. “Applejack, there is something that I want to tell you.”
Applejack could hear the shaky tone in which he spoke. Her heart told her that is was because he felt the same way about her, but her mind rationalized that maybe he knew about her love and was about to deny it. Her imagination began to run wild with images of them lying together happily on her bed, no, their bed. It brought a smile to her lips, and the more she watched him hesitate, the more that her heart won over her mind.
Seizing the initiative, the mare thrust forward, smashing her lips against his. She watched as his eyes grew wide, but then began to close, his arms reaching around her, while his lips pressed back. Their minds melted as the sensation of love, and companionship overwhelmed their hearts.
For him, it was a feeling that would never go away. His senses were on overdrive as his body melded with hers, the grinding of his scales against her fur, it took all of his willpower to not mate with her then and there.
For her, it felt as though her heart as about to burst from her chest. She grew to quickly love the burning sensation of his scales against her fur, of the warmth that come from his body that grew to make her sweat in a matter of seconds. The heat that was between them drew away her breath, only to be sucked in by his hungry lips. His scaled lips, she couldn't get enough of them. Whenever he would pull away she would tighten her grip and pull him back in.
Each one felt as though everything was right in the world, like this was where they were always destined to be. Rain pushed the mare back further onto the bed, sliding her hat away as he began to trail kisses down her neck, her hearty moans echoing in the room, and making him smile through his kisses. The only sound that could be heard as they fell more into each other was the soft creak of the glass door, slowly gliding closed from the gentle breeze outside.
Rain sighed softly as he listened to the near quite snoring of his marefriend. She had fallen asleep only a few minutes ago, listening to the soothing sound of his beating heart. Her head was nestled into his chest, her nose taking in his ever present scent while her hooves were wrapped around his midsection, holding him close.
A smile was draped across the drake's face as he watched the steady rise and fall of her chest, his thoughts going back to their previous engagement. When he woke up this morning he never would have dreamed that he would end up admitting his feelings to the mare of his dreams, and he certainly never thought that he would go as far as to have a three hour make-out session, and then falling asleep in her bed!
Leaning down, he placed a kiss upon her brow, whispering sweetly to her, “There is something I need to tell you Applejack. I... h-have been too afraid to t-tell you before now. But... I l-love you.” He knew that she wouldn't respond, but deep down her knew that she heard him. A smile spread across her lips as she pulled herself closer to him, now completely burying her muzzle into his chest, soaking in his scent.
A small part of him was worried that she would end up hurting herself if she chose to get any closer, but his heart knew better. She wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her, and she would never get hurt with him. Feeling tired himself, the drake lied back, staring up at the ceiling as his thoughts dwelled once more on the mare lying with him.
How can I hope to keep her? What will everypony else think? What will my mother think? These thoughts and more weighed heavily upon his mind, but he tried to stifle them as best he could. After a silent debate in his mind he accepted the sleep that was slowly whirring down his mind. His eyes closed for a brief moment while dreams of Applejack overtook any of his previous thoughts.
Rain was awoken violently a few minutes later when a great beam of blinding white light shone down upon them. Groggily, he opened his eyes, only to squint and hold up a hand to see. Above him the ceiling was flying into the night sky in large chunks, but more than that, he felt weightless as he too was lifted up into the night sky. By now the beam was to bright and pierced through his hand, forcing him to look away. What he saw next almost made him scream.
Below him he could see the remnants of the keep floating back into place, as if by magic, and there seemed to no longer be any light shining upon it. His heart raced when he could barely see anything but little specs of black that marked the buildings of Canterlot. He could feel Applejack slipping, her grasp loosening as they floated up higher.
By now the dragon was having a hard time breathing, much less able to remain conscious. He saw dots flashing before his eyes. Finding the strength, he managed to slips his arms around Applejack and held her in a tight embrace. “Applejack!” He shouted, but to no avail. He squeezed his eyes shut as he took what he assumed was going to be his last breath. He was unable to move, frozen in place as he ascended higher and higher.
Just as he thought they were about to suffocate to death they were propelled forward at an accelerating speed. He could feel the wind passing him by faster than when Rainbow Dash did her Sonic Rainbooms. Pulling Applejack closer, her buried his head in her neck as he took in a last breath of air, feeling a bitter cold envelop him. After a few miles they were carried higher up into the night sky, where, in a flash of blinding orange light, they vanished in an arc of orange lightening...