//------------------------------// // Destiny // Story: Equestria's Risen Hero: Airborne the Changeling-Dragon // by Roku //------------------------------// The next day, Airborne woke up from his slumber. He was inside his bedroom with a dim emitting light. He slowly climbed out of bed and his wings started to sparkle. However, he didn't notice. The book he was given about changelings was on the floor, open to an unknown page. Once he acknowledged it, he realized that he left off on page 34 of being up reading last night, all night. He closed the book setting it on the bed and sleepily walked out of the room entirely heading down to the dining room. He went to the table for breakfast, he looked around, like he always did, admiring the changing furniture and decorations. This time, the table was square with wood, and the chairs were more of an oval shape. The flooring was now completely concealed in crystals. False crystals. Thorax and Ember were sitting at the table. Airborne spoke out, "Good morning! What a beautiful day!" The 2 parents looked at Airborne confused. Thorax was the one to ask, "Are you feeling much better?" Airborne flapped his wings and lands on the table. "Totally! I-" Ember interrupted Airborne shouting with the echo of a dragon lord, "sit down!" Airborne immediately got off the table and sat down in a chair. Like usual, he sat in between his parents. But right now, he's shivering in fear… Thorax had to tell Ember, "Honey, don't you think that was a bit extreme? I mean, he just got harmed at school." Ember breathed and pets Airborne, "I'm… uhh… sorry, Airborne. Just… don't sit on the table. Or stand on it. Ever." Airborne stopped shaking but now he was too afraid to talk. Thorax knew how to get Airborne to talk. He clapped his bug-like hands and waited for a servant to come. A changeling flew over. "How many I serve you all today?" She was a blue changeling with one small front horn, red wings, a red tail, and yellow eyes. Thorax then spoke, "A bowl of your finest macaroni and cheese! A cup of cherry blossom tea shall do as well." Airborne smiled and nuzzled his head against Thorax's side. Thorax lifted his arm up for Airborne's head to fit through so Airborne could lie his head on Thorax's lap. Ember spoke, "Wait. But he needs to eat real breakfast first! Where are the fruits and vitamins he needs?! Thorax! Answer me!" Thorax really did not want to start another argument. He decided to say this. "Ember, Airborne does not need nor should he be receiving any scolding. Come on, the kid as we know it seemed okay. He definitely picked himself back up." Thorax continued explaining as he then began to fly up from his chair and land on the floor. Ember then said with a snarky remark, "And what do you know about parenting?" Thorax looked at Ember for a quick moment with a confused expression, "What is that supposed to mean?" "It means that I think you're saying you're better than me at parenting," said Ember. Thorax then walked to Ember. "It's not at all like that. I just can't seem to think that it's okay to talk that way to our son after such a hard time he had yesterday. It would be overwhelming for him and right now, he needs both of his parents' love." Ember calmed down and looked at Airborne. "You're right. I'm sorry, Thorax. Airborne, do you want anything with that Macaroni and Cheese?" Airborne spoke, "How about we all eat some?" Ember gulped. "Oh uhhh… that's uhh… okay." She was uncomfortable at that moment. She didn't like anything other than meat and crystals. Thorax then laughed a bit, "Airborne, your mother does not want to eat it. What if I ate the same thing with you?" Airborne then pleaded, "Please mom? Do it for me?" Ember just stared at Airborne for a few moments. She said sadly, "Alright… I will…" Airborne jumped with joy at that moment. After breakfast, Airborne flew straight for Ponyville. His changeling-dragon wings kept glistening as he flew. Looking below him, he was flying over Dragon's Canyon. "Wooow. I can't believe I'm up this high. Flying is so fun. I wish I could do this all the time." He saw the trees and the forest and the landscape. He saw majestic mountains, giant lakes, and animals. Airborne flew faster and faster out of excitement until he saw Ponyville. Landing down in the middle of it, Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi all looked at Airborne strangely. Airborne felt a shiver down his spine as he was now seen as an outcast. Airborne spoke out, "Hi… I'm… Airborne." A random earth pony, a brown one, shouted, "Nice to meet you. Welcome to Ponyville!" The ponies all smiled and gave warm welcomes to the changeling-dragon. The smile on the child's face presumed that his excitement of being in this town makes him realize that he is indeed normal. No… it was more than normal. He felt loved. As if he found his place. He gave a warm greeting to everyone in Ponyville. Some pony, a unicorn who was white and had diamonds as a cutie mark, then asked, "Darling! Those wings are surely to die for. I just adore how they glimmer in the radiant sun!" Airborne then spoke, "Thank you!" The unicorn whipped her main and then spoke, "You know, I love taking inspiration from other creatures, but you know what? I think I will make a dress in magnificent matrimony of those wings you have there. Do you mind coming with me?" Airborne said, "Sure. Just as long as I get to ask what your name is." "Rarity. My name is Rarity." she said. "And whom might you be?" Airborne spoke, "My name is Airborne. I am a changeling-dragon… hopefully you're okay with that." All the other ponies except the white unicorn had wandered off onto their own daily plans. Rarity began talking up a storm, "Ohhh, so you're Airborne the hybrid? Wow. I've heard so much about you from Spikey wikey, my cutsie wootsie helper. He tells me about how much he loves playing with you, and Twilight tells me that you've taken a giant liking to the culture and history of both-... I'm babbling again… Ugh. You'll have to excuse me. I just can't believe that I've met the most beautiful creature I've ever seen, well of course next to Spike that is." Airborne then spoke, "I'm… beautiful?" Rarity nodded. "Of course you are, darling. Come now. Let me examine those wings. I want to make the most glorious fabric the world's ever seen of the Carousel Boutique! Everyone will love it!" Airborne then smiled. The 2 had went to Rarity's shop to then examine the child's wings. The 2 entered a large carousel shop that had an old style look to it. When they entered, it was a large clothes shop that resembled that of a fashion store but with more dresses than most things. There were also fancy hats and other things. They went upstairs into Rarity's bedroom and saw how it was clean, but it had many, many laid out material, fabric, rolls of lining, and 1 mannequin. There was a neatly made bed too. Rarity began pulling out her tools and tried to examine the wings. Airborne asked, "So, what do you mean by make fabric like my wings?" Rarity said, "Not the scales, darling. I admired the patterns, the colors, the shapes! They have accents of sparkling radiance! I admire how your wings really shimmer." Airborne then responded, "Oh. So, how long have you been making dresses?" Rarity said, "For a while actually. Years to be exact. In fact, I can't remember a day where I had not thought about taking a break from making dresses." Airborne then walked around the room examining it. Rarity gently tapped him asking, "Please hold still, sweetie. This will only take a moment." Airborne nodded and spoke, "So. About this whole friendship thing, what do you have to say about being different?" Rarity responded after a few moments of thinking. "I believe that being different shows a clear definition of diversity. If everyone were the same, what's the point of making friends when they are copies of the original?" Airborne then said, "But if everyone were the same, wouldn't that cause unity or friendship to be stronger? It wouldn't hurt to actually be like everyone else." Rarity then finished her examination and she stored the information on her dresser. She then walked to her closet and pulled out 2 dresses. They both had completely different features. She then laid them out on the bed. "Look here, Airborne. You are a hybrid. And your difference made me notice it more than anything. Take this for example. 2 dresses that are not the same is diverse." She then used her horn to use magic for making more dresses come out of the closet. She then revealed them holding them up in the air. There were 6 of them. "Do you understand this? I have a dress that fits my friends and I entirely." She was right. All 6 dresses fits herself and her friends. A very outgoing pink dress, a very sharp and colorful rainbow dress, a yellow and green relaxing dress, a very bold and beautiful white and purple dress, a plain purple dress, and a red and green country dress. "These all are unique and stylish. And if everyone wore one of these dresses, they would not be happy. It's not good to fit the personality everyone wants them to fit. Airborne, you can't be a changeling nor a dragon. You have to be a changeling-dragon because that's who you were meant to be. If anything, our cutie marks show our destiny. And you need to fulfill the one you were born with. Airborne then looked at the dresses even more. He then asked, "So, if everyone were the same, they'd be denying who they are?" Rarity answered, "Exactly. And you know what? I think that you were supposed to be this way." Airborne then questioned, "How so?" Rarity answered, "The only reason why you are suffering is because no one in the dragon or changeling races can understand anything that stands out and is unheard of. So, you were born to bring light." Airborne then looked down. Then he looked around at the dresses again. He looked at Rarity and then floated in the air. "Can I try on an outfit?" Rarity then quickly said, "Oh no no no! You can't wear any of these dresses. I'll have to make you a new one." Airborne then answered, "Oh, alright. But… don't make it a dress. Make it more of boys clothing. I wanna try on an outfit that suits me." Rarity then clapped, "Now that'll be smashing! A changeling-dragon wearing clothes. Ah! How marvelous. I shall get started." She then ran to her dresser, grabbed the analysis, and then went to her sewing desk. "This outfit will most certainly be the best I've made in a while! Well, that'll be hard to do, but I will do exactly that!" Airborne then smiled at the fact that Rarity cared so much. He then looked at her door… and soon, Spike came in. "Rarity, I have something to- Oh hey, Airborne. Wait… Airborne? How did you… get here?" Rarity turned around and faced Spike saying, "I invited him here. He seemed in dire need of a talking to." Spike then replied with, "Oh. Alright. Airborne, how did you fly to Ponyville anyway? Were you even allowed to?" Airborne nervously said, "N-no… uhh… sorry." Spike facepalmed and spoke, "Alright. Since you're in Ponyville, there's not much trouble here. Might as well let you stay. But I'm taking you back home later." Airborne nodded in agreement. Much later, Spike took Airborne back home. It was around 4 o'clock. Spike just waited outside of the Dragon Lord's rock as Airborne was in his bedroom. He searched for the book he was reading and when he found it, he flew out the door and headed back to Ponyville with Spike. Landing back in Ponyville, Spike went to do his own daily activities as Airborne wandered around Ponyville some more. He went to Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle and knocked on her door again. The Princess came out and said, "Airborne… I've got an important message for you. It's very serious." Airborne was nervous. "What happened Princess?" Twilight then held up a book, "It's about the dragons… They've…" Her tone changed to happy as she said, "given me a book for you to read! It turns out that they found a book deep within their land. The dragons found it buried in a cave. I once asked Ember if I could have information on dragons and she said that she will gather up as many informations as she could to bestow the knowledge. So, let's read it! She said that it's a book that hasn't been found in ages." The 2 went into the library of the castle. The library had so many books. Very high shelves were full of them and they were all supremely organized. There were also chairs and a large table for reading and studying. The center of the room had the table there and it was surrounded by chairs. Airborne sat in a chair and sets the book on the table. Twilight sat in a chair next to him. Airborne cracked open the book of dragons. The cover page consisted of nothing but words that said, "Unity." Airborne opened it up. It appeared to be written by a hand that burned into the pages. The hand that wrote in it seemed to have very legible handwriting. Airborne recited the first paragraph, "'All time, space, united as one. So shall the hearts of the dragons with the world. Ancient elements. Ancient powers. Ancient formations of the universe converge, all of these which need complete balance with each other. This is the power of Harmony. This is the year 4800 BC. Celestia, gifted with the elements of harmony, had to use them to seal her sister. One day, her reign shall come back. 6 Warriors in the future shall do what Celestia could not. They will be stronger, more grand, much more powerful in unity. Luna shall be changed back to good once she is beaten by the elemental wielders.' Whoa. That's… an interesting beginning." "The writer is speaking of the future… how is this possible? He is able to see the future at will? That's amazing!" Twilight then grew even more excited that she couldn't help but take the book and read it. "Hey! I thought I was going to read it," Airborne said. Twilight then sighed. She handed it back apologizing. "It's okay. Lol You sure love knowledge." The changeling-dragon cleared his throat. "'In this current year of 3670 BC, the harmony of the dragons came many to give up each of their power to form a leader, train it, and grow it to rule them just as they served him. He will be a crown of the nations. Their power was more than just energy. It was the power of friendship, the power of bonds, the power of family, the power of diversity, the power of tranquility, the power of courage, the power of numbers, and the power of leadership. Many more powers are established in the dragons. However, once given, each power began to grow stronger in the whole entire tribe of the dragons. The leader of the Dragons had the most power in terms of energy and strength, but he could not rule alone. He spread the power of harmony throughout the dragons. He gave 3 other non-dragons the ability and knowledge, and had everyone share them as well. The Crystal Empress, Celestia, and the Changeling Queen. The most powerful members rules all as the 4 rulers worked as one for all their designated lands. However, one grew too greedy. The Changeling Queen. His own selfishness consumed who he was and transformed him into a dark being.' I read that already. The 4 Rulers, uniters, dividing, and- wait… there's something weird. This continues on about to a battle..." Twilight then asked Airborne for the book and she received it. "'The Changeling and the Dragon both worked together to change the land and take over every nation. Celestia and the Crystal Empress worked together to fight the dragon. The Changelings worked faultlessly and wholeheartedly for their master so war began. The dragons rebelled against the Dragon Lord. The Dragon Lord worked with the Changeling Queen to force the dragons to submit. The Dragon Lord however fell due to every dragon taking back the power they gave and used it to wage war against the changelings, including their Queen. I had to watched all of this and I didn't take part in the war, not one bit. I ran away and hid in a safe place in the mountains. As for my parents, they were gone. I am the only changeling-dragon, the evil hybrid. I am born from both the Dragon Lord and the Changeling Queen. I was monstrously gifted with power that exceeds both of them, but I can not at all look at myself in a reflection. I wanted to be accepted by both my races, but neither ever want to acknowledge me. The dragons refuse me due to their previous Lord's reign of tyranny and evil. The changelings hate how good I am and that there is nothing they can do to get their Queen back. I can not migrate to the Crystal Empire nor anywhere in Equestria. Everywhere, I am seen as a freak. My heritage causes me grief and so does the rejection of who I am. And so as I will never die, I will hide away from the world to never be seen again. This book shall help the one who receives it, one who understands me. He shall be my successor, for I can not do what the next hybrid will do."' Twilight finished reading the first chapter and handed him the book. "This is designated for you. Fulfill the words that were in here and make Equestria whole some day." Airborne's face was so surprised. Now, he took Twilight's book and stashes it away for safekeeping. "Thank you." "I believe that there's more to you than I thought. You've got a destiny ahead that awaits you," she said. "I now understand why you were born this way. You came to move the darkness and division away." Airborne then gave Twilight a hug, "I understand. I'm only 10. What can I do?" "Learn how to grow a voice," she said. "That's all you can do until you are able to guide everyone." The changeling-dragon's wings then glimmered even further. He then flapped his wings a bit. "I will. I will do what I need to do. This doesn't sound easy, but if it's my destiny then I will do just that." He then took the changeling book and stashed it away as well. "I will see you later Twilight. Thanks for being here with me." He then flew to the window of the library. He opened up the window, closed it, and then flew out. Twilight thought in her head, "I can't wait to see what kind of magnificent person he will be. I can't wait to see who he will become. And one day… We will all be one because of him."