//------------------------------// // A Nice Common Day // Story: Dragon Mail Service // by RubberEyes //------------------------------// Aurora giggled to herself as she watched the unsuspecting mare walking down the cave. She had no idea on what surprise laid ahead of her. The earth filly was almost jumping in her hiding spot behind a big boulder. “I can’t wait to see her face after she finally meet him!” She said without taking her eyes off the cave. “Don’t you feel excited too, sis?” “Eeyup.” Said the golden earth filly coming out of her own hiding place behind a tree next to the boulder. Without making a sound she laid beside her sister and started watching the cave waiting for something to happen. After some time the wait finally paid off, as a loud scream resonated from the cave. Daizy screamed her lungs off as the giant beast before her opened its gaping jaws, ready to devour her whole. It took less than a second for Daizy to start turning away in order to run, but it felt like ages. She was still screaming when she took the first step. Right on top of the gem she had dropped previously. Her hoof slided below her, making her fall head first on the floor with a loud thud. She tried her best to get on her hooves, but kept falling everytime, the world spinning around her more and more with every attempt. But she kept trying no matter what. After some seconds of not dying, she finally got enough hold of herself to figure out what was up and down. Before she could properly raise herself from the floor, a loud deep voice echoed through the cave. “Are you okay?” The voice said and a glint of hope spread through Daizy’s heart as she heard it. And so, she did the only thing that any calm and reasonable pony would do after hearing a friendly voice: She screamed as loud as she could. “HELP ME! PLEASE! I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” She heard a groan and, to her horror, she realized that it came from behind her. Before she could run for her life she was pinned to the floor by the dragons enormous claws. She tried to struggle, kicking the monster paws and lighting her horn in order to throw small pebbles into the dragon, but all to no avail as she continued trapped. She was about to undo herself in tears when the voice spoke again. “Stop! Calm down.” The voice commanded and she tried to find its source when suddenly she was lifted from the floor by the dragon. The giant held her like a doll and brought her to his eye level, more than meters from the floor. The creature then opened its mouth again, and Daizy finally accepted her fate, not even trying to force her already rough throat to scream again nor trying to escape. But her doom never came, instead a terrible smell of burnt oil and old milk filled her nostrils, making her almost gag. The dragon then closed his mouth from his yawn and clicked his tongue sometimes before speaking. “Are you okay?” It spoke in a clear voice. But even with its clarity, it took Daizy several seconds to process that the voice that she thought to be of her saviour was actually from the dragon. When she didn’t respond the dragon spoke again. “Hello?” He waved his other paw in front of her. “Did you hit your head?” Finally, she gave up in trying to understand anything and just answered with a shake of her head. “Hmm, good.” Said the dragon while rubbing his eyes with a claw before putting her down. When her hooves finally touched the floor she, again, did the reasonable thing. She turned around and start running. Before she got 3 steps away she was again pinned to the floor. “Wait!” The dragon spoke. Daizy was sure that this time it would be her doom, that the dragon was only playing with his food before eating. Then something green filled her vision. “You forgot your emerald.” “I-I what?” She said. Wasn’t the dragon supposed to devour her? And then steal her gems and gold? Isn't that what dragons do? She took the gem in her magic and looked at the dragon with a confused expression. “Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?” He said with a expression that managed to convey both concern and playfulness. “H-hum, I think.” “Well, good. But what are you doing here, miss…?” “Daizy, Daizy Hooves.” She completed, out of instinct. ”A-and I’m looking for somepony called Spike. They told me that he would be here.” “Well, I don’t know anypony called Spike.” He said with a playful expression. “But anyway, what would you want with him?” “Hmm. H-he was supposed to teach me a spell.” She said, her eyes darting around, not sure on what was happening. “A spell you say? What spell? Wait, wait! Don’t tell me! Let me guess.” The dragon finally let go of her and sat on his haunches, putting a claw in his chin in what was supposed to be a thoughtful expression were it not for the big grin plastered on his face. “By any chance, would it be… This spell?!” He said throwing his arms wide. And then nothing happened. “Hmm, sir?” Daizy was confused. Did this dragon tried to do a spell? Or was it just pulling her leg? “Of all days for she to get late.” He said putting a claw to his face. “I swear that the next time I f—” He suddenly stopped talking while his eyes gone wide. Before Daizy could ask what was happening, the dragon belched a huge cloud of fire that filled the ceiling of the cave with green flames. She threw herself in the floor, putting her hooves on top of her head. When the heat wave finally stopped, and she had not become roasted steak, she looked around again and she could barely believe in what she saw. Surrounding her where dozens and dozens of papers falling on the floor cave. “Aww, great. Now I’ll have to organize this.” The dragon said with a sigh. Before Daizy could say anything the dragon swept his claws around the cave, expertly taking all the paper on his claw, even the ones still in the air. He then formed a fan with the papers and start shuffling then around. Before long he had a neatly made stack of papers on his claws. And with a breath of fire the stack was gone again. “W-what was that?” Daizy asked in amazement. “Those papers? Just some tax related documents from Vanhoover, they always send their documents on time. It the middle of the morning. Other cities are usually a day or two late but they at least send them in more reasonable hours.” “T-taxes from Vanhoover? B-but how?” She asked, the first of thousands of questions on her head. The dragon looked at her with his head tilted before humming to himself. “Where are you from?” Although she felt a little offended that the dragon had dismissed her question, she answered anyway. “Manehattan, but how did you do that?” “Manehattan? Well, if I’m right, then that explain things.” He said while face-clawing again. “Knowing Ink Spot, I know he probably isn’t even getting a laugh out of this.” He shook his head. “Well, let me introduce myself.” He said while bowing to her. “My name is Spike, The Royal Delivery Dragon. I’m at your services, Lady Daizy.” “Wait, y-you are Spike? B-but— What?” If she had thousands of questions before, now she had a question for every leaf on the orchards. “He really didn’t tell you anything, did he?” He sighed, but before speaking again he looked at the rest of the cave behind him where, Daizy noticed, stood large piles of gems and artifacts, probably Spike’s things.After taking a glance at the large round clock on the wall he quickly got up. “Dammit! We are almost late!” He half-shouted while picking Daizy off the floor and throwing her onto his back. Before she could ask, or scream in this case, what was happening, Spike darted from the cave and in less than a second they were both outside in the orchards. And with a leap, and much to Daizy’s horror, he unfurled his wings, both easily larger than a house, and started flying away. Daizy held as tight as she could on a spine that was almost as big as her, not for a moment daring to open her eyes. “You okay back there?” The dragon shouted, trying to overcome the sound of the wind. “NO!” She shouted back, holding even tighter on his scales. To her surprise she felt herself going forward, her grip almost faltering due to the sudden change, but to her relief she realized that they were actually stopping and descending. When they finally landed they were on the edge of the city. “I’m sorry.” Spike spoke, trying to look at the mare on his back. “I forgot that most ponies are not used to flying so fast. Even some pegasus.” He chuckled but got serious again and looked forward. “But we are still late, so hold on.” “But where are we goi— AHHHH!” And with that, he started his mad sprint through the city. Each step leaving a noticeable mark on the empty dirt road. Daizy was not sure if she prefered being shook up and down at the risk of throwing up over flying in the sky with the risk of falling down. And things only got worse when they reached the more central area of the city. The concrete roads made each step even more powerful, making her bounce even more. And the streets weren’t empty anymore, even at this hour of the morning there were some ponies around. Those lucky enough to be at the sidewalks only stared at the behemoth running through the streets that were barely big enough to fit him. On the other hoof, the unfortunate souls in the middle of the road became quite familiar with the sensation with having the shark jumping over them. Or dragon in this case. The only solace for Daizy was that the dragon made no sudden turns, always going straight. This gave her enough confidence to look ahead of her and see that they were going… Straight to the Friendship Castle. Daizy’s grey face went white for a second, having all its blood drained in panic. ‘By Luna what is he thinking?! The guard is going to arrest us and throw me in the prison and they will think I’m attacking the princess and I’m going to lose my job and—’ Her panic was cut short when she heard a loud Bang! and shouting. Just then she realized that they just crashed into the castle through the main doors. ‘I hope the dungeons are clean’ was all she could think as she looked behind her and saw some guards shouting and trying to keep pace with the dragon, not even the pegasus succeeding in doing so. Finally she heard another loud Bang! and the dragon came to a abrupt stop. Unfortunately to her, her resumé did not include ‘Dragon Riding’, a fact that she became acutely aware as momentum launched her forward, screaming all the way. And then everything became purple and fluffy. For a second Daizy wondered if this was what happened after death; Everything becomes purple and fluffy with the smell of… lavender? After a full second of peace and almost achieving Nirvana, everything came back to normal as she fell on her back. The crystal ceiling of the castle brought her back to reality, and as soon that her misaligned eyes stopped spinning she focused on what she had hit. And immediately froze in place. In front of her was no other than Princess Twilight Sparkle herself. Although a little stunned, she stood tall in front of the little unicorn, who immediately got up and tried to fuse her head with the floor in a bow, not even flinching as her horn struck hard in the crystal floor of the throne room. She stood there for what felt like an eternity, just waiting for her divine punishment, when she finally heard a voice. “Raise, my little pony.” The princess spoke in a calm and collected voice. Daizy immediately complied, raising herself on all fours in a tense and straight posture. The princess eyed her for a second before walking past her. Daizy couldn’t help but follow her ruler with her eyes. She watched as the princess approached the dragon, both wearing firm and stern expressions. “You are late.” She said simply. “So are you.” He answered. “How would you know that?” She asked with a millimetric raise of a eyebrow. The dragon eyed her for a second before answering. “You are using your regular regalia instead of the extra comfy one that you ordered some years ago, meaning that you just came out of court or a meeting and didn’t have the time to change. You are also still using your perfume with the calming enchantment which also means you still haven’t bathed and was probably on your way to.” Both of them eyed each other for seconds that, to Daizy, seemed to last forever. Then they both broke into laughter and Daizy watched in astonishment as the princess approached the dragon and affectionately nuzzled his muzzle while he put a claw over her. “It’s nice to see you, Spike.” She said as they finished their embrace. “I know.” He answered and promptly got himself a well deserved smack of the wing in the nose. “Hehehe. Sorry, nice to see you too.” The princess then turned to Daizy that still watched in barely repressed confusion and tried to process what was happening. “And you must be Daizy Hooves, I assume.” She said with an smile. Daisy again bowed quickly, again strucking her horn against the floor. “Y-yes, your highness! It i-is a honor to m-meet you!” Princess Twilight eyed the little pony before her before letting a sigh. “Please, raise.” She said while using magic to lift the mare’s chin. Before she could speak again, the doors of the room where thrown open again. “PRINCESS TWILIGHT!” Boomed a loud, deep voice. “STAY CALM, WE’LL TAKE CARE OF THE INTRUDERS.” He said, and at his command several guards clad in purplish silver armor stepped into the room. After having them surround both the dragon and the small mare, the owner of the voice ran to the side of his princess, wings flared as if trying to cover her. The pegasus had a pearl white coat and a 3 toned fiery hot-colored mane. “Captain Calhiver, there is no need to—” The princess tried to speak but was cut by the stallion. “Run princess! We will distract them!” He shouted and was echoed by agreements from the other guards. “Captain Calville Blanc d’Hiver!” The princess boomed, her voice filling the room and blowing the captain’s wings and silencing everyone present. “While your loyalty and dedication are appreciated, they are not required right now. You know full well that Spike is a friend and that their visit was scheduled.” “B-but princess, they just—” “I will have none of that, captain. Now, apologize to both of them.” The princess said sternly at the stallion who visibly deflated. Looking at the floor he approached Daizy and muttered a apology. “I didn’t hear it, captain. Perhaps you would like some motivation?” The princess said, lightly lighting her horn. The pegasus immediately stood in a firm position before bowing and talking again. “I am sorry, miss!” After that he glanced with a firm glare around the room at the other guards who promptly did the same. “I-it is alright, I’m sorry too...” She replied. He then tried to walk away but was interrupted by a purple barrier in his way and a loud cough from a dragon. “Aren’t you forgetting something, captain?” The princess said with something dangerous in her voice. The stallion sighed and without looking up he walked to the dragon. “I’m sorry, Lord Spike.” He said. “Aw Calhiver, I already told you to not call me ‘Lord’.” The dragon said with a grin on his face. “After all, I know you since you were tiny enough to fit in my claws. Wait!” The dragon quickly lifted his claw and swept the captain into his arms, cradling him like a foal. “You still do!” He exclaimed before blowing a raspberry on the captain’s belly. The captain started laughing hard with tears in his eyes and wings flared while he struggled to escape his captor’s embrace. After tortuous moments of painful laughter, the dragon finally let go and dropped him onto the floor. The pegasus proceeded to run away in a flash, not even bothering to fly, and disappearing behind a set of doors while the other guards did the same after apologizing to Spike. “Ahahaha. He is still all ticklish.” Spike said in middle of some laughs. “Was that what you meant by ‘motivation’?” “You know me so well, Spike.” The princess simply answered before looking at Daizy who stood there, jaws wide open, trying to understand anything that just happened. “Now, I think we should proceed, Daizy. Please follow me.” She started to walk in the direction of a set of doors but then stopped and looked at Spike. “Are you coming too?” “I’ll try, but keep the teleportation at ready just in case.” He said and closed his eyes. Daizy watched as the giant dragon before her took in a deep breath. She was trying to figure out what he meant by what they said, even though the main hallway of the castle were big enough for him, there was no way he would fit through the normal halls. Before she ask, though, before her eyes, Spike started shrink. She watched in amazement as the enormous beast became barely larger than Twilight herself. Letting go of his breath, he spoke. “Alright, let’s go then.” “What the buck just happened!?” Daizy almost shouted. It was too much stuff happening and she needed— no, she demanded an explanation to at least this mystery! Then she realized that before her stood Princess Twilight and a powerful dragon, both of which could burn her to crisps in a mere second. And she had used foul language in front of both of them. “I-I mean— I—” “That?” The ever so familiar with panicking ponies dragon cut her off while putting a reassuring claw over her withers. “It was just a mental exercise. I just suppressed some of my greed and some other stuff too.” He said. “A dragon’s growth is not determined by their age only, but by their emotions, too. Greed being one of the main factors.” Princess Twilight added as she walked through the set of doors and into a large corridor. They walked mostly in silence most of the way. Spike and Twilight talking casually while Daizy tried to keep hold of herself. She was in the presence of one of the very princesses of Equestria! Any error could led to the dungeons! Or worse! She watched her step and could hear her heart pounding on her ears. She was so tense that she almost bumped into Twilight as they came to a stop in front of a room. The princess opened its door and pointed inside, a wide smile plastered in her face. “Welcome to your new room!” She said happily. Daizy looked inside. There she saw a large room with a desk, a bookshelf, a princess size bed, a door that probably led to a bathroom and a wardrobe. In the middle of the room were her bags that Golden had picked up at the train station. Her old, dirty bags. In the middle of the pristine room. In the Castle of Friendship. With a princess at her side. Daizy’s mind gave up and she fell to the floor, the sweet embrace of sleep taking her mind away from this absurd reality. Twilight stared at the sleeping mare, not sure on what to do. “Manehattan.” Spike said while he picked her up and brought her to her bed. “Manehattan? Wait, Inkspot?” She asked, already connecting the dots. “Inkspot.” He affirmed. “Well, that would explain why she felt so overwhelmed. I’m not sure if I would have lasted this long in her place, back then.” “You would have had a meltdown before even getting to the castle.” He said with a grin while getting out of the bedroom and closing the door behind him. His smile was immediately met with the familiar sensation of a feathered slap to the muzzle. “Come on, let’s get something to bite. I’m starving.” The princess said as both she and her number one assistant walked down the hallway.