Draigo and Celestia were flying away from Sweet Apple Acres towards Canterlot when the guard ponies Celestia brought with her formed around them. Draigo hadn’t realized how many she had brought with her to search for him. It seemed like she had brought every single pegasi on duty. He didn’t know what to think about that. Whether she was truly concerned about his safety, her citizens safety, or figured it would take this much for her to find him. Well, it was probably a mixture of all of those reasons.

As soon as they were within the boundaries of Canterlot Celestia released her guard. Each guard seemed reluctant to leave their ruler without an escort, but they obeyed none the less. With the guardsmen gone, Celestia changed her flight course. Draigo followed behind her and realized they were headed toward the royal gardens. She must want some privacy for our discussion.

As they landed they were greeted with the sounds of birds chirping and a babbling brook. The gardens were peaceful and serene. There were many places within the gardens that would afford them privacy. So, it surprised Draigo when Celestia walked into the castle. Draigo changed back into his draconic form, now only a little taller than Celestia, and followed her through the castle. He felt his magic reserves deplete even further, just as he did with the pillar and his initial form change.

They stopped by Celestia’s room so she could change out of her armor and into her regalia and continued their journey. In a few minutes, they were just outside of the throne room. Many panicked voices could be heard on the other side of the doors. Celestia seemed reluctant to go through the doors, but one glance at Draigo gave her a bit of comfort. He was the reason for the panicked voices, but Celestia couldn’t help feeling comfortable around him since they had known each other for so long.

With a deep breath, Celestia brought her ‘politician mask’ on and walked through the doors with Draigo walking a couple steps behind her. The panicked voices didn’t stop as she trotted up onto the dais to sit in the throne connected to Luna’s. Luna, for one, seemed relieved when she saw Celestia enter and sit down. Luna was unsure why Celestia had brought Draigo along but took comfort knowing he was here and unharmed. They both looked down at the gathered ponies and Celestia realized why they didn’t stop. No pony was looking at the throne. They were so panicked that they had apparently forgotten about Luna’s presence and had started deliberating amongst themselves. Luna explained that she had gotten them to quiet down a few times, but they would work themselves back into a panic after a few murmurs of doubt. She had continued this pattern a few times before she gave up and hoped they would burn themselves out.

Draigo ignored the gathered mass and wrapped himself around the sister’s thrones with his head, neck, and forelegs on Celestia’s side. He figured this could take awhile. He truly didn’t care what happened with the mortals gathered here, but he did care what happened with the two immortals in front of him.

A few minutes passed as Celestia waited patiently for either a quiet moment or one of her subjects to notice her presence. Neither happened so she began to sing, to try to calm them and make them realize she was present. Luna and Draigo joined her after they figured out which song she was singing.

The panicked ponies looked up to the throne and enjoyed their rulers’ song. The song was calm and beautiful. It had the exact effect Celestia was hoping for. The crowd noticed Celestia sitting next to Luna and looking at them with her warm smiling face. They relaxed seeing that but tensed when they saw Draigo wrapped around the thrones with his tail twitching back and forth beside Luna’s throne. None of them spoke however as they waited for Celestia to address them.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, I assume you are all here concerning the pillar that was seen early this morning. That issue has been dealt with and normalcy has been returned. I will answer a few questions to help ease your minds. Now, one at a time please approach the throne to ask a question,” Celestia addressed to them.

“Who is the dragon behind you, Princess?”

“His name is Draigo. He is an old friend,” Luna answered.

“Why is he here?”

“He is here to discuss a few things with us,” Celestia said as she got a curious glance from Luna.

“Will you tell us what caused the pillar?”

“That would be me. I created that pillar,” Draigo chimed in as he smirked at them.

The ponies took a collective step back at that statement. After a little pushing was seen a unicorn with a flame cutie mark stepped forward with a skeptical look on his face.

“How could somepony your size create such a massive pillar? Dragons can breathe fire, but none has ever been seen or heard of breathing flame anywhere near that size. You must be lying for your own benefit. You aren’t even a fully grown dragon. You probably can’t even match my best flame spell. Now, get away from the princesses you overgrown skink!” the pony ranted.

“I'm not a pony and you would do well to remember to not tread upon a dragon’s pride unless you can back it up. I’ll give you one shot,” Draigo said as he stepped out from behind the thrones and slow walked down the dais.

“I’m sorry. He deserves this for what he’s said,” he told the royal sisters.

Once Draigo was on the ground in front of the dais he faced the pony and spread his wings to their full wingspan. He growled and bore his fearsome teeth in a display of predatory intimidation. Everypony took a few steps away from their compatriot as he began to shake from the aura coming off of Draigo.

“You may cast your best fire spell whenever you want,” Draigo said as he laid down, still glaring at the shaking pony.

“D-Don’t blame me if you get hurt, you cocky dragon!” the pony said as he charged and fired his spell.

A massive bolt of fire rocketed toward Draigo, hitting him square in the chest. Flames erupted and covered a 25-foot area. The pony began to laugh in triumph. After a few moments, his laughter died down and the flames receded. As the flames receded Draigo reappeared. He was still laying there looking at the pony. The flames completely extinguished and the pony looked on in disbelief. Draigo wasn’t even phased. Nothing around him was burnt, not even the ground around him bore any trace of the fire spell.

As the ponies continued to look on in awe Draigo went one step further. He began to grow in size. It wouldn’t take him long to fully grow usually, but he took his time so he could snake his tail and neck around. He didn’t want to destroy anything unnecessarily. Once he finished growing the ponies were backing up in fear. He blocked the princesses from their view due to taking up over half the room's height. The challenging pony was cowering on the ground expecting some form of retaliation.

Draigo looked down upon the foolish pony and flared his aura. The pony looked like he wanted to run but was frozen in place by the amount of fear Draigo had induced in him. Draigo shrank back to his previous size and resumed his position behind the thrones.

“That will be all for today. Court will reopen tomorrow. Lieutenant, escort these ponies out and then make sure no one enters the throne room,” Celestia ordered as she smiled at Draigo.

“Thank you for not hurting him. I know how insulting that was for you to hear. Would you please come out from there so we don’t have to turn around to speak to you properly,” Celestia said once the room was cleared.

“He wasn’t worth it. So, besides talking about the giant episode I had this morning, what did you want to talk about?” Draigo said as he walked around to lay down in front of them. His wings were tight to his body and his tail twitched back and forth, indicating his apprehension and nervousness.

"First, how have you been? It's been a long time since we've both seen you and there wasn't much time to catch up when I visited you in that cave. Did you ever find someone special?" Celestia asked hoping to break the tension Draigo was holding onto.

"I've been well. It has been a long time since we last caught up. Even with all that time I haven't found anyone special. There were interesting people but none that interested me in that way," Draigo said with a thoughtful look.

"We are sorry to hear that. Thou art a wonderful drake. We had assumed you'd find someone. What dost thou think of the Element Bearers?" Luna asked

"Their dynamic isn't bad, but they need to work on their power output. With the amount I witnessed, I'm surprised they made it through the Everfree. Sure, Pinkie's cannon would deter most things but I doubt she uses it as a weapon very often. There was too much confetti and streamers coming from it to be an actual fighting tool." Draigo still didn't know how Pinkie pulled that cannon out of nowhere and it took a moment for him to stop trying to figure it out.

"The one I'm worried about the most is Fluttershy. She's very kind but if it comes down to a fight she'll be a liability as she is. She has an excellent ability, but she can't use it at will right now. She could be a great deterrent. To be so she'll need to get used to actively accessing the magic in her eyes without being on an emotional high." Draigo paused to go over their fight in his head. It hadn't been a long fight, but it was long enough for him to figure some things out.

"I suggest giving Twilight and Rarity combat magic lessons to widen their repertoire. Rainbow and Applejack are very physical and need armor, they all do, and close combat training. Pinkie seems like a support role more than anything. She'll need some training to predict who needs what kind of support. Finally, Spike will be a great asset once he grows some more and gets some training," Draigo listed off.

"We expected something like this, but tis still surprising how much thou canst glean with a single combat scenario. We will suggest to our ponies that they train and acquire some armor for protection. Whether they do so or not will be up to them," Luna commented.

"Fair enough. Are they at least guarded right now? I would assume so since they wield this country's last line of defense," Draigo asked.

"We have some 'plainclothes' guards down there as well as the town guard. The plainclothes are there should Twilight and her friends need the help. So far, they haven't. Now, what were you thinking using that much power so visibly and so early in the morning! You could have hurt somepony! You obviously didn’t think about the consequences of that light show! We’ve got an entire country on edge due to your recklessness! An ENTIRE COUNTRY! Do you realize how much work that’s given Luna and I!? Not only that you had both of us worried that something horrible had happened to you!" Celestia shouted as she grabbed him and shook him. Once she stopped she sat right in front of him and waited for his answer.

Draigo was stunned by the sudden display. He’d been expecting a lecture from her but didn’t expect yelling and shaking to accompany it. He noticed that Celestia had the beginnings of tears in her eyes. She had obviously worried about him more than he’d thought. Draigo looked anywhere he could, just not at her, while trying to think of a way to alleviate this situation. With a sigh he then gently embraced her.

"I'm sorry. A memory that I thought I'd never think of again was brought back to the forefront of my mind. There is a single being that I loathe the most. The gypsy who sent me to this universe and turned me into what I am. I've gotten over being like I am, but I still seek retribution for being forcibly sent and changed," Draigo spoke as he held Celestia close. He motioned for Luna to come over. As she walked over he unfurled his wings and held out one of his arms. He embraced them both with his arms and wrapped his wings and tail around them.

"I'm sorry I made you worry so much. Please. Tell me what I can do to make it up to you both," Draigo softly spoke as they held each other.

"Stay. Stay with us. We've missed you and being able to do things like this. You're one of the few that we don't have to say goodbye to after only a century. So please, stay with us," Celestia pleaded while Luna nodded her agreement enthusiastically.

"As you wish," he responded as he gently squeezed them.

Eventually, Draigo broke the embrace and wrapped himself around their thrones once more. He decided to grow just enough that he could completely encircle the thrones as the two sisters retook their seats. Celestia summoned one of her guards and had him bring her captain of the guard to the throne room.

It didn’t take long for the captain to arrive. He was a white unicorn wearing purple armor with a two-toned blue mane and tail. Upon entering, he noticed that both his princesses were present and that a strange dragon was with them. Once the fact that a dragon was wrapped around the royal thrones finally clicked in his head, he began to charge a spell.

“Shining Armor, we know thou art just trying to protect us, but we are in no danger. If anything, attacking him would put thee in danger," Luna informed him.

This caused his magic to sputter out. He looked on at his princesses and finally noticed that neither of them showed the usual signs of being under duress. He then looked closer at the dragon and noticed its eyes and scale colors.

"You wouldn't happen to be called 'Draigo', would you?" Shining asked.

"What is it to you?" Draigo answered. He would've been more pleasant but was insulted that this so called 'captain' thought he'd hurt his friends.

"My sister sent me a letter telling me about a dragon, matching your description, who was living in Ponyville. She also mentioned that he was staying with her friend, Applejack," Shining told him.

"Who might your sister be?" Draigo asked.

"My sister is Twilight Sparkle."

"Huh, I can't see any family resemblance."

"Now that you mention it; neither can I," Celestia piped in.

"Most ponies say that, but the family resemblance is in our magical auras," Shining told the group.

"We've gotten off topic. Shining Armor, Draigo will be staying with us from now on. He is a friend of ours. Please tell the rest of the guard so they don't get hurt," Celestia told her captain of the guard.

"Begging your pardon Princess but 'get hurt'? I'm confident that myself and a group of five others could take him on without getting hurt," Shining said with pride.

"I'm going to ignore that semblance of a challenge, Shining Armor. Perhaps one day I’ll test your mettle,” Draigo responded with a mild growl.

"Now, now. There's no need to get worked up again after you just intimidated that other group, Draigo," Celestia spoke in a calming voice.

"You're right, Celestia. Not that it was very difficult. I digress. Shining Armor, while I'm sure your guard is adequately trained I'm also sure they've yet to encounter something like myself. I’ll do my best to keep to this form while around the castle and city area. If your guard should encounter a being that is unusual, have them ask it to change into draconic form. Should they refuse or change into the wrong draconic form, deal with them as necessary,” Draigo explained.

“Do you agree with him, Princesses?”

“We see not why his advice should be ignored. Dost thou, Sister?”

“Hmm, no. That seems like a wise precaution to me. See to it that it gets implemented as soon as possible, Shining Armor. Now, do you have any questions or concerns, Captain?”

“None at this time, Your Highness.”

“Very well, you are dismissed.”

Shining Armor saluted and left. Once more the three were left alone. Each of them were thinking of how different their lives were going to be now that they were living in the same place. They were just enjoying each other’s company when Celestia remembered something.

“Draigo, I’m sorry to say but since you staying with us happened so suddenly...we won’t have a place for you to sleep tonight,” Celestia said with a little worry in her voice.

“Hmm, would you be opposed to me sleeping in the treasury? It’d be no different from how the other dragons sleep on their hoards. I won’t be claiming it as my own unless you tell me to,” Draigo inquired.

“So long as you allow those ponies who access it for their jobs here in the castle to do so, I see no problem. We will arrange a room for you as well, should you feel the need for an actual bed,” Celestia answered as she imagined the reaction of the first pony to walk into the treasury seeing a dragon sleeping on top of the royal treasury. She’d have to put up a sign or something until her staff got used to Draigo being here. For now though she’d enjoy the change of pace that his presence instilled.

"I'll need to send Applejack a letter explaining the new arrangements. Now, are there any duties you'd like me to perform now that I'm living in your castle? It’s only right that I pull my own weight," Draigo wondered.

"Well, have you considered doing weather patrol? It’d be killing a few birds with one stone. You’d be able to patrol the city and surrounding land, have the citizens get used to you being around and earn a few bits. I know you don’t need the money but not everypony takes crystals and other precious items for payment," Celestia.

"Okay, I'll give that a shot. I’ll contact the weather team captain tomorrow. Now, I do believe it's time for dinner," Draigo said noticing it had gotten fairly late in the day.

"Wouldst thou join us tonight?" Luna asked.

"Twould be my honor. There is something very important I need to give you as well as tell you about," Draigo spoke as he stood up.

The private dinning hall the princesses used wasn't a long walk from the throne room. As they settled into their respective chairs servants appeared as if from nowhere. The food was brought out and placed on the table as if a feast was planned. The presence of a dragon didn't seem to phase ponies at all as they came and went in a blur. The food looked great and he took special note of the bowl of gems in front of him.

Before Draigo knew it, the table was filled and the sisters were serving themselves as if nothing was out of the ordinary. He decided to follow suit and soon had his plate filled with food. Before either of the princesses began eating, Draigo cleared his throat to get their attention.

"There's something both of you should know. The dream last night made me remember more than just my hate for that gypsy. Those memories are also tied to this," He said as he reached between his scales and brought out the hourglass he made. "This is called a token. It allows others to summon me for help and I can use their token to summon them. There are many objects like it in other universes. They are created by beings known as 'Displaced'. Displaced are beings that are originally from another universe that were transported to their current universe via magic. Most of these beings gained powers due to this. I am one of those beings. I want you to have this token so that you may summon me, should the need arise," he explained as the royal sisters examined the hourglass.

Celestia enveloped the proffered hourglass in her magic to get a closer look. After a moment, she reached out a hoof cautiously. When her hoof made contact, Draigo's message played out in her mind. Celestia's eyes went wide for a moment but quickly returned to normal before sweeping to Draigo.

"I take it that you heard the message I put into it?" he asked as Celestia removed her hoof from the hourglass.

"Yes, I did. Is there anything else we should know about?"

"There's a possibility of others finding a token and summoning the displaced it's associated with. Some of the displaced are good while others aren't. Should either come through, tell me and I'll deal with them. I'm setting up these measures because I can't be everywhere at once and I'd rather not have some unknown being messing with your two or our friends." Draigo answered as he gazed out a window.

"Draigo, we appreciate the concern but we can take care of ourselves," Celestia responded confidently.

"While I know both of you are very powerful, there are bound to be beings as strong, if not stronger, than I am. Heck, there's probably some that can bend reality," he told them.

The two sisters were a tad shocked at Draigo's admission. They looked at each other, hoping they had misheard and saw each other's shocked expressions. They had both believed that no one could be as strong, let alone stronger, than their draconic friend.

"That should be everything you need to know about the Displaced. There's one other be-"

Draigo was interrupted by a white hoof being placed over his mouth. He looked at Celestia with a curious expression. Celestia removed her hoof and smiled at him.

"I believe that we've talked enough for today about gloomy and stressful subjects. I propose that, once we've finished dinner, we all head to my room to roast marshmallows, tell stories, and enjoy each other's company."

"What a most wondrous idea, sister. We second the aforementioned proposal." Luna said as she clopped her forehooves together in excitement.

"As you wish," Draigo relief as he began to eat the wonderful smelling did before him.

The meal progressed in content silence. Each of the three immortals merely enjoying being in each other's presence. Soon enough they had finished eating and Celestia grabbed Draigo by the claw to guide him to her room, Luna following right behind them.

Two guards were posted outside of Celestia's room. They came to attention as the princesses and their guest arrived. Word had already spread about Draigo apparently since neither guard even batted an eye as he was pulled into Celestia's room by the self-same princess. The guards relaxed once more once the door was shut behind them.

Draigo was impressed by how luxurious yet practical Celestia's room was. There was just enough finery to know that it was a princess' room but not so much that he had to be careful where he stepped. Along one of the walls was a good sized fireplace that had a log cabin already built inside of it. Before Celestia could light the fire herself, Draigo blew a small stream of fire onto the logs. Roasting sticks and marshmallows were quickly distributed. Draigo opted to use his claws instead, though.

The festivities continued long after the fire had consumed all its fuel. The stories, jokes, and reminiscing were only interrupted by the raising of the moon and lowering of the sun. With each passing hour after the sun set the room's temperature steadily dropped. None of the three felt like missing a single word so both the fire and blankets were ignored. Instead, the two Alicorns scooted closer to Draigo since he radiated heat like a furnace. This made Draigo a bit uncomfortable, he liked them more than others, but he wasn't sure how he felt exactly. He was also uncertain how they felt about him.

After a while Draigo found both of the princesses had fallen asleep against him. Not wanting to wake them, and thus incur their wrath, he just slipped his wings over them and fell asleep himself. A dragon could get used to something like this. That's going to take quite a bit more time, though.

The next morning Draigo woke to find that both princesses were gone. He figured that they were taking care of their royal duties and took off from Celestia's balcony to see about getting a job with the weather team. Not long after he took flight he grew to his full size so he could get there faster. His flight was interrupted by a portal opening up right in front of him. Whoever is on the other side of this is very lucky that I had a wonderful night and I'm feeling really generous.

***********************************************************************************************************************

In another part of the world, a pure white dragon was laying on his horde and chuckling to himself. He played with the artifact that he wore around his neck. There were a few embedded gems that looked full while the rest had a hollow look to them. The dragon tenderly ran a claw across those that were full, feeling the power resting inside of them. It was only a matter of time until he would fly out and challenge the being most of his race thought was a god. After his inevitable victory, he would claim the right that should be his already and then overthrow all who opposed him.

Magical Source, Mystic Force

Author's Notes:

Holy Crap! This took forever to edit, re-edit, and then have someone proofread for me. Thank you to Dangerbrony for helping with the proofreading/editing. The link is to the chapter AvexedAuthor and I crossover in. Both that chapter and the next chapter I'll be posting are crossovers with mature stories. I've changed my rating to mature so that I can add links to any story I crossover with and so I don't have to censor other author's work when they come to my story. If this changes your opinion of the story or me please know that I tried to keep my story to a 'teen' rating so that as many people as possible could read it. Anyway, I'm rambling now. The next chapter will be out in a few days once I've re-read it a few times for editing. After that, it'll be awhile since I'm now out of chapters that I've been working on or already finished writing.