Raven nudged Coronus ahead of her, trying to keep the pace up. The colt kept wandering off to investigate whatever was there, inculding bugs, snakes, and one lost sheep.

They reached the top of the hill, and the village sprawled out below them. Buildings made of wood and mud and who-knows-what, worn dirt paths, a wooden dock streching from the edge of the cliff down to the water. Boats of various sizes and colours were floating along the dock, dragon-head bows bobbing. But on top of that, and the massive amounts of pony below, were the dragons.

Coronus realized there were seven distiguishable types. One, which there seemed to only be a single one of, was his own father, snoring peacefully in the sun. There was a wyvren breed, with a tail covered in spikes. Another type of wyvren walked the paths, wings servicing as front legs. Another type, and definatley the most populous, was a small lizard-like thing, stealing food and screeching. A handful of the assembled breeds had two heads and two tails, while another was sausage-like, with stumpy wings and legs. The last breed was like a snake with legs, winding its' way down the dirt path with wings folded tight and tail swinging.

"Come on, then." Raven suggested, prodding Coronus's flank. "I have places to be, you know."

Coronus ignored her, bolting forward without warning. His entire body coursed with energy as he raised his head. "Dad! Dad, it's me!"

Raven galloped after him, eyes stinging from some unseen object. She stopped, trying to wipe whatever it was away. When she held her hoof away from her face, she saw hairs. Short, orange hairs.

Coronus ran on, oblivious to the coat shedding away from his paws and back. Large patches of scales were pushing through, shining like moondust in the light. Raven let out a few curses and chased after him again.

As the dust settled, a single orange feather came to rest in the the center of the path. It's tip was ebony.

Rainbow Dash hovered around Toothless, eyes narrowed as she investigated her new surroundings. There weren't many Pegasus, and even less Unicorns, but all of the Earth ponies were heavy-built or wire-muscled. Life looked pretty harsh, and a few of the buildings had old burn marks along the sides.

"Dad!"

She jerked her head up at the call. The voice... she knew that voice. Looking around, she could see an orange colt running down the side of the hill, followed closely by a black Pegasus mare.

Toothless didn't seem to notice the cry.

"Um, you remember how you shared a nest with Fluttershy that one time?" She stammered, watching Coronus's quick paws.

"Mm-hm." The dragon growled, licking one paw.

"Well," Rainbow Dash swallowed th elump in her throat, "there's something I have to tell you..."

Coronus skidded to a stop, ears up and tail swinging. "Dad!"

Rainbow Dash could hear Toothless's jaw hit the dirt.

Fluttershy lifted her head as the red filly called her name. "Toothless wants to see you. Something about a colt?"

She was off like a shot, weaving through the trees and bursting into the village. There.

Coronus. His fur was shedding, she realized. The soft coat he had as a foal was blowing in the wind. The thought made her heart skip a few beats. His form was getting more like Liponite's, with a shorter stature and longer core. His wings had grown, and his paws streched up to his knees now. Most of his back had lost it's fur, and one wing was short a few feathers.

Her baby.

The thoughts, the memories, the love; it all came rushing back. This was her son, no matter the father. Her colt was losing himself. She knew it would happen. When it did...

No. She couldn't think that way. His magic would be pure, and strong, and he would be fine. Wouldn't he?

Toothless was still lying down, but his son was curled between his front paws, chattering on as his father gently licked his mane.

Her baby.

With a whinny of protest, she cantered down the path, stopping just long enough to spin and deliver a sharp kick to the side of Toothless's muzzle.

Rainbow Dash and Coronus froze at the sight of the timid Pegasus. Raven was behind them, trying to look inconpsicious as she stared. Fluttershy snorted, head lowered. Toothless was still speechless from her attack.

"I loved you!" She screamed, tears starting to run down her face. "I loved you and... and you left me! Your memory made me abandon my own son!"

"I did nothing! I went home, and so did you!" Toothless countered, bruise showing on his scales.

Rainbow Dash tried to cover Coronus's ears and hide his eyes, but he pushed her away, gently. She withdrew.

Coronus stood up, avoiding brushing against his father's chin. "Mom? Dad?"

They both fell silent, looking towards him. Both of their faces were calm.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I know I'm turning into a dragon. It's not anyone's fault, and there's nothing you can do. Either of you. Please, fighting won't make it any better." As he spoke, his fur continued to fall off, his muzzle shortened, his tail grew heavier and his mane withdrew. He switched to thought-speak. "I... I know it's coming, and... and I read up on it. My magic can't sustain speech much longer. I... I love you both... I love all of you..."

The rest of his fur fell off, revealing glittering scales and bright eyes. The last of his feathers landed at his side. He started to back away. "I... I have to leave... I don't want to hurt you..."

"Coronus! You don't have to go!" Raven cried out, running in front. "You could stay here..."

But the young dragon was already running away, feathers spiralling around in his wake.

Fluttershy was the first to move. Falling to her knees, she let out a heart-wrenching cry. Rainbow Dash struggled to withhold tears as she comforted the Pegasus. Raven hadn't moved from the path, her flanks heaving with silent sobs. Toothless slowly got to his feet and padded away, wings dragging on the ground.

Coronus skidded to a stop, snapping his wings shut. Was this home?

The streets were empty, barren. He couldn't read Ponytongue any more, couldn't understand the letters scrawled on posters that hung around. The scribbles were just that. Scribbles. Coronus sat down in the main plaza. It was so, so quiet. Like death had already come and gone.

Coronus bared his teeth and strained, forcing his magic into shapes, ghostly ponies that began walking around the square, talking and going about their days. He forced them into noise, into shape, into clarity, illusions of life awakening all around him. He stopped, panting, morphed versions of his pony friends running about. Wincing against the instantaneous headache, he stumbled into Sugarcube Corner, past the illusions of Mr. and Mrs. Cake and collapsed on Pinkie's old bed. Shivering against the exertion, he closed his eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep.

The orbs...

The orbs were flying... away...

He was... falling...