"Mom, no!" He laughed and screamed at the same time, making it sound like a poor attempt at some kind of retaliation as he ran down the hill as fast his small legs could carry him.
"Oh no you don't! You're not getting away this time," she said in between her own laughs. She decided to prank him a little and kicked her powerful legs to jump high as she could and flapped her wings. In what seemed like one fluid move her mighty stature flowed past him like water between and landed just in front of him.
She gave him a wide grin and an eye-crease as she watched the the horror on his face when he quickly realized that there was no way around their crash. When the impact hit him, he felt surprised that all it felt like, was him hitting the soft skin of her belly like a rock hitting soft, cushioning earth. He looked up at a pair of smiley eyes as he often called them when smiled like that.
For some time they rested on the vast meadow, dotted with small lakes and little streams connecting them. It was a beautiful day with a clear blue sky as long as even a dragons eye could see.
As he lay there in the open, with the warm rays of the midday-sun caressing his body and mother just next to him on her back, humming a pleasant tune with the wind blowing mildly, he thought back to that horrible time where his family had been right in the middle of the Great War.
"Father?... Father where are you!"
A small white dragon walked out along a lone bush that donned the scarred lands of a battlefield. The smell of death hung in his nostrils as he walked among the hundreds of corpses and he cringed his young face in worry and disgust - this was certainly a dangerous time for a young dragon to be wandering about, as one of the elder dragons had once said to him when he had tried to impress his, now dead, friend Ember that he could indeed sneek out of the cave they taken refuge in a few weeks ago. Tears stung his eyes and his vision blurred a little. Soon they trickled down his little cheeks in a silent stream as he thought of the painful memory.
'I'm useless... I couldn't even help Ember...' He thought, as he went on to look for his father.
Days went and he never found any trace of him. With hope of seeing him again going down the drain, little Draganta slowly but surely found his way back to their refuge. At first Mercury - his mother had been angry to find out that he went out on his own, but as he stood there before her with eyes shiny from tears, it seemed to him, that she couldn't bring herself to punish him, instead she lifted him up, it was a thing she often used, to comfort him and it always to somehow make him in a better mood to know, that she would always be there for her like this...
"It's so nice here, isn't it mother?" he caught himself sounding a little melancholic and Mercury turned her head to look him in the eyes where she could see the pain and guilt flickering across her sons young face.
She felt a pang of sadness coursing through her and settling in her stomach as she saw him mentally torture himself with had happened all those years ago. It hurt her so, to watch him like this, because she couldn't do anything more than just be there for him - there was nothing else what he had felt, and still did.
"Draganta?"
He showed no sign of hearing her.
"Please...sweetie look at me...don't do this."
She cocked her head to the side and gently turned his face to look at her.
"There was nothing you could do honey, and deep inside..." she sighed and looked at him with something akin to worry, "...you know that too" as she said the last words, she smiled down at him again and settled him on her back as she began to walk back to their new home.
The next couple of days were spent in silent understanding between them, but Mercury was still worried. His son hasn't said a since he'd mentioned the painful subject if his father. This wasn't unusual for him though - she knew he liked to think things over by himself, but today he really seem to struggle in a silent battle with his own thoughts as he sat across from her in their large cave.
He was reading an old history book, but as she looked at him more closely, she had noticed that he wasn't even looking at the words. He seemed so far away, that she thought he might disapear like a distant dream if she stopped observing him.
"Mom?"
"Yes, Draganta?"
He lowered his head and tried to focus on a spot on the floor, though it seem to melt away and smoothen out. His eyes darted around from end of the room to another - to her, a clear sign that he wanted to say something, but didn't have a proper way of saying it.
He didn't look at her as he started talking.
"Why can't I, you know...breathe anything?"
Now that was a revelation... 'can't breathe'?, what on
earth is she talking about? She looked at him intently,
trying to decipher the true meaning behind those cryptic
words. When she obviously couldn't find a reason for him
to ask something so trivial, she opted to question it out
loud instead - of course he could breathe, why was he
talking about breathing?
"... breathe? What do you mean? I don't think I
understand your question, dear"
He sighed, he anguish expression turning slightly
irritated; of course she had to know what he was
speaking of.
"Come on mom, you know what I'm talking about"
But seeing her perplexed expression, he just sighed and
tried to elaborate.
"You know... you breathe fire, right? Why can't I do that?"
As the words left his mouth, he looked up at her, right
in the eyes for the first time in 2 days - and it definitely
had powerful effect on her. She jerked backwards a little,
looking like a deer caught in the headlights for a split-
second as she took in the seriousness in the look he gave
her.
His shiny blue eyes displayed the utter frustration he
felt, at not knowing why he wasn't like all the others.
He knew that this was the first time they had talked
about this since they had come there years ago during
the war to seek shelter and, later, a permanent home.
And truth to be told, he didn't know why she looked like
she did either.
Draganta's skin was pure white, dotted with light-blue
markings. He had deep, dark-blue scales on his
underbelly, and on the skin between the wing-digits, even
his nails had that same dark blue - almost black taint.
His ice blue eyes really stood out from her orange ones,
but that made perfectly sense, since his father Smog had
those same striking, crystal blue eyes - it was obvious
where his son had gotten them.
At first, when he was born, she thought his skin might
change and eventually he would have some color. New-
born hatchlings would sometimes need a few extra
nutrients to go along with their new stable diet.
But as the years past, he never recovered from what she
thought might be a birth-defect.
She realized that he was still expecting an answer, when
she saw those same eyes looking intently at her.
"Hmmm..." She scratched a small point on her neck for a
minute, as she thought of the difficult question.
"I don't know Draganta - I don't know why you can't breathe
fire...does it matter sweetie?"
He gave her an incredulous look - like she had just said
something profoundly stupid.
"Of course it matters! Why shouldn't it matter mother? Is
there something you aren't telling me?"
He'd turned his head away from her again, looking ever
the more frustrated.
Ashe herself wasn't happy with his attitude, but she
would let it slide for now.
"Honestly Draganta, if I knew the answer to your question, I
would have answered it... I'm sorry, I simply don't know.
But what does it matter? If we were ever attacked, I'm
sure you could stand your ground better than most. Your
combat abilities, quick moves and vast knowledge in the
magical field are more than what most other dragons
your age can boast about."
"But mother!" he sighed heavily and his eyes were
glazing over from tears. He turned his back to her and
dug his head between his wings, using them like a shield
from the outside world.
"You don't understand mother... Sometimes when the
others tease with my looks... I don't even feel like a real
dragon" he said, sobbing in between the words, "...what
do you think it makes me feel like, when I can't even
breathe anything!? I only worked so hard at all those
things because I lacked at everything else... why am I
like this?"
The sobs turned into full blown crying.
She sat up, and walked up behind him, protectively
wrapping his tail and wings around him. No words needed
to be exchanged; she knew he needed her more than
ever now.
An hour passed while they there on the floor when an
idea suddenly struck her. Why didn't she try and find
someone who might be able to help her son? She
mentally slapped herself for being so inconsiderate. If she
hadn't been wallowing in self-pity over her own loss, she
might've thought about this earlier. But how would she
find someone who could help him?
"Daganta? Are you alright dear?"
He sniffed and blinked a couple of times before
answering.
"Yeah… I think so"
"I will do my best to help you with this… problem. I want
you to come with me to see Celestia, Ruler of Equestria, she
might be able to help us or at least answer some of our
questions on this - what do you say we ask the elders
here if they can tell us where the Princess lives?"
He looked down but gave her a small smile.
"That would be wonderful mom"
She didn't think he looked quite as convinced as she'd
hoped but for now, that smile on his face was enough to
get her own hopes up.
. . .
A few days had past before they could see the elders of
Rumbling Rock. Ashe knew they'd have to wait, such
was the protocol of this place; In fact, it wasn't at all
uncommon to have to apply for visits at the councils in
these areas, she didn't mind though – the elders had their
claws full these days; not only with the many incoming
fugitives all the time. The war had really taken its toe on
everyone here in Equestria, despite the fact that the war
never reached this tranquil place, the elders had to work
their hardest to make sure it stayed that way. Daily
council meetings had to be undertaken at the top of the
highest tower in the small city. Sometimes the elders
even had to travel to other parts of the country to attend
larger and even more important gatherings.
Draganta hadn't complained about their wait either, she knew
that he knew well of all the political partitions here even
though she'd never actually been to a meeting with the
elders before now. He had never been like most other
younglings, not once had he complained about something
like this – that certainly couldn't be said for some of the
others his age. He seemed to understand the
complexities of an advanced society better than many,
and She often wondered how.
The downside of it all was of course, that he had trouble
understanding the things that were popular for dragons
his age, and thus had earned herself a position among
the shunned – his uncharacteristic looks wasn't helping
the situation either.
He'd even earned the top student rankings of his class,
never failing to read her homework. She looked down at
him walking beside her with his deep blue scholar cloak
and leather holster containing the scrolls from the great
library they'd just visited before, proud to be his
mother. Now she would help him the best she could in hopes
that she might be able to get over her problems.
As they climbed the long flight of stairs leading to the top
of the tower, he looked more nervous than ever, and
when they finally got to the top of the tower and had an
acolyte open the massive doors to the outdoor council
facility, he even started to shiver.
She gave him a playful nudge with the tail and he very
nearly jumped down the stairs again.
"Easy Draganta dear, it'd be a waste of time to go that long
way again" She pointed behind him back towards the
stairs, he'd nearly reached the last step and had he
jumped just a little further back, he would have crashed
down them.
As a look of horror overtook his features she chuckled
lightly and gave him a push in the right direction –
towards the, now open, doors of the council.
They slowly made their way forward towards the waiting
elders. They stood on an outdoor balcony-like platform in
a half-circle, front of their large bodies turned to them, on
what could only be described as massive marble
structures, carved in a way that would allow each and
everyone of them to lie in a comfortable position – though
the comfortable sofa-like structures certainly didn't seem
to allow them to relax too much since they all seemed to
be waiting impatiently for the two to arrive in the middle
of the circle where a round platform of stone resided.
"Please have a seat here but speak quickly" A deep voice
commanded.
Draganta looked up the see that the owner of the voice was
a large elder dragon, who was gesturing for them to
step up on the platform.
His red scales almost burned crimson in the shining
daylight and deep, dark lines of blood red ran through his
body, creating a pattern of stripes on his neck and a dark
green robe with silver linings was draped over the rest of
his form. He certainly looked ancient to him with his
glowing, fiery orange eyes looking down at her.
Draganta couldn't help but scrounge his nose a little – he
practically reeked of burned lands and charcoal. The
strong smell reminded him of his father and the days
when he frantically searched for him. Although he tried
desperately not to show it, he was sure he at some point
had seen him hold him breath.
Around the male elder sat two great females, both Land
dragons, wearing an orange cloak similar to their male
counterpart. They had turned their honed faces and
looked down at Draganta with gleaming red eyes, making
him feel more uncomfortable than he already was.
Ashe bowed deeply before the council
"Where is the rest of the council, Elder Bron?"
The elder dragon sat up on his marble chair.
"I am afraid they will not be attending this meeting, they
are currently on their way to Fire Falls to be present
at a most important assembly with many other elders
from all parts of this world."
He sighed, tiredness starting to creep up on him again.
With a slight annoyance he continued.
"But I am sure the rest of us will be more than capable at
handling what ever problem a common dragon like you
might have."
Ashe stiffened hearing the irritation in Brons' voice
and she immediately bowed again to apologize.
"I'm terribly sorry Elder Bron; I meant no disrespect in
asking"
The elder seemed to light up a little at the apology.
"Enough, it is forgiven. Now tell me who I have the good
graces of meeting today, it is not often that I get to see a
young face like yours here in these ancient surroundings"
Ashe sat up again and started to state the facts of her
presence.
"My name is Ashe my lord, I am a refugee from far
away, and I came here about 6 years ago to seek shelter
from the war. I wish to ask you of a favor on behalf of my
son."
The elder squinted his eyes and leaned from his position
to better get a view of the, to him, tiny white youngling
hiding behind his mother.
"Come forth child, I can't help what I can't see, you
know" and then he chuckled a little and gestured with his
large claw for him to step closer.
He did as he was asked and stepped a few meters in
front of Ashe.
His actions earned a small gasp from the two elder
dragoness' and Bron's eyes widened at what he saw.
"My my, what a handsome son you have Ashe!
He's quite unusual looking isn't he?" He smiled down at
Draganta, who couldn't relax one bit from all the scrutiny.
"You do remind me of someone child…" he said, as he
looked up and scratched his chin. "Oh yes! Now I
remember" but as he said those words, his face became
more serious and his jaw hardened with some kind of
emotion that could not be deciphered.
"Tell me your name, young one and let me hear your
favor."
Draganta looked up at his massive body; he made his mother
look every bit as young as the elder had said.
"Greetings my lord, Elder Bron. My name is Draganta"
He bowed as deep as he could to all of the elders, but
opted not speak to the others. He didn't know their
names and he was afraid that he would offend them by
asking.
"I seek to ask you where we can find Princess Celestia"
There was a small pause, and he held her breath,
silently trying to decide whether or not, this had been a
good idea to begin with.
"And what business would such a young dragon have with the ruler of Equestria?"
All this time he had hoped that he would just answer his
question and leave it at that. He wracked his mind for a
reasonable explanation, when the gods suddenly seemed
to have changed their mind about not helping him.
That small amount of time he had spent thinking had
apparently been enough to make the elder change his
mind.
"Never mind, little one – I am sure you have good reason
to want to see Celestia" he said, as he waved a claw
dismissively in the air.
He raised himself from his chair and walked down
towards the two.
"Come with me to the study, I have a map to show you
the way to the Princess' residence"
He walked past them, his large claws making scraping
and tapping noises against the worked stone floor and his
cloak flowing lightly in the summer breeze. He really was
huge compared to his mother - at least 2 heads taller than
her, though he knew well that his own mother wasn't
considered the largest of females in the beginning. With her
wiry muscles stretched over her – for a female – nimble
frame, seemed like nothing in comparison to Bron
tall, bulky build. This was why he was a scout, and not a
fighter –
in body and soul.
Draganta took a quick glance at the remaining elders, who
hadn't moved an inch yet. He figured they wouldn't,
since Bron himself was more than capable of helping
them with the directions.
. . .
They were given a smaller version of the map shown. At
first glance, it looked like a small piece of molded scrap-
metal. A light touch of magical energy though, turned its
core glowing bright blue and as it was slowly reloaded
with enough energy, its outer shell began glow lightly as
well.
He let go of the little thing, but it didn't fall to the ground.
Instead, it just stayed there, suspended in mid-air like he
hadn't let go of it at all.
"This tracking device will lead you to her, I have
programmed the destination coordinates to Canterlot Castle - you should have no trouble finding them now",
he took a small pause in his instructions before
continuing, "However, this tracker is programmed to
follow you, Ashe. It means if you two happen to get split
up, little Draganta will have no help to guide him - remember
this, it is most important that you do not get separated.
Now if you will excuse me, I have other duties to attend
to."
With those last words, he led them back to the staircase
and quickly disappeared as the door closed behind him
with a loud bang.