I awoke to some poking and prodding,
“Hey, don’t wake it! It might eat us!” I heard a soft feminine voice scold.
“We can’t just leave it to die!” Another voice, rough and masculine voice, closer than the girl’s voice responded.
I groaned as I opened my eyes “Shut up!” I exclaimed, causing the girl to squeal and guy to jump back, or at least that’s what it sounded like, “Eugh, did anyone get the name of that freight train?”
My eyes refocused as I blinked and shook my head, trying to clear my mind of its groggy state.
“Umn, Miss dragoness, are you okay?” The rough guy’s voice sounded concerned, and as I turned to face him, I was shocked. A Gryphon!? I thought, I tried to push myself to stand, which I managed,
Holy shit! I am towering over him! I looked down to check my body, which I shouldn’t have. I now have scales that are blue-gray with silver highlights, glittering in the light, I am now a quadruped and also notice that my neck is doing things it shouldn’t. Oh, did I also mention the forty five foot wings and the fact I dwarfed the gryphon and is that a pony? Not to mention that long spiny fin going from my head to my tail.
Welp, that’s just great! What happened to my character sheet, and spell book a holographic character sheet and inventory opened up. Oh goody I get the video game existential crisis! I thought sarcastically,
So let’s see here, hmmn, young adult silver dragoness Aryxon, alignment lawful good, size large, Class Sorceress, exp thirty six thousand, Player level nine. Max carry weight one thousand eight hundred pounds, STR: Twenty Nine, DEX: Ten, CON Twenty Six, INT: Sixteen, WIS: Eleven, CHA: Twenty Three. Breath weapon cone of cold and cone of paralysis, Wings, claws, Tail and Teeth as natural weapons. Abilities feather fall, alternate form, immunity to cold, cloudwalking, vulnerability to fire.
Current inventory one bag of holding, one double chocolate fudge brownie cake (at least that wasn’t a lie), one ritual book, one Dungeoneer pack, one spellbook, one arcane focus which I equipped. One wrist Crossbow with twenty bolts and two daggers. Frightful presence, and finally class skills: bluff, jump and disguise. Spell tier five including cleric domains air, sun, good and law. So what have I learned, don't trust shady merchants with improbable items or cake.
A chromatic orb floated next to me, bobbing up and down.
“Excuse me?” A timid female voice called.
“Ah, apologies, I got lost in thought. What can I do for you?” I asked
“Well, you see, you were unconscious in the desert. I thought perhaps you needed help?” The gryphon responded.
“I see, well, I am okay, though I would like to vacate this desert pretty soon. I need to find someplace more temperate and or freezing cold. Oh, where are my manners; I am Aryxon, the silver metallic dragoness,”I explained and held out my claw, which the Gryphon took in his and shook it.
“I am Gray Wing, and that young pegasus mare is Crimson Flash” Gray Wing pointed a wing to the mare off to the side, I tried to smile reassuringly at the mare, but having the teeth of a dragon didn’t help the reassuring part and so she hid behind Gray Wing
“Am I really that scary?” I asked Crimson Flash who nodded rapidly. Hmmn, it’s a little early to be messing with this ability, but perhaps it will help the poor mare. I thought as I concentrated on shifting my form into that of a pegasus. Slowly but surely my size shrank, clawed hands retracted into hooves and my body scales made way for a coat, feathers, mane and tail. My coat was similar to my scales and my mane and tail were a light blue. Okay, that is going to take some getting used to. I shuddered, then turned to see that my cutie mark was of a scrying orb and a staff.
“Is that better, I can only do that three times a day. Come now, close those mouths, you’ll let the flies in..” I said with a smirk
“Aryxon, that’s one scary ability, you got there,” Gray Wing commented, though Crimson Wing had come out of her hiding spot.
“Call me Silver Mane when I am like this, ponies will grow suspicious if a pony with a dragon’s name comes waltzing into town, but surely it isn’t that scary an ability?” I said to the Gryphon.
“Well, to be fair there are a few Changeling hives nearby, so I suggest avoiding doing that in the city proper. The guards are right jumpy at the moment,”
I shrugged, “It’s not like I would harm anypony, the exceptions being those who are evil and aggressive, and even then I’d only go after the source.” I wonder, how this Equestria stacks up against the show?
Now that I wasn’t overshadowing the gryphon, I could see his coat was a faded brown with white facial feathers, his tail had also grayed with age, his eyes were golden. I turned to the pegasus mare as she was a dark cherry blossom pink, with hints of crimson on the edges of her primaries her eyes were silver like mercury, her mane and tail was pastel blue. My bag of holding I found had morphed into a saddlebag.
“So my fellow travellers, where are we? I doubt very much we are in Equestria or the frozen north?” I asked cracking my new limbs and stretching, causing Crimson Flash to blush.
“Well Silver, you are right smack in the middle of the San Palomino desert, east of the Rock Farm home of the Pie family and south of Las Pegasus!” Gray Wing exclaimed.
“Okay, so I am in Equestria,” I grumbled, “Why are you two out here?”
“Well, we came here to investigate the impact, we had no idea it turned out to be a dragoness. However, I am glad we did, as evidenced by your previous request for a cold climate, not one for the desert,” Crimson Flash explained
“So what can you tell me of Equestria, has anything changed? I haven’t been here in ninety seven years, and then I was just a wyrmling.”
“Well, not much has changed, Princess Celestia still rules, the monster population has spiked in the last few years, and many new monsters have surfaced, some that tower above even you dragons and as a result civilians have been authorised to carry arms. Speaking of dragons, can you help explain the influx of new breeds, you being one of them?” Gray Wing spoke, as we started walking.
“Hmn, lead the way to Las Pegasus. If memory serves I can take a train inland and I can try to explain as best as I can.”
I received a nod of acknowledgement as I fell into my own thoughts Well this is great, I am in Equestria and I am a dragoness. Oh, I do so hope that laying eggs doesn’t hurt. Though that does bare the question, where am I going to live? Also, where am I going to get food? It’s not like I can just kill a monster and be rewarded for it? And those monsters and new breeds of dragons worries me, if it’s the breeds from D & D, the native population won't last and that is not even taking into account the threat to mortal lives.
Three Giant Scorpions, straight out of the monster manual rose out of the sand in our path, one in the back flanked by two in the front. Gray Wing drew a sword and shield while Crimson Flash held a crossbow on her hoof.
I drew forth my own focus and tried to remember my spells. Targeting the rear scorpion, I performed a few gestures and then shouted, “Sleet storm!” The scorpions were engulfed in a twenty foot tall cylinder forty foot wide of freezing rain and sleet, centered on the back scorpion. The ground beneath them froze into slippery ice. The creatures screeched as their bodies were hit and damaged by the abnormal weather.
Gray Wing and Crimson Flash took pot shots and slashed at any of the scorpions that managed to escape the storm sending it right back into the sleet storm.
I geared up for my next spell as the last ended, after some rapid hoof movements and saying the spell’s name “Ice Storm!”, taking up twenty foot wide and forty feet in height, A hail of rock hard ice bore down onto the scorpions, screeches and crunches echoed from the impact site, revealing three dead Scorpions.
A screen popped up and said I had gained four thousand two hundred xp, one moonstone, one red garnet and seventy five bits. The others gained one blue quartz and fifteen bits each. A coin purse attached to my barrel. huh, how about that.
Gray Wing and Crimson Flash looked exhausted, I am not surprised.
“What were those things!? Also where did these bits come from!?” Crimson whimpered.
“Those were Giant Scorpions, poisonous large beasts that live in desert regions. They are slow, and on a one on one basis aren’t much of a threat however, in groups they become even deadlier. Because of their slow speed, they lie in wait under sand to ambush prey,” I explained to the two of them. “As for the money, well I honestly I don’t know, but are you really going to complain about getting money?”
“No,” Crimson mumbled.
“As for the dragon breeds, there are chromatic dragons that are typically evil in alignment, which are Red, Whites, Black and Green. There is another classification of dragon, Metallic, which are typically good; they are Bronze, Brass, Copper, Gold and Silver. There are rare metallics Adamantite, Cobalt, Mercury, Mithral, Orium and Steel, but the initial five are most common.”
“It will take too long to explain about each so I’ll just focus on my own kind. It’s weird to think about being a dragon. Silver dragons are the second most powerful of the metallic dragons, and are true friends to all. The silver dragon enjoys the company of ponies and alicorns so much that it will often take the form of a pony or alicorns and live among them for the majority of its life. It should be noted that silvers, like all dragons, believe themselves the most superior creatures in the world. However, apart from the ability to fly, which they enjoy greatly, they tend to prefer the physical forms of equines for everyday life.
At first glance, the silver dragon appears very similar to the White dragon. The wings are more curved than a White's though, and the silver has two talons on its wings rather than the single talon of most dragons. The silver dragon also has a beautiful frill that begins at the top of its head and flows all the way down its neck and body to the tip of the tail. The frill is silver towards the body, fading to a purple hue at the edge. They have two long, smooth silver horns with black tips, pointing up and back from the head. They also have a pronounced sharp frill under the chin, which has the rough appearance of a goatee. They smell like rain.”
I noticed Crimson trying to sniff my scent, “Crimson, my scent will be that of a pegasus, not my real form,” I smirked as she flinched back and blushed at having been caught, causing Gray to laugh.
“Silver dragons lay their eggs in a bed of snow. A new hatched silver wyrmling has scales of a bluish gray, which change to silver over time. Silver wyrmlings are intelligent, kind, extremely curious, and adorable.”
“Do you have any wyrmlings, Silver Mane?” Crimson asked
“No, I do not Crimson, perhaps I may find a worthy mate soon, but I am not counting on it.” I sighed as Crimson winced, “I am not offended Crimson,” I smiled at her. Even if I didn’t already know that’s unlikely, I just might take part in the dragon migration. Yet another reason to go to Ponyville.
“Unlike the gold or bronze dragon, the silver dragon does not usually go out of its way to bring justice on the world. Instead, it waits for others to ask them for help. They will attempt to right an injustice if they see one, but they have no inclination to intentionally seek evil out and destroy it. Silver dragons are more interested in protecting the ponies or alicorns it has come to care for than in looking for evil. Like most metallic dragons, silvers do not enjoy combat, and are averse to killing. If forced to fight, however, they are as deadly as any other dragon.”
“But didn’t you just kill three creatures?” Gray Wing asked confused,
“I am fully capable of taking life, if I have to, Gray Wing, I prefer not to though,” I explained Though I am worried that my instincts will take over, I never actually took a life before, not even insects, it’s why I liked the Silver dragons so much.
“A silver wyrmling’s scales are blue-gray with silver highlights. As the dragon approaches adulthood, its color gradually brightens until the individual scales are scarcely visible. The pupils of the oldest silver dragons resemble orbs of molten mercury. They are very intelligent, more so than most ponies, extremely powerful, breathtakingly beautiful, and have lifespans which can stretch up to four thousand two hundred years.”
“Hey!” Crimson exclaimed in response.
“Don’t be offended, it is simply a fact, the truth,” I said with concern lacing my voice, afraid that I might have hurt these ponies feelings.
“The silver dragon is regal and statuesque, an unusual trait they offer is the love of pony dining, and they will use the ability of alternate forms to take part in large feasts. Silver dragons employ a breath weapon of extreme cold similar to that of white dragons. They also have a second breath weapon, a cone of paralyzing gas.
Silver dragons are extremely rare and elusive, preferring to take the guise of kind and elderly equines or very attractive and young fillies. They very much like to associate with alicorns and ponies, not necessarily because they prefer their company over other races, but because they try to learn from the shorter lived ponies.”
“So you chose that body?” Crimson asked
“Well, only because I have no reference for what a pony considers beautiful, and I can’t just show up as an alicorn. All Tartarus would break loose, and Celestia would probably try and take me to Canterlot. While that would sort two of my most pressing issues, it would also cause a whole host of others, ” I explained. I can just see the mountains of paperwork being foisted on me, forced to be a pretty decoration, I will not turn out like Twilight did when she ascended and If I can help it, I will stop her from being ascended and later abused as a princess.
“Silver dragons' favored enemy are red dragons, because these chromatic dragons are almost always evil and have a talent for destruction. Additionally, silvers and Reds favor the same sort of mountainous terrain for lairs, which leads to territorial disputes on top of having attitudes and philosophies at odds with the others'. A silver dragon's lair is typically found within an icy mountain, with the main entrance only accessible by air. The lair itself is similar to the gold dragon's in its sophistication and design, although the silver dragon's lair tends to be far less intricate. A typical lair will contain a main entertaining area, a storage room, a vault, a sleeping chamber, study, library, shrine, and two clinic rooms where the dragon can offer help and protection to those who need it. The lair will also have a concealed back entrance for use in emergencies.”
“So that’s Silver Dragons in a nutshell, we’re the best friends you ponies will ever have amongst the newer dragons.”
I had noticed ahead of the rest of my group that we had reached an oasis. I dunked my head under the clear surface and drank, a few mouthfulls. The other’s filled their canteens
before we carried on.
“So, Gray Wing, what’s a gryphon doing this far from Griffon Stone?” I asked,
He chuckled, “Oh, nothing quite as interesting as you expect, I am just a retired gryphon soldier that has been journeying Equestria for an adventure and a place to live,” He sighed,
“This monster crisis has made things harder, and that white box that showed up after our last fight is a new thing for me.”
“Crimson, how about you?” I inquired, she laughed nervously.
“I am a militia mare for Las pegasus, I only joined recently, however, but I felt like should help protect the people of Las pegasus. It’s not like I am good at anything else,” Crimson grumbled.
“Hey, I am sure you have plenty you’re good at.” I said, at which Crimson smiled wistfully, “Thank you for your kind words, Silver Mane.”
The rest of the trip to the city was uneventful. Gray Wing and Crimson Flash bid me farewell after pointing out where the station was, where I spent ten bits on a ticket to Ponyville. As I remember, there should a mountain or cloud from the show that could be used to house me, at least until I can afford a proper home in Ponyville, which might take a long time. Not to mention that it would need protecting from all the extra monsters and any dragons that decide to evict the two dragons there. If I am lucky, the red dragon in dragonshy won’t be chromatic, if not, I’ll have to step in and kill him.
As I boarded the train, I sighed wistfully and pulled out the double chocolate fudge brownie cake and ate a slice, before returning the leftovers to its cloth prison.
I saw ponies looking at the orb floating beside me. Sighing, I put my arcane focus back in the bag of holding and equipped my hoof crossbow, just in case some monsters attacked.
As I was one of the last few ponies to get on the train, it set off pretty quickly, and I looked out the window to watch the scenery. So Equestria, show me what you’ve got! Several miles off the west coast a kraken of all things surfaced, Nope, I did not see that. Not at all.
A Galleon flew over the train, shaking it. Must refrain from letting instinct draw me towards the Kraken in a noble but ultimately suicidal plan to protect mortals. No pony has asked for help,
“Somepony help!” Ponies started screeching as the train shuddered to a halt.
Fuck! Fine you want me to fight that monstrosity, fine! But if I survive this you better reward me a lot, weird game construct!
I dashed out of my car and jumped off onto the ground. I darted behind cover and changed back to my original form, and when I was about to take off I heard a pony calling me. I turned to see a white unicorn in purple armor, Shining Armor!?
“Dragon! Wait! If you are going to fight that monster,” He said pointing at the Kraken, “Take me with you!”
“What is your name pony?” I asked, I can't let him catch on to the fact that I know him, Luckily my shock at his appearance here was misconstrued as awe of his selflessness.
“It's my duty to protect ponies wherever I am as Captain of the royal guard!” Shining exclaimed resolutely,
“My name, it's Shining Armor,” he replied.
“Captain of the royal guard? Okay, Shining, welcome to the party, climb on my back, ” I instructed as I lowered myself down.
Shining Armor teleported onto my back, “ Right, here's how we do this, shield me as best as you can, I need staying power. That Kraken will take a lot of damage before it’ll die and I need to focus on attacking, but don't die! if you can't keep the shield up, rest, a Kraken does more damage to structures and cities. It’s immune to fear and paralysis,” I explained hurriedly.
“Dragon, what is your name?” Shining asked.
“Aryxon,” Wait, changelings are in the area, does that mean this is when they trick him?
“Shining Armor, before we start this fight be very careful, I have heard rumours Queen chrysalis and her hive of changelings are planning on foalnapping Princess Cadance. Be extra careful, they heard about her proposal to you. Also, shield your mind from mind affecting spells.”
“Why are you telling me this?” He asked cautiously
“Because it is the right thing to do, the source is reliable, and honestly, can you afford to doubt it? Oh, and remember to tell your family face to face that you are getting married,” I replied seriously.
“No, I don't suppose I can ignore your warning, thank you for telling me.”
“Don't worry, if worse comes to worse, I'll intervene personally.”
“Anyway, let's get on with this,” I declared as I spread my forty five foot wings and launched into the air, dodging thrown bits of wreckage as we approached closer to the the Kraken.
I breathed in as we reached within forty feet of the kraken, and used my cone of cold breath weapon, freezing the water around the creature. It roared and flailed its arms about trying to catch me. I banked away from the attack and sliced and bit its tentacles off.
“Are you okay, Shining Armor!?” I called back to him.
“I am fine, don’t worry about me, I won’t fall off!”
After three minutes of dodging bits of flotsam and ships using aerial acrobatics, I dove down and fired my breath weapon again, freezing more of the ocean and it’s body, which is now covered in ice crystals. The Kraken started a lightning storm, making me curse as I barely managed to escape the bolts by pulling in my wings and rolling, I fired my breath weapon again and then performed a couple of gestures and shouted “Ice Storm!” Rock hard shards of ice impacted the titanic creature, another Galleon was launched at us.
A steep dive, allowed us to dodge it safely, but that put us in range of the kraken's remaining tentacles. It hit; knocking the wind out of me, and three bolts converged on me as Shining Armor put up a shield, but under the combined assault it shattered but left me unscathed before another tentacle grabbed me and threw me on the ice, cracking it.
Wheezing, I drew back my breath for my final attack, the cone travelled up along its body just as several bolts of lightning hit me, I got back to my feet and charged forwards, slashing with my claws and biting, until the creatures struggles waned. Panting, I called out to Shining Armor “You okay?”
The rewards screen popped up, I received seventy five thousand xp causing me to level up to level fifteen, jeez that level boost was huge! one silver pearl and three hundred and forty bits each.
I heard a groaning. “When you fly back to the train don’t spin so much,” I heard him say as he was throwing up over the edge of the ice into the sea,
“Come on Shining, we can’t be late for the train. I could catch up, but I’d prefer not to,” I picked up Shining in my claws and returned to the shore with the airsick unicorn, we were immediately surrounded by ponies thanking us and cheering. I rubbed the back of the neck with my right claw in embarrassment, “There is no need to thank me! I was doing what anyone would do!” I said over the crowd which died down to murmurs,
“That’s Man horse manure and you know it! If it was up to me, you’d be presented with a Medal of the Sentinel. Normally it would be awarded only to the Royal Guard when they go beyond the call of duty, but seeing as I was with you, I could pretend that I deputised you, ” Shining called up to me.
“I’ll tell you what Shining, you do that and hold on to it and I’ll collect it when everything isn’t so hectic, is that okay?”
“Sure it is,” He responded with a smile, just as the train’s whistle went off signalling passengers to return to the train. I used the distraction to return to the pegasus form I wore prior, it was getting dark.
As I disembarked in Ponyville, it was the next morning after, having slept the rest of the way, I found myself in the unenviable position of being hit by a pink blur. I groaned as I came face to face with the Pink menace Pinkie Pie,
“Hi, my name’s Pinkie Pie, you must be new here, ‘cause I haven’t seen you before and if I haven’t seen you before you must be new! Making you the second new pony today, the other one was a grumpy Lavender unicorn!” She said somehow without even breathing.
“Excuse me, Pinkie Pie was it? What day is it?” I asked dreading the answer.
“Oh! Today is the one of the bestest days ever! The summer sun celebration, where Princess Celestia raises the sun in front of all of ponyville. Miss grumpy pants unicorn is totally here to organise it,” Pinkie Pie replied Oh, Bahamut’s blood! This is bad, if I mess this up. I don’t know what’ll happen!
“Come on you can join her welcome party too! And don’t worry, Auntie Pinkie hasn’t forgotten about your welcome party!” I am sure I paled at Pinkie’s plan, dug in my hooves in to escape, but she overpowered me. How in Tiamat's tail is she managing to drag me along, never mind my weight, with my strength combined with it she shouldn’t be able to!
At Golden Oaks Library, the party preparation was in full swing, It was full of ponies. While it wasn’t quite a feast, it at least had nice food and company, I was introduced to ponyville ponies, before everything went silent as the lights went out. My vision wasn’t impaired, so I saw Twilight Sparkle and her wyrmling assistant Spike, enter the room. I felt my heart beat faster as I looked at the lavender mare, the show didn’t do her justice in the looks department, but as the light’s turned on I hissed in pain at the sudden light. Twilight’s eyes swept over me and her eyes betrayed her shock before schooling her surprise, Twilight thanked Pinkie Pie for the party, though I heard her mutter under her breath “This is a library, not a club” Twilight went to a nearby table as Pinkie Pie pestered her, though every so often I saw her eyes twitch in my direction. Twilight had then rushed up upstairs after an embarrassing moment with the hot sauce. I climbed the stairs and followed her disappearing tail through the door.
The moment I walked in, I wasn’t expecting to be slammed against a wall with levitation.
“Who? What are you? Your aura is too large to be a pony, maybe you’re an alicorn. And what are you doing following me?” Twilight Sparkle demanded.
“In that order, I am Silver Mane or Aryxon, I am a silver, metallic dragoness, and I followed you to lend a hoof,” I responded as she slammed me onto her bed, pinning me underneath her.
“Help me with what? And how do I know you’re telling the truth, that you are a dragon?” She demanded. Is she serious? She can’t even cause me pain, though she is cute when she thinks she’s in control.
“With that little Nightmare Moon problem you’ll soon be having, Well you can wait until I can show you my true form.” I snarked, causing her eyes to widen.
“How can you know that!?” Twilight cried out
“Please, Twilight, you’d have to be exceptionally ignorant of history not to know, that ‘Legend has it, that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!’”
Spike chose that moment to walk in and froze, “Eugh, Twilight, if you and that mare were going to do that! You could have locked the door; or at least put a hanger on the door handle, and put a sound proofing spell on the room! Everypony heard the noise you two were making!” He ran out of the room, as Twilight Tried in vain to call him back.
Twilight finally gave up and flopped out on top of me, her coat was soft against my body. Groaning, Twilight laid her head on my chest. “If you were telling the truth, help me find out how to defeat Nightmare Moon,” She glared at me sharply and added “And don’t take what Spike said seriously, I am not that kind of mare that I’ll just sleep with the first mare I see!” she exclaimed, blushing.
I smiled “Oh? So you like mares, do you?” I asked Yes! Possible lodging and a potential lover! I thought and then gave her a lick on the cheek before I started explaining how to defeat Nightmare Moon, as Twilight spluttered, her face was now a neon red all over, “To defeat Nightmare Moon, you need artifacts called the Elements of harmony and the bearers who represent them,”
“So I need to find them? Where are they?”
“Ah, Ah, Ah Twilight, I won’t do all the legwork for you, besides, you knew that already,” I explained.
Twilight dove down on me and kissed me, right as the door opened to the reveal five ponies and Spike, “See! I told you!”
Applejack covered her eyes with her hat,
“Oh my gosh! That is so awesome, two new fillyfoolers in Ponyville!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Rarity fainted on the spot while Fluttershy blushed and tried hiding behind her mane, and Pinkie was skipping around shouting, “Yay, Twilight has a marefriend!”
And Twilight spluttered and tried to correct them but, they just left, saying “Come on Spike, let’s leave the two lovebirds alone,” Twilight hid in her forehooves out of embarrassment and peeked only to look at my reaction, I was grinning up a storm at Twilight before I nuzzled her.
“If you're looking for a marefriend, Twilight, I am willing to fill that role, however that still doesn’t mean I’ll tell you anymore,” I smirked up at her, Twilight growled out an exasperated huff.
“However, I am not cruel, so here is a tip, you cannot use them alone,” I finished.
I wrapped my hooves around Twilight's barrel, whispering in her ear,
“I am sure whoever sent you on this mission expects you to learn something from it. And far be it for me to interfere too much with it.”
“I have never had a marefriend,” Twilight mumbled, blush still evident.
“Perhaps, we could try it, but you have to show me the real you!” Twilight demanded, “if you don't, I don't think I could trust you,” Twilight said quietly.
“When this is over, I’ll show you the real me, I would have revealed myself eventually anyway. As for dating, as I said I am willing, though will you be after you see the real me? Can you date a dragon Twilight?” I replied, and kissed Twilight. “We can try and be marefriends if you really still want to afterwards, but for now, come along, we got some elements to find,” I said lifting Twilight up with me her eyes widened as I easily lifted her up.
“You let me slam you about!?” Twilight screeched, I placed a hoof on her lips to silence her.
“Of course, you caught me off guard the first time, but after that you were so cute I didn’t want to ruin your fun,” I replied, grinning at the exasperated mare in front of me.
“Now let’s go save Equestria, with books!”
Chapter 2 Books, Plans and The Nightmare!
Twilight and I trotted down the stairs, she was sporting a huge blush, and I was smiling with mirth. Twilight tried to ignore all the eyes, Rainbow Dash’s lecherous grin, Pinkies inequine but happy grin, Fluttershy was hiding behind her mane blushing, Rarity had a knowing look on her face and Applejack just looked away flustered, while Spike wore a frown. As we reached the main floor of the library everypony else had left.
Twilight fidgeted with her head hung low, I drew everypony’s attention, while I had begun rummaging in my saddlebag. I pulled out a moonstone, “Haha! There it is!” I exclaimed lifting it out, Rarity tried to shoulder tackle me out of the way to get a look at it, but I stood fast and the overzealous mare bounced off me. I looked apologetically at the mare,
“Sorry Rarity, I can not in good conscience let you knock me down, not when this gem is not for you,” I smirked at her. “If you really want to know the moonstone’s value? It is valued at fifty bits,” Here you go Spike” I said tossing him the gem, he looked at me with wide eyes, as did everypony else.
“It’s no big deal, plus a wyrmling like Spike needs plenty of nutrition in his diet.” I said as I took out the garnet I had won earlier, and popped it into my mouth, “Yum cherry flavour!” Again the ponies in the room were stunned. I burped a daintily,” I blushed a bit in embarrassment and quirked an eyebrow. “What?” I asked innocently,
“Y-y-you just ate that g-g-gem!?” Twilight screeched out,
“Oh, I told you what my true form is Twilight, if you chose not to believe me, then that is on you,”
“I thought you were joking! I thought you were a disguised Alicorn pranking me somehow!”
“Pffft, oh Twilight, I can be an alicorn, if that’s what you want? But I was being a hundred percent truthful about what I am,”
“Ya not a pony? I dun believe it!” Applejack responded frowning.
Sighing, I turned to leave, “come along, if we are all going to be friends, I am going to be totally honest to you six. Come along, don’t dally.” I said leading them outside, as we exited the library the street was deserted, it seemed ponies had left the area and went to the town hall.
“Okay! Fillies and gentledrake, my true form!” I exclaimed and bowed exaggeratedly.
My body grew and extended, hooves becoming claws, my neck lengthened, my coat shed making way for the dull grey silver scales, my face elongated and my two horns curved behind my head, tail and frills exploded outwards. I laid down and let my tail flick about as I laid my head in a clawed palm, “So Twilight, what do you think? Can you still see yourself dating pretty old me?” I asked quirking my left eye ridge. The mares in front of me cowered,
“Greetings ponies, I am Aryxon the silver dragoness,” I introduced myself.
I looked up at the mare turned dragoness.
Aryxon was bigger than Celestia and Luna in every conceivable way, her scales were like some elaborate plate mail, even laying down she dwarfed us. I was foalish to think I could overpower her unless she let me. Yet there seemed to be a mirthful twinkle in her eyes, one that Celestia had often used when she had managed to troll somepony,
“Greetings ponies, I am Aryxon the silver dragoness,” Aryxon introduced herself.
After a moment, she gained a thoughtful look as she looked us over, then proceeded to bang her head with her clawed fist. “Stupid, stupid, stupid Aryxon! You scared them!” She exclaimed, I turned to see the girls cower, and then I turned back to look at Aryxon, whom had lost that mirthful twinkle in her eyes for one of concerned kindness. Spike rushed forward and stepped between us and Aryxon, who regarded him with what might have been a warm smile, one reserved for foals, at least I think it was, the alien muzzle making discerning emotions difficult.
“You have a noble and courageous heart, young wyrm.” Aryxon complimented him, causing Spike’s charge to lose steam as he looked at her in confusion.
Aryxon lowered her head towards me so her smooth beak nearly touched my face, “Do you have what it takes to love me Twilight?” This close, she smelled of freshly fallen rain, “And do the rest of you have what it takes to be my friends, despite my terrifying visage?”
“Well, you at least lucked out with what sub species of dragon I am, so you need not fear me. In fact, I’ll likely be very protective of you girls and Spike.”
I tentatively nuzzled Aryxon, her eyes lit up, “If I can love Spike, then I’d be a big hypocrite if I didn’t at least give you a chance.”
Aryxon’s form shrunk and she returned to her pegasus form, then caught my head with her wings and pulled me into a big kiss, “Thank you,Twilight!” She exclaimed, I felt my cheeks heat up in response.
“Okay, what the buck was that!?” Rainbow Dash asked shivering and hugging herself, “It was like Fluttershy was giving me the stare from all directions!”
“Apologies, that’s a passive ability I have yet to fully control, it’s called frightful presence, my mere vicinity to you mares causes you to fear me, unless you can overcome it through willpower or wisdom.” Aryxon explained, “Oh, and before I forget, please call me Silver Mane, while I am in pony form, I don’t need mares to fall to the floor in lamentations in my presence,” She continued.
I looked up and saw that the moon was completely blank,
“Come on girls, we have to get to the town hall!” I exclaimed, “We’re going to be late for the ceremony!” We all galloped off towards the town hall, and entered the hall.
As we entered, the room was filled with scared ponies.
“Don’t you know who I am? Didn’t you recognise the signs?” Nightmare Moon’s voice, regal and like silk; travelled across the hall.
I grunted, Twilight looked at me concerned, No, I cannot alter the timeline, must preserve it as much as possible. I fought back, the feeling of rage building inside me. I grit my teeth, scowling at Nightmare Moon.
“Silver Mane?” Twilight asked timidly, as my enmity practically seeped from me. I turned to see Twilight looking concerned for me. She flinched away a bit, but I pulled her into a wing hug.
“Oh! Where is that delicious rage and killing intent coming from?” Nightmare Moon asked and looked around before locking on me. Her lips parted in a large grin as she spotted me.
“That is a lot of rage and killing intent for a pony of all things to be emitting,” Nightmare Moon mocked.
“I am sorry Twilight, that wasn’t aimed at you,” I reassured her, “Teleport” I muttered, I disappeared and reappeared next to Nightmare Moon, spun, and slammed my hoof into her face, sending her back her she grinned baring her fanged teeth, which were leaking blood. She flared her wings,
“Nightmare Moon! you’ll never hurt anypony here as long as I am here to stop you!” I declared flaring my own wings. Screams echoed as ponies fled from the town hall.
“Come then little pony, let’s see what you’ve got!” Nightmare Moon spread her legs and crouched low,
I looked back to see the mane six, organising the escape.
“You don’t have time to look away!” Nightmare Moon shouted as she produced a magic blade, I took a canteen of water and splashed some into the air and cast Ice knife, a spike of ice flew at Nightmare Moon, she parried it with her blade. I sidestepped a thrust of her blade and ducked under a horizontal slash, laying prone on my back to kick up and hit her in her solar plexus, winding the mare.
When she recovered, she glared at me while coughing, she went to stomp on me only for me to teleport behind her and kick her in the back of the head. Growling, she spun and tried to slash at me, shallow cuts hit my body as she slashed at me in anger. Twilight teleported in; grabbed me; and teleported out.
“Since when did you know Teleportation?” I asked, as I collapsed on the floor of the library.
“I learned it when I saw you use it,” Twilight explained, Shit! Twilight’s magic sharingan is real! damn! Okay, note to self, don’t use spells in front of Twilight if they can be abused. Dimension door, gate and banishment are just ripe with potential abuse or mistakes. Though teleport circle would be very useful.
Fluttershy gasped at my wounds, “Oh no, Silver Mane!”
Twilight paced in front of me, “What were you thinking, Silver Mane!?”
“I let instinct get the better of me, metallic dragons can not instinctually abide evil existing in our presence. We are compelled to destroy it, while Silver dragons like me tend to take a passive role in fighting evil instead of actively seeking it out. If it appears in front of us and are a threat to anypony especially, our mortal friends and families, well, let’s just say they and their family just earned the wrath of a creature that can live up to four thousand two hundred years on average and will wait decades to generations to plan revenge, Silvers have an epithet “Shield Dragons”,” I explained, while Fluttershy fussed over my wounds.
“Anyway, instead of fussing over me, shouldn’t you be researching the Elements of Harmony? Not that I’m not flattered, but there is a possessed goddess out there and I am sure I just made her mad?” I inquired,
Twilight blushed and dashed off to look for it, the elements of harmony reference guide. “No. No. No! Where is it!?”
“The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” Pinkie cheered excitedly and passed it to Twilight.
“Where did you find it?” Twilight asked, her face covered in an incredulous expression,
“It was under E~” Pinkie sing songed, causing Twilight to blush adorably
“Oh. There are seven Elements of Harmony,”
Seven!? I exclaimed internally, How the hell is that possible? It’s supposed to be six, I haven’t been here for a day or so and the world is already screwed up!
“but only six are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Defence,” Really world!? Defence? How on the nose can you get? I suppose at a stretch it could be considered part of harmony to defend your friends, but jeez! “and Loyalty. The seventh is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the six elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now the Everfree forest.
We all trotted out towards the Everfree forest, my ability to see in the dark was a boon.
Once we reached the edge of the forest, We all stopped.
“Whee! Let's go!” Pinkie squealed in delight.
“Not so fast. Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.” Twilight said
“No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.” Applejack retorted
“Besides, Twilight, have you already forgotten, the elements won't work for one pony alone.” I said leveling my gaze into her eyes,
“Especially if there's candy apples in there. What? Those things are good.” Pinkie added as she pranced off ahead.
Twilight sighed, I wrapped a wing around her and pulled her close, “Now, don’t moan, Twilight, they only care about your wellbeing, and I personally have a stake in this making sure you don’t do the whole noble heroic sacrifice, you’re coming home with me missy! Even if I have to drag you’re flank out of Tartarus to do so,” I scolded her, her ears folded back in shame.
“Hey! None of that mopey face either, nopony is perfect,” I said, poking her for emphasis.
“So, none of you have been in here before?” Twilight asked, worry seeping into her voice,
“Ugh, heavens no! Just look at it - it's dreadful.” Rarity scrunched up her muzzle in disgust,
“I don’t know why you guys find this place so scary? It’s pretty lame to be honest,”
The girls looked at me incredulously, “Did you already forget I am dragoness and I can see in the dark, up to one hundred and forty feet and I can see about four times better than you right?”
They all looked away blushing, while I snickered at them. The forest floor gave out under us,
“Come on guys!” Rainbow exclaimed
Me, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took to the air, Applejack caught a branch in her mouth, Rarity was caught by Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy caught Pinkie Pie. Twilight slipped down to the edge of the cliff, I quickly positioned myself under her, nodding to Applejack who had caught her.
“Applejack! What am I going to do!” Twilight cried,
“Let go,” Applejack responded
“What!? Are you crazy!?” Twilight replied, too scared to let go,
“No, I ain’t, you got to trust me, you’re going to be alright.”
“That’s not true!” Twilight retorted
“Now Twilight, I am speaking the absolute honest truth, Let go an’ you’ll be safe.” Applejack replied calmly.
Twilight let go, screaming as she fell, I caught her in mid air and lowered her down.
“I promise, I’ll never let anything happen to you Twilight.” I said, Twilight’s cheeks turned crimson as we lowered down.
“Come on you two stop being all lovey dovey! We got work to do and you getting all kissy face isn’t going to help!” Rainbow Dash jibed at us as I put Twilight down, I coughed into my hoof as I felt my cheeks heating up.
“And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, we turned around and saw that Silver Mane had caught you right in the nick of time.” Rainbow recounted excitedly,
“Yes, Rainbow, I was there, and I'm very grateful to her, but we gotta-”Twilight responded good naturedly, before gasping “A manticore!”
A manticore reared up and roared at us. “We've gotta get past him!” Twilight said as she charged in, and kicked the manticore while dodging the swipe of its paw. Rarity leaped at the manticore with a flying kick, “Take that, you ruffian!”
The manticore roared again and swiped at her, cutting her mane in the process, “My hair! Woops ” she said, dodging another swipe. Fluttershy quietly said “Wait.”
The manticore roared as Applejack rode him like he was a steer in a rodeo.
“YEE-HAW! Git along, little dogie.” Applejack cheered out in excitement. Fluttershy tried again to get their attention “Wait.”
The manticore roared again, bucking Applejack off it’s back
Applejack saluted Rainbow Dash as she fell backwards, “Whoa! All yours, partner.”
“I'm on it.” Rainbow Dash replied
“Wait!” Fluttershy called a little louder. The roars of the manticore drowning her out.
Rainbow Dash screamed as she was knocked down by one of the manticore’s paws
“Rainbow!” Twilight cried out in concern. The manticore grunted and roared, making Twilight dig at the ground with her right hoof and snort. Fluttershy put herself between us and the manticore “Wait!”
The manticore roared and raised it’s paw, but Fluttershy nuzzled it, much to its apparent confusion “Shhh... It's okay.” The manticore showed her the thorn in it’s paw, ”Oh, you poor, poor little baby.”
“Little?” Rainbow commented incredulously, tilting her head in confusion.
Fluttershy gently lent and bit on the thorn “Now this might hurt for just a second.”
She then pulled the thorn from its paw, causing the manticore to roar in pain
“Fluttershy!” We all cried, however the manticore just started licking Fluttershy all over as it purred.
Fluttershy giggles, “Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are.” everypony went past unmolested by the manticore, leaving just Twilight, myself and Fluttershy.
“How did you know about the thorn?” Twilight asked curiously.
Fluttershy responded, “I didn't. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.” Twilight and I smiled at what she said.
As we continued to travel we stopped in the midst of a group of gnarled trees, causing the girls to huddle up to me for protection, I rolled my eyes, at the other lame attempt by Nightmare Moon to scare us. Pinkie Pie bounced up to one of the trees and started pulling faces and giggling.
“Pinkie, what are you doing!? Get back her where it’s safe!”
One obligatory song later, the girls and I were giggling as we came across a sorrowful sea, or is that a river serpent? I shrugged internally.
“How are we gonna cross this?” Pinkie asked as she looked at the turbulent river.
“What a world, what a world.” Steven Magnet wailed
Twilight tentatively trotted up to the serpent “Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?” She asked,
“Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid.”
“Oh, give me a break.” Rainbow Dash said rolling,
“That's what all the fuss is about?” Applejack asked,
“Why, of course it is. How can you be so insensitive?” Rarity retorted as she trotted up to the sorrowful serpent and rubbed his scales. “Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales.
I don’t know why, but I got really jealous all of a sudden, “My scales are so much better than his dull scales, what does he use, wood polish? When was the last time he moulted!” I mumbled, pouted and crossed my hooves. Twilight’s left ear twitched, and she turned to smile at me. “Oh don’t be jealous Aryxon, your scales are definitely much prettier than his.” Twilight whispered in my ear, causing my cheeks to heat up.
Oblivious to my bout of jealousy Steven sniffed “I know.”
Rarity continued “And your expertly coiffed mane.”
Steven gasped and replied “Oh, I know, I know.”
Rarity continued to lay her praises on Steven, “Your fabulous manicure.”
Steven gasped again, “It's so true!”
Rarity finished, “All ruined without your beautiful mustache.”
“It's true, I'm hideous!” Steven wailed loudly,
“I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected.” Rarity declared with determination in her voice, she leant forward, grasped a scale and ripped it off Steven. I winced in sympathy for him, “What did you do that for?” Steven yelped,
“Rarity, what are you-” Twilight tried to ask as Rarity sliced her tail hairs off with the scale, causing Steven to faint in the most overly dramatic fashion.
Rarity levitated her severed tail over to Steven’s broken mustache as he moans, blinking when he notices his new mustache despite the garish clash it represented, He giggled in joy,“Oh-hohohoho! My mustache! How wonderful.”
“You look smashing.” Rarity complimented him while giving a short nod of approval. Sometimes I have to wonder about your fashion sense
“Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail…” Twilight gasped
“Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back.”
“So would the mustache.”
“And is it me or did you forget the function of a pony’s tail, in modesty? Unless, that is, you’re a secret exhibitionist Rarity? My, such a daring mare!” I teased and smirked.
Rarity’s face quickly became completely covered with the blush she was now sporting.”
Twilight elbowed me, reprimanding me, “Stop teasing her, I am sure she just forgot.” “Yes dear.” I responded dejectedly,
Twilight gasped when she realised the river rapids had stopped, “We can cross now. Let's go. Ah!” Steven created a bridge with his body, “Allow me.”
After Nightmare Moon tried to trick Rainbow Dash into ditching us, we managed to get into the castle proper.
Inside we saw a stone plinth in the center of the room, holding six of the seven Elements. Me, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash got to work, pulling the Elements down,
“Right now we have the Ele-, hey wait there’s one missing!”
“The Seventh element will be revealed, when the six are together and ignited by a spark.” Twilight read aloud from The Elements of Harmony: a reference guide.
Twilight looked thoughtful, rubbing her chin, “I think I got it, but I’ll need to concentrate.”
“Come on ya’ll, let’s leave and give her some peace.” Applejack suggested, leading the mares out.
“If it’s all the same to you and Twilight, I will be staying here, to stand watch.” I responded standing nearby Twilight.
Applejack lifted her hoof, but I interrupted, “And there isn’t going to be anything that can convince me not to, AJ.”
Applejack shrugged and left, I turned to see a black smoke tornado envelop Twilight diving into it, and we were transported., to a tower deeper in the castle. There stood Nightmare Moon, with the Elements, predictably she smashed them under her hooves. Twilight’s face almost broke my heart, seeing her with such a hopeless look in her eyes. No matter!
“Twilight I swore I would protect you, get ready.” I called back,
“What are you, little pony? When you hitched a ride I felt too much magic inside you for a mere pegasus!” Nightmare Moon spat
I grinned “Very well, Moony, I’ll show you my true form! No more handicaps for you!” Twilight paled and scrabbled away, in fear of being crushed.
My legs elongated and slimmed down, My wings grew larger, and angled like a swan’s, a long pointy fluted horn grew out of my forehead as my muzzle became much more longer and squarer like Celestia’s and my eyes’ more like Luna’s, but looking more like molten mercury, my simple long mane and tail grew out and changed color into many shades of silver as they undulated and moved in an unseen breeze, my cutiemark changed into three curved purple lines like the eddies of a sea or river, my coat growing more white.
Nightmare Moon just gaped at the new alicorn in front of her, “My name is Silver, and I am going to wreck you.” I said and bowed slightly to lit my horn and spawn a long sword floating alongside me. I charged forward, with a manic grin on my face, before I hit Nightmare Moon. Sparks flew as our blades grated against one another as she barely guarded against my initial strike. She buckled and I punched her, knocking her back, I jumped back as she tried to slash at me, after which she charged me as I parried her blows. Shit, my sword fighting training isn’t translating well for a quadrupedal form!
As Nightmare and I traded blows, Twilight was frantically trying to spark the elements of harmony, however the seventh element didn’t show.
“Where’s the seventh element!?” She yelled out, but as Twilight's friends came up the staircase, she had an epiphany.
Nightmare laughed “You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!”
“Pay attention to me, moony. I am your opponent, ‘cause if you don’t I’ll part you’re head from thine neck!”
The Elements of Harmony started glowing and spinning around Twilight,
“You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here.”
Twilight stood proudly as her friends stood beside her,
“What?” Nightmare Moon, rearing back as she turned her attention away from me, so I slammed the hilt of my sword into her head, dazing her.
“Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty!
Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness!
Pinkie Pie who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter!
Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of... generosity!
Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty!
And Silver Mane, who stood by our side, through it all, shielding us from danger, even at great personal risk to herself and would not abandon me even when I had lost all hope, represents the spirit of... Defence” Each corresponding element spun around each of us.
The spirits of these six ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us.”
“You still don't have the seventh Element! The spark didn't work!” Nightmare declared,
“I thought I told you to pay attention!” I roared as I bucked her back to her pedestal, making her groan.
“But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends! You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the seventh element: the element of... magic!”
Coruscating light encompassed us all as our Elements formed beautiful necklaces, holding our cutie marks. The power built inside us all and Twilight syphoned it from us, it was exhilarating. A rainbow curled around us, lifting us into the air, Twilight’s eyes glowed. Nightmare Moon tried one last desperate spell, but it bounced off the energy coalescing around us.
The rainbow shot out and wrapped around Nightmare Moon Taste the rainbow motherfucker! I thought cheekily.
“Nooo! Nooo!” Nightmare cried as the Rainbow enveloped her.
“Ugh, my head.” Rainbow Dash groaned
“Everypony okay?” Applejack called out while sitting herself up.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Rarity replied, while hugging her tail.
“Why Rarity, it's so lovely.” Fluttershy complimented
“I know! I'll never part with it again.” Rarity said giddily.
“No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark.” Fluttershy corrected her.
“What? Ooh. So does yours.” Rarity also pointed out, making Fluttershy gasp.
“Look at mine! Look at mine!” Pinkie shouted cheerfully as she puffed her chest up.
“Aw yeah.” Rainbow Dash puffed up too and admired her own element,
“Huh, so it took my cutie mark too,” I said prodding at my Element.
“Gee, Twilight! I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship.” Applejack told Twilight,
“Indeed you do.” Princess Celestia returned to the castle and raised the sun, Introducing Princess of Trolls and cake, internal trumpet fanfare noises. I thought, I bowed, but only out of respect.
Twilight gasped “Princess Celestia!” Way to go Twi, make a mare jealous why don’tcha
“Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it.” Of course you did, mistress of chess masters, you make Ikari Gendo look like an amateur.
“But... you told me it was all an old pony tale.” Twilight said in a confused tone,
“And why didn’t you tell me Silver!?” Twilight demanded. As I tried to slip away, I thought I caught a look of confusion, then a smirk and twinkle in Celestia’s eyes, which I did not like. Not one bit! What is she planning?
“Well, you had to learn by yourself, otherwise it wouldn’t work, I did say that whoever sent you on this mission obviously wanted you to learn something. And I gave you a better hint than, most likely, any the Princess gave you, who probably only told you the bare minimum and expected you to pass it. That you passed her little test proves how good you are, I am sorry, I omitted the truth Twily.” I gave Twilight a kiss,
“Okay, I’ll let you off the hook, but next time, If you know something, you tell me.”
“Only on two conditions: one) It must not be for an easy lesson, two) No truth that would jeopardise the lives of ponies.” I said as I held Twilight, ignoring the eyes of Princess Celestia drilling holes in the back of my head.
“Fine!” Twilight acquiesced.
“Sister, you’re doing the eyes thing again! I don’t like it!” I heard Luna say. I don’t like it either! I thought
“I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Although it seems you’ve been hiding another alicorn from me, Twilight and she’s your marefriend!”
“No. No, Princess, I would never hide her from you, we only got together just today.”
I sighed, “Twilight, Celestia is teasing you.”
“Whu!?“ Twilight blinked,
“Close your mouth sweetie. You’ll let the flies in.” I said as I pushed Twilight’s jaw up.
“It’s not fair, why do you have to be bigger than me!” Twilight mumbled as she hugged my legs.
Luna did a spit take without any drink in her mouth. I smirked at the blue blushing sputtering mare, while Celestia did a terrible job of not laughing her flank off.
“Get thine mind out of yon gutter, Lulu! She meant taller.” The blushing increased.
“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.” Celestia implored as she laid down next to Luna
Sister?” Twilight and Rainbow Dash said simultaneously
“Will you accept my friendship?” Celestia asked.
Pinkie fell over watching “Whoa!”
“I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!” Luna said as she cried into her sister's chest
“I've missed you, too.” Celestia replied, crying as well.
The party was much how I remember it from the show, except possibly one issue.
“Twilight, why am I floating in mid air?” I asked as Celestia and Luna tried to hold back laughter.
“Well, Princess Celestia is carrying you in her magic,” Twilight smirked at my predicament,
“You are an alicorn, that means you’re a Princess,” Celestia stated matter of factly while Luna kept trying and failing spectacularly at not laughing. “And so I can see Twilight, as your marefriend she has a reason to visit us in Canterlot,” Celestia whispered, Clever, girl
Celestia, Luna and I were on the chariot on the way back to canterlot,
“Svabol re wux tirir persvek sia zaneunisal, darastrix? vur svabol re wux nadotir mrith sia bautwael?”(what are you doing in my kingdom, dragon? and what are you planning with my student?) Celestia said.
“Sister, why are you speaking in draconic. And what dragon?” Luna asked confused.
I waved at Luna in response.
“Xsio wux, vur dout meddling Celestia, si siofme si proved ios vi sjach di vi guulac si jatil thric levnim ekess dout ponies, usv dout bautwael. Persvek ywrats si mi quite enamored mrith Thurkiitu.”(Damn you, and your meddling Celestia, i think i proved without a shadow of a doubt i mean no harm to your ponies, or your student. in fact i am quite enamored with twilight.) I replied
“Wux vucot jaciv wont waph lae drong lae wux, harkt?” (You know she wont live as long as you, right?) Celestia asked raising an eyebrow
“vucoti, si mi ergriff persvek sia ninety supri eorikc, si tepoha sva gekip vrrar owier ir oweri eorikci zulf.”(I know, i am only in my ninety eight year, i have at least four thousand one hundred years left.) I responded.
“mishun ui wer tobor di vi darastrix vur alicorns jedarka ekess outlive hesi itova iri.” (Such is the life of a dragon and alicorns forced to outlive our loved ones.) I continued.
“svabol sjek wux vucata, batobot jaciv jahus gethrisjir ekess ascend?”(What if you knew, that she was going to ascend?) Celestia asked.
“vucoti jalyur batobot wux nadot ekess, si siofme coi ui hofibavi. raknes svadrav jaciv ui vin relgim di harmony. coi ui hatibahuvi vi selfish huven ihk vin bapriv ekess expect vi mablik ekess zahhar mishun vi chikohk.”(I know already that you plan to, i think it is foolish. especially when she is an element of harmony. it is ultimately a selfish wish for an immortal to expect a mortal to suffer such a curse.) I responded,
“do ti fret celestia si nishka qe mrith wux vur luna ihk vi drong tairais sjerit. wux tir ti rigluin ekess jedark thurkiitu, ekess xkhat vin bapriv, filki cause wux re evakyl.”(Do not fret celestia i shall be with you and luna for a long time yet. You do not need to force Twilight, to become an immortal, just cause you are lonely.) I said hugging her, causing her to stiffen up.
“wux re ti loaw sia thurirl, ti anymore.” (You aren't alone my friend, not anymore.)I told Celestia as began sobbing into my coat, I nodded Luna over to join in the hug. Luna took the invitation and hugged Celestia's side.
“So what kind of dragon are you?” Luna asked curiously.
“I am a silver metallic dragoness, lawful good alignment.”
Luna made a little ‘O’ face in understanding.
“Has anypony told you that you are cute Luna?” I asked.
“‘Tis base lies and slander,” Luna responded, We all began laughing after a while of holding it in.
“So, are you still going to make me a princess?” I asked Celestia, a wide grin formed on her lips Uh oh. I thought to myself.
“Of course, though you’ll also get a stipend and the other privileges as well. Though I ask you refrain from transforming back into a dragon, so we will have to train you in how to be an alicorn,” Celestia replied as I groaned.
“Give it up, Silver Mane, she won't give up the opportunity to spread the load. She’ll probably try to adopt you into the family too.” Luna said with a mirthful smile.
“Fine, that's not too bad, but you must let me visit Twilight or invite her here. I will also need to transform back into a dragon to stay alive and strong. And for the love of all that is good, make me your sister and not your niece.” I responded, begrudgingly accepting my fate,
“Yay, I get to be a big sister! 'Tia, can we both be her sister?” Luna asked, giving Celestia her biggest most cutest sad puppy dog eyes and pout, Celestia actually flinched under its power
“Okay, I find your terms acceptable,”
“So what princess am I going to be, I mean aspect. I can't be princess of friendship, love, day and night, so what is my domain.
Celestia quirked her left eyebrow questioningly, but seemed to drop any outward expression of suspicion.
“Of knowledge, secret and forbidden or forgotten. your role will involve libraries, research and development, archeology and exploration. From what I have seen, you will be perfect. For now your job is learning how to be an alicorn,” Celestia explained.
“Huh, that actually sounds fun.” I responded,
As we landed in the castle, I was accosted by hoof maids whom dragged me off, probably to clean me up and to give me a dress. I was stood in a bath and the maids began to wash dirt off my coat, filed my horn a manicure and pedicure and clean the cuts I had received from Nightmare’s blade. They shampooed my mane and tail, all the while a tailor was taking down my measurements on a clipboard. He left the room, and as I was being dried and having my mane and tail brushed, I heard muffled grunts that sounded like they came from Luna.
The tailor returned with a light rose dress, it was a simple dress with bunched up shoulders, but its complex swirling and curved patterns executed in my cutie marks darker purple and gave it an air of elegance and grace. It wasn’t a moment later that I found the dress wrapped around my body, four pastel blue shoes were now on my hooves. The maids left the room,and as I trotted through the door to take a peek, I found tiny Luna with her wings flared and her fur standing up like a cat.
Celestia had already changed into a fuschia dress with gold trim and juliet sleeves, along with her golden torque, crown and shoes and was watching with amusement as the hoof maids were trying to get Luna to co-operate. I stepped out, drawing Luna’s and Celestia’s attention, “So how do I look?” I twirled on the spot.
“You look lovely Silver Mane,” Celestia complimented, causing me to blush in embarrassment.
“We think that dress fits you well,“ Luna said with a smile on her lips,
The distraction I caused proved to be enough for the hoof maids to tackle Luna and put her in a tiny shoulderless white dress with silver accents, Luna crossed her hooves and huffed, and the maids placed a new onyx black crown on Luna’s head and her onyx black torque. Silver shoes, wrapped around Luna’s hooves.
Off to the side, there was a purple velvet pillow, resting on it was a simple platinum but elegant crown and torque, in the torque and crown oval cut sapphires were embedded into them. Celestia levitated the pieces and affixed them to me.
“There, now you look like a proper Princess, little sister.” Celestia smiled,
“Well that was quick, I didn’t think you’d be so quick to adapt to calling me sister,”
“I have had millennia to practice adapting, Silver Mane…. Hmm? Can we change your last name from Mane to Everfree? As a member of our family it would be odd if you had a different last name,” Celestia inquired thoughtfully.
“It’s fine, I am hardly attached to the name as it is, ‘Silver Everfree’ has a nice ring to it.” I replied with a smile.
“Well, welcome to the Everfree Family little sister!” Celestia and Luna exclaimed as I blushed and rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment. I hugged both of them with an arm wrapped around each of the elder mare’s necks.
We all stood on the balcony used to address the subjects, Celestia stepped forward “Welcome, my subjects, today is a glorious day, my sister has been returned to us. And we also have a new sister and new Princess to introduce to you, Princess of Lore, Princess Silver Everfree!” Celestia exclaimed, pointing her right hoof at me as I trotted forward.
“Say something, Princess.” Celestia whispered in my ear.
“Thank you for introducing me, Princess Celestia. I came here to Equestria looking for a home, I found it here, with my two new sisters, Celestia and Luna. They have welcomed me into their hearts and their home and I would like to take this moment to thank them for perhaps the greatest gift I have ever received.
I know some of you may be sceptical of my ability or right to be a Princess, I too have those same doubts. However, that is not going to stop me from trying my best to be one of the best Princesses you have, it will not stop me from defending Equestria and its subjects. Together we can work towards Equestria’s bright future. Together we shall prosper and take Equestria into a new golden age of peace and Harmony!” I exclaimed, for a moment I thought I had said something wrong, but one after another they slowly began to clap and cheer, calling out my name and Equestria’s!
“That’s was good speech, Silver, even if it was a bit hammy,” Celestia said with a smile, I blushed and buried my face in my primaries. Luna snickered behind me.
“Luna, go prepare the paperwork for Silver’s official adoption into the family, and Silver, go write a letter, let your lavender lover, Twilight, and your friends know that they are invited to your coronation, you are both dismissed!” Celestia ordered, and turned to a guard
“Captain, you will see to the arrival of the element bearers and prepare a temporary room. Each for my Sisters, make sure that the rooms are alicorn sized, and make sure Silver’s has a double bed. She is expecting company.” Celestia ordered the guard who saluted and galloped off.
I was taken to what was to be my temporary room, it was luxuriously furnished, with stained oak wood, four poster bed, a chest of draws, a footlocker and a desk which I had sat down to start writing my letter. A quill floated in my magic, Man, is this feeling weird, using magic to write and manipulate things and using an appendage as a focus is just adding to that weirdness..
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I miss you, it hasn’t been long since we parted and I am already worried you have moved on. But no, you’re not like that. Celestia has adopted me as her sister, and she has made me a Princess, Princess of lore to be precise. My sphere of influence includes; Libraries, research and development, finding and preserving knowledge as well as acting as guardian of forbidden knowledge. I am also charged with archeology and finding lost knowledge. I miss you girls, especially you Twilight.
I wish to invite you and our friends to come stay in Canterlot, and join me for my coronation, in a week's time. we can use that time to get better acquainted, and don’t leave Spike, he is invited as well.
I look forward to seeing you again,
Best regards
H.R.H.I.W Silver Everfree
P.s you will be staying in my Temporary room. Hugs & kisses.
I rolled up the scroll, wrapped a silver ribbon around it, and then took my personal seal, Okay, this has been bugging me, how could Celestia have known and prepared for my eventual arrival? Was I in one of her dream prophecies? Jeez, did I have any free will whatsoever? Was I destined to come to this world? That begs the question, does anything I choose to do have any meaning? I mean, regardless of what I chose, if I was destined to make that choice, does that not mean it wasn’t a choice? Does that mean that my choice to be with Twilight wasn’t one at all? No, I can’t start thinking like a nihilist! Then what is life really, an illusion? Yes! All we have is ourselves and our own decisions and what others give us! In that case, I should just try and enjoy life and be good to other travellers on the journey of life! Wait I already knew that! What a pointless train of circular thought that was! I started banging my head on the desk in frustration before I got up and left a moment later, Better deliver this, and I don’t have that dragon mail thing? Hmmm, I’ll have to ask Celestia to teach me that one. I thought as I headed out to find Celestia so she can send it for me.
Night time Ponyville, I was sitting on my couch in the libraries main room, reading.
Spike burped up a scroll, and handed it to me “Here, Twilight! A letter from the princess, I don’t recognise the seal on it though.” Spike said scratching his head.
I took the scroll in my magic and broke the wax seal, and began to read.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I miss you, it hasn’t been long since we parted and I am already worried you have moved on. But no, you’re not like that. Celestia has adopted me as her sister, and she has made me a Princess, Princess of lore to be precise. My sphere of influence includes; Libraries, research and development, finding and preserving knowledge as well as acting as guardian of forbidden knowledge. I am also charged with archeology and finding lost knowledge. I miss you girls, especially you Twilight.
I wish to invite you and our friends to come stay in Canterlot, and join me for my coronation, in a week's time. we can use that time to get better acquainted, and don’t leave Spike, he is invited as well.
I look forward to seeing you again,
Best regards
H.R.H.I.W. Silver Everfree
P.s you will be staying in my Temporary room. Hugs & kisses.
I smiled and blushed as I finished reading the letter.
“‘H.R.H.I.W.’? Spike said confused, I looked at him and smiled
“It means Her Royal Highness In Waiting,” I explained to Spike.
“Tomorrow, Spike can you collect the girls and bring them the library?” I asked him
“Sure thing, Twilight!” Spike exclaimed and I hugged him,
“Thank you Spike.”
Next morning, Ponyville in the library My friends gathered in front of me,
“Girls, we got a scroll from Silver Mane, we are invited to the castle for the next week, to prepare for Silver Mane’s coronation, We leave as soon as possible so go and prepare as you need to,” I looked at Rarity, “bring along materials as we are going to need formal wear.”
Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all cheered and left as quickly as they could to prepare for the trip.
“It’s unfair, that Alicorn came out of nowhere! Why can’t Aunty understand only I deserve alicornhood,” Blueblood whined, as he trotted down the halls of the castle.
He spotted a shadowed, mare wearing a hood, standing beside the door to his room,
Blueblood shout, “Begone from here wretch, these are the doors to my private quarters,
“I know, your highness,” The hooded figure chuckled, “We happen to have the same enemy, Silver Everfree, the newest sister and Princess.”
Blueblood froze as he regarded the mare on closer inspection the shadows clinged to her like needy foals, “Who are you? And what do you want?” Blueblood demanded, causing the figure to chuckle darkly.
“Only the complete removal of a thorn in my side, before she becomes one, get rid of her with this crystal hit her with it shall banish her to the furthest planes of Equestria,” The figure said levitating a black dodecahedral fragile crystal, before BlueBlood could ask anymore questions the figure dissolved into shadows. Blueblood’s vision darkened and blurred, suddenly he felt his anger boiling,
“How dare, she take what is mine! I’ll be rid of her soon.” He charged down to the dining hall,
In the main dining hall Celestia was putting the final touches, on the adoption forms, which we all both signed.
Blueblood had joined us not a moment later, after Celestia had magically protected the document.
“Blueblood, nice of you to join us,” Celestia beamed, before her attention was drawn to Twilight and her friends as a guard led them in, I went to meet Twilight, but Blueblood used our distraction to launch a crystal at me, smashing against my head, the floor gave out below me as I turned to see Twilight’s eyes widen.
I fell through a portal of some kind and lost consciousness.
I watched as Silver fell into a portal of shadow, I scrabbled to the portal to follow after but it closed just before I reached it, I screamed and frantically pawed at the ground as if doing so would open the portal again. Blueblood had collapsed on the floor.
Celestia’s mane and tail ignited, as she got to her hooves, she walked up the the unconscious Blueblood, as she got closer he stirred and awoke.
“Where am I? The last thing I remember is a shadowed mare, giving me something?”
Blueblood saw his, aunt and cowered, “What did you do?” Celestia asked tersely, “You just banished our new sister and Princess in waiting to Mother knows where and in doing so committed high treason.”
“What!?“Blueblood paled, he had wanted her gone but not like that.
Out of the corner of Blueblood’s vision the shadowy figure appeared behind Twilight with a dagger raised, Blueblood pushed Twilight out of the way taking the Dagger meant for Twilight.
“Missed!” the shadowed mare grunted and faded from view in wisps of shadow.
“Guards find that mare I want her captured!” Celestia order the guards as he mane and tail extinguished.
Blueblood gasped and sputtered for air as his life blood, spilt from his wound.
His eyes teared up as his lounges filled with blood, fear flashed over his face, “I am Sorry, Aunty….” He last breath slipped from his lips as he died.
Tears fell down Celestia’s cheeks as the reality finally hit her one family members dead, the other lost to the planes she fell back on her haunches as Twilight, Luna and herself held each other and wailed in grief.
The rest of the bearers, hung their heads some quietly others openly crying.
A week later the guards were still looking for the mysterious assailant,
A funeral was planned for Silver Everfree and Blueblood,
The bearers, all gathered to mourn the loss of their friend, alongside Celestia, sat Luna and Twilight as they sat in front of an empty casket, whatever that crystal did It didn’t leave anything to bury not even ashes. Next to the empty casket laid Blueblood an unwitting puppet used by his murderer. Not many else came, a few ponies from well off families. A pegasus mare and a Griffon, stood off to the side. I had asked them who they were, the griffon responded with ‘Gray Wing’ and the mare ‘Crimson Flash’ They explained they had travelled to Las pegasus with the late Silver Everfree. And they had come from Las Pegasus to pay their respects when they had heard.
A cleric started the ceremony, “We are gathered here today, to mourn the loss off Princess Silver Everfree and Prince Blueblood of Equestria, Taken before their time. We will now hear a few words from Princess Celestia,
Celestia stood and walked up to the priests lectern, “ Princess Silver, thank you for sharing your time with us no matter how brief, you had a noble heart and defended your friends even to your own detriment. Her death shall leave an indelible mark on our hearts, we shall always remember her as the kind pony she was.” Celestia said as fresh tears fell down her cheeks.
“Prince Blueblood, I want to hate you for taking Silver away from us, but I can’t hate somepony who was tricked, used and then died protecting my student. let his death serve as a reminder to be wary of those cloaked in shadow,” Celestia finished and stepped down and hugged Luna and Twilight.
The cleric returned to his spot on the podium and as the two caskets were lowered said, “We now commit these bodies to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust and let them know the peace in the hereafter that they deserve,” The cleric finished and bowed before leaving as the earth filled the graves of the departed.
I awoke with a start, I panicked and looked around myself, I was surrounded by Silver metal and ore as far as I could see, “well at least I will be healthy and well fed,” I thought to myself at that moment my stomach rumbled and I started salivating. Welp seeing as I am hungry might as well gorge myself so I don’t have to worry. I thought to myself.
A year later.
“Come on Twilight, It’s been a year since the funeral, even if Silver is even alive what makes you think she can come back, you’ve just been sitting here and largely just plodding along with little to no passion or energy!?” Spike chided me as I sat reading a book I had been searching for one that could help me find Silver. That spell was weird it didn’t look like an evocation,
Sighing I closed the book as I finished it, “Spike she’s alive I just know it!?” I explained excitedly, Spike then crossed his arms,
“Then why isn’t she here?” He asked with a sceptical look on his face before sighing and waddling up to me and placing a claw on my withers.
“Spike, all I know is that she is alive, I don’t know how and I don’t know where, so far all I can say for certain is that was a banishment spell, which would randomly displace a target to a plane it is only specific to the creature if they aren’t native and she should have returned if she was native, and we need her, I need her. The elements won't work without her” I slumped feeling defeated.
“Yeah and it doesn’t help anything with all those new beings that showed up. Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Halflings, Tabaxi, Tieflings and Dragonborn etc.. All fighting for space, bringing war back to Equestria,” Spike lamented, “I still can’t believe that human bard tried hitting on you, it was hilarious when you told him you were spoken for and when he tried to press that he was much better, you told him, ‘She’s a Silver metallic dragoness I doubt very much you’d measure up and she’d probably kill you as a matter of course.’ his eyes widened so much and he backed off so quickly, I guess Silvers are infamous amongst them.” Spike added when I widened my eyes.
“Wait what did you say, he knew about Silvers?”
“Yeah I was confused, too until he mentioned that Silver dragons are or were native to his old world of Faerun.” Spike shrugged, and tried to leave until I stopped him with my magic, my right eye twitching.
“Spike, you mean to tell me Aryxon is not native to Equestria?” I asked seriously, as my words sunk in his eyes widened in understanding.
“She can’t return as she’s not native to Equestria, so we have to find her and bring her back!” I exclaimed, Spike take a letter I must inform Princess Celestia!” I said as I ran around gathering my gear and notes.
I stood above the work I had finished a permanent teleport circle,it was to be used by Twilight upon finding our sister, I had been preparing it for the day we would need it and that was today, Twilight had informed me of a way to recover our erstwhile sister, how she was trapped in a different plane of existence. So I taught her teleport circle and planeshift.
“Okay Princess I have the required materials and I have gathered my friends and we have the elements ready. Princess Luna is watching over Spike. And I memorised the sigil on the spell circle you made. We are ready to go,” Twilight explained to me with excitement and impatients leaking into her voice.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I remarked mentally to myself,
“Go then Twilight and friends, Retrieve Silver. Bring her back.”
Twilight’s horn lit as the others gathered closely, as light filled the room, Twilight concentrated scrunching up her face in the process. They then suddenly popped out of existence.
I don’t know how long time had passed while I gorged myself on a seemingly endless supply of silver, my scales have turned almost pure silver, my size has increased in magnitude, “I may need to learn enlarge/reduce,” I muttered as I took in my form.
“Greetings young one, it has been fifthteen years since you entered this place, and it is time you returned to the Prime material plane. While I personally know not when this shall occur, your mate will be here to bring you to your new home, I may have altered her trajectory to come straight here. Your rest is at an end and you will have naught whence you leave here.”
I turned to see a massive, long and sinuous dragon with silver-white scales and blue, catlike eyes. Looking down with a warm smile.
My eyes widened as I felt compelled to bow down, “Lord Bahamut, you honour me with your presence. The dragon god let out a hearty laugh,
“I came to meet the newest candidate and newest of our kin, to be born even if it wasn’t technically a birth, I shall be watching you closely young one and I look forward to your adventures,”