Two weeks have passed since the Halidom was fully rebuilt by Midgardsomr and the Smithwyrms. The mines were re-opened, the smithy's furnace was burning, the elemental altars repaired to its glory, and not only was the lance dojo rebuilt, but so were the other seven weapon dojos. Then many other unique facilities were open for exploration.

But life still carried on for Cleo, the remaining original inhabitant of the Halidom. She tended the garden of food and flowers, cleaned the castle, assigned deliveries, and many other things that contribute to life in Equestria. But not one day passed without joy thanks to the Halidom that she had cared for. It was back into its fully built glory. It raised her spirits, as well as the others who currently live here or visit.

And yet the Halidom's existence was kept in the mist, like the magic that rests within Canterlot High School. The two forces began mingling with each other ever since those two weeks, and slowly did their influences of each other grew.

A young teenage girl pulled a wagon full of baskets packed with vegetables up to the back door of the CHS cafeteria.

"Ms Smith?" The merchant cheerfully called while knocking on the door, "It's me! Francesca!"

"Ahh... comin'!" Granny Smith, CHS' teacher and lunch lady, opened the door. "It's mighty swell to see you again! How's you and Cleo?"

"We're all good!" Francesca gave a teeth-bearing smile, "One large basket of carrots and tomatoes!"

"Ah've seen many different trucks come n' go carrying tremendous quantity." Granny Smith remarked as she took the basket, "But you and Cleo have to be the most memorable. Living so close to Canterlot, and packed with the highest quality like the finest of steers. Though... that shiny red wagon o' yours looks familiar..."

"It was given as a gift to help with the deliveries!" Francesca explained, "In fact, the one who gave it to me is a student in this school. Big McIntosh?"

"Well, Ah'll be darned! No wonder why that wagon's familiar! It's mah Grandson's ol' toy! It explains why he was shinin' and oilin' that ol' thing. That's very sweet of 'im!"

"An' soon to be graduating!" Granny added, then gave a coy smile, "Glad to know that there's some potential soulmates for him!"

"No no no!!!" Francesca protested, "I mean he did help me out whenever he saw me, but only for a few times! He's a kind bloke, but I don't think he's interested in me!"

"Yeah, as if I'd ever want to fall in love. Let alone with a human!!!" Adagio growled to herself,

"Though somethin' baffles me. He ain't told me one bit about him knowin' you. How did ya meet?"

"Well, everyone," A teacher addressed the class, "Before we start the lesson, I want to say a few things. It's been an honour, teaching you all the way from your freshman years to now. And as much as a farewell eventually happen, I cannot stress about the bigger world you will enter. College, the workforce, maybe a future family!"

"Huh..." Big McIntosh opened his eyes. Did he ever talk about his future with his family? His thoughts ponder to his Grandmother. "I wonder if I should talk about it with her? Then again..." He looked at his wrist, where a red pactstone and its fragments were magically wrapped around it like a bracelet.

"Ah don't think Ah told Granny about 'Dagio, Ms Cleo, the Halidom, and the Dragons... do Ah... should Ah?"

In one of the school hallways, Rarity strutted down its invisible catwalk. Every student and teacher she passed had their eyes on her and their minds turned into a frenzy. Though she was wearing the same designed top and mini skirt. A few modifications made it stand out. First, the sleeveless top's light-blue colour had changed into velvet red, the diamonds changed into small flames, and engraved on the neck part was a shining red object instead of the round gem.

Her skirt remained purple, but it had a red object similar to the one on the top embroidered near the edge. As for her two shoes, each of the shoe's blue crystal has been replaced with the very same red object.

"Why thank you!" Rarity stopped smiled back, "I decided to do some modifications on my current clothes, such as changing designs and the possibility to fit in accessories, but I think it turned out pretty well!"

"I'm glad you do but I think you'll get a lot of people scared. Whenever you move, you're on fire. Literally."

Rarity raised an eyebrow and twirled around. As usual, the skirt and top would follow with the momentum as it does. However, the moment the clothes and shoes were in motion, they began releasing flames.

"... My point exactly. Those 'red accessories' are Ms-- I mean the scales of a Dragon, are they?"

"Doesn't fit your hair, but it does look nice on its own!" Rainbow replied, "But it better not change into the feathers of a Mockingjay... does it?"

Flash took his morning classes with an ounce of silence and hard work. Through Maths and History, the teenager quickly wrote down sums and long paragraph answers respectively. When it came to the beginning of his English classwork, he had his eyes glued to the literary text and its questions. His face was confused and desperate, how was he going to solve this? He scratched his head as he rummaged in his pencil case and pulled out a pen. Leaving it open, a blue marble was nestled within his stationary.

A full minute later, the teenager swiftly jotted down his answer in quick but neat writing. The English teacher watching over the class took notice.

"All right class. Please note on your exercise books where you put your answers. I will come around and collect them," The teacher announced. "And today you won't have any homework given how hard you've worked,"

The class cheered through whispers as the teacher moved forward one at a time to collect her student's books.

"By the way Flash," The teacher paused at his desk, "I noticed you were confident in your writing today. That rarely happens, given that you take quite a lot of time to come up with only one line for an answer."

"If you want my opinion, at least having a go on writing down any answer is progress enough. At least it will tell me what you're struggling with."

"She has a point you know," The voice whispered again, "Just put as much as you understand of the story according to the question!"

"Says the free-spirited traveller crazy about fate and love. Have you ever been to a school, Philia?" Flash whispered back,

"You're welcome, Flash. Anyway, a lot of tales and stories bring forth lots of feelings and messages from the authors. Whether it's about love, about the heroics of an individual, or even ones to convey how depressing reality can be, like Norwin's books for example." Responded Philia.

"She's chaperoning a Geography Field Trip for the Freshmen. Coincidentally, it's a bushwalk in the Mayleaf Trail."

"Over here! Over here Applebloom!!!" Sweetie Belle called. Catching that signal, Applebloom tossed the circular disc at her friend's direction and watched it spin through the air. Unlike the last time they played, the frisbee was far too high for her to get.

"Jeez Applebloom!" Sweetie moaned as the frisbee sailed away behind her, "I told you not to throw it that high!"

"Mah bad! Ah'm just tired after the bushwalk!" Applebloom apologised, "Surprised you haven't been tired. Actually, Ah shouldn't be. All that travellin' in that part of the forest got you fit!"

"Yeah yeah, excuses excuses." Sweetie moaned, "I'm just going to go get it." And jogged off,

"Wow, Applebloom really packs a swing," Sweetie spoke to herself after spotting the frisbee next to the pond, "Any higher or stronger and it would end up in the drink!"

She hurried down and picked it up with gentle hands, completely unaware of the figure floating on the middle of the pond.

"Good Morning Sweetie Belle. Out playing with your friends today?" The figure greeted in a calm ladylike voice.

"Good morning Ms Mercury! It's a school field trip today, but we've finished and now having lunch in the park!" Sweetie looked at the figure and smiled before quickly running back to the picnic area. Once she took a few steps, she froze.

"Indeed I am," The Waterwyrm nodded, swimming closer to the edge, "Though I am nowhere near old or certified to be called such a title."

"The misty steps in the forest isn't the only gateway between the two eras. The one I used merely involves travelling on the water. As a matter of fact, the water source from this pond came from my world. The humans built this pond as a means to prevent the water from flowing into the urban area."

"This is quite a large pond," Mercury remarked, "And given that it unwisely matches the colour, it's hard to make out the blue buoys. The rules that the humans made about fishing and boating here is not to go past them. Beyond that lies the river run-off. The current is far too powerful for anyone to paddle upstream, nor is there any opportunity to walk or take a break."

"Guilty as charged," Mercury nodded, "I am a part of nature's waters, as they are a part of me. However, I do have a small offer that might interest you. Would you like me to take you up the river? Show you another way to enter Grastaea?"

"Oh, now that would be really interesting! Although... I'm not sure I can take up that offer..."

"Ah. How rude of me. You have your field trip. Then how about after your important duties?"

"About that..." Mercury stopped, "Please forgive my selfishness, but this small trip up the river is for you and you only."

"A small face-to-face chat is something that I prefer instead of a full group. Besides, even if I am one to travel the seas without breaking a sweat, I'm afraid I can't carry all of you either."

"Honestly, I'm down for being just the two of us but... there's this cultural warning around here today. It's called 'Stranger Danger'. I'm sure you're a dragon that won't take advantage of others, but many people might not agree."

"Ms M!" Sweetie turned around to see her crimson-haired teacher standing proud with her hands on her hips.

"Something felt awry in the park." Ms M adjusted her glasses, "A familiar presence of water mana, followed by Sweetie taking her time to bring back a simple frisbee? Good thing I volunteered to go find her instead of the others!"

"Good Morning to you too, Brunhilda." Mercury nodded, "To be frank, I'm pleasantly surprised that a fiery dragon such as you could pull off the vocation of a teacher for humans. It is also a coincidence that you'd be the one leading this field trip."

"I volunteered to take part because the trip involves the park, but all the organisation was from the Geography department." Ms M clarified,

"In that case, I'd be more than happy to take both of you. Is that okay?" Mercury negotiated,

"I'm fine. It also gives Sweetie an alibi and reason for not going home after school." Ms M agreed,

"It better not be detention. I haven't done anything wrong!!!" Sweetie protested,

"Detention would make things suspicious. Let's just say you needed to run a few errands." Ms M laughed,

"A perfect time. I can give both of you a ride on my back. Just make sure you are in the form as you are Brunhilda." Mercury informed,

"You are born with such a... weird mind." Ms M frowned, "Speaking of which, don't say that back in school."

After school, Sweetie and Ms M, dressed in her Mym identity and looks, went back to Mercury. Unlike before, Mercury was on land rather than in the pond.

"I am very observant. Thank you, Brunhilda," Mercury frowned, a little insulted.

"I had to tell Rarity that we were going somewhere secret, and she allowed me on the condition I tell her everything that transpired on our private trip. She also offered to take my schoolbag home." Sweetie replied,

"Well then, hop on!" Mercury offered. Without a word, the student and the teacher hopped on the Waterwyrm, and she moved into the water with ease.

"Uh... is it okay if you can minimise the splashes? Rarity would get mad if I got my clothes wet." Sweetie asked,

Mercury swam from the accessible pier of the pond, past the floating blue buoys, and arrived at the mouth of a fast descending river five minutes later.

"This is how I was able to enter Equestria as a Dragon," Mercury explained, "It's geographically hidden behind some hills about a kilometre from the pond."

"Wow, the tall hills makes the river look like a gateway! And given the width of the river... it actually looks like a water ride..."

"Ah, but we're going in reverse! I hope it is fun for you!" Mercury smiled, "And now for my next trick..."

She took a deep breath and growled at the rivers. Immediately, the river deaccelerated from its gravity-induced current and stopped when it became the pace of an escalator.

Continuing upstream, the three arrived at an extremely large lake. To the east of them lay a giant ghost city floating upon the waters.

"Ooh!" Sweetie pointed to the architecture, "I've never seen this monument before in the history books!"

"This is Saint Lotier, also known as the Aquapolis." Mercury introduced, "This large floating metropolis had been under my protection ever since its founding."

"Ah, Aqua plus Metropolis. That explains the name!" Sweetie realised, then paused, "Wait... did you just say you protected this place? But didn't the Halidom say not all of Grastaea remained?"

"Even a long-living sylvan like Cleo has her reasonable limits," Mercury explained she swam into the city waterways, "Saint Lotier is further from the Halidom than any of the current landmarks, and the dry road between them is obstructed. The only way to access this place is by air or sea."

"The Aquapolis existed way before Alberia and New Alberia. When it was first built, I did not like it one bit. You see, back then humans never wanted to venture close to the sea, do you know why?"

"We could drown," Sweetie shrugged, "But since you're asking me, I bet there are dragons in the sea like you!"

"Yes. Like me, many other kinds of dragons ruled the sea. I know many of them by name. Vodyanoy, Leviathan and Poseidon are some examples."

"Continuing on the story, I went up against the people of Saint Lotier, not because they decided to build their homes around my domain; I understand why. It was because the city began polluting the waters at a rampant rate. I was set on chasing them away because of their actions, with force if I begrudgingly had to. Likewise, some of the people were set on destroying me completely for the sake of their city. That's when a prince of the land stepped in between us, adamant for peace despite all the blood that has been currently shed. He brought up the differences that divide and prevent us from coming to an understanding, and yet he would be willing to give up anything for the sake of peace between us."

"So what did he do?" Sweetie asked, "Sacrifice his life for the sake of you and his people?"

"In a way, yes. I attacked the people of the land as a response to them polluting the sea and its life. It was my love-bound duty, being this sea's guardian. To the prince, he was the guardian of the land and its people. He proposed that we exchange roles to show that we can truly understand each other."

"He chose to go under!? There must be something that he did give up then!" Sweetie gasped,

"That's why I agreed with you when you said that he sacrificed his life. To be truly correct, he traded his life upon the land to live in the sea. To demonstrate his ambition for peace, he drank a potion that had permanently transformed him into a giant fish. His people and I bore witness to his act, and it was with his 'new' form of eyes, did I now believe that Dragons and all the people of the land can come to a mutual understanding. So I fulfilled the oath we made: I turned my fins into legs and told the people what I believe. I vowed then that as long as I stay on this land, I would amend my ways and atone for my mistakes so we can walk together on a path of mutual understanding... or in your terms, a path of friendship."

"Aww, that's a touching and wonderful story!" Sweetie clapped, "But uh... I hope the people didn't take advantage of you and continued doing bad stuff! That's not being friends!"

"I'm humbled that you care about my wellbeing, young Sweetie." Mercury nodded, "I assure you, they did not. I also learned first-hand that what happens on land can affect the sea too, so I aid any human that share the ideal of protecting the two worlds. Like King Alberius and Prince Euden."

"Pardon me if I can stop you right there," Mercury spoke up, "Perhaps before Brunhilda, I mean Mym, could tell her story... can you tell me yours?"

"Me?" Sweetie Belle pointed to herself, "Now I'm a little humbled here... there's honestly nothing interesting to talk about me if it's related to dragons. The only dragons I've met are you two, Midgardsomr, and Hinata,"

"Are you sure?" Mercury raised an eyebrow, "Ever since you came to my den at Myriage, you have been nothing but a spring of immense curiosity and eccentricity. All five of you have been, though mostly you."

"Oh really? Well, given that you haven't been with humans for a lot of years now, you can say we have changed a lot!"

"Well, yes. But I'm also curious about what happened two weeks ago, the day when the one named Adagio assumed a Dragon-like form, and the fact that your sister is capable of using magic that we've never seen before, and yet Dragons and any Grastaean-era people can replicate it."

"Ohhhh..." Sweetie looked at the Waterwyrm dead in the eye, "You want to know about that?"

"Everything, especially the history behind it." Mercury's eyes shone a little, though she still maintained her formal speech.

"Well, you're just in luck!" Sweetie beamed, "Thanks to what happened, Rarity was clean on coming out with all the stories about the magic that I wasn't aware of. How Rarity and her friends got those magical powers and geodes, the origin of Adagio, and basically how all this magic started!!!"

Sweetie first wanted to find a spot to stand and stretch her legs before she would tell the story. So Mercury dropped her two passengers onto the smooth stone pathways and gave Sweetie some time to walk around and take in the sights. The young girl couldn't believe her eyes. The Aquapolis had remains of small homes to large buildings with pointed spires and round roofs, ruined gates and towers which lead further into the heart of Saint Lotier, and the large castle standing in its middle.

"If you're wondering whether there is some form of royalty, it is not ruled by a King, but a Lord. Last I remember before this beautiful city fell to ruins like many others, the lord that ruled this place was the father of one of Prince Euden's closest companions. You could say that it was through a repaired family relationship that Saint Lotier has an alliance with New Alberia." Mercury informed,

"Cool!" Sweetie stopped on top of a bridge, "Now that reminds me! I said I'd tell you the stories of my life! First off... a bit more about myself. I'm sure Ms M knows already, but I have two bestest of friends! The three of us call ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

"Coincidentally, Sweetie's two 'bestest' friends are related to the other Equestrians that come here. Applebloom is Big Mac's youngest sister, while Scootaloo is family friends with Flash." Mym added,

"I see. A very small world. But may I ask, what is a 'Cutie Mark'?" Mercury inquired,

"Equestrian Culture. Everyone has a picture or symbol that they display on their clothes or possessions. They represent the wearer's personality." Sweetie explained, "I wish I could give some examples, but you probably need to see their actual attire so you could understand."

"Or I can just show you mine as an example!" Mym interjected, rummaging through her pockets.

"You know, I'm surprised by how you were able to attain some sort of citizenship and a job in Equestria without exposing your true identity. Then again, I could ask the same for Sunset and Adagio..."

"Darling," Mym smirked as she pulled out an Equestrian ID card, "When you're a dragon that lives a long life, you're able to mingle long enough in human society that you can legally become an Equestrian citizen without cutting any corners. Granted, I needed to have a legitimate address of residence, so I traded in some rupies for money to buy the cheapest apartment, attend college and university, and get a teaching career. Admittedly I feel bad for humanity the longer I spend time with them. Though many interesting technological advancements try their best not to destroy nature, certain actions that this country had done back then affected future citizens and generations in the worst way possible that aren't wars. Everything is getting dreadfully expensive!"

"I can certainly see why you chose to be a history teacher. You literally were a part of it!"

"And that is the best way to learn my dear," Mym winked, "My cutie mark is located on the right-hand side of the card."

Mercury and Sweetie peered at the hornless and neutral expression of their respective dragon and teacher, then moved their eyes to look at a large crimson-coloured heart covered in reptile-like scales and hot blue flames.

"It isn't complicated that my Cutie Mark would include fire, but it also represents my love for the prince, fuel that burns brighter than my initially recognised power. Even though he has passed away, my love for him is eternal. He supports and cares for human and dragon alike, as long as they are of goodwill. It's why I chose to assume human form and began to be a teacher for the many other generations of humans ahead like he would want."

"Then it brings up the question." Mercury pondered, "Why must you use another example of a Cutie Mark instead of your own?"

"She doesn't have one, and neither do her two friends." Mym spoke, "That's why they call each other the Cutie Mark Crusaders. To find something of their own that can be acknowledged by all."

"Haha," Mercury chuckled, "It seems like the humour that humanity exerts still remains the same."

"Anyway," Sweetie sighed and sat on the bridge's edge, "Let us start when my sis first came across the magic of friendship, where Sunset was the bit-- I mean the biggest dictating jerk in all of CHS."

"When my big sis Rarity first entered CHS, she met four others at the Freshman Fair. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. They became very close friends. Then somewhere along the lines, Sunset appeared out of nowhere and began controlling the entire school's student cohort, separating them into cliques and like-minded social groups via underhanded or threatening means. At the same time, she was also responsible for sending false messages to Rarity and her friends, destroying their relationships."

"By Elysium..." Mym fumed, visualising the story in her mind, "That's what she was like? The nerve!!! Surely Celestia and Luna would interject!"

"The Principal and Vice-Principal did absolutely nothing. Probably didn't want to get roped into student business. But that's in the past. Around the time, there was the Fall Formal dance, a competition where students vote who best girl in our school is. Around that time, another girl came in out of nowhere, Twilight Sparkle. She was one who stood toe-to-toe against her, mended my sister's friendships, rallied the students to vote for her instead of Sunset, beat Sunset's attempt to frame her and kick her out of the comp, and overall won! Though apparently, there was a time that Sunset was able to acquire this demonic form and brainwash everyone including me, Flash and Mac. But Rarity and her friends beat her down using the magic of friendship like us weeks ago, and thus we branded her to be the worst person to be close to after that. Oh, and apparently, both Sunset and Twilight Sparkle aren't from this world, but the pony world."

"But, isn't Twilight in our school already?" Mym asked, "She doesn't seem like one who'd go for the princess role."

"The next incident was where we first encountered Adagio. Adagio and her Dazzlings made their appearance in the CHS musical showcase, though I learned just recently that they're sisters. I was still upset and distrusting of Sunset, but this incident definitely redeemed her in the eyes of me and everyone else at school."

"Given that Adagio found refuge here, I'm certain she must have done something as horrible as Sunset used to." Mercury guessed, who was also visualising the stories like Mym.

"Similar to what Sunset did. They want to control Equestria, but with a different method." Sweetie recalled, "She, Aria, and Sonata turned the entire showcase into a big heated battle of the band tournament. Hypnotised everyone, including the teachers, and made them aggressive and competitive against each other, all just to feed on our negative emotions to power themselves up like the power-hungry sirens they are."

"Of course! So were the others except for Big Mac. We beat Derpy and her band but lost against Flash's band, then he lost against Adagio's. Coincidentally, Sunset was able to communicate with the Twilight over in the pony side to team up with Rarity and the others to form the Rainbooms. When the Dazzlings showed their siren power and tripped up Twilight, Sunset stepped in and destroyed Adagio's amulet, thus saving the school. After that, we booed the Dazzlings away and you get the rest of the story from Ms Cleo."

"Adagio split up from her sisters, then ended up walking into Grastaea where she stayed." Ms M answered,

"It's an alternate world to ours. You see... the next incident that Rarity, Sunset, and the others faced involved our Twilight Sparkle."

"Ahh... so the one who transferred here from Crystal Prep is the human and not the pony?" Mym clarified,

"The one and only. The other 'Pony Princess' Twilight did not come for this incident or the next. Our human Twi was very interested in the magic stemming from the school, given that the past two incidents revealed its existence. Also, the Principal and Vice-Principal was now aware of the magic that Sunset and my sister can exhibit at any time. Anyway, this event involved the Friendship Games. It's an inter-school competition between CHS and Crystal Prep."

"Uh-huh... but what has this Twilight Sparkle done?" Mercury continued with the questions,

"Steal the magic of Equestria for the sake of research and college. It prevented the other Twilight from coming here, caused Twilight's dog Spike to speak, and messed up the events of the Friendship Games, though WE were accused of using magic against the rules. Near the end of the games, Twilight unleashed all the magic she stole and gained an evil form, unafraid to use magic to get what she needs. From that situation, Sunset saw a mirror of herself before becoming friends. With a few more convincing words, she destroyed the device that was stealing magic, got it back, and manage to snap Twilight out of her evil form. In the end, Sunset promised the human Twilight that they'll help each other be proper friends, Friendship of Magic like usual, everyone's a winner, and Twilight transferred here."

"And after two weeks, I started teaching in CHS." Mym pieced together, "But you guys didn't care at the time. Most students didn't anyway."

"And finally the last incident where Rarity and her friends obtained that special geode necklace." Sweetie Belle finalised, "What's supposed to be a fun camping trip turned into almost a horror drama. The camp they went to, Camp Everfree, was in a bit of a financial crisis, with a businessman wanting to buy it off, and remodel the whole forest into a spa resort,"

"Deforestation huh?" Mercury raised an eyebrow, "That's one of many reasons why the Dragons opposed humans long ago."

"So one of the councillors actually discovered pony magic within the campsite and used it to try and save the camp, though it did more destroying and scaring. On the other hand, exposure to the new pony magic unlocked new magical abilities within Rarity and the other girls."

"Bingo!" Sweetie gave a thumbs up. "But anyway, the girls saved her and the camp and brought those new powers home without having to grow pony ears."

"And that's that! I may have skimmed over some parts just so I wouldn't bore you. I did say I'd keep it brief!" Sweetie Belle concluded, "Well, there's also the time where Rarity, the girls, and Flash went on a cruise that sank out at sea. However, all passengers not only survived but managed to get back to civilisation by finding a portal on the island they were stranded on and marched through the Pony world AS ponies back to Canterlot High School! Wacky, huh?"

"Your kind really has gone through some wonderous adventurers." Mercury smiled warmly, "Not to worry. I now understand at least the story behind Adagio's masquerading reasons as well as the magic of the pony Equestria. Has anyone in your school wondered whether or not she'll come back?"

"No... I think they've tried their best to forget about her. However, I'm sure that if she does come back, they're going to give her evil stares and stay away from her." Sweetie shrugged,

"Thank you for sharing stories with me." Mercury bowed her head, "In return, I have a gift for you. But I think I'll give it when we return to the park."

"Wait..." Mym interjected, "Didn't you want to hear my story? I promise you it won't take long!"

"It is no worry," Mercury bowed again, "As for my gift..." She dipped her head into the pond and pulled out a small little ticket.

"Yay!" Sweetie accepted it and danced happily away, "I hope it's someone good! Let's go summon it!"

Sweetie Belle ran all the way from the park to the Mayleaf Trail where the portal resides. With her heart set upon revealing this new adventurer, the misty portal took her directly up to the summoning island above the clouds and the Halidom.

"Hmm?" The hologram of the summoning lady flickered on, "Ah, Sweetie Belle. Good afternoon. You said you wanted a summon? Then you know the procedures."

"One single summon, and I have this voucher to pay up for!" Sweetie held the voucher to the air,

The voucher in Sweetie's hand turned into a ball of light, which flew around and dove straight into the circular pool. Within it, the light grew bigger and bigger.

"Hah!" The summoner raised her hands to the sky, sending the light towards the sky where it undergoes yet another transformation into a familiar pattern of circles and glyphs.

"Come on..." Sweetie clenched her fists, hoping that the blue three-pointed symbol would change colour. To her joys, it did change into a bright yellow colour with five-points, but no further. The symbol coalesced into a gold orb, then slammed down on one of the 10 outer circles, changing into a three-pronged lance.

"An adventurer of the lance, my congratulations." The Summoner bowed, "Would you like me to bring it towards you? Free of charge."

"Yes please!" Sweetie accepted hastily. The summoning lady waved a hand, and the lance flew up then gently into the Crusader's palms.

"Have a nice day, Sweetie Belle. Be sure not to get into trouble. The summoner lady smiled and disappeared.

"Adventurer essence!" Sweetie held it out, "A lancer with uncommon skills and talents!"

"Wonderful! We could always use an extra hand," Mym nodded in approval, "Do you want me to give it to Flash so he can run by who this is?"

"Actually..." Sweetie looked back at the lance, "This essence feels familiar to me... I can feel a hint of wind..."

"Pia!" Sweetie screamed, "This is the adventurer who's choir book was gifted to me!!!"

"So, now that you have your own essence... do you want to start fighting alongside Rarity and the rest?" Mym encouraged,

"Oh... umm... you know what? I may want to take a rain check on that..." Sweetie nervously chuckled,

"Sweetie," Mym sighed, "As your teacher, I'd like you to be upfront with me. Besides, it's obvious by your expressions that you really want to join in the fight,"

"And let's not forget when you told me and Mercury your stories, your tone carries a little hint of jealousy. That you're not a part of something cool, amazing, an opportunity to be a heroine... and the opportunity to discover your calling; the symbol for your own cutie mark."

"Actually, it was Mercury's observation." Mym confessed, "She told me about it when you were running off in the park."

"But she also added something new." Mym continued, changing into a serious tone, "Something that might make you consider your true feelings and opportunities."

"Mercury foresees something deadly for both of us soon... but she doesn't know what." Mym explained, "What she does know is that this is a danger that requires both the cooperation of humans and dragons, and she wants to help the five of you."

"I wouldn't call this a joyful opportunity." Mym frowned, "Given her proposal, it's serious business."

"I know this may sound counter to her offer but she wants to train the five of you to be ready for this threat, alongside making a pact with you. That's what her trial is going to be about,"

"Mmm-hmm," Ms M nodded, "But not to worry. It won't be life-threatening... I hope."

Riding the Rivers of History

The End

Coming up: The Aquatic Guardian's Trial

Equestria Lost: Dragons beyond time

by Tythen

Rivers of history