The clear sky stretched for miles out no end in sight to its limitless wonders. Celestia's sun cast a warmth over the clouds and the lands beneath them, the earthen soil embracing the heat that the sun goddess had to offer. It was among these patches of clouds clumped together, that Spyro sat and contemplated. The morning was like the last few before it. The dragon having risen and eaten breakfast with his hostess and Spike. The mid morning was spent with his fellow dragon once again, listening to the history of Gryf this time and of the patriarch King and Queen. Twilight on occasion called Spike away for a few chores, but this day it seemed he had a free ticket to do whatever he felt. So it was spent with Spyro and Sparx as the two learned a little more about the third nation.
Just as the book was finished did the library have a visitor, one who had an odd way of making an entrance. Rainbow Dash snuck in through the second floor window, rather then opting from the front door. From Spike did Spyro learn that to the chromatic maned pegasus, this was normal for entering and sometimes exiting the unicorn's home. Course what came next was a bit of a surprise to any pony. She requested that Spyro join her above the clouds some thing about testing on how good he flew. Against Twilight's better judgement she reluctantly allowed this, under the condition that the dragon wear his cloak at all times until he was out of sight or away from populated areas of Equestria. After a hasty promise from Rainbow Dash did the duo left. Sparx chose to stay behind, the idea of trying to play catch up with his friend on a full belly was not the best idea.
The air up here felt different then down below. It felt crisp like the snowy mountain region peaks back in Avalar on a clear day. Free of smoke, debris and dust the dragon was usually accustomed to the air in Equestria felt free. Granted back on the ground it was no different. But to a flyer, the changes in the currents and the scent was everything. Closing his eyes, Spyro took a few breaths letting the air fill his lungs to capacity. Soon it was released in a low exhale, a few wispy tendrils of his breath could be seen through his flaring nostrils before it dissipated in the sun's warmth. It was always colder the higher one flew, but for a dragon the temperature change was barely noticeable given the thick, sturdy scales one was born with. The beating of feathered wings drew a slightly inclined head to the source of sound a pegasus pony was coming in for a landing. The chromatic maned mare danced lightly as she touched down, coming to a complete stop a few yards from where the purple dragon sat.
"So, you just gonna sit up here all day and do nothing? Thought a flyer such as yourself would have loved to get out of those stuffy buildings and take to the sky! Don't tell me your having second thoughts already?"
"You ever stopped for a moment, sat down and watched the world go by you, Rainbow Dash? Should try it sometime. Leave that high speed life of yours and just lean back, take everything around you. Be surprised on what your missing out here." Came the dragon's reply.
Mocked snoring came from behind him as pale violet eyes fixated on Rainbow Dash. She feigned dis interest in his suggestion, preferring to remain in that fast paced lifestyle she enjoyed. Twilight did forewarn him that any attempt to get their fast companion to slow down for anything other then speed, he was better off taking his chances with a snail or slug. Well least he tried. With a light sigh Spyro rose to his feet, testing the solidarity of the clouds he stood upon. Again the dragon pondered as to how these pegasi ponies could tear these fluffy white patches apart in a heart beat, yet use the same material to build their homes, sleep and stand on. Chalk it up to the magical properties of this world was one possible suggestion, Spyro wondered.
Unfurling his wings, the dragon took a few practice wing beats, getting the feel of the cooler air dancing off the skin membranes of his appendages. Rainbow Dash grinned as her own feathered wings unfurled eager to take to the sky once more and just see what Spyro was like when he was fully alert and not half tired. Shifting his weight a little, the dragon took a quick glance around him, making sure no solo flying pegasus were out and that it was just him and the other pony up here, alone. The sounds of wings flapping between two flyers were heard, but it was just the two of them. Then, just as his wings were getting the feel of the upper air around him, Spyro folded them once more as though he suddenly lost interest. This surprised Rainbow Dash, the eager cyan pegasus was antsy as she was wanted to take off.
"H..hey! What's the big idea, faking a take off prep?" She asked with a huff.
Spyro gave no answer. What the dragon did next caught her by surprise. He walked over to the edge of the cloud they were on, looked over the ledge, then tipped over in a free fall. Rainbow Dash yelped in shock as he disappeared from view, darting over to catch sight of a Spyro visage slowly shrinking the faster he plummeted. The mare was at a loss for words, other then taking a grand leap off the edge herself and went for a dive.
What the HAY is he doing?! Doesn't he know how to fly?
The wind whistled and roared in Spyro's ears, the feel of the updrafts pushed against his chest and limbs while gravity took over. While any flyer would be frantic to start beating their wings in a desperate attempt to gain altitude, the dragon remained in a free fall. His legs tucked tightly against his chest, his tail remained stiff and straight while the rush of falling continued to pump adrenaline through his body. He could vaguely hear Rainbow Dash a couple hundred feet above him, yelling about pulling up or opening his wings. He paid no heed to her frantic warnings. He was in his element of flight. The grand thrill of being at the mercy of the air currents of freak gust of the wind, having no control over it no matter how skilled a pegasus or pony felt they were.
Just when Spyro reached that point where it would be too late to start breaking the fall, instinct and years of experience kicked in. Veering to the right, his wings snapped open to catch an updraft, pulling him sharply upwards as he rode it up and gained altitude almost immediately. The cyan pony yelped again as she darted past him still falling towards the ground. Rainbow Dash quickly followed suit and snapped her wings open, catching another updraft and began to give chase as Spyro rose higher and higher, passing the cloud cover and into clearer skies. It felt so exhilarating to take wing after spending a few days grounded. Rainbow Dash had picked a perfect spot devoid of ponies, unicorns and fellow pegasi. The dragon didn't need to create any more panic then what he caused upon his rather bumpy arrival.
Speaking of the cyan pony, he could hear her beating her wings as she was catching up, huffing and grumbling under her breath until she managed to drift alongside him.
"What did you go and do that for? You scared me senseless, taking a leap like that right off the cloud with no warning! Are you trying to get me into trouble?!" The mare growled.
"Relax. I've no intention what so ever to land you in hot water with Twilight or your other friends. It just happens to be my preferred method for taking off when I'm high enough. I do it all the time from the temple balcony back home." Spyro gave a re-assuring smile as angry rose colored eyes glared at him.
"Well next time give me a warning! I nearly crashed thanks to you!" Rainbow Dash retorted.
"Force of habit I've been slipping into." The dragon replied meekly, not wishing to ruffle her feathers any further.
The pair banked left and hung a U turn as they reached the edge of White Tail forest. Located in the northern part of Ponyville, it was a more pleasant, less dangerous location that ponies felt comfortable in. That didn't mean any pony wished to stay out after dark or remain caught in the forest upon nightfall. Dragon and pegasus flew to higher levels and used the cover of the clouds drifting overhead to better obscure Spyro's presence. Under the cover of clouds, Spyro enjoyed the feel of flight once more, darting from left to right, ascending and descending, even performing a few mid air flips. Rainbow Dash watched him. She was only slightly impressed with his skills. Course it was nothing compared to the stunts and tricks the cyan pony was used to.
Grinning, the winged mare flew ahead of Spyro then decided to show off. Might as well impress him just for kicks. With a quick flap of the wings Rainbow Dash shot passed Spyro, causing the dragon to stop and pause. He watched the cyan pegasus flip, barrel roll, do crazy loops and tear across the sky like it was nothing. Course all those insane air tricks she pulled off, the dragon didn't think he could possibly do. Not with some practice say, a few years worth at least. The mare zipped back and landed in front of him, a confident grin on her face, chest puffed out and fore hoof outstretched.
"What do you think of those moves huh? Pretty awesome if you ask me."
Spyro remembered from Twilight that Rainbow Dash liked to brag a little when it came to showing who was champion of the skies around here. She also mentioned not to prod her ego too much or she might just do something a little foolish. The dragon chuckled softly to himself, drawing those rose eyes to look upon him slightly puzzled.
"Nothing! Just something Twilight mentioned earlier, that I just remembered. C'mon, lets get some more flying in. Who knows how long before I'm grounded for a matter of days again."
Spyro took flight opting for lift off, rather then plunging. Rainbow Dash followed as the pair headed west. The dragon could see an impressive mountain from this distance, a soft gleam of light reflecting off metal was glinting off the side. After a few more wing beats he landed on a rather thick cloud and stood there, eyes fixated on a faint cluster of buildings against the backdrop of the mountain.
"You sure you want to do this, Spyro? Princess Celestia means well. She's only looking out for your well being and us ponies. There's no telling how she will react if you go crashing into Canterlot unannounced."
"I appreciate your attempt to dissuade me, Rainbow Dash. But, she did keep the meeting from me and denied my request. While I am a guest in your world, I'm not some child to be kept in the dark. I have the right to voice my concerns and opinion just like any other pony here."
Fishing in his cloak the dragon revealed a letter, a letter he had Rainbow Dash write for him. The pair had stopped at a cloud home where she resided earlier that day, to which he revealed his intentions to the pegasus. Normally if Twilight had caught wind of his plan, she probably would have kept him in the basement at worse or under constant supervision at best. At first Rainbow Dash was against the dragon going to Canterlot to speak to Celestia herself in alicorn. But the dragon pressed his case and the importance of wanting to meet her. That and the fact his cover was already blown, that given what he had learned from her friends and Spike's history books on the nations. How much longer before there would be an attempt to kidnap him? Spyro was not going to allow any pony to be hurt for his sake, even if they were trying to protect him.
"Twilight still going to be mad at me for letting you go." The winged mare said, taking the letter in her teeth before tucking it away under a wing.
"Hence the letter. I don't want you, Spike or any one here to land in hot water. This is my action and my action alone. Therefore the consequences of my choice is the same." Spyro replied.
She clapped him on the shoulder with one hoof,"Good luck then. Maybe Celestia will be in a good mood and will listen." Rainbow Dash spread her wings and took to the air,"Or she may just banish you to the moon for being stubborn. Later!"
The dragon felt an eye twitch as he stood there, gazing at the silhouette form of Rainbow Dash shrinking in the distance.
"D..did she say banishment? To the moon?"
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What sounded like an explosion rattled the mirror. Luna blinked as she could see smoke drifting from around the temple square, sounds of dragons coughing could be heard in the background.
"Hmmm guess the fire element didn't want to come along so peacefully." one voice gruffly mentioned in the back.
"Well Terrador, if Ignitus was still with us, it would have made for an easier transition. Alas, he is with us only in spirit, ancestors watch over him." Volteer replied.
"Good Volteer how goes your progression?" The moon goddess asked.
A pair of clawed paws gripped the mirror and settled it on a platform, to which Luna could see three dragon faces covered in ash and soot.
*cough* "Well dear Luna, progress has been made. Albeit, the fire element has been rather...feisty on wishing to become subservient to our needs. None the less hopefully in a day or two, we will have temporary control and manipulation of the elements to begin process of opening a rift between our worlds and hopefully bring Spyro back to us." *cough*
Volteer paused, wiping his face free of the soot,"In theory anyway."
"You are not sure?" The midnight alicorn asked with concern in her voice.
"I must be honest, Ms. Luna, we have never tried anything like this. If either side botches up a spell, the results could be disastrous. Our best option would be to test this out and hope mistakes are small and fixable."
"I... I understand sir Volteer. Thank you for the update."
"Your welcome Ms. Luna. And please, just Volteer will do nicely." He peeked around the mirror,"I've noticed your sister Celestia is not with you currently. She is not ill, is she?"
"Hmm? Oh no, she is rather tied up at the moment over a diplomatic issue that has presented itself to us. We are hoping for a peaceful solution currently."
"Ahh! Well then give your sister our regards and our current standing." The dragon gave a mild salute as the image started to fade.
"You as well, Volteer." Luna murmured before the mirror reverted back into the pearl orb. The alicorn stood there, gazing at the smooth surface of the object, thoughts swirling about in her head.
If only peaceful were the best word to describe the ambassadors of Gryf and Draconis. Their current councils have been both stubborn and irritating. I wonder if Celestia would consider banishment once more, should their behavior reflect poorly?
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The closer Spyro drew towards the majestic city of Canterlot, the more imposing the sight was. At first the dragon figured it was probably some little castle in the mountains given the size of Ponyville. Flying under the cover of a cloud, the journey was without incident and no pegasi were alarmed to a solo cloud moving on it's on accord in the direction of Canterlot. The dragon thought this was going to be easy. Until he actually paused to take a quick glance and saw to his amazement that size from afar to size up close was a huge contrast. Rainbow Dash had mentioned that Canterlot was like Ponyville. A small town catered to an upper class of ponies, a sect that Rarity seemed to enjoy on occasion. She never mentioned how bustling the surrounding town was itself.
As he slipped into the outskirts in late afternoon, he took an occasional peek from his hiding spot and witnessed many ponies of various colors and shapes strode by on cobbled streets. The place was alive with merchants, sellers and buyers. Even the buildings were alive as ponies came and went, either for meals, business or pleasure. Thankfully no pony bothered to look up and catch sight of a lone cloud making its way to Celestia's castle. They were too absorbed in their own affairs to even take a second glance.
The castle was a different story. Spyro paused once more and took a look at its surroundings. The place was under patrol with various armored pegasi, all clad in gold armor and helm. Many were posted at various entry points and to the dragon's surprise there were even aerial patrols. The dragon was left in his hiding spot, debating on how he should enter without notice. Spike left him a few maps the night before, but that didn't tell him much on the weakest guarded entrance to the most heavily guarded entrance. Pulling the parchment from his cloak, Spyro took a quick glance of the layout of the castle grounds. The gardens to the east seemed the lightest of patrols with enough cover to slip by. Spyro waited until the coast was clear in the air and quickly made his descent. No doubt the rogue cloud would have raised a few eyes and bore some investigation.
Landing in a maze-like garden complete with stone statues, Spyro ditched his hiding spot and quickly hunkered down under some neatly trimmed shrub bushes. Sure enough, two pegasi guards rounded the corner and approached the little cloud. They said nothing, but scanned the surrounding area, one of them shoving his fore hooves through the puffy object and decimated the cloud into nothing.
"No pony here. Must have jumped off and made for the most convenient hiding spot. Check the areas around the statues. I'll check the bushes."
The guard saluted and made for the collection of statues along the dirt path. The other started to rummage among the shrubbery walls and fences. Spyro did not want to hang around and wind up being caught. He sunk further back as quietly as possible and wound up on the other side. At least it was just two guards and not six. Spyro had no interest on causing any fights or wishing to knock any pony out. As the dragon tiptoed through the maze garden, he thought about the cloak on his back once more. He could use it, but given the enchantments bestowed that would draw unwanted attention. Whether the guards could sense it or not, the dragon did not want to be roughly escorted off the premises. Turning around a bend, he nearly ran into one of those many statues. Looking up, the dragon jumped back and stared at the odd creation.
Words failed to describe what this creature was supposed to be. While the garden boasted of pegasi, unicorns and ponies, all bearing some instrument or pose, this one looked...off. It was like some being took various parts of animals, squished them together, then slapped them in some jar and shook it all up before gluing the pieces. Even more unsettling was a creepy vibe Spyro was getting from this statue, that it some how felt....alive. Shaking down the shiver dancing up his spine, the dragon left the weird statue to what ever fate was stored and worked his way to the east entry point.
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Spike said that the castle was a huge, grand building of splendor and wonder. The dragon never said just how huge it was on the inside. Walls climbed high to arch into the ceiling, pillars adorned many of the hallways Spyro snuck down. Even the most bare of ways held tapestries and carpeting complete with murals and paintings. Celestia really lived like royalty. Course the dragon did not know how royalty lived or what they kept in their homes. So this was pretty much his first exposure to how royalty lived and worked under the grand roofs of their castles. And the patrols? The dragon worried when Spike mentioned they were all over the palace. Turns out the baby dragon may have exaggerated a little. A few stood guard and entry ways, while a few patrolled along the hallways. Slipping by them was with ease as the dragon clung to the conveniently placed pillars and leaped from shadow to shadow. He only paused on occasion to get his bearings, check the map and follow the trail marked to the throne room where Celestia was supposed to remain until nightfall.
Night was closing in. The light from outside the stained glass windows was fading. Celestia was at work lowering the sun, while Luna at the same time, raising her moon. Spyro felt that time was slipping away that he would miss this chance to talk to her before the sun goddess turned in for the evening. Checking the map once more Spyro found himself very close. At last things were looking up. The sounds of hooves thudding against carpeting drew his attention from behind a pillar. His eyes fell upon a pony that looked taller then the guards surrounding it. Dark midnight blue colors with a mane and tail that seem to shift on move on their own. The mark on its flank was that of a crescent moon and given how regal the pony was, it was clear she was of great importance.
Keeping to the shadows, Spyro followed the pair down the last hallway he entered and took a left. At the end of this hallway huge doors were spotted at the end. Given how many guards were posted along each pillar, it was clear this lead to the throne room. Climbing as quietly as he could, the dragon followed the dark pony until they reached the end. Spyro could not leap any further for the last set of pillars stopped about four hundred feet from the doors. One of the guards bowed and opened the left door. The dark pony nodded in reply and made her way inside. The dragon clung to the pillar. Does he dare leap and grab hold of the door, then slip inside knowing his body's impact would alert the guard to his presence? Or continue to hide and miss out on this one chance? As the door began to close, the Spyro could hear voices on the other side, one greeting the dark pony....
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"Good evening dear sister Luna. I am glad you were able to make it."
Luna gave a polite nod to Celestia and a light bow to the ambassadors of both Gryf and Draconis. The two bowed in return as the moon goddess took her place upon the throne next to her sister.
"Thank you dear sister. I hope I have not interrupted any current discussions you were having with our guests?" The alicorn asked, her gaze set upon the griffon and dragon before them.
The dragon with dark blue scales and emerald green eyes bowed slightly, her wings flitting against her back while a vest adorned her front, bearing the seal of the Dragon Queen," No interruptions your majesty. Celestia had called a pause to our meeting in hopes that you would join us, seeing as your duty to raise the moon was at hand while the sun was to be set."
The griffon, a hard male with dark grey feathers and tanned fur, also nodded. His armor he wore, held the insignia of the matriarch King and Queen,"Indeed." Was all he said.
"Now to the matters of our visitation and the importance of this gathering. Princess Celestia would you at least consider me meeting this dragon? You say he was not hatched by your university for gifted unicorns under any exam, nor found alone in the woods, injured and helpless? How then was it possible for him to make contact and remain with your ponies without first notifying her majesty the queen?" The dragon asked.
The sun goddess cleared her throat, standing tall and calm,"Ambassador Sapphire. I was not aware of his presence until after the events transpired that night. Only by letter of my favored student was I able to learn of his existence in Ponyville."
"Yes, yes both the dragon's magi and our casters felt it that night, your majesty." The griffon cut in,"Why else did our king send word, asking permission to enter Equestria, mainly Ponyville for research and investigation? Surely you did not send out your own brightest unicorns to do the same? And your favored student? Why just one? Clearly the task is far too great for just one mare to handle on her own."
Luna regarded the griffon for a minute or two,"Twilight Sparkle is a most gifted unicorn, Ambassador Steelwing. The most powerful one my sister has seen in her centuries of meeting gifted unicorns. Some say she may be as great as Star Swirl himself. She can easily handle the task of five unicorns with little to no trouble, wit her assistant Spike by her side."
"Forgive me, Princess Luna but I've yet to be impressed with a single mare unicorn possessing more magical talent then any other spell caster here." The griffon replied,"As for this dragon you so mentioned, if he was indeed found by your student then why wait all this time? Why did it require our scouts and their messages of his location a couple days after the incident to notify of his presence? Clearly the Dragon Queen was hiding him and you were allowing this. What other secrets or hidden caches have you yet to tell us your highness?"
Sapphire's eyes narrowed at Steelwing's accusations. She huffed and glared at the griffon from her side.
"Always your problem you griffons. Thinking we dragons are harboring with the sun and moon goddess in some bid to over throw your kingdom in an attempt to gain territory. You feather brained brutes have no regard for common sense nor do you consider to think things through."
The griffon eyes widened, his breath catching in his chest before he growled,"How dare you! You scaled fire breathing menaces are no better! You claim to keep to your turf, but you scaled lizards are always plotting against the good king! Superior flyers of the sky hmph! Were it not for your wings, we would be in control!"
Before Sapphire could come back with a retort, Celestia tapped her hoof upon the arm rest of her seat. Both fell silent and turned their gaze towards the alicorn.
"I would remind both of you that while under my roof and as hostess, you both would do well to keep any quarrels between yourselves and not provoke the other. Are we clear?"
Both dragon and griffon bowed in apology, but still cast a wary glance at the other.
Sapphire rose and took this moment to speak,"Please Princess Celestia, just a quick glance that is all we ask. Surely you can allow this?"
Celestia opened her muzzle to give her answer. Till her ears swiveled forward towards the throne room doors. Even Luna was interested her own as well fixated.
"What is that ruckus?" Steelwing uttered as a muffled commotion took place on the other side.
The struggle continued on for a least another minute or two, both guards poised by the doors were trading glances, unsure of whether to remain at their posts or help their fellow pegasi. The answer was made for them as the doors were hurled open. Both guards leaped to safety as the doors slammed against the walls, seven pegasi guards were bearing down on some...thing struggling to crawl its way inside the throne.
Before Celestia could ask, one guard shouted,"Intruder! In the throne room! We need more guards!!" The two recovered and quickly joined in, their added weight bearing down on the individual beneath them.
"Hurry! Its putting up a fight! We can't let it-"
That was all the words the guard managed to speak before thrums of power started to gather. Celestia, Luna, Sapphire and Steewing felt the tension building in the air. Static started to gather and converge on the source beneath the pile of pegasi guards, none of them able to prepare themselves for what came next. With a loud crack! Lightning erupted from the center, throwing the guards in every direction. The loud roaring boom of thunder followed after, threatening to pop ear drums while sending the staff and approaching guards to either seek shelter, cover their ears in protection or both. At the center a purple dragon floated there, the power he gathered started to withdraw as bodies littered the ground all around him. They were knocked out or paralyzed from his lightning attack and would recover with time.
Spyro sighed as he landed on his feet shaking the leftover remnants of energy from his body. He was hoping to avoid confrontation, but in his attempt to sneak in, the pegasi guards spotted and quickly tackled him to the ground. Even as he tried to open the doors more seem to show up out of no where and join the fray. His attention from the unconscious guards were focused on two figures sitting on the throne. One was the dark pony who entered earlier the other to her right was a pure snow white pony. By the steps leading up to the throne were two beings, one that looked to be a dragon, the other Spyro could only guess was a griffon. All were staring at him in shocked silence. At least until Celestia's gaze intensified upon seeing him standing there.
"Awww, horse apples." Spyro muttered.