//------------------------------// // Recovery // Story: Little Dragon in a Strange New World // by Zeryurijin //------------------------------// It was a rare sight to behold. The great Dragon Queen, Demuria the Third surveying her lands while conversing with the Princess of Equestria. She was truly a dragon of beauty in the eyes of her kind. Great fiery red scales dulled with age. Mighty wings that were said to bring about hurricane force winds, torn and battered clung tightly at her sides. Great horns jutting and curvacious from her head were cracked and dulled, even chipped in some areas. Yet none of this seem to phase her, for Demuria never cared how she looked much. A dragon who bore battle scars was considered a great warrior in their own right. For the Queen, rising to that rank was a hard won battle indeed. As she nodded to the dragons returning from the Crystal Empire and Gryf, her thoughts returned to the alicorn mare at her side. I am gracious fellow sister of the equines for your continued aid to our plight. The damage wrought by the lich has stretched further then I first imagined. Princess Celestia gave a light nod," In your country's time of need, my fellow subjects and the Griffon King's help has continued to come through in the time of crisis." Both fell silent as they continued to survey the effort to repair, rebuilt and reunite the dragons home. The news had spread fast. When the Queen was freed from her bonds, she called out to her kin across the lands and they responded. The dark lich was no more, slain by the smallest of their kind with a great power. The refugees departed from the kingdom of Gryf and the Crystal Empire. Both were breathing a sigh of relief, not only to the end of Malefor but an end to having to house such large creatures. Crystal Empire was a little worse for wear when the dragons left. Though they accepted the meat that the crystal ponies had offered, it did not keep a few dragons from nibbling on a few structures here and there. They also had to leave behind some "treasure" they looted while the guards were distracted, nor were they allowed to add to their horde by carrying off a few frightened crystal ponies themselves. Princess Cadance promised to send a few worthwhile gems from the vaults to appease the dragon's greed factor while saving her citizens from a fate of being held captive as a living trophy in a dragon's hoard forever. Demuria paused as did Celestia when they came upon the castle keep. Architects and engineers were hard at work, rebuilding and repairing the beloved home of Draconis. Celestia winced knowing how hard Canterlot was hit when Malefor made his appearance. She could sympathize with the Queen on how long it would take before her home would once again be complete. "What news of the former ambassador Sapphire?" The alicorn asked. The Queen drew in a deep breath, before she shook her mighty head. It... goes as well as can be. The ambassador turned fugitive has many cards up her sleeves. She plays them now as she attempts to avoid capture. Were I not so weak from being siphoned by the lich, I would have contained her before she escaped during the fiasco. A tap of her tail signaled Princess Celestia to follow the dragoness. Both entered through the main doors, each being carefully hoisted up to the great hinges that would once again function their use of opening and closing. Ruler eyes glanced to see pony and dragon alike with a few griffons dotted among the work crews as clean up was taking place. The throne room looked more like a meteor had impacted after crashing through the ceiling. While Demuria may not have had a throne chair to sit in, the charred rocken floor would require some serious scrubbing before it would return to its color. The Queen cleared her throat and bade those present to exit for a brief moment. Workers left in a haste letting Princess Celestia and the Queen discuss in private. Once the doors were tied shut and a sign hanging on the make shift knobs were placed, the Queen turned her gaze on the alicorn. Sapphire's treachery of her kin goes farther back then we first thought. In her hurry, she never emptied her chambers. We found disturbing and incriminating evidence that the resurrection of the lich had been in plan for some time. "Oh?" Princess Celestia responded, curious to the dragoness's scheme. The Queen tapped her tail and a few guards brought forth parchments and scrolls. The seals on them were long severed. A few contained certain spells, one being to open a portal into Tartarus. The other was forcefully teleporting one being from a different world into another. The alicorn's eyes widen as she read what notes were recovered from Sapphire's study. Sapphire's ancestor was Chrome Fireblood. Celestia looked up,"The Fireblood? As in..." The very Fireblood who declared a coup against you and your ponies when she and her followers attacked those settlers along the borders, so many centuries ago. The same Fireblood who stole your sister and held her hostage, whom you rescued and showed the dragoness the wrath of a goddess. "After Chrome's demise, I thought the bloodline was finished. Apparently we were misinformed as to how many children Chrome had and sent into hiding as a back up." Sapphire's grudge against you goes that far back. But to break into the underworld of Tartarus to unleash a lich dragon from another world? Unthinkable. "Unthinkable, unfathomable, unimaginable. Yet here we stand Demuria in the aftermath. To use a lich to fulfill her own agenda. She was willing to throw away everything, just to get at me. How childish and foolish she was." Princess Celestia rolled up the scrolls and laid them upon the parchment stack. "It is possible to use this same spell to sent both Spyro and Cynder home, however. I would like to hold onto it until then, if you do not mind. As for Sapphire..." Demuria raised a great paw to silence Princess Celestia.Your continued aid is admirable, sister of the equines. But Sapphire is our shame and one we must face alone. You have done so much as it is, to give us more... "I was hoping to change your mind. I see you are concrete in your decision." The alicorn replied. Speaking of decisions. What of the whelping hero, Spike? What will become of him now that a path never seen before among us dragons has been laid before him? Princess Celestia frowned,"I don't know. After what happened that day, even I am still taking in everything that has been revealed. We know the Elements of Harmony are a great power in itself. But to have felt the magic pouring out of Spike when he incinerated Malefor. If it were possible, I would have wanted to speak to this Chonicler myself to get some answers. Alas Spyro and Spike it seems are the only ones he speaks to." The outsider Spyro. Will he be a good influence on the whelping? "That depends." Celestia replied. "On?" The queen rumbled, causing the room to shiver from the might of her voice. "On if he's willing to continually bounce back and forth between Avalar and Equstria as a teacher, a guide for young Spike." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spike opened his eyes only to shut them quickly as the painfully bright rays of Celestia's sun struck. Groaning softly, he shielded his eyes with one hand while they adjusted. He felt tired. Dead tired. Beyond dead tired. The dragon felt he could fall right back to sleep and never wake up for centuries. While his sight slowly cleared, he took a few things to note. One: he was not in his bed basket where he usually slumbered. Instead he found himself in Twilight's bed. Two: His memory was fuzzy. The last thing he recalled was breathing out a huge plume of fire, engulfing a decaying lich dragon on some desolate battleground in who knew where. Three: Spike had no idea how he had passed out after said exhalation of fire. He just remember the tight embrace of his close friend and mentor before the world went dark. Lastly the night stand by the bed side was covered in cards, balloons and other tokens that mentioned get well soon or hope you feel better. Spike removed the covers and took to the floor. He wobbled and felt a mild headache coming on, thus getting to his feet so sudden was not the best choice. Still he felt better then being cooped up on Twilight's bed. Slowly he made his way to the door that opened to reveal the stairwell that would lead him from the third floor, to the second and finally the ground floor. As the baby dragon descended, he could hear a couple voices drifting from the living room area of the library. All sounded familiar to him, some concerned, others unable to make out the mood. His eyes felt better now that they tolerated the sunlight which made his traverse of the steps that much easier. When he reached the bottom, he found the source of the conversation: Twilight, Spyro, Cynder, and Princess Celestia. They all ceased their talk when they heard the groan of the stairwell. Twilight was the first to turn and greet the dragon. "Morning there, sleepy head. How do you feel?" "Ugh, like I partied too hard at one of Applejack's late night gatherings and drank too much cider. I feel so exhausted I'm just about ready to stop walking altogether." "Its a mild side effect of fire." Spyro spoke,"You being so young, exerted more then what your body can handle. As a result you dove past your reserves and headed straight for the emergency storage." The dragon sat down,"How long was I out for?" "Two weeks, give or take a day." "T..two weeks?!" Spike stammered. "And deserved every minute of rest, young dragon." Celestia replied as she approached,"You are being heralded as a hero to the dragons of Draconis for the demise of Malefor. Tales and songs of your bravery are already being sung across the lands." "Whoa." Was all Spike could say. Taking down probably one of the baddest bad guys in Equestria and the whole world is talking about it. "Don't let all that fame get to your head. Your still my Spike." Twilight said as she nudged him from his trance. "Yeah, but it will be different from now on." The dragon said, looking to Spyro,"Won't it?" "Princes Celestia, Twilight, Cynder and I have been talking about it for some time now." Spyro gestured to the alicorn,"When your ruler came back from Draconis, she filled all of us in on what happened. Since you've been asleep for quite some time, We'll give you the quick of things. Sapphire was responsible for my detour of my night flight from Avalar to here. Seems she had been plotting revenge against Celestia for some time and somehow stumbled across Avalar. She summoned Malefor who wound up in Tartarus, then breaks him free and lets him run rampant in secret. She then drags me into the fiasco, lets Malefor suck me dry but not before trying to slay Princess Celestia while nearly destroying Canterlot and temporarily took over Draconis." "Dude that's harsh." Spike said. A buzzing of wings drew his attention to Sparx who had remained silent for the most part,"Kid, you don't even know the half of it. I've seen some crazy dragonesses in my life time (no offense, Cynder,) but that Sapphire really took the cake." "So where is Sapphire now?" The baby dragon asked. Princess Celestia gave a slight cough,"On the run. Wanted for being the mastermind behind everything that has occurred both on Equestrian and Draconian soil. She is hard to find given her resources but the dragon Queen as assured me the former ambassador will be captured and made to answer for her crimes." Spike fiddled with his fingers as he took this all in,"So... what happens now. To us, I mean?" "That depends." "On?" Spike asked, curious. Spyro approached him as both unicorn and alicorn made room,"On if you are really positive that you want to continue the path that you have been set upon. What the Chronicler has told you is true. You have a huge responsibility on your shoulder Spike, one that can't be taken back. The trails ahead will be difficult. But if you succeed, you could be a great dragon to Equestria." Spike looked to Spyro,"Will it be tough?" Spyro nodded,"My training was a lot of trial and error, wings on experience. Even with the elder dragons showing me what I could do, the encounters beyond what I learned honed my abilities. You may be able to call upon earth, ice, fire and lightning if you strive. Or what magic Equestria has or has not seen could be put to good use as well. Remember though Spike. These abilities are not to be taken lightly or used recklessly. If your not careful or in control, friends and fellow ponies could get hurt." Spike gulped. That part he would have trouble getting used to. Ponies will look at him differently, not that he knew it would be the result. Still with Twilight's help, maybe Princess Celestia's as well, he could overcome this. "Would...would you be able to coach me?" Spyro looked to Cynder who shrugged slightly, before he rubbed the back of his head,"I'm not sure. Princess Celestia has the spell that will send me and Cynder home. She does not know the effects of it being altered to perform a two way transport. But... I guess it couldn't hurt to give it a go." Not exactly the answer Spike had hoped for, but the promise behind it was there. Twilight, Princess Celestia when she could make the time and Spyro himself. He couldn't ask for any more then that. "I wouldn't mind tagging along. After all why should Spyro have all the fun?" Cynder grinned as they all turned to look at her,"Besides I could do with a little get away from the temple myself. Have you heard a dragon snore? Ugh, can never understand why you males can sleep through anything let alone make the biggest ruckus with your snoring." "You and me both." Twilight replied, jerking her head in Spike's direction. "H..hey!" Spike responded, much to the sound of their laughter. The laughter died down as the small group stood there. Princess Celestia spoke first. "Well now that we have Spike caught up, its time I departed. Canterlot still has some renovations to tend to." "Princess, will you be able to make it?" Her student asked. "To the 'Farewell Spyro/Hero Spike' party? I can attempt to, but depending on how cluttered my work station is, I may not be able to. We'll see." "Party?," Spike asked. "Pinkie Pie is throwing a farewell party for Spyro and Cynder. She said when you woke up, she would make it a double duo. So you do realize what that means, don't you?" Twilight replied. The dragon nodded,"After being asleep for so long, I welcome Pinkie Pie's parties." "Spyro would you accompany me outside?" Princess Celestia gestured with a wing towards the library entrance. Spyro looked to his friends then her before nodding. Cynder, Sparx, Twilight and Spike watched the two exited. "So... you three are going back huh." Spike said. Cynder nodded,"We've been away from Avalar for far too long. As much as we would like to stay, it would be better if we returned home for awhile. The elders are worried sick and who knows what could have happened in our absence. If what Celestia says is true though, I'm sure our departure will not be for long little Spike." Spike nodded in response as dragon and alicorn disappeared behind the door. Outside the royal guards stood ready by her chariot. Princess Celestia and Spyro walked in silence until she reached her transport. "Spyro, I am to understand from the events of the confrontation between your old foe Malefor, that Spike had spoken with a Chronicler. From what my sister was able to gather when he slumbered, this Chronicler was able to teleport Spike to us and then awaken his hidden power. Who is this Chronicler?" Spyro sat down and folded his forelegs in thought, recalling everything he could remember,"Think of him as Twilight in terms of knowledge. He is the keeper of lore for all of Avalar, writing down and keeping track of each and every individual back home." "Keeping track?" The alicorn asked, curious. "Writing our lives down as we live them. Think of it like creating a story. Rather then create one, he instead keeps notes on that person's life from birth until death." "A librarian as you call him, keeping tabs on each and every living being on Avalar. A lot of work I take it." Celestia nodding,"How did you meet him?" "After rescuing Cynder and the events that followed after the attack on our temple, I had a couple of bouts of passing out. I was in a dream like world and it was there that I first spoke with him. Over time on my journey, I regained what I had lost with his guidance and learned that on the night of Eternal Darkness, he wanted to keep me hidden from Malefor until I was ready. I on the other paw, would not sit idly and allow Cynder or anyone else be harmed by his return. The Chronicler reluctantly let me go. I've not heard from him since mine and Cynder's encounter and defeat of Malefor. Until a few nights ago." Celestia gave another nod. Spyro continued, "He told me why he awakened Spike. That our magic and the magic of your world, Equestria were in conflict. Something about scales being unbalanced and Malefor's overpowering force threatening to tear this world apart. It was a lot to take in but I could see his reasoning. Spike is going to have his hands full. You, Twilight, the Chronicler and myself. That dragon is going to have some serious study sessions as I heard Twilight put it." "I can only hope for the best that he knows what he is doing. He is still a infant in mine and Twilight's eyes." "Children grow up, Celestia. As much as we wish to keep them safe, we can't shelter them all their lives." Princess Celestia knew too well the truth. How else was Twilight able to make friends here in Ponyville, if not for an alicorn's light nudging out the door? "We shall discuss plans for a means of being able to allow you and Cynder traverse between our worlds. But for now I think it best we continue to enjoy the peace that has descended on our kingdoms. Farewell Spyro. I thank you for all that you have done during your stay here. I hope one day, time permitting that you will give me a tour of Avalar." Spyro gave a light bow as Princess Celestia entered her chariot. The pegasus guards spread their wings and with a few mighty flaps, ascended into the skies. Spyro watched the princess and her crew fade from view as they flew in the direction of Canterlot. Once out of sight, he turned and gazed back at the library tree. He was about to enter when a flap of wings drew his attention. He turned to see a certain cyan pegasus come in for a landing. "Oh good, your still here." Rainbow Dash said, pleased to find the dragon. "Yes, Cynder and I have not left for home yet. Is something wrong?" Spyro asked. She shook her head,"No, everything is fine. I was just wondering. Since your heading home in a few days, I was wondering... if its alright with you and Cynder that is. If the two of you would like to share one last flight with me?" A chuckle caused her to raise a brow,"So is that your way of wanting a little rematch from our race earlier I take it?" Spyro asked with a sly grin. "No!" She exclaimed before quickly lowering her voice,"Well... maybe, sorta. Kinda?" Spyro said nothing, but kept that smile. Rainbow Dash shot him a mild glare as he entered the library then returned with Cynder. She watched as he whispered something in her ear, seeing a sly grin appear on her muzzle as well. Rainbow Dash was close to huffing before Cynder spoke,"Well I would not mind having a quick tour of the skies above Ponyville and the surrounding regions." She sidled past Rainbow Dash, lightly prodding her chin with her tail as she whispered,"Nor would I mind watching this little race you two have either." The cyan pegasus grumbled and spread her wings before bolting upwards,"C'mon you slowpokes!" she called out before darting off. "She certainly is feisty when mildly provoked." Cynder said as she took to the sky. Spyro could only shake his head,"You have no idea." he murmured before joining the two for a late afternoon flight over Ponyville.