//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 - New Home... For Now // Story: Welcome To canine Crossroads // by Yosh-E-O //------------------------------// More time passed as Dark Light and Larimar transitioned from living at The Cozy Glow Inn to their new home just outside of town. This home was designed around a large tree to offer not only extra support but also the ability to build multiple levels that assured Dark Light a clear view of the forest’s edge along with all of Canine Crossroads. “Da-dee-Do!” cheered Larimar as he scampered towards Dark Light. “Well,” the faux Pegasus said as he used his magic to lift the pale-yellow bellied dragon on to his back. “Tom Nook is a crook but his builders certainly do a top-notch job.” “Wacoon!” cooed Larimar as he flapped his feathery mint-green colored wings. Dark Light chuckeld to himself. “That’s right,” he said. “Wacoon.” *** As more time passed, Mayor Yosh and Isabelle had managed to bring a lot of new residents and tourism into Canine Crossroads. This was aided even further by the defeat of The Storm King and ponies, along with other creatures, feeling free to go beyond their borders in search of opportunity and adventure. Larimar had grown quite a bit and, at present, was as tall as Mayor Yosh. He was beginning to talk more but still required protection from making messes where he shouldn’t be. Fortunately, Larimar’s growth and need for larger diapers worked in Dark Light’s favor as he now had what he needed to not have his own share of accidents in his sleep. *** The growing crowds of creatures into Canine Crossroads worked in Dark Light’s favor. In particular the number of ponies who decided to move into the area to take on the needs of the growing city. Word of Dark Light’s dragon did get out. However it never resulted in a mandatory summons by Princess Celestia as Canine Crossroads was beyond the borders of Equestria. Princess Luna also stayed away as her duties in Equestria’s Dream Realm required her to, except for very rare occasions, stay within the nation’s borders. Princess Cadence popped in from time-to-time. However it was mostly for short vacations where her attention was primarily on Flurry Heart and her husband, Shining Armor. Princess Twilight Sparkle came by but often got too excited over Dark Light’s research to ever really ask questions about his personal life. She would ask more about Larimar, but he’s often out with her dragon assistant, Spike, as he pals around with his hatch-brother, Yosh. Twilight was also distracted by how she had been tasked to assist Canine Crossroads in instituting it’s own ‘School Of Friendship’. So what time she wasn’t at the school was spent meeting with instructors, drafting lesson plan outlines, and looking for specific books in the library that Dark Light would be as helpful as necessary without drawing too much attention to himself. *** “Well, Larimar,” smiled Dark Light as he washed the eggshell hat wearing dragon. “Looks like we’ve got a pretty good thing going on here.” “Uh-huh!” the teal-colored hatchling chirped whiile smacking his claws down into the water. “Good Da-Dee-Do-Da-Da!” “I agree,” chuckled Dark Light as he allowed the water that spilled over him to just glide down his black coat and yellow mane. “I think we can safely call Canine Crossroads home.” “Wee-hee!” gleed Larimar while taking off his eggshell hatand tossing it merrily into the air. This revealed the phoenix feather atop his head in which was glowing a brilliant shade of vermillion-orange. Dark Light caught the shell with his magic and passed it back over to Larimar who promptly used it as a bucket to scoop and pour water out of the tub. “Gah!” cringed the faux Pegasus as the little dragon’s feathery wings flapped as he giggled uncontrollably. Dark Light shrugged. “Oh, Larimar,” he smiled. “It’s good to have a home and you as a friend.”.