Chapter 2
Presentation of hatchlings
Eight years passed, and Emerald Forest grew. Under the guidance of her father and his vast number of books he collected during his years, Emerald Forest learnt what it was meant to be a dragon.
Word spread throughout the dragon community that Syrreth the wise had a daughter and soon it reached the ears of the dragon lord. Intrigued by this development, the dragon lord called for a presentation of the hatchlings.
Syrreth was reading one of his many books when through the cave opening galloped a fairly older Emerald Forest her white un-kept mane and tail resembled a wild fire. Her dark red coat reflected the gems on the cave floor. Her ankles were adorned with the gold bracelets from the piles in the corner.
Dad, dad, dad." She called excitedly, Syrreth closed his book and turned to Emerald Forest giving his full attention, he blew a small puff of smoke stopping her over excitement
"What is it Emerald?" he asked after she stopped coughing
"A dragon, he's on his way here." Said Emerald Forest as she levitated and flipped in the air excitedly "isn't that exciting, another dragon!"
'a dragon coming here?" asked Syrreth, he stood and made his way to the cave opening, sure enough flying towards them was a small dragon it landed on the ground in front the cave and bowed its head
"Greetings, my name is Kamer, I have come with a message from the dragon lord to Syrreth the wise." Said the dragon
"You are before him." Syrreth said "state your message."
The dragon lifted its head and cleared his throat 'By order of the dragon lord, you are commanded to present your hatchling." Kamer said
Smoke flared from Syrreth's nostrils making Kamer shrink away as flames licked at Syrreth's lips "Tell me, how does the dragon lord know about my daughter?" he asked
"The rumour of you having a child is known throughout the dragon kingdom." Kamer said hastily
"Alright, tell the dragon lord we would be there in a few days." Said Syrreth turning he re-entered the cave as Kamer took flight once again
Emerald Forest waited patiently for her fathers' return. On seeing him sit next to a pile of gems, she trotted up and sat next to him.
"I'm sorry dad." Emerald apologized "because of me, you have to go to dragon land."
"And what about it?" inquired Syrreth wrapping his tail around his daughter he lifted her hung head to meet her eyes
"I'm not a dragon though." She said softly
Syrreth laughed thunderously 'not a dragon, Forest you are a dragon in here." A clawed hand touched her heart "don't believe anything else got it."
"Got it." Smiled Emerald Forest "Oh, want to see something cool?"
"Cool?"
"Yeah, cool." Chuckled Emerald "I was down by the river gathering some food for dinner when this happened."
Syrreth watched as Emerald Forest vanished from where she was and reappeared deeper into the cave.
"See isn't that cool?" emerald said happily
"So you can teleport now." Stated Syrreth "you are amazing Emerald."
"Shux dad," blushed the filly as Syrreth got to his feet again "where are you going?"
"We leave for dragon land immediately." Syrreth said as he flexed his shoulders and wings "prepare a travel bag; there won't be food for you in the land."
"Yes dad." Emerald grabbed a silk sheet in her mouth and began loading on her favourite fruits and vegetables onto the centre of the sheet, using her magic she tied the bag around her neck
"I'm ready," called Emerald Forest as she came out the entrance
Syrreth crouched down allowing Emerald the chance to get onto his back "Are you settled?" he asked
"Yes dad." Replied Emerald
With two powerful strokes of his wings, Syrreth took flight they headed east towards the dragon kingdom.
As they flew Emerald took the rare chance to see the world from above. The fields of produce stretched for miles between towns. The edge of the everfree forest was always inviting but one would not know what to expect.
Emerald held on as Syrreth climbed higher into the sky and positioned himself at an altitude where anypony would mistake him for a bird. The air was thin but, from their countless flying when she was young she had gotten used to the thin air.
"Hey dad," called Emerald after a while, Syrreth grunted in response "why do we have to see the dragon lord?"
Syrreth thought for a moment "All dragons hatchlings are to be presented to the dragon king." He said
Emerald bounced on his back happily "Baby dragons, I bet they're so cute." Said Emerald, her excitement faded as soon as it came "but dad you don't have a baby dragon."
Syrreth chuckled "I have you." He said turning to her with a toothy smile
Emerald smiled back her excitement returning. For the rest of the day they flew only taking breaks for bathroom breaks and drinking water. Night fell slowly, Syrreth descended into the everfree forest clearing near the mountains.
"We'll rest here tonight." Syrreth suggested
Tired Emerald hopped off her father's back and yawned "So tired." She said dropping on the wet grass "I could sleep for days."
"What are you talking about, I'm the one who worked" Syrreth said
"Yeah and we were so high up that even clouds were scarce." Retorted Emerald playfully
"Right." Syrreth shook his head, he found a spot on the ground and breathed fire scorching the grass he then dropped down tired "don't wake me till morning."
Syrreth drifted to sleep leaving Emerald awake. She blew a hair strand out of her eyes "As soon as I lay down I'm wide awake." She sighed, using her front hooves she dragged herself over to her father and the warmth of his body. She rolled over on her stomach and looked at the stars that painted the night sky.
Very slowly sleep took a hold of her the many sounds of the forest soothed her. The sudden breaking of branches woke Emerald with a start. The sleep drained from her eyes as she looked around, two yellow eyes looked at her from the shadows of the forest. Emerald felt her heart begin to race as the eyes multiplied.
She looked to her sleeping father and was about to wake him when his words from earlier resonated within her. The creatures in the forest didn't move from where they were. The presence of Syrreth intimidated them from their meal.
Scared, Emerald eased her small frame under Syrreth's arm and closed her eyes from the darkness.
The next morning, Syrreth was the first to wake up, he stretched his neck and was about to stretch his arms when the sounds of breathing made him look down. Emerald laid asleep under him the small filly snuggled closer to his warm body. Leaning down he nuzzled Emerald till she woke up.
"Morning dad." She stretched
"Good morning." Syrreth replied "you haven't slept under my arm like that in a long time."
"We're in the woods, you're the warmest thing around." Emerald chuckled softly, she choose to keep her fear to herself.
"Then it had nothing to do with those creatures last night?" asked Syrreth
Shocked Emerald grabbed her makeshift carry bag and pulled an apple and bit into it.
"Mmm, this apple is so good." She turned changing the topic
Syrreth laughed and with a beat of his wings he was air born "We leave in ten minutes." He said
"Alright dad." Emerald shouted "don't eat too much; you know you sleep when you ever eat."
IN response Syrreth blew a puff of smoke at his daughter, she dodges his playful attack. Emerald watched as her dad disappeared into the trees. After breakfast Emerald wrapped her remaining rations. She sat in the middle of the clearing. With closed eyes she listened to the sound around her, soon boredom took hold.
Looking around she found a long stick, using her levitation magic Emerald picked it up "I am Emerald Forest daughter of Syrreth on guard!" she announced to an invisible foe, she swung the stick like a sword, she dropped and rolled on the ground in make believe fighting.
Completely engulfed in her game she didn't notice the timber wolves surrounding her "Ha ha, you are defeated." Shouted Emerald raising the stick triumphantly, behind her the timber wolves growled, spinning Emerald gagged at the stench of their breath, making her drop the stick behind her.
Backing away Emerald's hoof hit the large stick, she trembled as she picked the stick up and held it in front her as a weapon. "Stay back if you don't want to die." She stuttered
The timber wolves snapped their jaws hungrily as they slowly stepped forward, suddenly one lounged at Emerald fangs bared. With a scream the young filly swung the stick as hard as she can with her eyes closed, the sound of shattering wood reached her ears.
Opening her eyes Emerald sees a shattered body of a timber wolf at her feet, the wooden stick she held was shattered. The second timber wolf barked and was about to attack when from above Syrreth fell onto the breast raising a cloud of dust.
"Emerald Forest, are you okay?" exclaimed Syrreth picking up the small pony
"I'm fine," she said as he looked her over for any wounds "dad I said I'm fine."
"Good, I'm never leaving you alone ever again," said Syrreth finally "shall we go?"
"Sure," Picking up her bag Emerald hopped onto the back of Syrreth
"By the way," Syrreth said before taking flight "did you shatter this one?"
"Yes," replied Emerald "I know, you said to run when I see danger."
Syrreth head snaked towards her, his eyes were filled with rage. Emerald braced herself for a harsh scolding.
"You did well." Syrreth said making the filly eyes go wide in shock "What, my daughter taking down a timber wolf at this age that's a proud father moment."
Emerald smiled proudly as Syrreth took flight. Their trip to the dragons nest wasn't a long one at midday they crossed the mountain peaks. The roars of dragons filled the sky as many dragons landed or made their way in.
"There's so many." Emerald said
"All dragons in the land should be gathered here." Syrreth explained "the presentation of the hatchlings is a major thing."
Emerald Forest looked down at the dragons below; most were laying down with many young dragons lying around.
Syrreth flew to a high cliff and landed. Emerald hoped off and stretched her legs.
"Cover your ears Emerald." Said Syrreth
"Why?" questioned the filly, Syrreth looked at his daughter with cold eyes that meant business "ok, fine."
Using her hooves she covered her ears and watched as Syrreth stood tall he took a breath and opened his mouth. The sound that followed shook the ground. All dragons lifted their heads to Syrreth when he finished Emerald shook her head.
"That was really loud." She said, Syrreth didn't respond, instead he waited
Another earth shaking roar soon came, from the other side of the mountain cave a dragon emerged from a cave.
He was the same size as Syrreth but his scales were a dark green and he held himself in great authority. The dragon scanned the area of dragons then locked eyes with Syrreth.
With a deep breath the dragon opposite Syrreth opened its mouth and released a stream of orange flame.
Emerald Forest watched the flame in amazement, she was about to question her dad about it, when he suddenly released a stream of flame. The other dragons did the same.
The beautiful flame of the combined dragon flames made Emerald stare in awe. Finally the grand spectacle was over. Syrreth looked down at the little filly and chuckled softly.
"Close your mouth my filly." He said using his claw he closed the mouth of the awestruck pony, he then turned his head back to the other dragon.
"Dragons of Equestria." The dragon bellowed his voice echoed though the mountains "it's that time again, the presentations of hatchlings!"
The dragons roared in response but with a raise of a massive claw the immediately stopped.
"It is also a joyous occasion for my trusted ally finally brought us a heir." The dragon bellowed once again looking directly at Syrreth "let the presentations begin, I Balor commands it!"
Dragons roared and spat flames in agreement.
"Hey dad," Emerald began "what now?"
"Now we wait our turn." The dragons replied
"Okay."
"Watch closely Emerald; learn what must be done when in front the dragon lord." Syrreth commended
Obeying, Emerald sat on the edge of the cliff and looked down as the many dragons made a pathway where adult dragons and their offspring walked towards the dragon lord. They announced the names of their hatchlings, which stood silent and proud before walking off.
Soon all the dragons had gone all eyes looked up at Syrreth expectantly.
"Get on my back Emerald and stay there." Said Syrreth, getting up Emerald wordlessly hopped onto her father's back.
Unfurling his wings, Syrreth dropped from the mountain cliff and landed. With his head raised high Syrreth walked between the rows of dragons. He didn't fold his wings obscuring Emerald from the eyes.
For what seemed like an entirely Emerald sat staring at her dad's spikes. She felt a lump born in her throat. Soon Syrreth stopped.
"Greetings dragon lord Balor." Syrreth began "before I present my daughter tell me how you know."
"Word of you having an heir travelled throughout our land." Balor said "I am interested in knowing what child you could possibly spawn."
Syrreth laughed "You will be disappointed." Syrreth said with those words he dropped his wings and dropped his neck allowing the pony to jump down.
Immediately murmurs filled the area as Emerald took her place in front her father she looked up at the dragon before her as he glared down at her.
"Syrreth is this a joke?" asked Balor
"You know I don't do jokes." Balor said "This is my daughter Emerald Forest."
