//------------------------------// // Triumphant Return // Story: Lily and the Dragons // by Hyper44 //------------------------------// As evening approached a jubilant Lily walked out of the forest towards Ponyville with Leftfang flying slowly behind. Walking with a high stepping prance, she aimed for her house so elated in her victory that she won for both Leftfang and for friendship that she didn’t notice the gathering that awaited her. “So it worked!?” An excited voice interrupted her thoughts. Lily paused mid prance to see Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie standing in front of a small crowd. The Princess of Friendship help a long list that rolled out of sight and Pinkie Pie was clutching her party cannon as if it was a dear. Long lost friend. Lily nodded, “Yes they-“ “Alllllllright!” Pinkie Pie yelled and confetti exploded out of her cannon showering everypony nearby. “Streamers! Banners! Oh! And balloons! You never forget the ballons! We have to get ready everypony!” She yelled as she dashed into town. As her shouts faded and balloons began floating up above the buildings Twilight stepped forward, her face beaming. “I’m so proud of you!” The princess exclaimed and hugged lily. “A new chapter is going to begin where two long separated groups find friendship together.” “I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” Leftfang grumbled. “I’ll be back in the morning.” With that he flapped off back towards the forest. “Why is he so pessimistic?” Twilight asked. “Did something go wrong?” Lily shook her head. “No, I don’t think do. He’s probably just still worried about his magic.” “Any unicorn can relate,” Twilight replied. “So what happened!?” A high-pitched voice demanded. Lily looked to see fellow school ponies squeezing out of the crowd. “Well,” Lily began, “Like Leftfang told me, a dragon named Green Claw had taken charge and he certainly wasn’t encouraging any dragon to come. The three other dragons were pretty hostile too but when I proved that I could hold my own in a riddle battle that started to change. One was a dark blue dragon named Night Fight. She’s very fierce looking but was pretty nice after I won. There was a yellow dragon with red claws named Lemon Jade and she’s a little goofy but I like her. The fourth was a stocky looking dragon named Rock. They were all weren’t friendly at first, especially Green Claw but they warmed up after I proves that I could hold my own in a wits battle. Even Green Claw.” “Of course, no one could beat you in a wits battle.” Rumble said with a dismissive waive of his hoof. “I’m so proud of you.” Twilight said giving Lily a hug. “Now I have lots of things to do to make everything is ready for our first diplomatic encounter with mini dragons in centuries.” The there was a whoosh as she rolled up her massive scroll and hurried off into town. After a flurry of coagulations and question the crowd of ponies began to disperse either to help with the preparations or to head home for the night. With a yawn Lily began to make her own way home. As she neared her house she spotted an elderly pony standing outside of the neighboring home. “Hi Mrs. Crumpet.” Lily called with a waive and headed over. “I heard that you’ve had quite the important mission Little Mare Do Well,” Elderly pony said. Lily shrugged and grinned. ‘I guess so. I really just want to help Left Fang get his magic back and also help Ponyville make some new friends. It would be nice if we could get along with each other instead of always divided.” “Yes it would,” Crumpet agreed. “Maybe you can tell me all about your adventure over a cup of tea,” She said levitating a kettle in her magic. The filly and elderly pony sat on the front steps sipping as the sun began to sink below the distant rooftops. Crumpet listened quietly as Lily told of her encounter with the group of dragons and the long riddle battle. “So, while they were pretty hostile at first, that attitude seemed to fade even before I actually won. It was like Leftfang said, they value wits in their culture and simply proving that I could hold my own against a champion riddler caught their attention. Even Green Claw who was he most hostile of all seemed almost friendly after I won the challenge.” Lily paused a moment pondering. “Though, Leftfang seemed to find it worrying that he would act friendly… He said that Green Claw isn’t going to accept being beaten and is just waiting for an opportunity to turn things back in his favor.” “He could be.” Crumpet commented. “What do you think?” “Well, it does seem odd that after how he acted throughout the meeting and riddle battle that he would suddenly lose all that hostility. But maybe he was just surprised like the others that a pony take him on in a riddle battle. Even if it’s not the case I’m sure that we can win him over with friendship. No one knows friendship like Princess Twilight and her friends. Not only that friendship had been important to Equestria for a long time. Not all ponies are good of course but soon he’ll see that there are many good ponies worth knowing.” “Perhaps,” Crumpet said slowly, “Lily one thing to keep in mind is that not all creatures find value in friendship, even when they see how amazing it is.” Lily looked up from her tea trying to process that thought. Crumpet went on, “Just remember if he is determined to hate you and forever blame you then he will, no matter what you prove or how well you treat him. In that case, it will not be worth your efforts to make friends. The only thing to do then is to move on and not let his hatred drag you down.” Lily stared down at her dim reflection in her tea. Suddenly her hope seemed as dim as the watery image. Crumpet laughed ruffling her mane. ‘Don’t worry, there still may be hope for him. Even if not there will always be others whose minds you can change and are willing to be friends.” “That’s true.” Lily said perking up. “Green Claw is only one out of five mini dragons that I’ve met. Anyway, I’ve got to get going. My mom will be wondering why I’m out after dark.” “I wouldn’t fret about worrying her too much. Your only next door and she did let you go into the Everfree by yourself again.” Crumpet commented. Lily shrugged and shuffled her hooves. “Well, she is more relaxed no that she knows about my super strength but she doesn’t actually know that I went into the Everfree.” Crumpet laughed, “Well I didn’t know so at least she can’t blame me this time.” “I’ll see you tomorrow and hopefully Leftfang will get his magic back and Ponykind will make some new friends,” Lily called walking to her house her mind abuzz with the possibilities of the following day. Things could go bad but they could also make an awesome future. One could only hope and see.