The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido


Chapter 14 - Inpromptu Meetings

Everyone can only stare at Ember in disbelief. Arc and Rose are the first to speak.

“You do?!”

“Where?!”

Ember turns back to look at the others. “My father always had a treasure. A treasure and a secret he kept from everyone except me. That crystal was set into a scepter that has served as the Dragon Lord’s symbol of authority for centuries.”

Twilight looks at Ember, wide-eyed. “You… you mean…?!”

Ember nods. “Yes Twilight. It’s the crystal atop the Bloodstone Scepter.”

Arc looks confused. “The what?”

Twilight turns to him. “Spike, Rarity and I went to the Dragon Lands to witness the Call of the Dragon Lord. He was holding a contest to see who would succeed him.”

Ember nods. “Spike was the first to take up the scepter, which meant he was to be the next Dragon Lord.”

Arc nods. “You told me about this once. That’s why you were banished, right?!”

Ember nods.

“I didn’t understand why my father was so angry about it back then! But I guess now it makes sense!”

Rose frowns. “How so?”

“He forbade me from taking part in the Gauntlet, the challenge to retrieve the scepter. I ignored his orders and competed anyways. My father… he… he was trying to protect me from harm! He failed my mother in that regard. Perhaps he felt this was his penance.”

Arc nods. “The pain of losing a close family member is very… difficult to move past. Perhaps he wanted you to be able to grow up and live a full and safe life.”

Ember sighs. “Probably. But I messed that up when I became next in line to be the new Dragon Lord.”

Twilight frowns. “How so?”

“Being the Dragon Lord is a very dangerous job. First into battle and the last to leave. That’s why only the strongest should be chosen.”

Ember looks out the window for a moment.

“That’s why he sent me away. So I would become stronger and smarter!”

She turns to Arc.

I can only assume that’s the reason why he allowed me to continue my journey with you, Arc. So you would teach me how to lead.”

“I’m not much of a teacher or a leader.”

Cadance smiles at Arc. “Do not underestimate your past actions. You’ve already led our entire nation single-hoofed!”

Luna nods. “You also have the respect of our citizens AND our enemies.”

Twilight smiles. “If anypony could teach leadership, other than the princesses themselves, it’s you Arc!”

“You’ve already taught me so much! I’m looking forward to whatever it is we do next.”

Rose giggles! “As am I!”

Arc sighs. “Well then… how about we focus on the problem at hand? What to do about this Dragon Fruit mess.”

Luna frowns. “We’ve had a treaty with the Dragon Lands for centuries. One of the provisions is that we do not remove plants, items or dragons from their land without the express permission of the Dragon Lord himself.”

Ember nods. “Yes. That’s why I needed my father’s permission to continue to travel with you, Arc.”

“That clears things up a bit. I just assumed he was being a bit overprotective at the time.”

Arc turns back to Princess Luna.

“Does the treaty say what should be done if the terms are violated?”

Cadance sighs. “Yes. The treaty can be rendered null and void by the side being wronged unless restitution is made.”

Rose shudders. “What kind of restitution?”

Luna shrugs. “That would be up to the Dragon Lord. By us cultivating Dragon Fruit we have clearly violated the terms and would have to seek forgiveness.”

Arc nods. “So, do I just go there and explain the situation? Maybe I can catch the Dragon Lord on a good day.”

Cadance frowns. “There is another way to handle this Arc. But it is a bit… shall we say… underhooved.”

“Not sure I like the sound of that.”

Luna nods. “We could very quietly get rid of the Dragon Fruit and all traces of the bushes. They’ve been here this long without the Dragon Lord learning of their presence.”

Twilight thinks for a moment. “While certainly not the most honest tactic, it would certainly save us from the wrath of the Dragon Lord.”

Cadance sighs. “So… which path will we take, Luna?”

“This is quite the decision.”

Arc thinks for a moment. “Princess Luna, if I may… would you like me to handle this? I’ve had dealings with Dragon Lord Torch in the past. The last couple times I was there we parted on good terms.”

Twilight nods. “Arc is right about that! The Dragon Lord seems to hold him in quite high regard!”

Luna turns to Ember. “Miss? How do you think your father will react?”

Ember turns back to the group. “Either way, he’s going to be MAD! I can go with Arc to try and prevent my father from doing anything rash.”

Twilight sighs. “I should come too. This really is all my fault.”

Cadance shakes her head. “No, Twilight! It’s mine! I’m the one who sent you that blasted fruit in the first place! If only I had been in my right mind back then, this whole matter could have been avoided!”

Cherry calls out to the group. “Arc led the country during that time with dignity and honor, your highnesses! Please trust him on this.”

Rose turns and smiles at Arc. “I’ll go as well!”

Auriel steps forward nervously. “M-me too!”

Twilight turns to her, surprised. “What? Auriel?!”

“I… um… I’m partially to blame for this situation as well. The design of the P.E.E.L. was entirely mine. If nothing else, I need to confess this to the Dragon Lord.”

Luna sighs. “Very well. You may handle this matter as you see fit, Arc. If nothing else, you must prevent all-out war.”

Cadance nods. “The dragons are numerous and strong. While not as great a threat as in ages past, they are still a force to be reckoned with.”

“Our own military is also not what it was back then. Should a conflict break out, we would be ill-equipped to deal with a dragon invasion”

Cadance walks over to Arc and looks him in the eye. “It appears the fate of our land is once again in your hands, Arc.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”

Luna sighs as she walks toward Arc to stand next to Cadance. “I am certain you will do what is best, Arc. Please don’t let us down.”

Arc silently nods and heads toward the door. Luna calls out after him.

“Arc.”

“Yes?”

“Do you need anything from us to aid you in your mission? Anything at all?!”

Arc stops to think for a moment. “Yes. I’d like to speak with Brightwing about this.”

Ember narrows her eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am! She may be a bit… off, but she’s still the Dragon Lord’s designated emissary. If we have a problem that involves dragons, Brightwing should be made aware.”

Luna nods. “Very well. Do you remember where Brightwing’s office is?”

“I do.”

Cadance sighs. “Then we will leave you to it, Arc. Good luck!”

“Thank you.”

The group leaves the Audience Chamber and heads for the royal offices. In a few minutes they see a very dignified looking door. Arc turns to the others.

“Well, here we are.”

Ember frowns. “This is a bad idea, Arc! Brightwing’s as loopy as they come!”

Twilight sighs. “I kinda have to agree with Ember on this one! I’ve met Brightwing since she came to live here, and she’s not all there! This really does seem like a waste of time.”

Auriel turns to him. “Well, it’s your call after all, Arc.”

Rose nods. “Agreed. If Arc thinks this is important, I for one will respect his decision.”

Arc sighs as they approach the door together. “Thanks everyone. This may be a formality, but Brightwing does seem to be a somewhat reasonable dragon… kinda. Maybe they can give us an idea how to tell the Dragon Lord about this matter.”

Ember shrugs. “Worth a shot. I mean, it’s not like this situation could get any worse, right?”

Rose smiles. “Sure it could, Ember! The dragons could invade and kill everyone in Equestria, including us!”

Arc narrows his eyes. “Not helping, Rose!”

“Sorry! I was just answering Ember’s question.”

He knocks on the office door. A second later Brightwing appears in front of him. Arc stumbles back, surprised.

“WOAH!”

Brightwing smiles a toothless grin at Arc and company. “Friends! You come to visit Brightwing in new home?! Come in, come in!”

She Blinks back into the room and opens the door for them as she flutters back happily.

“Friends welcome in Brightwing’s home!”

Arc enters the office first. Contrary to what he expected, the office is as neat as a pin. There isn’t a thing out of place. Other than the complete lack of an office chair and a large folded blanket on a nearby bookshelf, it appears almost normal. A multitude of books line the many shelves around the perimeter of the room consisting of a number of different subjects from legal textbooks to anatomy to a few on economics.

“Hello again, Brightwing. I see you’ve made yourself at home here.”

Brightwing nods happily. “YES! Brightwing living here now!”

Twilight stares at the multitude of books. “What a library you have here! Might I have a look?!”

“Go ahead, friend!”

Ember approaches her. “Remember me?”

Brightwing flutters around happily. “Dragon Lord!”

Ember shrugs. “Maybe one day.”

The baby dragon looks over at Rose before fluttering over to her.

“Hmmm… strange.”

Rose looks confused. “What’s strange about me?”

“You smells like other friend!”

“Who?”

The small dragon flutters over to Arc and lands on his head happily.

“This one!”

Rose giggles. “Oh, that’s probably because we slept together last night.”

Arc blushes. “Rose, could you please not say it like that?”

Ember turns to him with a sly smile. “Oh but it’s true, Arc! I saw her snuggled up to you last night! You both looked so happy together!”

Brightwing flutters up to the top of the highest bookshelf and lies down on the blanket.

“Brightwing likes sleeping as well! Brightwing shows you!”

The whelpling proceeds to demonstrate, complete with mock snores and twitches. Auriel sighs.

“That’s very… interesting, but…”

The little dragon flies over to Auriel and looks her up and down.

“Does Brightwing know pretty demon girl?!”

Auriel shakes her head nervously. “N-no, I don’t think so.”

Brightwing sniffs at her. “Brightwing thinks you smell nice! Smell like friend!”

Twilight looks up from the large book before her. “What does a friend smell like?”

She Blinks over to perch on Arc’s head, happily.

“Smells like this one!”

Auriel appears nervous as the others turn to look at her. “Wh-what?! I haven’t been sleeping with Arc! Really!”

Brightwing takes flight and flutters around Auriel, sniffing at the air around her as she blushes at the attention. “You smell like friend! But at same time, different.”

Arc sighs impatiently. “Well, it’s good catching up, but we need your help now, Brightwing.”

Brightwing Blinks over to Arc and casts a small spell. “Friends be healed!”

Twilight shakes her head as she puts the book back on the shelf where she found it. “Not that kind of help.”

Ember nods. “Right! You’re the emissary of the Dragon Lands, right?”

Brightwing looks confused. “Emi-what?”

Rose smiles. “A representative.”

“What that?”

Cherry sighs. “I don’t think Brightwing’s going to be able to help us, Arc.”

Brightwing looks around, confused. “Who say that?! Brightwing hear you, but not smell you!”

“It’s Cherry, Brightwing. She’s… uh… inside my head.”

She Blinks over to Arc’s head and begins knawing at it with her toothless jaws.

“Brightwing get you out of there, pretty sounding voice!”

Twilight uses her magic to pull the dragon off of Arc’s head.

“Okay now. We have a problem, and we need your help to solve it.”

“Brightwing help pretty purple pony! What need?!”

Arc clears his throat. “You see… there’s a kind of plant from the Dragon Lands here in Equestria that isn’t supposed to be here.”

Brightwing nods happily. “The Dragon Fruit?!”

Auriel’s eyes grow wide. “Wait! How did you know that?!”

“All friends have smell of it on their outsides! Brightwing like!”

Rose smiles. “Yes, well… we need to figure out a way to tell the Dragon Lord without him getting angry. Do you have any ideas?”

“Brightwing don’t know! But you should think of something fast!”

Arc looks confused. “Fast? Why? It’s not like he knows about it yet, right?”

“Yes he does!”

Twilight looks at Brightwing, wide-eyed. “WHAT?! HOW?!”

Brightwing flies around the room happily. “Brightwing already tell him! Brightwing has done a good thing!”

Ember appears suddenly angry. “You did WHAT?!”

Twilight glares at the whelpling. “HOW?!”

Brightwing flies over to the desk and lies down on another pillow before pulling out a paper and pencil from the desk. “Brightwing write him letter!”

Arc looks at the dragon, nervously. “What did the letter say?”

“Brightwing say she smell Dragon Fruit in castle! Was you?!”

Ember growls. “Why you little… get over here so I can wring you neck!”

Sereb shakes his head. “Easy there, Ember. Brightwing was only doing her job.”

“We’d better get over to the Dragon Lands and see my father before he mobilizes everyone back home for a campaign against Equestria!”

Brightwing looks confused. “Would that be a bad thing?”

Ember grits her teeth. “Yes, Brightwing. I think the destruction of this country, along with its inhabitants, would fit very nicely INTO THE ‘BAD THINGS’ CATEGORY!!!”

Brightwing flies over to sit on Auriel’s head. “Oh, scary! Brightwing no like! Thinks that you should not talk!”

Arc sighs. “Great. Well, if everyone is ready we should probably teleport to the Dragon Lands, post haste!”

Everyone nods. Arc opens a portal. They step through and find themselves in Ember’s small house. She heads quickly toward the front door.

“Okay, the first thing we need to do is…”

She looks around the disheveled room.

“What the heck?!”

Twilight’s eyes grow wide and the ransacked room before her. “Somepony’s been in here!”

Rose nods. “This place is a mess!”

Arc sighs. “Oh… um… I may have had something to do with this, Ember.”

“You?”

“Let’s just say I owe you some new furniture and leave it at that for the moment, okay?”

Ember narrows her eyes as she turns back toward the front door. “Fine! But we’re not done talking about this!”

“Agreed! Now let’s go everyone!”

Ember opens her front door. Arc and company step out onto the street. Dragons fly about quickly. Those who do not have wings are running in the direction of the Throne of the Dragon Lord. A familiar, yet armored, dragon runs toward them. Garble grins.

“Ember! You made it just in time!”

“Just in time for what?!”

“Didn’t you hear?! The Dragon Lord’s about to invade Equestria! We’re finally going to wipe all those ponies off that continent!”

Ember marches off quickly. “Not if I can help it!”

Garble follows the group down the street.

“You can’t stop this, Ember! The big guy’s mind is made up this time!”

Arc frowns. “Well, we have to try!”

Ember nods. “Agreed!”

“Brightwing will come with you!”

Garble looks at the whelpling in disgust. “Great… the freak is back!”

Rose steps between Brightwing and Garble. “Leave her alone you bully!”

Garble looks Rose up and down, clearly unimpressed.

“Do you really think anyone’s going to listen to YOU?!”

Arc pulls Rose aside and gets in Garble’s face. “Well, maybe they’ll listen to me instead.”

Garble shakes his head. “You just don’t know when to stay gone do you?”

He stops as Arc and company hurry on. Calling out after them…

“See you losers on the battlefield! I’ll save you some pony bacon, Ember! It’ll be just like old times!”

Rose looks to Ember as they hurry on. “What did he mean by that?”

Ember does not look over at Rose. “All of us have things in our past we’d like to forget about, okay?!”

The group arrives at the Throne of the Dragon Lord. Dragons, many of which are wearing armor, stand before their leader awaiting orders. Twilight shudders.

“This doesn’t get any easier…”

Rose looks up as she sees the Dragon Lord for the first time. “That’s… really, really big!”

Dragon Lord Torch smiles as he sees his daughter approach. “GOOD OF YOU TO JOIN US, EMBER! NOW THE INVASION CAN BEGIN!”

“No, father! You can’t do this!”

Torch frowns. Clearly not used to being told ‘no’. “WHAT?! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHO I AM, DAUGHTER?!”

“I have not, father! But YOU forget that I am a…”

She looks back at the others before continuing.

“…that I am I’m a friend of the Equestrians!”

All the assembled dragons laugh at Ember. She appears undeterred by their jeers.

“As the future Dragon Lord, I’ve come here to stop this madness before it gets out of claw!”

Arc approached Ember and stands by her side.

“She means WE have come!”

Dragon Lord Torch growls happily at his approach. “ARC! I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU HAVE COME AS WELL! I WAS JUST ABOUT TO TELL MY DRAGONS TO WATCH OUT FOR YOU DURING THE INVASION! AS A FRIEND OF THE DRAGON LORD, THE HYDRA AND THE FORSAKEN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISHONORABLE OF US TO PUNISH YOU FOR THE BETRAYAL OF THE PONIES!”

Ember shakes her head. “They didn’t betray us!”

“OH?! BITE SIZE HERE SAYS DIFFERENTLY!”

Brightwing flutters over to the Dragon Lord as Ember whispers to Arc.

“Told you we shouldn’t have gone to see Brightwing!”

“Brightwing do good, big dragon?!”

“YES! YOU UNCOVERED THIS PLOT AND WILL BE REWARDED!”

“Oh yes, yes… YES!”

“BRIGHTWING! YOU WILL HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING THE FIRST TO TASTE THE PRINCESS’ FLESH!

Brightwing shakes her head sadly. “Oh noes! Bigger pink pony princess was so nice to Brightwing! Brightwing no want hurt her, or her bigger dark moon friend!”

Ember nods. “You see, father! Even Brightwing can see that the ponies are not our enemy!”

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, BRIGHTWING?! I SENT YOU THERE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE PRINCESSES! AND NOW YOU WANT TO DEFEND THEM?!”

Brightwing nods happily. “Yes! They were kind to Brightwing! Treat well! Take care of! No hurt! Gave Brightwing home! Pony princesses nice ponies! No can hurt THEM!”

Arc whispers. “See Ember?! Brightwing’s on our side!”

Ember rolls her eyes and hisses back. “That’s great, Arc! We have a pathetic, half-minded baby dragon on our side!”

Arc grins at her. “See? Things are looking up.”

Twilight whispers to Rose. “Are you frightened?”

“Not at all, administrator.”

Twilight whispers back. “How?! I’m shaking!”

“Because Arc will handle this! I just know it!”

Brightwing flutters about happily. “Friends came here to see big dragon and talk peace! We should listen to them!”

A voice rings out behind Arc and his friends.

“I AGREE!”

Arc and company turn to see Hydra Prime Ikis trundling toward them with the Marquis. The hydra leader looks at the rows of dragons ready for battle.

“I THOUGHT I SENSED TENSION IN THE AIR!”

“IT WOULD APPEAR YOU WERE CORRECT, IKIS!”

Ikis looks to the Dragon Lord. “IS THERE SOME NEW THREAT TO THIS LAND OF OURS?!”

Dragon Lord Torch nods. “A VERY OLD ONE, YES! THE PONIES FROM ACROSS THE SEA HAVE VIOLATED OUR MOST ANCIENT OF PACTS!”

The Marquis looks confused. “HAVE THEY NOW? FORGIVE OUR IGNORANCE IN THIS MATTER, BUT WHICH ONE IS THAT?!”

“AS PART OF AN… AGREEMENT I MADE WITH PRICESS CELESTIA OF EQUESTRIA, I SWORE WOULD NOT LEAD ANOTHER INVASION OF THEIR LANDS IF, IN RETURN, THEY WOULD FOLLOW THE TERMS OF OUR AGREEMENT!”

“AND THEY DID SO?”

“THEY HAVE NOT!”

Arc steps forward. “It’s true. One of our citizens has been growing a certain plant that had been, up until now, indigenous to the Dragon Lands.”

The Dragon Lord growls. “THAT PLANT HAS BEEN A THORN IN OUR SIDE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER!”

Ikis appears confused. “WHY NOT ERRADICATE IT THEN?! END THE PROBLEM FOREVER!”

“I’VE CONSIDERED THAT COURSE OF ACTION MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS, MY FRIEND! HOWEVER, SEVERAL SPECIES THAT WE SHARE THIS LAND WITH EAT THAT FRUIT EXCLUSIVELY! SHOULD THE FRUIT BE DESTROYED, THEIR LIVES WILL BE FORFEIT AS WELL!”

Ember nods. “It would also disrupt our own food supply, as we eat those creatures ourselves.”

A familiar voice rings out behind them.

“As do we.”

Arc and company turn again to see Matriarch Iris, Sereb’s brother Kane and what appears to be their entire tribe approaching the Throne of the Dragon Lord. She bows respectfully.

“It has been a long time, Dragon Lord.”

“THAT IT HAS, MATRIARCH!”

Ikis turns to Iris and nods. “GREETINGS MATRIARCH! IT HAS BEEN QUITE A FEW YEARS SINCE OUR CONTINENT’S TRIBUNAL HAS CONVENED!”

“TELL ME, WHAT BRINGS YOU BEFORE ME TODAY?!”

“The scent of battle on the wind.”

Kane bares his fangs. “We would like the honor of joining you in your crusade, Dragon Lord! It has been far too long since we tasted battle!”

He looks over at his brother.

“Brother! Join us!”

Sereb shakes his head. “I cannot, for I am bound to Arc. This is not his will.”

Iris nods. “Your brother has his path to walk, Kane. And we have our own.”

She looks to Ikis.

“Have you come to join the cause, Hydra Prime?”

Ikis shakes his head. “WE HAVE NOT! WE ARE A PEACE-LOVING RACE THESE DAYS, AS WE HAVE BEEN FOR CENTURIES!”

The Dragon Lord smiles at him. “YOU COULD FINALLY HAVE YOUR VENGENCE ON EQUESTRIA FOR THE YEARS YOU AND YOUR KIND SPENT IN CAPTIVITY!”

The Marquis shakes his head. “WE DO NOT SEEK REVENGE ON THE INNOCENT CHILDREN OF EQUESTRIA FOR THE SINS OF THEIR ANCESTORS!”

“REALLY?! WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT GRAND WARRIOR WHOM FELLED SCORES OF PONY WARRIORS IN DEFENSE OF HIS BRETHREN?!”

“HE LEARNED THAT THERE IS NO VICTORY IN NEEDLESS BLOODSHED! ONLY BY DIALOGUE AND PEACEFUL COEXISTANCE CAN WE HOPE TO MOVE FORWARD! TO MOVE BEYOND THE PAST!”

Hydra Prime Ikis putts a tendril on his friend’s ‘shoulder’. “WELL SAID, OLD FRIEND!”

He turns to face the Dragon Lord again.

“DRAGON LORD TORCH, AS THE LEADER OF THE HYDRA I WOULD URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER THIS COURSE OF ACTION! THERE IS LITTLE TO GAIN FROM IT!”

“INDEED! AND MUCH TO LOSE!”

Matriarch Iris shakes her head. “You still have the aid of the Forsaken, Dragon Lord. Use me and my warriors as you see fit.”

Twilight turns to Ember. “What’s going on here?! I thought the hydra and Forsaken were separate nations.”

“They are. But the Dragon Lord rules this land. His word is law for every creature that calls it home.”

“I WILL NOT FORCE YOU INTO BATTLE AGAINST YOUR WILL, OLD FRIEND! WE WILL SWEEP OVER EQUESTRIA LIKE A TIDAL WAVE WITH THE FORSAKEN BY OUR SIDE!”

Kane grins. “We stand ready!”

Sereb growls. “Brother, abandon this course of action! It will only lead to ruin!”

“You forget your place, Sereb! It is I who am our tribe’s Warchief!”

Rose looks confused. “Warchief?”

Sereb turns to face the others. “Our tribe’s strongest warrior. They lead us into battle and make decisions for the future of the tribe.”

“So they’re kinda like the leader?”

Sereb nods. “The Matriarch is the true leader. However in terms of war, the Warchief has the final say.”

Arc frowns. “This isn’t going as I’d hoped.”

Rose looks nervous. “At this rate, Equestria is doomed!”

Sereb turns to Arc. “I have an idea. It’s risky, but I’m afraid it’s the only option we have available to us at the moment.”

“Do it.”