"I can guess why you called me back here." Celestia rubbed the sides of her head while the dragon king waited at the bottom of the steps.
She sighed, still shaken by her son's roars the other day. "I thought he was just being like other colts," she said in a low tone. "Just angry by the punishment. But… he wasn't my son a few days ago. He killed my best guard… my friend, as if he were nothing."
The king glanced over to the broken wall, and crumbling spots on the far wall.
"I don't know what he is, what he's capable of, or if I can keep him safe from that… monster," she said, her voice beginning to crack. "I'm not asking. I'm begging you, to take him."
"Had enough of him?" Celestia glared venemously. "I kid. But in all honesty, why now?"
"I have no idea what to do," she admitted. "This… thing inside of him… It didn't seem to be able to have full control. And it said it used his anger. Dragons are the most self-controlled."
"We need to be, or else we would destroy our own mountains," King Draco said.
"Which is why I need you to help him control himself," Celestia continued. "I've taught him kindness, and love, and everything else I know, but I can't teach him that kind of discipline."
King Draco nodded, pacing around for some time. "Are you sure?" he asked. "If you do this, I can't guarantee when he can return. It could take years, decades even."
Celestia nodded sadly. "If it means he is safe, I'm willing to wait," she said. "But please, this war has to stop before then."
King Draco nodded again. "Of course," he smiled. "You have my word he won't be harmed. Would you like a moment to say goodbye?"
Celestia nodded, and the dragon king walked into the halls outside the throne room. She walked slowly to her niece and nephew's room, having them follow her as she went to Draco's room. Twilight was playing checkers with him on the bed, and when he saw them come in he got off the bed.
"What's going on, Mama?" he asked. She sighed softly, then kneeled to be eye-level with him.
"Draco," she began. "You're getting big now, and you're starting to grow up. You'll be going with the dragon king for a while, so he can help you."
Draco gasped. "But, the dragon kingdom's all the way across the world!" he exclaimed. "You're coming with me, right?"
Celestia shook her head softly. "I can't. The ponies need me here," she smiled half-heartedly. "Don't worry. I'll send you a letter everyday, and I promise you'll be fine."
Draco looked at his cousins, then to Twilight. He had to leave, and not only lose more friends, but he could never see his family again.
"Why?" Celestia dreaded that question. "I don't wanna go. I wanna stay here with you and Twilight!"
"You can't, Draco!" she sobbed. "I can't… I can't help you with all these duties. Please, I'm only doing this because I want to know you're safe."
"But you have all these guards!" Draco cried. "And you and Cadence are strong! Please, I don't wanna leave!"
Celestia pulled her son close, and her niece and nephew joined in on the embrace. Draco cried into his mother's mane, Twilight wriggling past his cousins to hug him as well.
"I promise, it won't be long," Celestia whispered. "We'll be together again, Draco. I promise."
Draco sniffled, wiping his nose and turning to Cadence. "I'm gonna miss you, little cousin," she smiled with a few tears falling. He hugged her tight, then looked at Blueblood.
This time, Blueblood hugged him close with a small smile. "Remember, always wash your hooves, head high, and be good," he said sincerely. "I'll miss you as well."
"Thanks, Blueblood," he sniffled. The only goodbye he could say now, was with Twilight.
"Does he really have to go?" she asked her mentor. Celestia nodded. She hugged Draco, and he held her tightly. He hated saying goodbye to a friend.
"Goodbye, Twilight," he sniffled. She sniffled as well, but smiled.
"Maybe you'll learn more about dragons than any Equestrian," she giggled. "And you can tell me all about them."
Draco chuckled and nodded. "Yeah," he whispered. "When am I leaving, Mommy?"
"In a few minutes," she reluctantly said. "Get your bag, and your plushie."
He nodded, and he packed his drawing book, some quils and inkwells, and finally his Solar Guard stuffed toy. His family escorted him out, while Twilight stayed behind. An idea came to her, and she galloped as fast as she could to her room.
Draco glanced at some of the guards, noticing their weary expressions. "Mama?"
"Yes, dear."
"Can I say bye to Chef Pan?" she nodded, alternating their route to the kitchen.
The famous cook was mixing together a dish for the Senators and Representatives. "Alo zere, Draco," he nodded, knowing what was happening. "Come to zay au revóir?"
Draco laughed lightly, then hugged Pan. "I'll miss your food, Chef," he whispered.
"And I'll mizz your smile when you ask for more," Pan chuckled.
"Are you ready to go?" Cadence asked. Draco kept silent for another second, but nodded reluctantly.
They escorted him back to the throne room, where two large, blue dragons stood beside a much taller, green one. "Hello, Draco," he bowed formally. "I am King Draco, of the Dragon Kingdom."
"Hello," he bowed. "We have the same name."
The king glanced at Celestia, who nodded softly. She turned her son and gave him one last hug. "Mommy loves you. Never forget that, Draco," she whispered.
"I wont, Mama," he said just as quietly. "I love you, too."
He seperated from his mother and approached the dauntingly tall king. "Are you ready?"
"WAIT!" They all turned to see Twilight galloping in with a small doll in her magic aura. She halted in front of Draco and levitated it in front of him. "Here."
"But, that's your Smarty Pants plushie," Draco pointed. "You said it's your favorite."
Twilight nodded. "I want you to have it," she smiled. "So you don't forget me."
Draco held the plushie a bit stunned, but it gave him his own reminder present. "Then take mine," he said, holding out his guard toy. "So you don't forget."
Twilight took it and nodded. Draco looked to the king knowingly, and he gestured for the boy to follow. He kept up with the king's long strides, and as they reached the door, he turned back to wave at his family and friend. He didn't notice the last tear that fell from his mother's cheek.
The crowd outside murmured and pointed as he followed the dragons to the courtyard. An enormous dragon was laying on the grass with a large platform strapped to it's back. It looked like the chariots his mother's guards used. The king reached down and picked him up, placing him beside the straps to climb on. Draco sat down, then gasped as he looked across.
"Hey, Draco," Ember chuckled.
"Ember? So, you're-"
"My daughter," King Draco chuckled, sitting down beside Ember. "She's spoken highly of you, and your strength."
Draco could've sworn he saw her green scales tint slightly red. "Father, please," she mumbled.
King Draco chuckled slightly. "It's my honor to have you staying with us, Draco," he grinned. "I can have my fastest messengers personally send your letters to your mother."
"Thank you," Draco nodded. "How come you never said your dad was the dragon king?"
Ember shrugged with a smile. "I assumed you knew," she chuckled. "And you never asked."
Draco shook his head with a laugh, then glanced one last time to the castle. King Draco nodded to the gigantic dragon, and they shook slightly as they took off. With a low roar they took off, stabilizing as they reached a higher altitude. Draco turned in his seat and stared at the Canterlot Castle shrinking as they flew. He watched even when the clouds obscured his home, and even when they passed over the Equestrian border.
"Bye, Mama."
4.2 Trillion Miles from Equestria
"Agner, Derekosh, Fermot, Jaqeluu!"
Four giant men equipped with armor leaped down from their perches on the unknown world and came to their eldest. "Hruuk dit dot, Jerosh?" Jaqeluu questioned.
Jerosh swiftly pressed different holographic buttons and brought up a map of the galaxy. A circle naming each area scanned around the spiral nebula until it stopped on a particular solar system. They zoomed in, showing a scan of the world.
"Geft drot, igato lok, nagsha," Jerosh listed. "It jrem yuroshmo, Reku'un'et grak Heraj'et utoon ungafid verk-"
"Jrem jijak ot ungt dinaf," Derekosh finished. "Hraak'et heytop jrem?"
"Ut vigad dot dimagi, jrem volk ungo jrem retaka," Jerosh said. "Grak-"
Snarling nearby made each of the brothers draw their weapons. Jerosh equipped his bright green sword, Fermot taking his stance with his twin daggers, Derekosh dropping his hammer head onto the dirt, Jaqeluu pulling out his staff, and Agner swinging his spear to the ready. Furry, black, animals started appearing from the foliage, wielding their own weapons and armor. The brothers made a defensive circle, their bodies changing into different elements.
"Sobalka," Jerosh muttered.
"Jrem ting Reku'un grak Heraj bakev, dro?" Jaqeluu chuckled.
"Dro. Hüg jrem vekevol hrem drek trarg'et," Derekosh snarled.
"HIYAAAAA!"