Author's Notes:

NOW EDITED!

Also hopefully I can get back on track (these last few chapters have proven to be quite difficult to write)

I stirred as I suddenly felt oddly cold. I opened my eyes and immediately regretted it, as my eyes were assaulted by the rays of the sun. I groaned as I blinked to ease the pain, and hopefully, to quickly adjust. The ground suddenly moved underneath me, and, looking down, I saw red scales. Oh right, I fell asleep on Ruby’s side.

I looked around to see that Dragon FireWyrm was looming over me, but was not gazing at me. I frowned when I saw who he was gazing at: DragonWyrm Heart. “Clan meeting in the Council Chambers in five minutes. You will be needed there, too, Magic Dowser.”

Why would I need to go to a clan meeting!? DragonWyrm Heart didn’t remain long enough for me to ask, as he disappeared in a shower of his sparks. It was a weird way of teleportation, or, at least, I think it was; it could just be him turning invisible. I hated not being able to see magic; it was as if I was blind, or something. I was sure that, if I didn’t have to deal with the overwhelming leylines whipping about, I could probably see the dragon’s magic. Stupid chaotic magic capital of the world.

“What kind of a clan meeting is this? Like a celebration of your mating or something?” I asked Dragon FireWyrm.

Dragon FireWyrm looked down at me and slowly shook his massive head no. Or at least, I’m pretty sure that it meant “no.” Ruby and I didn’t get too far on our ‘lessons’ before exhaustion from the past few days caught up to both of us. Hell, I spent most of that time bawling my eyes out, to be honest. Ugh, I just know Ruby will embarrass me by telling Minty about it…somehow. Though it could be a good thing… I could get some sympathy cuddles from Minty...

I slowly climbed over, and up onto Ruby’s head. Scales and a breathing creature made for a very slippery slope, if one was not careful. Once there, I wrapped some of her head spines around my right foreleg. Ruby growled out slightly, turning her head. I double checked that I was secured. I didn’t want a repeat of last time, of being tangled, but I also didn’t want to have the circulation in my hoof cut off when Ruby took off. I took a deep breath to ready myself. “Ready.”

Ruby growled a second time, and I could feel her lift off the ground. The inevitable lurch that came with it was still a bit much, and I instinctively belly flopped onto Ruby’s head. I half expected a chuckle from Ruby or Dragon FireWyrm, but all I got was a concerned sounding rumble from Ruby, which felt weird and ticklish. A lump began to form in the pits of my stomach. To not have Ruby teasing me like normal was never a good sign.

I stayed belly flopped on her head while she flew us to wherever this council building was. I was not going to try and stand up now. Before long, Ruby lurched again, and came to what I hoped was a stop. Now, if only my stomach would stop moving… Here. Ruby spoke, as her tail wrapped itself around me, and I was gently lifted off of her head and onto the cobblestone street below.

I looked around to see that we had landed in the large open square where that spring tower thingy stood. I knew it was a large tower, but wow. It looked a lot bigger from the ground then the air… couldn’t say for sure, but I’d hazard a guess that it was as tall as the Crystal Tree Palace. This city was so strange. It went from buildings that were so huge that they could easily hold many of the dragons, like the one across the way that looked like a caution cone buried half on its side, to the many small dwellings that even a pony could find homey.

I sighed. Something touched my shoulder, and I glanced back, looking to see that it was Minty. Her eyes shone in concern as she then hugged me. “Still struggling?”

“A bit.” I admitted with a sigh.

“I am sorry to interrupt this moment, but you really should get inside.”

I turned to see Phoenix Wave standing at attention next to the opened door to what I assumed was where the Council Chambers were located. Apparently, Ruby had already gone in… No idea where Dragon FireWyrm went to, as I lost sight of him as soon as I got on Ruby’s head.

“Is everyone here, Captain?” I turned around to see DragonWyrm Heart walking up.

“Yes, Firstclaw.”

DragonWyrm Heart waved for us to follow him inside. Even though I was still apprehensive, wondering about why we needed to be here and the way Ruby was acting earlier, I followed.

We soon walked into an expansive, round room that appeared to be a stereotypical courtroom, given the raised bench along the far wall. Scorpion, Wanderer, and Caretaker were standing on the left, with Twilight standing on Caretakers head. Ruby and DragonWyrm Heart were on the right. I nearly laughed when I saw that Ruby was sprawled on top of Dragon FireWyrm, nuzzling him. Though that changed to feeling my muzzle heat up, upon seeing that their tails were literally braided together.

“That is so romantic.” Minty cooed as she leaned into me.

I would have leaned into her, but it was at that moment that I noticed that there was a massive passive spell emanating from the floor. I looked down, and, using my talent with magic, I could see that it was coming from some sort metal matrix embedded into the floor. Furthermore, it was pony-based, from what I could see, but the complexity was astounding, even if it was nowhere near the level of that infernal Compass! If I ever saw another compass, it would be too soon.

I was about to ask about it, when I noticed that the place was set up like some sort of birthday party. There were streamers and balloons all over, which was nice, except for one glaring issue. The one that was unnerving me to no end. Hung over the raised bench was a banner that had the traditional pony blessing given at funerals. May the crisp grass and refreshing waters of the Pasturelands be forever yours.

“Someone is dying or dead, and they are going to celebrate like it's his birthday!?” I mumbled under my breath in irritation. These dragons had no respect for anything it seems.

“They are not celebrating it like it's some birthday, Dowser…” Minty whispered back.

“So you are taking their side? And how do you know that!?”

“Their side?” Minty sighed, shaking her head. “Dowser, please, stop this…please… I saw what they did to those who died trying to mate with your sister. There was nothing about it that would fit a party. Actually, it reminded me of the traditional funeral ceremonies of the pegasi… After some words were spoken, the dragons’ bodies were cremated, and the ash was then carried away into the wind. What was that ’blessing’ anyway?”

“The blessing is ‘May your voice be added to the honor of The Voice.’” Phoenix Wave responded, shocking me. I had forgotten that he was right next to us. “Also, dragons have excellent hearing…”

I gulped as I looked up to see that every dragon was staring at me. I had forgotten that tidbit. What made it worse was the way Ruby was staring at me. I couldn’t stand to see her look at me like she was disappointed. “Then why all of this?”

“Because History Seeker wanted his last moments to be a celebration, not mourning…” DragonWyrm Heart sadly explained for me. History Seeker? Why does that name sound familiar? “...or as close as possible to one… It is more for me, than for him...”

DragonWyrm Heart tapped the floor, and I could see that the spell that was in the floor was activating. The air shimmered, and suddenly, the room was overlaid by a room that could only be from the Crystal Tree Palace. I may have never been inside the castle before, but there was no mistaking what I was seeing around us, though where inside was anypony’s guess. I could see that the room had a crystal table, with seven throne-like chairs around it. The thrones appeared to have emblems on them, except for one that appeared to have a similar metal spell imbedded into it. A pale, very old, tan stallion was sitting in that chair, a pale blue blanket covering all but his head. Given the blanket, I had no idea if he was a pegasus, or an earth pony.

“History Seeker?” DragonWyrm Heart called out, a hint of worry in his voice.

The wizened pony slowly opened his eyes. “Is that you, my friend?” He croaked out. It was hard to hear him, as his voice was so hoarse and soft. It was clear, even to a medically uneducated pony such as I, that he was near his last breaths.

“Yeah. The entire clan, as well, along with Magic Dowser and his marefriend, Minty Herb.”

“And Ruby?” The pony now identified as History Seeker questioned. Ruby immediately growled angrily over that, though she went silent to a raised paw and slight shake of DragonWyrm Heart’s head.

“Mated with Dragon FireWyrm.”

“Sorry ‘bout that, She of Hourglass…” History Seeker started to cough really badly. He slowly bent down to grab a strange breathing mask, that I had not noticed before, and place it over his muzzle. All the movement shifted History Seeker’s blanket enough that I could see that he was a pegasus.

Everydragon and Minty instinctively lunged forward at the pegasus’ distress. I managed to stop Minty with my hoof and a shake of my head. The dragons, minus Ruby, also stopped right away. Clearly, we were seeing the image of History Seeker, and even if we were somehow magically teleported there, which was not possible, I doubted there was anything we could do.

By the time the coughing ended, History Seeker looked even paler than before. Ruby, by this point, had managed to pull herself off of Dragon FireWyrm, and walked up to History Seeker. Judging from the sounds she was making, she was concerned. Unfortunately, she did the same thing I did when she paused mid-mating, ugh, and found her claws going right through the image of History Seeker.

“Damn my fading eyes…” As expected, History Seeker’s voice had faded further. Although, why would he complain about failing eyes when he was clearly struggling to get any breath, much less speak, is beyond me. “I can’t see you… She of Hourglass, I think…” History Seeker sniffed sadly, to which Ruby rumbled in concern. She was saying something, but I had no idea what. “Sorry, She of Hourglass, but my sight... is too gone to understand you… ”

“She of Hourglass has not seen this spell before, and naturally, your coughing fit is concerning her.” DragonWyrm Heart explained.

“Don’t be concerned for me.” History Seeker waved off Ruby as he coughed again, but luckily, it was only once. “I was dying when… when I gave you the compass…I doubt I’ll.. last the hour… I will see my Belle Flower again soon…”

“I’m sure she has been excitedly waiting to show you the best meadow to cuddle in.” Caretaker cooed, twirling her tail around Wanderer’s tail.

History Seeker chuckled. “Damn straight.”

“Getting the last bit of cursing out before the missus curtails it for all eternity?” Wanderer quipped, nuzzling Caretaker.

History Seeker laughed for a second, before he fell into a coughing fit again. “Can Magic Dowser come closer…”

I wasn’t too sure about this whole thing; while I still had the nagging feeling that I had heard of History Seeker, I could not place where, or why. Nonetheless, I got closer to the image of History Seeker. By the heavens, he looked awful; an hour to live seemed to be too generous.

“Magic Dowser, the ways of dragons are strange and unusual... barbaric, at times, but for the sake of the love you and She of Hourglass have, give them a chance, and be patient. You will not find a more loving set of dragons, or people, than the ones that you see here…” History Seeker coughed as he finished and laid back down. I took it as the signal that he was finished. I was surprised he managed to last through what had to have been a marathon of a speech for a dying pony.

I slowly walked back to Minty, who had already long been in tears. I pressed myself into her to give her comfort, even as I tried to understand History Seeker’s words, and the larger question as to why I was brought here. I didn’t know History Seeker, or at least I didn’t think so. Why is that name bugging me?

History Seeker suddenly started to wheeze badly. His breathing had become extremely labored. It was clear that he was only a few breaths away from death. I sighed. My mind is becoming morbid...

“Dra..rrgn rm Heart…” History Seeker’s words were slurring as he fought to get them out, though, somehow, he was still audible (probably due to a volume change spell). “My ollld frrrien… prromisse… me…tha... you... eep… ma... maaaking friendsss…”

“I… wwwill” DragonWyrm Heart’s voice shook hard, tears already choking his ability to speak.

History Seeker slowly smiled at DragonWyrm Heart, as he slumped in his chair. It was clear that History Seeker had breathed his last. At that same moment, the spell suddenly cut out, and the Crystal Tree Palace disappeared.

DragonWyrm Heart reached out a claw to where History Seeker’s image was before. “History Seeker, I...”

I almost jumped to the ceiling and ran out of there when a loud roar of anguish suddenly came pouring out of DragonWyrm Heart’s maw, but I found that I couldn’t move. The roar was both ear shattering and soul crushing, at the same time, and, though I was not exactly in love with the dragon, I couldn’t help but feel for his pain. His roar was soon joined by the entire clan. I could no longer handle the emotions that ran thick in the air, and found myself crying in earnest for the pony I didn’t know.

I sighed as I put back the final ‘Pinkie Pie’s Letters to He of Hourglass’ book into her memory chest. Usually, the letters that my friends wrote to me when I was in my Slumber were soothing, but I could hardly see through the tears, making reading next to impossible. I had hoped it would help with the loss of History Seeker…

“No matter how much you prepare for the inevitable, it is still soul wrenching.” A female voice called out.

I growled in irritation. Someone had not only entered my hoard without permission, but also managed to do so without me knowing. I turned around to confront the intruder, only to go from angry, to doing an impression of a drunk fish. There, standing at the entrance to my hoard chamber, was Ruby.

Ruby snickered at me and, in a flash, I clamped my mouth shut. Okay, either I’m hallucinating or dreaming... I hope dreaming. If I am hallucinating, I have a problem, if I am dreaming, then Ruby is the Voice manifesting in my dream as Ruby...

“The Voice?” I questioned to see if it was a dream, which it could be… hopefully. I wouldn't put it past a grief induced hallucination to answer the way I want...

“I can’t get away with anything with you, can I?” The Voice, as Ruby, continued to smirk for a second more before her, or would it be his, smirk faded to a sad frown. She walked up to me and sat down next me, putting her wing over me.

“Will I ever see them again?” I sniffed, grasping for straws, for an answer that I knew wouldn’t come.

“I am sorry, my child,” Ruby sighed as she pressed a bit more into me, “but there are some things that I can give no answer to, nor comfort for…”

“Why are you here?” I finally spoke again, after a moment of leaning into her/him. As much as the comfort was nice, The Voice wouldn't come to me just to ease my grief.

“Because you needed me, not Metal Claws, Legacy Chaser, or even Harmonious Knight…”

“Still doesn’t explain why you are here.” I reiterated, choosing to ignore the fact that the Voice was being a bit dodgy...

“I’m here because of the situation between you, Ruby, and Magic Dowser…”

“I needed your help long before it got way out of…” My complaint was shockingly cut off by The Voice backhanding me.

“You are a DragonWyrm!” The Voice roared at me, the dream darkening. “Not a fucking average joe shmoe dragon! I shouldn’t have to hold your claws over something as simple as helping Magic Dowser and Ruby, even with your severe mental handicap! You have several clanmates that can help you overcome that, and tried... You knew how ponies can be, sometimes, as you yourself grew up with them. Ruby went through similar things to what you went through, but worse!”

I sighed and looked away, looking down in shame. The Voice was right. I seemed to only able to screw things up...

The dream brightened back up as I could feel The Voice licking my head. “My child, I am more disappointed than mad with the way you handled this situation, DragonWyrm Heart… Inaction only lengthened her needless suffering to the point that drastic and more painful measures had to be taken.”

‘More painful measures had to be taken?’ Suddenly, what Ruby had ranted about just prior to the Migration’s arrival made sense. ‘Dragons that won’t let me deal with things in my own way; instead, they have to sing and invade dreams!’ I slowly turned to gaze at The Voice, who was meeting my gaze with confidence, way too much confidence. “It was YOU! You told her about Hourglass, didn’t you!?”

“Yes, I spoke to her in a dream, as Garble.”

“This whole fiasco with Ruby being forced into a mating situation before she was ready was caused by you pushing her, wasn’t it?!”

“Yeah, I knew that talking to her would get her to do something drastic, forcing you, in turn, to suffer the consequences of your inaction in a way that would hopefully prevent you from doing it again, and risking something far worse than an angry unicorn!… As for being forced into a mating situation, Ruby is thankful for that.”

“What!?” I blurted in shock. This was making no sense. Sometimes The Voice being the collective souls of all chosen, mated, and dead dragons was more headache-inducing than even I could handle, and I was a dragon, and I knew and understood all of this! Still, this begged a question. I could get The Voice punishing me in some way, but why would Ruby have been thankful for the Voice pushing her into a mating situation, unprepared!?

“Are you saying that Ruby, as in the soul of Ruby that is part of you, is thankful for the Voice, aka you, for pushing her, instead of letting her slide into it, if and when she was ready?! HOW THE FUCK would Ruby be thankful?!”

“Oh no.” Ruby-Voice shook her head, her form suddenly beginning to fade. Whether The Voice was losing his/her ability to stay manifested on this plane, or was backing out intentionally, I couldn't tell. “You want to find that out, you can ask me that personally.”

“Fine. But by punishing me, you punished Magic Dowser!” I growled out, still irritated at what The Voice had done. Sure, I got that I needed to learn a lesson about being indecisive, but Magic Dowser should not have had to suffer like he has been, never mind Minty. Both should not have had to deal with the sight of dragons dueling to the death, as had happened. I could have prepared them for the possibility. Ruby wouldn’t have had to struggle to understand what she was feeling when Dragon FireWyrm and her locked eyes...

“I know.” The Voice sighed. “Which is why, on my behalf, you are to grant Magic Dowser any boon he asks for, baring anything impossible, of course.”

I raised an eyebrow at Ruby-Voice. I already kind of knew what Magic Dowser would ask for, and I knew that The Voice would also know, being that Ruby was apart of him. It would be the one thing that would be impossible to fulfill. “Very well…”