Even Gods Make Mistakes

“Good afternoon, Miss Sparkle, what can I… umm, do for you and your… uh, friends.” The mayor’s office was, as usual, not very busy in such a small country town, so the dragons were given an almost instant audience. The mayor did not expect, however, that her petitioners would be a pair of dragons. Their request they made was even more unexpected. Still, her station demanded respect, so she pushed the confusion and hint of fear out of her mind.

“Uh, yes… well, these two dragons, Spyro.” Twilight gestured towards the dragon in question, then his mate. “And Cynder, would like to make their introductions to Ponyville.” The mayor raised an eyebrow.

“What did you have in mind?” Just before Twilight could open her mouth to speak, the mayor added, “I would proffer to hear it from our guests, Miss Sparkle, if that’s alright with you.” Twilight was at a loss for words, so Spyro decided to step into the breach.

“We were hoping that you could organise a public introduction to the town on our behalf. We wouldn’t ask normally, except that our arrival was met by, mixed reactions.” The mayor waved a hoof.

“Indeed, which is why I won’t be making this speech… you will be.” Spyro went cold. Glancing back at Cynder, he saw her smirking right back at him, trying to suppress a giggle. Him, giving a speech? The idea didn’t even seem conceivable.

“Uhh, I guess.” The mayor sighed.

“You guess, Mr Spyro? Are you a dragon or a coward?” The accusation snapped Spyro out of his stupor, much to the mayor’s obvious delight. “Ha, that’s the spirit! Think nothing of it Spyro, I just wanted to see some of that confidence.” Spyro smiled sheepishly, realising he had taken the bait, paying the embarrassing price. “I will introduce you both, and then you can tell the town about yourselves.” Spyro nodded, his former nervousness disappearing.

“All right we’ll do it.” Both he and Cynder answered together, their perfect synchrony unnerving all but Ditzy and her daughter.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Now, I would like to introduce, Spyro and Cynder.” The mayor clopped her hooves on the wooden stage, moving aside for the two speakers. Fortunately for both of them, the mayors warm up had brought most of the crowd on side. Unfortunately, Spyro’s stage fright had returned. As Cynder dragged her mate up the steps to the stage, rather indignantly by the tail, the audience turned deathly silent. Once on stage, Cynder stood proudly, adorned in her jewellery, she was a true spectacle to behold. Spyro on the other hand was turning a deep scarlet, trying to make himself a small as possible. A difficult endeavour, as the late afternoon sun illuminated him in all his shivering embarrassment.

“Ponies of Ponyville, I speak for both myself, and my friend Spyro, in saying that we are truly humbled to be given residence in your friendly town. Long have we fought for peace, and now that we are guests in your town, I can safely say that we could not find a more peaceful group of ponies. With your permission, we would like to get to know all of you, so that we might better be able to contribute to your community, rather than become a burden.” If Cynder was a pony, she’d have a cutie mark in public speaking. Manipulating the crowd to acceptance, trying to make them see she just wanted to be friendly, was something that she took pride in, filling the dragoness with an odd sense of happiness. All of these individuals, looking up to her, listening to her only world, was quite profound. Spyro on the other paw; was a different matter entirely. “I would now like to introduce my friend, companion and mate, Spyro.” The crowd stomped their hooves, most of them genuinely, some out of respect. Cynder leant down and whispered. “Come on, you can to do this, I believe in you.” Spyro rose slightly, still trembling.

“Um… hi, my name is Spyro, and uhhh, you’re all really… nice.” He smiled meekly, before receiving a round of stomping from the crowd. Stepping down from the podium, the two dragons allowed the mayor to retake the stage. Cynder grinned widely, pleased with their result. Turning to her mate, she took a moment to rib Spyro.

“Honestly, for the dragon who defeated Avalar’s worst tyrant, you really need to work on your confidence. Ha! If only Malafore knew, he could have had you begging for mercy if he but asked you to give a speech.” Spyro grumbled under his breath, his dignity barely intact. Ditzy and Dinky were there to meet them as soon as they were back stage.

“Hi guys, do you wanna hang out for a while?” Ditzy’s enthusiasm was touching, but Spyro shook his head.

“No thanks, Cynder and I would like to spend some time alone, if that’s alright. It’s been a stressful day for both of us.” His reply was met by an instant look of sadness, one which was quickly rectified by the dragoness.

“I promise we will spend time together tomorrow, but for now, we must rest. You two were our first real friends here in Ponyville; we shan’t ever let you down.” Ditzy stared for a moment, before breaking out in her trademark grin.

“Ok, see you guy’s later.” With a wave of her hoof, the Pegasus started walking home with her daughter. Both dragons watched, fascinated and saddened, that such a kind mare had such a difficult life. Turning back towards Twilight, Spyro asked if they could spend the evening freely.

“Oh, sure thing, Spyro, just don’t go into the Everfree forest.” Twilight replied, hoping that her warning didn’t fall upon deaf ears.

“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.” Without so much as a goodbye, both dragons leapt into the air, faster even than Rainbowdash, producing two almost identical sonic booms, different only in that they were slightly different shades of purple. Once they were high above the town, the pair levelled off, enjoying the sight of the now setting sun. Gliding towards a nearby hill, a way’s out of town, they landed softly, allowing the soft grass to cushion the blow. Finding a small acacia tree, they laid down together, relishing in one another’s company.

“Spyro?” Cynder placed a paw over her mate’s.

“Yes?” Spyro knew what she was about to ask, and was just as apprehensive about the thought as she was. It was nevertheless, a pressing thought, one which had to be dealt with.

“Do you think we will ever get home?” Their tails entwined, wings relaxed. By now the Sun had set, and the vast moonlight began to fill the sky, only slightly dimming the stars it accompanied.

“I don’t know, Cynder, I just don’t know.” Spyro always tried to see the best in every situation, just as he did now. “But as I said in the library, I can think of a few ways to pass the time.” Rolling onto his back, now supporting his mate’s bulk, he smiled coyly, while Cynder blushed.

“Is this really the best place?” Spyro rolled back over, his grin faltering. Cynder decided she didn’t care, and took the moment to roll onto her own back, reciprocating Spyro’s previous action. Spyro smiled awkwardly, not expecting Cynder’s sudden change in attitude. The dragoness gently licked her mate’s cheek, whose eyes widened in surprise, though why, he knew not. “Now who’s nervous?” Cynder mocked, while Spyro regained his senses.

“Not me.” With no one to bear witness but the stars, the dragons allowed the night to draw on, not realising the importance of the new life they would create.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learnt a very important lesson in friendship, but first I must put your fears to rest. The dragons I wrote about in my previous letter are not, in fact, a danger to our community. They are kind, compassionate and peaceful. From what they have told me, they mean no harm and simply desire a place to rest, until such a time as they can find a way back to their own world. If you have any doubts, keep in mind that I have consulted with the element of Honesty, who has determined that the dragons are telling the truth.

Now, my report on friendship involves these two dragons. One is a male named Spyro, while the other is a female, called Cynder. Today they met my friend Ditzy Doo. Ditzy has had an extremely difficult life on account of being bullied and taunted by other ponies. I understand this might shock you, Princess, but it is the truth. Her only friends until today were myself and her daughter. Until today, no one accepted her because she was different. Until today, she was ignored by everypony. Today, that all changed. I learnt that the things that make us different should never get in the way of friendship. Spyro and Cynder were able to look past Ditzy’s disability, and see her for the caring, loving mare she truly is. Not only that, but Ditzy and Dinky were the only ponies in all of Ponyville who had the courage to say hello. It takes real fortitude to become friends with somepony, or somedragon, when all others are too frightened even look them in the eye. That’s why I think that this lesson in friendship is so important, not only does it teach us to love and tolerate others, it shows that in doing so, we are stronger than those who reject all who are different from themselves.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

“Twilight… Sparkle” Spike echoed. “Done.” The little dragon rolled up the paper and sent it to the princess immediately. “Hey, Twilight, when do you think I’ll get to meet these new dragons? From what everypony has been saying, they sound really cool. Not like those jerks from last time.” Spike was not sure if he would ever meet another dragon who wasn’t intent on destroying things for fun. Now that he had the chance to do so, he was becoming extremely anxious.

“Spike, you have asked me that four times already. You can see them tomorrow morning.” Spike hung his head, beginning his walk up the stairs but paused, deciding to stay up a little while longer. From what Twilight’s friends said, they came from a faraway land, and were heroes where they came from. This just made the young dragon more excited about talking with his kind. Spike never thought that he would be able to change the world, but now he felt a strange confidence emanating from his gut.

Or maybe I’m just hungry. He wondered, while walking towards the fridge. He grabbed a bunch of lupus lazuli and began to crunch down on the tasty gems. He wondered if the new dragons would like gems, or if they ate something else. It would not take long; after all, time always seemed to pass faster when one is asleep.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

The letter arrived just as Princess Celestia was finishing her last slice of cake. Wiping her muzzle with a napkin, she levitated the scroll so as to see it clearly. After reading it through, she placed it carefully in a filing cabinet with all the others. Each letter was dated and preserved, so that she could call upon them if need be. She called to one of the guard ponies, who were standing vidual outside her study.

“Tea please, Corporal, the usual kind.” The stallion nodded and trotted off towards the kitchens. Celestia pondered the two dragons now in Ponyville; they certainly seemed to have quite an effect on her little ponies. For some reason though, she had an odd resentment for the pair. What was it? A distrust of dragons, fear for her subject’s safety?

Jealousy the word whispered in her mind like a breeze through treetops. Even as she wondered of the possibility, she realised it was true. Cynder and Spyro were mates, this was certain. But why did this lead to Celestia’s jealousy? Because they have something I can’t ever hope for. The answer was obvious, but she fought her own faults nonetheless. Sure, she had fun with a few of the more… talented guards, but that’s all it was; fun. It never turned into a loving relationship. How could she? It would be torture for both of them, one who never aged, who would be forced to watch her mate wither and grow old, while she remained static and unchanging. Why! Why did she have to be immortal, when so many other ponies enjoyed the blessing of death? She stomped her hoof, cracking the marble floor, angered beyond reason. She slowed her breathing. I need to relax, you have Luna, she will always be there for you. She may not be a mate, but she still loves you, and that’s all that matters. The alicorn thought to herself. Perhaps there was something that could cheer her up; after all, the lack of affection didn’t make the action pointless. A smirk crept across the Princesses face. “Guard!” She called out.

“Yes, your Majesty?” He was overly thin, and not all that good looking. Shame really, Celestia would have to get somepony else.

“Send for Captain Maitland Apple please. Tell him that I have a special order for him.” Being an earth pony, one who had a lifetime’s experience of hard work in both the fields and the guard, Maitland knew how to fulfil his royal duty.

“By your word, your Majesty.”

As Celestia waited patiently, she still could not push the curse of Immortality out of her mind. This seething resentment was weak, thanks to her naturally caring and understanding nature, but it was, none the less alive. It was this seething resentment against all who could find a mate in life, while she could not, that would plant the spark of hatred within the alicorn’s soul, all too similar to that which found its way inside Luna over a thousand years ago.