The Dragonslayer

War opened her eyes. Everything she could see was blurred. The deep cold creeped through her. Unable to breathe, she pushed herself upward, toward the glimmer above. Those shifting blurs rippled above her. Her head pushed through, immediately she took a breath of air. Water clung to her face. The water of the fast moving river forced her body down the river. The heavy rain made the river charge down its path. The sound of rain assaulting the river was nothing compared to the already deafening rushing waters.

Freya's head burst from the river a moment later. “Where's-”

“FERAL CANNOT SWIM!” Fenrir screamed out from under the water. Feral himself preoccupied with struggling not to drown.

Without words or thoughts the two dived down in search for their friend. Through the muddy water they saw him below. Feral was deep. He fought to hold his breath below, his back touching the depths, the river dragged him down deeper. He flailed wildly, desperately clinging to the idea that doing so would somehow propel him upward.

War swam instinctively, her body gliding through the water toward her friend.

“GO!”
“HE'S DROWNING!”
“I'M TRYING!”
“FASTER WAR BOND!”

She swam closer and closer, but the longer she took, the slower his movements became. By the time she was close enough to grasp him, her breath was nearly out. Her chest burned, and he had all but stopped moving, his body limply moving with the river.

Goliath roared for her to keep going, Fenrir was calling out in an unusual panic, Ziz was shouting something she couldn't make out in the loudness of it all. Freya was likely speaking as well, but she couldn't hear her. She did her best to ignore them all and focus on rescuing her friend.

It all became nothing but noise. Her heart sunk in her chest, she was terrified of losing this friends so soon. That this, of all situations, could be his end. Every sound seemed to fade. All she could hear was her own heart beat bashing in her ears. Steadily it grew faster and faster. She bit down hard, swimming as hard and as fast as she could. Her chest began to burn more and more. She was running out of breath, out of time.

With the last burst of strength her breath would allow, she wrapped her forelegs around him and pushed her legs as hard as she possibly could. She felt talons grip her sides and help pull her up and out of the water.

Coughing up water in a shallow of muddy water, she looked at Feral. He was vomiting water. Freya moved to helped him sit up. She was virtually holding his body up for him so he could get the river out of himself. After three or four fits, he struggled to catch his breath. Her heart was still pounding heavily in her chest. All of them heaved heavy breaths.

War looked about at her surroundings. They had been carried a great distance by the river, the mountain was a solid distance away. Not that she could see it very well. Her vision was largely blocked by trees. They had all been swept into a forest. She made the realization that this must have been what happened to most of the water that rained down on them.

“Fuck!... Shit!...Sor...ry... Gah!” Feral fought to both speak and breathe. With a painful gasp he threw himself down, laying in the muck as he struggled to breathe properly.

“You Asshole!.... Gah.... Tell us you can't... swim next time!” War labored, catching her own breath from the struggle.

“So-Sorry... but thank.. you for the save.”

“You should have told me that you can't swim. I would have aimed for something other than the river.” Freya scolded.

“Sorry, I was hoping... that I would be able to... keep afloat long... enough to ask for help.” he gasped.

“I too was also distracted by the whole... jumping off a mountain-thing.” War said with a laugh.

“Sorry guys, I guess it wasn't such a great escape plan after all.” Freya voiced sadly.

“It's fine... you didn't know... You still helped...Look at the... bright side... all that... blood got washed... out my coat.” Feral mended.

“It's alright kiddo, we all made it out alive. You catch your breath.” Ziz laughed.

“Are you alright Fenrir?”

“I'm fine Goliath. Feral is fine too by the way. We just need to catch our breath.”

“Okay, so we climbed a mountain. Where to next?” War stated, shivering from the cold.

“You four need to find a place to settle down, rest up, and get your strength back.” Ziz commented.

“Is there a village, or at least a inn nearby? We still have a few hours until sundown.” Fenrir added.

“That depends, where are we going next.”

“Let go wake up Greep.”

“Is the ocean nearby? Maybe we can go get Levi.” Ziz pondered.

“There is no ocean nearby, I say we go wake Greep and Moth. Then we can go get Levi.” Goliath basically ordered.

“Can something please tell me what is happening!?” The griffin let out in a burst.

The group realized they should probably elaborate the situation to it's new party member. They hastefully explained the situation to the griffin and her other half.

“So some big dragon named Atlas has an army of dragons, and Princess Celestia has a feeling like he wants war. So we're getting a group of old friends together who just so happen to be ancient beings who are all also massive in size like Ziz, but are also attached to smaller organisms like me and you two ponies? And if we don't do that then Atlas conquers the world?” Freya inquired, having realized she left the Order’s lance on the mountain edge, she begun wishing that she had kept it with her.

“His intention is to exterminate all living creatures who aren't dragons. This isn't murder, or serial killing. He wants fucking genocide.” War sneered.

“Okay, I get that, but why do we have to stop him? Also, how does getting the group back together stop a dragon warmonger?”

“We carry the Origins of Harmony.” Goliath spoke stoically, his will causing War Bond to lift her head with his pride.

“Okay this is new to me.” War cut in. “What are the Origins of Harmony?”

“I'm curious to what those are too.” Feral added.

“They are the reason why Celestia wants us. The Origins of Harmony are powerful artifacts as old as we are. They have the power to cause great peace, or great destruction.”

“They have the power to stop Atlas. We have hardly ever used them in our lifetimes. But the time has come for them to surface again.” Goliath spoke with a great passion in his heart.

“Do we also carry the Origins then?” Freya inquired.

“Possibly, this soulbound-ing we started is still fairly new to us.”

The group made idle chit chat now, moving away from the heavy topic of complete global war. As the party talked, they casually began to set up a small camp near the river. They agreed that a quick rest would be for the best.

Feral focused on his make shift rain shield. Once he gathered and stuck together some twigs and leaves, the forest trees and his tiny wall kept him from getting to wet. He gave his body a hearty shake, casting off most of the muck that had stuck to his fur. As soon as they curled up, Feral and Fenrir were asleep.

War and Goliath both agreed that they didn't need as much rest as Fenrir and Feral. War and Freya took the time and reminisced about their time at basic training. The two Old Ones caught up for the first time in centuries. Ziz and Goliath traded battle stories, traded tales of their new feats of skill and intelligence. War and Freya compared training regiments, and spoke of their favorite weapons.

Once night began to fall, a campfire was made.

There was a pleasant silence. The nearby river pushing forward, it's water crashing on and on just beyond the party. The soft patter of rain on moist grass, tree leaves and wood.

“I'm tired, I think I'll try to get some real sleep.” War stated, finishing with a yawn.
“I too am beginning to feel weak. Rest would be nice.”

“Hold up! Before you do, I got a question!”
“Can't it wait Freya?”

“It will only take a minute. War, you don't mind do you?”

“Umm, I guess not.”
“I do, I want to rest.”

“What's Feral's deal? I'm getting a weird vibe from the guy.”
“I felt that too, I just tried to ignore it.”

“Weird vibe? What are you talking about?”
“He is a strange one...”
“You too?!”

“You don't feel it War?”
“You do feel it don't you?”

“No! He is a bit odd, but I've never got a “weird vibe” from him.”
“Curious...”

“Maybe she... OOOHHHH I see! Oh my! I didn't know, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you have to spell it out!”

"Spell what out?"

"That you have "feelings" for Feral Silver!"

“Wha!?” She felt her face get hot. “I do not have “feelings” for him!”
“Do you War? It would be fine if-”
“Goliath, I do not! The guy is a damn psychopath!”

“Its alright, your secret will be safe with us!” Freya held back her laugh.

“I'm going to sleep.”
“If you want to talk about it, that would be fine.”

“Try not to dream of him!” Freya laughed.
“They say that your Princess Luna can see dreams, so try to keep it clean! Okay War?” Ziz joined in with his griffin snickering.

“I hate you all.”

Huddled hooves blocked her vision.
With will and a force, she pushed forward.
Nudging past the legs of her peers.
War rushed for the front of the crowd.
It was an once and a life time opportunity.
Despite her being a filly, she had to see them.

She could see the front of the crowd.
The light funneling down between the legs of those who also came to see them.
With a final shove, and a quiet apology, she broke through the front of the crowd.

The stage was set.
She was going to finally see her heroes in person.

The Dragonslayers.

She stood anxiously. Heart racing.
Anticipatory sweat in her face, and mane.
Her tiny hooves padded the ground.

Truly only minutes passed as she waited, yet to her the wait felt like an eternity.
Her mind ignored the hum and buzz of the crowd.

The sun finally hit the horizon, filling the sky with a unbelievable mix of red and orange.

A dark cloud began to form.

A harsh wind pushed the audience, which had now become completely silent.
The cloud began to grow with a spiral.
Twisting out the black cloud spread it's black smokey tentacles across the sky.

The center of the cloud mass began to glow.
The roar of thunder just barely audible.

As the cloud spread across the sky, twilight began to gleam as day became night.
The glow grew brighter.
The thunder echoed louder.

Soon the sky was deep and black.
The only light came from the glow of the clouds.
It now beamed a dull blue light out like a miniature sun.

With a deafening boom, a shot of thick lightning blasted the stage.
Resulting in a shower of light and sparks.
A mare stood, electricity still sparking from her body.
Custom trim lance on her back.
Blue armor with a gold chest and trimmings shimmering.
Her armored wings looking sharper then the finest blade.

War Bond felt herself in awe.
She felt her mouth agape.
She could feel the awe of the crowd.
She felt herself mouth the name. “...Wonder Volt...” just above a whisper.

Before anything happened next.
The sky lit up with a thousand bright lights.
Shafts of light breaking through the now fading cloud.
The sky had once become dark with nightfall.
Now the crowd stayed illuminated.

The sky.

Full of stars that shined beyond brightly.

The stars above seemed to gravitate toward each other.
Once again creating that swirl, that uncanny spiral shape.
Like glowing water going into a galactic drain, it looked like a whirlpool of stars.
With a burst of light the stars blazed down all at once.

Their glow growing closer, the starfall slammed into the stage.
In an explosion of light and blue fire.
He stood.
His mane and cloak flowing.
His tall staff.
That cool blue glow from his horn.

“...Star Swirl...”
War felt a chill run down her entire body.

With a flap of her wings.
A spark of his horn.
A shadow of a dragon glowed in the center of the stage.

With a stomp of her hooves.
A slam of his staff.
It let out a breath of blue fire and lightning into the air.

Finally, with a leaping swipe, he landed onto the stage.

With one of four blades drawn.
With black armor, darker than any night.
His body mighty, stronger then the largest of dragons.
He was Blood Tooth.

The crowd exploded with noise.
The dragonic illusion's head falling.
War felt her eye's widen.
The crowd roared.

He stood with a silent pride.

The crowd cheered and stomped.

The Dragonslayers stood tall. Proud.

She still remembered.

Even though she was a filly.

She remembered when Ravage was slain.

She still remembered the stories.

She still remembered the fear.

She still remembered his face.

She still remembered that day.

The day she decided to become a Dragonslayer.

The day that every decision for the rest of her life would stem from.

She remembered wanting...

She remembered wanting....

She remembered believing... in something.

War Bond opened her eyes. The soft drips of rain drizzled onto her face. Her body was cool. She felt calm. Relaxed. She sat up, her body moist with the rain. She felt amazed that a short nap could feel so rejuvenating.
“We awaken.”

“Good. We can start our walk to the next town when Freya touches down.” Feral voiced.
“They just flew up to survey the land, looking for the nearest town toward the west.”

“We need to resupply. We lost everything we had to that pegasus cult.” War added.

“You made sure to get that sword.” Feral stated with his half eye-lidded face.

“Justice demanded to be rescued. And it's called a claymore.” War replied with a grin.

“Anything to report?”

“Nothing yet.”
“Well....”

“What is wrong Feral?”

“Nothing is wrong... it's just...”
“Off.”

“How do you mean?” War asked

“Three things. There is something in the air. It's hard to focus on with this rain, but there is this... order. Like a stink, like eggs left in the sun.”

“We don't smell anything.”

“My nose is like... a million zillion times better then yours.”

“Ah.”
“Ah.”

“Next, this river smells funny. Like... it's hard to place. It's odd.”- Feral trotted to the river, glaring at it, he moved his nose closer. -“Like flowers trying to bloom. Plant-ish, but still a pleasant odor.”

“The river? So you mean... like the water smells like flowers?” War inquired, her face one of confusion.

“Somewhat, it's not quite there, but... that''s not what rivers smell like.”
“I think it's just in his head, I can't really smell it either.”
“The third is the oddest one. It's... like... dirt? Mud? Rocky... soil? Almost like a sweaty stone, but that's impossible.”
“I'm fairly certain that you just have some left over mud in your nose from the river.”
“I wouldn't rule that out, but we should still keep our senses about us.”

Freya touched down softly, water seemed to slide off of her feathers, but soaked her fur.

“The river flows west, and if we keep with it, we'll hit a village in about.... oh, four or five hours on hoof and paw.”
“Flying would make things a bit easier in my opinion.”

“Well war and I can't fly so there so that puts a damper on things... and Freya, to catch you up-” Feral repeated himself, explaining the odors he smelt in the air.

“Good to know, we'll be wise to keep that in mind. War, you good to go?” She asked with a kindhearted smile.

“Huh? Yeah. Why?”

“We don't want to start walking if everyone isn’t ready, silly.” Freya stated with a small laugh.

“Well then let’s start walking. This is going to take a while.” Fenrir spoke softly.

“Let us begin then.”

“Let's get moving.” Feral stated with a grin.

“We should just take a raft and ride the river, but some-wolf here can't swim.” Freya teased.

“Hey, I can swim, he can't.” Fenrir defended herself.
“Wow, thanks for sticking up for me Fen.”
“Learn to swim then pup.”
“You know why I can't”
“Don't you think it's time -”
“Fuck it. Sorry for not being able to swim. Let's just go.” he interrupted.

After a few minutes of following the river, somewhere around ten minutes or so, Freya picked herself up.

With heavy flapping her wings, hovering just above the ground she glided. Leading the way for the four that followed.

“Hey!” Freya gave a twist, spinning around and flew backwards, still skillfully flying in a straight line with the river. “Maybe I can teach you to swim when the rain lets up.”

“Thanks for the offer, that is real kind of you, but I think I am going to have to refuse.” Feral shuddered.

“Aww. Why not? Swimming isn't that bad.”

“For me it is. I think I'll be fine. So, thanks for the offer but no thank you.” Feral canine ears rolled down. He looked like a puppy who just got in trouble, but he continued walking.

The dirt path by the river was very moist, nearly mud. War and Feral splish splashed into it with every step of their hooves. The river was just a bodies length to their right, and it roared. The muddy water was dark. Yet even with the white foam that formed on the rapids, if one focused hard they could see the rocks and pebbles that lay in the depths. The sheer speed of the river made a fogging haze around them. Combined with the thinning rain, made the air thick with moisture.

The trees around them were a deep green, and they all reached for the river, as if they thirsted for a drink. The branches we a thick black, wet just like everything else. Even the muddy forest floor had specks of green leaves, either in long vines that touched the ground, or leaves that had fallen and were kept alive by all the recent moisture.

The sky wept. A deep longing gray. Not quite black, the day was starting it's shift into night. They had used the last of their sunlight for rest. Fortunately the rain began to finally drift away. The once thick drops that stung when they smashed against their bodies, were now much softer, the pitter patter mostly overtaken by the sound of the rushing river. The breeze was cool, like a waft of cold mist, it was refreshing. The delight washed over the party with each breeze. Lifting their spirit and mood. The group began to speak.

“So. What can you do exactly Feral?” Freya inquired.

“What do you mean? Like... as a job? Didn't we tell you that I'm an escaped convict? The job market isn't exactly open for me at the moment.”

“No that is not what I mean... like fighting wise, and wolf wise. I already know about War Bond's training as a Dragonslayer, I'm curious to know what you add to the party. Not that I think that you aren't pulling your weight, I just want to know what you can do. Not that I think that you can’t do anything-”
“Freya.”
“Sorry.”

“Well umm...”
“We have speed, we are fast.”
“Yea-Yeah. We are fast and precise. We go for the throat, our brutality keeps us with a solid level of intimidation. Not only that, but I can pick locks, pick pockets, and... well I'm good at stealing things.”

“Is that why you are an escaped convict? You get arrested for thievery?” Freya asked with a gasp.

“Among other things.” Was his reply.

“Where did you escape out of? How did you escape? Should we be worried?” War asked curiously, and with a bit of humor. Speaking as if it was some great mystery.

“That is a long, long, story for another time. But no you shouldn't be worried, we're together on this and I look out for my own.”
“That's a wolf thing.”
“Oh and also I can shape shift either parts of my body, or my entire body into a giant wolf body of varying sizes.” Feral added.

“I think we can do that to extent right Goliath.”
“We should practice once we get the chance.”

“I can do that to! With Ziz! It's cool, my wings get huge!”
“Our wings reach a modest size.”
“Huge.”

“I like your little griffin Ziz.”

“I like your puppy. He's neat.”

“Goliath's Hatchling is a cute one yes?”

“She'd be cuter if she wasn't tied to sulfur-breath.”

“That's odd? Did your wee chick just get a bit uglier? No wait, that's you.”

“Hey. Ancient beings who act like foals. I smell something.” Feral stopped with a grimace on his face.
“What's wrong?”
“Dragon...”

“What?”
“Dragon?!” As if he made some grim realization, his eyes widened with his words.
“Where?”

“MOVE!” With a bark, Feral dashed, colliding head on with War, and shoving Freya forward.

All at once the river exploded.
A torrent of water shot upward.

A long coiled dragon with a odd shaped head rippled through the water. It's body was a shade of dark blue, with the rushing water and night fall. It was almost impossible to see in the waves. It's eyes were on the side of it's head, and a bright yellow.

It's face was that of a standard dragon, save for the single line that ran up it.

That's where it's face split open.

It's jaw sat normal, like any other dragon, it was a simple jaw, if you considered long jagged spikes as teeth simple. It's face split down the vertical middle. Revealing a haunting pair of addition teeth along the side of the “mouth”, and a long claw like tongue. Wings like fins, it slid through the water with ease.

Out of the water now, it's face split open, revealing that terrifying true face. With a wretched gagging sound, a burst of water came from it's mouth.

Feral had smelt it coming, and got everyone out of the way in time. The water shot out like a cannonball, hit the mud and exploding out in all directions. The force was strong enough to uproot a tree, forcing it to come crashing down into the forest floor with a loud squash. The dragon, as quickly as it had emerged, slunk back into the river.

"It reeks of flowers!"
“See, I told you all I could smell something, that fucking dragon coated it's scent with fucking flowers or something! It tainted the river water's smell because it was upstream of us!”

“We need to figure out how to beat this thing!” Freya stated as she dashed to search for proper cover.
“Goliath, what kind of dragon was it!?”

“I don't know, I need to take a good look at it.”
“I couldn't tell either.”

“Everyone, back away from the river's edge, we need to back out of it's area of sight!”

“Good idea.”

The group dashed back, putting distance between them and the river.

An instant later, the dragon emerged again, only to dive back into the river a second later.

“What's it doing?” Freya asked, ducking behind a tree.

“Looking for us.” War replied with a grimace.

Again, it popped from the water with a shower, but this time it spat out a surge of water again. This time at an odd upward angle. It slid back into the river in less than an instant.

After a short wait, a ball of water splashed down hard, just off of War Bond.

"Oh Shit! It can see us somehow!?" She stated rolling from her cover to another tree.

It leapt from the river again, staying there for just a moment before it dived back into the water.

"Why does it keep doing that?"
"Watch out, it's going to shoot again!" Feral growled.

“What was tha-” Freya was slammed into the forest floor by a crushing ball of water. With a massive splash that soaked everything around her. She lay motionless in the forest mud. The water pooling in the small crater that had formed from the impact.

“Shit!”
“Freya!”

“They'll be fine They are just unconscious.”
“Let's fuck this thing up!”

“How, it just nailed Freya with a trick shot!” War cried!
“We aren't even target practice.”

“We need to figure it out!”

“It can some how tell where we are from under water... we can't see it.... fuck it let's just fucking do this!” Feral growled, snarling loudly!

“What are you doing!?” War shouted, confused.
'”Don't be a fool.”
“Feral... what are you thinking?”

“I'll rip him up from th- shit!” Feral made a mad sprint toward the unconscious Freya. As he did, the mysterious dragon burst from the river again, shooting in the same upward angle. Letting out that spine chilling gagging noise.

He wasn't entirely fast enough.

He reached Freya too late. While he was able to grab and move her, neither of them escaped the bursting water. While he was able to evade direct impact, the force of the splash hurled him and Freya into a tree.

“We need to find a way to beat this thing! We can't escape! We need to cross this river at some point! It’ll wait for us!” War explained.

“Fuck, I'm going to let him eat me. I'll rip his lungs out!” Feral snarled, getting himself on his hooves again.

“Feral! That's fucking stupid!” War warned.
"We could shape shift!?"
"This close to a village? What if they see us?"

“We don't have time to argue about this War! Did you want to do it!? No, you aren't crazy enough to do this, I am!” He dropped Freya and ran toward the river.

“Feral! Stop you moron!” War yelled out.
“Feral, this is a bad idea!”
“Foolish Pup, you're going to get yourself killed!”

“FUCK I KNOW, ONCE HE EATS ME FENRI-”

As he ran toward the river bank...
As he yelled a response....

The river dragon erupted from the river with a geyser of water.
In a single motion, it snapped at the wolf. Like a snake, it struck in the blink of an eye.
A second later, it was in the river once more.
“FERAAAAAL”
“FENRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH”

War, felt her body begin to gallop hard. Her hooves begin to shift into a claw with dark gold scales. Her tail grew heavy, and her chest ached. She felt her claws rip into the soil with each step. Goliath was pissed.

The night had taken over, she couldn't see.
She couldn't hear.
Her mind was full of Goliath's incoherent roars and barks.
They could only see red.

A splash of the sent a chill down her spine. She felt herself rush at the waves that pillared upward.
The bloody wolf flowed up the pillar of water, leaping from the depths to solid ground. With a full body shake, the bloody water flew off it's hide.

"Taken care of." they said in mixed voices.

War felt her tail lighten, and her claws fade to hooves all at once.

“You're not eaten!” War grinned with relief.
"I was worried!"

“Good. Consider it payback for all the times you made me worry about your sorry ass.”
“Yo, I'm here too, but we lost our communication orb when we shifted.” Feral added

“SILENCE! YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK PUP” War felt burst from her mouth

“HEY, CALM DOWN GOLIATH.” Fenrir barked back.

“HE PUT YOU IN DANGER” War roared with Goliath’s voice

“HE STOPPED THAT DRAGON.”

“I CAN DEFEND MYSELF!”- Feral cut in, his body beginning to take over again. -“Goliath, we are fine. I know Fenrir can swim, so I ripped up the dragon's inside, then realized that we could grow if I let Fenrir take over. We burst out of that thing pretty quick. She swam us up, but we saw you all dragony and pissed. I was going to tell you guys my shitty plan, but the fucking orb fell off.”

“That is no excuse, you put her life in danger!”
“His life was in danger too!”

“Don't forget Freya you scaly motherfucker, it was going to keep shooting at the one target that couldn't move on it's own. She was the target and I didn't see you jumping in to save her!”

“How would you know that?!”
“The rain, it was looking at us the same way I heard it. It moved through the water, and I was able to hear the water move. We moved in the rain, or rather the rain moved into us, and it could find us. Don’t ask me the science, but that’s what I am assuming.”

“That-”

“HEY!” War bond screamed as loud as she could. Goliath's anger made it hard for her to think clearly. Still she knew better then to let this go on any longer. “Arguing won't get us anywhere, so all of you shut the fuck up! Goliath, Fenrir is a tough bitch you know that, she's fine. Fenrir... good job! Feral, you made the three of us nearly shit ourselves in worry. Don't pull shit like that again or I'll kill you myself. Seriously man, Goliath freaked out. I was a freaked out, Fenrir was all worried. Not cool.”

“That wasn't my intention, I was just-”

“We know. Just be more careful next time. Also good job with helping Freya.” War stated with a grin.

Just then, Freya was able to regain consciousness. She picked herself up slowly.

“Help me with what?”
“What happened to us?”

“Nothing but get hit with a water cannon blast thing.” War explained. Everyone else seemed to stay silent.

“Oh. Explains why it feels like we just got crushed by a tree.”
“Is that dragon dealt with?”

“Yes, the pup was a bit rash. But I must admit his methods worked. And quickly.” Goliath "complimented"

“We didn’t have time to fight really. It had a major advantage tactically. But it did not count on… indigestion.”

“Indigestion?” The two avians asked in a single voice.

“Within, the like two minutes you were out, the river dragon ate me, I turned into a big wolf, then everyone yelled at me for being too awesome.” Feral explained.

“We also yelled at you for being a moron.” War scolded.

Freya and Ziz gave a short giggle.

“Thanks for helping then.” Freya passed her friends a smile.
“Quick question, how long before you can shift again?”

“We normally try to keep it ready for emergencies, but since we have shifted completely twice today, it will be about a week before we can shift more then claws or fangs again.”

“Yeah, when Freya and I shift to much we get about a week grace period also.”

“I wonder what that means for us War.”

“Well, it means we can only shift every so often, so we shouldn't abuse it.” she replied to her other half.

“Wow, I just realized you guys beat that thing really fast.” Freya marveled.
“We are are good at beating monsters.” War and Feral stated almost simultaneously.

Without ever really realizing it, the group had begun moving again. Talking about the fight they just had. As soon as she realized she could, War gave Feral another orb. The group calmly walked and talked about nothing of real value. Feral expressed his worry of the other two smells lingering in the air. War made fun of his wet dog smell. Freya added on with quips over how he can’t swim. He took it in stride and laughed with his friends.

“The village is just up ahead.” Freya announced. Gesturing with a wing toward lights just beyond the forest trees ahead.

“Past the river.” Feral stated with an unusual fear in his voice.

“Bridge is out.” War added.
“If the villagers are lucky, the river won’t sweep away the bridge.”

“How are we doing this?” Feral asked, looking toward the rushing waves.

The village was visible now, yet the river still blocked the party’s way. Well, Feral’s way at least. The rushing waters smashed into rocks. The drizzle of rain and river haze created a perpetual misting. No bridge was in sight. The night was dark with rain clouds overhead. The forest sat behind them.

“I can fly you across.” Freya stated kindly.
“But.”
“You have to let me teach you how to swim next time we get the chance.”

“No deal.” he retorted instantly.

Catching Freya’s trick to force their friend to learn to swim, War quickly hopped in.
“Fine, good luck getting across.” she replied to him coldly. She easily swam across the river despite it’s power. Once across, she turned and looked to him.

“C’mon, let’s not do this.”he tried to defend himself.
“It would be for your own good.”

“Hurry pup, the village is close.”

“What’s it going to be Feral?” Freya asked calmly.

He didn’t respond.

Freya opened her wings and began to slowly lift off the muddy floor.

“Fine! Not like the opportunity will come up anyway.” Feral finally submitted.

“Good.” With a grin on her beak, the griffin wrapped herself around a grumpy Feral. She easily lifted the two of them over the river, and landed safely on the other side of the river.

“See, was that so hard?” War teased, the smile not leaving her face.

“Yes. Let’s just go.” Feral growled.

“Wait.”

The party turned and looked to Freya.

“Well, I was just wondering if walking into town like this would be a good idea. Being that War Bond has her freaky dragon eye and a claymore on her back, and Feral looking like he just got out of a filly’s werewolf nightmare, that being so we might not be welcome guest at this place. Maybe Freya and I should go first and get you guys some robes to hid in.”

“Come to think of it, we would probably scare some folks.” Feral added.
“We will need something to hide us, but War should be fine. She was fine in Canterlot.”

“I think I can pass.”
“We can.”

“If you think you can I’m not going to stop you.”

“I can just sneak in. This late at night, I won’t get caught.” Feral stated with his normal confidence.

“Well then, what’s the plan. We don’t have any bits.” Freya and Ziz asked.

“Don’t worry. This is where I exceed. I can get us in a motel for a night, and get you two some trotting around bits. I’ll… acquire myself a big mantle and join up with you guys.”

“And I assume you’ll be stealing these things for us.” War stated nearly scolding him already.

“Hey, a lot of thing are going on right now. Nopony is really getting hurt by me… detaining myself some equipment.”

“But you are still stealing.” Everyone seemed to tell him at the same time.

“Well, it’s more like scamming, but if you want to get by with no money, you are going to have to listen to me. I agreed to learn to swim, but right now, getting by will be much easier if we do this my way.” He spoke with good intentions in his heart. His friends could feel it.

“Looks like the rain finally let up.” A dismal brown mare stated to a stallion who worked on keeping a fireplace burning.

“About damn time.” he replied.

The inn was warm with hearth-fire. A number of tables and chairs were spread throughout the inn. The mare sat behind a bar. Idly, her horn’s magic cleaned mugs. They both looked tired. The wooden interior of the building gave the place a very inviting and comforting feeling. Torches lit up the darkness where the fireplace did not reach.

“Storms been thrashin’ nearly a day and all night.”

“Keeps customers away.”

Help! Help! Somepony! Anypony! Please help!

The two innkeepers traded looks. The mare’s worried face prompted the stallion to stand and investigate.

Please help!

He opened the front door to the inn.

He looked out into the night to see a mysterious figure through a mare on to the ground and begin to run off with astounding speed. A griffin began to chase the figure, with a leap the griffin took to the air.

“What’s going on here!?” the stallion demanded.

“That masked stallion just stole all of our money!” The mare with the freaky eye replied.

“Hu-”

“Damn it, that bastard got away with all our money! I lost him the darkness.” The griffin stated returning herself down beside her companion.

“Our money?”

“We are just travelers, we were going to stay at this inn, but that thief came out of nowhere. Bastard, now we…” the griffin couldn't finish, instead she helped the mare up on her hooves.

“Come on in!” The mare stated “the night’s on us. We take care of folks in this town.”

“Well… we don’t want to bother-”

“It’s fine.” The stallion interjected “Like she said we take care of folks.”

Within minutes Freya and War Bond were in a cozy motel room. Two bowl of oatmeal hot and fresh. A set of rain resistant robes, and a hoof-full of bits. The two looked to each other with confused eyes, a bad taste in their mouth from the guilt of their actions.

“I feel kinda bad for taking advantage of ponies this kind…” Freya voiced before War did.

“Yeah, they were just trying to help us and we’re… well you know.” War replied.

“Hey, try to remember what we’re doing here ladies.” Ziz spoke through Freya’s mind.
“We are saving them in the long run, taking a little for ourselves to aid our journey that is of the utmost importance. Doing this now helps them in the future.”

“But still…”

knock knock knock

“There is our thief.” War voiced as she opened the window of the inn.

“Yo, you remember to deny the first request to stay?” Feral asked as he calmly climbed through the window and returned “Justice” to War Bond.

“Yes, and we also remembered to not use our real names.” Freya replied.

“I have to say, you are really good at this Feral.”

“It’s what he does. He is good at it.”

“What did you acquire for yourself.”

“Just a mantle and a few bit’s. Picking pockets is easy this late at night, but there are less targets to pick.”
“You have to see him do it, he has masterful technique.”

“Stealing is wrong, Fenrir.” War reprimanded.

“That doesn't make him any less good at it.”

“I forgot how much of a mother you are, always so proud of everything we did back in the old days! well now i guess it would be the really really old days. Remember when I fried those pesky sky sharks with a single bolt?”

“I tried to out do you by shooting fireballs and trying to scorch more than you.”

“You both killed so many sky sharks that the damn things were wiped out before the week was up” Fenrir laughed.

knock knock
“Are you two okay, did either of you need anything?” the kind stallion's voice asked.

“We’re fine ma’am. Thank you again for everything.” Freya replied.

“It’s no problem lassie. If you need anything, Don’t fret asking. Good night ladies”

“Good night!” They stated as their hearts pained in their chests.

“Yeah, that’s the guilt, it goes away with time.” Feral stated as he counted his “hard earned” bits

“Jeez you’re cold hearted for someone who had his tail between his legs because some running water.” War jabbed. Annoyed at him for his unethical treatment of these kind people.

“That was different, water and me have a bad history.”

“So, what next?” Freya interrupted.

“We need to resupply.” War stated immediately.
“And rearm.”

“I was thinking we should get ourselves a wagon.” Freya stated directly.

“Why would we need a wagon? It would just get in the way.” Feral asked.

“So we can carry party members. So we don’t all have to walk everywhere.” she hastily replied.

“So like… me and you can sit and rest in the wagon as Feral pulls?-” War asked almost stunned by that idea. “- or like if one of us get’s hurt. With a wagon, getting someone to safety or help would be way faster.”

“I was actually a field medic… I mean… I can do basic things like stop bleeding or stitch wounds.” Freya stated with a blush that glowed through her white feathers.

“Whoa really?! You didn't tell me that!” War stated excitedly.

“Yeah, I’m no doctor, but I can keep us going so we don’t burn through our healing potions so fast.” Freya replied, looking around the room as if looking for something.

“Wait wait wait, hold on.” Feral interrupted “Why I am I the one pulling the wagon!?”

“Well a gentlecolt like yourself wouldn't make a lady like me or War Bond pull would you?” Freya replied with a smirk.

“I’m a thief! I don’t care much about self image, and in case you've forgotten War fully armored weighs at least three times more than I do!”

“Okay, I don’t weigh that much! And lets just figure that out when we get the wagon.” War replied with a glare.

“But I don’t want to get a wagon!”

“I want one, Freya wants one, we outnumber you!” War stated matter of factually.

“Wait! What about Goliath and the others!” Feral argued.

“I think a wagon would be a great idea.”
“As do I.”
“Yeah, what if one of us gets hurt.”

“Aww damn it! Fine! It is not my day today.”
“Well morning is on it’s way maybe tomorrow will be better.”
“Thanks Fenrir.”

• Early morning -

The sun had just begun it’s rise, filling the sky with a incandescent orange.
The door to a local general store opened with a old creek.

“Wow, you’re here early, I just opened up.” the plain store owner stated.

Feral strode in wrapped up in his mantle and what was Freya’s robe. He was completely covered, the loose cloth even covered his muzzle.

“I saw you walk in and figured I’d get my shopping done early.” he spoke smoothly, his confidence returned now.

“Well I’ll get you what you need. What would you like sir.”

“I need some bread, oats. Healing potions if you got any, some gauze umm…”- he slid out a piece of paper, a small shopping list. -“a whetstone, oil for that whetstone, a tinderbox, and a salt lick.” Things the girls had sent him to get. They did not trust him with acquiring the more costly items the party wanted.

“Alrighty, I’ll get those for you just a moment good sir.”

“Mind if I look around? See what else you got?

“Sure thing.”

Feral moved around the shop smoothly. Slickly he slid everything on his shopping list into his robe and mantle. He did it quickly, smoothly, skillfully. In a way that truly showed his mastery of the craft.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t steal anything.”
“I did. I’m not stealing, I am just adding to the portions he is already giving me.”
“I see.”
“If he doesn’t notice and doesn’t charge my portions correctly, it’s not my fault.”
“I doubt the others would see it that way.”
“The shop keep was less than attentive, relax. I doubt they would even notice.”
“Very well pup, know that if they figure it out, I’m not going to be part of it.”
“That’s fine, they won’t notice.”

“Your order is ready sir.”’
“That was quick. You are good.”
“Thanks, been working the family shop forever.”
“Well the experience shows.”
“This gonna be enough for you?”
“Oh yes more than enough.”

The scent of metal and ash filled the air. A smooth scent, proving the quality of the wood and fire being used in the forge. This local blacksmith didn’t make too many weapons, or armor, mostly just tools. Hammers, shovels, yard utensils mostly. War Bond stepped inside and took a marvel at the sheer skill in craftsmanship in the simple tools at the store.

“Hello, umm I’m looking for some equipment.” she stated.

“What kind of of equipment lassie.” The blacksmith was a hard dark bronze. His mane nonexistent.

“Some lightweight armor. It doesn’t have to be anything amazingly sturdy, something that is tough enough to take a few hits, but is light enough for a griffin to where and not have her flight to disrupted. Also I need a solid breastplate, that one is for me so it doesn’t need to be lightweight. If you can, I'd also like my claymore here tempered. Oh and a Lance, preferably single bladed.”

“You know yer stuff, aye lass?”

“Indeed I do.”

“Then you know I gotta ask if yee got the bits to pay for all this.”

“Well… no, but me and my friends are on a really important quest and these things would make all of our lives much easier.”

“Aye’m a blacksmith, Aye don’t do it for the money, but Aye can’t live on favors now can Aye lassie?”

“Please, we really need these, I can offer you some bits, I have…. fifty! I know that’s not enough for what I’m asking but…”

“Lassie, Aye’m need at the very least triple that.” he stated sternly.

“Say what I tell you War Bond. Does the your passion not burn bright enough?”
“What?”
“Just say it. I know his type.”

“Umm… Does your passion not burn bright enough?” she stated with less than adequate confidence.

“What. Did. You. Say?”

“Is the heat of your forge not good enough? Or is it you who backs away from my request!”
“Is the heat of your forge not good enough? Or is it you who backs away from my request!”

“Aye have what you’re looking for in me back room! I’ll show yee some real steal! Me armor is the best you’ll ever wear lassie!”

Morning.

The sun was up. The sky was the bluest it had been in days.

War walked to the agreed meeting spot just outside the town, a small seemingly abandoned barn and bare grass field. Wearing a thick breastplate, a lance on her back beside Justice. A smirk on her face. Feral kept the sacks of his acquired supplies on his back, and on the floor. Where he sat casually chewing his hoof without a real expression on his face. Freya stood rigid, her displeasure evident through her posture alone.

“I’m back, and I got some armor and a lance. All out of bits though.” War stated calmly, knowing Freya would likely speak next.

“I got us the the basics, we she be good on the road for now.” Feral replied as he began to take a normal standing position.

“I couldn't get us anything those damn wagon are crazy expensive, there is no way we will be able to get one!” Freya complained.

“There has to be a way for us to get our hooves on some real money. Or at least get a wagon!”

“We could always just steal one.” Feral offered, but the only response to that that he received was a glare from all directions. “Fine we’ll...we….umm something is wrong.” he stated, his ears shooting upward, and his tail standing up tall.

The group now looked to Feral with curiosity.

“Remember when I said something smelled like it died, or like rotten eggs? Because that shit just got really potent holy shot it’s bad.” Feral gagged, burying his nose in his mantle.
“I smell it too this time it’s rancid!”

The girls gave a sniff. It was definitely there, but it was slight, slight enough that unless you actively thought about it, or didn’t think about it, it might as well have not of been there.

“I don’t really smell anything.” Freya stated calmly.

THUMP

With the sound of paws on grass, a thump landed in plain sight of them. A beast that looked like something mashed a few monsters together.

“Smelly motherfucker.” Feral growled, his body lowering into a fighting position.

The most of it was lion, for sure. It had the forepaws, head, and torso of a lion. But the horns of a ram. It’s back legs however, were hooved and jointed like a goat’s. The fur changed from lion’s blond to goat brown in mesh of hair. That’s not where it ended. Jabbing it’s way out of the lion’s right shoulder was a goat’s head and neck, complete with horns and all. It moved and breathed separate from the lion. Along it’’s sides a monster pair of leathery bat wings. Finally, instead of a tail, a long snake coiled around to look at the party.

Overhead, more of these creatures flew. At the very least, there were twenty.

“We already fought these things!” War complained.
“Those were manticores.”
“These are chimera, and from the look of it, a pack. They’ll rip that town apart, unless we do something.”
“Alright, we got a game plan?” Freya asked
“Fenrir, you Ziz, Feral and Freya head back to the village and help the townsfolk.” Her body threw Freya the lance, who promptly caught it.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

“War and I will deal with these four and then we’ll regroup.”

“Twenty bits says I gank more than the both of you combined.” Feral challenged, turning to run in the direction of the village.

“Happy Hunting!” Freya beamed as she took to the sky after the chimera.

“You both get the head starts, to make it fair!” Fenrir laughed as her shared body began to run.

Four chimera.
One Dragonslayer.

The chimera quickly made it a point to encircle War. Their stride displaying their pride. Size and power with each step. Each separate head eyeing her, looking to her as if she was the next meal it would eat.

War slid Justice off of her back. She quickly got down the positions of each chimera around her. She had already determined each chimera’s range and speed by judging their walk.

“Be careful War. These are not dragons, but do not let your guard down.”
“I assume these predators usually prey on weaker animals, and rely on the stealth to make fast kills.”
“Correct.”
“Then I need to fight defensively. Let them make the first strike, then counter.”
“Be careful, it has extra heads that may make that more complicated.”

The first chimera made its attack, leaping forward with both claws. War sidestepped early, seeing the attack quickly, but as soon as she dodged, the snake head shot straight toward her. A flash of her steel stopped the head in it’s tracks. SLAM
Ram horns collided hard on her side, knocking her down. A second chimera had bashed into her from her side.

She rolled along the grass in order to put some distance between her and the chimera.

Standing the chimera tried to surround her again.

Not this time.

With a breath of fire, she blocked the path for the chimera.

Immediately, a chimera made a leap, attempting to pounce. Rolling Justice upward, a swipe wiped a claw clean off the chimera. It immediately responded with a backdash, the snake sliding over it’s body attempting to make a quick counter attack. Still recovering from her swing, she couldn’t dodge, instead she tried to move her body. The fangs of the snake-tail bouncing off the breastplate with little more than a scratch.

War countered by pushing forward. Moving in on the chimera, she swept her claymore upward once more. Cleaving both the overextended snake head and the goat head before the chimera could react.

Desperate, the creature lunged it’s maw forward. Only to have it’s head completely cleaved in two in a single instant due to Justice and War’s powerful downswing.

“That’s one down.”

A second chimera tried to use the end of War’s first encounter as leverage, leaping in the air for a pounce. Instead of landing a solid hit, it’s maw was filled with flame. A breath of fire consumed the chimera, it wouldn't suffer however, as Justice quickly finished it off.

“That's two down.”

The other two chimera looked to War with anger. Eyeing her with far more hatred than previously before. Now she had the edge.

“I need to strike, move in, feint, firebreath, strike, nail them both quickly. While they are angry.”
“Go for it. Watch for their flight.”

War gave a small dash forward, then moved as if she would swing her blade, the chimera attempted to dodge stoutly, but War didn’t put any follow through. Stopping in her tracks, she let out a breath of fire. The heat and fire didn't reach, as the target leapt into the air to evade this time. However, the second one was distracted by the flames couldn't evade Justice. It’s head no longer in place, it fell.

“Three in a row.”

The final chimera stayed airborne, eyeing War Bond and circling over head. It tried desperately to form some kind of plan. The best thing it could come up with was to run away. Turning tail and flying away, it fled.

War felt her body move for her.

“The key to fireballs it to simply lead the shot according to speed and distance. That chimera is neither far, nor fast. So I do not need to lead the shot very far at all.”

She felt her eyesight focus on just ahead of the chimera’s flight path. A single huff, and she spat out a thick plume of hot pink fire. The shot lobbed perfectly. Exploding the instant it collided, the chimera fell to earth in a great ball of pink flames.

“And down they all go.” War smiled.

She looked down at the stack of supplies Feral had left, tossed them in the barn along with Freya’s pauldrons. Then raced to catch up with her friends.

Feral was acting… feral.

Dripping with blood, he literally left a trail of blood in his wake. None of it his. The grin on his face was one of intense enjoyment, his eye’s wide. His disguise tossed away, he prowled the town. The bodies of chimeras that met him were obvious. Their bodies were being torn apart and ravaged. His claw’s out, he strode low. A shriek sent him running. Fangs bared. A family of ponies stood cornered by a chimera. Seeing him soaked and dripping with blood didn't help anything.

"Get to the inn! Now!" He shouted his presence enough to take the chimera's attention.

A chimera glared at him, it’s snake tail to a wall.

The family took off running.

Feral grinned.
"Their blood doesn't smell like rot. Which is one is this now?"
“Number nine.” he gleamed.

With a jump, Feral launched himself, landing on the creatures back. Instantaneously, he went for the goat’s horns. His fangs sinking deep into the goat skull, and his claws gripping the horns themselves. The snake-tail tried to intervene, but wasn’t fast enough. Ripping the horns off the goat’s head with a squelch of blood, Feral immediately slammed the two horns into the snake, and into the chimera’s back, stapling the tail in place. Now, with the goat screaming in pain, the snake pinned down, there was nothing to stop him from taking advantage of the creature’s size.

Save for the wings. The chimera, tried desperately to take to the air in hopes of shaking the wolf off. Feral wouldn’t have any of it. His fangs ripped at where the creatures back stretched into leathery wings. As he chewed, his claws sank into it’s flesh. The chimera was not able to keep itself afloat with one functioning wing. The two collided into the soil with a smash.

The beast began to roll over in an attempt to take pressure off of it’s chewed wing. A grim mistake. Feral took advantage the instant he could. His teeth slid into place right in the chimera’s neck. He held it’s windpipe between his teeth. As he held it’s breath, his claws began to dig into it’s chest, ripping and shredding it’s meat like paper.

All the while the intoxicating flavor of blood filled Feral’s mouth. He was salivating heavily, a mix of his drool and it’s blood slid down the chimera’s neck.

It couldn’t scream or cry out. It couldn’t even breath.

Feral’s claw’s dug deeper and deeper. He moved faster and faster, his excitement growing and growing. He lusted to show the creature it’s own beating heart.

With a fountain of blood and shredded meat, he did. He stared into it’s eyes as he showed the chimera the heart that had just been beating in it’s chest. Pulling his head back, he finished by ripping out everything that was in its neck, then let the blood pour down his body as he held his head up high.

He loved that feeling. The sensation of still warm blood gliding over and messing his coat. He absolutely loved it.

Spitting out the neck, he looked about his surroundings.

“Now where’s number ten?”

Freya kept up a high speed, wings pushing her forward. The lance in her claws was red hot. The electricity Ziz helped her generate danced on the edge of the blade. The wind in her fur and feathers, the feel of air combat was something she had not felt on a long time. It sent a cold chill down her spine.

A chimera speed toward her, racing to get her in claw’s reach. With a grin she spread her wings. Catching the air she slowed down. Her red hot lance twirled about her. As the chimera sped past her, the lance cut through it. Burning and slicing, the chimera’s leg fell down to the soil below. Along with it a wing, and the chimera. It’s neck sliced through, it died before it hit the ground.

Her lance sizzled loudly, like when cold water hits a hot pan. Freya looked around her, in the air, she had to keep an eye out for enemy in every possible angle. Spying a pair of chimeras closing in from below her, she grinned.

“Two for one, good deal.”

A bolt charged in her wings. Electricity sparked from her feathers to her lance. Including the burst of thunder, a bolt of lightning shot down. Striking both of them, the lightning jumped between the two repeatedly, then extended down to the ground. The chimeras sizzled as they fell down to soil.

Freya grinned as she flew down to help the panicking townsfolk.

Feral ran about, scaring the locals, corralling them into the local inn. His blood covered body splattering about, the locals, screamed as they ran into the inn.

“Feral! What are you doing!?” War scolded as she entered the town proper.

“I tried to tell them to run into the inn. But the just kept screaming! So I rolled with it.”

“Of course their screaming, you are dripping with blood! None of that is your’s right?”

“No I’m fine. this is all chimera blood.” He grinned, shaking his body, he splattered blood all around him.

“Fuck Feral! “ Freya fretted as she landed down beside her party members. “I hope that’s not your blood.”

“No I’m fine. Is that the last of the townsfolk?” her replied.

“As far as I can tell yes. Anypony else locked themselves in their home I think.” Freya explained.

“Good, now we just have to deal with these chimera.”

“These chimera seem odd. Not as structured as I’m used to seeing.”

“It was a bit odd. They seem so sluggish.”

“Wait, Ziz, Fenrir, do you feel that?”
“Feel wha… oh...”
“Oh shit.”

The younger halves looked to each other with confusion.

“OH MY GOSH LOOK AT HIM! YOU DIDN’T MENTION HE WAS THAT CUTE!” a voice screamed in an absurdly loud volume.

Regal, the half tiger pony strode into view, her swagger and pride evident in her strut. Beside her, a smaller framed mare walked. Her body looked heavy, shaggy like dry tree bark. Her mane a thick green, tied like vine-like deadlocks eye’s wide and grin on her face. On the other side of Regal, a silky stallion walked on long legs. He had a beak, eye’s like a hawk. Smooth earth brown feathers flowed over his entire body like water. His legs were eerily long.

The six glared down at the other six.

“Mandragora , not the most pleasurable of meetings if I am honest.” Fenrir quoted through Feral
“Fenrir, come now, you know as well as I do that this is strictly professional. This here is Une, she seems to have taken a liking to your little puppy.”

“Hi there wolfy.” Une grinned with a blush.
“My name is Feral Silver.” He growled back

“Is it just me, or is it creepy that she finds me attractive when I’m dripping with blood.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty trippy.”

“Ziz, I prayed for the day we would fight again!” The hawk pony glared.
“Hábrók, You look good. Tall.” Ziz replied.

“A griffin, looks like I’ll get to show you the air superiority of the pegasi.” Hábrók's pegasus half challenged.
“Whatever you say tall guy.” Freya replied.

“Why Goliath, you are oddly silent, what’s wrong?” Regal grinned.

“I was looking forward to killing you because you hurt Fenrir earlier. Unfortunately, It looks like you are just going to run away again.”

“Why would I do a thing like that?”

The ground beneath the two parties cracked.

“Behemoth just arrived.”

Sliding from the crack an enormous monolithic creature began to pull itself out of the soil. The body of a massive pony, as utterly massive as a building stood. Massive tusks protruding forward from his mouth, massive horns like an ox. His body looked like stone, like a statue that an expert crafted with years of his or her life.

Behemoth, as he seemed to be called, turned to the rival party.

“Shake it and take it.” His unbelievably bass voice rocked shook the earth.

His front legs began lift up. Dirt fell off his forehooves as if it was sand. As soon as he raised them over his head, he slammed them into the ground. The resulting earthquake sent a fissure through the hard dirt.

The rival party grimaced.

“We can’t take them on three versus four, we need to retreat now.” Regal scowled.
“What!? Why!” Hábrók sneered.
“The love of my life will have to wait, so your petty peck fight will too. You’re a moron to think we can take them. Tactical retreat man!” Une explained.

Hábrók glared, the pegasus he was spread his wings, and began to grow. His body began to distort, and grow. His hooves slid into his body. His hind legs spread out and shifted into talons. Within seconds, he was a massive hawk. The same size as Behemoth. The enemy climbed on his back. A flap later and they were in the sky. Not long after they were gone.

Behemoth turned towards his friends. Cracks covering his entire body. Soil fell off of him. Following with rocks and pebbles. Rocks fell and fell until on a pile of rubble remained. A small shift in rubble caused a miniature rock slide. A small colt striding out of the gravel. Breathing heavily.

“Well, they sure ran off quick.”