Page 143 - In Hollow Victory

The Season 2 episode Dragon Quest is actually the first time I’ve seen a fantasy setting address the status of younger dragons in a way other than, “Here they are freshly hatched - now let’s time-skip to when they’re full-grown.”

Once you give drakes and dragonlings personalities of their own, a whole world of questions opens up: Do they look up to their reknowned dragon elders? Do they try to follow in their footsteps? Is there the occasional rebellious teenage dragon that rejects its parents’ philosophy of pillage and plunder?

Pfft, yeah right.

Rainbow Dash: So… how was the fight? Was it awesome? Did the Druid finally hurt something?
Fluttershy: <whimper>
Applejack: …It seems our new dragon neighbor brought some of his younger buddies, and they ain’t nappin’.
Twilight Sparkle: “Younger buddies?” Do you mean… dragonlings?
Fluttershy: T-Technically, they were d-drakes…
Applejack: The older version of Spike. More annoyin’, too. They harassed an’ mocked us before actually attackin’ us.
Rarity: But how did you two fare? I mean, obviously not WELL, but…
Fluttershy: …
Applejack: <sigh> Let’s just say we ain’t seen the last of ‘em.
Twilight Sparkle: In any case, let’s stick together from here on out.
Pinkie Pie: See? Didn’t even need to say it.
Rarity: Enough.