//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Dark Light's New Job // Story: Welcome To canine Crossroads // by Yosh-E-O //------------------------------// The next few days were spent between The Cozy Glow Inn and The Canine Crossroads Library For Higher Education. Dark Light’s knowledge of equine magic made him a must-hire creature who took quickly to getting things set up in the wing of the library assigned to him. “…Larimar is like me!” cheered a green dragon-duck hybrid with frosted eyes. “Perhaps you are another of ‘Celestia’s Chosen’?” Dark Light cringed as he looked down towards the mayor of the town. “No,” he said plainly. “I’m just a pony who happened upon a baby dragon while walking in the woods. Equestria isn’t even my home.” The small and pudgy mayor tightened his hold around Isabelle’s arm. “Toroth was found by a lost Pegasus in the Dragon Lands,” added Yosh. “Though I think Toroth is now back in the Dragon Lands and the Pegasus he actually helped save is working for the Cloudsdale Weather factory.” Larimar was now starting to walk and was toddling around the department Dark Light was tasked to research and maintain. “Interesting,” Dark Light replied. “So you were paired with Dawnbreak Horizon until you lost your sight and were summoned by Isabelle to come to Canine Crossroads,” The mayor nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “I was nervous at first but isabelle had faith in me and I feel we are doing a great job making this place great!” “You sure are, Mayor Yosh!” beamed the yellow shih tzu while nuzzling the dragon-duck’s cheek. “And you were also raised by Princess Celestia?” pursued the faux Pegasus. Yosh nodded. “Yep!” he quacked. “I was hatched about the same time as Princess Twilight Sparkle’s assistant, Spike.” “And you eat gems to maintain your magical abilities?” the inquisitive Pegasus asked. Another nod by Yosh. “Yep!” he beamed. “Though my abilities are different than Spike’s. Tacki has cool abilities, too!” Dark Light pretended to scan one of the tomes as he thought on his next question. “Do any of your other dragon buddies, or the princesses, ever come down this way?” he asked as best he could without showing how important the answer was to his future in canine Crossroads. Yosh sighed. “Not really,” he replied. “Tacki and Lucky Find are often at Las Pegasus making sure ponies aren’t cheating. Then Spike is, for the most part, either with Twilight or keeping up her castle. Toroth likes it in the Dragon Lands and tends to only come to other places when ham dinners are happening and, well, ponies don’t eat meat.” “What about Celestia and Luna?” continued Dark Light while skimming another book and putting it on a nearby pile. “Celestia tends to come only when we have a really special occasion,” the dragon-duck replied while putting his hand to his beak. “She’s real busy keeping up matters of state in Canterlot. Luna prefers to stay in Equestria as her job of keeping the Dream Realm safe for all Equestrians would be very difficult if she were to accidentally dabble in the dreams in which are watched by other overseers.” Dark Light liked this bit of news about Luna. Maybe he could let his guard down at night since it was unlikely she’d come across him here in canine Crossroads? Or, to be safe, he could make a magical Dream Catcher that would act as a mild guard to save himself from using so much of his own magic at night to cast mental protection spells. “Where did you say you were from again?” winked Isabelle towards Dark Light. Dark Light had himself prepared for this question. “The outskirts of Fillydelphia,” he confidently replied. “I wanted to be a part of the local weather team but things just didn’t work out.” “Was it your wings?” pursued Isabelle. The faux Pegasus also was ready for this. “Birth condition,” he shrugged. “My wings work but not well enough to do cloud busting, or any job that would be directly involved in weather control.” “And that’s why you became a researcher?” inquired Yosh. “You saw an opportunity where life tried to take away what made you special?” Dark Light nodded. “Exactly!” he exclaimed. “Seems we have a bit in common, huh?” Larimar’s toddling and tumbling eventually brought him behind Yosh. PAT-PAT-PAT “Dipper!” Larimar cried. “Dipper!” Yosh blushed as Isabelle tried to comfort him. “Oh…,” Dark Light said nervously as he gestured for the little dragon to come back to his side. “I had no idea.” Yosh fidgeted his fingers. “Yeah…,” he sighed. “Kind of a side-effect of being a hybrid dragon.” “But we’re working on it!” perked isabelle while patting Yosh on the back. “You’re getting there.” Yosh closed his non-working eyes as he tried to feel less flustered. Isabelle knew a change of subject was in order. “How did you find Larimar?” she asked. “Was it while you explored outside our town?” Dark Light recalled how Isabelle had saw him while Larimar was under a disguise spell in the past. Since learning of all the dragons who were with ponies, and how Larimar came to reject the ruse spell, it became easier to just let him be himself. “Yes,” he replied simply as he snuggled the hatchling. “Found the guy while doing some research on the nearby flora and fauna.” “Does he have any special powers?” inquired Yosh. Dark light chuckled. “Does making messes and loud noises count?” he joked. Isabelle laughed. “Reminds me of my brother, Digby,” she chuckled. “He’d always hide my hair ties in the backyard.” DING-DING-TING-DING “Oh!” Isabelle gasped while shaking her head enough to make the bells tied into it ring. “We’ve got an appointment to see how the new campgrounds are doing, Mr. Mayor!” Yosh nodded as he ensured his hold around the shih tzu’s arm. “Keep up the good work, Dark Light!” quacked Yosh. “I know you will definitely be an asset to this town!” “IF you need anything, please come by Town Hall and ask!” added Isabelle. “Bee-bee!” Larimar waved as his little green wings fluttered enough to tickle Dark Light’s chest. The faux Pegasus ensured the room was clear of any onlookers before using his magic to pick up and quickly sort all the books that were meant for him to go through. “Whee!” squeeled the teal-colored dragon as he was plopped upon the black-coated pony’s back. “We got some most useful information,” he said. “Let’s use some extra time to get back to Tom Nook about getting further assistance in building our home outside of town.” “Wakoon!” gleed Larimar. “Wakoon!” Dark Light smiled. “Cheapskate,” he singsonged under his breath. “Swindler.”