The party was making their way down the dirt path leading to Ponyville Peak. The sun was setting, and the wind grew colder with each passing minute as the stars began to set upon the black abyss of space. They could see the mountain growing larger as they approached it, also spotting the same violet dragon atop it. From their angle, it looked as if it was breathing stardust.
“Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash started, hovering above everyone else with her athletic wings. “You’re not scared of this dragon too, are ya?”
“Isn’t she friendly…?” She shied away inside of her mane.
“I guess, but I figured her size would spook ya.” She snickered.
As they were making small talk, Optix led the group ahead, always keeping her favorite rifle in hoof as she walked on her hind legs. Derpibra walked adjacent to her as well as Applejack.
“Why are ya so tensed up?” Applejack questioned.
“Somepony gotta stay on guard. All of you are so chill it’s laughable.” She smeared brown camouflage on her face to blend with the dirt path. “You never know when something is going to jump out at you.”
“You’re right about that I guess, but there isn’t a real reason to be so uptight.”
Optix made herself a spot next to her orange comrade. Only a minute passed before she spoke again. “Can I ask you something personal?” She asked, only a notch above a whisper.
“Mm hm.”
“You and that gray stallion got the hots for each other huh?” She cackled to herself.
“Maybe.” She answered half truthfully. “Why’d you ask?”
“I noticed he was eyeballin’ your flank when you were walking in front of him earlier.”
“He was? Aw shucks.”
“Well, he is a stallion right?” She chanced a look at him and returned to Applejack. “So, how long?”
“How long what?”
“How long have you two been together? Or better yet, how did you meet?”
“We been together a couple days. He just came into town around that time. He bought an apple from me, and later on he took me out to go eat at a burger place. That’s when I found out he was interested. And, all complicated stuff aside, that’s how we started.”
“That’s it?”
“I’m leavin’ out details for now partner.”
“Ah fine, your story.”
In the back of the group stood Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Rarity seemed more confused than anyone else, and Pinky Pie was, coincidentally, having the most fun.
“I still do not quite understand what all this talk of Darkness is.” Rarity questioned. “Pinkie, do you understand why we must involve ourselves with this? It’s quite dangerous.”
“Who cares if she’s a dragon?” Pinkie replied almost too quickly. “You're Generosity right? Show it!”
“I wasn't denying the poor thing assistance darling, I was just wondering what’s ahead, is all.”
“Don't be a worrywort mare Rarity! Everything's gonna be A okay!” She grinned from ear to ear.
“If you say so dear.” She gave her an unconvinced expression.
Twilight kept pace with Derpibra after catching up with him. They greeted each other happily before she addressed her question in a whisper.
“What’s your opinion of Optix Derpi?”
“She’s… different.” He took some seconds to think of a follow up response. “She’s definitely kinda vulgar, but she’s pretty cool. She looks like the type to have your back, but she can be rash sometimes I guess. You?”
“Her sense of humor is relatively childish, but other than that, I agree with you.” Her eyes wandered off onto the mountain. “What’s your thoughts on all this… this stuff about dragons and darkness?”
“To be real with you, I don't know. All I wanted to do was find my cutie mark, then this happens. I’m actually pretty terrified of how this could all turn out.” He attempted to laugh off his somewhat blatant shakiness, but failed. “Beats the heck out of sitting around doing a bunch of cutie mark activities though.”
“Agreed. It could get daunting after some time.”
The sun continued its setting as time passed on. The hike was lengthy, but relatively easy considering what dangers could have presented themselves- but didn’t, to the travelling party. After about an hour, the group finally arrived at the mountain trail leading up the peak. Resuming progress on their journey, they began scaling up the side of the mighty mountain that was mere miles away from town. Everyone stared in awe as their eyes buried into the black ocean of space bodies and stars. And, once they reached the top, they were greeted by their amazingly sized spiny friend.
“You made it, perhaps a tad later than expected.” Audry examined.
“Please excuse our tardiness, Ms…?” Rarity said, prompting the dragon to give her name.
“Audry. A pleasure.” She focused her attention on Derpibra. “Are you ready gray one?”
“Ready for what?”
“Ah yes, I haven't given all the details.” She gathered her thoughts before speaking once more. “Are you ready… to become a Dragon Rider?”
“Yeah.” He nodded with determination.
“Then, climb upon my back. I will be your steed-”
“Hold on a sec!” Optix interrupted abruptly. “Just where are we heading eh?”
“We are going to fly to Dragon Isle, North of Griffonstone in the Equestrian Blue Sea.” She positioned herself with her neck along the ground, allowing the ponies’ easy access onto her back. “I’ll explain more as we go. You must trust me.”
Derpibra already found a way up her spiked torso, and sat at the base of her brow. “C’mon Optix, we made it this far. Wouldn't you at least wanna discover whatever Audry is talking about?”
“Yeah…” She rolled her eyes, unconvinced.
The party placed themselves comfortably on her back, and she stood with her wings abroad, ready to fly. Then, flapping her mighty appendages wildly but with calculated precision, she lifted off into the air, and turned her eyes to Derpibra. She materialized ethereal ropes into his hooves that connected to her snout via a brace.
“What are these…?” He stared at them, a mighty bit confused he was.
“This is what you need to control my flight.” She looked off into the direction they were to adventure in. “That is our direction of travel. To be a Dragon Rider, you must trust your steed, and the steed must trust you- I already put in my end, so what of you?”
He stayed silent, pondering the meaning of her explanation before finally nodding in agreement.
“Good. It will come to you naturally Derpibra. I will elaborate more as we go.”
Flying above the crystal blue ocean, everypony gawked at the marvelous view of the moon-stained waters below. Occasionally, the would spot an Iron-back whale- a creature known for it’s highly defensive iron torso, was leaping peacefully above the chilled chemical of life. It has been quite a few hours since their departure from Equestria, and the journey still seemed far. But, with the excitement from how Derpibra was handling his ‘Steed’ with increasing skill levels, the ride didn’t seem as long and drawn out as it probably would have otherwise.
Derpibra had much time to anticipate whatever events may unfold within the following morrows upon arrival, but that did not detain him from conjuring questions. “When did the whole idea of Dragon Riding become a thing Audry?”
“Before Equestria’s settlement.” She answered quickly. “Many lesser towns and states before Equestria used Dragon Riding as a means of showing the appreciation, the prowess, of the rider and dragon. But, Such trust soon waned in the wake of the Darkness.”
“When? Well, if you know the exact date anyway…”
“The fourteenth of February.”
“Isn’t that Hearts and Hooves Day?”
“Indeed so. The reason why it would choose such a day for its misdeeds... It’s beyond me. Perhaps it is to usher in a new meaning. A love for your Darkness instead of your loved one?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe. Say, how did you remember the date so easily?”
“Every year, on that exact date, I feel… different. In unexplainable ways no less.”
“Is there no way for you to explain?”
“Quite.”
A moment of silence passed before he inquired once more.
“So, what’s so special about Dragon Isle? Is there a reason why it’s called that?”
“To answer your first question: Dragon Isle is my place of origin. And, the reason why it is called by that name is because of that island holding most of the world’s dragon population.”
“If you were born there, then why were you all the way out in Ponyville? Because of the Darkness?”
“Yes. I figured out, late into the war against our Darkness, that we dragons are incapable of finishing the fight that we have been burdened with.”
“So am I the only one capable of stopping it or something?”
“One of few. I can already tell, even now.”
He submitted to her a curious look. “What?”
“You are a fast learner, and a daring one no less. You trusted a beast like myself so quickly- without falter. You can take control of your steed with a demanding but understanding and accepting manner… you are the one.”
“We will just have to see when we get there. This is a lot to soak up at once… I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
“And that’s okay. You will learn of your importance over time. You may be the only one we have… to succeed where others have failed.”
Without gaining an additional response, Audry continued flight under Derpibra’s command.