The transition between enslaved dragons and free dragons was surprisingly smooth. Most ponies didn’t even notice the difference until they realized that they were talking with their dragons in their head, and that it wasn’t just some figment of their imagination. Of course the public reacted strongly, although once they realized that the dragons had been free for weeks and hadn’t done anything to hurt anypony most of them calmed down. There were a few who protested the freedom of the dragons, but given Mythic had never shared his secrets with anypony about how the collars worked, those dissenting voices quickly fell silent as everypony else realized what they had been missing out on. Speaking of Mythic, nopony had any idea as to what had happened to him. News reports told any number of speculative tales, ranging from extended vacation to outright murder. While the latter was technically true, there hadn’t been any evidence left in the audience chamber after we defeated him, so there was no way to link us to Mythic’s disappearance.

In any case, the public eventually lost interest, Celestia chose a new noble to oversee the administration and management of the Dragon Circuit, and over time ponies forgot all about the charismatic stallion that had once seemed to hold a center point in many pony's lives. Eventually, we managed to put the near-death battle with Mythic Song behind us, and we moved on with our lives. Now that the dragons had free will and could communicate with the more open-minded individuals, they could do so much more than they had once been able. For instance, a dragon could now act on its own without the need for constant input by a handler or owner. They could also understand much more complex commands and instructions without becoming confused or unresponsive. Now, the flip side of that coin was that you couldn’t simply order a dragon to do something, but most were reasonable enough that if you asked politely they would do it without any complaints.

There were also professional dragons beginning to pop up like weeds. Free to use their minds as well as to follow their own dreams, some dragons had chosen to start small businesses that catered to both races. Just down the street a russet-colored Flametail had opened up a small restaurant next to her owner’s house. It was open from ten in the morning until ten at night, and little Kindle was more than happy to serve ponies or dragons. She usually gave her own species raw meat, although they were mannered enough to eat at a table instead of off the ground. For her pony customers she used her own fire to cook the food, and she had yet to receive anything but praise for her culinary skills. She was working on some cooked desserts last time we had visited, but the fine line between cooked and burnt seemed to be giving her trouble with the most sugary items. Never the less, business was booming, and it wasn’t long before she had competition.

There were other jobs being taken up by dragons, artist, mason, musician (you should have seen the instrument the dragon was playing) and many more. For the most part, dragons were integrating into pony society well, and other than a few problems here and there, things were going pretty smoothly. Ponies had even moved on from the title of owner in favor of host. After all, the dragons weren’t pets or slaves anymore, and the only reason most didn’t try and live on their own was because of their connections to their pony families. The only things that freeing the dragons had destroyed were things that had no place being in business with sapient beings anyway. Those trades, mainly the breeding centers and the hard labor camps, were discontinued as they were deemed too degrading and repulsive for the dragons to participate in. The dragons agreed completely, and now asked for payment for their services just like any pony would. Their wages were still not equal to pony employees, but they were slowly rising as more and more dragons joined the workforce of their own choice.

Lastly, we get to the Blood Claw. Oh boy, where to start with the Blood Claw.

Basically, they fell apart after the dragons realized that they didn’t need to follow orders anymore. Whiptails from across the globe banded into flights that moved from city to city, doing what they could to help in any way possible to try and patch up their bloody pasts. Most ponies understood at least in part why they were sorry, and gave them hesitant second chances to prove themselves now that they could be who they wanted to be. It was slow in coming, but the dark past of the Whiptail breed was slowly being changed for the better, and no one was happier about that than our newest friend, Midnight.

Midnight had moved in after her flight moved on to a new city, her reasoning being that Clawson was her home, even if it had never liked her while she was collared. Many dragons still wore their collars, more out of familiarity than need, though a few felt the need to rid themselves of the reminder of their past. Midnight was one such dragon. The scales that had been covered for years by her collar were slightly lighter in tone then the rest of her body, but she often chose to wear a scarf to cover it up so no one could really tell. She lived in the pen with the rest of our group, although she had yet to open up to us more than asking for a place to stay and promising to work for her keep. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought that the reason she came to us might have been Nilak’s speech when we had first met. She cast discreet looks at Nilak when she thought he wasn’t looking, although it seemed to be reverence more than real attraction. To put it another way, I think Midnight kind of saw Nilak as her hero, someone to look up to and to live by their example. It was endearing, though it annoyed the Tartarus out of Mel when she caught Midnight looking Nilak’s way.

I was jerked out of my memory as something zipped over my head, followed in quick succession by three more speeding masses. I sighed as the youngsters flew around the room, the drakes trying and failing to catch their sister and the toy she had stolen from them.

Give it back Maryl! Marinos, the eldest, cried as he chased his sister with his two brothers, Gorman and Sovann.

Not until you apologize for breaking my doll! She replied as she dove through Lucky’s legs and nearly caused her to fall on her flank.

“Watch it you crazy kids!” She yelled as she dusted herself off, sending me a pleading glance as she walked towards the wash room with a basket of dirty clothes, “Wasn’t it your idea to watch the kids while Mel and Nilak were out looking for a job?”

I nodded, leaning back in my chair and watching the hatchlings chase each other around the room. Mel and Nilak had decided fairly quickly that they wanted kids, though when Mel laid four eggs they got a bit more than any of us had bargained for. Marinos, the oldest, was the most mature of the group, although there was something to be said for the maturity level of anything that was only ten months old. His body was most like his mother’s in general form, with the bare hide being a deep blue in color while the scale patches were a lighter aqua. The second oldest, Gorman, was an almost perfect copy of Nilak, except his eyes were a brilliant yellow instead of his father’s emerald green. Sovann, the second youngest and the most shy of the bunch, was very much like his brother Marinos except instead of light and dark blue, his coloration was more like the sun. The hide on his body was a deep rose gold while the scales matched his mother’s sandstone hue to a tee. And finally, the youngest and the only female of the group, was Maryl. Her body took after Nilak in build, with feathers covering the front half of her body and scales of the same color protecting her lower half. The part that made her outstandingly beautiful was that instead of blue like Nilak, her feathers and scales were a deep ebony that turned iridescent when under direct sunlight. Her blazing amber eyes lit up like magma when she was excited or mad, although they would dull to a muddy brown when she got upset.

Winx and Shield Fang were still mulling over the idea of hatchlings, and if Nilak and Mel were anything to go by, they’d be waiting for quite a long time before they were ready for kids of their own. I smirked as I glanced down at the gold band I had on my right fetlock, remembering the moment I proposed to Lucky and then how on our wedding night she had asked me if I wanted kids. My reply had been a resounding ‘No!’, which resulted in my first time sleeping on the couch without falling asleep there on purpose. I had seen the pain and suffering Nilak and Mel were going through with their children, then only two months old and no bigger than the average cat, and I didn’t want any part of that mess until I was good and ready. Lucky probably was glad I chosen not to have kids right now, because the Fearsome Foursome, as we like to call them, were bad enough without pony foals running around to add to the chaos.

The front door opened and Mel entered with a smile on her face as Nilak followed her in. Nilak ducked without missing a beat as the kids flew over his head, ruffling his feathers with their passing.

“So how was the job hunt?” I asked as I jumped off the chair to land on my hooves.

Not too bad, Mel answered as she pulled some paperwork out of her saddlebags and set them on the coffee table. We got offers from three different places to work as trainers for new racers during the off-season.

Yeah, Nilak smirked as he snatched Maryl out of the air with one paw and secured her to his side with one wing, they were practically falling over themselves when we told them who we were. He plucked the remaining kids from the air with practiced ease and tucked them under his wings without breaking eye contact with me, apparently being the first free dragons and being the co-champions of the Circuit carries a lot of pull.

Mel nodded as Nilak walked into the kitchen and began having a talk with the kids, the pay is decent enough, although it’s not nearly what we made during the racing season.

“That’s ‘cause it’s not nearly as difficult,” Ivy muttered as she walked down the stairs and arched her back like an oversized cat. “Compared to risking your life to win a race you would think training youngsters would be a piece of cake.”

Mel rolled her eyes in response, if only. Between the awed looks and the fans going nuts over actually getting to meet us, I was about to rip my own scales off out of frustration. It’s like dealing with children, and I know how bad that gets.

Would you like some cheese with that whine dear? Nilak called from the kitchen, the kids snickering under their breath as Mel sent their father a deadly glare.

He held up his paws in a defensive motion, don’t look at me, you’re the one who wanted to have them in the first place.

And yet you somehow managed to make me eat my words the minute they came into the picture, she muttered, walking over and giving the hatchlings each a kiss on the head. Now, what is the matter and why are you chasing each other around the house like bats hunting flies?

They started it! Maryl yelled as she pointed towards her brothers, they broke my doll and laughed and called it stupid!

Mel turned her gaze towards the boys, is that true? Did you make fun of your sister and break her toy?

They had the decency to look chastised, although Gorman seemed to think now was a good time to play the blame game, but she stole our action figures and wouldn’t give them back!

Mel turned toward Maryl, noting the set of dragon action figures that were poorly hidden under one of her wings, Maryl, just because your brothers broke something of yours does not make it alright to take something of theirs. Now, do you have something to say to your
siblings?

She turned towards her brothers and muttered, sorry for taking you toys.

And you three, Mel continued as she rounded on the boys, what did I tell you about taking your sister’s things without permission?

Don’t do it, they chorused.

Mel nodded, now apologize and go to your room. You’re grounded for three days as punishment for stealing and breaking your sister’s toy and for flying inside the house.

But, they tried to say.

No buts, Mel interrupted them, pointing down the hall towards the nursery, now get moving before I have to count to three. One, two,

They were gone so fast it was like they hadn’t even been there. Maryl lifted her head in triumph just before she noticed her mother’s disapproving look, you know better than to fall into the same bad habits that your brothers do. I expect better from you with their mistakes to learn from. You’re also grounded for three days. No friends over and no playing outside until I say you can.

Maryl knew better than to argue, walking slowly after her brothers with her head bowed and her tail dragging on the floor.

Nilak smiled as Maryl disappeared into her bedroom, you handled that pretty well.

Mel sighed in response, sometimes I wonder how they’ll survive once they move out on their own. They just don’t seem to learn what I’m trying to teach them.

We were just as bad at that age, Nilak reasoned as he rested a wing over her back. They’ll learn in time. After all, we turned out pretty good, and we were probably the worst pranksters back with the wild dragons.

She smirked at what I assumed we fond memories, true enough, although you still pull a trick or two when no one expects it.

Hey, I’ve got to be fun even though I’m a dad now, he defended. At least I can keep them under control when they won’t listen to you.

She smiled and rubbed her muzzle against the side of his neck, what would I do without you?

Make quilts and complain about how your life is miserable as the kids turn the house upside down? He offered, earning him an elbow to the ribs for his efforts.

I turned to Lucky as she came out of the laundry room, the washer machine humming as she sat down on the couch next to me, “Well, that takes care of the chores today. Anything that I’m forgetting?”

I shook my head as Mel and Nilak moved into the kitchen to start cooking dinner, “Nope, I think that covers everything.”

Lucky yawned as she covered her mouth with one hoof, “Well I’m going to take a nap until dinner’s ready. Wake me up when it’s time to eat?”

I nodded as she climbed the steps, passing Ivy as she walked in from the back yard with a small basket of carrots. Ivy turned to watch as Lucky nearly stumbled on the steps, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow as she carried the carrots into the kitchen to help Mel and Nilak. I leaned back in the recliner, my hooves behind my head as I stared up at the ceiling.

“Yup,” I muttered to myself. “Life is perfect just the way it is.”

I closed my eyes and was about to fall asleep when I heard Lucky’s voice yell down the steps, “Um, Silver?”

I jumped to attention as I registered the fear in her voice, the sounds of cooking coming to an abrupt halt as Mel, Ivy and Nilak glanced around the corner at me.

I ran up the steps, skipping two at a time before flying the rest of the way up. I ignored the other doors as I pounded down the hallway and slid to a stop in front of our bedroom, looking around for any sign of a threat or danger. I had only heard Lucky sound like that once before, and it was only when the situation had absolutely no hope. Lucky was off to the side, sitting at the opening to the bathroom with a hoof covering her mouth, her other holding some kind of measuring tool in a shaky grip. She turned towards me with wide eyes, her whole body shivering as she walked up to me, the tool held gently in her mouth by one end.

“What’s wrong Lucky?” I asked, pulling her into a hug as she shook from head to toe, “What happened?”

She took the item from her mouth and held it out between us with one hoof, her leg shaking so badly she was having difficulty not dropping what looked like a thermometer. “I was wondering why my heat was running later than usual, so out of curiosity I grabbed this pregnancy test meter and tried it out.” I felt her swallow thickly as she lifted her gaze from the now recognizable item to look me in the eyes, “Silver, I’m pregnant.”

My eyes widened in shock as she turned the meter around in her hoof to show me the little plus sign in the middle of the screen. For a moment I didn’t know what to say, but once I got over my shock I grabbed her around the barrel as spun her above my head.

She laughed as I smiled like a mad colt, “Silver, what are you doing?!”

“I’m celebrating!” I yelled as I pulled her into another hug, “I know we didn’t plan on this, but even though the hatchlings drive us mad, I was honestly getting a little jealous of Nilak and Mel.”

She rolled her eyes as she pulled back from my hug, “You stallions and your crazy ability to change your minds never ceases to amaze me. Just a few minutes ago you said that you were happy we had chosen to wait.”

I smirked as I leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Says the mare who gives the kids envious looks every time they do something cute or
make Mel and Nilak proud. Face it Lucky, you wanted this as much as I did, probably more.”

She gave me an odd look before laughing, “I can’t believe it. My husband somehow figured out what I was thinking before I did.” She glanced towards the ceiling, “There must be pigs flying somewhere around up there right now.”

I chuckled as I pulled her into a hug, kissing her softly on the lips before pulling back, “Would you like to share the big news, or shall I?”

She smiled as she walked past me and down the steps. “Well I guess that’s my answer,” I followed just as she stepped into the kitchen and nervously ran a hoof through her mane.

Are you alright? Mel asked as she looked Lucky up and down, You sounded worried about something a moment ago.

You’re not sick are you? Nilak added as he poked his head out of the oven, the last bits of his flame fizzling slightly around his teeth as he turned to look at us.

I placed a leg around Lucky’s shoulder, a movement that Ivy noticed and immediately questioned, “What’s going on you two? You’ve got something to tell us so spill it already.”

I shared a look with Lucky before she turned towards the others, “I just found out we’re expecting a child.”

Nilak, who had placed his head back in the oven to keep it at the right temperature, yelped as he slammed his head against the top of the machine. Mel wasn’t much better, her tail cracking against the refrigerator as she jumped in surprise. Ivy nearly fell over as she caught herself on the counter, her expression of shock matched by the two dragons.

“You’re what?!” She yelled about two octaves higher than normal.

Lucky smiled as she sat down, rubbing her belly with a hoof as I wrapped my hooves around her barrel, “I said that we’re expecting a child. I just found out when I went upstairs.”

Ivy couldn’t seem to process what she was being told, her face practically falling off as I saw the gears spinning like crazy in her head. I could imagine smoke coming out her ears as she swayed, “I need to sit down.”

And so she did, right onto Nilak’s tail. He yelped again as he pulled his head out of the oven, giving Ivy a cold glare before turning to stare at us with an identical look to Mel’s.

I smirked, knowing that like it or not, our lives had just taken a new and exciting twist. And to be honest, I couldn’t be happier. Because even after all the crazy stuff we did to save the world and the challenges we were facing now in our new lives, I had always enjoyed the thrill of the surprises that life will throw your way when you least expect it. And so, Lucky and I became the loving parents to a bouncing pegasus filly we named Shooting Star. Mel and Nilak did their best to raise their hatchlings as best as they could, while the kids discovered the joys of playing with their new cousin. Radiant and Thunder got married the summer of the following year, and Winx finally agreed to have kids of her own. She had it a bit easier with her daughter and son, but between the two of them, they were more than enough to keep their parents on their claws.

Life moved on, and the world changed for the better as dragons and ponies once again learned to work together and to live peacefully alongside each other. We may have saved the world, but the adventure that started when I met Nilak was only just beginning, and it was anyone’s guess as to what the future had in store for us. Regardless, I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could, because I loved my life as it had become, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything this world or any other could offer me. I suspected the others would agree with me, but I couldn’t say for sure. All I knew was that our lives were still changing, and that I couldn’t wait to see what fate had waiting for us around the next corner.

Author's Notes:

Holy mother of Celestia I never though I would see the day!! This book is finally done!! I know, I didn't think it would ever get completed, yet here we are!! Also, I broke 100K words!! Hazzah!!!

So, just in case you guys are curious, I'm including the meanings of the hatchling's names, given dragons name their children based on their appearance. So, here are the names and meanings of each of Nilak and Mel's hatchlings.

Marinos - eldest hatchling with blue hide and scales- name means "of the sea"
Gorman - second eldest with navy feathers and sapphire scales - name means "dark blue" and "noble"
Sovann - second youngest with golden hide and sandstone scales - name means "gold"
Maryl - youngest with iridescent black feathers and scales - name means "blackbird"

Anyways, thanks for all of the support and likes you guys have been giving me over these last few months, it's been more than I had ever hoped it would be. I plan on getting a new book started within the next week or so, so keep an eye out for that. You might like what you see when it comes out.

And so, we come to this, the last little thing that always signals the end of a chapter, now brings this book to one final closing. It has been an honor to ride this story from start to finish with you, but now it is time to bring it on home.

One final time, see you all next chapter, hopefully in one of my other books, and I'll be waiting for you on the other side.
Shadow Quill, Messenger of the Moon.