//------------------------------// // A Royal Encounter // Story: Draconic Awakening // by saber1994 //------------------------------// It wasn’t long before Rarity returned to the conscious world. She looked around the room slightly confused as to her whereabouts, but she soon remembered when she looked at Elliot. Once her eyes fell onto the back of his head, she saw that he was nonchalantly leaning against the couch conversing with Fluttershy. She slowly stood up from the couch and stretched her legs and body trying to get all of the kinks out. Elliot heard the movement and turned his head to where Rarity was and smiled at her. “You alright? I hope I didn’t scare you or anything,” Elliot said trying to keep from surprising the mare just in case she decided to faint again. “I am terribly sorry,” Rarity replied with an elegant air to her voice. “It isn’t that you specifically startled me but that it was the state of dress that you are in. I now fully understand why it is that you decided to get new clothes.” Elliot breathed a sigh of relief, “Oh thank goodness I didn’t want to have that bad of a first impression. I wish that I had been able to avoid ruining my only pair of clothes, but the circumstances decided otherwise.” “Well don’t you worry I will do my best to create a marvelous new outfit for you to wear. Now for what occasion do you need these clothes?” Rarity asked taking on a professional air. “Actually they’re for everyday wear. I kind of need to stay clothed at pretty much all times,” he told her a little sheepishly. He was hoping to avoid this subject seeing as it could easily lead to an uncomfortable conversation. “Ah I see,” she said giving a slight nod. “Well let’s get started. I brought my measuring tape with me so that I can take some quick measurements.” She levitated the measuring tape from a saddle bag that she had been wearing and began to instruct Elliot on when to lift an arm or how to maneuver himself so that she could get the measurements accurately. After everything was done Elliot started to smile. “Thank you so much Rarity. I don’t really mind how you design the clothes as long as they are more casual than formal,” he said gleefully. “Don’t get too excited now. Normally I would allow my customers first outfits to be free so that they could test whether my designs were for them or not, however, you are ordering multiple sets and I have never made anything for you. Hopefully this isn’t sounding rude, but I will be needing payment,” Rarity looked him right in the eye, trying to show that she wished she could use her usual generous methods. Elliot sighed, his head drooped and he plopped down onto the couch. He knew that he couldn’t pay for the clothes and had no way of earning money. Feeling defeated he started to tell her not to worry about the clothes since he had no money. Before he did, an idea popped into his head. “Would it be alright if I did some work for you? I have no money but surely there is something that you can make me do that will make up for your costs.” Elliot pleaded giving her a look of desperate hope. Rarity was slightly startled at his sudden outburst, yet she soon regained her composure. “That would be an acceptable form of payment. If you could come to the boutique tomorrow morning I will let you know what I need done,” she replied. “Sounds like a deal!” Elliot exclaimed almost too excitedly. Remembering something that humans did whenever a deal was made, he extended his hand in an effort to perform a handshake. Soon he realized the ridiculousness of the idea and tried to lower his arm and pretend nothing happened. Before he could feel even more awkward a sudden frantic knocking was heard at the door. Fluttershy quickly went to answer the door. As soon as she opened it Twilight pushed past her saying, “Sorry Fluttershy this is important. I need Elliot to come down to the library with me immediately.” Elliot stood and quickly walked over to the front door. Seeing the panicky unicorn, he soon became worried. “What’s wrong Twilight? Did you find something?” he asked. “Yes, I think I may have found a lead on the unicorn that attacked you. I need your help at the library so that you can more thoroughly describe everything that has happened,” Twilight replied, her eyes shifting around the room nervously. Elliot tried to ignore it and attributed her demeanor to be caused by the possibility of being spied on by the mysterious unicorn. Elliot looked at Fluttershy and knelt down to be on eye level with her. “Thank you so much for taking care of me. I’ll be sure to come back when I get a chance to return the favor,” Elliot stood up and nodded to Twilight signaling that he was ready to leave. The two turned to the door and walked out of the house. “Should we turn me invisible again?” he asked as they began to make their way back to Ponyville. “There’s no time, besides since you will most likely be here for a while the other ponies need to meet you sooner or later,” she began to pick up her pace, reaching a steady trot. “We need to hurry, there’s somepony else at the library that you need to meet. She could be of great help to our search.” Elliot started jogging to keep up with Twilight. When she mentioned the other pony at the library, he thought that that must be the Spike he had heard mentioned during his previous visit. As they began to get closer to the town he decided that he might as well ask who it was that he would be meeting. “So is this other pony Spike? I heard you talking to him last time.” Twilight gave a soft chuckle at his question. “Spike’s not a pony he’s a baby dragon. And besides he’s my assistant and most likely wouldn’t be able to provide too much help with this. The pony you are meeting is Princess Celestia. She actually wanted to meet you and that’s why you are needed at the library,” she began getting a slightly more nervous tone as she finished speaking. Elliot saw that she was feeling somewhat ashamed for lying about it, but he felt she had her reasons for doing so. “Princess Celestia, I think I remember seeing that name in one of the books that I looked at in the library. Who is she exactly?” Elliot asked watching as Twilight relaxed when he didn’t seem upset about being lied to. Twilight smiled loving that she was getting to talk about and praise her teacher. “Princess Celestia is the co-ruler of Equestria. She and her sister, Princess Luna, watch over all of the ponies. They both have time specific duties. Princess Celestia raises the sun and takes care of any business needed during the day, while Princess Luna raises the moon and handles the night. There had been a long period where Princess Celestia had to raise both the sun and the moon, but that story is for a different time,” Twilight finished her brief explanation as they reached the door to the library. Before they went in Elliot noticed that the streets were completely empty with almost all of the houses seeming completely unwelcoming. He attributed this to the fact that a strange, possibly dangerous, creature had just been running through the town. Turning his attention back to the door, Elliot prepared himself to meet Princess Celestia. He thought back to what Twilight had just said about her raising the sun and froze. At first, Elliot doubted that a creature with such power could exist. However the more he thought the more realistic it became. The thought of meeting the Princess soon began to cause Elliot to again fear for his safety. He knew that if she had the power to control the sun she would be able to easily obliterate him without much thought. Soon his thoughts were cut short as the door opened up and he stepped inside. Once he crossed the threshold he witnessed a magnificent sight. Before him stood Princess Celestia in all of her glory. She stood tall enough to see eye to eye with Elliot, however, if her horn was taken to account she was easily over seven feet tall. Her oddly colored and formed mane seemed to flow with a non-existent breeze. Her mane showed the innate power that resided within the princess. Before he could continue to stare in amazement, he was forced to remember his manners. He dropped to a knee and offered a bow. Whether she held power to govern over him or not, he knew that he was a guest in her lands and should show her respect. “Now now, there is no need for prolonged pleasantries. I am Princess Celestia, ruler of the land of Equestria. If you don’t mind I would like to ask you a few questions,” she spoke in a regal voice that showed gentleness, yet an absolute authority. Elliot slowly stood up to face the Princess. “That… That’s fine with me,” he nervously mumbled. The sheer presence that she held alone was enough to scare Elliot. “You have no need to worry; I do not plan to let any harm befall you. For my first question I would like to know, what are you exactly? Also for what reason is it that you have come to Equestria?” “I’m not completely sure what I am, but I’m pretty sure that I am something called a human. As for why I am here I don’t know. I randomly woke up in that forest that is near here.” He explained to the best of his abilities. “Princess, why are you asking all of these questions? I already told you this information.” Twilight interjected. “I was just confirming what it was that you had told me. Now Elliot do you have any idea as to what this recent magical presence that has attacked my ponies might be?” Celestia asked. “Not really, no I don’t. The only thing that I know about it is that seems to be following me around everywhere that I go. Actually now that I think about it I’m pretty sure that this presence is what brought me here.” “I see. That is very interesting Elliot. Now that you are in my kingdom what do you plan on doing?” “Honestly all that I want to do is to find my way home. Other than that I’m not sure. I guess try and live as normal a life as possible and try to not frighten the ponies too much.” “I see,” Celestia responded as she began to pace around the room. She would occasionally stop and glance at Elliot with a look that showed she was studying him. Suddenly she stopped and gained a look of intense concentration as if she were deep in thought. After a moment she turned to look at Elliot again and said “I have a proposition for you.” “Alright let’s hear it,” Elliot replied hoping that it would be something simple that he could easily manage. “I remembered something during our discussion. It was something that my father had told me while I was just a filly. I remember him mentioning a race of bipedal creatures called humans. However that is as much as I can recall. However, I am sure that he would have included more information in his journal. I would like for you to retrieve his journal from the old castle in the Everfree Forest,” Celestia told him. Elliot was about to answer, but he decided to think about it first. He had only been in the forest a short time and was sure that he would easily get lost. Not only that but he had absolutely no idea of where to go to get to the castle. After some thought Elliot felt that he was ready to give an answer. “I would gladly do this, yet I don’t know how to get there. Also how would I find the journal?” Celestia smiled at him glad that he had not agreed to the quest without thought. “I will send Twilight to guide you to the castle, but that is as far as she will go. I don’t want her in too much danger. As for the journal it should still reside in a secret panel on the left side of the throne in the throne room” Elliot gave the idea a bit more thought as he started pacing just as Celestia had done earlier. “Alright, I’ll do it, and if you don’t mind me asking would you be able to completely heal my wounds? I’m pretty sure that they would make things a lot more difficult if they stay the way they are.” “Yes you are right, those wounds could easily be a grievous hindrance,” she said as she walked over to Elliot. Her horn began to glow as she moved it first to Elliot’s arm and then his leg. After a moment she stepped back with a satisfied smile. “I hope that everything healed up properly. You should rest for the day and let the magic finish its effects. Prepare yourself today and you can set out tomorrow morning.” As soon as she had stepped away Elliot started to flex his arm. Feeling no pain he felt a large smile spread across his face. He decided to swing it around and throw a few punches testing it. Satisfied with his arms recovery he jumped from leg to leg doing his best to hold in giggles as he again felt no pain from his previous injuries. “Thank you very much Princess,” he gave a deep bow attempting to show just how much he appreciated being healed. “You are very welcome Elliot. Also seeing as you could very possibly be here for a while I understand that the other ponies may be afraid of you. I wish to help to alleviate their fears by publicly introducing you. What do you say?” she asked in a somewhat commanding voice. Elliot just nodded his head and walked with her over to the door. Using her magic Celestia opened the door and walked out. She began to lead Elliot in the direction of Town Hall with Twilight following close behind. On their way there Elliot noticed ponies looking out windows with some even opening their doors to poke their heads out. He realized that if he was walking through town with their princess it would look a lot better on his part. The walk there was a short one. Once they arrived the three of them ascended the steps and stepped inside. Celestia used her magic to levitate a podium that was sitting in the corner of the room. She transported it outside and onto the top step. After she did that she turned around and stepped up to the podium and closed the doors behind her. She looked around thinking of the best way to try and gather the ponies. Deciding on enchanting her voice to be heard all over the town she began to activate the spell. “Citizens of Ponyville this is Princess Celestia speaking. I request that everypony come to the town hall immediately. I repeat, I request that everypony come to the town hall immediately.” Once she finished calling for the ponies to gather she began to wait. Slowly but surely ponies began to make their way into the area around the town hall. Whenever they saw that Princess Celestia was indeed in Ponyville whispers and murmurs began to spread throughout the crowd. Most were wondering what she was doing here, others suspected that she was here because of the mysterious creature from earlier. After it appeared that almost all of the ponies were now gathered in the area she began her introduction. “I thank each and everypony for gathering as swiftly as they have. The purpose for this meeting is to introduce someone new to you. Even though he is a bit different I would like for you to treat him as if he were just another pony. He will be staying here for an unknown amount of time so please welcome him warmly. I will now give him a chance to introduce himself,” she took a step aside and looked at Elliot expectantly. Elliot looked from her to the podium nervously. He didn’t know why, but the thought of speaking in front of all of the ponies scared him. Slowly taking small steps, Elliot walked towards the podium to face the eager crowd. Once his features became visible there were audible gasps from numerous places in the crowd. Even though Elliot had just recently run through the town most ponies had not seen him yet. He looked pleadingly to Twilight hoping that she could help him in some way, however, all that he got from her was a reassuring smile. Looking back to the crowd, Elliot took a deep breath. Knowing that he shouldn’t keep them waiting much longer he cleared his throat. “H-Hello everybody, my name is Elliot. I really appreciate being allowed to stay here in Ponyville. I’m new to Equestria, so I would appreciate any help that could be given to me. Thanks,” he rushed through his little introduction and stepped back from the podium. Feeling relieved that he had gotten that over with he sat down against the wall of the building. He looked at Princess Celestia wondering what she would do now that he was finished talking. Celestia sighed and decided to walk back to the podium to answer the questions she knew would soon be asked. “If any of you have a questions you may now ask it. We will answer to the best of our abilities.” A mint green unicorn quickly raised her hoof. Before she was acknowledged she shouted her question anyway, “What is he?” Celestia smiled at the enthusiasm that the pony showed. “We are certain that he is called a human. They are a race of bipedal creatures. Any other questions?” After a short while of no questions being asked, Celestia started to walk away. Before she could make it far an excited voice was heard calling out through the crowd, “Ooh Ohh Pick me Pick me!” Celestia turned just in time to see a pink hoof get lowered back into the crowd. Moments later she saw the same hoof being waved frantically back and forth on the opposite end of the gathered ponies. “Ooh please pick me! I have a question. An important question!” the voice called again. Before Celestia could respond she saw a pink blur pass right by her. “This question is really really important!” the pink pony, who was now hopping excitedly next to Celestia, exclaimed. Celestia was about to grant her permission to speak, but she was interrupted before she could start. The pink pony had pushed her face as close to Elliot’s as she could and she nearly shouted her question. “Do you like parties?” AN: WOO! Finally I managed to get another chapter out. I know I've promised that chapters would come out faster, but hopefully now that I am pretty much done with school I should have plenty more time to write. Also I have acquired a knew pre-reader/editor/encourager to help with my writing. Feel free to berate me for making all of you wait this long for the new chapter.