The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

A few days later Arc stands outside the newly constructed greenhouse with Tempest. He turns to her and speaks.

“It turned out nice.”

Tempest rolls her eyes. “Other than the inclusion of fish, yes.”

“Don’t like them much, do you?”

Tempest frowns. “They just represent yet another thing that we have to care for around here!”

Arc shrugs. “Like I told you before, they’re a necessary part of the system to provide the plants with nutrients.”

“Still don’t get it.”

Arc sighs. “Trust me, we need them. That and there are a few of us here that would like the protein.”

Tempest makes a face. “That’s another thing. It’s just plain gross.”

“Rebme, Esther, Auriel, and myself like that kinda stuff, okay.”

Tempest waves a hoof dismissively. “Just don’t expect me, or anypony else around here, to join you three for dinner on those days.”

“Understood.”

Platinum Valve approaches with Cherry and Spitfire. A number of other Unicorns follow behind them. Arc looks to Cherry as he speaks.

“Is everything ready?”

Cherry nods. “Yes, it is. Platinum Valve says that every Unicorn present has been taught a simple growing spell as well.”

Spitfire gestures to the greenhouse. “If it’s cast correctly, it will make for a blanket effect.”

Tempest frowns as she puts a hoof to the remains of her horn. “Yes, well… I think I’ll abstain from this… exercise.”

Platinum Valve looks to Arc. “We’re ready to go just as soon as you give the order.”

Arc gestures to the greenhouse. “Proceed.”

Nodding, Platinum Valve leads the Unicorns into the greenhouse. Cherry closes the door behind them as she, Spitfire, Arc, and Tempest watch from outside. Walking over to a small cupboard, the filly pulls out a box. Setting it on a nearby table Platinum Valve opens it to reveal a number of seeds in moist cloths. Small root systems are poking out of them as she and the others begin concentrating their spell. Slowly but surely their roots begin to grow into more complex systems as stems also form. Motioning for everyone to stop casting, Platinum Valve gives a plant to each of the ponies around her. They walk over to the empty plant beds and push the pea gravel aside to place their respective plants in the resulting hole. Replacing the stones to give the plants stability, they do the same to the rest of the seedlings as Cherry calls out to Arc telepathically.

“It looks like things are going well in there.”

“Yes, it’s a good start. But the next step is where the real results will be found.”

As the ponies finish making their preparations, they step back and look to Platinum Valve. Taking a deep breath, she leads them in continuing with the spell. The seedlings quickly grow into fully developed plants and begin budding. A few minutes later fruit forms on their stems. Picking a couple, she gives them to several of those present to taste. Tossing them into their mouths and chewing, they nod in approval. Arc leads his group into the greenhouse to address the others.

“Well done!”

Cherry smiles. “Yes, these first plants seem to be looking very well.”

Tempest shrugs. “Considering they’re just a few minutes old, yes.”

Spitfire pokes a piece of fruit apprehensively with a hoof. “Are you really sure this is a good idea though? I mean… forcing plants to maturity in mere moments with magic just seems kinda… unnatural.”

Arc turns to Cherry. “What do you think of all of this, general?”

“As an Earth Pony, I have to admit that I did feel a bit… out of sorts watching that be done. However, I’m told that in ages past getting plants started using magic was a fairly commonplace occurrence.”

Tempest steps forward. “I know that it’s certainly not… traditional to raise food in such a way as this. But we all have to remember the main goal here. Feeding those whom call this place home at the moment.”

Platinum Valve looks through the glass at Equus below. “And potentially having to feed the whole country at some point in the future.”

Spitfire looks to Arc. “This can’t go on THAT much longer though!”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “I’m not so sure about that. After all, I’m told Canterlot has been dark for quite some time, has it not?”

Cherry nods soberly. “Almost a year now, yes.”

Tempest gestures to the plants. “It might sound a bit strange to hear me say this, but the Hero of Light has a very good point here. We should be hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.”

Platinum Valve grimaces. “The food situation might just be the difference between winning and losing for Equestria, after all.”

Spitfire bows her head. “In this way we could, at least in theory, outlast Canterlot. As they don’t have a theoretically infinite source of food in there.”

Cherry shudders. “I’m hoping we can end this matter before being forced to resort to starving Nightmare Moon out of there.”

Arc nods as he plucks a small melon from a nearby vine. “Agreed. As things deteriorate in there, the citizens will grow more and more desperate.”

Tempest grunts. “As they start dying off it’ll force them to reevaluate their position in the world.”

Platinum Valve looks to Spitfire. “But they’ll likely make a move prior to that happening I would imagine. Right?”

Spitfire sighs. “If Nightmare Moon is anywhere near as intelligent as I’ve heard, then she’ll probably make a move long before that.”

Tempest nods soberly. “She’d probably start looting smaller towns before moving on to something more well defended.”

Cherry frowns. “Such as Baltimare and Manehattan!”

Tempest shrugs. “Las Pegasus too, I would think. Even with their security forces, such a treasure trove would be difficult for somepony with a proper military force to ignore in the long term.”

Arc clears his throat loudly. “In any case, let’s consider our potential food solution from this small-scale experiment we’ve just witnessed. It took six Unicorns to make this one bed grow. How many would it take to fill this greenhouse?”

Platinum Valve steps forward. “My calculations show that a dozen is all that it would take to grow the food in here. After that, the Earth Ponies could properly harvest it while the Pegasi do their part to preserve it.”

Tempest looks to Cherry. “And do we have a plan for preservation?”

“We’ll be relying on canning mostly. Although some fresh fruits and vegetables would be kept in their natural state to feed us for that day.”

Spitfire taps a grow bed with a hoof. “And how many crops could we get out of these things a day?”

Tempest turns to the fish tanks nearby. “Probably not as much as we think. After all, these fish can only… excrete so much, so fast.”

Platinum Valve nods. “Right. I’m estimating one crop a day from this greenhouse. Any more and we’d need to add more fish tanks and more fish to the process.”

Cherry puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “I like the idea of being able to product two crops a day. If we start early enough in the morning the first batch of produce could be completely grown, harvested, and preserved by lunch. Then we could have the afternoon crop to take us through the rest of the work day.”

Spitfire puts a hoof to her chin. “That keeps a dozen or so of us busy with growing, a couple more harvesting, and another half dozen or so processing.”

Tempest shrugs. “We’d still have plenty of hooves to do other things too. Guard duty, training, and recon as well.”

Arc nods. “Such would certainly provide enough food to keep everyone here fed. But as things stand, we need to face the very real fact that we may well be required to feed the nation at some point.”

Platinum Valve gasps. “What are you suggesting, sir?”

“That we’re going to need to figure out a proper system of growing, harvesting, and preserving. And we need to build a few more of these greenhouses to grow food for exports.”

Tempest rolls her eyes. “We go too far expanding this thing and we’ll have our entire group tied up with producing food before too long.”

Cherry shrugs. “While at the same time such a thing may not actually be necessary.”

Spitfire appears hopeful. “You have a way to end this matter quickly?!”

Cherry shakes her head. “Not really, no. However, I’d like to point out that Baltimare does have a much larger population. As well as their power plant.”

Platinum Valve points a hoof toward Equus. “They could very well use our system here to grow food for their entire city.

Tempest nods. “It wouldn’t be too hard for them to do such a thing what with all the ponies whom call that city home. After setting up the basic infrastructure and getting everypony trained on what to do.”

Spitfire looks to Arc. “That may be a good idea from more than just the food standpoint.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m told a lot of them are out of work at the moment. This would also solve the unemployment problem for them too. Or at the very least put a sizable dent into it.”

Arc turns to the Unicorns. “We’re counting on all of you to get a system worked out. Something that can be replicated here as well as elsewhere later.”

Platinum Valve starts writing of a pad of paper. “I’ll see about streamlining the designs further as well. See if we can make things more efficient.”

Cherry looks to the filly. “How long do you think it would take to do all of that?”

Platinum Valve shrugs. “Probably a week or so. With luck on our side, of course.”

Tempest shrugs. “Good, I suppose. So where does that leave the rest of us?”

Arc turns to her. “Anyone whom isn’t on guard duty or recon should be learning these new concepts. We can use our new source of food to barter for other things that we need as well. Blankets, medical supplies, building materials, and anything else we can think of.”

Spitfire leans against the fish enclosure. “I’ll coordinate with Platinum Valve to get some kind of information cataloguing system going too. We need to watch this thing really closely in order to maximize efficiency. After all, lives may depend on it soon.”

Cherry raises a hoof. “And I can help teach others how to properly can and jar things.”

Platinum Valve looks up from her paper. “I imagine that it’s going to be a bit more time consuming that we think to process the harvest. Things will, of course, need to be properly washed, cut up, cooked, and jarred. But we’re also overlooking a very critical step to this.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

The filly picks a tomato and lays it on a workbench next to her. Pulling a small knife from her belt she cuts the fruit in half and holds it up for the others to see as she speaks.

“The seeds. Not only do we have to preserve the food itself, but we’ll also need to harvest and properly dry them so as to be able to grow the next generation of produce. Some will be a simple matter to extract, such as the large seeds found within a melon. However, smaller fruit like this tomato will be a much more labor-intensive process.”

Cherry puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “Maybe we shouldn’t grow such things then. After all, there’s only so many hours in the day.”

Tempest looks to the melons. “Or maybe start with all easy to extract seeds and move up to something a bit more challenging. Like tomatoes.”

Arc picks up a melon. “That does sound like the best course of action at this point. Start simple while we’re trying to figure the finer points of this thing out. Then we can move on to more difficult matters as time allows.”

Spitfire sighs. “I kinda wish we could get some trees going though. After all, everypony would love to see apples again.”

Cherry chimes in. “And cherries too. Although I may be a bit biased there.”

Platinum Valve shakes her head. “Such things would take far too many nutrients that could be used to grow smaller crops though.”

Tempest looks around. “And they take up a lot of space too.”

Arc nods. “It would take an extra-large greenhouse and actual soil to be able to stand upright. The pea gravel we’re using right now wouldn’t cut it.”

Cherry gestures to the produce. “Yes, well… at least this appears to be going well.”

Spitfire speaks as she turns to Platinum Valve. “I’ll send somepony out to scavenge for some more diverse seeds.”

Arc nods toward the planet. “There’s probably quite a few to be found in Ponyville. I’ll pick some up when I’m there.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “You’re planning to go back to Ponyville?”

“Yeah.”

Platinum Valve raises an eyebrow. “While I do appreciate the help with this, what’s so special about Ponyville, sir?”

Arc looks away. “It’s… a place that holds a very special place in my heart for personal reasons. One’s that I’d rather not speak of at the moment.”

Cherry nods soberly. “Then we won’t pry any further.”

Tempest walks towards him. “Want some company?”

“I suppose that would be helpful, yes. With any luck though this will be just a long but uneventful mission.”

“In my experience, those are the ones that have an annoying tendency to go off the rails the quickest though.”

Arc shrugs. “Can’t argue with that. Get packed and meet me in the main hall in fifteen minutes then.”

Tempest turns to leave. “Right.”

Arc turns to Platinum Valve. “I’ll be on the lookout for anything else we might need while I’m out there as well.”

“That would be very helpful, thank you.”

Cherry looks to Arc. “Is there anything we can do to help you in this mission of yours, sir?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not really, no. It’s just something that needs to be done.”

Spitfire throws up a hoof in salute. “Good luck out there then.”

Nodding, Arc leaves the greenhouse. Entering the base he quickly makes his way to a large set of double doors. Knocking lightly, the young man steps back and waits. A few moments later the door opens a few inches. Arc takes the opportunity to speak.

“Good morning, Auriel.”

“I, um… hello.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Okay, I suppose. Then again, I don’t really have anything else to do while I wait for you to make good on your word.”

Arc nods. “Which is why I’m here.”

Auriel appears hopeful as she opens the door wide. “You mean…?”

“Yes, the greenhouse is up and running. Platinum Valve and the others will see about experimenting with various techniques to increase the yields. But in the meantime, this is a perfect time for us to start the process of finding your mother.”

Auriel turns and grabs her satchel which is next to the door. “Let’s go!”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “We don’t have to leave right this second. Don’t you want to grab a quick bite to eat first?”

Auriel shakes her head. “I’m ready now!”

“Alright. But admittedly, this is going to be kind of a roundabout trip.”

“What do you mean?”

“At the moment we don’t have any way of crossing the ocean. So first we have to remedy that problem.”

“How?”

“Well, you see…”

Tempest trots over to them with her saddlebags and looks to Arc.

“I’m ready to…”

Turning, she notices Auriel standing in the doorway. Returning her gaze to Arc, she frowns and points a hoof.

“Uh… what is SHE doing here?!”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “Auriel will be coming with us too.”

Tempest rolls her eyes. “You want to bring a demon royal?!”

Arc nods. “Yes.”

“Why?!”

“Because I made a promise to try and find her mother. That and there are a few other things that need to be done along the way.”

Tempest frowns. “You do know that this is a mistake, right?! I mean, has this little twig ever even seen combat?!”

Auriel fidgets nervously. “Well… no. My father was always afraid that I’d get hurt in training.”

Tempest points a hoof. “See?! She’s dead weight!”

Arc grunts. “Helpful or not, I did give her my word.”

“But…!”

Arc interrupts Tempest. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I can handle this on my own, after all.”

Tempest shakes her head. “Not a chance! We’re going to need every one of our warriors eventually, and you’re one of our best!”

“What’s that have to do with you coming though?”

“Because I can’t stand the thought of potentially losing somepony as powerful as you are!”

Arc shrugs. “Fine then. Are you ready to go?”

Tempest walks towards the Main Hall. “Very.”

Auriel sighs as Arc turns his attention back to her and speaks.

“Sorry about that. Tempest is just… um…”

Auriel interrupts him. “A warrior?”

“Well, yes.”

“She is right though. I’m going to be a liability on this trip.”

“It should be pretty safe though. Just do what I tell you to and things will be fine.”

Auriel steps out of her room to join Arc. “I sure hope so.”

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to though. I could probably find your mother and bring her back here if you’d like.”

“Thank you. But you have to understand that I’ve spent my entire life trapped in Tartarus AND the city of Vengeance. I know there’s a big world out there, and I really want to see it for myself.”

Arc nods as he motions for Auriel to follow him. “Fine. Just understand one thing.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“That not everything you’re about to see out there will be pleasant.”

A short time later they arrive at the Main Hall. Tempest is waiting for them in front of the teleporter pad. Frowning, she speaks.

“If you two are done dawdling over there, can we get this thing moving?!”

Arc nods. “Yes. Just let me point out our first destination and we’ll be off.”

Walking over to the map, Arc points as he looks to the stallion behind the desk.

“I need to visit Ponyville again. What would be the safest place to teleport to?”

“Our intelligence indicates that the foothills outside of town to the south are a good place to approach undetected.”

“Then that’s where we’ll start.”

Stepping onto the teleporter pad with Auriel and Tempest, Arc looks to the stallion and nods. Manipulating the controls, he watches as the three disappear. They find themselves outside of Ponyville a few moments later in an undeveloped field with knee high grass and flowers. Auriel smiles as she looks around.

“This is amazing!”

Tempest scoffs. “It’s nothing special.”

Arc chuckles. “It probably is if you’ve spent your entire life in a magical prison.”

Auriel kneels down and begins picking a few stems. “I need to study these!”

Tempest groans. “We don’t have time for this though!”

Arc shrugs. “Yes. That and these aren’t exactly what I would call ‘rare specimens’.”

Tempest points toward the town with a hoof. “We’ll get you a book about them! Now let’s go!”

Getting to her feet, Auriel walks over to Arc whom motions for the pair to follow him. Tempest looks up at him as they approach the outskirts of Ponyville.

“So, we’re just here to get what exactly? Seeds?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not quite. I also told Platinum Valve that we’d be on the lookout for anything of use to her and the rest of those up on the moon.”

Auriel grins. “Where would one find seeds though? Are they rare? What should we be looking for?”

Tempest rolls her eyes. “About as rare as plants in general are.”

Arc nods. “Tempest is right. Seeds can be found literally everywhere in this world. But the fact of the matter is that we really just need certain kinds.”

“Like what?”

“One’s that grow into specific foods that can actually reach maturity up there without being too labor intensive. Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, various herbs, and whatnot.”

As the group makes their way into Ponyville, Auriel looks around nervously for a few moments before turning to Arc.

“What… happened here?”

Tempest frowns as she points a hoof toward Canterlot in the distance. “That happened!”

“A mountain castle?”

Arc nods. “That’s Canterlot. It’s the capital of Equestria.”

Tempest grits her teeth. “They’ve stopped raising the sun and cut themselves off from the rest of the country by enshrouding the city in a magical barrier.”

Auriel appears confused. “But why?”

Arc shrugs. “No one really knows. However, we need to help the citizenry get to a point of sustainability before taking the fight to Canterlot.”

Tempest nods. “That and figure out a way to get in there.”

Arc stops walking. “In any case, here we are.”

Auriel appears confused. “Huh?”

Arc gestures with a gauntlet. “Barnyard Bargains.”

Tempest shrugs. “It’s what we here in Equestria would call a ‘general store’.”

Arc Blinks through the door and opens it from the inside. Auriel and Tempest step across the threshold and look around. Auriel flaps her wings to get some air and get a better view of things. She gasps as she looks around.

“Very interesting!”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “How so?”

“There’s so many different things on display here!”

Arc chuckles. “Hence the term ‘general store’.”

Auriel giggles as she lands. “Yes, it’s very aptly named!”

Tempest shakes her head. “Whatever you say. Can we get what we came here for and get moving please?”

Arc shrugs. “Sure, if that’s what you really want.”

Auriel follows Arc over to a display nearby. He looks it over for a few moments before picking up an empty box nearby and holds it out to Auriel.

“Would you hang onto this for me, please?”

Auriel nods as she takes the box. “Sure.”

She watches as Arc begins putting a number of packages into the box. Auriel reaches in and pulls one out to examine it as she speaks.

“So these are seeds?”

Arc nods as he tosses another handful of packages into the box. “Yup. They’re dried and sealed in there to keep them from sprouting prematurely.”

Tempest groans as she walks over and stars pulling packets off the other displays. “Stop being so picky with these things! Just grab everything you can get your hooves on and let the Earth Ponies back at the base sort them out!”

Arc shrugs. “Alright. How about you box these up while Auriel and I look around for other things we could use then?”

“Whatever. Just make it snappy.”

Arc motions for Auriel to follow him as Tempest begins filling boxes. They turn down another aisle as Auriel sighs.

“Is it just me or does she always seem to be in a hurry?”

“Well, that’s probably her military training talking. Get the job done and report back to base, or whatever.”

“And you?”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“I’m guessing that, like her, you too have such training as well.”

“Not really, no.”

Auriel appears confused. “But aren’t you supposed to be… um… what was it called again?”

“The Hero of Light?”

Auriel nods. “Yes, that. I thought you were supposed to be Equestria’s greatest warrior.”

Arc shakes his head. “I doubt that.”

“But then why isn’t whomever is the best…?”

Arc interrupts her. “Because that’s not what the position is for.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The Hero of Light is supposed to be strong, yes. But above that they also need to be extremely trustworthy.”

“All those in power should be, of course.”

“Moreso for me, as I’m part of the Order of Succession.”

Auriel raises an eyebrow. “What is that?”

“It’s an official list that states whom will take over running the country in the event that the ruling princesses are unable to rule the nation.”

“So if something were to happen to Princess Celestia then whom would take over for her?”

“Under normal circumstances that would be her sister, Princess Luna.”

“And then?”

“Next would be the youngest of the three, Princess Cadance, whom currently rules over the Crystal Empire to the north.”

“Then the Hero of Light?”

Arc nods. “Yes. And after that it’s the Captain of the Royal Guard followed by the Lead Sage. Not sure about whom is after that though.”

“So you’re saying that if all three princesses were unable to rule, then you would be in charge of leading the nation?”

“Exactly.”

“I spoke to Miss Cherry about your position the other day. She said that you’re empowered to… remove princesses as you see fit as well.”

“If they posed a threat to the nation, yes. That or if they weren’t able or willing to carry out their duties.”

“Such a thing sounds rather dangerous to me.”

“How so?”

Auriel puts a hand to her chin thoughtfully. “Well… they’re giving an individual the power to remove them at will. Aren’t the princesses afraid that a Hero of Light could just oust all of them and take over the nation?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not really, no. Which brings us back to what started this line of conversation in the first place. The trustworthiness of the one in this position.”

“Strong but also not someone whom would try to usurp them.”

“And whom would do what’s best for the nation as a whole.”

“Sounds like it would be hard to find such an individual.”

“Oh, it is. But let’s get back to our original mission.”

“Looking for useful supplies?”

Arc nods. “Right.”

“I’m told that we have plenty of food, water, and medicine at this point. Moreso the latter due to Esther joining us on the moon. How about blankets?”

“We have plenty back at the base. They came from the local hospital.”

“Then how about spare clothing?”

Arc chuckles. “Ponies don’t usually wear such things. And I have plenty for myself.”

Auriel sighs. “Now I just plain feel silly.”

Arc turns and points. “Then how about that?”

Looking, Auriel spies an aisle of small toys. Raising an eyebrow, she turns to Arc before speaking.

“Don’t we have bigger needs than that though?”

“Maybe. But at the same time, this has to be a scary thing for the foals to go through. Some toys might help them pass the time and keep them out of mischief.”

“I’m sure you know what’s best. That and I wouldn’t mind studying them myself.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “Studying… toys?”

Auriel nods. “That and I’d like to learn how the foals interact with them. Remember, very little is known about ponykind to us demons. I want to study everything about them and their way of life that I can, after all.”

“Alright. Just help me pick out what would be the most fun, like…”

Turning, he points before continuing.

“…like those.”

Auriel raises an eyebrow. “What are they?”

“Board games.”

Auriel appears confused. “Something that you play with when you’re bored?”

Arc chuckles as he shakes his head. “No, no. Not ‘bored’ as in B-O-R-E-D, but ‘board’ as in ‘B-O-A-R-D’.”

“So they’re made of wood then?”

“Some are, yes. But that’s just what we call any game that comes in a box like this.”

Auriel points to something on the rack. “Even this strip of fabric here?”

Arc shakes his head. “No, that’s a hair ribbon.”

Auriel picks the ribbon up. “What does it do?”

“It’s just something to add a bit of flair to a pony’s mane or tail. That or it could be used to keep the hair out of their eyes if they need to work or study.”

“Then what is it doing here?”

Arc shrugs. “I’m guessing that it was something a customer’s foal picked up from elsewhere in the store in passing. And when their parents saw it and said ‘no’, they just kinda left it there for an employee to put back.”

Auriel looks over the ribbon carefully. “How exactly is it supposed to work?”

“You just kinda take your hair and bunch it up before using the ribbon to tie it together.”

“Can you show me?”

“I can try. This way.”

Leading Auriel to another aisle, they find a larger mirror and stand before it as Arc speaks.

“First you hold your hair in one hand. Like this.”

Taking Auriel’s hair, he continues.

“Then you wrap the ribbon around it and tie it into a bow, or something.”

Doing so, Arc puts Auriel’s long hair over her shoulder so she can see the ribbon. Looking at herself in the mirror, Auriel smiles widely.

“That does look really nice! And it would keep my hair from dangling over my eyes and shoulders at the wrong time.”

“There are a few different things you could do with it. Some put multiple ribbons in their hair to hold it together all the way up their back.”

Reaching over, Arc pulls a few ribbons from a nearby display and puts them in Auriel’s hair. Turning to the side, Auriel looks over her hair in the mirror and giggles.

“That’s really interesting! It’s such a simple design that serves an important purpose! What else can you tell me about these ribbons and their uses?!”

Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “Well… younger fillies sometimes put two in their manes on each side of their head.”

Auriel appears confused. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Want me to just show you then?”

Auriel nods. “Yes, very much so!”

Pulling the ribbons from Auriel’s hair, Arc lets it flow freely again before taking the left half of her hair and tying the ribbon into a bow close to her scalp. He then does the same for the right side before turning Auriel to look in the mirror again as he speaks.

“These are called ‘pigtails’. It holds the hair out of your eyes while giving you a new look.”

“What’s just one ribbon in the hair called then? A ‘pig’s snout’?”

Arc chuckles. “No, no. In truth, I don’t really know where the term ‘pigtail’ comes from. A single one in the back is generally just known as a ‘ponytail’ though.”

Auriel grins. “Because it makes their mane look like a tail on their head?”

“While I never really thought too much about it, I think you’re right about that.”

Auriel goes back to looking at herself in the mirror. “These make my hair look really… different.”

“So, keep them.”

Auriel appears confused. “Keep?”

Arc nods. “It’s either that or they’ll just sit there on the shelf forever. Might as well get some use out of them.”

“Well… alright. That is, if you don’t think the shop owner will mind.”

Tempest rounds the corner pushing two full boxes of seed packets. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think the stallion that runs this place would care too much about a few ribbons. After all, none of the ‘Rich’ family members have been seen since Canterlot went dark.”

Arc turns to her. “What do you think happened to them?”

Tempest shrugs. “Probably hidden away in some well stocked doomsday bunker somewhere around here.”

Arc shrugs. “Admittedly that does sound like something Filthy Rich would do.”

Auriel looks at the ribbon display. “Can I take some of these back for the others? Maybe the foals there would like them.”

Arc nods. “Sounds good to me. Pack up whatever you want to send back and I’ll get a sigil set up.”

A short time later a pile of items sits in the middle of the floor on top of a sigil. Arc powers it up and teleports the items back to the Main Hall of Light’s Hope. Turning to Tempest, he speaks.

“The others will take care of what we found. You ready to move on?”

Tempest looks around nervously. “Yes, I am. After all, it’s dangerous to stay in one place for too long these days.”

Auriel appears confused. “Why’s that?”

“Because you never know when soldiers from Canterlot might fly by on patrol.”

Arc frowns. “You make a good point, Tempest. Onward then.”

Leaving the general store, Arc leads the group down the deserted paths toward the edge of town. Rounding a corner, he points a gauntlet.

Here we are.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “A tree?”

Auriel gasps. “It appears to be someone’s home!”

Arc chuckles. “You’re both right. But let’s get inside before talking more.”

Pushing the door open, Arc leads the pair inside. As he closes the door behind them he calls out.

“Welcome to the Golden Oaks Library.”

Auriel gasps happily. “A library?!”

Tempest raises an eyebrow as she turns to Auriel. “What’s so special about this place?”

Auriel grins as she hurries over to the closest shelf. “It’s filled with the knowledge of the three pony races! Things that I want desperately to understand!”

Arc chuckles as Auriel grabs a book and begins reading. “I thought you’d like this place.”

Tempest frowns. “Yes, well… I get the feeling that you didn’t just bring us here for her sake.”

Arc nods. “That I didn’t. In truth, I wanted to see about securing a path to the Dragon Lands.”

“A path? One that starts at a library?”

Arc shrugs. “It’s a bit more complicated than that, mind you. But ultimately, yes.”

Tempest shakes her head. “I think you’re in dire need of a medical checkup if you’re starting our journey across the sea here of all places.”

Auriel calls out from a growing pile of books. “Would it be possible for me to borrow these?”

Arc looks at the books. “I don’t see why not. After all, no one else is reading them.”

Auriel giggles. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to take good care of them.”

Arc turns to Tempest as he heads for the stairs. “Stay with Auriel while I check on something up here.”

Tempest scoffs. “Fine. Just don’t take all day.”

A short time later Arc returns to the main level. Looking to the two, he calls out.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Auriel nods absentmindedly as she reads. “It’s fine.”

Tempest frowns. “What the heck were you doing up there anyways?”

“I just had to grab a few things real quick. Now I know that this probably sounds kind of like an out of the way path we’re on. But you have to believe me when I say that it’ll lead us to our destination.”

Auriel looks up from her book. “I don’t understand how it could myself. But seeing as I’m a guest in this land, I can’t really say anything about how you’re doing things.”

Tempest scoffs. “That makes one of us.”

Arc gestures to the door. “In any case, we can leave at any time.”

Auriel appears hopeful. “Can I have just a few more minutes here though?! I feel as though I’ve just scratched the surface of what this library has to offer!”

Arc chuckles. “We can come back later if you’d like.”

Tempest points a hoof. “Just take what you have there and let’s get going!”

Auriel sighs as she picks up a couple books. “Very well.”

Opening a portal, Arc motions for Tempest and Auriel to step through. Doing so himself, they find themselves back in the Main Hall of Light’s Hope. Arc walks over to the stallion at the desk and points to the map as he speaks.

“Now we need to go here.”

The stallion appears confused at his instructions. “Sir?”

“Something wrong with that?”

“No sir. It’s just, um…”

Tempest interrupts him. “There’s nothing out there though!”

Arc grins. “Trust me. There is.”

Turning his attention back to the stallion, Arc continues.

“So, can you send us there or not?”

The stallion nods. “Yes I can, sir.”

“Good. Then we’re ready to depart. Again, I suppose.”

Typing the coordinates into his control panel as the trio steps onto the platform, the stallion looks to Arc. Nodding in affirmation to the operator, Arc, Tempest, and Auriel vanish again. This time they reappear on a peninsula surrounded by water below. Tempest looks to Arc warily.

“Ah… what the heck are we doing all the way out here?”

“Checking out a potential route to the Dragon Lands.”

Auriel appears confused. “I don’t see anything here though. No bridges or boats or anything else that could help us cross the ocean.”

Arc points a gauntlet. “There is that though.”

Turning their attention to a statue nearby, Arc leads the pair over to it. Auriel kneels down to look it over as she speaks.

“Is this statue of a dragon?!”

Arc nods. “That it is.”

Tempest moves a hoof in a circular motion. “And this helps us how exactly?”

“A bit of an explanation first.”

Arc gestures to the statue before continuing.

“This statue is here to mark the start of an alternate path that leads to the Dragon Lands. It’s meant to be used by those dragons whom can’t fly due to being either too old or not old enough.”

Tempest grunts. “Fine then. Let me ask again how this helps us.”

Auriel nods as she looks to Arc. “Yes, I’m assuming that only a dragon could activate this magical road of sorts.”

Tempest rolls her eyes. “Which we sorely lack at the moment.”

Arc chuckles. “Correct. But in truth we only need scales and fire to make it work.”

Auriel appears interested. “I’d very much like to see that.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “As would I. After all, it’s not like dragon scales are something that you can just go to the store and purchase on a whim.”

Arc nods. “Correct. Truth be told, they’re found at the library.”

Reaching for his ring, Arc pulls out a small handful of scales. Tempest’s eyes grow wide at this revelation.

“Why the heck would a library have such things though?!”

Auriel appears impressed. “Was it run by a dragon?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not exactly. A mare by the name of Twilight Sparkle lived there and operated the library before the town was abandoned. However, she did have a baby dragon for an assistant.”

Tempest smirks. “So you just looked around their living quarters for shed scales then?”

“Just the basket he slept in. I pulled out the bedding and found a number of scales under them.”

Auriel eyes the scales. “So how do we use these to get there?”

“First off, we have to put them in this stone bowl. Like so.”

Arc puts the scales into the bowl and steps back. Turning to the others, he continues.

“Then we just need a bit of flame.”

Holding out a hand, Arc casts a Fire Spell on the scales. A few moments later a sigil lights up at their feet/hooves, causing them to be instantly teleported. Tempest frowns as they reappear.

“What the…?!”

Arc smiles sheepishly. “Sorry. I probably should have warned you about that sigil under there.”

Auriel puts a hand to her belly. “That was not a very smooth ride.”

Tempest grunts. “No… no, it…”

Burping, she suddenly runs toward a bush and sticks her head into it. The sound of heavy vomiting rings out as Tempest does what she needs to do. Eventually she returns to Arc and Auriel with a scowl. Looking to them, she lowers her voice.

“We will never speak of this again.”

Auriel appears confused. “About what?”

Arc looks to Auriel. “I believe Tempest was talking about what she just did in those bushes.”

Auriel turns to the mare. “How you threw up?”

Tempest glares at her. “Like I said, we aren’t speaking of it!”

Arc chuckles. “Alright, alright. It never happened.”

Auriel wrinkles her nose. “Uh… what’s that smell?”

Tempest rolls her eyes. “Come on. It’s not THAT bad.

Arc frowns. “I don’t know. But it’s strange that we didn’t smell that until just now.”

Tempest grunts. “The wind shifted. That’s all.”

Arc sighs as he motions for the pair to follow him. “We can figure out what it is later. Right now we have more important matters to attend to.”

Auriel looks around. “I suppose that’s true, but… where are we though?”

Arc chuckles. “The Dragon Lands.”

Tempest gasps. “WHAT?!”

Pulling a radio from her saddlebag, she speaks into it.

“Tempest to base! Come in!”

Nothing but static comes over the airwaves though. Trying a few more times yields no better results. Grunting, Tempest puts the radio away and turns to Arc.

“I sure hope you’ve got extra dragon scales for the return trip.”

Arc shakes his head. “Used them all to get us here actually.”

Auriel’s eyes grow wide. “Then how are we supposed to get back?!”

Tempest pulls out a bead. “She’s right! We can’t make contact with the base as it stands! And even if we could, the Dragon Lands are just too far out of range for us to get home with a bead!”

Arc gestures to the horizon across the water. “Not to worry. I’ll get us back when the time is right.”

Auriel grimaces. “How though?”

Arc looks around. “One sec.”

Spotting a large rock nearby, Arc Blinks over to it and kneels down. Placing a gauntlet on it, he creates a sigil before hopping down and turning to the pair before him.

“There we go. One sigil.”

Tempest appears hopeful. “Can you open a portal that far though?”

Arc nods. “Yes, I can.”

Auriel breathes a sigh of relief. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. This sigil I placed here is just to give us a foothold in the Dragon Lands. That is, in case we need to leave and come back again at some point.”

Tempest scoffs. “Not sure why we’d ever need to do that though.”

“Just planning for the future, Tempest.”

Auriel looks around nervously. “Are you sure my mother is actually here though? I mean… considering what we had to do in order to get here, I don’t really see how she would have come on her own.”

Tempest turns to Arc. “Yes, I question that myself.”

“This was her last known location, so that’s why we’re here.”

Auriel sighs. “I guess I don’t really have any choice but to trust you in this.”

Arc motions with a gauntlet. “In any case, let’s head to Pyreston and see if we can get an audience with the Dragon Lord then.”

Auriel appears confused as she falls into step next to Arc. “The what?”

“Dragon Lord.”

Tempest chimes in. “Think of him like the king of all dragons.”

Auriel gulps. “Is he… scary?”

Arc shrugs. “Kinda. I mean… he is a lot bigger than your father King Malevolence is.”

“How much bigger?!”

“Think of something roughly the size of a small mountain.”

“Oh?”

Arc is silent for a few moments. Eventually Auriel responds.

“Are you serious?”

“Very.”

“What should I say to him then?!”

Tempest scoffs. “Nothing probably.”

Arc nods. “Tempest is right. I’ll do all the talking.”

A few hours later they arrive at the outskirts of town. As they step out of the foliage, Arc turns to Tempest.

“Keep your eyes open.”

“What for exactly?”

Arc frowns as they enter the town. “Trouble mostly.”

Walking down the dirt road, the trio is surprised to find the town more or less deserted. Hearing the sounds of footsteps nearby, Auriel instinctively draws closer to Arc as Tempest puts a hoof on her weapon. A large dragon steps out from around a nearby corner and moves to block their advance. Arc motions for Auriel and Tempest to stop as he turns his attention to the dragon before them.

“Something I can do for you?”

The dragon scoffs. “I was going to ask you the same thing, runt! What are you doing in our town?!”

“We’re just here to see the Dragon Lord.”

Sighing, the dragon rolls his eyes. “Kinda late for that.”

Tempest glares at him. “I don’t care what time it is here! We have… business with him!”

Frowning, the dragon motions to his comrades whom are out of sigh. They quickly move to surround the trio as he speaks.

“Believe me when I say that they don’t like being disturbed when they’re in one of their… moods.”

Arc steps forward to stand face to face in front of the dragon. “Nevertheless, we must see the Dragon Lord at once. Now then, are you going to show us the way or are we just going to head there ourselves?”

Auriel looks past Arc pleadingly. “Please! We just want to announce ourselves to his highness before searching for my mother!”

The dragon raises an eyebrow. “Mother?”

Arc nods. “Yes, I believe she is here in the Dragon Lands somewhere.”

Tempest frowns. “So let us carry on with that so we can get the heck out of here!”

Sighing, the dragon looks in another direction. “Fine then. But audiences are no longer held in the Throne of the Dragon Lord.”

Arc narrows his eyes. “Where then?”

“Near the lava pools. I can show you the way. If only to see the Dragon Lord tear all three of you to pieces.”

Auriel’s eyes grow wide. “What?!”

Tempest smirks. “We can handle ourselves.”

“So you say. This way to your graves.”

The dragons turn and begin walking as Arc and Tempest fall into step behind them. Auriel latches onto Arc’s arm as she does her best to stay close to him. A short time later they leave the city and make their way through an extremely arid and rocky area. Stopping in front of a large colosseum they turn to Arc.

“The Dragon Lord is in there.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “Are they now?”

The dragon shoos them away with a wave of his claw. “Yes, yes. Now then, rush forward to your inevitable deaths like good little runts. We could all use the entertainment right now.”

Arc motions with a gauntlet for Tempest to follow him as Auriel repositions herself behind him. Walking into the building, they follow a lone corridor to the open-air center. Innumerable dragons scurry about as they come into view as a lone voice booms out.

“WHAT IS THIS INTRUSION?!”

The guards part as Ember hops up onto a rock with the Bloodstone Scepter in her claws. Looking to Arc and company disdainfully, she continues speaking.

“HAVE YOU THREE COME HERE TODAY SIMPLY TO OFFER YOURSELVES TO US AS SOME SORT OF BELATED TRIBUTE?!”

Arc shakes his head. “No. We merely wish to speak to Dragon Lord Torch regarding…”

Ember glares at him as she interrupts. “FOOL! THAT IS ME!”

“My apologies. I was not aware of this… change in leadership Dragon Lord Ember.”

“GET TO THE POINT THEN! WHY ARE YOU HERE?!”

Arc gestures to Auriel. “You see, we’re looking for my friend’s mother. It’s likely that she’s somewhere here in the Dragon Lands.”

Tempest steps forward. “We just came forth to announce ourselves and assure you that we are only here for peaceful purposes.”

Ember sneers. “PEACEFUL PURPOSES, YOU SAY! DO YOU THREE TAKE ME FOR A FOOL?!”

Arc shakes his head. “No, ma’am. Our mission is both genuine and urgent. We only wish to locate Auriel’s mother so that we can return her to…”

Ember again cuts him off. “WAIT A MOMENT! AURIEL?!”

Looking to the figure mostly obscured by Arc’s body, Ember narrows her eyes.

“LET ME SEE HER!”

Arc turns to Auriel and extends a gauntlet to her. Taking her hand, he steps to one side to expose her. Ember looks her over for a long moment before grinning wickedly.

“INTERESTING! I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT EQUESTRIA WISHES TO MAKE AMENDS!”

Tempest frowns. “Amends?”

“FOR THE CRIMES AGAINST OUR NATION!”

She turns her attention back to Arc before continuing.

“YOU MAY SEARCH MY DOMAIN FOR THIS ONE’S MOTHER ON ONE CONDITION!”

“Oh?”

“THAT IS, YOU MUST LEAVE HER WITH ME!”

Auriel gasps. “What?!”

Arc frowns. “For what purpose?”

“SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF THE DEMON KING OF TARTARUS AND MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HER RACE’S CRIMES THERE!”

Tempest sneers. “That doesn’t make any sense!”

Ember points the Bloodstone Scepter at them. “EITHER TURN HER OVER TO ME AT ONCE FOR PUNISHMENT OR ALL THREE OF YOU SHALL SHARE HER FATE!”

Arc gently pushes Auriel behind him as he speaks. “That’s… not going to happen.”

“VERY WELL!”

She turns to the guards before continuing.

“SLAY THESE FOREIGNERS AND BRING ME THEIR HEADS! MY THRONE NEEDS DECORATING!”

The guards step forward as others block their retreat. Tempest pulls her weapons and turns to Arc as she takes up a battle-ready stance.

“Nice plan, genius.”

Arc frowns. “We’re not dead yet.”

Auriel grimaces. “That won’t be true much longer though!”

“Just let me handle this, will you?”

Tempest scoffs. “Oh sure. You’ve done a great job thus far.”

Arc pushes Auriel toward Tempest and puts her claw on the mare’s back before turning around to face Ember and calling out loud enough for all present to hear.

“DRAGON LORD EMBER! ON YOU DRAGON’S CODE, I HEREBY CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “YOU WHAT?!”

“One on one, you and I!”

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR PEA SIZED MIND?! “

“Just trying to make a deal with you.”

“ELABORATE!”

“If I win then you agree to allow us to search for Auriel’s mother unhindered. And take her back to Equestria with us if we find her.”

“AND WHAT SHALL BE DONE WHEN YOU FAIL IN THAT?!”

“Then I suppose you’ll have carried out your own orders. That and I hear your subjects are looking for some entertainment.”

The nearby dragons grin toothily and cry out as Ember folds her arms over her chest and laughs heartily.

“FOOL! I’LL WIPE THE FLOOR WITH YOU!”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “Which means that you have nothing to worry about I would imagine.”

Smirking, Ember motions for the other dragons to step back as she calls out.

“MY ARMAMENTS AT ONCE!”

She looks back to Arc as her armor is hastily brought forth.

“YOU SHALL HAVE YOUR FIGHT, RUNT!”

“Good. Just remember the terms of our agreement.”

Ember scoffs as the Spear of Courage is given to her. “IT IS ONE THAT I SHALL NOT HAVE TO KEEP!”

Setting the Bloodstone Scepter down on her rock, Ember takes up a battle-ready position. Tempest steps back with Auriel as Tempest hisses at him.

“Tactically and diplomatically speaking, this is not a wise course of action!”

Auriel looks around nervously. “Just open a portal and we can get to safety!”

Tempest nods fervently. “Yes! Equestria still needs its champion!”

Arc shakes his head. “And that is why I have to do this. Believe me when I say that I can take her.”

As Arc turns to face Ember, the two of them stare each other down. Taking a deep breath, Arc draws his own spear from his ring and levels it at Ember as he continues.

“Dragon Lord! Shall we begin our dance?!”

Ember grips her weapon tightly. “I shall enjoy watching you die, vermin!”

Lunging forward, Ember attempts to end the battle quickly as she takes aim at Arc’s chest. However, he knocks the weapon away with his own before sending Ember flying across the field with a swift kick to her midsection. She quickly gets to her feet and composes herself as Arc calls out to her.

“Dragon Lord! You may not know me, but I certainly know you!”

Ember scoffs. “That is impossible! I’ve been gone for some time now… training abroad!”

Arc chuckles as he leans against a nearby rock. “If that is truly the case, you should have no trouble defeating me.”

Ember charges forward again as Arc simply stands there and waits for her patiently. However, as she nears, he Blinks behind the young dragon. Her spear embeds itself deep within the stone. As Ember tugs on it, Arc puts his hand on the back of her head and smashes it into the rock. She swings a fist backwards in an attempt to catch him off guard. Arc holds up a gauntlet and blocks her attempt as she wrests the spear free. Pushing her away as she again swings her weapon at him, the pair again face one another as Ember breathes heavily.

“What the…?!”

Arc shrugs. “I know how you fight.”

“But how?!”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

Ember seethes. “More Equestrian treachery!”

Arc frowns. “Wait. More?”

Ember nods angrily. “Yes! You and your kind are unwelcome here after what happened the last time!”

“I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

Ember levels her weapon at him. “Stop playing games with me and fight like a real warrior!”

Arc sighs. “Fine. But I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of that story when we’re done here.”

Taking flight, Ember flaps her wings hard enough to kick up the dust at Arc’s feet in an attempt to blind him. However, he Blinks slightly above her and lets gravity do its thing. Looking up to see him just as Arc grabs her wrist, Ember swings a fist at his head using his hold on her for additional leverage. It connects and knocks Arc backwards, staggering him. Tossing her weapon aside, she dives headfirst at him. Knocking her opponent onto his back she quickly pulls his helmet off. Seeing his face for the first time, Ember tosses the helmet aside and jumps back as she cries out.

“What the heck ARE you?!”

Arc quickly gets to his feet and takes up a defensive position. “My name is Arc. I’m Equestria’s Hero of Light.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “You’re what now?”

Tempest calls out. “He’s kinda like our nation’s top arbitrator!”

Ember grits her teeth. “So you’re really important?!”

Arc shrugs. “Kinda. My rank is generally seen as being about on par as the princesses.”

Ember appears suddenly furious. “I’LL KILL YOU!”

Diving toward him, Ember plants her spear tip down in the dirt as she cries out.

“DRAGON KING SLICE!”

A massive magical explosion rips through the structure, leveling it and knocking everyone to the ground. Ember stands there, breathing heavily, and looks to where Arc was standing just a few moments ago. As the dust slowly begins to clear, her eyes grow wide as she sees that Arc is unmoved. A gauntlet held out in front of him is casting a Barrier Spell while the other is being used to shield Tempest and Auriel. Furious, Ember prepares to continue the battle until the sound of footsteps approaching from one side ring out. Turning she spies Auriel hurrying to stand between her and Arc.

“Please stop this! I don’t want anyone to get hurt over…!”

Ember clenches a fist. “This is between him and me, missy! Get out of the way or get hurt!”

Charging forward, Ember roughly pushes past Auriel. The young demon trips and falls to her knees. Looking over at Arc and Ember whom are once again trading blows, she looks around and mutters to herself.

“I need to stop this before someone gets hurt!”

As she looks around, Auriel hears Tempest call out to her.

“CATCH!”

Her eye on the flying object, Auriel grabs it and runs toward the pair with Tempest, whom are still duking it out. Angrily, Auriel calls out loudly.

“STOP IT NOW!”

Ember breaks off her attack mid-swing as Arc’s fist connects with her belly. She doubles over and falls to the ground. Groaning, Ember looks up at Arc, clearly confused.

“What… what did you do… to me…?!”

Arc takes a step back instinctively. “I… I don’t think I did anything!”

Looking up, Arc spies the Bloodstone Scepter in Auriel’s claws. The other dragons take note of this and snarl angrily. Tempest brandishes her weapon at those whom approach.

“Back off!”

Auriel nods fearfully. “Yes, please stop!”

Every dragon ceases their advance as Tempest smirks. Looking to Auriel, she points a hoof.

“Tell them to kneel!”

Auriel gasps. “What?! But I can’t just…!”

Arc interrupts her. “Just do it.”

Sighing, Auriel takes a deep breath and speaks.

“KNEEL!”

The dragons all get on their knees and bow their heads respectively. Tempest grins widely as she looks to the scepter.

“Now we’re getting somewhere!”

Auriel appears confused. “But… how…?”

Arc steps toward her. “It’s the power of the Bloodstone Scepter. The Dragon Lord can use its power to control their subjects.”

Ember looks up from her place on the ground. “What?!”

Tempest rubs her hooves together happily. “This is perfect! Now we have an army at our beck and call!”

Auriel gasps. “We can’t do that to them though! It’s slavery!”

Tempest turns to Arc. “Sounds good to me.”

Arc sighs. “Auriel’s right.”

Auriel holds out the scepter to Arc. “Please take this away from me! I don’t want to rule over anyone!”

Nodding, Arc accepts the Bloodstone Scepter from her. Turning to Ember, he walks over to her and looks down. Looking away, she grimaces.

“Just… end it already.”

Arc kneels down and holds out a hand to her. She looks up at him, confused.

“Rise, Dragon Lord.”

Taking his hand, she stands. Sighing, Ember continues to look away as she speaks.

“What… would you have us do?”

“Well, for starters, take this.”

She looks up to see Arc holding out the Bloodstone Scepter to her. Tempest frowns as she calls out.

“Uh, free army for the taking here!”

Auriel shakes her head. “This isn’t the way though!”

Tempest groans. “We could easily free Equestria!”

Auriel frowns. “At what cost?!”

Arc looks to Tempest. “Auriel is right. Forcing our wills onto an entire race isn’t the Equestrian way.”

Slowly reaching out a claw, Ember takes the scepter and holds it close to her chest for a few moments before returning her attention to Arc.

“But… why?”

Arc sighs. “I know that the dragons of this land are a proud and noble race. It wouldn’t do to force them into Equestria’s service against their will.”

Tempest mutters under her breath. “Still would have been the best choice though.”

Ember frowns. “This doesn’t change our shared past though.”

Arc nods soberly. “No, I suppose it doesn’t. But why don’t you at least allow us to talk to you about it.”

Ember nods as she stands. “Very well. We can speak more about this back at my place.”

She motions for the other dragons, those whom have picked themselves up off the ground, to stand aside. They do so as Ember leads Arc and company out of the ruins of the structure. They return to Pyreston and approach a small hovel. Ember pushes the door open and allows them entrance. Closing the door behind them she motions to a small table with a wave of her claw.

“Please, have a seat.”

Doing as they are told, Ember sits down across from the three as she leans the Bloodstone Scepter against the wall behind her and looks to Arc evenly as she speaks.

“First off, I would like to thank you for what you didn’t do back there.”

Arc nods. “The Hero of Light is supposed to stand for order and justice in Equestria. And there is neither in the face of mandatory servitude.”

Ember frowns. “Big talk for one whom represents the nation whom attacked us.”

Tempest raises an eyebrow. “Attacked?”

Auriel turns to Arc. “What is she talking about?”

“I really have no idea. But I’d very much like to know.”

He looks to Ember before continuing.

“Please tell us what happened.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “You seriously don’t have any idea?”

Arc shakes his head. “No, I don’t.”

“Fine.”

Taking a deep breath, Ember continues.

“A few years ago I was imprisoned in Tartarus for a crime I didn’t commit.”

Tempest looks to Arc. “For the alleged murder of two ponies in the wilds from what I read.”

Ember shakes her head. “Just a classic case of me being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Auriel puts a claw to her chin thoughtfully. “I remember finding out that there was a female dragon in Tartarus from the wanted posters around the city.”

Arc nods. “Mythic Honor told me that you were released by a contingent of Royal Guards though.”

“Right. There wasn’t much said by them other than I was being released from Tartarus and deported back to the Dragon Lands.”

Tempest frowns. “That part is news to me.”

Auriel appears surprised. “You mean that it was kept a secret?”

“Right. Prisoners are never released from that place, after all.”

Arc returns his gaze to Ember. “So you came straight back to the Dragon Lands?”

Ember nods. “They brought me back on an airship and let me off a couple miles off the coast before leaving. But when I arrived back home, I found out the real reason for my release.”

“Oh?”

Ember clenches a fist. “Shortly before my return, a mare came to the Dragon Lands and stood before my father. She told him to surrender his nation to Equestrian rule and to stand down.”

Tempest grits her teeth. “A mare? You mean one of the princesses?”

Ember shrugs. “I wasn’t here, of course. But I’m told that she was much larger than a normal pony with a black coat, dark purple mane, and slitted eyes like a dragon.”

Auriel looks to Arc. “Could she have been the offspring of a pony and a dragon?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not likely. A, uh… very knowledgeable individual once told me that different species were generally unable to produce offspring.”

Tempest shrugs. “There are certainly exceptions though.”

“True. But this sounds more like Nightmare Moon though.”

Ember brandishes her claws. “Is that her name?!”

Arc nods. “If we’re thinking of the same mare, then yes. But what did you father do after she tried to take over?”

“I’m told that he just laughed at her for a few moments before stopping as he realized that she was serious. That’s when he started breathing fire at her.”

Tempest smirks. “Guess that takes care of Nightmare Moon then.”

Ember sinks her claws into the table. “And then she blasted him through the head with some magic spell!”

Arc gasps. “What?!”

Auriel’s claws fly to her face. “Oh my! Did he…?!”

Ember seethes. “Yes! She murdered my father in cold blood!”

Arc frowns as he puts a gauntlet to his chin. “And then she went back to Equestria, ordered you released from Tartarus, and sent back to the Dragon Lands to act as some kind of puppet ruler in his place.”

Tempest grunts. “It sure sounds like it, yes.”

Ember angrily nods. “That and I was told she swore to return soon in order to take possession of our land and inhabitants!”

Auriel appears confused. “But you said that was a couple years ago. Why hasn’t she done as she said she would?”

Ember shrugs. “Beats me. We’ve been training our forces to take her, and by proxy, the Equestrian military on in the meantime.”

Tempest turns to Arc. “I think I may know why she didn’t come back.”

“Guessing she didn’t get cold feet over it.”

“This probably happened shortly before the war with the Griffon Kingdom and Abyssinia broke out.”

Auriel frowns. “Two other countries, I’m assuming.”

Tempest nods. “And that’s not including the resources she had to go through to take on the Crystal Empire.”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “So you’re saying that Nightmare Moon might have just spread her forces too thin to be able to come back here?”

“Exactly.”

Ember brandishes her claws. “Whatever the reason is, we’ll be ready for her when she does return!”

She looks to Arc before pointing at him and yelling.

“AND YOU CAN GO BACK THERE AND TELL HER THAT!”

Arc shakes his head. “You misunderstand my position in the Equestrian hierarchy, Dragon Lord.”

Tempest nods. “The Hero of Light doesn’t actually answer to the princesses. If anything, they technically answer to his judgment.”

Ember frowns. “I’m confused. So he’s over them in terms of rank?”

Arc sighs. “Only in terms of their competency. Should a princess be unable or unwilling to do their duty to Equestria and its citizens, it is the duty of the Hero of Light to rectify the situation as they see fit.”

Ember glares at him. “So stop her then!”

“We’re working on it.”

“Then work faster!”

Tempest stomps a hoof angrily. “Believe me, as soon as we can get to her in the capital, we will.”

Arc nods. “Right. At the moment we’re just trying to think of ways to keep the country’s inhabitants alive.”

Ember scoffs. “Then what are you doing here?”

Auriel raises a claw. “Looking for my mother!”

Tempest shrugs. “The Hero of Light has the idea that she’s here of all places.”

Arc looks to Ember. “Yes. Although at the moment she’s known as ‘Brightwing’.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “Brightwing? That weird little toothless…”

Auriel gasps as she cuts her off. “She’s here?!”

Ember points out the window. “Yeah. Brightwing usually spends her time over at the old Throne of the Dragon Lord with my father’s… um… body.”

Tempest frowns. “You didn’t bury him?”

“How could we?! He’s the size of a small mountain!”

Arc sighs. “She’s right about that.”

Turning to Ember, Arc continues.

“I’m very sorry for what Nightmare Moon did to your father. So I’ll do what I can to help you lay him to rest.”

Ember scoffs. “That’s impossible. It would take a thousand years of digging to even come close.”

“Believe me when I say that I can do it.”

Ember stands. “Fine. Let’s see if your hubris matches your abilities then.”

Walking out of the house, Ember leads the group to the former Throne of the Dragon Lord. As they near, the stench quickly intensifies. Entering, the group sees former Dragon Lord Torch lying on his back in the midst of decomposition. Ember walks over and puts a hand on her father’s side as she speaks.

“Hey dad, I’m back. Um… I don’t really think it’s going to matter, but this… individual from Equestria says that he can help us finally lay you to rest.”

Turning to Arc, she continues.

“Do your thing.”

Nodding, Arc steps forward. Looking the massive corpse over for a few moments, he takes a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he powers up his crystals and begins to levitate slightly. Tempest and Auriel instinctively step back as a powerful magic aura surrounds Arc. Holding out his hands toward the body, Arc begins casting a Matter Compacting Spell. Torch’s body slowly begins to shrink in size as he does so. A few minutes later Arc stops and drops back down to the ground, breathing heavily. He turns to Ember as Tempest and Auriel rush forward to help support him.

“There you are, Dragon Lord Ember. As… promised.”

Looking around, Ember sees that innumerable dragons have come, having seen the body begin shrinking. Kneeling down next to her father’s body, Ember claws at the dirt for a few moments to dig a hole. Finishing her task, she carefully scoops up her father’s remains and lowers him into it. Forcing a small smile, she whispers to him.

“I’ll make you proud of me, dad. I promise.”

Reaching over, she pulls the dirt back into the hole and stands. Turning to look at the assembled dragons, she speaks. However, not in the tone from before.

“The Dragon Lord… my father… is finally laid to rest. We shall honor his memory and legacy by strengthening both ourselves and our nation. One day he shall be avenged and his murderer brought to justice for their transgressions. But for the moment, we shall mourn him. Now… leave us.”

Nodding, all dragons assembled roar out sadly as they take flight. A short time later only Ember and Arc’s cadre remain. Ember looks over to Arc and sighs.

“Thank you for this. It hurt more than you could possibly know to have to see my father’s rotting body lying here day in and day out.”

Auriel looks to the mound of dirt. “He can finally rest now.”

Tempest points a hoof. “Uh… what is that?”

They all turn to see a small but very strange looking dragon fluttering towards them. Landing in front of the mound of dirt, Brightwing walks slowly toward it with a number of flower blossoms. Laying them down on the grave, she sighs and shakes her head.

“Friend sleeping underground now. Rest forevermore. Be free, friend.”

Turning to Ember, she bows her head before continuing.

“Dragon Lord’s father is okay now?”

Ember nods. “Yes. Thanks for watching over him.”

“Brightwing was happy to do it! Dragon Lord make land happy and free! Maybe you do that now too?!”

“I’ll… do my best.”

Ember gestures to Arc and company as she continues.

“These individuals came here looking for you though.”

Brightwing appears confused as she turns to the group. “Oh?! Are you three friends with the Dragon Lord too?!”

Tempest shrugs. “It’s complicated.”

Auriel steps forward. “Um… you’re… a baby dragon?”

Brightwing shakes her head and giggles. “No, silly! Brightwing is Brightwing!”

Blinking over to Auriel, Brightwing sniffs her and smiles.

“You smell nice, pretty lady!”

“Oh! Um… thank you.”

Brightwing tilts her head to one side as she points a claw at her wings. “Are you… a special kind of dragon?!”

Auriel shakes her head. “No, I’m a demon? My name is Auriel. “

“What’s a demon?!”

“It’s, um… just a different kind of species than a dragon.”

“Brightwing not understand.”

Tempest groans. “Well, we came all this way to find you. So, let’s get moving.”

Arc looks to Ember. “With the Dragon Lord’s permission, of course.”

Ember shrugs. “Dragons are free to go wherever they want. So the choice is up to her.”

“Brightwing not sure why friends want her to go with them! Why you need Brightwing?!”

Arc sighs. “I know this might seem a bit weird, but… you’re actually Auriel’s mother.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “Uh… what now?”

Tempest sighs. “Believe me, I don’t get it either.”

Brightwing giggles. “That’s just plain silly, friend! Brightwing too small to make eggs!”

Arc steps forward. “You accidently turned yourself into this form while trying to become a demon for Auriel’s sake.”

Auriel nods. “So I came here to find you and turn you back into your original form.”

Brightwing tilts her head to one side, confused. “How though, friend?!”

“I’m not really sure yet. But I’m sure that together we can find a way. That is, if you’ll let me.”

Brightwing taps her chin for a moment before spreading her wings and taking flight. Landing on top of Auriel’s head, she begins sniffing the young demon’s hair. Looking down Auriel’s back, Brightwing sniffs her wings and giggles.

“We can both fly, yes?!”

“Um… that’s right.”

“No need to for walking then, friend! Spread you wings and fly with Brightwing!”

Taking flight, Brightwing flutters away. Auriel turns to Arc whom nods. Spreading her wings, Auriel takes off after the little dragon. A short time later they come to a small cliff high above the city. Brightwing lands and sits down to look out over the ocean as Auriel comes to rest behind her. Pointing with a small claw, Brightwing speaks.

“Friend come from across the water?!”

Auriel nods. “Yes. Well… kinda.”

“What over there?!”

“A land full of ponies mostly.”

“More like you there?!”

Auriel nods her head. “Two others, yes. But I don’t really know them very well.”

“Why not?!”

“Because I just met them.”

“Like we just did?!”

“I guess.”

“It’s always good to have friends! After all, Brightwing would be lonely without someone to talk to!”

Auriel sighs as she sits down next to her. “I know all about that.”

“Being alone?”

“Yes.”

“Why though?! Friend pretty and nice! Should have lots of friends back where you came from!”

Auriel sighs. “Well, that’s complicated by the fact that I’m different.”

“Different is bad?!”

“Sometimes.”

“Why?!”

“Because things that are different don’t fit in. Like me. I don’t look like most demons. That and my father is the king, so everyone’s afraid of angering him.”

Brightwing scoffs. “So others not like friend because of silly reasons?!”

Auriel sighs. “Pretty much, yes. Being different is hard.”

Brightwing grunts. “Brightwing understand that.”

“You do?”

Brightwing nods. “Other dragons not like Brightwing much. Say Brightwing is too small to do anything. Leave Brightwing to find her own place.”

“So you’re all alone here then?”

“Yes. So Brightwing do whatever Dragon Lord tells her!”

She sighs before continuing.

“But then big scary pony came! Killed Dragon Lord and left him to rot! Brightwing still did her best though!”

“What did you do?”

“Brightwing bring flowers to dead Dragon Lord! Try to do her best to make him a little less stinky that way!”

“I hope his daughter appreciated that.”

“Brightwing not sure! She not care much for Brightwing! But Brightwing still do it for big Dragon Lord because he needed help!”

She points a small claw out towards the water before continuing.

“But now that he’s asleep underground, Brightwing not needed here anymore. Want to go see what is across the ocean again!”

Auriel appears hopeful. “Again?”

Brightwing nods. “Brightwing was there for a time when the sun still shone! It was a pretty land with lots of plants and sunshine! But Brightwing not belong there, so Brightwing came here to live with other dragons! Even though Brightwing not like them much either!”

“What’s different though? I mean, other than the wings and teeth you look like any other dragon to me.”

Brightwing shrugs. “Even still, Brightwing always felt out of place! This place not proper home for Brightwing.”

Auriel looks out over the water again. “I feel the same way back in Equestria. It’s a really nice place, yes. But at the same time, I didn’t really get the sense of home that I thought I would.”

“Brightwing could come with you! Then we’d be lonely together!”

“I’d like that. Um… and I’d still like to see about finding out the truth about you.”

Brightwing appears confused. “Truth?”

Auriel nods. “Whether or not the Hero of Light is right about you actually being my mother.”

“Brightwing not understand that part! But still wants to do what makes friend happy!”

Auriel appears hopeful. “So you’d like to come back to Equestria with us?”

Brightwing giggles. “Yes, yes! Brightwing will follow pretty lady wherever she goes!”

“Are you sure though? After all, where I’m going after this isn’t exactly the same as what you’re used to here.”

“But that’s what friends do!”

“Huh?”

“They stick together through the good times and the bad! Through both the happy times and the sad! Even when they begin to rot and start to smell bad, those are when a friend needs to be had!”

Auriel giggles. “That was really cute.”

Brightwing appears confused. “What you mean, friend?!”

“You rhymed.”

“Brightwing not know what that means though! But wants to learn more from pretty lady!”

Auriel holds out a hand to Brightwing. “And I’d like to learn what I can from you too.”

Brightwing takes Auriel’s hand in hers. “YAY!”

Pulling Brightwing into her arms, Auriel hugs her tightly as the creature does the same. It snuggles up to her and licks her face lightly with a forked tongue as she speaks.

“Brightwing will be bestest friend she can be!”

Auriel lays her face on the top of Brightwing’s head. “And I’ll do my very best to turn you back into what you used to be.”

Brightwing snuggles up to Auriel and smiles contentedly. “Brightwing not understand that part, but will do what makes friend happy!”