My Little Pony: King Under The Mountain

MLP: King Under The Mountain

Chapter 4

Previously...

The Mane 6 that consisted of the ponies Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight Sparkle were sent to investigate a strange ball of light that seemingly fell from the sky the night before. Finally arriving at the designated spot, what they found both shocked and horrified them. A dead dragon ripped to shreds lay in front of them causing them to react in fear and anger. The beast responsible then revealed itself to the little ponies. It called itself Smaug. A dragon of great height and strength, he was once feared upon all of Middle-Earth and now it looked like Equestria would as well! Rainbow Dash confronted Smaug when said dragon snapped his jaws at Rarity when she attempted to touch his precious horde of gems and jewels he took from the previous owner. Smaug was hardly impressed by Dash's bravery, but soon showed her her place. To him, they were nothing but flies. He then proceeded to burn them all with his breath of death, when Princess Luna managed to come to the rescue in time. Smaug fought against the young alicorn, and both suffered injuries. Smaug then unleashed his fire breath just as soon as Luna unleashed a beam of magical energy. And now we find the victor to be...

The smoke was heavy and Twilight could barely see what was in front of her. Moments ago, the dragon calling him Smaug, claimed that he killed the poor dead dragon that lay in front of them. All just for the gold and nothing else! Just why was this dragon so obsessed with gold anyway? Could he be perhaps greedy? It WAS natural for dragons to horde gold and other shiny things, but this took the cake. Another dragon killing another just for the gold they had? It was...barbaric!

Finally, the smoke seemed to start settling down. However, what Twilight saw, horrified her. There, laying on the ground with a misplaced wing, broken leg, and bleeding torso, was Luna!

And standing over her delicate form was none other than the dragon Smaug. He laughed in victory and glee. "Ha! Is that the best you can do little horse?! That was actually rather pathetic. Despite you injuring me, I am no longer amused. I think our little game ends here. So tell me, how do you choose to die?"

Luna tried moving her body, but found she couldn't. Smaug's claw slowly descended upon her form and she prayed that death will be swift.

Twilight, not able to stand any more, moved as fast as her hooves would carry her and shielded Luna. Smaug was surprised at this action.

"Hmm? What is this? Why do you shield your pathetic "friend"? Is it really so hard to admit that there is only power in life? You all annoy me!"

Smaug then did something completely unexpected. He moved his claw away from Luna's prone form and simply began to walk back to his cave.

"Wait!" Twilight shouted. "We're not finished! You have to leave! Your smoke will cause major health hazards for everypony!"

Smaug merely huffed. "Does it look like I care horse? All I care for is my precious treasure hoard. Nothing else. If you will not leave now, I'll kill you. You're lucky I changed my mind not to do so to your pathetic friend."

Twilight visibly flinched at his tone. Was this being nothing but a monster? A heartless one at that? Twilight then sighed and cast a healing spell on everypony. Luna however, could not be fully healed due to being an alicorn while Twilight was only a unicorn.

They then left the mountain with heavy hearts and broken prides.

As they left, Smaug watched from afar. What was it about those "ponies" that seemed to fascinate him? And just what power could they possibly possess? Smaug thought hard about these things, but could not come up with an answer.

He then proceeded to burn the corpse that lay in front of the cave. The smell was starting to bother him.

'You did not have to go so far Smaug.'

Smaug flinched at the Voice that bothered him and annoyed him so. Smaug tried to ignore the Voice, but the Voice of course persisted.

'Surely you DO realize that this is a new world full of endless possibilities Smaug? What ever did Middle-Earth have to ever offer you? I'll tell you. Nothing. Nothing, but gold to satisfy you. And did it? No. It did not. From what you've seen today, there is something more valuable than gold. And it has gained your interest, no matter how much you deny it. Those ponies.'

Smaug would never admit it out loud, but the Voice was right about those ponies. Loathe as he was to admit it. Shaking the rest of the thoughts away for the moment, he continued his trek deeper into the cave and buried himself under his treasure. He then fell asleep with the Voice saying one last thing.

'Think about what I said Smaug. Sleep well...'

At Ponyville...

The Mane 6 had finally arrived at Ponyville. Each began to go their separate ways. Fluttershy headed towards her cottage to recuperate and sleep off the nightmare that was the dead dragon. As for Rarity and Applejack? Both headed to their respective homes to continue their work. Rainbow Dash flew to Cloudsdale to rest her tired wings, while Pinkie decided to find someone and make them smile, despite her not being happy herself at the current moment. Finally, Twilight told Spike to take a note and write to Princess Celestia about Luna's condition and fight with Smaug.

The letter was sent and Celestia replied almost immediately by teleporting to Twilight's home. Looking at Luna with concern and a heavy heart, she asked, "Dear Twilight...what could've done this to my sister?"

Twilight gulped, fearing that Celestia wouldn't like the news that would soon be given to her. So, she began at the beginning. Their journey to the mountain, the encounter with the dead dragon and Smaug, all the way to the scuffle between him and Luna.

Celestia listened and do not interrupt her faithful student once. She payed attention to every single detail that needed to be taken into account. To say Celestia was troubled that a dragon such as this Smaug could match Luna's power, was terrifying. He even seemed to proclaim that with his power, he could easily burn Equestria to the ground. Most troubling indeed.

"Did you manage to convince Smaug to leave at least Twilight Sparkle?" She asked.

"I'm afraid not Princess. We failed...I failed. I'm sorry." She said sadly.

"Do not blame yourself Twilight. None of this is your fault. If anything, this was mine. If I hadn't taken into account that tremendous amount of magic energy from the meteor, I would've never sent you, my most prized student, into something that dangerous." Celestia said in a regretful tone.

"It's alright Princess. I guess everyone makes mistakes, even you." Twilight said with a small smile.

Celestia smiled back and both shared a small laugh. "If you'll excuse me now Twilight, I must take Luna home so that she may recuperate. Till we meet again my faithful student!" She said as she teleported back to Canterlot.

As Celestia teleported back, Twilight dropped her smile and looked back up to the mountain. 'What'll happen now?' She wondered.

Back At The Mountain...

Smaug was deep asleep. Buried under his treasure horde, he relished in it. Truly, this was all he needed in his life. Power and treasure. Nothing else. Not even what that Voice said. What was it? Oh yes, friendship. He would show all that this friendship that everyone spoke of, was nothing compared to his power. But then why...why did he feel so...empty at times? Sure he had his treasure, and that was all he needed in Middle-Earth. But now? Something seemed to have changed in him. Although, he, for the life of him, couldn't figure out what.

Opening an eye, he slowly awoke from his slumber. Stretching his limbs and licking his chops, he decided to take his mind off of things by going hunting. Yes. That was what he will do.

Little did he know, he'd soon run into a familiar pony later on...

TO BE CONTINUED!