Chapter 5: Summons and Confession

Not too long after recieving the response from Princess Celestia, an escort from her royal guards awaited Von and the gang outside. Pinkie Pie continued crying, as did Fluttershy, while the rest hung their heads low realizing that they were going to lose their friend. "It'll be alright, girls." Von said, trying to reassure them. "This was bound to happen eventually. I knew that I wouldn't be able to stay here. So...I guess it's time to face the music." All the ponies looked at him with surprise. They couldn't believe that he had said something like that to them. "Now wait just a apple-pickin' minute!" Applejack declared. "Now, I don't know anythin' about Dragons and ponies not gettin' along and whatnot, but just from bein' around you, I can tell that you got a kind heart. You may be willin' to give up, but I ain't lettin' mahself lose a new friend. And that's the honest truth." Von stood there in amazement at Applejack's protest. This earth pony, that he just met, already thought of him as friend. And what's more, she didn't want to lose him.

He could tell that the others felt the exact same way, much to his surprise. Von believed that there was no chance in hell that he would ever make any friends. But here were six ponies, creatures that he believed could never get along with dragons, and a baby dragon that didn't want to lose their new friend. Von lowered his head and smiled. "Thanks guys. For what it's worth, i'm glad that you guys are my friends. Twilight. Rarity. Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy. Applejack. ..." He stopped before turning to Rainbow Dash and blushed. "And Rainbow Dash..." Spike looked at Von with sadness in his eyes. "Hey. What about me?" Von laughed. "And of course you, too, Spike. Thank you all so much. Well then...let's get going." All seven of them went outside to meet the escort. They were two pegasus colts, attached to a royal chariot. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie stepped into the chariot while Von, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took flight. The colts took to the skies while the three fliers followed behind them.

Von had never been to castle before. He wondered what it would be like when he got there. He knew that this Princess Celestia was going to have an important discussion with them, but his mind couldn't help but wander. Other than going to see Celestia, Twilight and her friends were not all that curious about going to Canterlot like Von was. He wondered what everypony was thinking, but he knew that it must've been the same thing he was thinking about: What is Princess Celestia going to do?

Moments later, a beautiful image came into view. It wasn't just a castle. It was an entire city; The city of Canterlot. The girls had already been here before, however they were still amazed at the wonderful sight. But their amazement couldn't compare to Von's. In his entire time of wanting to travel, he didn't imagine a place like Canterlot existed. "Oh my gosh! Look at this place!!! It's so amazing! Is that the castle? Ooh! I can't wait to go there." Von squealed like a child. He blushed with embarassment when he noticed his friends staring at him, but they expected this from him. In that instant, he put on a serious face, ready to confront the princess that awaited him.The chariot landed in front of the castle stairs and the four ponies riding it dismounted from it. Von, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy landed beside their friends. They all looked at each other and stared up at the castle, bracing for the inevitable. "This is it. Canterlot Castle." Twilight stated calmly.

Von and the gang walked up the stairs until they reached the front doors. Behind those doors waited the princess that asked for them to come. Once they met, Von's fate would be decided. "I hope that her majesty lets Von stay. I have so many ideas for dragon clothes that I want him to try." Rarity said. Von merely laughed at what she said. "I appreciate that, Rarity. Thanks. Alright. Let's do this. But...um...before we go in..." He said, while turning to Rainbow Dash. "I have something I want to say to Dash here." The ponies looked at Von, especially Rainbow Dash, in confusion. "Ooh ooh ooh. What are you guys gonna talk about? Pranks? Sports? Flying? Candy? Gasp! Flying candy?!" Pinkie Pie started shouting, bouncing up and down. The group could only stare at her until Twilight began pulling her away. "Sorry. You guys go ahead and talk. We'll wait inside." Von nodded as the last of his friends went into the castle and he turned to face Rainbow Dash.

Von gulped and blushed while Rainbow Dash stood there, curious about what he had to say, but at the same time, she felt a little uncomfortable. "Rainbow Dash..." Von started. "I know that we haven't known each other that long. But...i feel really close to you. I mean...you're fun to be around, you're funny and talented...and kinda cute, too." Rainbow Dash was taken aback at his last comment. Never before had she been called cute by anyone. "Well...I guess what i'm saying is...I like...no. I mean, I love you, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash's face became red with embarassment, but she calmed herself and stared him straight in the face. "Thanks for that, Von. But the truth is, I just don't think of you that way. I'm sure that you'll find your very special somepony...but it won't be me. Sorry. I hope we can still be friends." Von felt his heart shatter after hearing Rainbow dash reject her. But deep down, he predicted it. But that made it all the more painful to know that he was correct.

He sighed and tried not to look upset. "Yeah. ...We can still be friends." Rainbow Dash smiled nervously. "Great. Right, so...let's get inside." Rainbow Dash went on ahead of him and went into the castle, Von following behind.
They met up with the rest of the group and continued into the castle. The decor was breathtaking, but there was no time to take in the sights. They soon entered the throne room. Inside, there were two guards and in the center of the room sat a white alicorn. She was wearing a crown and had a mixed colored mane like Rainbow Dash, she had a sun-shaped Cutie mark and she had a dignified appearance. Von could tell right away; this alicorn was Princess Celestia. Celestia looked down at the group until her eyes met with Von. "Princess Celestia? You wanted to see us?" Twilight asked.

Celestia looked at Twilight and gave her a friendly smile. "Twilight, my faithful student. I'm glad that you came. And I see you got the young dragon to come, too." Von looked down and looked back at the princess. As he was about to speak, the other ponies stepped in front of him. "Excuse us, princess. We understand how ya'll must feel..." Applejack started. "...But we think that Von should stay." Rarity nodded her head. "Indeed. We may not have known him long, but we can feel a real connection with him." Von looked at the both of them. "Rarity...Applejack..." Fluttershy looked at her friends and at the princess. "Um...Princess Celestia...if you wouldn't mind...I mean, you don't have to...but perhaps you could let Von stay in Ponyville? I mean...he's a really nice person...I was scared of him at first, but it turns out he isn't so bad."

Pinkie nodded her head along with Fluttershy's words. Twilight got ready to speak, but Celestia stopped her before she could. "My little ponies...I never said that Von would be sent away. In fact, I would be more than welcome to let him live in Ponyville." All of their mouths dropped when they heard her say that. Everypony was speechless until Von let out a loud "What?!" as nopony else knew what to say but that.

Twilight stood, shocked. "Princess Celestia, I don't understand. In your scroll, you said that this was a mandatory summons. You wouldn't say anything like that unless you were upset." Celestia giggled. "Oh, Twilight. When I said that it was mandatory, it was because we had to get him to me to discuss his living arrangements." Von's eyes widened. "Living arrangements? So does that mean..." Celestia smiled at him in response. "Yes. You are free to live amongst Ponyville with the rest of us ponyfolk." Immediately, all of Von's friends leapt for joy and surrounded their new friend and hugged him tightly. Von was just as happy as they all were. He made new friends and now he could see them all the time. He wanted to travel, but the situation just made everything better for him. He could travel AND spend time with his friends. Friend...That word echoed in his mind as he looked towards Rainbow Dash. He had finally worked up the nerve to tell her how he felt, but she didn't see him that way.

He still felt for her, knowing she rejected him. He was determined to remain by her side, regardless of what she thought of him. With the issue resolved, everypony began to make their way back outside until Celestia stopped Von. "Von? Could I ask you a question?" Von looked at her. "Sure. What is it, your majesty?" Celestia giggled. "Just call me Celestia. I wish to know...who is looking after you? Your father? Your mother?" Von looked away, thinking for a moment. He hadn't thought about it for awhile. He turned back to face Celestia. "My elder. He is caring for me. I don't know my father...or my mother. I can't remember a thing except my time on the mountain to now."

Celestia looked at him nervously, but shook it off. "I see. Very well then. Take care of yourself. I will formally introduce you to the rest of Ponyville and will help you find a place to call home." Von smiled and tried to speak, but he was interrupted with Applejack and Rainbow Dash calling to him. "C'mon, sugarcube. Let's get a move on." "Yeah. Get moving, slowpoke." Von smiled at Celestia. "Just being with my friends makes me feel like i'm home." He turned away and caught up with his friends and they left.

As the doors shut, Celestia looked towards the stained-glass windows with a grim look on her face. Soon after, a dark blue alicorn with a moon-shaped Cutie mark came into the throne room. She walked over to Princess Celestia and saw her face. "Is something wrong, sister?" Celestia faced the blue alicorn. "Luna, my sister...I feel as those a remnant of the past has come into our life. A remnant from that time." Luna's eyes widened. "What do we do? Shall I summon the guard?" Celestia shook her head. "No. Whether this is good or bad, I cannot say immediately. All we can do is observe...and hope that all will be well for everypony..."

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