The Dragonslayer

War Bond sat uneasily at a diner table. She had lived in Canterlot before, but she had never been this particular part of it. The "seedy" underbelly. The less beautiful, and less tourist attracting part of town. The beaten side of town. The part of town most ponies try to ignore, and it being so unsupervised makes that rather easy.

She arrived to Canterlot a day earlier then she was told, the capitol was close to Pok Pok, and she had questions. She didn't want to wait.

She casually spoke to the only waitress at the cafe. Ordering three entire salads, the waitress was far from excited, she spoke with a mundane voice drenched in sarcastic enthusiasm.The waitress left and walked to the kitchen slowly.

The diner was dirty, and smelt pretty bad. Two homeless ponies sat not far from her, trying to sleep. The diner could have been nice if somepony would clean... any part of it.

War rested her head on the table, staring off at nothing in particular. She was hungry, very hungry. She wanted to clear her head, she had been thinking quite a bit about what had been going on. She had decided that it would be best to get some food. She had thought about her situation so much, that she wanted to stop for a while then take a second look at everything. Unfortunately she couldn't stop herself from at least going over what she had collected in her head.

First and foremost, who or whatever these Feral Silver and Fenrir characters are, they seem to... relate. Assuming that they are similar in to us in that they have been similarly soul-bound to each other. They probably know what was going on better than me or Goliath do.

Secondly, Goliath had to know Fenrir. Or else he wouldn't have revealed himself to those two.

Third, I have a large.. well very very large, number of questions I want answered about what the hell I am. I do not exactly like my situation, but it's better than being dead. I really don't know what to do, I've mostly just been following a string of events and hoping for the best, a large part of me wants things to go back to the way it was before. Yet there's this creeping thought in my head that this is... is actually better. After all I stopped three dragons! Even more so that these last two days have been more eventful than my entire enrollment in the Dragonslayer Academy, and my time as an actual Dragonslayer.

Then there was Lyve Wyre... Ugh I don't want to think about that right now...

“Here are your salads ma'am. Enjoy.” The waitress stated dully. War gave a slight smile and picked her head up. She felt her body tense at the sight of a cloaked stallion sitting across from her, his canine facial features still noticeable, but hidden in the silence of the cloak.

“What can I get you?” The waitress asked plainly.

“Just a water please.” that smooth voice rolled out.

“Whatever you want sir.” Once again the waitress trotted away slowly. Feral Silver shot his head back, throwing back the hood of his cloak, his eerily canine traits emerged to stare at her.

How the hell is he so silent?

“How did you... get here?” War asked, still highly suspicious of this mysterious figure.

“You're here early.” he was annoyingly calm.

“How did you get here without my noticing?” She pressed.

“I've gotten good at staying hidden.” he stated, looking as if he was analyzing her salads.

“And how did you find me?”

“I got a good whiff remember, I know your smell.” He replied adding a hoof-point to his nose.

“You tracked my scent?”

“You're hungry aren't you? I know from experience that those salads won't help anything.” he stated with a grin growing on his face.

“What do you mean they wont help?” She inquired.

“Don't forget what we are, we eat for two, and the bigger halves of us are both carnivores... are dragons only carnivores or can they also eat fruits and what not, or do they have to eat gems instead?”

He is right, I do require meat and gems, so there is a good chance you should now too.

“Technically dragons are the ultimate omnivores. They can get nutrients from just about anything, from meats and fruits, to solid rock and crystal gems. So being... whatever I am, I should be the same... right?” she answered

Feral Silver replied with a nod, then reached under his cloak a tossed a hoof of frosty diamonds onto the table. “A gift from the bitch in my head.” he stated, looking to her for a response.

He is referring to the she-wolf Fenrir that has bonded to him, damn now I owe her twelve rabbits.

You know Fenrir?

She's one of those old friends I mentioned.

War scooped up the diamonds and put them in her travel bag, which had been taken off her back (she attained that bag by account of her fast hooves at some sport store in the fancy parts of Canterlot.) and placed at the floor beneath her.

“He'll have to get back to on those rabbits.” She noted the grin on the half-wolf's face.

“Not that the salad isn't just “awesome” but if you wouldn't mind, I can take us to go get some real food.”

“No way, absolutely not!”
Just do it, I'm hungry.

“It's not as bad as you think, and once you do it once it gets easier, trust me.”

“No... it's... I can't! It's too gross even for me!”

“You got dragon, so you don't even have to do it the same way I do!”

“Well how do you do it then!” The second she said those words she regretted it.

Feral had gone to a pet store and purchased a number of bunnies and other small critters... to eat. Sheer disbelief was War first response, but she was now fearing that eating animals would have to become a norm.

Now he took one of the bunnies, from the torso sized crate he held. The back alley where they lurked was silent and horrifying. With the least amount of effort, Feral bit down hard on the rabbit's neck, it's tiny squeak of a scream shooting out as blood ran and stained it's fur. Next Feral began to violently shake his head, in a second the clueless bunny's neck was broken and it was dead.

War Bond watched on in horror. Her mouth agape at the sheer brutality of nature. Feral's fangs and other sharp teeth reduced the rabbit to ribbons in mere seconds, when he was done he dropped the less interesting viscera onto the floor.

“For the rats and roaches.” He commented with a bloody smile. He immediately wiped that blood with his cloak, getting most of it before it set into his fur.

“Did you have to shake it so hard... you looked like a puppy with a toy...” she stated still in disbelief.

“That's why pups do that y'know, practice. Even playing normally, that's practice for real combat when their older.” he said as he pulled two new bunnies from the crate, who were blissfully unaware of their impending doom.

“I have a whole new outlook on puppies...”

It's nature, they have to be ready to survive.

But still...

Eat, then we must talk to them in private, away from others, about our future. Once eating is done we can move on.

I don't think I can...

“Talking to that dragon? He'll tell you the same thing, just eat the damn rabbit.” Feral tossed her the larger bunny, before feasting on the second.

How did he know?
Maybe it's Fenrir? Ask.

She held the bunny, which just so happened to be as cute as physically possible.

“How did you know?” she asked inquisitively.

“Fenrir and I used to do the same thing, back when we first got soulbound. Just starring off into space like that I mean. It's fine, normal I guess, that will go away once your sync rate goes up, but we can talk about that later, eat.” He stated plainly, mid way through his bunny.

“Bu-” She was interrupted when she belched a wave of pink flame, roasting the rabbit in dragon fire in an instant. She silenced herself by biting into the guiltily delicious rabbit. Much to her own surprise she rather enjoyed the taste. Then she immediately felt guilty about it.

“I'm going to need to speak with Goliath now.” That female voice assumed to be Fenrir stated through Feral.

There was a silence.

“Not here, not in front of them.” Goliath replied. Very loudly.

"Fine, To the back of the alley. We can talk in private if you wish." Fenrir replied coolly.

A short trot to the back of the alley was all it was. Not talking an entire five seconds to do.

Feral turned and locked eyes with War, who found herself unable to blink.

The sky was black, and the endless field of white grass stretched across the sensible world. They were back in this place, this odd place. More confusing was the fact that a giant wolf rivaling Goliath in size, somehow managing to only be about a building or two shorter then him. She sat, eyes on our tiny mare. The four sat across from each other, Fenrir sat beside Feral, who was now entirely equine, and the Dragon sat beside War. Each party of two sitting across from each other. The two elders dwarfed the ponies completely. Fenrir moved her gaze from War to Goliath. An almost an instant, the two giants were gone, moving with the land itself, now they were barely noticeably as blurs against a white and black background.

War Bond was in shock. She had been here once before but by no means was it like this. She had been under the assumption that is was restricted to her and Goliath only. Now there were others in this place. Another thing to add to her list of confusing questions. She starred off at the blurs for a good while before the sound of hooves sloshing through water took her attention.

She looked at the far more equine Feral Silver. His furriness had been dramatically reduced, and the changing in tone at his neck and hooves was gone. He size was hardly reduced, apparently he was a big buck without Fenrir. She did notice his cutie mark for the first time though. His fluff had hidden it well. It was a wolf skull... eating the moon. He had now taken a seat and was starring into the starless sky.

Full of questions, War asked the very first thing that came to her mind. She intended to ask her questions the best way she could.

“Where the fuck are we!?” she blurted staring at his back.

“Not entirely sure. I mean... its a bit confusing. Hasn't Goliath taken you here?” he replied smoothly.

“He told me he didn't know what this place was!”

“Hmm. Well. Fenrir has never explained what this place was exactly. But in the simplest of terms. Its an alternate plane of existence, where things like Fenrir and Goliath originate from.”

That did not help much.

“Things like Fenrir and Goliath? ”- she dashed into his field of view, almost glaring at him. -” Alternate plane of existence? Those are the simplest terms?”

“Yes. This place is separate from Equestria entirely. And only beings like our Fenrir and Goliath can come here, I assume they can bring whomever they like, I call them Old Ones.”

Still in a bit of shock. War sat across of Feral, directly in front of him.

“Why that name? What are they?”

“Once again, I'm not entirely sure, Fenrir... picks her words wisely. Apparently they are ancient creatures that have been alive long for an incredibly long time. Fenrir claims to have seen our world's very first night. Along side several friends that she hasn't seen or talked to for thousands of years. Save for Goliath now.”

War said nothing... she just sat with her head in her hooves. Trying to comprehend that.

“You alright?” Feral inquired

“No... yes... all of this is a lot to handle... and the whole I have a dragon in my soul or... something. And now there are more then one, it's just a lot.” she nearly whispered.

“Well... your handling that better then I did.”

“I really doubt that.”

“You try to kill yourself?”

She looked up at him. “No... but you did?”

“Yup, several times. Never was able to succeed. Fenrir stopped me every time.”

“Wow...”

“Yeah... don't worry though, it gets better. You kinda have to accept things and move on. Also you have something that I didn't have... help. It was just me and Fenrir, and we both just had to roll with it. Although our first impression with you wasn't great, we fully intend to help you. Fenrir and I both are just.. cautious. We needed to make sure you were who we thought you were... Oh, and plus you get used to having her... or him in your case, there in your head. Part of the whole sync rate thing.” His calm demeanor did a very good job of calming War down. There was a bit of a silence for a moment. Feral looked back up into the sky.

Feeling a bit better, but still a bit overwhelmed, war decided to “steer into the snow” she had to take in a lot, so why not dive in?

“So what's the deal with the the whole sync rate thing.”

“That's a big question little Missy. It's kind of.. like two oranges.”

“Orange...s?”

“Yes, oranges! “- Feral lifted his forehooves, pretending to hold two imaginary oranges in his hooves. -” These two oranges are your and Goliath's soul. You see, without syncing up. “ Now he pretended to bash the oranges together repeatedly.

“What does that mean?” She asked

“Smashing two oranges together doesn't make one big orange. Just a sticky mess. But once your sync rate goes up, it stops being fruit and is more like... a sword and sheath. Two separate things that fit each other perfectly.” he returned to sitting normally with a grin on his face.

“Okay? So I'm an orange, but I need to be a sword or something?”

“More or less, yeah that's right.”

“So how do I do that.”

“Bond with Goliath as you would any friend. Talk to him. Trust him. The closer you grow to him, the higher the sync rate. The higher the sync rate, the more in tune you will feel with your body. Also I'm pretty sure you'll end up like a dragon pony or something. Just as a side note.”

“Yeah, I was going to ask about that next, whats the deal with that, why aren't you all wolfy now, does that mean I'm going to get all.. dragony?”

“Well... to be honest I don't know. Fenrir doesn't either. We think that it has something to do with the fact she's significantly larger then me in her true form. But there is really no way to tell for sure. There are tons of possible explanations.”

“You seem much more... well less weird then when we first met.”

“Yeah, I'm a bit different when I don't have Fenrir reading my mind. She can do that by the way, and Goliath will be able to do the same to you for future reference. And vise versa, I can read her mind.”

She gave a nod of understanding, not really minding that considering what Goliath had already caught her doing...

“Why would you be different? Not having her in your head I mean?”

“Well, don't get me wrong, I love Fenrir like a mother, but she can be... a bit much. Speaking of Old Ones. She tells me that Goliath is more over the lone wolf, silent but strong willed type, how true is that?”

“Well, he's silent alright...”

There was another silence, and Feral returned to looking up at the cloudless sky once more.

“Why do you keep doing that?”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“You give a lot of answers.”

“True.” he stated with a nod

“I got more. Like how did you and Fenrir find me so fast... I mean like in Pok Pok?”

“She had been tracking Goliath for some time. When he vanished we investigated. Followed the path of destruction, then followed his smell back to a graveyard. Then you popped out your grave, and she explained that some of her old friends may have bound their souls to equine like she had done to me. And how Goliath in particular would be the last one to do something like that. So we followed you for a while, then introduced ourselves.”

“In the weirdest freaky way possible?”

“Once again, a precaution.”

“Sure! I believe that!” she stated sarcastically, glad to find a friend in the wolf pony she was now calling a companion.

Meanwhile

Two giant beings, in stature, demeanor, ego, mind, power. They were massive in every sense of the word. The giant wolf Fenrir looked much like her soul bound mate Feral in their combined state. Only significantly larger, and much more canine. She had no equine qualities, and was only a bit shorter then Goliath. The massive dragon's golden scales glimmered, and numerous scars painted a picture of his life. His wings clung to his back, folded, but the rips and scars were present in those too. Most notable was the single scar on his chest, a massive mark even with his utterly massive body size.

“How is it that every time I see you, you have more scars?” Fenrir inquired, hiding a laugh well. Goliath kept his stance, not saying a word, just giving her an angry look, as if she already knew the answer.

“How long has it been since we've seen each other? And this is how you act.” Fenrir added.

“Yet your the one who is acting like a hatching.” Goliath growled.

“Answer my question you old lizard.”

“I'd guess four thousand.” he gave a flush of fire and smoke from his nostrils.

“Try twelve thousand.” she replied with a snort of her own.

“Has it really been that long?” Goliath asked genuinely, giving a look of confusion. massive claws scratching his side.

“Feels much longer when your stuck worrying about some old lizard who wont come out and talk to his friends. I talked to Ziz not two thousand years ago, Levi in within the last seven hundred. Bem was... three thousand, then he decided to take a nap. Knowing him, he's still sleeping. Even then, even Greep checks in from time to time with all of us. Where have you been?” Fenrir scolded like mother to her child. She was more worried then she was angry.

“I've been away. Dealing with things. You know my brother...”

“So you just ignore your friends... your friendships. Do we mean that little to you?”

“What can I say... I just lost track of time. Wouldn't be the first time.” His demeanor shifted, he leaned back, smooth grin sneaking onto his face. Fenrir just glared, then gave a heavy sigh.

“You'll never change...” A grin moving to her face as well.

“Good to see you are holding up well too, you old bitch!” Goliath laughed. He laughed with his entire body, wings flapping and body pulsing. Fenrir joined in on the laugh.

“How is Ziz, and the rest of the old gang. As good as you I hope.” Goliath asked, before he took a second to compose himself.

“Better then you'd think, not as good as you'd hope.” She replied.

“At least they are all still standing.”

“You know what happens next right? You think that little mare is ready?”

Irked at the sudden change in subject, Goliath sat down lower, getting a bit more comfortable.

“She can handle it. She's tougher then you may think. If a bit... talkative.”

“Everything is talkative compared to you, you old cranky lizard.”

“Yes, yes. Enough of that now."

"Even plants! I've held longer conversation with the trees of my forests!"

Goliath snorted again. "What comes next?"

“The Summer Sun Celebration I believe.”

“Are you ready?”

“As long as you can keep the secret, we should be fine.”

“I hope that your pup, and my Hatchling will be enough.”

“They have to be Goliath. They have to be.”

“You two, in the cloaks. With me!”

The Summer Sun Celebration was as beautiful as ever. However, after a speedy exit by the young Princess Celestia, a large squad of Equestrian Guards had now blocked the exit. Demanding the attention of the cloaked War Bond and Feral Silver.

Do we run? War Bond asked Goliath.

“Yo, we better just do as they say. We don't want to make a scene.” Feral whispered to her.

He's right, we may be able to escape but that may get... violent.

Alright, you got it big guy!

“Hey, you two! C'mon I aint got all day!”

The two trotted forward, and were quickly escorted by the guards, in to the castle. They were sent into a waiting room.

The waiting room was magnificent. A red velvet carpet, golden shine to the walls. Portraits of fancy dressed ponies sat hanging on the walls. Suits of armor sat on display in the corners. The bench they sat on was embroidered with magnificent gold trimmings, the seat also being made of a soft velvet.

The entire time the four remained silent. Not stating a single word. War had taken her cloak mostly off now, but Feral kept his own on. His outward appearance continued to be something he intended to hide.

After what felt like hours, the two were finally allowed into the castle's inner sanctum. The guards flanking them, now part of the elite guard, their golden armor shining brighter then others, not to mention all of the fancy decorations and symbols etched in. Unlike normal guards, their helmets and armor coated their entire body, leaving no skin to be revealed at all.

Celestia sat on her throne, guards surrounding her. As radiant as ever. Her glorious pink mane flowed like it was mana, and her snow white fur matched it well. She may have been young, and relatively new to the throne, but she was still highly respected.

With a gesture from her hoof, the guards knelt, then left. Leaving the two pairs and the princess alone in a giant throne room. It was somehow more lavish and extravagant as the waiting room, the pattern of gold and red velvet continued in the giant room.

“I am sorry about the wait. My guards took quite a bit on convincing to let an AWOL Dragonslayer, and escaped convict into my presence while they were not at my side. But I remain adamant that what I must say must only be between us.” The lack of the Royal Voice and overall informality of the princess came as a giant shock. The two pairs glanced at each other in confusion. Then back to the Princess.

“Oh, my apologizes, I nearly forgot. Here, I'd hate to miss out on the words of my... less visible company.” Her magic lifted a cloth bag of some soft material. The two gazed at the bag, before two dimly glowing orbs floated out, both glowed a dim yellow similar to Celestia's magic. Both took the orbs in their hooves. Then the bag slipped into War's saddle bag. All eye's were back on Celestia.

“Do you know what these do Fenrir?” Feral thought.

“Perhaps... I am not sure.”

“I think I know.” Goliath thought loudly.

The pair looked at each other in surprise.

“These orbs will allow anything wearing them to communicate telepathically with anything else wearing them within an ear shot! As if your very thoughts traveled as sound around you.” Celestia thought aloud,

“Princess... Not that I mean any disrespect. But what is going on here.” War asked still wrapping the event around her head.

The conversation had shifted from words to thoughts entirely now.

“She needs something from us.” Goliath cut in.

“Goliath! Don't make judgments so early, especially not about the princess! We don't need more enemies!” Fenrir scolded.

“He is not wrong Great Wolf Fenrir.- Celestia defended. -You are here because I need help. Your help specifically. Along with you, Son of Ti-”

“I have little intention of helping you. Not after last time Celestia. I helped your mother, and it took me a few millenniums to get things straightened out.” Goliath interrupted angrily.

“I am not my mother Goliath. But this is larger then our delayed argument. I need you, and your friends.”

“Umm... how do you all know each other?”
“Yeah, we're feeling pretty left out here.”
The two formally non-ageless beings stated.

“This bitch's mother-”

The throne room door burst open. Three elite guards busted in. Weapons drawn.

“Everything alright in here Princess? It's been quiet.”

“Everything is fine Lance. Please, this is a private conversation.” Celestia retorted.

“Sorry ma'am... Carry on.”

The three knights slowly made their exit.

“She doesn't know us. Goliath, what you did for her parents is history.” Fenrir began as soon as the door closed behind the knights.

“She knows of us. She's a damn Alicorn and can feel us the same way we can feel her. It's like a six sense.” Goliath clarified, he obviously took the interruption to calm himself down, even if it was slightly.

“They have a unique feeling. I felt it as soon as they set foot on castle grounds.” The Great Wolf stated. Explaining it to the two "normal" ponies.

“And now she plans to ask us of something.” Goliath stated spitefully.

“You should be the one concerned. Atlas has finally gone over the edge. He and his followers plot to conquer the world.” Celestia's passion echoed in their minds, even through the telepathy.

“Let him fight and die.” Goliath growled.

“That's the problem. Nothing but a few very one sided battles stand before him and his goal. Most dragons now agree with his views and want to fight. I can't stop them. There are far too many on his side now. He is going to bring a war. A war that even if we could win, the losses would be... apocalyptic! We need to stop this madness with the Elements of Harmony! I beg of you, and all your friends, to come and use the Elements to stop Atlas from scorching our world, bathing it in the flames of dragons!”

“Goliath... we have to do this.” Fenrir stated stoically

“I care not for the trifles of an arrogant kingdom!” The old dragon boomed

“This is more then the kingdom. He will destroy every non-dragon.”

“I'm in” Feral said out loud. Drawing everything in the area's attention.

With focus now on him, he cleared his throat and spoke aloud, as if it was more meaningful that way.

“This is bigger then me. Then... everything really. It's sudden, and I don't... don't really understand everything. But a huge ass, old dragon wants to take over the world right? And he'll kill anything that aint scaly. And you need these Old Ones' Magic called “The Elements of Harmony” to stop him. I don't know how that will work, but... hell. Beats letting everything die. So yeah, I'm in. Let's go find some Old Ones... and some Elements I guess.” Feral stated with a frighteningly calm demeanor.

“I am in as well. The pups of this world need help. What kind of alpha would I be if I let them all end up dragon bait?” Fenrir added on. Obviously proud of her pup.

War Bond felt the orb fall from her grip.

War Bond. I greatly dislike this. I don't trust the Princess. Nor do really care about the outcome of the world. I am old, and have seen the end come close. But it never comes. I also don't believe Atlas has the dragon-hood to stage such an attack. But, I would like to see my old companions again... I am willing to do this for them, but only if you wish too. We can leave. I know where we can go. Get away from all of this... drama. It is things like this that lead me to hide myself, I hate drama such as this. But if you want to go play hero. I shall not stop you. I shall stand by you. You are my Hatchling after all. It is your choice Hatchling.

War Bond slowly reached to pick up the orb.

This was a lot to handle. She really missed the base. She missed the order.

The daily routine.

But...

Leaving...

It was so much easier then all this. She could just forget about everything. Things would be so much... simpler.

Yet.. the mystery. The questions. The larger things going on just beneath the surface. The Old God like beings from eons past. Princess Celestia's request. These past few days, no matter how horrifying, scary, extremely confusing and intense. These were the most exciting and unbelievable moments in her life. She was basically half-dragon now! The closest thing she had to a real friend was a wolf-pony! She would go on a quest to save nearly every thing alive! But... it couldn't be that simple, there must be twists and turns in the road.

This was an Adventure... risky... but easily the most thrilling thing she could do with herself. This would undoubtedly be more entertaining then her hiding away in some cave.

She picked up the orb. Held in her hooves.

“Lets go meet some old friends. I convinced this old lizard to help out.”

“Damn Hatchling, she's got the silver tongue of gambler.” Goliath added on.

The rest moved very quickly. Celestia was overjoyed. Wanting to help and move things along as fast as possible. She allowed for them to take whatever they needed for their journey from the armory. Celestia was worried that Atlas may have some kind of plan to stop the Elements of Harmony, so she wanted them to be prepared for anything.

War Bond equipped herself with elite knight armor. Disenchanted to no longer be of a golden color. The armor in it's natural color wouldn't attract attention. The heavy plate mail looked like much to carry for such a journey. But her years of training made the armor feel weightless to her. Her weapon was a large, hoof-crafted Claymore. She named it Justice.

Feral Silver took cloth armor, the darkest shades available, his long dark cloak fit fine on top of the armor. His only weapons, a pair of daggers. Designed initially as sidearms, yet still their design was well crafted and elegant. After War named her blade, he decided to name his daggers. Tooth and Claw felt like appropriate names.

Before much longer they were equipped with a few healing potions, and rations to last them for a long quest. As they finally left Canterlot Castle. War finally slowed down enough to ask.

“Where are going?”

“Were going to get my best friend.” Goliath stated for her.

“You didn't even want to go on this quest!” Fenrir voiced.

“He will be a great aid in journeying long distances, and is the closest!”

“That's... convenient for you.”

“Who would you rather us meet with first?”

“Greep, he is easily one of the strongest of us, and if Atlas has anything big planned. He can be a big help.”

“Fine, we can get Greep after, Ziz is simply closer.”

“Fine whatever you want.” Fenrir stated with an attitude.

“Hey War, is it just me, or do these two act like children?” Feral asked

“They are not as refined as I first thought.” she replied.