https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C4lFUpI_4U

Drax beat his wings roughly toward the ground him and his weyr soared over, body wobbling from side to side occasionally before leveling out and gliding through the air at a swift pace. His powerful wings cut apart the atmosphere, his angular head spearing forward like everyone else. Behind him a few of the older dragons carried whelps on their backs or in their arms. Below them a solid expanse of browns, yellows, and grays swept from horizon to horizon in all four directions, tree skeletons littering the ground as little dots, with the earth of Equus appearing like a stagnantly knitted quilt. Still, musty air flitted around each and every dragon as they sliced through. Above them, a cottony field of clouds that could easily be mistaken as the underside of more earth used for farming. Ground and ceiling, like some kind of building, and they were in between. Masters of their own world.

The wind whistled around the group, whelps bored out of their minds if not for the little travel games groups of them occasionally played, games Fear had taught them. Everything from I Spy to word games. The adults preoccupied themselves with listening to the playtime, keeping on the lookout for any unexpected dangers, and learning the layout of their crafted path.

Drax busied himself by thinking about everything that had led to this temporary migration. From the closing in of the Steel Rangers and Enclave, all the way to Fear giving him some information on possible future Steel Ranger patrol routes or envoys. The young stallion had directed him with a variety of landmarks that he'd described in keen detail for him to find. Drax was amazed at how Fear was able to remember so much from his time asleep, as well as how how he got his information. Fear said he'd figured out how to set off his pocket memory spell while sleeping so he could store things he learned each night. It was a strange use of an ordinary spell, but rather clever, he thought.

His thoughts drifted to Fear's speech, to how moved he was. The way the nearby lava glowed on Fear's body, how dark red gunk oozed from his burned eye, the way his legs trembled under him as he spoke, and above all the sheer charismatic presence the young stallion had given off, a presence lying dormant in him until then. How everything seemed to fall away from Drax like a weight had been rammed off his shoulders. He flexed said shoulders and flexed his fingers as his hands rested at his sides. With narrowed eyes, his thoughts turned to Fear's proposition, movies he'd been playing in his mind over and over again since then. Something still didn't sit well with him. It was how friendly he was, compared to Drax who felt like he'd done so much wrong. Making small mistakes that snowballed into something giant. Muscles tensed up as a grumble escaped his throat. He just wasn’t comfortable with himself. His own mind had tried to rebel in such a reckless way, and a stallion nowhere near as old as him had managed the impossible.

That fact repeated in his head over. And over. And over again.

It was almost panic inducing, and it kept Drax from relaxing. Sometimes it surged to a head and the fury plus embarrassment aimed at himself was replaced with sadness and insecurity. He wasn't quite sure how to deal with it.

Well that'd be true... if it wasn't for the conversation he'd had with Garyld, who'd given him ideas on how to care for his mind. He'd told him to learn how to accept the mistake, how to embrace it, and how to realize that mistakes were part of life. That they were beautiful even if others got hurt. Life wasn't about perfection, just trying your best.

But Drax was so far from the best, he couldn't help but ruminate. Maybe another deserved to be the leader more than him? He had the skill, but he didn't have the mindset. He'd proven that.

Garyld had told him he needed to discern the source of why he wasn't okay with failure.

Drax had thought on it for hours, but it was difficult. Less because it wasn't obvious... it was very obvious. It was more because the source of his misery was a root that he didn't want to discard. But if he didn't discard it, he was going to continue feeling miserable.

Garyld informed him that to be the best dragon he could be, he needed to lead by example.

So maybe he should... do away with it?

Drax's source was nothing amazing, nothing important. It was just the fact that he'd grown up constantly being told that failure would lead to death and horrible things for everyone. It had been failure that had killed his parents, and it had been failure that had led the dragons to where they were in this day and age. Just a constant string of failures.

How was Drax supposed to find the beauty in that?

What beauty is in the early end of life? In the suffering of a people? It was a difficult question that he had no answer to. But if he didn't find an answer, he would continue feeling this way and would not be able to lead his people effectively. It was like a blacksmith. There was no room for error because to fail was to make a weapon or armor that would not protect its wielder. It would mean less job opportunities, and less money. Not only would they not be able to take care of their family, but they would not be able to take care of their customers either. Drax felt it all on his mind heavily.

Garyld told him the answer to all of this was something he had to find for himself.

Intense and meaningful words, albeit infuriating.

Drax was broken out of his reverie as his mind's eye, connected to the newly regenerated Alicorsair, alighted on something rather curious. There was a village in the north – they were headed northwest – that appeared to be under attack. He took a few moments to watch the situation from his unique vantage point before holding up a hand and bellowing back to his followers. “Keep going northwest until you get to the edge of the dead forest, then proceed west to the rail tracks. I'll catch up with you there.” And with that Drax flattened his body to make himself more angular, and soared in a rapid descent that gave him more forward momentum, his body screaming across the sky like a jet, though much quieter, wings occasionally beating to give him more driving force. More of a faint whistle.

==========================================================================================

The camera's eye contracted and zoomed, staring down at the middle of the little village ahead of itself as it did a lot of complex math equations in order to figure out the exact distance between itself and it's new quarry, immediately receiving orders from Drax as it flew through a list of possible interference methods. The parts inside its body whirred and thrummed with mechanical and magical potential, its glossy rainbow surface currently camouflaged like a highly skilled changeling not of the Viola Hive.

Down below was the beginnings of carnage.

Ten raiders(?) armed to the teeth with automatic rifles, secondary firearms, a few with shotguns and a couple with far heavier weaponry or barbed melee weapons, all fortified with sturdy, albeit slipshod spiked, punk-looking armor were currently harassing the living space of more than twenty ponies of varying backgrounds, from ex-raiders all the way to descendents without the money nor means to move to the bigger and safer locales. A couple snipers that were meant to defend the village laid either dead or actively bleeding out on the rooves of the buildings.

One rather terrifying looking raider with sculpted, sharp teeth and glimmering yellow eyes and vile breath was holding another, violently trembling pony up by the chin with a bit of telekinesis. “Tell all your friends to come out. Now! Or we'll go through every house and kill all of you!” The raider swept a pistol out across the village square, firing off a shot with a bang that thunked into a building. Non-penetrative rounds, but still dangerous. He had an SMG slung across his back, a little banged up but in good working condition. “I'll only ask once!”

The innocent pony was crying, reaching his shaking hooves up to his neck and trying to undo the tight magical grip surrounding his neck. His life flashed before his eyes. Everything from growing up with his mother and father in the slums of Friendship City all the way to leaving for pastures where they could be more successful and not have to deal with a government taking taxes without giving them a decent place to live. He couldn't help but think about the daughter he'd adopted, and currently lived with. He struggled even harder against the magic. “Please! I don't want to die! Ohhh Celestia please don't let me die! Someone help me!” The stallion's voice came out in a blubbering panic, his eyes squeezed shut.

“Shut up you stupid little shit!” The raider slammed the butt of the pistol across the sobbing stallion's left eye, cracking the area of the skull with a loud, grisly snap and making it bruise up and bleed immediately. He then cocked the gun and prepped to blow his brains out. “COME OUT NOW AND NONE OF YOU WILL BE EATEN!” It was a lie to get them to come out and leave themselves defenseless. Leave no survivors to warn others. More food and shelter for them.

The stallion's speech came out garbled as he regretted not bathing today. Maybe if he had he would've been able to die clean and pristine. Celestia please, if you save me now I'll bathe every day from now on like it's my last day on Equus, please just don't let me die! It was a little difficult to think straight due to the head trauma, but not impossible.

The village was full of regrets, full of terror. Everything was seeping into the atmosphere and leaving a mark of spiritual residue. Like an imprint in memory foam. First one mare came out, her chest stuttering, her breath failing her, tears in her eyes. A beautiful mare with long, swept mane and tail, looking like the clouds above but far more vibrant and clear.

More colorful ponies followed, slowly but surely, some muted others vivid. One had a pair of homemade false legs, another was missing an eye. Overall a really diverse group of nearly defenseless equines.

Except for one.

The unicorn raider immediately lined up his pistol and shot the equine pulling out a rifle in the leg, sending him collapsing to the ground and bleeding out, splinters of bone inside the muscle.

A loud scream erupted.

“You lot should be lucky I'm lenient.” The raider's voice was gross, like the audible incarnation of someone whose mouth was tainted from constantly chewing tobacco. “All of you to the center of the village, and we'll give you our orders then!” He motioned with his pistol to get them moving.

One of the other equines tried to help the elderly stallion trying to be a hero, aiding him toward the center of the village. All of them congregated.

“Well. That seems to be all of them.” Someone from behind the unicorn stated. “I can't feel anymore of them in my hooves.”

“Gooooood,” the unicorn cooed. “Kill them. Make it painful.” He held up the pistol and gestured to the raiders behind him to get to work, throwing the stallion he'd been threatening to the ground.

The stallion's eyes shrunk and he tried to get back up. “What!? No! We did what you said! Please don't do this!”

The unicorn brought the butt of the gun down between the stallion's eyes, sending him collapsing to the ground. “Patheti-”

Just as the raiders were getting into position and in the middle of the unicorn's word, a beam of concentrated light shot out of the Alicorsair, on a date with the fanged unicorn's skull. It wasn't an instant kill. First the laser burned away the flesh, then the skull, casually drilling through the center before blasting through the brain matter and coming out the other side. Then the laser swept downward, searing him in half. There wasn't time for another word as his body collapsed to the ground.

Silence permeated the village.

One raider 'huh'ed in confusion. Another raider lifted up her spear. Every one of them looked around, conditioned to not panic. A couple took a step back cautiously.

The earth pony stallion took a few moments to put two and two together. Before looking around wildly for whatever had shot their leader. Then making a sudden decision. “Take cover!”

It was at that moment Drax's form appeared on the horizon, careening straight for them.

As the raiders tried to scatter, Drax came in flying.

The earth pony raider who'd tried to give the command was suddenly face to face with a pair of clawed feet pounding into him and sending him flying across the ground, skidding across it and nearly snapping his neck, knocked out for the count.

Drax fell onto all fours, and swiftly lunged at another couple raiders who were attempting to flee – chaos not having yet started – and wrapped their heads in his giant hands before crashing the two skulls together, both unconscious bodies thudding to the ground.

The Alicorsair shot out a web of crystalized water from its turret, wrapping around a trio of raiders, before tightening together and freezing to their bodies in a heap on the ground, leaving them stuck against each other, unable to reach or use their weapons.

As the raiders realized they were being attacked and sought to bring their weapons up to fire, Drax was already off his feet and tearing through the air at another. Seven down, three to go. He wrapped a hand around another raider's barrel, spun, and threw him into another raider a little more distant from him, knocking both off their hooves.

“Dr... dr... dragon!” The raider next to Drax mumbled in terror as he tried to take steps back and flee. Drax merely opened up his mouth.

The raider's life flashed in front of his eyes as he saw a torrenting gout of flame summoned from that maw abruptly washing over him. He shut his eyes and shrieked, cowering away.

Drax's flames were a dull amber and didn't burn. A phenomena Formed solely by elemental magic trapped in a “shell” to allow it to exist as it was. A low 107 degree fahrenheit temperature that quickly enshrouded the raider and caused his internal body heat to skyrocket. As his shriek died down to a low whisper, his body wobbled due to dizziness and headache, ragdolled, and fell to the ground from heat syncope.

Putting a stop to the flames, Drax felt the intent from one of the fallen raiders getting up and preparing to let loose with a grenade launcher.

Drax twisted around and shielded his face with his arms in a barrier stance as the gun lobbed a volatile explosive at him.

It exploded with a loud kaboom against his arms, heat and shrapnel doing nothing to the scales. Drax just growled, leaped forward as the light and smoke dispersed, and latched his hand onto a now screaming raider's muzzle, muffling it, and lifting him up. He reached out with his other hand, grabbing the grenade launcher and wrenching it, making it creak and crack apart. The raider squeezed his eyes shut and cringed. Drax followed up by twirling around and throwing the raider into the air as high as he could, far away from the village. Letting him drop wherever he may a quarter of a mile out.

The dragon leader flexed his rippling muscles, extended his wings, and let out a huff, smoke trailing out of his snout and sparking embers flaking off his mouth. All while an audience of villagers looked on in fright and shock, their brains locking up from the display they'd just encountered.

Drax took a moment to calm himself down, before holding up a thumb to the others, clicking his forked tongue, and taking off at breakneck speed.

The stallion that had been conked on the head murmured. “Least he... could've done was... let us thank him.” His voice was a little slurred due to the concussion.

A mare spoke up soon after. “Wait, wasn't that the dragon DJ said Marvelous Spiral fought? What's he doing out here?”

“How'd he use elemental magic?”

“Wait didn't the DJ say the dragon had a companion with him?”

“Where’s his weyr?”

“Why is he here?”

“Where's the Spiral?”

A confused hub bub formed amidst the crowd before they realized they should probably go about disarming those who were either unconscious, dead, or trapped.

==========================================================================================

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFa7MSXR8hg

Drax cackled with glee as he kept the Alicorsair behind to watch the way the villagers disarmed and interrogated the raiders about where they came from, why they were there, etc. The act had felt good. Maybe not killing one but certainly putting a stop to them. It’d been a long time since he let loose for a reason like that. Flesh under scales tingled as electrical impulses, emotional activity surged within Drax's body, sending his entire form alight, tensing up and flexing, pulling his fists against his chest and exploding outward with a fervor and a roar as he rocketed across the environment once more.

Glee blossomed in Drax's chest, the likes of which he couldn't describe nor express, but one Garyld had taught him to analyze and question so that he would always be in control of his feelings.

How did he feel? Like he was above the cloud cover. Why did he feel that way? Because he'd just wrecked some likely high profile raiders. Was that all? No, it was because he'd saved others in the nick of time. Why did that make him feel good? Drax grumbled as the answers slowly filtered into his mind. He felt in control of his destiny for the first time in a long time, like he could overcome anything even if it was such a tiny victory. It taught him that his heart was both in the wrong and right places at the same time. Life was never so black and white.

What did this teach him?

These feelings mean that I can get a boost from the smallest of things. That life is never so bleak as to not allow for something small to be done, even if it's just to put good feelings out into the world around me. As long as I remain aware, I am in control. As long as I analyze, I am in the driver's seat.

Drax could've sworn there was something else he should be learning from it but at the moment, in his high, it was beyond him. The dragon shot off, beating his wings, to meet up with his weyr as he continued listening in to the villagers for a little while longer.

Interesting. They heard we would be migrating from the DJ, but not to where. DJ certainly does have eyes and ears everywhere. Hmph. He must be protecting us. Drax's thoughts lulled for a moment. The Marvelous Spiral must be a nickname for Fear based on his cutiemark. What else has he done? He certainly didn't talk about his history with us. Mysterious stallion. Drax growled and decided to leave the questions building up in his mind for another time.

==========================================================================================

Arriving near Dryfield, passing by one of the SPP towers, Drax told his companions to wait for him on the outskirts, away from the boundaries laid out by a scattered field of old bottlecap mines and the occasional scavenged junk turret. As he lazily took off again to check out the farmhouse he'd been told about, he cleared his mind and thought about what laid ahead for him.

Circling around Pumpkin Pep's farmhouse, lightly beating his wings to keep his form in the air, he slowly spiraled inward while taking in the place, beginning his descent a few moments later for the front door. He'd seen a couple fillies and a colt out taking care of the vegetation, and decided he ought to ignore them for the time being, thankful that most equines didn't think to look up at random intervals.

Drax hovered in the air a few moments with a couple flap flap flaps of his wings as his momentum carried him forward, before landing on the porch of the old farmhouse with a thud. His talons gripped into the wood to anchor him as he considered his first words. Hesitating.

What do I say? I'm Drax Novus. My family is here to live near you for a little while? I know your grandson?

No. A claw came up and scratched over his chin like his scales were itchy. Hmph.

I've heard all about you from your grandson. It's nice to finally meet the family that ended up siring a hero...

No. Too submissive.

Greetings, my name is Drax Novus. I assume you've heard of me?

Hm. Not casual enough, and definitely not friendly.

As Drax contemplated the first impression the door creaked open and out stepped Jack.

“Huh. You're bigger than I imagined.” Jack leaned to one side, cocked an eyebrow, and then held out a hoof. “Drax Novus right? Our grandson told us you'd be by around this time most likely.”

Drax was caught flatfooted, as evidenced by the dumbstruck look on his face. “Huh? How?”

Emulae squeezed by a moment later, doing a small bow. “Pleasure to meet you dragon leader.” A teasing tone like syrup dripped down her voice. “If Fear hasn't told you yet then it's not our place to be revealing family secrets. Just know he has his ways.” A small simper crawled across the violet and pink changeling's face.

Jack snickered a little. “Fear was right, you can be a dork sometimes.” He turned around, beckoning Drax to follow him with a hoof.

Drax huffed, not quite fuming but certainly blushing over his scales, reaching up into his eyes. There was a sense of outrage, a sense of embarrassment, and many other things that flew through the dragon's mind. He clapped his hands over his face and stomped a foot. Ugh. I am not used to being caught off guard like this, nor not being in the know. Another failure. Drax watched Emulae slither into the house before Drax ducked under the doorway and followed in, trying to put it behind him.

As if reading his mind, Pep spoke. “Try not to worry about it too much. First impressions don't mean Jack shit to us.”

Drax was shocked by the joke, freezing in place for a second as it registered and he let out a bark of laughter that he didn't expect. Just... came out unexpectedly like a burp. He was five seconds away from leaving and starting all over again, the perfectionist in him coming to the surface in those moments.

Jack laughed. “Good, you got a sense of humor. Try not to take things too seriously Drax. We're not like that. Life's not meant to be taken seriously.”

Emulae hummed and made her way into the kitchen. “You want a slice of pumpkin pie Drax? You are a guest after all.”

Drax murmured, holding a hand against his forehead and bowing slightly so he wouldn't scrape against the ceiling. His tail swept behind him in controlled bursts, both trying to relieve excess nerves and keep from knocking into anything, the fishy fin at the tip flexing up and down like he was swimming. “Thank you for your hospitality but, um.” Drax was still blushing. “I think we should just keep this purely business.”

Emulae chortled. “Nonsense! If we're going to get along from here on out we're going to do this right. This is isn't old Equestria where everything has to be so formal all the time.”

“That's right,” Jack continued. “So relax. Take a load off.” Then he corrected himself. “Maybe not on the couch though, your body could crush it.”

Drax sighed under his breath, dragging a hand down his face, making it distort slightly from the movement. “Ugh. Why me?”

Jack chuckled. “Because you're a friend of our grandson, and my dear wife's always intended to bring peace to the wasteland through teamwork so... we're going to do just that.”

Emulae came out holding a plate in her telekinesis with a perfectly cut slice of pumpkin pie, a tiny dollop of cream spilled onto it and smeared across the top. “Oh honey. It was your dream too...”

“Oh Gumdrop...” Jack drawled.

As Jack mentioned something about bringing life to the wasteland in various ways, Drax blinked and reached out for the pie, inundated in his own thoughts. Gumdrop? Like the drug? Pie? They really are trying to bring civility back? Hum... Drax wrapped his hand around the slice and gently lifted it to his maw, taking a mini bite. He wasn't exactly supposed to be eating anything besides meat and gems or rocks, but he could explore a little beyond his frequent culinary escapades. He took a little nibble and chewed it up between his teeth, flicking the chunk about with his tongue.

“Oh by the way,” Emulae said after Jack had finished saying... something. “The cream might be a little... stagnant. It's chemically composed so it can be preserved even without being kept in a cool location.”

Drax merely shrugged his shoulders as Jack continued saying something to Emulae. It was true the cream was a little... dull. But it still helpfully balanced out the taste of the relatively fresh pie, with the crust giving something to truly chew on amidst everything that just melted in the mouth. It wasn't crunchy, but it didn't just up and dissolve either. Drax took a few more quick nips, then swallowed the rest whole. It was... pretty good. Not better than some gems, but certainly different. “Uh, thank you for that.” Then again it's nice having something in my mouth for once that doesn't just crunch. Impossible to find gems nowadays that melt in the mouth.

Emulae broke Drax from his reverie. “No problem. I know it's not quite dragon cuisine but I figure it's better than nothing after your long travel.”

“It wasn't... that long.” Drax was in a bit of a daze, in denial about everything that had happened to that point.

Jack moved over, reached up, and slapped Drax in the middle of his back. “Come on! Stop thinking and just sit down. Tell us. What's on your mind?”

Drax immediately plopped his rear down, unable to really think about anything else, and put his hands on his knees, setting the plate down. It felt good to sit after traveling nearly nonstop. Dragons had a lot of endurance, but it was still nice to rest. He hadn't gotten much of a chance to do that. They didn't have the opportunity.

Emulae waved a hoof in front of Drax's face. “Equus to Drax, come in! You there honey?”

Drax looked up from the floor, his eyes regaining their luster. “Oh, right. Sorry. I guess it has been a long journey. A lot's been happening to me lately I suppose..” he looked around the rustic living room. “I'm surprised to see so much hospitality in this place. I've been messing up a lot lately and I don't feel like I deserve it.”

Emulae and Jack looked at each other for a moment. Jack was the first to speak. “Well if that doesn't sound like our grandson I don't know what does!”

Drax's eyes lit up for a moment. “Uhh... what?”

Jack rolled a hoof, Emulae looked up to the ceiling. The former spoke. “It's not our place to talk about it. If Fear wants to tell you about the times he screwed up, that's his prerogative. He gets really emotional sometimes.”

Drax lifted an eyebrow.

Emulae nodded. “He's always the little perfectionist. Has a hard time getting out of a rut when he gets in one. You seem the same way, Drax.”

“Oh. Hm. Yeah I suppose.” Drax's voice drifted off. “I guess we all have to learn how to deal with our failures and move on.” It felt good that he wasn't the only one struggling with the answer to this. Then Emulae said something he didn't expect.

“Most of us go through it. Those of us who hold ourselves to a higher standard than we do the ones around us. They have to learn that they need to be compassionate to themselves as well as others. The rest have to learn some other method of accepting it and moving on. Everyone has a different coping mechanism, or a different answer.”

Jack finished her thought. “Yes, and everyone needs to come to their answer themselves, even if it's the same as someone else's. Until then, healing won't be complete.”

Drax's tail flicked and he stared at the ground. There was a lot to say, a lot to react to, and not enough time. Another failure? No. I have to stop thinking about it like that or I'll just keep driving myself down. Ever since my loss to Fear I've been seeing everything as a mistake. Even if it is I need to figure out... what I'm doing wrong. He looked up. “How did Fear get over it?” There was a curious growl in Drax's 'r's.

Jack laughed and shook his head. Emulae blushed and looked off to the side. “Between you and me, he's still not over it. He moved past it but he still hasn't accepted or discarded it. He tries to act like it's not affecting him, tries to act strong in front of us all. But sometimes the cracks show. He's still not recovered from his problems.”

Drax grinned, squeezing his eyes shut, cheeks rising over his eyes. “Is that so? Well. I guess we're all at different stages in our growth.” Drax stood up. “Oof. I really should pull myself together and figure things out.” There was a small facade overcoming the dragon, a sense of lightheartedness that finally filtered to the surface. “I was told by Fear that you guys would be able to help my little group out. I still find it strange that he's able to communicate with all of us in our dreams.”

“Hah!” Emulae barked. “He has Princess Luna's help to thank for that. But he hardly tells anyone because he learned the hard way spreading that information leads to problems.”

Drax's jaw fell open and he blinked a few times. “Wait, you mean he was serious about that? I figured he just learned how to dreamwalk.” He looked at the ceiling and tapped his chin with a claw. “Huh. He really has gone through a lot hasn't he? Special little whelp.”

Jack shrugged. “He's insecure about what he's earned, whether he truly deserves the recognition or not. It's because of that we hardly ever talk about what he's accomplished, though we know all about it.”

Drax murmured under his breath and glared at the two. “You're right, he has a lot of issues to work through. It's a good thing he's not leading an actual group.” Whelp has a lot to learn about accepting the graciousness of others. Come to think of it he seemed to hate having others ask how he'd beat me too. “Strange colt.”

The two before him nodded. “That's stating it mildly,” Emulae teased while rolling her eyes. “But despite his issues he's trying his best. As for how we can help you...” Emulae's horn lit up with a lavender aura and a similar field of undulating stars and auroras coiled around Drax's skull.

Before the dragon knew it, what he saw in the room was replaced with flying over the entire desert, taking in every single detail and memorizing landmarks he'd never seen before, but could now. Everything from oases to strangely formed plateaus and cliffs, all the way to abandoned facilities, roads, and rock farms, plus everything in between. Drax's gaze was distant, a thousand yard stare for awhile as he took it in, jaw dipping. After a moment he shook his head, feeling the memory throb against his mind like he'd just had a really vivid dream as normal vision returned and the light around Emulae's horn went quiet. “What... was that?”

“A very intensive visual hallucination. I just guided you throughout the majority of the desert around this farmhouse in a matter of seconds. It's the only way for a changeling's hivemind memory to be applied to a non-changeling. The intensity was why you could see me performing the spell. It was a spell.”

Drax looked impressed, and also excited. “That's really cool!” For a moment he sounded like a whelp. “What else can you do with that!?”

Emulae gave a little wink, and Jack looked between the two with a knowing smirk. “Changeling secrets, for now Drax Novus. Just focus on helping out your people.”

Jack spoke up. “Also, once you've decided on one of those rock farms to make your home, come by again with your weyr. We've already informed most of the townsfolk what's going on and to keep your visit on the downlow. We figured we ought have a celebration. I don't suppose you can help us provide some food?”

Drax was immediately on edge, his shoulders rising slightly, fingers clenching into fists, thighs tensing up. His head twisted to face the equine and changeling, There was a suspicious expression, crossed with shock and surprise. “Uhh... I don't know.” He didn't expect others to know about this arrangement. “Are they... trustworthy? I don't want the Steel Rangers to come around.”

Jack's face molded to one of surprise, though just purely so. “Oh? Fear didn't tell you? Hm. Guess he didn't want to worry you.”

Drax narrowed his gaze and grit his teeth. “Tell me what?” Suddenly this was looking a lot less welcoming. Was he going to have to fight his way out? So much for hospitality.

“We have a deal with the Steel Rangers.”

Drax's stomach sank.

“We give them food and the ingredients for some homemade radaway and they stop asking questions about our life and the lives of the citizens here. While it means they're less likely to intervene in our problems, it means we don't have to worry about them taking Emulae here away for questioning or worse.” He shrugged a shoulder. “We live in harmony with those who would otherwise be our enemies. It's a tentative arrangement and they've only started learning to trust us and our judgment, but all they care about in the end is being able to take care of their brotherhood. Just like all of us, we're looking to take care of someone. They're not going to bother you, and if this little town can keep changelings from being outed, we can keep dragons from being outed too.”

Jack paused. “So, you willing to trust us too, Drax Novus?” He held out a hoof.

Drax's face was screwed up in thought and clouded with suspicion. He was trembling. Feeling betrayed, feeling naive. A set of emotions he wasn't used to dealing with. His breath hung in his lungs and he thought about burning Fear's grandparents down right then and there and running off. Terror was a primal, destructive emotion. He understood. Still. If they could harbor a changeling, and if Fear would give him the benefit of the doubt regarding his intentions, forgive him for trying to kill him, then why couldn't Drax give them the benefit of the doubt too?

The dragon eased up some of his tension and closed his mouth. After a prolonged sigh, hands on his hips, Drax reached out and clasped the small hoof proffered him, giving it a gentle shake. “Alright. I guess I can give you all a chance. What else am I going to do after all?” Besides, hurting others will just get me hunted down. Garyld, and Fear taught me I shouldn't be acting on emotions like the colt's namesake. His eyes relaxed and pulled his hand away. “What do you want me to bring to the celebration?” He asked, voice still on edge.

Jack smiled. “Excellent. If you want, have a couple of your dragons do some hunting, bring some radbeasts along, and we'll have a barbeque. That is provided you all feel like cooking.” A lopsided smile crossed the small stallion's face.

Emulae draped a foreleg over Jack's shoulders and pulled him in close.

Huh, Drax thought, they hardly look their age except when they're together like this. He lifted an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest masculinely, his lips tugging upward on one side in a smirk. “You're good with words Jack. I don't know if it's your selection of them or just the charisma but... you got yourself a deal. So long as you all provide the drinks for the occasion.”

Emulae cooed. “Dragons drink hm? That's new to me.”

Drax cocked his head. “Only on some occasions. We don't brew our own beer or anything, though we do know how to get high and have a good time.” Drax reached out with a fist.

Jack and Emulae both reached out a hoof and bumped with him.

“I'll see you later, you two.” Drax twisted around and waved with two fingers over his shoulder, before ducking down a bit and exiting the door.

On the other side he saw a trio of siblings staring up at him in wonder, following his departure with their eyes. The one he recognized from Fear's descriptions as Chirp looked the least intimidated and the most in awe. Rose looked the most cool and collected. And Mirage's legs were shaking.

Drax turned his head around and readied to take off. Huh, every equine in Fear's family is so full of personality, he couldn't help but think. And with that he gave a nod to the siblings and took off.

Chirp raced forward and threw his hooves out, waving. “SEE YOU SOON!” He cried out at the top of his lungs.

Rose gave a small, tentative wave, and Mirage collapsed on her side with a squeak.

Drax decided to look ahead to the future instead of focusing on the past. It seemed like the right thing to do. Fear said it was the blue and orange filly that liked to listen to music right? Hm. I'll tell Slag to bring the records with him and we'll hand them over. Maybe she'll let me use her record player now and then.

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Most of the town had met up in and around Scavver's Tavern for the celebration. A number of ponies didn't know what was going on but quickly got into the swing of things even despite seeing dragons there. More than a few had been shocked and scared, but upon seeing how lively everyone else was, the feeling was contagious and before Drax knew it, pretty much the whole town was joining in on the fun.

Chirp brought his games that he used outside the farmhouse, like his 'recently' attained croquet set, badminton equipment, and horseshoes/spike. Mirage with the help of Jack brought the record player and played not only her own collection but Drax's collection as well as she slowly drew out of her shell, in part thanks to Fear. She also made the air around the place smell nice with illusions. Rose occasionally gave massages when she was in the mood, and put together some old puzzles otherwise, inviting others to join in with her.

Emulae took select ponies and dragons on an illusory excursion through old Equestria and occasionally hosted hallucinatory RPG worlds for them to have fun in as a group. It took a lot of concentration, but it wasn't difficult per se.

Jack mostly helped hoof out food and drinks, and directed the assigned dragons on how to best cook the meats they were given so it'd be cooked enough without burning away the taste and juices.

Overall it'd been an incredibly good time. Good games, good drinks, good food. A spectacular event christening a new era of friendship between different species. A barbeque toasting to times ahead. Some dragons and ponies told stories, and overall both sides were learning to trust each other. A few changelings from Spearmint Wing's up and coming hive showed up to partake, host sparring matches, and broadcast the fun party to the others farther away.

Drax was left in awe at the sheer positive outcome of his choice. Occasionally chatting with Jack, Emulae, and the siblings. A toast to new beginnings.

Mistakes are embarrassing, Drax thought. But they have meaning too. We're going to keep having our misses, but there'll be hits too. Our choice to move on is in part what gives the past beauty and meaning. The beauty is in how we redeem ourselves afterward, and the juxtaposition between it all leaves a mark in everyone's mind. His eyes took in the sight of his people and new friends having the time of their lives. A time they would not have had if they hadn't risked failure. If there wasn't beauty in all of this, others wouldn't be moved. Failures and struggle are beautiful in their own right because it's an experience, experiencing who you are as a person. A moving story is beautiful because it happened, because there was a future after it. Failure is not the end, it is the beginning of something new, no matter how new. Not everyone will make it, but they'll be okay too. If they weren’t there’d’ve probably been a riot from all that wasted magical potential. Matter and energy simply change forms after all. There might be more bad times in the future, but for now... this was fine. I hope Fear learns this too, soon. He's a good colt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSVJjOp1zA

BR asks Fear and Acrid: If you combined illusion magic and earthbending, could you pose as Terra?

Acrid: I'm going to answer this one. I talked it over with Fear and he's agreed to do this with me if we ever return alive to Dryfield. Back before the war there was this thing called Nightmare Night where you dressed up as various monsters and went around asking for treats or causing mischief. It was an uproarious holiday that I loved a lot, even if I rarely participated in it when I was young due to the fact we were too far from town, about a mile. There were a lot of carnivals around this time, which is why I have such fond memories of it. However, we can definitely pull it off together if Fear lays on my back and I carry him around town. He'll mask us both, our voices and bodies, and I'll upheave the earth. We'll cause mischief and get free food!

Fear: I'm really looking forward to it! Acrid won't admit it but he seems really nervous about it for some reason. I keep assuring him we'll make it back to Dryfield when this is all over. I'm not going to let any of us die!

Shining asks: What games would you speedrun if you got into that?

Fear: Mega Mare definitely. I saw a version of myself playing it. I'd love to have a strategy named after me.

Faith: I don't... know? This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. I don't really know about video games though Gentler has mentioned in the past that Abyssinia has arcades. I don't think I'd speed run, I'd just try to get a high score on a slow, deliberate game. Something with not much strategy but keeps you entertained.

Gentler: I don't know many games but I could see me trying to speed through Nightmare Night. It was a game where you played as an alicorn beating back glitchy nightmares. There were only a certain amount of levels, and the faster you beat it the higher score you got.

Acrid: Mareio definitely. Without a doubt. I saw a couple of my peers playing it back before I was chosen for Project Ace and I was always curious in playing it for myself. Though... I can't say for sure I'd get into speed running. I think what you call RPGs are where I really thrive.

Storm: I would frequently speedrun Minesweeper on my pipbuck back when I had it. I was a professional at the game and I really enjoyed it. However I may... have used my talent a few times to go 'faster.' I would never do so in a competitive arena, but I loved testing my cognitive ability with the game.

Sim: I don't know if I'd get into speedrunning games? If I played them at all it would be merely to have fun. I enjoy puzzle games quite a bit. Storm got me into them with our occasional perusals of the Seer's Eye and through how she used to play Minesweeper on off moments.