//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty Nine: The Final Date // Story: A Displaced Dragon // by Prince_Zodiac //------------------------------// Chapter Twenty Nine: The Final Date Time Skip One Week {Alduin’s POV, Dragon Form} Now, was the time. Twilight and I have been dating for a while now, and I’ve come to my decision. I’m going to ask her to marry me. …Eeyup. So eleven months ago this day, Twilight and I had begun our relationship. It had all started after I returned to the land of the living. Guess me being gone had scared her so much that, well, she didn’t want to lose me again. And so, to make sure I never left, she gave me a reason to always come home. Herself. When we had started dating, sure we got odd looks. I mean, Twilight was dating some random pony no one had ever heard about. And a dragon pony no less! Things got even weirder when they all figured out it was really me. But, we powered through it and now the whole town supported our relationship. We had gone on many dates and adventures, spent a lot of time together, and loved each other deeply. Now, I was ready to take our relationship to the next level. The question was, was she? I had no idea if she wanted to get married yet. I mean, if she said no then our relationship could be ruined. Was I really willing to take that risk? Yes. Yes I was. But how should I do it? When? Where? What should I say? I was a nervous wreck, and it was clear on my face. "Dad, you okay?" I looked up to see Plague and Amnesia, both as dragons once again. "You look like you’re really stressed about something." “Oh it’s nothing my young ones. I was just, thinking very carefully about something.” "You’re going to ask Twilight to marry you aren’t you?" “What?!” "Dad, we may be little kids, but we been fused with you long enough to make a good guess about what you’re thinking." “I… ugh. Okay yes, I am thinking about it.” "Stop thinking about it, and just do it!" “What?” "Just go and ask her!" “Kids it’s not that simple.” "Sure it is! All you need is the right time and place. Oh and speech of course." “And I’m guessing you two already have a plan, don’t you?” The Twins looked at each other, and smiled sheepishly. "We may have been planning for it." “Alright, where and when?” "That tall hill just outside of town! Get there at sunset! Oh and, don’t worry about time. We already asked Celestia to prepare an extra long sunset for when this day came so you two can take your time!" With that the Twins rushed off, presumably to get everything set up for me and Twilight. I don’t think I could have asked for better children. But now, I had a job to do. To get engaged to Twilight, I need a ring. But not just any old ring, oh no, this ring had to be special. Luckily for me, I knew the exact place to go. The dragon country. Time Skip Two Hours {Fire Forge’s POV} Ah, another good day. Business wasn’t too big today, but I still had some good customers so I was happy. There wasn’t really much of a need for jewelry or weapons for the rest of my kind, but ponies, griffons, and minotaurs alike would sometimes make the long trek into the dragon country to get something made for them by the best blacksmith/jeweler in the world, Fire Forge. I was born a couple hundred years ago. I didn’t grow like those big, brute like dragons. No I didn’t grow through greed. I grew the natural way. The way I thought that was better. After all, if you grew naturally, you could become stronger than a dragon that just grew by greed, and you wouldn’t be so submissive to your instincts. Yes, growing the natural way was much better. Oh, did I forget to mention that I’m a dragon? Oh well now you know. As for what I look like, I’ve got green scales, horns, and spines, and a blue belly. I’ve learned to master control over my fire so well, that I run my own business off it. And boy is it worth it. I don’t always get a customer, but when I do I always get quite the amount of money. I was just sitting at the counter, minding my own business when… “THE KING HAS RETURNED!” What? The King has returned? What the hell did that dragon mean? Dragons haven’t had a King since… “LORD ALDUIN HAS COME HOME!” Alduin? The, Lord Alduin? As in our first, and last King? He’s here?! And alive?! I had to see this for myself. I rushed out of my store and looked around, trying to find the lost King. I didn’t see anything. I thought that maybe that dragon was insane. Then, I heard the flapping of wings. Looking to the west, towards the pony kingdom, I saw the sky terror himself. Lord Alduin, in all his glory. A bunch of dragons grouped up behind me. There were some children, who had no idea what was going on, some adults, that couldn't believe the stories were true, and the elders, that looked in shock at the form of their benevolent King coming home. He landed in front of everyone, and we all bowed. He stood tall over us, a kind smile on his face. “Ah my subjects, it has been too long since I have come home.” One of the elders lifted his head and spoke. “Lord Alduin, you have finally returned. Does this meant that you broke free? That we are going to finally take our revenge on those ponies?” Alduin just chuckled. “Well yes, I did manage to escape, but I did not return here to gather an army to take revenge on the ponies.” “What? But, they imprisoned you for so long, and for no good reason! Why aren’t you seeking vengeance?” “Well, there’s a couple reasons actually. First off, the ponies have changed. They have learned from their arrogance in the past. Second, the alicorns that imprisoned me in the past have been dead for a long time now. In fact, they didn’t live too long after my imprisonment. Now their children rule, and they are much more understanding than their parents were. Third, I had recently died.” “WHAT?!” The ground itself shook as we all cried out in shock. “What do you mean you died?” The elder was completely taken off guard at this. He had indeed seen Alduin’s point of the ponies changing. After all, it was the children of those first alicorns that had gotten rid of many of the unfair parts of the treaty the dragons had to sign, so the elder had accepted this. Then this info bomb comes out of nowhere, and none of us know what to think. “I mean exactly what I said. I, died, risking my life for a pony that had come with me on one of my adventures. My soul had been ripped out, and most of it had been converted into energy for the one that had attacked me to use. However, a small part of my soul had stayed in my body, allowing a very powerful being to revive me once he got the rest of my soul back. At first, we didn’t know what had kept that small part of my soul there. But now, I think I know what happened.” “What?” “That pony's love for me kept that small part of my soul in my body. When I had died, even though I was a corpse she never left my side. Not once. That, had kept my soul in my body.” “So, a pony had kept your soul around, so you could be revived later?” “Indeed. That, is why I have no revenge planned for them.” “If they have done as much as you say, then we shall not either. We will follow your decisions my lord.” “Thank you. Now, I did not return just to say hello.” “Well of course not, what do you need my lord.” Alduin looked around. Then, his eyes stopped right on me. “I need you.” “M-Me?” “Yes, you. You remember that pony that I talked about?” “Y-Yeah.” “Well, I plan to marry her, and I need the best blacksmith in the world to make me the best set of rings. Do you think you could do that?” This, this was really happening. Lord Alduin himself had just come home, to ask me to make a ring for him. I couldn’t believe it! This was a dream come true! “I-I’ll get right on it sir! It’ll be done in a few hours!” “Perfect.” “One question though, who's it for?” “It’s going to be for my marefriend, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” “Sparkle huh? Then I’ll get right on it!” I immediately rushed to the back of my shop and entered my smithery. Lord Alduin wanted me to make him a ring, so I was going to make him the greatest god damn ring this world has ever seen. First though, I needed to make the engagement ring. That, was pretty simple. In the span of a few moments, I made a perfectly shaped golden engagement ring. Simple, yet elegant. “Alright, now for the real challenge.” I spent hours on them, making sure every little detail was perfect. I worked as hard as I could, sparing no expense to make these rings. It took four hours, but I eventually finished. “Phew, all done.” The two rings in front of me where made of draconic gold, a rare material that was very expensive. It was a very shiny gold that never got dirty and would never get damaged, no matter what you did to it. The metal itself looked like amber colored lava, and appeared to give off a slight glow. The crystals on them were mountain hearts, very rare gems that could only be found deep with mountains, and only dragons could find them. There was only one heart per mountain, and it would take hundreds of years for another one to form in the previous one’s place. I enchanted the rings so that, whenever they wanted to, they could focus on the rings and it would tell them where their other half was. “Alright, time to give these to his majesty.” I took the three rings, and put them all in two very special cases. Cases, that were only openable by Alduin, Twilight, or anyone with their permission. This would ensure they wouldn’t get stolen. One was for the engagement ring, the other for the wedding rings. I then walked outside, and Alduin was waiting there patiently. “Here you are my lord. The best rings that this world has ever, and will ever, see.” Alduin took the two boxes and opened them, seeing my best creations first hand. “These are perfect! How much do I owe you young one?” “Oh please it was my pleasure to make them. You don’t owe me a thing!” “Well I need to pay you somehow. Tell me young one, what is your name?” “Fire Forge, sir.” “Hmm. Well then, from now on you shall be, Sir Fire Forge, the royal blacksmith.” “R-R-Royal, b-b-blacksmith?” That was too much for me. I immediately passed out from shock. {Alduin’s POV} Fire Forge had immediately passed out when I told him he was to be the royal blacksmith. I turn to the elder dragon I had spoken to before. “Um, will he be okay?” “Don’t worry my lord, he’ll be fine. Just passed out from shock is all.” “Hmph, is that so? Well, I wish I could stay longer but alas, I must be off. I don’t want to miss my date now do I?” “You certainly wouldn’t sir. She may be a pony, but no one, not even dragons, keep their mates waiting for too long.” “Heh heh, indeed they don’t.” With that I flew off, intent on getting home as quick as possible. Time Skip Two hours By the time I got home it was almost sunset. Once I landed outside of Twilight’s castle, I heard the flapping of smaller wings. I turned to see the Twins flying at me. "Dad! Where have you been?" “I was-” "Never mind that there’s no time! You need to get to the hill now before Twilight finishes following the path of roses we left for her!" With a nod I took to the skies and hurried to the hill. When I got there, I saw a picnic table was set up. On it were two plates, both had some prench vegetarian cuisine, some salad, and some celery soup was in two bowls, both right next to the plates. There was a bottle of wine in the center of the table, and some wine glasses next to it. Two candles lit up the table, making the most romantic dinner scene I have ever laid my eyes on. The Twins did all of this? I flew down, became my dragon pony form, and stood in front of the table, looking down the hillside. Eventually, I saw Twilight walking up, a smile on her face. “Why hello Alduin. Didn’t expect to see you here.” The playful sarcasm was obvious in her voice. I chuckled and shook my head. She finished her trek up the mountain, and kissed me. I returned the kiss with a smile on my face. I then stepped aside and let her see what the Twins had set up. “Oh my Celestia. Did, did you set this up Alduin?” I was about to say no when I saw the Twins in the distance, nodding their heads as if to say “Yes, you did.” I understood and followed along with their plan. “Mmhmm. It took me only what, and hour or so?” “It’s so romantic.” “Well why don’t we stop staring at it and go enjoy our dinner?” She nodded and I led her to her seat. Once she sat down, I then walked over and sat in my seat. “Prench vegetarian cuisine? Very fancy.” “All for you my love.” She smiled and we began to eat, talking the whole time. We talked about our day, what was going on recently in our lives, that we didn’t already know of from each other obviously, and told some stories from our past. We had a great time and, like the Twins said, the sunset didn’t end the whole time. Once we were finished, I spoke. “Um, Twilight.” “Yes?” “I have, something to ask of you.” “Go on.” I stood and walked to the side of the table, and Twilight did the same. I steadied myself. Alright, here goes. “Twilight, ever since the day I met you, I knew there was, something special about you. Something, amazing, about you. I couldn’t really decide what it was though. I couldn’t decided if it was your laugh, your intelligence, your personality, your sense of adventure, or your kindness. Then, when I died, it had shaken you. You were sad, and depressed, but you never left my side, not even for a moment. The love that you had for me during that time, was what kept that little part of my soul from disappearing. Then, when I was revived, you were so happy to see me, and I you. That’s when I realized, it wasn’t just one part of you that I loved, it was everything. It was your laugh, your intelligence, your personality, your sense of adventure, and your kindness. I loved every single thing that made you, you. And now, I must ask you one of the most important questions, of my entire life.” I kneeled down, and pulled out a box. Twilight gasped, tears appearing in her eyes as she covered her mouth with a hoof. “Twilight, for as long as I’ve known you, for as long as we’ve been together, I have loved you. Will you do me the honors, of becoming my wife?’ Twilight couldn’t even speak. Tears were running down her face, her eyes were wide, and she was full of shock. For a second, I thought I had messed up and that she was going to say no. But then… “Yes. Yes! YES! Alduin, yes, I will marry you!” “R-Really?” “Really really.” “Ha ha! YES!” I jumped up and brought her into a deep kiss. She returned it, tears, which I then realized where tears of happiness, still streaking down her muzzle. We separated and put our heads together, looking into each other's eyes. "Ha ha woooo!" "We did it!" Twilight and I looked to a nearby bush, where the Twins were jumping around happily. They then noticed our stares, and smiled sheepishly with the added “squee” and backed up into the bush. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at their silliness before returning my eyes to and smiled at my new fiance. She returned the smile and we kissed again. “So, when should we have the wedding?” “Oh I don’t know, maybe in a few days? Give us time to tell our friends and family?” “That sounds like a great idea. Now, why don’t we go enjoy the rest of this sunset?” “The rest? It’s still there?” “Yep. The Twins asked Celestia to make a super long sunset so we could take our time on this final date.” “Those two are a clever little bunch aren’t they?” “Well, it doesn’t hurt that they have Epidemic to help with their plans.” “True, true.” Twilight sighed and we walked to the hilltop’s edge to get a perfect view as the sun slowly began to go down. Twilight leaned her head onto my shoulder as we watched it go down, simply enjoying each other’s company. This, this was it. My life was taking a step in a whole new direction, and I could only imagine what would become of this.