Celestia shuffled her hooves awkwardly.
"It all began about 300 years ago. I was exploring the mountains close to the Scorched Lands. . . "
Celestia stepped carefully over the rocky terrain as she walked up the mountain. She was here exploring the land that was adjacent to land of the dragons. Nopony ever came this close unless they were studying the dragons. This did not deter the Princess. She wished to know the entire land of Equestria and the territories that lay within it. Celestia had come across several signs that dragons had been here. Burns marks on the stones, old trees with claw marks in them. Even with these clues, they were old, and no dragon seemed to be around. Celestia spent hours wondering into caves, mapping out the area in her mind. Occasionally she came across the bones of long dead animals.
A couple goats, a few deer, even the unlucky pony. The sun princess bowed respectively to every bleached white carcass she found. Hour later, she stopped to lower the sun and raise the moon. Once her sister's beautiful moon and stars filled the sky, Celestia set up a small camp. As she lay out her sleeping mat, a loud screech filled her ears. The alicorn jumped to her hooves, eyes wide in fear. Her ear twitch and swiveled, trying to locate the sound. Celestia heard a growl far away. Far enough for her not to worry. Celestia settled back down onto her mat, only to be startled again by a loud roar. She pinned her ears as she forced herself to sit back down. Another loud cry sent shivers up her spine that made her wing muscles spasm. Celestia may be a demi-goddess, but old equine instincts were prying into her mind. However, she cast them aside and forced her body and mind to remain calm. For the next 10 hours, Celestia was unable to sleep, listening to the anger, fear, and pain filled cries of some creature.
Morning came around as she bid farewell to the moon for the day. In the distance, Celestia could see rain clouds moving in. No pegasi were moving them, for these clouds were very much like the ones found in the Everfree forest. Another loud cry from the animal broke her musing. Celestia jumped slightly. Whatever creature that was, it was obviously getting weaker. Almost as if it was dying.
Dying.
Celestia jumped to her hooves, eyes wide. All creatures were the children of Lauren Faust, and she'd be damned not to help. Her ears swiveled, trying to locate this animal. It screeched again, and Celestia galloped forward. Fear raced through her veins, but her need to help was stronger. She jumped over a long dead fallen tree, and took a sharp turn around a rocky outcrop. She slid to a halt and stared.
Two dragons were facing off. One was looming over the other while it cowered. The tall standing dragon was a pale blue with pale green spines and underbelly. Except for the throat. The throat was completely white. The cowering dragon was a deep purple with gray spines and underbelly. Both dragons were injured, red blood splattered across the rocky slope. The purple dragon was bleeding heavily and it hissed up at the one above it. The blue dragon swiped at the other dragon, aiming for the upper chest. The dragon blocked with it's arm, but not without damage. It's foreleg was ripped open, down to the bone. The great beast fell to the ground. It growled up at the one above it, but did not get up.
A wave of fury washed over Celestia, and she gathered her magic at the tip of her horn. Without a single warning, it shot out and hit the blue dragon in the snout. It turned and hissed at Celestia, but drew back. It knew when to leave a fight to live another day. The dragon spread it's wings and took to the sky, circling once before leaving. Celestia snorted once and stomped her hoof.
A whine made her turn her head to the injured dragon. She approached slowly until she stood right next to it. The dragon dragged it's head across the sharp rocks, leaving a trail of blood. It looked at her before opening it's mouth.
"Thank you."
The dragon's voice was soft and weak, but obviously male.
"Do not thank me, for I can see now that you will not live. There is nothing I can do to stop the Queen from taking you."
The dragon smiled slightly.
"Yes, I know. I can feel Queen Faust now. I have to leave soon."
The dragon struggled to lift his head. Celestia stepped forward.
"Do not move. Do not waste your energy."
"It will do no good either way for me, but I beg of you. . . take my eggs."
Celestia's eyes widened as the dragon heaved twice before gently laying down what he had spit up. A pile of broken egg shells covered the dead bodies of full term baby dragons. It seems that they were almost old enough to hatch, but had been crushed and killed when the eggs had become broken. All of them were covered in a clear fluid or blood. Then she saw it. A dark purple egg with light green spots on it. The dragon looked over his dead children, and tears leaked from his eyes.
"Oh my little ones, I have failed you."
One of the hatchlings lifted it's head and cried out. Celestia's heart jumped. Maybe this one along with the egg could survive! Then she got a good look at it. It's lower body was crushed, both legs missing. It wouldn't even make it five minutes. For it to still be alive and feeling this was cruel. The adult dragon thought so as well. He lowered his head and nuzzled the baby before he quickly snapped it's neck with his claws.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
The dragon was now sobbing, and Celestia noticed blood seeping from his lips. The demi-goddess lifted the uninjured egg in her magic and brought it close to it's father. He looked at the egg and then to Celestia.
"P-Please take care o-of my hatchling."
Celestia nodded, tears of her own blurring her sight. The dying dragon pressed his cheek against the egg before laying down fully.
"I love you, my little hatchling."
His voice faded out and his body shuttered as Faust took his soul to heaven, to be with his children.