My Little Pony: The Redemption of the Dragon Empire
Ch. 1
In the small town of Ponyville, its denizens were preparing for a special visit from Princess Celestia, and, according to her a letter, an old friend of hers. While the Celestia didn't specify any details about this guest, it was obvious that this visit was very important to her, and has asked her student, Twilight Sparkle, to make sure all of Ponyville was in its best condition when he arrives. So Twilight Sparkle was trotting through the town, along with her assistant, Spike, making sure everything on her overdone checklist was in order, and on the cusp of a mental break, when Spike finally stopped in the middle of town.
"Twilight! Calm down! You're starting to lose it by freaking out over every last detail! AGAIN!" Spike said, annoyance and concern mixing in his voice.
"Spike, you don't understand! According to Princess Celestia's letter, this friend of hers is very important, and doesn't make visits to Equestria very often. I have to make sure we leave a good impression so this person won't think Princess Celestia isn't doing her job as our ruler!" Twilight argued, and Spike just rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Twilight, it's not like the Princess Celestia is going to give you a test." Spike pointed out, but this made Twilight jump in fear.
"Oh no! I hadn't even THOUGHT of that! What if she does give me a test!? What if she wants to show off everything I've learned as her student! What if I FAIL! It'll make Princess Celestia look like she's a bad teacher! She'll never forgive me if I let that happen! Spike, you take this checklist and finish making sure everything is in order! I have to study, just in case!" Twilight ordered, and before Spike could even argue, Twilight teleported back to the library, leaving Spike to stomp through town as he checked what was next on the list.
At the Carousal Boutique, Rarity was working on her gift for Celestia's special guest, a large, red silk cape, with golden shoulder pads, and a flawless ruby on each pad. While she worked, Spike just gawked at Rarity, as usual, and doing whatever he could to help her.
"Spike, be a dear and get me a fresh spool of red thread, would you?" Rarity asked, and Spike practically floated across the workshop, and gave Rarity her extra thread.
"Here you go." Spike said, and he just went back to watching Rarity work, when he suddenly felt a letter arriving, and sure enough, he burped up a letter from Princess Celestia.
"Spike, please! Manners! It wouldn't be proper for you to act so uncouth around Princess Celestia and her guest." Rarity scolded, so focused on her work, she was unaware of the letter. Spike then read the letter to himself, and its contents made him gasp in shock. Before Rarity could ask what was wrong though, Spike had already run out of the dress shop and towards the Library.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN PRINCESS CELESTIA WILL BE ARRIVING TWO HOURS EARLY!" Twilight shouted, making Spike jump, and her friends cover their ears.
"Exactly what I just said." Spike explained, as he picked up the letter to read it again. "'Dear Twilight, I have just received word that my guest has arrived in Celestia much earlier than I expected. He will be arriving in Ponyville two hours earlier than I had originally planned, so you should expect me to arrive some time shortly before him. I apologize for this inconvenience. Love, Princess Celestia'"
"That means we have LESS than thirty minutes before the Princess arrives, and we're not even remotely ready!" Twilight cried, when Applejack walked over and put a hoof on her shoulder.
Hun, don't you worry. I'm sure the Princess will understand if things aren't what you had planned. She wouldn't expect you to be prepared for this. From the sounds of it, she wasn't expectin' it either.
"You're right…you're right. It's like the Princess will expect me to work miracles out of impossible situations…" Twilight said calmly, and her friends all gave a sigh of relief.
"Okay, I think we got Twilight back." Rainbow Dash said happily, when Twilight grew wide-eyed.
"But what if this is another test!?" Twilight asked, and everypony just gave out an exasperated sigh.
"And we lost her again…" Spike said with a huff, when fanfare could be heard outside.
"Oh no…she's here!" Twilight said, and she ran outside, and her friends followed suite.
As the Princess' chariot landed in the center of town, everypony bowed before Princess Celestia, and her sister, Princess Luna.
"Twilight Sparkle! It's so lovely to see you and your friends again." Celestia said warmly, and Twilight looked up, and gave a big smile to her teacher.
"It's great to see you too, Princess. I'm sorry Ponyville isn't more prepared for you're and Princess Luna's arrival, but we just didn't have time…" Twilight started, but Celestia immediately interrupted her.
"Twilight, you needn't worry yourself; I'm well aware Ponyville wasn't given as much time as it was originally planned." Celestia said, and Twilight gave a silent sigh of relief.
"So, Princess, do you know when your friend is going to be here?" Twilight asked.
"He'll be here soon. I'm looking forward to introducing you to him. Luna and I have known him for a very long time, and is one of our oldest friends." Celestia explained.
"Really? Is he another Alicorn?" Twilight asked, but Celestia shook her head.
"No; he's not any kind of pony, but he is powerful, of that, I can assure." Celestia said, and Luna chirped in.
"Indeed; he has helped Princess Celestia and I out of many difficult situations when defending Equestria." Luna said, which made everypony even more curious about this mysterious friend of the Princess'.
"Is there anything else you can tell us, Princess'?" Twilight inquired.
"Well, I feel there is something I should warn you about him; his personality can be a bit…overbearing, at times. At first, he may seem cold at first, but I implore you, don't take it to heart; once you get to know him, you'll see that he's actually very kind-hearted, even if he'd rather not say." Celestia explained.
"We'll keep that in mind, Princess." Twilight said, when their conversation was suddenly interrupted.
"AAAAAH!" Somepony yelled, and a shadow rushed overhead the ponies of Ponyville, make everypony look up, and see that that shadow belonged to a dragon that was flying towards the town.
"No, no, no! Something like this can't happen now!" Twilight shouted, when the gray-scaled dragon landed, causing the guards that had traveled with the Princess' surround the intruder, spears and swords ready. When the dragon noticed his potential attackers, he gave off a loud growl, and embers and smoke began ejecting from his mouth, as he got ready to strike.
"Wait! Guards, stand down!" Celestia ordered, but her guards were reluctant. "I said 'stand down'!"
"But Your Highness…" One guard said, but Celestia slammed her hoof down.
"Now!" Celestia shouted, and the dragon chuckled.
"You really know how to make a dragon feel welcome, Celestia. After everything I've done for you…" The dragon said smugly.
"Please, accept my apologies; dragons aren't found in Equestria that often. And when they are, it drives ponies into a panic." Celestia said, much to everyone's surprise, and with a final glare to her guards, they backed off, and returned to formation.
"I suppose that would be true." The dragon said, and backed off. "It's good to see you two again, Celestia, Luna."
"Wait a minute…Princess, this dragon is your old friend!?" Twilight asked in shock.
"Yes. Twilight Sparkle, citizens of Ponyville, I'd like you to meet Yol Toor." Celestia introduced, but Twilight and her friends were hesitant with greeting, but Twilight took the time to observe their visitor. Yol Toor was around the same size as Celestia, in terms of height, but his scales made him have larger legs and broader shoulders than her.
"You're subjects are very big on introductions, I see." Yol Toor exclaimed, shaking Twilight from her observations.
"Oh, sorry. I'm Twilight Sparkle." Twilight introduced, and Yol Toor just nodded as he looked at her friends, who were looking at him, not hiding their feelings of suspicion and fear. "Sorry…it's just…we've had encounters with dragons before…they weren't exactly great first impressions on your kind." Twilight admitted.
"Hmm…I see. I find it hard to believe that hatchling could cause anyone much problems." Yol Toor said, directing his attention towards Spike.
"What? Oh! No! That's Spike, he's my personal assistant." Twilight introduced, and Yol Toor scoffed.
"Well, not exactly a glorious life for a dragon. Working under-hoof for a Unicorn." Yol Toor said, and Twilight looked insulted at his remark.
"Well…it's nice to see you haven't mellowed out after all this time." Celestia said jokingly.
Anyway, now that introductions are out of the way. Celestia; your message said you had something important you wished to discuss with me." Yol Toor said, and Celestia nodded.
"Indeed, but that can wait; the citizens of Ponyville have gone to great length to give this wonderful welcoming celebration, and it would be rude for us to ignore it." Celestia pointed out, but Yol Toor gave off an annoyed growl before nodded.
"Very well. But don't stall me for too long Celestia." Yol Toor warned, and Celestia just rolled her eyes as everypony made their way to Sugar Cube Corner.
At Sugar Cube Corner, the Cakes and Pinkie Pie were busy at work, making sure everypony had enough to eat and drink, and although the Cakes were really working themselves to the bone making sure the Princess' are satisfied, most of the guests, and even the hosts, were too scared to approach Yol Toor.
"So, Yol Toor, how are you enjoying the party?" Twilight asked, trying to make Yol Toor feel welcome.
"It's alright; this food is some of the best I've had in quite a while." Yol Toor said while eating a slice of apple pie.
"Really?! I'm glad to hear that; the Cakes worked very hard to make the food as good as possible, and my friend, Applejack and her family made sure to use only the best apples from their orchard." Twilight explained.
"Well, they certainly know quality." Yol Toor praised, and Twilight a great burden be lifted off her shoulders as Yol Toor praised the food, when suddenly, Pinkie Pie appeared out of nowhere.
"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Are you enjoying the party? Are ya? Are ya? Are ya?" Pinkie Pie asked in a very hyper manner.
"Umm…yes…I am." Yol Toor answered nervously, uncomfortable with the fact that over-energetic pony was asking him questions while only inches away from his face.
"That's great! I helped decorate it! Oh, and I helped cooked the food too! That's what I do here at Sugar Cube Corner; I help the Cakes bake all the super delicious yummerific treats here! What about you? Where do you come from? What do you do there?" Pinkie Pie went on, until Twilight lifted Pinkie Pie off the ground with her levitation spell.
"Pinkie Pie! Let Yol Toor eat; he's here to visit the Princess'; not answer questions." Twilight scolded, despite the fact that she's curious about Yol Toor as much as Pinkie Pie.
"Don't get too upset, Twilight Sparkle; there's no harm in asking questions. Pinkie Pie - was it? – I'm from a Nation far to the North of here called the Dragon Empire." Yol Toor answered, when he noticed that Twilight's friends have broken away from the party to hear about his life.
"That's an original name…" Rainbow Dash said sarcastically, and this got her a glare from Twilight Sparkle, but a chuckle from Yol Toor.
"And Equestria is Old Tongue for 'Land of Ponies'. Got any other snide remarks?" Yol Toor asked harshly, and Rainbow Dash just looked annoyed as Yol Toor continued.
"What's it like, in the Empire?" Rarity asked.
"We're strongly militaristic; there's not a single citizen in the Empire that doesn't know how to fight. We dragons hold high value for physical strength and prowess in combat." Yol Toor explained.
"I suppose that makes sense; everything I've read on dragons, what little there was, always mentions dragon's amazing physical strength." Twilight remembered.
"I was actually a soldier in the Imperial military for a time, before I was forced to resign…. But anyway, now that I've explained my life story to you ponies, I'd like to know more about you. Princess Celestia seemed quite excited to introduce me to you, Twilight Sparkle; I'm curious as to what makes you so special." Yol Toor said.
"Well…I'm Princess Celestia's personal student; just about everything I've learned about in magic, the Princess has taught me." Twilight said.
"I see; you must be quite talented in magic." Yol Toor deduced, and Twilight chuckled nervously.
"Well, I certainly made a lasting impression…" Twilight said.
"…on the roof of my castle tower." Celestia said under her breath, but it was just loud enough for both Yol Toor and Twilight to hear.
"That sounds like an interesting story." Yol Toor said with a smile, and Twilight blushed.
"So, you said you were in your country's military? Why did you leave?" Rainbow Dash asked, and this caused Yol Toor to hesitate before answering.
"My father…passed away. I was given a permanent leave of absence to take charge." Yol Toor explained.
"Take charge? What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked, but Celestia chirped in.
"Well, as much as Luna and I enjoyed this party, and everypony's company, it really is time for us to return to Canterlot. Yol Toor, if you'll join us, we can discuss what it is I mentioned in my message to you." Celestia suggested, and Yol Toor nodded as he jumped out of his seat and went to the door.
"Very well. I'd like to thank you, citizens of Ponyville, for the warm welcome you have given me." Yol Toor thanked, and with that, he walked out with Celestia and Luna.
The ponies of Ponyville went outside as well, to give their farewells to their Princess', and as they rode away on their chariots, Yol Toor was right behind them, flying to Canterlot.
"Well, he was a much more pleasant person than I was expecting." Rarity admitted.
"Yeah. He's not like the other dragons we've come across." Twilight said.
"I'm surprised he knows Princess Celestia and Luna so well; I wonder how that got started." Applejack wondered.
"I thought that he was really great! He was really nice!" Pinkie Pie chirped.
"Yeah, well, I'm not so sure we should trust him! Dragons have caused us nothing but trouble, and I doubt this Yol Toor guy will be any different!" Rainbow Dash accused, but her friends didn't agree.
"Perhaps…but, it seemed like he's been friends with the Princess' for a long time. If they can trust him, I don't see why we can't." Twilight suggested, when suddenly, Fluttershy walked around a corner, revealing herself to her friends.
"Is…is he gone?" Fluttershy asked, referring to Yol Toor.
"Yeah, he's gone. But it wasn't so bad; Yol Toor is actually a pretty nice dragon. Or at least, isn't as mean as the other dragons we've had to meet." Twilight said.
"Really? He seemed very scary when he arrived, with his growling and everything. I was certain he was going to attack." Fluttershy admitted, but Twilight shook her head.
"Not at all; when Princess Celestia explained the situation to him, Yol Toor became a completely different dragon." Twilight explained.
"I still say we ought to keep an eye on him; he's too dangerous to be left alone." Rainbow Dash insisted.
"You're right. We dragons can be pretty threatening when we want to be." Spike said confidently, but this made everypony bust out in laughter. "What?" But Spike was never answered, even after Twilight and her friends stopped laughing.
"Well, regardless, I think Princess Celestia will be able to keep him under control." Twilight said with a yawn. "I'm exhausted…I think I'll go ahead and hit the hay. Good night, everypony." And with that, Twilight walked to the library to get some rest.
Meanwhile, in Celestia's castle, Yol Toor was hard at work, thinking of what his next move should be, as he looked at the chess board in front of him. It's true he had Celestia on the defensive, but he didn't want to make any careless mistakes.
"Celestia, I've told you in the past; I don't think it's a good idea I live in Equestria. It's not exactly I place where I can keep a low profile." Yol Toor said, but that wasn't going to convince Celestia.
"I understand your concerns, Yol Toor, and I wouldn't ask this of you now, if this wasn't important. But I need all the help I can get with protecting Equestria; even now, many dangerous creatures are stirring, and becoming more active. Just last week, Twilight Sparkle had told me that her and her friends had been recently attacked by a Hydra while in the Everfree Forest." Celestia explained.
"Then place some guard towers in the stinking forest. It's that simple. Check." Yol Toor announced.
"Please Yol Toor; you and I have been friends for a long time; I wouldn't ask you to live here if it wasn't important." Celestia insisted.
"I believe you, Celestia. But I fear that the trouble I could cause you is more than what my help would be worth." Yol Toor explained.
"While I can't stop you from making your own decision, Yol Toor, please remember that I, along with Luna, rule over all of Equestria, and we both agree that you being here, is worth any sort of risk." Celestia stated.
"But how do you know you're not making a mistake. What if…" Yol Toor went on, but Celestia interrupted him.
"Yol Toor, I'll handle any sort of problem your presence here will bring. Nopony will be harmed because of you. You have my word on that." Celestia said, and with that statement, Yol Toor gave a defeated sigh.
"Very well, Celestia. I trust you. If you really think big trouble is coming to Equestria, then I will help in any way I can." Yol Toor finally said, and this caused Celestia to smile. "By the way; Check Mate." Celestia's smile immediately disappeared.
"Even after all this time, I still can't beat you at chess…" Celestia said in a disappointed tone, and Yol Toor chuckled.
"When are you going to learned that I'm always two steps ahead of you?" Yol Toor asked. "Speaking of which; I'm guessing us meeting in Ponyville and introducing me to your student and her friends, then asking me to permanently move to Equestria is more than just coincidence?" Yol Toor guessed, and Celestia smiled.
"You got me. I was hoping you would agree to live in Ponyville, near Twilight and her friends. They will need your help most of all. They are, after all, the wielders of the Elements of Harmony." Celestia informed, and this got Yol Toor's attention.
"Are they now? After all this time…" Yol Toor went on, and eventually nodded. "Very well. If you see it imperative that I live in Ponyville, I'll trust your judgment on this matter."
"Good. And why don't you befriend them as well? They're good ponies, and I think you would enjoy their company." Celestia suggested, and this got a chuckle from Yol Toor.
"Yes, because they seem 'so anxious' to become my friend when I first arrived. Especially that yellow Pegasus. She ran off and hid before I even touched the ground." Yol Toor pointed out.
"Give them time, Yol Toor. They'll warm up to you eventually. Remember; Luna and I didn't exactly trust you the first time we met, but look at how close we are now." Celestia pointed out, and Yol Toor had to give her that.
"I suppose you're right. Very well, I'll try to befriend them." Yol Toor decided, and he made his way to the exit. "This ought to be worth a few laughs, if nothing else." Yol Toor said under his breath, and he gave a quick nod and smile to his friends as he left the room, and went to bed.