Ch.9: Celestia and Arceus' Thank You Gift

A short while later, Pyrus landed in the courtyard of Castle Celestia and settled the group onto the grass. He and Groudon smiled as Twilight and Drago embraced the princess and lady, exclaiming how happy they are that they're okay. Their smiles became frowns, however, when they turned to Fluttershy and Boulderon. Now that the dragon's back to normal dragon size, he can't be with her…even if she loves him back. And his guardian can't be with her guardian, even though they now like each other. Princess Celestia and Lady Arceus noticed this right away and remembered Discord and Razenoid telling them that Pyrus wanted to be Pony size to be with Fluttershy and so Groudon can be with Boulderon. Now they plan to properly thank them with their one wish.

"Pyrus," Celestia said to him, making the large red dragon turn to her and Arceus, "what you and Groudon have done was a great sacrifice, and we are very grateful to you for it." The dragon just looked in shame.

"It's not just sacrifice," he stated. "It's punishment. After all I've done to Fluttershy and Boulderon's friends, I've deserved it." Groudon just patted his neck in comfort, trying to convince him to stop beating himself up.

"But you've made up for it by giving up your small size and coming to our rescue," Arceus pointed out. "For that, we want you to have this." With her magic, Celestia placed into his hand a leather chest with golden hinges.

"What is it?" asked Groudon when she, Boulderon, and Fluttershy saw the chest as well.

"Our thank you gift to him and you for helping Fluttershy and Groudon and saving us," Celestia answered. "However, Pyrus, you must not open it until you have taken the others home, Fluttershy and Boulderon being the last."

"Once you four are at their home," Arceus added, "then you may open it." With an understanding nod, Pyrus picked up the group and placed them on his back.

"Thank you," he and Groudon said to Celestia and Arceus before taking off into the sky. The Princess and Lady simply watched after the dragon with a smile until he was out of sight. Then they went back into the castle.

Back with Pyrus, Groudon, and the group, the dragon had returned the Ponies and their guardians back to Ponyville. He dropped Twilight, Spike, Drago, Skyress, Dialga, and Marvin off at the library and Rainbow, Helios, Rayquaza, and Lionwing at Rainbow's place. Then he took the other Ponies and guardians home before taking Fluttershy and Boulderon home. Once the four of them have landed inside the backyard, many of Fluttershy and Boulderon's animal friends came out to welcome Fluttershy back, including little Angel who hugged her tightly.

"There, there, Angel," she cooed, hugging back the teary-eyed bunny. "It's alright; I'm here." Pyrus and Groudon smiled at her and Boulderon sadly before Groudon went up to the golem.

"Again, I'm very sorry about what happened," she said to him with a tear in her eye. Boulderon simply smiled before brushing the tear away.

"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself," he said to her. "Whether or not I have to face your partner in a Courtship Battle, I still want you as my mate." Groudon looked up at him in reply.

"You do?"

"Yeah," he answered, taking her into his arms. "Although it was your partner who saved the day, you're just amazing in your own unique way." He then pulled her into a kiss, and Groudon melted into his embrace before returning it.

Pyrus smiled at the two guardians before turning to the chest still in his hands. He then remembered Celestia and Arceus' words and decided to open it before he and Groudon leave Fluttershy and Boulderon. He then tipped the lid up with his free claw…

Fluttershy squealed with surprise when a flash of light shown behind her, causing Groudon and Boulderon to pull apart with shock. When it vanished, they turned and were surprised at what they saw. Pyrus is small again, now only a foot and a half taller than Fluttershy like he was before. The dragon was also shocked himself.

"Wha-What happened?" he said before turning to the chest, only to find that it has become a note:

"Pyrus, because of what you and Groudon have done for us all out of love for Fluttershy and Boulderon, I grant you this one wish. You are now small enough to be with Fluttershy and stay that way as long as you also remember to be true to yourself and to her. May your love forever be strong as the love between your guardians. Princess Celestia and Lady Arceus."

Hearing these good news, Fluttershy jumped up and hugged Pyrus, now being able to wrap her front legs around his neck again to hug him. Boulderon wanted to smack the dragon but fought back as Groudon held his hand.

As he returned the hug, Pyrus thought about what happened between him and Fluttershy back at the cave. It's true that he's rushing the relationship too quickly in their new relationship with marriage, but he and Groudon can still be with her and Boulderon another way.

"Fluttershy," he said, tilting her chin up with his tail so he can look into her eyes. "You've been on my mind since the day we first met." He smiled when she blushed in reply, loving how cute she looks. "And it's true; it is too soon to ask you to be my mate. So…may I court you until we are ready?" Fluttershy just smiled in reply.

"Of course, you may," she whispered softly. Pyrus of course heard her, for he took her into her arms and kissed her on the lips. Fluttershy simply kissed him back, happy that they can now be together, as Boulderon twitched his eye at them with Groudon giggling beside him.

Back at Celestia and Arceus' room, the Princess and Lady watched the two lovers and their guardians kiss and smiled at their happiness. Celestia then brought out her red memory book and opened it to a blank page before placing her horn on it, and Arceus did the same with her violet book. Using their Memory Spells, they brought up two pictures: Celestia's of Pyrus flying through the starry night sky with Fluttershy in his arms and entitled it Fluttershy's Big Heart; Arceus' of Boulderon holding Groudon's claw and smiling at her as they walked under the stars and entitled Boulderon's Angel Sent to Earth. Smiling at their work, the two of them closed the books and turned to the open window.

"Until next time, Discord…" Celestia said with a smile before she went to bed.

"Until next time, Razenoid…" Arceus also said with a smile before following her partner.

"Until next time, Celestia," the Alicorn heard Discord's voice say in her head.

"Until next time, Arceus," the Alpha Pokemon also heard Razenoid's voice say in her head. They were a little surprised at first but smiled at the promise before turning in.

Back at Fluttershy's place, Boulderon cleared his throat, making Fluttershy and Pyrus break the kiss and turn to him.

"Sorry to rain on your parade," he then said to Pyrus, "but…you still have to face me in a Courtship battle before you can have my permission to date her." Groudon and Fluttershy turned to him and were about to protest when Pyrus spoke up.

"I understand, Boulderon, and I accept your challenge. In order to prove my love for Fluttershy, I will do this fair and square." Fluttershy looked up at him in reply.

"Please be careful," she whimpered. "He's terribly strong."

"Don't worry," he assured her with a hug. "I'll be careful." Groudon then took the little Pegasus with her and moved out of the way with her so that Pyrus and Boulderon can began the Courtship Battle.