Starlight Glimmer was a prodigy when it came to the magic of friendship. For Twilight Sparkle, her mentor and savior, she couldn’t be more proud of Starlight Glimmer and her achievements. It was a few days after Starlight led her team consisting of Thorax, Discord, and her closest friend Trixie, defeated Queen Chrysalis and helped bring the changelings to the side of good.
Now Twilight had to decide what was best for Starlight as her student. With the help of her own mentor Princess Celestia, Twilight was now in the Friendship Chamber in her castle with Celestia and Spike sitting around the Cutie Map, as Twilight paced around nervously, with a scroll in her magical grasp.
“I have years of friendship lessons planned, and ready to go. However, when we were captured by Queen Chrysalis, Starlight really took charge and stepped up. I don’t think friendship lessons are enough for her,” Twilight explained to Celestia.
Celestia, who was sitting by Spike at the Cutie Map, gave her former student an amused look. Her mind was full of thoughts and nostalgia about her own experiences.
“So you have an over achieving student,” She said smiling. “Sounds very familiar.”
“That’s why I had to talk to you,” Twilight said. “You of all ponies would know what to do. I mean you were me and I was Starlight, but right now I need you to pretend you are you and I am me.”
Hearing this, Spike tilted his head to the side, clearly confused by what Twilight was suggesting. Celestia only chuckled and offered for her to continued with a kind smile and a dainty hoof gesture.
“Go, on.”
Twilight continued saying, “When I was your student and you were in my position you-”
Twilight paused thinking back on the time in question. While it happened years ago the full force of it came rushing back to her. It was like a train railroading into a solid wall. Hard and unexpected even though it was clear as day.
“Oh no… You sent me to Ponyville which means it’s time for me to send Starlight away!”
Celestia’s face fell at the sight of her former students sudden anxiety.
“It really is time for Starlight to go, isn't it?” Twilight asked.
“Only you can make that decision Twilight,” Celestia said sagely walking to her student to comfort her. “Starlight glimmer is your student, and as you just stated, ‘she really stepped up’. ‘Friendship lessons aren’t enough for her anymore.’”
“I guess… but if that’s, I don’t know. Where would I send here?” Twilight asked looking at her map.
“Where are you going to send her Twilight?” Spike asked.
Twilight glared at Spike, making the baby dragon shy away from her stare.
“Uh, too soon?”
“Yes, Spike,” Twilight hissed at him.
Looking back at her map, Twilight propped herself onto it to look over the entirety of her map. Her mind raced with thoughts on where to send her student. She wanted it to be someplace close so she could go and help if need be. At the same time, Twilight didn’t want to stunt Starlight’s growth by hovering over her shoulder every moment of the day either.
Like she told Starlight when Trixie became her friend, she had to give her space to make her own friends, and grow on her own.
So, her current dilemma, where to send Starlight so she could grow? Twilight tried to think about it. Starlight had many strengths. She was charismatic, able to bring others together even with opposing views, magical prodigy, and meticulous in self development.
At first the changeling kingdom seemed like the best choice. However Celestia was personally taking a hoof in helping with their development. According to Rarity, the alicorn princess was smitten with the new ruler of the changeling kingdom, so that was off the table.
Then she thought about the Crystal Empire. She could send Starlight back to study magic with her friend Sunburst. Being that far north she would also be able to see her old friends from her old town. The things she and Sunburst could do, between his intellect and Starlight’s raw magical prowess and finesse they could do great things for the Empire and Equestria as a whole. Then again, Sunburst was able to solved most of the problems on his own as of late, with help from Princess Cadence. It seemed redundant to have so many magically adept ponies in one place. Plus her brow her Shining Armor lived there too. Though not as diverse in magic as most of the others Shining Armor was the best at Magical Shields.
So again Twilight thought about where to send her, Griffin Kingdom?
No.
Yakyakistan?
Too far for Twilight’s liking.
Then, Twilight looked back at Spike. Then she had an idea. Looking at the Cutie Map she looked at a nearby barren landscape. It was only a day's travel west of Ponyville. By train to the nearest town it was two hours, then about three more on hoof the rest of the way. Not the safest place in the world, but still close enough that Starlight could call for help in and a powerful ally who lived there.
The dragonlands.
There she could stay with Dragonlord Ember. She was a smart dragoness. Smarter, and kinder than most dragons. It would be a perfect place for her to help spread her lessons of friendship, and since dragons admire strength Starlight’s magical power would be welcomed greatly. Plus, her show of strength would make it easier for her to integrate with their society.
Still, there was lingering doubt in Twilight’s mind. Not all dragons were kind like Ember, nor as understanding. Garble was one prominent example. Then again, as Celestia once said to her, everyday is a risk. Growth and even friendship has a risk of leaving one's self and others hurt.
So, then after much contemplation Twilight had her answer. She would send Starlight to the Dragonlands to help befriend dragons.
*Several Days later*
Starlight was at the after party with Thorax, Discord, and Trixie when she was approached by her old friends from her town.
“Wow, who would have thought you of all ponies would take your life and do a complete 180 with it?” Double Diamond said getting nods from the rest of his friends.
Night Glider a dark midnight blue pegasus with a white mane and tail was hovering over them with a proud look on her face.
“Yeah, Glims, it’s nice to know you’re really turning your life around,” Night Glider said. “You even helped that Trixie mare!”
Everypony agreed when suddenly there was a loud, pop! Then from a magical burst of bright pink energy Twilight, Celestia, and Spike appeared near the group startling them. Once everyone settled down Starlight approached the Princesses and Spike.
“Twilight! Princess Celestia! Hey Spike!” She greeted them, hugging Spike.
Spike and Twilight hugged the periwinkle pony.
“So, what’s going on?” Starlight asked Twilight.
“Starlight, we need to talk.”
“What for?”
A nod from Twilight and Starlight excused herself and followed the purple princess to a table and sat alone with Twilight.
“So, what’s up?”
Fidgeting with her tail a bit, Twilight took a moment to recompose herself with a relaxing breath before she continued.
“Starlight, do you remember when you became Trixie’s new friend?” Twilight asked, her student.
“Sure, I do. Why?”
“I was talking with Celestia on where you stand as my student. Like I said back when you befriended Trixie, I need to give you space to make your own decisions and friends. I stand by that statement,” Twilight said.
“I See… what exactly are you getting at, Twi?” Starlight asked.
“Starlight, because you helped defeat Queen Chrysalis, you, Trixie, Thorax, and Discord saved Equestria and the changelings. You really showed initiative out there, and I couldn’t be more proud of you and the others. Especially Trixie.”
Starlight nodded in silence waiting for twilight to finish. Already though she could see where this was going, and she wasn’t liking it.
“Starlight, when Celestia sent me to Ponyville, I hated it. I didn’t want to leave from the familiar environment that I essentially grew up in. But sending me away was the best thing for me. It helped me grow as a pony, and make myself better,” Twilight hugged Starlight, nuzzling her cheek making her student smile. “So, here’s the thing. I want to send you to the Dragonlands as a emissary of friendship. You’ll live there for a six month period in which time I’d like you to spread friendship as best you can to the dragons.”
“Sure I can do that!” Starlight said sounding more excited.
“Now, I want you to send me letters, okay?”
Starlight’s smile turned upside down.
“Okay, you sound like a mom, Twilight.” Starlight frowned at the alicorn.
Nervous about upsetting Starlight twilight amended with, “I just want you to do that as a friendship report! Also, in case something happens I just want to make sure you're alright. That’s all.”
“Uh huh,” Starlight rolled her eyes. “Okay, if it’ll make you feel better. So, where do I start?”
“Oh, I would suggest going to the Dragon Capital and get help from Princess Ember.”
“Ember? Who’s that?”
“Oh, that’s Spike’s friend who rules the dragons. I think you two will hit it off great!” Twilight excited giggled. “Starlight, just know that you don’t have to if you don’t want too. I just want you to spread your wings and grow. I think going abroad is the best option. Best of all think of all the dragon friends you’ll meet!”
“Yeah, that does sound nice!”
Now, Starlight was ecstatic at the idea. Sure she was nervous about leaving the, “nest” as it were, but she was never one to back down from a challenge. Not that she felt twilight was challenging her, she just loved a good challenge. Plus, she thought of all the dragon friends he could make. Eager to impress Twilight she smiled and looked at her mentor.
“Alright, when do I begin?”
*Two Days Later*
It had been a long journey for Starlight Glimmer. The train ride alone was over two hours and like she was told, she hoofed it the last few hours to get to the heart of the Dragonlands
As she expected it was hot, and dry. Starlight was never a fan of the cold.* She loved the heat though. Working and sweating for her at least was a sign of a hard worker as long as one was really working and not slacking of. She thought that might have been why Applejack and her clicked off so well.
Applejack loved hard work and ponies who were hard workers. For them there was a certain level of respect to be gained by that.
Here in the Dragonlands she would have to be cautious until she established herself, or until the dragons accepted her. Walking over a large stony hill she came across a large caldera easily several miles across and sloped down into a large flat pit about thirty feet down.
At the center was a large stone throne the size of a large hill. Sitting in it was a lone skyblue dragoness with a dark violet staff with deep red gem held at the top by three stone claws. From the description Twilight gave her that dragon had to be Princess Ember. All around the throne dragons flew in every direction, some resting on the stone floors or rocks rear by. Others were basking in lava pools, while others were busy testing their fire by blowing up large piles of boulders and rocks.
Starlight made her way down the slope taking note of what she saw as she approached. Dragons were idly chit chatting among one another. When they saw her they immediately looked at her, being the only pony around. Their words slowly died down until there was a thick awkward silence that made Starlight feel very nervous.
She cold feel her heart beating faster as she walked on with bated breath. When she approached the throne Ember looked down at the approaching pony. Seeing her, the dragoness leaped from her seat and used her mighty wings to slow her descent with two powerful flaps. The force was enough to stop her just inches from the ground and land on her clawed feet with the Bloodstone Scepter in her hand.
Starlight gawked at the dragoness. Starlight looked her over from top to bottom. Her sky blue scales shined with a reflective sparkle to them. It was clear to Starlight that Ember was much like Spike in that they took very good care of their scales. The shiny scales brought Starlight's eyes down to Embers slender body then down to her slightly wider hips, where Starlight just stared.
“You must be Starlight, right?”
Starlight nodded producing a scroll for Ember, still staring at the dragoness. Ember read the scroll muttering to herself as the other dragons started to disperse leaving only a few curious ones behind.
“Yes, I’m Starlight Glimmer…”
Starlight kept staring until Ember used a claw and made a snapping noise with them snapping Starlight out of her daze.
“So, you’ll be living here with us?”
Ember asked incredulously looking over the unicorn.
“I’m not sure if you’ll last a day out here. Aren’t you ponies… soft?” Ember asked with genuine curiosity.
Starlight felt slightly offended, and scoffed indignantly. If there was one bad habit she did pick up from Rarity was that high society snobbish scoff the white fashion mare would do when she felt her honour was put at stake. Starlight was very much the same in that regard.
“Puhlease! I am as tough as ponies come!” Starlight boasted.
Ember smiled. “I like that enthusiasm! Come along! I’ll show you around.”
With that Ember took flight and was off. She doubled back when she remembered Starlight wasn’t a pegasus only to find the mare floating beside her with a teal aura around her.
“Well, color me impressed. I didn’t know non-winged ponies could fly!” Ember said, genuinely surprised.
“Yeah, it’s nothing. I’m a magical prodigy and all. Flying is just one of many talents I have,” Starlight boasted again, rubbing a hoof on her chest and casually looking at it. “So, what were you going to show me?”
Ember’s smile grew wider as she gestured for Starlight to follow.
“Come on, you came right as the Dragon Games were about to begin!”
Starlight followed Ember over to a large stone stadium.
“We have lots of events coming up, rock blowing, claw chela, and a race just to name a few.” Ember said flying into the stadium.
“A race, huh? I didn’t know dragons liked to race.”
“We don’t this will be the first time. IN fact this is the first dragon games we’ll be having,” Ember said.
“Really? Why the change?” Starlight asked.
“I’ll tell you that while I show you some of the events.”
Ember then started to walk through the stadium and went to a group of dragons who were putting up piled of stones in what looked like a shanty made fire range.
“Princess Ember! We’re just finishing up the first batch of stones for the dragon fire gauntlet challenge…” The dragon’s words trailed off as he stared at Starlight walking up beside Ember.
“Uh, is that a pony?” He asked pointing at Starlight.
“Yeah, she’s with me. Great work by the way!”
The dragons all smiled and bowed politely as Starlight followed Ember to the next area where dragons were adjusting larger slabs of rock into tables and practicing what looked like arm wrestling to Starlight.
“Clawchella?” Starlight asked pointing at the tables.
Ember nodded affirmatively. “Clawchella.”
Starlight looking at the dragons with a goofy smile. “Righteous.”
Everything seems to be in order here. After talking with a few dragons Ember took Starlight to the main attraction. A short flight just outside the stadium and Starlight found herself at the starting line for what she could only guess was a race point.
“This is going to be the main event,” Ember said lading nearby. “A race through a series of obstacles that will test all the competitors strength, resilience, agility, and tenacity.”
Starlight was very impressed by what she’d seen thus far. The dragons were coming along nicely and so far none of them tried to attack her once or insult her. Of course, having thought that the law of the universe paid her back in full for such a transgression of light hearted tomfoolery
“Ugh, great now she’s inviting these ponies to or events?” A gruff voice complained.
Starlight looked behind her to see a larger red dragon with orange spikes on his back and wings stomping up to her. In a panic Starlight powered up her horn with the powerful mind altering spell she used on her friends once before that made them completely subservient to her every word.
It was a reflex action and Starlight wasn’t sure what else to do. If she teleported she could end up in an area with hostile dragons, plus she would have randomly teleported. Concentration is key to going someplace specific when teleporting.
Just as she was prepared to cast the spell Ember stood between Starlight and the red dragon.
“Back off Garble!” Ember hissed at the dragon.
“Hey, you may be the Dragon Lord, but I don’t have to like it!” Garble said glaring past her to Starlight, who looked a bit nervous.
Another dragon came over and stood beside Ember with a frown on her face.
“Hey! She’s the Dragon Lord and her word is law Garble!” She said.
A larger brown dragon also stood by Ember and laid a claw gently on Starlight’s back.
“Yeah! I mean, you lost to a dragon who came from Ponyville right?” The brown dragon asked almost accusingly.
The dragon from before also nodded. “Yeah, that’s what Dragon Lord Ember said to me!”
“W-what?”
As the other dragons started to talk among themselves Garble grumbled glaring past them at Starlight.
“What?” Starlight asked nervously.
“I’m watching you puny pony,” Garble growled shoving past her and Ember.
“Don’t worry about him. That’s just Garble. He’s a real jerk. Just stay out of his way and you won’t get hurt.”
Starlight sighed nodding when a large pink dragoness approached her. This dragon was an odd one. She sat on her tail like it was a coiled spring and just sat there looking at Starlight with a most awkward stare.
After a moment Ember chuckled and nudged Starlight forward. The nervous mare glanced back at the blue dragon before approaching the dragon who extended a claw to her.
“Hi! I’m Thorn Rose! What’s your name?” The dragoness asked.
Starlight smiled feeling a sense of relief that at least one dragon was kind. Then again she was just happy the other dragons were so willing to accept her presence. Sure she was a long way from being a friendship master like Twilight, but this was a good starting point.
“I’m Starlight Glimmer, nice to meet you Thorn Rose.”
Perhaps this will be an enlightening experience after all.
