//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 - Secrets 
// Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds 
// by Kamahido 
//------------------------------//

As the sun peeks over the horizon Arc and Ember return to her house. Ember sighs as she closes the door behind them. 

“Thanks for coming with me, Arc. Sorry for asking you to stay outside though.”

“It’s fine. I understand your reasoning behind it.”

Ember wrinkles her nose.

“What is that SMELL?!”

Arc sighs. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes!”

“Fine.”

Arc leads her into the Bathroom and points to the corner. A pile of bedsheets lie there.

“After we bathed together I went back to your room and changed your sheets. You… didn’t seem too keen on walking to the Bathroom.”

Ember blushes furiously. “I… I what?! But that would mean…!”

“Yeah. That was the other reason we both took a shower together. I needed to get cleaned up too.”

“Arc, I am SO sorry about that! Dragon… um… pee doesn’t usually smell like that!”

“It’s probably because you haven’t been staying hydrated.”

Ember turns to the sink. “I’ll take another drink of water right now!”

“That’s probably for the best. And while it goes without saying, I’ll just keep this between us.”

Ember breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank you. And… sorry I was facing you at the time.”

Arc nods and walks over to the sheets. “Well, let’s just get them cleaned up, shall we?”

“Yes. Then we can air out the house.”

Together Arc and Ember wash the sheets in the bathtub. Arc chuckles as they rinse the sheets by hand. 

“Really missing my washing machine right now.”

“You said it!”

They hang the sheets up to dry in the Living Room and sit down on the couch together.

“So do you always do laundry in the bathtub?”

Ember shrugs. “Where else? I mean, it’s not like we wear clothes.”

“Good point.”

The pair are silent for a time as they stare into the fire.

“Look Arc, I… I just want to apologize for my behavior the other day. Asking you to help me kill myself and all.”

Arc nods. “You weren’t yourself. Although I would like you to go see Emerald Dream when we return to Ponyville.”

“What?! Why?!”

“You know why.”

Ember sighs. “Yeah… I guess.”

“She’ll keep what you tell her a secret.”

There is a knock at the door. Arc stands up.

“I’ll get it.”

He opens the door to find Garble standing there. Arc frowns.

“Great. What is it, Garble?”

“The Dragon Lord sent me to tell Ember that he wants to see you two.”

Ember walks over. “Where is he now?”

Garble rolls his eyes. “On his throne! Where else would he be?!”

Arc turns to Ember.

“I guess you going to see him earlier really helped.”

Garble frowns. “What’s this all about?! The big guy hasn’t been himself since you gave him that whatchamacallit!”

Ember glares at him.

“That’s between my father and I!”

Garble points a claw at Arc. “What about ‘it’?!”

Ember steps forward angrily. “You REALLY want to get involved?”

Arc chuckles. “The Dragon Lord will not be pleased.”

“Whatever! Keep your secrets! I’m outta here!”

Garble turns and flies away. Arc closes the door and turns to Ember.

“For once he left without getting a whooping.”

Ember sighs. “I guess even Garble can learn.”

“What do you suppose your father wants?”

“I’m not really sure. But we should probably go see him right away.”

Ember returns to her room and emerges a moment later with her Spear of Courage and the Bloodstone Scepter.

“My dad probably wants this back. He’s not one to let it out of his care.”

Arc nods. “Understandable.”

Ember walks over to Arc and hands him the scepter.

“You should be the one to give this to him.”

Arc looks at her confused as he takes the Bloodstone Scepter. “Okay. But why?”

“It’s a great honor to hold this, as it’s the source of the Dragon Lord’s authority. I’m hoping it will show my father just how much I trust you.”

“Couldn’t I… I don’t know… control dragons with this? “

Ember nods as they walk to the door. “You could. But I know you wouldn’t.”

“Yeah, that’s not really my thing.”

The pair make their way to the Throne of the Dragon Lord. Every dragon they pass stops, steps to the side and looks nervous. 

“Uh… what’s going on?”

Ember rolls her eyes. “For starters, you’re holding the Dragon Lord’s symbol of power. They just don’t know what to think.”

Arc sighs. “Let’s just get this over with.”

They approach the Throne of the Dragon Lord, Torch appears very tired.

“EMBER! HOW ARE YOU…?!”

His eyes narrow as he spots Arc carrying the Bloodstone Scepter.

“WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WITH THAT?!”

Arc steps forward and holds out the staff. “Return it.”

The Dragon Lord reaches down and plucks the scepter from Arc’s willing hands. He looks it over a few moments before looking back to Arc.

“I MUST ASK! WHY?!”

“Why what?”

“WHY DID YOU NOT USE THE SCEPTER TO ENSLAVE MY SUBJECTS AND CONQUER THIS LAND?!”

“I have no interest in acquiring land, power or slaves, sir.”

Ember nods. “Right! Arc only wanted to do the right thing by you… and me.”

The Dragon Lord nods as he looks them over. “YES! IT WOULD APPEAR YOU TOOK GOOD CARE OF EMBER THESE LAST FEW DAYS!”

“She’s my friend.”

“I SEE! IN ANY CASE… THERE IS STILL THE MATTER OF THE PACT!”

Ember frowns. “Didn’t Arc make amends for that?!”

“HE HAS! EQUESTRIA WILL BE SPARED!”

“Thank you, sir.”

The Dragon Lord appears to be thinking as he looks over the scepter.

“ARC! BY DOING WHAT I ORDERED OF YOU, AS WELL AS CARING FOR EMBER, YOU HAVE SHOWN GREAT CHARACTER! I HEREBY DECLARE YOU AN HONORARY DRAGON! MAY YOUR ACTIONS BRING GLORY TO YOUR NATION ACROSS THE SEA!”

Arc nods respectfully. “I’m honored sir. And I promise to see to it personally that the Dragon Berry bushes are destroyed as soon as I return home.”

“THAT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY!”

Ember looks confused. “Father?”

“AS AN HONORARY DRAGON, I HEREBY GRANT YOU PERMISSION TO POSSESS, GROW, CONSUME AND PRODUCE WHAT YOU WILL WITH THE DRAGON BERRIES! YOU MAY ALLOW THE PURPLE UNICORN AND HER FRIEND TO KEEP THEIR PLANTS! HOWEVER, KNOW THAT YOU ARE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!”

“Understood. I promise to only use the plants for good.”

“I AM CERTAIN YOU WILL ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOU LABOR! I ONLY ASK THAT YOU NOT ALLOW THE SEEDS TO FALL INTO THE WRONG CLAWS!”

“I won’t let you down.”

“RETURN TO YOUR LAND AND INFORM THE PRINCESSES OF MY DECISION! AND SEE TO IT THEY ARE AWARE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED HERE!”

“Yes sir.”

Torch turns to his daughter. “GO NOW, EMBER! CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY AS YOU SEE FIT!”

“I will, father.”

The pair turn and leave the Throne of the Dragon Lord together. They head back toward Ember’s house.

“That went well.”

Ember nods. “Better than I thought it would! I still can’t believe he entrusted Dragon Fruit to Equestria after what happened in the past! My dad really does think highly of you!”

“I’ll do my best not to betray that trust.”

“I know you will. In any case, I’m sure Twilight and Auriel will be happy to know that they can continue with their plan. Strange as it may be.”

Arc nods as they walk inside Ember’s house. “Yes. Let’s head back to Ponyville and tell them.”

Ember shuts the door behind them. “I’m sure the princesses are equally concerned how we fared as well.”

“I’m sure Twilight’s notified Princess Cadance by now.”

“True. But they’ll want to hear it from you, Arc.”

“Let’s not keep them waiting any longer then.”

Arc powers up the sigil and teleports the pair to Light’s Hope.

Arc turns to Ember as they step off the sigil. “I’m going to notify the princesses of what happened. Do you think you could let Twilight and Auriel know they can keep their plants?”

“Sure. That is, if they haven’t already burned them.”

Arc shrugs. “Well if they have I’ll get them some more seeds.”

Ember and Arc part ways. He heads to the War Room and sits down in front of the holographic projector. Pushing a few buttons Arc hails the Audience Chamber. A few moments later they are connected. Luna appears nervous.

“Arc! Please tell me you were successful!”

“I was. The Dragon Lord is satisfied, and we’re again at peace.”

Cadance breathes a sigh of relief. “Good! So he accepted the Dragon’s Tear then?”

“That’s… complicated.”

Arc explains the happenings of the past couple days to the princesses. Cadance looks to him wide-eyed.

“Goodness! We had no idea such a thing was possible!”

Arc sighs. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t been there.”

Luna nods. “How is Ember taking this?”

“She was really depressed earlier. But I think she’ll be okay after a few sessions with Emerald Dream.”

“I’m sure Aunt Celestia would be happy knowing Ember had some kind of closure.”

“Indeed. She certainly cared for her well-being back then.”

Arc thinks for a moment. “How do you suppose she was able to get over giving Ember back to her father?”

Cadance shrugs. “I would assume she knew it was for the best. After all, it wouldn’t be very regal or fair of her to try and stay involved in Ember’s life after that.”

“Agreed. In any case, is the Dragon’s Tear safely with the rest of Torch’s horde?”

Arc shakes his head. “No. What was left of it stayed behind in the mountain cavern as far as I know.”

“Will it be safe there?!”

“I believe so. After all, it didn’t look like anyone had been there is a great many years.”

Luna appears relieved. “That’s good to hear. Was there anything else you wanted to tell us, Arc?”

“I don’t think so. Everything okay on your end?”

Cadance nods. “Yes. In fact, we’re very close to the final ratification of the treaty between the Griffon Kingdom and Equestria!”

“Good! Anything I can do to help?”

Luna shakes her head. “Not at the moment, no. There are only some minor details to iron out. But we can handle them.”

“I’m looking forward to attending that ceremony in Griffonstone. Tell me, will both of you be there?”

“Captain Shining Armor advised us against it. After all, it would be unwise for both Luna and I to be away at the same time.”

Luna sighs. “I must agree. You and I will attend while Cadance stays in Canterlot.”

“Sounds good.”

“We’ll let you know more when we have a date and time.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you get back to work then.”

Luna nods. “Take care, Arc.”

“You too.”

The connection is severed as Arc sits in his chair thinking for some time. Eventually Ember enters the room.

“Twilight and Auriel were thrilled!”

Arc turns to her. “I’ll bet! Did they still have their plants, or do we have to head back to the Dragon Lands?”

“They were too afraid to do anything until they heard from you. In case my father wanted the bushes back intact.”

Arc uses his magic to close the doors to the War Room before continuing. “Good. Um… how are you doing?”

“I… I don’t know.”

Arc nods understandingly. “It’s going to hurt for a while. I’ve been there.”

Ember walks over to Arc as he stands up. “What should I do?”

“Why don’t I walk you over to Emerald Dream’s office? See if she can get you started on the road to recovery.”

Ember takes Arc’s hand as they walk toward the door. “Please don’t tell anyone, but I’m a little… scared of talking to someone else about this.”

“That’s normal. But this is her profession. Helping others through their pain by talking. She really helped my come to terms with Cherry’s death.”

Cherry giggles. “And you needed it!”

Ember sighs as they walk down the corridor together. “I’m happy you and Cherry are together, Arc. But I admit it does make me a bit jealous.”

Cherry sighs. “I… I’m sorry, Ember.”

“Don’t be.”

Sometime later Arc and Ember return from the Therapist together.

“That was… actually really helpful!”

Arc nods. “Emerald Dream is pretty good at her job.”

The pair enter the base together. Raven waves Arc over. She holds up a sealed scroll with a royal seal on it. 

“Sir, this arrived for you a little while ago by special courier.”

Arc walks over and takes the scroll. “Thanks.”

Raven looks to him nervously. “The messenger also wanted you to know that it’s for your eyes only.”

Ember frowns. “What does that mean?”

“It means whatever in here is top secret.”

“Great! Let’s see it!”

Arc rolls his eyes. “What part of ‘my eyes only’ did you not understand?”

“Come on! It’s me!”

“Sorry, Ember. But if the princesses want me to keep a secret, I should do so.”

Ember shrugs. “Fine. Can’t blame me for trying though, right?”

“Yes, well… I should probably take this to my quarters.”

“I guess I’ll take Emerald Dream’s advice and get some work done then. The Writ Board probably needs taking care of by now.”

Arc nods as she heads for the door. “See you later, Ember.”

He heads for his quarters. Closing the door behind him Arc sits down on the couch as he breaks the seal and unrolls the scroll.

“What…the…?”

The scroll merely says… 




Arc,


Come to my quarters at midnight. Be careful to not be seen! Do not knock. Blink inside.


-Luna