Wings That Shine Read online

  Skydancer explained this to the teachers.

  Headmaster Elegius was quiet for a moment. “Only pegaponies would be able to make the trip—if we decide to go.”

  “We only have two teachers who are pegaponies,” Headmistress Valincia replied.

  Professor Xayide was the last remaining flutterpony, no bigger than a hummingbird. Skydancer wondered if he could make the long trip, being so small. And Professor Allandre was a pegapony, but would she want to make the trip all alone? It was a shame Headmaster Elegius couldn’t go. He had the most powerful magic of anyone at school.

  Then Skydancer had a wonderful idea. “Headmaster, could a pegapony pull the Homecoming chariot in the sky?”

  He paused for a moment. “It would have to be a very big and strong pegapony.”

  “Like Duke?” she asked.

  “Send a student with the dragons?” Headmistress Valincia sounded shocked.

  Skydancer shivered at the very thought of flying for days to a strange land. She could never do that. She was too scared to dip down into craggy canyon to get the medal back.

  “Professor Xayide, can you send for Duke please?” Headmaster Elegius asked.

  Professor Xayide sped off into the sky.

  “We can provide some food and seeds, but I don’t know that it will be enough for all of them,” Headmistress Valincia said.

  “I wish we had some more crops to offer,” Professor Allandre said.

  What else could they send with the dragons? Skydancer wondered. Sugar cubes? Probably not. Those were a rare treat, and there certainly weren’t enough to fill up several hungry dragons. Skydancer tried to think of all the wonderful foods she’d enjoyed at school. “I know! We can get seaweed from the seaponies! They have huge fields of it growing underwater. Maybe it could grow where the dragons live.”

  “That’s an excellent idea, Skydancer,” the headmaster said.

  “Do you think that would work?” Skydancer asked the dragons.

  “We do have a large lake, but it’s nearly dry,” Emerline said.

  Skydancer explained the situation to the teachers.

  “Well, it’s worth harvesting some to bring,” Professor Allandre said.

  Just then, Professor Xayide returned with Duke. “I explained everything, and Duke would like to come along.”

  “Duke, it could be a treacherous journey. It will take several days,” the headmistress said. “You have to fly over the craggy canyon.”

  Duke raised his chin to the sky. “Nothing scares me. I’m glad to help.”

  Skydancer felt embarrassed that she wasn’t as brave as Duke was. There weren’t that many pegaponies who could make the trip. And it sounded like there was a lot of work to do to help the dragons reclaim their land. They could certainly use her assistance.

  “Skydancer, can you ask the seaponies if they’ll give us some of their food?” the headmistress asked.

  “We need Daisy to help. She’s good friends with them.”

  Someone sent for Daisy, and when she arrived, the group galloped to the river that led to the ocean. Daisy sang a song—music always lures a seapony to the surface.

  Sure enough, Marina’s shiny head soon bobbed above the water. Her eyes widened when she saw the big crowd gathered. “What’s going on?”

  Skydancer explained why they needed some seaweed.

  “Dragons? Oh my!” Marina said, sliding back underwater.

  “But they’re nice. They only eat plants now,” Daisy called after her.

  “We need as much as you can get,” Skydancer said.

  Marina bobbed back up. “I’ll tell everyone below. We’ll bring up loads of it before nightfall.”

  “Thanks!” Skydancer said.

  They hurried back to the school. Ponies were crowded outside each barn, working on projects for Homecoming. Skydancer felt sad she couldn’t take part in the fun.

  “Skydancer, tell the dragons we will leave first thing in the morning,” the headmaster said “But our magic isn’t as powerful as it once was, and we only have four ponies coming. I’m not sure how successful we’ll be.”

  She told this to Emerline, who nodded sadly. “We appreciate any help you can give us. I have to thank you, Skydancer. I can’t imagine anyone would have agreed to help us if you weren’t here to share our message.”

  Skydancer smiled, but despite the kind words, she still didn’t feel like she was doing enough. If she were braver, she’d be going on the journey, too.

  “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone,” Headmaster Elegius said. “We’ll try to return by Homecoming, but I make no guarantees.”

  Skydancer’s ears pricked up. If the headmaster was gone, maybe she could find a way to get the medal back and return it to his office without him knowing it was missing!

  Everyone from the school gathered the next morning to bid farewell to the dragons and the ponies going on the journey.

  Huge baskets were filled with seaweed, apples, carrots, and seeds for the dragons to carry. A beautiful gold chariot sat on the field, and Headmaster Elegius climbed inside.

  “They must be so nervous,” Razzle said. “Emerline and Azule are nice, but what about the other dragons? What if they’re so hungry they …”

  Skydancer knew what Razzle was trying to say. She thought the other dragons might eat the ponies. “Don’t even say that,” Skydancer said. “I’m sure they are just as kind and peaceful.”

  “Aren’t you glad you don’t have to go?” Electra asked.

  Truthfully, Skydancer was relieved. She didn’t want to fly over the craggy canyon. She didn’t want to be away from school for days. She was afraid to visit a strange place.

  But she was also going to miss the dragons, she realized. And she’d be worried the other ponies wouldn’t have enough magic to help the dragons conjure rain for crops.

  What if they couldn’t help the dragons?

  All her fears nipped at her thoughts, but Skydancer did something remarkable anyway. She stepped forward and said, “Headmaster, I volunteer to make the journey. I can fly, and I can communicate with the dragons. I can also help with the weather spells.”

  A few students gasped. The headmaster nodded thoughtfully. “We certainly could use your help. Are you sure? We don’t know what lies ahead.”

  It meant she wouldn’t be able to get the medal back. Or work on the float. She’d be tired from flying and certainly frightened at times. “I’m sure. I want to help.”

  “Very well,” he said. “Thank you.” He turned to the rest of the students. “Would any other pegaponies like to join us?”

  No one else stepped forward, not even Lavender whose Glitter Gift of making flowers bloom would be incredibly helpful. But Skydancer understood how scared Lavender must be, because she was feeling terrified herself.

  “Very well, then. Headmistress Valincia will remain here to look after you all. We will return as soon as we can.”

  Skydancer’s heart was beating so fast. Wait until her parents heard about this! She was their only pony, and they had always been so protective of her, never letting her dash off on adventures with the other ponies in her village. They thought she was too special for such nonsense. Now flying off to help dragons? They’d faint in fright!

  But Skydancer lined up with the others ready to take off for the journey. Daisy ran over and nuzzled her nose against her fur. “Be careful. I’m going to miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too. Work hard on the float! We have to win.”

  Daisy promised she would.

  They were about to leave for their journey when Skydancer had an idea. “Headmaster, what if all the ponies used our magic together here, before we leave, to enchant the seeds so they grow faster?”

  The headmaster nodded. “I’m embarrassed I didn’t think of that myself. I’m glad you had the courage to speak up.”

  Courage? Skydancer thought, surprised. She didn’t have courage. None at all.

  “Students, teachers, gather round so we can c
ast a spell upon these seeds,” said Headmaster Elegius as he levitated the baskets and set them on the ground. He closed his eyes, moving his lips without making a sound. “I’ve got the perfect spell!”

  “I wonder if this will work?” Daisy asked. “Will the dragons be able to grow enough food?”

  “I hope so,” Skydancer said.

  “Students, teachers, repeat this spell with me,” said Headmaster Elegius. “Make each seed … grow with speed … and quickly become dragon feed.”

  All the ponies stomped their glittery hooves, charging up their magic. Clouds of sparks billowed. “Make each seed grow with speed and quickly become dragon feed.”

  The baskets of seeds glistened with magic.

  Headmaster Elegius and Professor Xayide climbed into the chariot, while Duke was fastened into the harness.

  Skydancer and Professor Allandre would be flying alongside them. Suddenly, she felt terrified. What if she wasn’t strong enough to make the journey? What if she got lost again like she had over craggy canyon?

  She was so scared, she trembled. But she had to help the dragons. She took a long slurp of water and lined up next to the chariot.

  “Good-bye!” called the ponies.

  “Good luck!”

  Daisy, Razzle, Electra, and Belissima scampered over to Skydancer and nudged noses with her.

  “We’ll miss you,” Electra said.

  “Be back in time for Homecoming,” Belissima said.

  “Be careful!” Razzle warned.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Daisy said. “Without you, the dragons probably wouldn’t survive.”

  Skydancer felt a lump in her throat. She nodded and blinked back tears, grateful she had such good friends. Then, as Duke galloped and lifted the chariot into the air, and the professors flew off, Skydancer flapped her wings and took flight.

  Skydancer shivered as they flew through the cloud bank. And she willed herself not to look down when they flew over the craggy canyon. She was tempted to scan the cliffs for the medal, but was too scared to look.

  “We’ll be across the canyon shortly,” Headmaster Elegius shouted. “Just keep flying. Don’t worry.”

  Skydancer nodded, and soon enough, they were sailing over lush forests, rivers, and lakes.

  The dragons led the way. “We have to fly far away from towns and villages so we don’t frighten the humans. Our journey is a little longer that way, but safer,” Emerline explained.

  By the end of the first day, Skydancer was exhausted. Too tired even to eat food when they landed for the night in a forest grove. She fell right to sleep, dreaming of tumbling medals and roaring dragons.

  In the morning, she ate a few carrots and they were off again. She’d never flown so far or for so long. She ached by the time they landed for a break. She flexed her sore wings.

  “Are you okay, Skydancer?” asked Headmaster Elegius.

  She nodded. “Just tired.”

  “It was very generous of you to come,” he said. “We’ll certainly need your help communicating with the other dragons. I’m not sure how they’ll react when we arrive.”

  Skydancer worried about that as they flew on. Would they be angry the ponies were coming to their land? Would they be so hungry that they would try to eat them?

  She shook the idea from her mind. The dragons would not hurt them.

  As they flew on, she was growing more tired, uncertain she could complete the trip. Even Duke was slowing down. This was a mistake, she thought.

  Then, just ahead, she saw a huge waterfall streaming out the side of a mountain. Duke headed straight for the rainbow arching in front of it. Skydancer followed. Rainbows temporarily strengthened Glitter Pony magic. She’d experienced it a few times as a young pony when a rainbow would appear after a storm, but she’d never flown through one.

  Soon, she was soaring through the intense colors, feeling energized, happy, and excited. She zoomed up into the air shouting, “Yahoo!” They were just one day away from reaching the dragon’s world. She had no doubt now she could make it.

  They flew faster and longer before settling down for the night. When they woke, Emerline stretched her wings and smiled. “We’re just a few hours away now. I can’t wait to see my family. They’re going to be so relieved we’re bringing help.”

  “How many dragons are there?” Skydancer asked.

  “Four families remain. There are eighteen dragons in total.”

  Not very many dragons, Skydancer thought—but they could still easily overpower the ponies if they wanted to. It was up to Skydancer to quickly communicate with the dragons and let them know they were there to help. She realized being the interpreter for the group was a huge responsibility.

  The next day, they flew until the sun was high above them. Emerline called, “It’s just ahead, we have to go through a cave that leads to the hidden clearing.”

  Skydancer had never flown into a cave!

  As they approached the mountain, they swooped down and flew into the small opening. It was dark and cramped, so they landed and walked along until they saw a light ahead.

  “We’re here,” said Emerline.

  Azule scampered ahead crying, “Mom! Dad! We’re back! We brought the Glitter Ponies with us!”

  Skydancer stepped out from the damp tunnel into the bright sun. She looked around in amazement. There was nothing but dirt and rocks on the ground. Tree trunks stood bare, stripped of their leaves and branches.

  Then she spotted the giant forms of the dying dragons, almost as dull in color as the dirt. A large one lying near the opening of a cave raised its head and roared.

  “Children! What have you done?”

  The ponies huddled in a group while Emerline and Azule hurried over to the dragon.

  “Remain calm,” Headmaster Elegius said.

  “I can fight if you need me to,” Duke said.

  “There will be no fighting today,” the headmaster said.

  “Dad, we brought help!” Emerline said. “The Glitter Ponies enchanted their seeds to grow quickly, and we brought some seaweed to fill our lake. Bushels of apples and carrots to eat, too.”

  “How do we know their food is safe?” Emerline’s dad asked. “How do we know they’re not trying to kill us off for good?”

  “Dad, they helped me and Emerline when we went to their school,” Azule said. “They’re good.”

  Another dragon groaned. “Ponies can’t be trusted. They’ll unleash their magic on us.”

  “Tell them to leave,” said another.

  “They’re our only hope,” cried Emerline. “They traveled for days to get here.”

  Skydancer’s heart dropped. How could the dragons think they came here to hurt them?

  “What are they saying?” Headmaster Elegius asked.

  “They’re worried we’re going to harm them,” Skydancer explained.

  The father dragon raised his head. “I can understand you.”

  Skydancer gulped and walked closer to the huge dragon. “I can speak with winged animals. It’s my Glitter Gift. We’re here to help. I’m Skydancer. Nice to meet you.”

  “And I’m Rubrum, father to Emerline and Azule. If you are truly here on a mission of kindness, I fear there’s nothing you can do. We’re doomed. Nothing grows. The rain doesn’t fall.”

  “Working together, we might be able to make it happen. Just give us a chance,” said Skydancer. She returned to the ponies and said, “We should pass out the food and show them we’re here to help. Prove we mean no harm.”

  The three teachers, Duke, and Skydancer passed out apples and carrots to the grateful dragons. A few were reluctant to eat at first, but eventually gobbled up the food. Once they’d eaten, Headmaster Elegius said, “There’s no time to waste. We must plant these seeds.”

  They chose the perfect spot for an orchard and started planting seeds. There were hundreds of them! But they quickly developed a plan: Professor Xayide buzzed across the ground, kicking his back hooves into the dirt, leaving a hole. T
hen the rest of the ponies dropped the seeds into the divets, swishing their tails over the soil to cover them up.

  Skydancer was exhausted and just wanted to rest. But Headmaster Elegius said, “We must join our magic now to make it rain.”

  Skydancer wasn’t sure she could do it, but she gathered with the other ponies in a circle.

  “May water from the sky start to fall, so these crops grow for one and all,” Headmaster Elegius said.

  The ponies started pounding their hooves on the ground, charging their magic. “May water from the sky start to fall, so these crops grow for one and all.”

  Soon, raindrops were pattering the ground. They tickled Skydancer’s nose. Professor Xayide buzzed through the air shouting, “Hurray!”

  Headmaster Elegius nodded and smiled as Duke and Skydancer pranced and trotted beneath the rain.

  One by one, the dragons raised their big heads to the sky. The rain washed off the dust and dirt covering their glorious colors. Emerline and Azule stretched their wings and burst into the air, laughing and shrieking as they soared through the showers.

  Tiny green shoots unfurled from the dirt, rising toward the sky, until they were small trees dotted with white apple blossoms.

  Carrot tops poked through the earth in the fields where they’d been planted.

  Skydancer thought her heart might burst, it was such a beautiful scene. She’d done some fun things with her magic: chattered with birds, levitated quills and books. But this was the first time her magic had been used to do something so good.

  “Ponies, let’s get that lake filled with water,” Headmaster Elegius said.

  They followed him over to the big lake that now looked like a puddle as the rain started to fall. But it would take more than a few hours of rain to fill it.