It was perhaps one of the oddest feelings one can conjure up, being so close to death. It isn’t pain, or sadness, really. Surely, those thoughts would go through one’s head at some point. However, there eventually comes the point that you learn to accept death, be it to others, or even yourself. Sadness and pain, yes, come from it, that is merely how life is. But above all, (and this holds most true for when the one observing these feelings is the one dying) One eventually feels peace. Perhaps not tranquility, or benevolence, but a sort of… Acceptance. That same acceptance was what was running through the armored dragons head as another strike landed upon him. Both him, and his foe had were worn down a great deal. Every strike, both given and received, wore him down that much more as the pair of Dragons clashed against one another. It was a vicious circle. The two reptiles would rush at each other, try to land a few strikes, whilst avoiding as many hits as they could, before separating, only to repeat the cycles again. There were two of them. Just two.
They looked similar, in a manner of speaking. Each had a strong build, hardened and strengthened from years of combat. Both of them wore an armor that appeared far too advanced for them. One of them was clad in Black-and-orange armor that let nothing, not even his wings, exposed. The other had on an elaborately crafted Blue-and-purple armor that similarly covered up everything on his body. Each of them bore a horn-like-Crest on the tip of their nose. The first one, the one sporting the black armor, had a crest of deep black, Blacker than a starless night. The second had a crest of a deep blue. Slightly more blue than the sky, but not quite as blue as the ocean. Behind the Black one, the faintest pinprick of soft purple light was steadily growing brighter. Try as he might, the battle he was engaged in was pushing him back, farther and farther, towards the light.
The light was a pathway. A portal, for lack of a better term. Where it led, The black dragon had yet to discern. But it seemed he would find out soon, which was why the morbid thoughts he was currently thinking were running through his head. He was certain that it would lead him to his death, or his eternal torment, But by Kairos and the gods above, he wasn’t about to let that bastard of a dragon toss him in without a fight. And quite a fight he was giving.
Neither of them were wasting their energy on words. No insults or jeers were thrown, nor were there any monologues of “Imminent Defeat” and “Glorious Victory” being given, as many might assume. There were simply two dragons duking it out, and right now, the Blue one was winning. The black one was trying with all he had to avoid it, but it seemed that he had finally been stamped out. So close… And yet so far. He felt his hind legs give out as the last of their energy was spent, he felt his body become weightless, as he fell backwards. To death, or to something worse, he wasn’t sure. He just fell, and that was all he could focus on.
***
To be honest, Rainbow Dash COULD have tried to be a little more productive today. Certainly, the fastest flyer in Equestria must have had some sort of important job to do, if she was nowhere to be found all day. Not even the wall-Breaking Pinkie Pie was able to find her, which was quite a feat for anypony, but mainly for Rainbow, considering she was probably the WORST at trying to remain unnoticed. But remaining unnoticed suited her just fine. She was, after all, about to perform the single most important thing she had ever done in her life. She stretched her wings, flexed each of her legs in turn, and shook her head once. Crouching down low upon the cloud she was on, she leapt forward, bringing her hind legs to her chest as she somersaulted through the clear afternoon air, doing one last half turn before landing on another cloud and- Fell asleep. Typical of the mare, to put so much effort to make something like taking a nap seem difficult. Or ‘Awesome’ as she would call it. However, her rest was not to last very long. Because at that moment, the same purple light began to shine. Faintly at first, but slowly getting brighter and brighter. Soon, it became bright enough to shine through her cyan eyelids, much to her disappointment.
She groaned, and turned over onto her stomach, using a patch of cloud like a pillow to cover her head. “Twilight, can’t you at least wait until I’m FINISHED napping before you try to show me some-“ The rest of her sentence was cut off as a black-and-orange streak rushed past her head, narrowly missing her by more than a few inches.
Her eyes widened as she looked up. “Okay, okay! I’m up, sheesh. You don’t have to swing at me or anything.” She said, as she stood back up, stretching like a cat and letting out a yawn. “What do you need?”
She asked, before she took another look around to find that her alicorn friends was in fact NOT with her. “Uh… Twilight?” She asked, to nopony in particular. “Twilight?” She groaned, and put a hoof over her face. “If you think that this is a joke, it’s not funny. Pranking is MY Job. And occasionally Pinkie Pie’s, but that doesn’t mean that-“ Once again, he sentence was cut off as something struck the ground. Hard. The sound of stone giving way and forming a crater was enormous, surely the Princess’ themselves were wondering what the hoof had just happened.
Anypony with a shred of sense would have run screaming from the scene, but the Rainbow-Maned Mare was not one such pony. After waiting a few moments to see if something else happened, she hopped off the cloud, allowing herself to free-fall before she snapped her wings back outward, giving a single flap before she set her back hooves on the ground. Her front hooves followed as she took a step closer. What met her eyes, to say the least, had NOT been what she was expecting. She had figured that a meteor or something of that like had crashed. Or maybe even a wagon full of anvils. But instead, what she saw was… What looked like a suit of Armor. She shuddered slightly, as she remembered the hall of armor in the Castle of the Two sisters. That armor still gave her nightmares, though she refused to admit it to anyone. Still, this was… Different somehow. Built for something much larger than a pony. Possibly even larger than an alicorn. She shook her head. DEFINITELY built for something larger than an alicorn. Though not by much. Her natural curiosity compelled her to take a closer look. Her common sense, which she had learned to ignore, was telling her the exact opposite. Curiosity and Common sense. The two parts of a brain, human, dragon, or pony, that butt heads the most often. She knew she should just leave this thing alone. Walk away, tell Twilight or the Princess’ about it. However, something else, subtle as it was, caught her attention. The midsection of the armor seemed to be moving. Almost like it was… Breathing.
“Uh… Hello?” She said, as she waved a hoof in front of where she assumed the face was, for the armor had no eye slits. Instead, in place of a faceplate was a deep orange visor. The material was a sort of one-way mineral. Any who wore the helmet could see out, but nobody could see inside. It made those who fought in the armor seem like less living being and more like a mechanical nightmare. Because of this, the Element of Loyalty was unable to see the dragon as his eyes opened. Or see as his eyes narrowed.
“Is… Anyone in there?” She asked, waving her hoof again. She got closer, practically putting her forehead to his. “Can you breathe? Are you alive?” She hated having to sound like Fluttershy, but in this case, it seemed like the best approach. Whatever was in here, if there was anything, was most likely injured. If she couldn’t get it to respond soon, She might have to get the yellow mare down here to see if she could fix him up. She paused for a moment. If this WAS some kind of armor, maybe she could find a way to dismantle it and get it off of this thing. She figured the most logical place to start would be the helmet. “Let’s see if I can get this thing off.” She said, as she reached for the sides of his head. Big mistake.
The first thing she felt was a harder-than-iron paw smash into her cheek, sending her hurtling several feet backwards before she recovered, a look of anger and confusion on her face. “Hey, what gives?!” She shouted at the creature, which had already gotten to its feet and had taken a defensive stance.
“Did you learn nothing from past experiences?” The dragon asked, quite calmly, as his posture went from defensive to passive. “Because I’m certain that messing with unknown creatures is considered unwise by any race.” While calm and collected on the outside, one the inside, both his mind and armor were processing mountains of data. Scans were indicating that the air was breathable, which was good. He wasn’t sure how long his supply would last otherwise. There appeared to be edible vegetation and wildlife, which was another plus. However, this rainbow haired… THING, was causing him trouble. It was no doubt sentient, though to what extent, he wasn’t certain. Were there more of them? Was she the only one? Did she possess a full vocabulary or were “Hey! What gives?!” the only words she was capable of speaking. Whatever the case was, this thing had the potential to be a threat. And he liked to snuff out threats before they became a problem. However, this horse-bird thing could have also been trying to help him, which meant that she could also have the potential for positive benefits. Resources, data. Perhaps even a way out of this cartoony world. He stared at her for three long seconds. After a few scenarios ran through his head, he decided that she could have more benefits to her than liabilities. Just so long as she didn’t try to touch his helmet again. NOBODY touched his helmet.
The mare was having a few troubles of her own trying to figure this thing out. By its voice, it seemed like it was a guy. By its body… She paused. It DID look familiar somehow, but with all that armor, she couldn’t be certain. She certainly didn’t want to pick a fight with it, whatever it was. There was still a red spot of her cheek where that thing had struck her. But it looked like it was pretty smart. Maybe as smart as Twilight. Her thoughts were interrupted as it spoke again.
“I’ll have to apologize for striking you. I don’t like it when others try to touch the armor. It’s kind of important to me.” He said. He took a small step forward, almost surprised that the horse-creature didn’t move back. In fact, she almost seemed like she was… Eager? He smiled, though she couldn’t see it. Maybe she was like him. A paws… Errr, Hooves-on kind of person. One that didn’t shy away from adventure, or a good fight.
Rainbow had landed by this point, and was making her way over just as the creature was doing the same. Upon getting close enough to touch it, she realized that he was even larger when standing. The top of her head barely came to his massive chest. She felt like she was talking to Princess Celestia, only even bigger, and if she was a stallion. She hovered upwards, so she could talk on Eye-level. “So… What gives? I was just taking a nap- Uh, Rest from all my training, when you fell out of the sky like some sort of meteor.” She blinked. If he really DID come from the sky… Did that make him some kind of Alien? The armor only made it seem more so. Did that make her the pony to make first contact? She was grinning widely now, barely able to contain her excitement, as she asked. “You’re not from this planet, are you?”
He paused. “And… Where am I exactly?” He asked, staring at the horse-thing oddly.
“You’re in Equestria. Right outside Ponyville to be exact.” She said. Had she been Pinkie Pie, she probably would have exploded into an illogical cloud of confetti. However, since she was a mere mortal, and not subject to the reality-breaking powers that be, she settled for literally shaking in midair with excitement.
“I wouldn't say that I am. Is it near-“
“YES!!! YES!! AWW YEAH. THAT’S RIGHT! I’M THE FIRST ONE TO DICOVER AN ALIEN! ME! RAINBOW DASH, THE FASTEST FLYER IN EQUESTRIA, DISCOVERED THE FIRST ALIEN! OH, I’M GONNA BE SO-“
Her words were cut off as the apparent alien let out an annoyed “Knock it OFF!” She stopped her midair dance as she found the creature lay on the ground, paws covering its head. “Great Kairos above, did you have to rupture my Eardrums?”
“Who’s Kairos?”
“Uh… Long story.”
Rainbow gave a small shrug. Whatever he was talking about would make sense, in time. “Oh! Kinda forgot to introduce myself there.” She said, as she struck a midair pose. “Name’s Rainbow Dash. Fastest Flyer in Equestria.”
The dragon smiled slightly. Maybe she WAS a bit like him. Though he wasn’t quite as obnoxious. “Name’s Tyrex. Tyrex the Dragon.”
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but stare at Tyrex. It seemed like there could be no possible way for a dragon to be under all that metal, much less one that was still able to move with all that speed. Then again, she had only really interacted with four Dragons. One was Spike, Obviously. He wasn't too fast or strong, but then again, he was just a kid still. The other three were total douche bags, And she didn't give half a buck about them. This one, however, seemed… Different. Even had he not been wearing that strange armor, he seemed to give off something that just made him seem… Different. She shrugged. He TECHNICALLY was an alien, in a manner of speaking, so that was to be expected. She pulled in her wings and landed soundly atop the dragon’s head.
Tyrex gave an annoyed glance, though again, she was unable to see it because of the helmet. “What did I say about touching the armor?” He half-growled, half-mumbled.
“Right. Sorry.” Was her response, as she leaped off, preforming a somersault in midair before touching back on the ground. Taking another look at him, she realized that as intimidating as he looked, he was actually a pretty cool guy. She might ask him to check out her moves later.
“Acrobatic little thing.” He mumbled under his breath as he watched the mare flip off of him. So now they knew each other’s names, which was a plus. This led him to conclude that there were possibly more like her. He crossed that thought out of his head. There were DEFINITELY more like her. There simply had to be.
The two looked back at each other for a second, before asking at the same time: “Are there more like you?”
Rainbow answered first. “Heck yeah! What you thought I was the last of my species or something?”
Tyrex winced slightly at the wording, but said nothing. Rainbow, who didn't happen to pick up on this, rambled on.
“There are TONS of others. All over the world.” She said, as she hovered upwards again. This led the dragon to his next question.
“So… What exactly ARE you?”
“I’m a pony. A Pegasus to be exact.”
Pegasus. Well, he had been hoping for an answer that was a little less... obvious, but it really didn't matter what she called herself. “So, there's more than one type of… uh… pony?”
“Yeah! There’s three others.” Rainbow found it odd to have to explain the types of ponies that existed. Other world or not, many, herself included, thought that it was universal knowledge. Maybe he was from even farther away than she first thought.
“And those would be?” He asked patiently, sitting down on his haunches as he waited for an answer.
“Well, you've got Unicorns, which can use magic, Earth ponies, which have no wings or magic but are stronger than the others, and Alicorns, which have both Wings AND the ability to use magic. They’re also way bigger than any other pony. Though not quite as big as you.”
The dragon could only give a smile, though like so many other emotions, it went unnoticed. ‘Magic.’ Did anyone honestly believe that stuff? It was nothing more than natural science integrated into a creatures Biology. Certainly, in his life he had seen things that were difficult to explain, but the answers came eventually. Still, what this ‘pony’ believed in wasn't important. What WAS important was that there were more of them. Which meant that he might be able to find a way back.
As if she read his mind, Rainbow’s face brightened up suddenly. “Hey! I know! Why don’t you come to Ponyville with me? I could show you off- I mean, uh, Introduce you to my friends!”
“Yeah, somehow I have the feeling that none of your ‘friends’ know anything about Conduits, or Pathways.” He stated flatly, as he stood back up. Really, they were the same thing to him. A Conduit was essentially a type of portal that could transport you great distances. The only problem was, though the one traveling would feel as if they arrived instantaneously, it would in reality take them several days, or even weeks before they arrived. A Pathway was slightly different, in that it actually COULD Transport you instantaneously. The second you went through, you were there.
Rainbow gave him a quizzical look, but her smile never faltered. “Actually, I think I may know someone who might know something.”
That hit him as a surprise. Though it was never stated that this pony DID know anything, it was really the only lead that he had to go on. Even if it meant trusting this… Pegasus. Regardless, he lifted his head slightly and asked: “So… where are we going again?”
“Ponyville! It’s not technically where I live, but most of my friends do.” She paused for a moment. “Oh, yeah! There’s another dragon living there too! You guys could probably… Oh, I dunno, talk about breathing Fire or something like that!”
“I don’t breathe fire.” He said simply "Why does everyone assume that? Just because I'm a dragon doesn't mean that I'm some big, lumbering pile of scales that belches fire at everything."
“Oh… Um… ice?” She suggested, though her tone sounded less excited, and slightly more apologetic.
“No. Nothing like what you would expect from a dragon.” He sighed. Really, he couldn't blame the pony. Dragons were no doubt something feared in this world, which more than likely meant that his little visit here was going to end like most of his other "Expeditions" went. With him running for his life as Kairos-knows-what chased after him.
“I thought all dragons were supposed to have… I dunno, some sort of breath attack.” She said, her tone yet again adopting the clueless confidence that it usually carried, as she yet again missed the dragon deep in thought.
“I do have a breath attack. Well. Sort of." He said, as he shifted his position to get a better view of her. She was an interesting thing, this pony. Maybe his stay here wouldn't be so bad. Maybe the others would be as... Interesting... as her. "I don’t really use it anymore.”
“Well, don’t leave me in suspense. What is it?” She asked, her eyes practically letting out beams of eagerness. "I've never met a dragon who doesn't breathe fire."
“I… Well, it’s hard to describe. It’s… basically just energy. Not really focused into an element.” He said after another moment's contemplation. "It's sort of- Wait." His head tilted up to hers, to the point that she could see her own reflection in the visor. "You said that you'd met other dragons besides this, uh... Spike?" He asked. He tried not to sound nervous, but his voice shook slightly. Of course, the Air-headed Pegasus didn't notice that, either.
"Yeah, 'course! Most of them were jerks, though. Except Spike."
Perfect.
"But Ponies forgive easily. And you're not even from here, so they probably won't harbor any ill feelings."
Huh. Better. "So... This friend of yours. You said he knows about Pathways, or Conduits?"
"She, first of all. And I said she MIGHT be able to help you. Her name's Twilight. Twilight Sparkle."
Could these names get any more ridiculous? Then again, a name like 'Tyrex' was probably odd to a pony. Who was he to judge? He gave a small shrug. Weird names or not, this 'Twilight' was his only lead. He hoped that she was as adventurous as Rainbow, for her sake. He cleared his throat. “So… Ponyville?” He asked. Taking to Rainbow was getting sort of tiring. Really, he just wanted to get back to his home. It might be damned, but at least it was familiar.
Rainbow gave a single nod, and lifted off, before waving a hoof. “Right this way!” She took off, leaving a rainbow-colored streak behind her. Huh. So that’s why her name was Rainbow Dash. He had just followed her into the air before she stopped suddenly. “Wait!” She hollered, turning around just in time to see him swerve out of her way, neatly barrel rolling to the side of her before catching himself in a hover. His wings were now exposed, and she could see that the membrane was a bright yellow. Impressive, but it didn’t dismiss the matter at hoof. “Uh… Maybe we shouldn't fly straight into town.”
Tyrex was getting annoyed. “And why not?” He asked, struggling to keep his voice level. First he’d been dragged- no, shoved into some strange, cartoonish world. Then he’d met some horse-thing that claimed to be the fastest flyer in the land and apparently had an affinity for touching armor. After meeting said pony, She claimed to know someone who might be able to get him home, before telling him that now they apparently had to take the long way to get there, for reasons unknown. "I though you said they wouldn't harbor ill feelings."
She nodded. "Well, yeah! But still... Some of the other ponies are more..." Immediately, she thought of Fluttershy and Rarity. "...Delicate? Fragile is probably a better word."
"You mean they're pansies."
"That's not exactly a word I would use, but... Basically, yeah."
"I thought you ponies wouldn't have a problem with dragons, since you have Spike."
"Well, yeah. Normally. But that's because Twilight raised him from an egg. And to be honest, he doesn't look quite like you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
“Uh… No offense to you, but…” She paused, tapping a hoof to her chin, trying to think of the right words to say. “You look kind of like something that got dragged out of a filly’s nightmare, if the filly was on drugs, and then put in a dark room with creepy noises all night.”
Oh. Right.
He sighed, touching back down on the ground. He hated having to show her one of his abilities, but if it would get him home quicker, then he was willing to. Still, he wanted to make sure that he kept as many as he could unknown. Victory comes not from what you can learn from your teacher, but from your opponent. He thought to himself. Giving another sigh, his black crest began to glow with a yellowish light.
Rainbow, watching with Curiosity, landed. Despite the amount of magic as she had witnessed in her life, she wasn't prepared for when the dragon faded from view. A small ‘pop!’, and it was finished. “Dude! You didn't say that you could use magic!” She exclaimed.
“It’s not magic.” He said matter-of-factly. “It’s science. I simply bent the light around the armor, giving the illusion that it’s not there.”
Rainbow smirked. “Oh yeah. You and Twilight are gonna get along just fine.”