The sky above the Dragonlands burned with the light of the sun's fire. Ember stood upon the edge of the great precipice with Twilight's letter in one claw, and her other claw rested on the deep red gem that floated within the talons on the end of her scepter, holding the scepter against the ground in a way that it stood parallel to her. The golden-plated armor she donned covered her from her neck down to the tip of her tail, and it shimmered against the brightness of the afternoon sun. Keeping her eyes peeled, she scanned the rocky wastes that surrounded her and listened for the flapping of wings approaching.
Garble better not try and skip out on this, she thought. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised. I guess we'll see just how much his dragon's honor is worth to him.
Letting out a deep sigh, Ember started to watch the packs of dragons streaking through the air and other packs that roamed and wrestled in the valley below. After a few moments, she switched her attention to the large plumes of smoke that rose up from the magma fields out to the west. She glowered and began to rap her talons on the bloodstone gem.
I told him yesterday to meet me here at midday. I better not have to remind—
Ember's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden rush of wind followed by a voice calling from behind her.
“I'm here! I'm here!”
Ember looked back, spotting Garble standing there with an expression mimicking her own. She turned to face him directly and let out a small huff. “I was beginning to wonder if you were seeing how much you could test my patience.”
“I know you said midday,” said Garble. “My apologies for being late... Dragon Lord.”
“Well, at least you're here.” Ember held up the map as she kept her gaze fixated on Garble. “Okay, according to Twilight's directions, we're meeting her and her friends outside of a canyon pass on the roads south of a town the ponies call Dodge Junction. From there, they will teleport us to their castle in Ponyville.”
“How will we know to spot them?”
“Twilight says to look for a beacon in the shape of her seal: a six-point star.”
Garble glanced around the precipice for a brief moment. “Things will be okay down here while our wonderful leader is off laughing it up with a bunch of ponies?”
Ember gave him a firm nod. “My father will cover for me until I get back. Now, put some speed to those wings. I promised Twilight we'd be there by sundown. We'll know we're getting close when we see the solitary mountain that sits in the center of Equestria. Let's move it!” She spread her wings and kicked into the air
Garble followed along, grumbling to himself and keeping a small glower painted on his face.
The two dragons began to fly west at a rapid pace. The great throne precipice disappeared from view as they entered the magma fields and weaved through the smoke columns as the sun started its descent from it's high point in the sky.
Ember stayed back just slightly to keep Garble in her sight, glancing away only briefly to check the map before returning her gaze to the red dragon. As drafts of steam from the rivers of lava below tickled her nose, she allowed the warm fragrance to soothe the nervousness that mingled with her racing thoughts. Picturing Spike, Twilight, and Rarity in her mind, she tightened her grip on the scepter and it gave off a quick, bright glow.
The burning lands fell behind and gave way to a great ocean. After a little while, thick jungles and murky swamps appeared on the distant horizon.
Ember gazed at the distant locales and checked her map. “According to the map, those are the Hayseed Swamps and Forbidden Jungle up ahead."
“Forbidden eh?” said Garble. "Sounds kind of awesome. Bet there's all kinds of ancient treasures there just waiting to be snatched up."
Ember rolled her eyes and sighed, gently shaking her head before returning her attention to the parchment in her claws. “Anyway, the directions say that after we reach the Badlands beyond the swamps and jungle, we'll come to a road. Just follow the road going north and we'll come to the canyon pass. We'll find Twilight and her friends just north of the pass.”
Passing the ocean, the dragons soared above the jungle and the swamps before crossing over a line of jagged ice-capped peaks. They entered a vast stretch of barren rocky flats, deep winding canyons, and towering plateaus. Far off to the northwest, Ember and Garble spotted the telltale spire that was Canterlot Mountain.
"So I guess that's your mountain up there," said Garble. "And that's your road down there?”
Ember peeked over at Canterlot Mountain for a moment, then she peeked over the top of the map at Garble who was pointing at the ground below them. Glancing down, she spotted a line of rock that was lighter in color than the surrounding slab. She read Twilight's directions again. “That should be it. Let's get lower."
“Why?”
“Just do it,” said Ember with an exasperated groan.
They descended until they were only several yards above the ground, maintaining their high speed as they weaved through the maze of plateaus. Before long, they entered a narrow passage. The rocks overhead blocked out the sun, thrusting the dragons into the shadows but the orange sky was still visible through the jagged spears that loomed above them.
Beyond the quickly approaching archway at the end of the canyon pass, a green field underneath the warm light of the evening sun met Ember's vision.
“Stop here!” she called in a firm voice. With a strong flapping of her wings, Ember broke the brisk pace and steadied herself in the air, gliding down to the ground. She set her feet upon the dusty rock and Garble landed nearby. “The meeting place should be in that field there. Wait here until I give you the signal. You'll know it when you feel it.”
“Don't be too long, okay,” said Garble. “I just wanna get this over with.” He walked over to a boulder, faced Ember as he sat down upon it, folded his arms and legs then leaned back against the canyon wall.
“And just a friendly reminder—“
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't try and duck out or it's hugs for everydragon.”
Ember thought back to when Spike held the Bloodstone Scepter, and had ordered Garble to give every dragon he saw a hug on his way home from the Gauntlet of Fire—an order which Garble had obeyed, even if reluctantly. Ember grinned. “You know... you're many things, Garble, but at least not-without-honor isn't one of them.”
Garble did not reply. He glanced away and flicked his tail.
With a quiet sigh and shake of her head, Ember walked through the archway at the end of the passage and stopped at the top of the rocky path that led down the hill. Her eyes widened as she gazed out across the green lands that spread before her. Beyond the dense forest to the northeast, the waters of Horseshoe Bay glimmered under the evening lights of the city of Baltimare. Turning her attention to the north-west, she saw the town of Dodge Junction, but her gaze was quickly ripped away as she caught sight of the towering Canterlot Mountain once again. She paused briefly and stared at the mountain, wonderment swelling up inside her heart as she admired its majesty.
So this is Equestria... she thought. I have to say it's quite beautiful. As much as I'd like to, I don't have time for sightseeing. I've got some friends to meet up with and I'm almost late.
Ember looked down at the grassy field at the bottom of the hill. Almost instantly, she spotted a bright orange glow close to the entrance of the forest. Focusing her eyes, the outline of a six-pointed star began to form.
A wave of excitement welled up inside her. That must be them!
She pictured Spike in her mind and tightened her grip on the Bloodstone Scepter. It quickly flashed a bright white, and she called out in the loudest voice she could muster which resounded through the air. “Here I am!”
Beaming, she spread her wings and launched herself full-speed toward the glow until Spike, Twilight, and Rarity came into her view. Not stopping to glance at the six massive, glowing torches that stood in the ground next to them, Ember set herself down. She folded her wings against her back, held her scepter upright, and stepped closer until she was several yards from the group, not allowing her gaze to stray from the smiling faces of her friends.
“Hello, my friends,” said Ember. “Sorry for almost being late. It's good to see you again.”
“It's so good to see you again too!” Twilight gave Ember a small bow. “We've really been looking forward to this all week!”
Without warning, Spike ran up to Ember and threw his arms around her in a warm embrace. “I knew you'd come!”
Ember startled and pulled back slightly, gazing down at the young dragon who barely came up to her waist. After a moment, she let out a nervous chuckle and patted him on his head. “Hey there, Spike.”
Spike broke the hug and stepped back a few feet, keeping his attention on Ember. “How have you been?”
“Let us be the first to welcome you to Equestria, darling!” stated Rarity. “Did you have a nice flight out?”
“I've been all right. Still getting used to the whole Dragon Lord thing.” Ember examined her scepter for a moment before glancing back to the others. “The flight was great, and I saw the land from the top of the hill. I have to say, Equestria is quite impressive.”
Twilight beamed. “Well we're very happy to have you here.”
Ember glanced around the area. “I thought there'd be more of you here. Where are your other friends?”
“They're all back in Ponyville,” said Spike, “They figured since they hadn't already met you they'd wait for us there.”
Rarity gave ember a gentle smile. “We just thought this would be easier for you. We didn't want you to get overwhelmed by having a big crowd here the very moment you arrived.”
“Well, thanks I guess. Although that's going to happen anyway once you introduce me to the rest of Ponyville.” Ember returned the smile and nodded. “So about this festival... you didn't tell me what it is, so I didn't know if I was supposed to bring anything, so I just wore this suit from the Gauntlet.”
“Actually,” said Twilight, “that will work perfectly.”
Ember glanced at Twilight and furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”
“Before I say more, where's this guest you said you were bringing?”
“What guest?”
Twilight paused and levitated a small piece of parchment from her saddlebag. “You said you were bringing someone along with you so they could learn about friendship as well.”
Ember glanced down and her tail flicked along the grass as she pondered. After a moment, it came to her and she let out a hearty chuckle. “Oh! That's right, I did! He's up in the canyon pass.” She tightened her grip on her scepter and raised it high above her head. It glowed white and crackled with energy. The aura faded, and she lowered the scepter to her side. “You've all met him before. He'll be here in just a minute.”
Twilight, Spike, and Rarity gazed up the hill at the opening that lead into the canyon pass. Garble flew into the area, and the others stared wide-eyed at him as he landed alongside Ember.
Garble glowered at Ember and scratched his arm. “About time. I was beginning to think, and rather hope, that you had forgotten about me.”
“I'll be honest,” said Ember, giving Garble a playful grin. “I did, but I didn't mean to. I just got wrapped up in seeing my new friends from the Gauntlet again."
Garble shrugged. "Whatever."
“Him?!” cried Rarity, her voice carrying strong distaste.
Turning to face Spike and the others, Garble snorted and kicked the grass a little. “Yeah... me.”
Rarity gazed at Ember questioningly. “Forgive me but what did you bring that ruffian here for? He's been nothing but trouble for us!”
Garble smirked.
“And Ember, darling," continued Rarity in an almost pleading manner, "what about all the trouble he caused you during The Gauntlet of Fire?”
“Actually,” stated Ember calmly, “that's exactly why he's here.”
Rarity paused, furrowing her brow.
“I know he caused us a lot of trouble during The Gauntlet, and Twilight's told me you ran into him several years ago when you visited the Dragonlands for something.” Ember turned her attention to Twilight. “Then I remembered Twilight telling me in one of her letters that teaching others about friendship is what you lot do.”
Twilight remained silent as she listened to the exchange. She glanced between Rarity and Garble, then to the letter in her saddlebag before planting her gaze on Ember.
“I think this festival would do him some good, and I promise he won't cause any trouble.” She nudged Garble with the tip of her scepter. “Right, Garble?”
He grunted and glanced away. “Yeah...”
“Uh, Twilight...” said Spike as he scratched the back of his neck. “I think Ember's right.”
“She does make a pretty good argument,” stated Rarity with a sigh.
Ember nodded at Twilight and kept a strong grip on her scepter. “I'll be there to help keep an eye on him.”
“It is what we do," stated Twilight. "We wouldn't be who we are if we didn't at least give him a chance.” Briefly, Twilight looked at her wings, and after several moments of silence, she gazed at Ember and nodded. “Okay, he can come.”
Rarity gave Garble a calculating stare. “Ember's putting a lot, and I mean a lot of trust in you. If you betray that trust and hurt her—“
“I know, I know!" Garble let out an exasperated sigh. "Look, I don't want to be here anymore than you clearly want me to be, but I agreed to come. I don't have to like it, but a dragon who doesn't keep his word is nothing."
Twilight turned her attention to Garble, maintaining her welcoming demeanor. “Knowing you, you might actually like this particular festival. We call it Nightmare Night, and playful mischief is one of the major points of the whole event.”
Garble furrowed his brow and stared at Twilight with curiosity written all over his face. "Is that so?"
"Yes."
"That's playful mischief," said Spike firmly. "That means little pranks and things of that nature. Nothing malicious or destructive."
"I'll remember." Garble nodded and grinned.
"Darn straight you'll remember!" Ember nudged Garble with her scepter again then looked back at Twilight. She rubbed her chin and swayed her tail. "That all sounds pretty interesting, but what did you mean earlier when we were talking about my armor and how it will be perfect for the festival?”
“Costumes are another part of the fun. Your armor will function the exact same.”
Ember smiled. "Ah! All right then."
“Unfortunately, I'll have to tell you the rest later. The sun will be setting soon and we need to be getting back.” Twilight ignited her horn and the nearby torches stopped glowing.
Everyone watched as Rarity used her magic to pull the torches from the ground and tie a large line of cloth around the bundle. The songs of crickets rolled through the air, and darkness began to cover the land as the sun touched base with the plains to the west, inching slowly out of sight.
“We're off now to Ponyville,” said Twilight. “I'll use my magic to get us there quickly and secretly.”
Ember grimaced a little. “Is that safe? I think I'd rather use my own wings.”
“It's perfectly safe, it will just feel a little funny until you get used to it. And like I said, your attendance is supposed to be a surprise.”
“Do you really think you could port all of us that far at once, darling?” asked Rarity. “It's a long way and a lot of extra bodies to move, even for an alicorn.”
Twilight glanced around at everyone. “We'll do it this way: I'll send Spike first, then you, Rarity, then I'll get myself, Ember, and Garble all together. Here we go.”
Ember scratched her chin and flicked her tail across the grass as she watched the ponies. She shielded her eyes as Twilight's horn lit up and a bright lavender glow formed around Spike. A loud crack pierced the air that rang in Ember's ears, and she stared in awe as Spike vanished from sight. The same aura appeared around Rarity, and a quick second later, she too disappeared.
“Now it's our turn,” said Twilight, keeping her horn lit. “You two ready?”
“I'm not getting any less ready,” remarked Garble.
Ember swallowed hard but forced herself to smile. With a nod, she watched as Twilight aimed her horn at her and she began to feel a strange tingling throughout her body. She gripped the Bloodstone Scepter as tightly as she could just as the same aura she saw on Spike and Rarity enveloped her. Slowly, the tingling got stronger until Ember's whole body felt numb. After a few moments, the world around her turned to darkness, and she felt as if she were soaring through the air faster than she had ever flown.
As the feeling in her body began to return, a soft chill ran down Ember's spine as she rested flat on her back upon a cold, hard surface. She kept her eyes tightly shut, and the familiar sound of Twilight's voice broke through the twisting and turning sensations that coursed through her head.
“Pinkie, give her some space.”
“Why does she look all woozy?” asked a cheerful voice with a small giggle. “That's never happened when you've moved us around.”
“Well, she's never traveled by magic before, and it was a distance longer than I normally do. The force of the magic might have destabilized her a little.”
Letting out a soft groan, Ember rubbed her head as the spinning lessened and she opened her eyes. Slowly, the face of a pink mare with a poofy and curly pink mane and blue eyes came into clarity. Ember stared wide-eyed up into the eyes that gazed straight down back at her.
“Hello there!" called the pony, giving Ember an enormous smile. “Welcome to Equestria and to Ponyville! You must be the Dragon Lord Ember that Spike has told us so much about! I was expecting you to be a little taller. I'm Pinkie Pie! So super excited to finally meet you!”
“You okay, Ember?” inquired Twilight with a hint of worry in her voice.
“I feel like I got caught in a hurricane. Is that supposed to happen?”
Twilight frowned. “Not particularly, but it was your first time. Magic teleportation is very convenient for getting somewhere quickly, however, it does take getting used to.”
“Can't imagine why,” Ember replied teasingly. “Don't worry, I'm fine. But all the same, I think I'll stick to my own wings in the future.”
Ember sat up and pulled her scepter into her lap. She watched in confusion as Pinkie hopped in a circle around her, but she stopped as she realized the spacious chamber around her. Holding the bottom tip of her scepter against the floor for balance, she rose to her feet and her tail swayed behind her as she looked around with her mouth agape.
Green windows dotted the upper portion of the towering purple walls, and dark trees inlaid with amethysts were painted onto the wall's surface. Large, crystalline pillars with orange lanterns stood all around the edge of the room. A red carpet spanned the length of the floor, and the marble tiles on either side of the carpet shimmered under the soft glow of red, yellow, and blue gems that hung from the pillars and ceiling.
Twilight and the others watched in silence as Ember took in the new sights.
“This place is incredible!” she exclaimed. “Even with all of my gems, my cave back home can't even compare!”
“This here is the Castle Friendship, or so we call it,” said Applejack who stood nearby along with Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and a quivering Fluttershy. “Twilight earned it after she saved Equestria from a no-good varmint named Tirek.”
Ember spotted Garble lying face-down and motionless several feet away. “Him too, huh?”
“Looks like it,” stated Twilight.
“Well, he's not quite as tough as I am.” Ember grinned and let out a chuckle.
Briefly, Applejack glanced down at the unconscious red dragon before looking back at Ember. “Uh, he's not actually hurt is he? Should we try and wake him?”
“He'll be fine, and it's nighttime by now. Might as well let him sleep.” Ember planted her gaze on the group of unfamiliar ponies standing to Twilight’s left. “So, you're all Twilight's other friends she told me about. Don't tell me....”
She scratched her chin as she thought back to Twilight's letters and the descriptions of her friends that were included in them. With a warm smile, Ember called out their names and pointed to each pony in quick succession. “Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy.”
“Correct!” exclaimed Twilight.
“Where's Rarity?”
“It's late. She went home while you were out so she won't miss her, quote, 'beauty sleep.'”
“Oh. Guess that's partly my fault for almost being late getting here.”
“A pleasure to finally be meetin' you, Dragon Lord!” said Applejack as she tipped her stetson. “Spike has told us all about you.”
“Just call me Ember.” She nodded at Applejack then smirked at Spike, rapping her talons on the Bloodstone Scepter. She walked up to the ponies but kept her attention on Spike. “And so I heard. I hope he hasn't been too kind.”
Spike blushed and chuckled. “I was just telling them about how you helped me at The Gauntlet.”
“You sounded pretty cool,” Rainbow stated as she spread her wings and kicked into the air. “Even Fluttershy here—who's so afraid of dragons she won't even watch them from a distance—eventually agreed to come meet you."
Fluttershy shrunk back, trembled and watched with drooped ears as Ember turned to face her. When she spoke, her voice let out a high-pitched peep. “Um, h-hi....”
Ember observed the frightened pegasus for a few moments before giving her the gentlest smile she possibly could. “Hello, Fluttershy. Nice to meet you.”
“I'm s-sorry to greet and run, M-Miss Ember,” stammered Fluttershy as she swallowed hard, “but I really should get home and feed Angel then go to bed.”
“I understand.” Ember nodded, maintaining her amiable demeanor. “As Twilight said, it's late and I don't want to keep you.”
Without another word, Fluttershy retreated and flew away from the group, disappearing through an archway at the end of the corridor.
Ember watched Fluttershy leave before glancing back to the Twilight and the others. “Did I do okay? I was as gentle as I can be.”
“Don't y'all fret none,” said Applejack. “She don't mean any offense. She actually did much better than last time.”
“Um,” stated Ember, pausing for a moment to scratch the back of her neck, “there’s a ‘last time’? Was she with you when you had your first run in with Garble?”
Rainbow shook her head then crossed her forelegs as she kept to the air. “It was just before the last great dragon migration. We were trying to get Fluttershy to watch it with us, and she literally gave me a mild concussion in order to get out of going.”
Ember's eyes widened. “She... attacked you?”
“Nah, just got careless. Still hurt though.”
“I better be extra careful during the festival then." Ember pondered for several moments and glanced over at the unconscious form of Garble. "Especially with him around, given his disposition for causing trouble."
"I remember when he tried to hurt Spike that one time," Rainbow uttered with a glower upon her countenance, staring at the unconscious Garble. She glanced back at Ember. "No offense but I think it was a bad idea bringing him here. It's only because Twilight explained the situation to us while you were out cold that I haven't kicked his backside already, but if he causes any real trouble while he's here I'll make sure he regrets it."
"I've already warned him several times to behave," stated Ember. "Unless he wants to have to give every dragon back home a hug."
Spike let out a snicker.
"We'll all be keeping an eye on him," said Twilight. "In regards to Fluttershy, she doesn't really like Nightmare Night anyway. She always holes herself up in her cottage for the whole day, and the animals she cares for always make sure nopony disturbs her."
"That's reassuring I suppose."
Applejack glanced at a nearby window and adjusted her stetson, letting out a gentle sigh. “I should be skedaddlin' on home myself. Y'all have a good night.”
“I'm off too!” Pinkie beamed at Ember. “Tomorrow I'll bring you a great big basket of baked goodies from Sugarcube Corner to try! I make them myself.”
Ember waved farewell to Applejack then faced Pinkie. “I could try some, especially if you have any gem-based snacks.”
“I have rock candy! That's sort of like gems.”
Ember chuckled. “Sounds good.”
Rainbow gave Ember an approving grin. “You know, you are pretty cool, just like me. You and I should totally hang out sometime. I'll bet you're a really fast flier.”
“As fast as any other dragon.” Ember flapped her wings several times.
“Careful, Ember,” said Twilight with a smirk. “She might challenge you to a race, and there's no faster pony in all of Equestria than Rainbow Dash.”
“Guilty!” Rainbow proclaimed.
“Of course, when I say might I really mean probably.”
“Guilty again. Well, catch you later, dragonator!”
Ember grinned, watching quietly as Pinkie and Rainbow exited the great chamber and disappeared from sight. After a moment she turned to Twilight and spotted Spike fast asleep at Twilight's side. “You have nice friends. I like them. And wow the little guy there sure fell asleep quick.”
“It's past his usual bedtime. As for your other statement, six years and our fire is still going strong. At this point I can't imagine my life without any of them.” With a bright smile, Twilight wrapped her foreleg around Spike and held the sleeping dragon close, gently rubbing his shoulder. “Spike's actually been with me since I was a little filly, and all together, the bonds my friends and I share has seen us through some pretty rough times, including several dire threats to Equestria as a whole. Applejack already mentioned the thing with Tirek, and another one of those dire threats is in fact how the tradition of Nightmare Night got started."
“Really? I'd love to hear more about that while I'm here. We dragons haven't really faced any dire threats, but the rest of it sounds sort of like how you guys supported me through The Gauntlet. Is that what you meant in your letters when you said that 'friendship is magic'?”
Twilight smiled and nodded. “It is exactly.”
“Interesting that you liken the idea of friendship to a fire.”
“Friendship, like a fire, starts out small.” Twilight paused for a moment. “An 'ember', if you will.”
Ember furrowed her brow upon hearing her own name in the analogy.
“Just like a fire needs kindling, friendship needs a willingness to get it started. With proper care and attention, that small ember will turn into a glorious blaze that lights up the darkness around it. And just like a fire, friendship burns only for as long as it continues to receive care and attention.”
Ember glanced up at the ceiling as Twilight concluded, swaying her tail and tightening her grip on her scepter. She recalled the events of The Gauntlet of Fire, and like a reflection of Twilight's words that echoed endlessly in her mind, she felt a soft warmth inside her heart that slowly grew stronger as she stood in silence within the castle chamber. After several moments, she returned her attention to Twilight.
“I... I never thought about it like that.”
“I'm a little ashamed to admit that I myself once believed that friendship wasn't important,” said Twilight. “Before my teacher Princess Celestia sent me to Ponyville, all I cared about was books and academics.”
“Sounds like you certainly have come a tremendous way since then. No way anyone could argue that.”
Twilight blushed. “Of course I didn't understand it at the time, but Princess Celestia had started me on a path that would change my life forever. After everything I've experienced since, I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Ember smiled and nodded.
“Well, I better get Spike to bed and show you and Garble to your rooms.”
“Actually,” stated Ember with an inquisitive tone, “I was wondering if I might look around the castle some.”
“I don't see why not.” Twilight pondered and pointed toward a doorway at one end of the room. “If you're interested, there's a balcony past that door with an unbeatable view of Ponyville.”
“Thanks, I'll check it out. So much has happened today I'm probably not going to fall asleep soon anyway.”
“There's another friend of mine I'd like you to meet. Her name is Starlight Glimmer. She's currently visiting her friend Sunburst who lives in the Crystal Empire way on the north end of Equestria, but she'll be back sometime tomorrow evening. I've told her you're here so there won't be any surprises. There's also Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in Canterlot, and Princess Cadance who also lives in the Crystal Empire and is married to my big brother.”
"I just barely got here," said Ember with a grin. "One step at a time there, Princess."
“Yeah, one step at a time. Let's get past the festival first before anything else." Twilight let out a chuckle, and lighting her horn, she lifted the sleeping forms of Spike and Garble into the air before giving Ember a parting smile. "I'll leave some signs up for you so you can find your room when you're ready for bed. Spike and Rarity also took the liberty of putting a stash of gems there for you to snack on. Don't worry about supply. Gems are pretty abundant in Equestria like I imagine they are in the Dragonlands. Good night, Ember.”
“Good night, Twilight, and thanks again for having me here."
Twilight stopped smiling and gave Ember an inquisitive stare. "Before I go, and now that we're alone... am I correct in assuming that Garble being here wasn't entirely of his own volition?"
Ember blinked a few times. "Huh?"
"You know what I mean."
A couple moments passed by before it dawned on Ember. "Oh, well..." Her cheeks turned red and she scratched the back of her neck. "I did kind of tell him it's either come with me on this trip or he'd have to give every dragon back home a hug, like what Spike made him do after the Gauntlet. But I really believe this will be good for him which is why I did it. Of course he doesn't see it that way currently, but someday, when he's a little wiser he'll thank me."
Twilight didn't reply.
"Like how you mentioned your old life and this Princess Celestia. Despite not realizing it at the time, but by coming to Ponyville, your life had just been changed for the better. It's just like that." Ember swallowed hard. "Isn't it?"
Twilight looked down and just stared at the floor, returning her gaze to Ember a moment later. She nodded then smiled. "Well, I'll be heading to bed now."
"Sleep tight," stated Ember.
"You too." Twilight's horn glowed, and the sleeping forms of Spike and Garble levitated alongside her as she left the room.
Although she was now alone in the room, the fire that had been lit earlier continued to burn within Ember's heart. With a bright smile, she turned and made her way to the door that Twilight had motioned to, pushing it open. A gentle breeze greeted Ember, tickling the folds of her wings as she walked out onto the balcony. She stopped in front of the guard railing that ran along the balcony's outer edge.
Briefly, Ember glanced up at the moon that hung high in the dark, star-painted canvas, and she let out a relaxed sigh. This place is so peaceful, she mused, but soon it will be bursting with the excitement of this Nightmare Night thing.
She leaned forward and rested her arms atop the guard railing as she gazed at the serene, orange glow of Ponyville's street lamps. Garble better not screw this up. There's more at stake here than he understands.
Ember frowned slightly. Glancing down at the Bloodstone Scepter, she swallowed hard and tightened her grip on it.