My Little Pony belongs to Hasbro and the people who make the show. If I would own it, this would include more swearing, swords and Luna!Because Luna ROCKS!
"Now let me get this straight… A dragon-"
"Or dragoness!"
"Or dragoness will come to Ponyville to rest up during a flight. And now Spike, who has the most information about dragons, and Fluttershy, who beat the last dragon, are both hiding in their respective basements?"
"Exactly, Miss Mayor," Twilight answered the beige mare with the elegant glasses. This was a wonderful start.
"Thank you for informing me so quickly. I think we can avoid a panic, if we just call in a big announcement," the major said with a sigh "I guess I should have prepared for this a little better. My predecessor left me that note and map for a reason."
"Map?" Twilight asked in surprise.
"Yes. Wait a second," the mare answered and disappeared behind a closet door for a while. She then returned with a rather long tube. "Most ponies in higher positions have one of those. Luckily dragons tend to brag a lot if the borders change."
Twilight watched with interest as the mayor opened the tube and produced a rolled up piece of old parchment. Unrolled, it showed a rather basic map of Equestria and parts of the surrounding nations. Cities, as well as other landmarks, were shown, but the borders were different entirely. Most of them ran as double lines with no space between them, but some had small pockets. Mountain tops, cities, small forests, swamps... It seemed random at first, but after a short while of looking, Twilight understood. They had about the same distance from each other, stood out as landmarks, and would provide some privacy. I just saw one who was tired and one who was enraged... but this is so reasonable! She thought. And I know Spike! I have to remind myself of him being a dragon from time to time. I wonder...
Her eyes moved over to Canterlot. It had a tiny circle around it, with a question mark in the middle. Below was the word "purple." The other territories had names, colours, and genders in their centre. Some were very long, but others were quite short. Why did they know that about him, but not his name?
Finally, she glanced at Ponyville. Empty. Right at the border of the Everfree Forest was a line showing the end of a green dragon's territory. Now she knew his name. They had had no time for exchanging pleasant chatter when she ran away from him with Spike and his owl co-worker.
"As you see, we are neutral here," said the mayor calmly, "and I was warned that this might lead to a dragon staying here. But honestly, they live so long, I don't think the town was half of its current size when the last one rested here." She sighed quietly. "I will set up an announcement in the afternoon. Do you have any... tips how we should tackle this problem?"
Twilight swallowed and focused her thoughts. "They are very..." An idea hit her suddenly and she almost shouted: "Proud and into reputation! Get Pinkie Pie to make a little, NO! A big 'Welcome Dragon' party! I'll ask Rarity to find us some gemstones and maybe hold a little speech! Little flags to wave! Treat it like a visit from the princess! We need stands with caramel apples! Make sure everyone is happy to have that dragon here!"
The mayor's eyes widened. "I expected a curfew and maybe a small delegation to greet..."
"NO!" Twilight answered firmly. "Praise, praise, praise! They don't even care if it's flat and blunt! Dragons love it!"
The mayor nodded. Twilight was a weird unicorn, but she had managed to befriend almost every major businesspony, organize the winter wrap-up, save this town from that sky-bear and was like a princess-magnet. The mayor liked her and was thankful. But the fact that the lilac unicorn also brought positive publicity and gave her a chance to meet Celestia in person sold her.
"I will follow your lead, then!" she finally stated. "You have had the most contact with dragons, so it is the only logical step. I just hope you are right."
Twilight nodded and was about to leave, but stopped herself in the last moment. "Just one more thing!" she said and levitated the mayor's quill over to her. A few scratches later, she left. Canterlot was now in the possession of "Spike."
"So, you think that he or she knows me?" Rainbow Dash asked with a big grin on her face. "I did kick that red one really good! And who wouldn't remember THESE HOOVES?" She jabbed at the air a few times. "He probably told the entire world about that blow!"
"I think Fluttershy earned more attention, Dash," Twilight answered, her eyelids halfway down.
"But I have more staying power! Physically AND in memory! You remember 'that rainbow one' forever! But that 'kinda-yellow, pink-maned one?'" She shook her head and proudly pointed at herself. "Here stands your pegasus!"
"Look! All I want is you to keep the sky clear enough for an enormous dragon to land safely. The last thing we want is a bad view. Things are going to be difficult enough without that dragon landing on a house!"
"Yeah... what insurance company would cover that?" the pegasus asked. "So, consider the sky cleared!"
"Good! I trust you on that one!" Twilight said and was about to go. "And please no 'just a couch' leftovers. You can use real cushions, just like everyone else!"
"But clouds are much softer," Rainbow Dash muttered as she flew off.
"A dragon visiting Ponyville? I assume that he won't have any riches with him when he is travelling. But then again, maybe I can..." a white unicorn said, from behind a folding screen.
"I don't want another failed attempt on jewels from you, Rarity," Twilight said, feeling a mild headache approaching. "I want you to give a speech to flatter the dragon as much as possible!"
"Well, of course I can do that," Rarity answered. "But don't expect me to ignore any treasures he might carry. I'm not made of stone, you know."
"I think I know a cockatrice who can fix that..." Twilight mumbled very softly. "And I would also like to ask you about a small favour."
"Certainly, my dear," the silky voice started again. "What can Rarity do for you?"
"Could you bring a plate of gems over to Spike? And take some precious ones! I'll pay for them later."
"Certainly. He is in the library?"
"Last time I looked he was hogging supplies in order to prepare for a longer hold-up in the basement, so he should be there soon. Just let yourself in and wait. I doubt that he'll be long." Twilight muttered levitating the door key to Rarity. "Now, I just have to find Pinkie Pie!"
"She came in with you!" Rarity said, looking out from behind the screen.
"HI!" Pinkie bounced.
"WHAT?" the lilac unicorn yelled, feeling her heart stop for a moment. "What? How? Where?"
"Silly, I was with you the whole time," Pinkie Pie said happily.
"NO! You were not!" Twilight answered, mentally checking her grasp on reality.
"Yes, I was! The author just forgot to mention me and thought this would be a funny reveal!" giggled the earth pony "A bit of a weird save, but why not?"
"I... see," Twilight answered, hoping to never find out what exactly was wrong or right with this friend of her.s "Is that the same author that revolutionized our franchise?"
"No, this one doesn't get paid!" Pinkie answered with a giggle.
"Anyway... I need your skills as well," the unicorn started, trying to ignore the obvious assault on the fabric of time and space.
"Since I was there, I heard everything!" Pinkie smiled. "I just hope that the dragon likes parties! Because he or she is about to meet the pony who parties the pinkest!"
"Thank you, Pinkie. I assume you'll be visiting Applejack for ingredients then. I'll tag along... so the entire group will be in the loop," Twilight added, seeing how Rarity was already fetching a bunch of gems. "And I don't think Rarity wants us to stay in her boutique while she is gone."
"Nonsense, dear!" the white unicorn said. "You can stay as long as you want. Sweetie Belle should drop by after playing with her friends and I'll know if you steal anything! You won't be able to resist showing it off!" Rarity let a very sophisticated giggle leave her lips. "I jest, of course!"
"OH! And could you do me one more favour?" Twilight asked suddenly. "Can you lend me some paper and a quill?"
"Sure, Twilight. Just on the counter."
Twilight walked over and scribbled a quick letter:
Dear Princess Celestia
So far, we were able to come up with a plan to deal with the dragon in a civilized way. I am quite sure that we can avoid a panic. Now I would like to know when exactly the dragon will arrive and maybe what we can expect. At least the name would be useful, so we can write the right one on the banner for the welcome party.
Also, I would like to ask for the translated copy of the Draconomicon you gave to Spike. I think that by learning more about the nature of dragons, we will be able to please and distract the visitor. If he or she is happy, it might be easier to hide Spike.
Thank you in advance.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
"Could you ask Spike to send it to the princess?"
"Most certainly," Rarity answered, apparently ready to leave.
All three ponies left the house quietly, Rarity walking off into the direction of the library. Twilight looked after her.
"So, why did you send her to Spike?" Pinkie Pie asked. "I thought you wanted her to hold a speech. Shouldn't she prepare for that?"
"Because I feel bad about how I treated him..." Twilight muttered, holding her head low. "The issue with Owloysius... It never occurred to me, but Spike sees himself just as much as my assistant as he sees himself as a dragon. I thought he would be happy to have help! But all he saw was another assistant trying to take his territory. He even held back. His instincts would have forced him to use violence against an intruder." She sighed. "I hope Rarity gets to the library before he is done preparing and hides in the basement! Or does anything stupid."
"Me too! Dragons in the basement are way beyond her capacity!" Pinkie agreed. "She might be a good damsel in distress, but that Pony sucks at dungeon crawling!"
"Wait, what?"