Peace Porridge Hot

by Metool Bard

Juxtaposed Jitters

"I still can't believe this is the first time I'm hearing about this Dragon Lord."

Trigger placed a hand on Needles's shoulder as he walked her through the halls of Canterlot Castle. "Well, as Ocard explained, you Dragon Magi don't answer to the Dragon Lord. It's understandable why you've never been summoned."

"But seriously, that last Gauntlet of Fire? You really should've been there," said Steel. "I mean, Flint and I didn't get very far, but you would've nailed everything with your fancy magic."

There was a brief pause as Needles looked over at Flint. She raised an eyebrow.

"This is usually the part where you chime in with some angry quip," she said.

"Huh? What do I have to be angry about?" said Flint with a shrug. "Princess Ember became Dragon Lord fair and square."

"Didn't she have help from that Spike fellow?" Steel asked.

"Well, yeah. But I don't think he really wanted the title himself," said Flint. "He just didn't want that jerk Garble to get it."

Needles blinked. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Flint?"

Flint rolled his eyes. "Oh, har har. Look, Needles. We're meeting with the Dragon Lord here. That's a time when you stow away your more aggressive tendencies and open up your freaking ears. We can't show her any disrespect."

"Okay, okay. Sheesh, no need to jump down my throat," said Needles. She then sighed. "I-I guess I'm just a bit nervous. I mean, if she's callin' upon me, a Dragon Mage, that must mean she needs some advice. But I'm not that good at that stuff yet."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine," said Little Strongheart. "You have Ocard to help you out, don't you?"

"I guess," said Needles. "Still, I can't shake the feeling that..."

"This is a bad idea."

Gruff gave Gilda a look as a smaller griffon darted around her, measuring the sleeves of her new uniform. Never in all his years did he expect his granddaughter to be wearing such a regal brown suit decorated with a red sash. Upon the sash was a golden badge depicting the ancient Idol of Boreas; Griffonstone's sacred treasure that was lost to the annals of time. It was to mark her accomplishment of helping Griffonstone return to its former glory. But even with the prestige, she still acted like an obstinate cub.

"Gilda, you must understand. Ambassador Honor Bound chose you to be his successor for a reason," said Gruff.

"Yeah, a stupid reason," Gilda growled. "I wouldn't have done anything to help Griffonstone if it wasn't for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. They should be the ones doing this, not me."

Gruff cackled. "Do my ears deceive me? I would never picture you as being this modest."

"I'm serious, Grandpa," said Gilda. "I'm not ambassador material. I've never met half of the creatures attending this, conference."

She had to fight against the urge to call the conference stupid or lame. But even so, Gruff knew she was thinking it. He sighed and shook his head.

"Gilda, I know you've spent most of your life building up this 'tough girl' wall and putting on airs. But times are changing now, and Griffonstone is starting to catch up with the rest of the Griffon Kingdom. That wall has to come down," he said sternly. "Besides, if you've managed to get along with ponies, you can get along with anyone else at this conference."

"Yeah, you say that now," Gilda grumbled, tugging at her sash. "But just wait. Some other big tough guy is gonna get under my skin, then I'll blow my top, and the Griffon Kingdom is suddenly at war with Yakyakistan or some— ow!"

She turned savagely toward the tailor and swiped her talon at his face. "Watch it, buddy!"

"Ambassador, please stand still," the tailor scolded, unfazed by the aggressive gesture. "This is a difficult procedure."

Gilda sighed and looked over at Gruff. "You see? I'm one poke away from getting our entire country in trouble! I shouldn't be here!"

"You're just nervous, Gilda. I'm sure many ambassadors before you felt the same way," said Gruff sagely. "It's true that we griffons are proud and aggressive, but I'm sure we're not the only ones. If anything, you'll feel right at home."

Gilda rolled her eyes. "Right, that makes me feel so much better."

"Come now, Gilda," said Gruff. "Do you think you're the only one who feels this way about the conference?"

"Yes! Exactly that!" Gilda cried. "I'm telling you, Grandpa..."

"I don't belong here."

Dragon Lord Ember stared at her reflection through the Bloodstone Scepter she wielded in her claws. Her eyes glanced over at the invitation Princess Celestia had sent her the week before. She still couldn't believe it. Dragons dining with ponies was practically unheard of before she won the Gauntlet of Fire, yet she promised her people that her rule would be different from the Dragon Lords before her. Even so, she had no idea it would be this hard. She was sitting in a suite inside a pony princess's castle. No dragon could ever claim that, or would even want to claim that.

Except perhaps for one little fellow from Ponyville.

She looked at the letter again, this time taking note of the postscript that was addressed specifically to her.

Ember couldn't help but smile. Indeed, she had heard of the Dragon Magi before, but she never met one of these supposedly all-knowing dragons in person. But if Spike could vouch for this dragon, then perhaps she'd be alright.

A sudden knock at the door caused her to jump, and she nearly dropped her scepter. Once she recovered the staff, she drew herself to full height and cleared her throat.

"Enter!" she ordered.

The doors opened, revealing four young dragons and a buffalo. Each of them bowed before her. Ember made a face.

"Okay, get up, get up," she said, blushing profusely. "I'm not that kind of Dragon Lord."

Confused, the dragons rose to their feet awkwardly. Little Strongheart, however, kept her head down.

"My apologies, Dragon Lord. But, I must say, I'm still quite awed by your presence," she said. "I am Little Strongheart, representative of the buffalo tribe. It's an honor to meet you in person."

Ember blinked. "Um, yeah. Nice to meet you, too," she said, scratching the back of her head. "Sheesh, I knew you buffalo respected us dragons, but I didn't expect meeting one for the first time to be like this." She then took note of the four dragons before her. "Ah, so you all got my summons."

"There's no way we could have ignored your call, Your Lordship," said Trigger. "Or, do you prefer Ladyship? I-I'm sorry, you never really made that clear when you won the Gauntlet of Fire. Ehheh..."

"Lordship's fine," Ember said frankly. "Now, which one of you is the Dragon Mage?"

"That'd be me," said Needles, extending a claw. "Needles of the Dragoons, at your service."

Ember stared blankly at Needles's claw. "Um, what are you doing?"

Needles blinked. "It's a handshake. What, you never shook hands with someone before?"

"I have a lot to learn about social interaction outside of the Dragonlands," Ember confessed. "That's kinda why I summoned you here. A friend of mine told me you could help."

"Well, I'll let you guys have some privacy," said Little Strongheart. She bowed to Ember again. "I look forward to seeing you at the conference, Lord Ember."

With that, she trotted our of the room and closed the door behind her. After a pause, Ember cleared her throat.

"So. You're a Dragon Mage," she said to Needles.

"Eeyup. In training, though," Needles clarified. "But I'm sure I can help ya out with whatever's bothering you. That's what we Dragon Magi do best."

Ember pursed her lips and tapped her chin. "For some reason, I thought you'd be a lot bigger. And, older."

"I'm sure many dragons could say the same about you, Your Lordsh— ow!"

Steel was interrupted by an elbow jab from Flint.

"Were you not paying attention at the Gauntlet of Fire?" he scolded. "All the dragons of Equestria know that Ember's Dragon Lord now."

"I didn't," said Needles.

Flint sighed. "Pretty much every dragon in Equestria knows that Ember's Dragon Lord now," he clarified.

"Huh. I was wondering why I didn't see you at the Gauntlet of Fire," Ember mused, looking down at Needles.

"Well, that's the thing with Dragon Magi. We normally don't answer to the Dragon Lord," said Needles sheepishly. "We're western dragons that embrace eastern traditions. It's a long story."

"I've heard this story before," said Ember. "In the time under Discord's rule, the eastern dragon Zheng Long mated with the western dragon Plume because there was no distinction between east and west. Once order returned, Zheng Long stayed in the west to teach dragons his eastern ways. My father told me of your people."

"Is that right? Dare I ask what he said?"

Ember smirked. "He said that your softer ways bely a great power that is not to be underestimated."

"I suggest you take that as a compliment, Needles," said Trigger, wringing his claws. "Best not make the Dragon Lord angry. Ehheh... Ehheh..."

Needles snorted and bopped Trigger on the head with her parasol. "Forgive him, Your Lordship. Trigger likes to look out for me a bit too much for his own good."

Ember giggled. "Don't worry about it. Like I said, I'm not really that kind of Dragon Lord." She then sighed. "And, that's kinda my problem."

"Oh?"

Ember stared into her Bloodstone Scepter again. "This just feels, weird. Before I met Spike at the Gauntlet of Fire, I never thought that dragons could be friends with ponies, or anyone else for that matter. I'm honored that Princess Celestia has invited me to this year's Inter-Species Conference, but I don't know how to portray myself. Should I be the strong, imposing figure that dragons are meant to be? Or should I show that we aren't so bad?"

Needles furrowed her brow. "That's a tough one, alright," she mused. "No wonder you needed my help."

Ember let out a sad chuckle. "It's funny. I think I'm the first Dragon Lord to have worries like this. Everyone else knew what to do, but things were simpler back then. The Dragon Lord only had to be concerned with his fellow dragons, no one else."

"But now, things are different, and you don't know what to do," said Needles sagely. "I know where you've been, sister."

"Needles! You're addressing the Dragon Lord!" Flint hissed. "For Pete's sake, show some respect!"

Ember sighed. "See, this right here is my problem. Every Dragon Lord before me has forced other dragons to respect them through fear and intimidation. But once I was made Dragon Lord, I promised that this wasn't going to be my thing. At the same time, though, I don't want to show weakness in front of everyone else. That would just be..."

"A disaster! A complete, unmitigated disaster!"

Princess Celestia sighed as she watched her schedule keeper Kibitz gallop back and forth in front of her throne, flailing about in utter panic. She gave Raven a look, and she simply shrugged her shoulders.

"Kibitz, calm down," Celestia stated. "I'm sure this is not that bad."

"Not that bad?! Your Highness, you have no idea how bad this is!" Kibitz shouted. "Do you realize how many of these guests are carnivores?! The chefs don't know how to prepare meat! And what of the yaks?! You know how picky Prince Rutherford was when he first visited! He almost declared war on us, Princess! War!"

"That was an error across multiple parties," said Celestia. "Prince Rutherford knows better now."

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg!" Kibitz barked, jamming a piece of parchment in her face. "Look at this table seating chart! You have the representative of the Diamond Dogs sitting right next to the ambassador of the Neko Shogunate! Don't you know that they're mortal enemies?!"

"Not at this conference, they aren't," said Celestia firmly. "And that's precisely the point. This is meant to bridge gaps between all nations and creatures. We ponies are simply the hosts."

Kibitz's mustache bristled as he narrowed his eyes. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you made these controversial decisions on purpose just to have a laugh. That's what you did at the Grand Galloping Gala, and you know what happened then?!"

Celestia furrowed her brow. "Which Gala are you referring to, Kibitz? The one with the Pony Pokey, the one with the ponunculus, or the one with the Smooze?"

"You know very well which one!" Kibitz howled. "Princess, this isn't Chuckle-Lot! This is an important delegation between several different species! You have to take this seriously!"

"Who says I haven't been?" said Celestia with a shrug. "You're forgetting that all of these creatures are guests in our home. That means they have to respect our way of doing things. So what if we don't serve meat? All of us eat pastries. And if ponies can break bread with griffons, minotaurs, and dragons without causing a fuss, then the Diamond Dogs can do the same with the nekos."

Kibitz sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "Let me put it like this, Princess. For the sake of argument, let's say one of our guests is, unsatisfied with the arrangements. I won't name names, but let's just pretend for a second. How exactly will you react when they start smashing things left and right, no doubt angering the other diplomats?"

Celestia deadpanned. "I'm sure for a lot of species, that would come across as an offensive stereotype. This is Equestria. They can like it, or they can leave. Twilight had to learn that lesson when we formed our alliance with Yakyakistan; I suggest you take it to heart as well, Kibitz."

That shut Kibitz up. He quickly cleared his throat and bowed. "I-I see. Forgive me, Your Highness. I wasn't aware there was such a method to your madness."

Celestia chuckled. "Wouldn't be the first time."

Kibitz let out another sigh. "It's just so frightening, Princess. Many of these creatures haven't been to the Inter-Species Conference before. Heck, the Neko Shogunate haven't even officially opened their borders to us yet. And don't get me started on the Dragon Lord. The Dragon Lord, of all people. With the exception of Princess Twilight Sparkle's ward, ponies have never gotten along with dragons. Can you blame me for getting nervous? I mean, next thing you know, you'll be inviting Tirek for tea!"

Celestia tapped her muzzle. "Actually, that may not be a bad idea..."

"I was kidding!" Kibitz screamed frantically.

"As was I," Celestia said with a laugh. "Kibitz, trust me. While I respect your counsel, I know what I'm doing here." She then knelt down to his height and placed a hoof on his shoulder. "At the same time, however, I understand why you're frightened. This is an historic moment, and not just for Equestria. But here's one thing to keep in mind..."

"You don't have to be perfect to make a good first impression."

Ember frowned. "I'm not trying to be perfect, though. I don't know what I'm trying to be."

"Ever thought of just bein' yourself?" Needles said with a shrug.

Ember gave Needles a bemused look. "What, you mean confused? Scared? Out of place?"

"Um, no. Not those things," said Needles sheepishly. "But I mean show those fellas who you really are. Don't pretend to be this big, nasty ruler if that doesn't feel right."

"No, you don't get it. I don't know what feels right," Ember complained. "Even before I won the Gauntlet of Fire, I never liked the image of this big, strong dragon that everyone feared. I didn't push people around; I outsmarted them to get what I wanted. Sometimes, it was like I was the only dragon in the Dragonlands who ever used her brain, but because I wasn't big and strong, no one... Ugh, I hate talking about my feelings!"

She folded her arms and pouted. Needles scratched her head for a moment.

"Then don't," she said simply. "This here's a professional meeting, right? So be professional. You don't have to talk about your feelings or your worries or anything like that if you don't want to."

Ember gave Needles a curious look. "And, you think people will respect me for that?"

"I don't see why they wouldn't," said Needles with a shrug. "Look, if it makes you feel better, you're a lot better off than I am."

"Really?"

Needles let out a self-mocking chuckle. "Yeah. At least you're not thinkin' of runnin' away."

Ember blinked. "I never heard of a dragon who ran away from a problem."

"Well, you have now," said Needles, blushing a bit. "It's a long story. I'm sure you don't want to hear it."

"Yes I do," said Ember, kneeling down to Needles's height.

Needles sighed. "Well, here's the thing, Your Lordship. I don't have the answers to everything. But when I first learned about my clan, I thought that's what was expected of me. That scared me, and I ran away. I spent a long time just driftin', not caring about anything or anyone. Even now, I'm not sure if I'm doin' this right." She then smiled. "But you ain't like that, Your Lordship. You see this challenge, and you know you're gonna conquer it. You just don't know how, and that's fine. It's why I'm here."

A gentle smile formed on Ember's face. "I knew Spike trusted you for a reason," she said, bowing her head. "Thank you, Dragon Mage Needles. Your counsel has been most invaluable."

She raised her scepter, causing a wave to wash over Needles and her comrades. In an instant, their glowing scales cooled down.

"Glad to be of assistance, Your Lordship," said Needles, bowing herself. "That's what we Dragon Magi do best."

"So, is that it?" asked Flint. "We can just go home now?"

"Actually, I think it'd be better if you stayed for the conference," said Ember. "I mean, I'm the only dragon here, and..."

"Say no more, Your Lordship," said Trigger with a bow. "Needles knows your plight all too well, and the Dragoons will support you no matter what."

Needles half-expected Flint to protest this, but instead, he bowed to Ember.

"That's right, Your Lordship," he said. "You can always count on the Dragoons."

Steel smirked. "Wow. Needles was right. You do soften up when you're around the Dragon L— ow!"

Flint's tail cracked over Steel's back like a whip. "Shut up, Steel," he growled through gritted teeth.

Ember couldn't help but giggle. "You get this a lot, I assume."

"From time to time," Needles said with a shrug. "It's actually gotten a lot better. Again, long story."

"And one I wouldn't mind hearing," said Ember. "But, perhaps another time. I should prepare for the conference. Thank you again."

"No problem, Your Lordship," said Needles with a bow. "Alright, boys. Let's let the lady have her privacy. Vamanos."

With that, the four of them left the suite and made their way down the hall. Needles twiddled her fingers.

"S-so? How'd I do?" she asked.

"Splendidly, my dear Needles," said Trigger, wringing his claws. "You really knew just what to say."

Needles raised an eyebrow. "You're just sayin' that 'cause you're madly in love with me, Trigger. Be honest."

"I-I am!" Trigger squeaked, flinching at the accusation. "I-I know better than to lie to my girl. Ehheh... Ehheh..."

Needles sighed. "Trigger, I was talkin' out my butt half the time. Lord Ember's problem really is as complicated as she makes it out to be. I don't know if my advice is gonna work. She should've gone to a real Dragon Mage. Or heck, why didn't she summon Spike? That guy's more helpful than I've ever been, and he's not even a Dragon Mage!"

"As long as you have these doubts, you will never grow."

Needles scowled at the voice inside her head and let out a huff of flame. The flame soon formed into Ocard, who stared back at her.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, Ocard," Needles grumbled.

"Strange. I thought you'd appreciate it, seeing as I am your spirit guide," said Ocard frankly. "But Trigger speaks truth. You did well with the Dragon Lord."

"How can you know that for sure?" Needles inquired, folding her arms.

"I can't. But nothing can be known for certain," Ocard replied honestly. "Just trust in your own prowess, young Needles, and everything will sort itself out."

"Look, if the conference goes off without a hitch, will you stop moping and doubting yourself?" Flint asked. "Seriously, you're starting to bum me out."

Needles nodded. "Yeah, okay. We'll just have to wait and see. If things go wrong, we'll be right there to mend the damage, yeah?"

Flint palmed his face. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be our leader, you don't have a lot of self-esteem."

"I'm just scared, okay?" Needles growled, fiddling with her parasol. "I've always been scared; you know that."

"I'm sure we all feel scared, Ms. Needles," said Steel. "But we've been through worse than this. No matter what happens, I'm sure everything will be fine."

Needles sighed and stared at her feet. "For Lord Ember's sake, I hope you're right..."

Meanwhile, deep in the abandoned crystal mines of Canterlot, two figures wandered through the darkness. One was a black Diamond Dog wearing a braided vest and a small black hat. The other was a red Rock Lobster with a small sombrero and curling whiskers that resembled a mustache. The Rock Lobster shivered with fear.

"I no think we should do this, Señorita Isabelle," he said.

"Quiet, Pepito," the Diamond Dog snarled. "I know business has been slow for a while, but this is the catch of a lifetime!"

"That business fail because you were being, um..." Pepito took out a Spanish-English dictionary and flipped through the pages. "Stub-born? Is that right?"

Isabelle made a face. "As I remember it, the problem was you being a yellow-bellied coward and messing me up."

"That not how I remember."

"Well, you're an idiot. I'm not surprised by that."

"¿Qué?"

"Case in point," Isabelle sighed. "Look, I'm telling you. This new client of ours is our ticket to fame and fortune!"

"How you figure?" asked Pepito. "Do you even know who client is?"

Isabelle smirked. "Funny you should ask, Pepito. Because this is where he promised to meet us."

Pepito looked around, rubbing the side of his head with his claw. "I no see any— yikes!"

A pair of glowing yellow eyes suddenly emerged from the shadows, catching Pepito completely off-guard. At the same time, a suffocating warmth filled the dank cave. Pepito hid behind Isabelle while she bowed to the creature.

"Afternoon, Seth," she said. "Are you ready to get this ball rolling?"

"Indeed," said a voice that echoed around the cave. "Remember your role. Once the Dragon Lord is disgraced, you will capture her to do with as you wish."

"Meaning sell her to the highest bidder," said Isabelle, rubbing her paws. "I'm telling you, Pepito. There isn't an alpha Diamond Dog in the entire underground network who wouldn't pay out the nose for the Dragon Lord herself."

"You say the same thing about Dragon Mage. That no work out well," Pepito reminded her.

"Again, that's because you're a cowardly idiot," Isabelle scoffed. "That or an idiotic coward."

"¿Qué?"

Isabelle groaned. "No finja que tú no entiende, crustáceo estúpido."

"Am I interrupting anything?" Seth inquired.

Isabelle quickly dusted herself off and cleared her throat. "N-no no. Not at all. Just a minor disagreement between my partner and I. Everything will go according to plan. We get our fame and fortune, and you get, whatever it is you want."

Pepito's eyes went wide. "You no know what he want?! Señorita Isabelle, this, this..."

He went back to his dictionary. "Ske-tu-chi. That how you say it?"

Isabelle scowled and rapped Pepito on the forehead. "That's your problem, Pepito. You think small. You wouldn't get anywhere if it wasn't for me. So I suggest you shut your trap and trust me for once, comprenda?"

"S-sí, sí. I understand," said Pepito glumly. "But I no like it."

"Your opinion is duly noted."

"¿Qué?"

Isabelle sighed. "You're truly hopeless. Let's just get into position. That stupid conference is about to start."

With that, she and Pepito disappeared into the shadows. The glowing eyes of Seth watched carefully.

"Soon, Ember. Soon you will see what it really takes to be Dragon Lord."

His sinister cackle echoed throughout the crystal-lined catacombs.