The Last of the Perytonsby Smaug the GoldenChaptersPrologue: Dealing with luck.Chapter One: An Unlucky SquirrelChapter Two: A unicorn, a pegasus, and an earth pony walk into a barPrologue: Dealing with luck.The four beings stood at the table together. They glared at one another as a deck of cards was shuffled. One of the four, a pegasus with a coat that was a mix of orange and brown, glared at the shuffler. “Why did you bring us here?” She asked. The shuffler seemed to grin, although most of her face hidden by a long black coat, and tossed a card to the pegasus. “To demonstrate what I am going to say.” She tossed a card to each of the three players in turn, and then dealt one to herself. “You really are terrible at dealing with luck.” A small red dragon picked up one of his cards and grinned. “What do you mean?” The shuffler shrugged and dealt him another two cards. “Take this for example.” The dragon peeked at the two cards and grinned. “You have three of a kind there.” The dragon nodded, his harsh eye glaring suspiciously at the dealer. “So? Deal me my other two,” he snapped. “Finish up with your analogy. I don’t want to have to deal with it for longer than I have to.” “I will finish in due time,” she hissed. She dealt him another two cards, and then dealt five more to a different stack. “What do you have there?” “A full house,” the red dragon snarled, revealing his hand. Three generals and a pair of aces were shown in his scaly grip. The shuffler nodded and flipped up three of the cards in the stack she had dealt. “Three of a kind.” She gestured to the three cards, showing one of the three types of ponies on each. She then flipped up a fourth, showing a bearded unicorn. The dragon’s eyes widened and he blew a shot of fire, incinerating the four cards. “So?” He tossed his pair of aces back to the dealer, who then handed him two new cards. He gazed at them for a moment before adding another card to his three. “There. Four of a kind. We’re tied. What does this show?” She grinned and flipped up the last card in the stack, revealing an ace. “You could have kept one of those aces and at least have had a chance of winning. Instead you gambled it all away for a card you would have gotten anyway.” The dragon glared at the figure before burning his cards to ash with a puff of flame. “What’s it matter? I would have won anyway.” “Maybe,” she replied. "However, you didn’t try to eliminate the variables. You gave away one you didn’t need in your perspective, and lost as the end result.” The red dragon snorted and stalked away from the table. One of the other players, a pale blue dragon, placed his card on the table. “Custom deck?” He asked, moving his claw away to reveal a card with a windigo on it. “Yes.” Another four cards landed in front of the blue dragon, who picked them up one at a time. “What does this go to show?” He asked coldly. He revealed three of his cards, each with a windigo on it. “I know what happened. Why do you have to tell us?” He ran a claw through the table, leaving deep grooves. The dealer shrugged and dealt five cards into another pile. “That you didn’t try going for something better.” She flipped up the cards again, revealing yet again a card of each pony species. “You had it in the bag, but you were beaten by a simple card.” She flipped up another card, revealing a general. The blue dragon nodded and set his cards back unto the table. “You had the opposite problem of our friend over there.” “Very well.” He set his cards in the normal sign of folding and stepped back. He swished his tale back and forth, his cold eyes focused on the pegasus. “As for her?” He asked coldly. The pegasus gulped and peeked at her card. Her eyes gazed at the dealer in an attempt to gauge something of her plan. She took her cards as they were dealt and grinned when she had all five. She flipped them all up, revealing a flush. “So…What do you have to say about my style?” She asked. She pointed to the cards on the table. Each displayed a griffon, their eyes beady and cruel. “I fail to see how you can criticize this.” “Easily.” With that word, five cards were dealt face up onto the table. Another flush, made entirely of pegasi. “You went for a lower suit,” she hissed coldly. “Far too many things outrank griffons. Unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, dragons and more. You lost by one of the most standard rules around.” The pegasus grimaced. “I don’t play by the rules,” she muttered. “A flush was never what I planned to face. How many suits are there in that deck anyway?” She threw a dagger onto the table, pinning the five cards in place. “Far too many. Griffons, diamond dogs, pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies, timberwolves, even manticores.” As she named each race, the dealer dealt a card of that suit onto the table. “I could go on, but I thought I’d spare you the humiliation.” “I’d like to see you do better,” the pegasus muttered. “I will,” she hissed. She dealt herself a hand of five cards before handing the deck to the pegasus. “Go on. Deal out five cards.” The pegasus did so, revealing five cards of the same suit: a princess, a draconequus, an ace, a general, and a high princess. The pegasus’s eyes widened with surprise as she saw them. “An unbeatable royal flush.” She examined the cards one by one as if to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. “A draconequus, two alicorns, a general, and the Elements of Harmony. What are you playing at? You can’t beat that hand. There’s no way that you could beat that in all possibility. You can’t outrank that suit and you can’t beat the hand.” The dealer grinned, revealing that she had a three of a kind: a trio of deer-like monsters. “You’re right, I can’t. However,” she sneered, throwing the draconequus back into the deck. “I can do this.” She handed a new card to the former royal flush, then drew a new card. She held it up, revealing a draconequus and the trio of deer-like monsters. “A three of a kind. That’s all I need.” Chapter One: An Unlucky SquirrelThe city was celebrating. Discord was gone, and the two alicorns Celestia and Luna had taken over as rulers of Equestria. Few had said anything against them ruling, and the cheers of the celebrators had drowned them out. One being, however, was not in the mood for celebrating. That being was Discord. The draconequus stood erected in the courtyard of the Castle of the Two Sisters, as the castle had begun to be called. Few ponies actually knew that he was the one and only Discord. Most thought that he was nothing more than a statue, a simple block of stone carved in the likeness of their most hated foe. Those who did know thought that it was the best option. If any knew that Discord, instead of being dead as most thought, stood in the sculpture garden, then there would be a riot. I hate this, Discord though maliciously. I’m stuck here, nothing more than a block of minerals. I could have taken being chocolate, but no, Celestia had to turn me into a pretty little statue. That alicorn is no fun. I was perfectly happy ruling Equestria, but she had to come with her sister and end up defeating me. The worst part of all of this is that I can’t snap my fingers, he though bitterly. No way to even access a bit of chaos magic. I’m stone, and there is no way for me to break free. It would take eons of wearing away at this to make a dent, and Celestia and her sister would simply seal me back up if I tried. I hate that little alicorn princess. As the draconequus mulled over his condition, he cast his stony gaze across the courtyard. At least they gave me a nice position. I can see in multiple directions from here. He stared to one side in an attempt to find a familiar face. Finding none, he cast his memory back to when he was defeated. Hm. Celestia said that they were the Elements of Harmony, while Luna said they would defeat me by using them. I suppose that the Elements came from the Tree of Harmony. I wish I knew how they used those Elements of Harmony to defeat me so quickly. My plunder seeds were supposed to have sprouted up long before they defeated me. I had my victory in the bag, yet the beat me with a set of jewels that grew on a tree. Those Elements are intriguing. They seem to be able to destroy chaos. I wonder, do they have any limitations? Can they be separated from their owners? The draconequus wondered. Are the Elements of Harmony independent, or do they require their users to activate them? A voice jarred him from his pondering. “So, what do you think of the new statue?” The owner of the voice, a young earth pony, was speaking to a friend. “According to some, the princess commissioned it to celebrate Discord’s defeat. I like it. What about you?” “Hm,” her friend replied, flapping her wings in order to fly up to Discord’s head. “I admit that it looks quite a bit like him.” Of course it looks like me, you useless twit. Instead of flying around criticizing me, why don’t you free me? Discord though sourly. The world needs more chaos, not ponies like you trying to figure out if I resemble myself. “But,” the pegasus continued. “He doesn’t look exactly like Discord. His arms seem a bit too long.” She spread her legs wide in order to illustrate this point. “See? Discord’s arms were always a certain length according to what others say, but this statue’s arms are a bit off.” You need to get your eyes and those of your friends checked. My arms were never the same length. They changed depending on how long I needed them. Discord growled inwardly. He tried to illustrate this point, momentarily forgetting that he was stone. Of course. I’m completely solid. There’s no way for me to show you that. “Eh,” her friend replied. “Discord was always strange looking. Most ponies never even got more than a glance at him. Those that did get more were so terrified from the experience that most never spoke of it again. I never saw more than his outline and the occasional drawing of him. I’m not really that surprised that a few details were off.” As the pair walked away, Discord glared forcefully at them. Well, some ponies cannot realize that I am a true beauty. At least they fear me. That wasn’t the most interesting of conversations. The draconequus tuned his somewhat nonresponsive ears to conversations elsewhere in the courtyard. I wonder, are there any other conversations for me to listen in on? “Well,” a high-pitched voice began, grating against the draconequus’s eardrum. “There are seven basic…” Discord immediately stopped listening to the mare’s words. Seven basic things were not what he wanted to hear. He began tuning his ear to different conversations. That won’t be helpful. Does anypony at this party have any information for me? “I know that Celestia and Luna…” Discord began listening intently. Well, you have knowledge of my defeaters. I’m listening. “Most of us are wondering how they beat Discord. The princesses refuse to tell us. However, I think that it would be beneficial if they told the secret to the public. The ponies have a right to know!” Oh. You’re a reporter. That doesn’t do much good. The only way you could help me was pestering Celestia and Luna to death. Hey, there’s a thought. Why don’t you go and pester my enemies to death? He thought sarcastically. I never had a tolerance for reporters anyway. A voice pulled him from his annoyed thinking. “Having a good time?” A pair of soldiers, spears in hoof, walked past the statue of Discord. The speaker waved a hoof at the whole party, and in doing so, waved his spear, thwacking one or two partygoers. “Yeah,” the other replied. He leaned his spear against Discord, and then leaned against Discord himself. “It was nice of the princess to place the statue in a prominent position. Makes it easy for ponies to sit on and relax.” Great. Now everypony can use me as chair. Everypony should envy me, because I’m a statue. Wonder how you’d like being stone? Then ponies could sit on you and relax. How’d you like that? Discord tried to will some of his power to punish the guard. The soldier’s eye twitched, but that was about it. The soldiers continued their conversation as if nothing had happened. “Discord’s gone once and for all,” the first soldier began. “It’s such a relief. Do you think Celestia’s speech will be any good?” “Eh,” his friend replied. “She’s not the best at speeches. I’ve heard her. Sure, she’s kind and just, but motivational speaking isn’t her specialty.” “True. I’ve heard her speeches. She really needs some motivational speaking lessons.” Celestia, in need of motivational speaking lessons? How surprising. “Oh, here she comes,” the soldier remarked. The graceful alicorn alighted on a podium a little way away from Discord. She was wearing a golden crown, one that Discord had never seen before. Wow… You’re here to give that speech right in front of me and in full regalia. What a surprise. Maybe I can give you something to think about. Something scary, something ominous. The type of warning you tell in rhymes to scare them to death. As Celestia began to speak, Discord tried to find a way to say something to her. “My little ponies,” she began. I will get you to listen. Even without my chaos magic, I still have basic magic. Not a lot, but enough for what I need to do. Plus, your speech is too boring. You need something to lighten this party up. “Today we celebrate the defeat of Discord,” Celestia continued, oblivious to Discord’s attempts to contact her. “It is a momentous occasion. Together, let us build a new world, one devoid of Discord’s influence.” Listen to me. Celestia continued without a qualm. “Working together, Equestria will become a place filled with love and harmony.” No. I will not let you. You cannot defeat my chaos. “The land will be restored, the fields tended, the skies filled with pegasi and the unicorns allowed to continue their studies. Peace will reign, for our enemies are gone.” That will not happen! I will destroy you, raze your villages, burn your fields in waves of chaos. I will be free, and then I will laugh at your misery! Celestia continued speaking without hesitation. “Any who wish to try their own path may do so. It will be up to everypony to choose their destiny. Discord is gone, and none shall fear his whims.” Enjoy your fun while it lasts. Some day I will be free, and then I will be ruler of Equestria once more to finish my fun. Soon, very soon. The draconequus sat back inside his stone prison and pouted while the party raged on. A roar sounded from the cave. The birds and all the other creatures fled from it, their eyes wide with fear. They knew what lived in the cave, and their natural instincts told them to run. They needed no more invitation. They were prey, what lurked inside was the predator. The animals scrambled in a mad rush, trampling each other in a stampede of feet, paws and talons. They feared what lurked inside the cave, and they all wanted to be free of it. Too many of their number had been eaten by what lurked inside while he had hunted, toying with them and letting them run. They simply hoped that they could outrun the others, for the slow ones were the ones who were usually eaten. An unlucky squirrel failed to run fast enough. Its eyes wide with fear, it scampered away as fast as it could, only to have a hoof stamp down on its tail. It squealed in terror, as a vicious head bent down to gaze at it. A cruel eye gazed at it, focusing all its malice upon the squirrel. “Unlucky,” the creature said quietly. “Abandoned by all your little forest friends. What a shame. It’s not even your fault that you’re going to be eaten; it’s all of theirs. That’s a sad fact in life. The weak ones always get eaten. Isn't it bizarre?” The squirrel squeaked with fear, trying to get the monster to spare it. It squeaked out a few words in whatever mangled language it spoke, succeeding to catch the monsters interest. “What’s this you say?” It asked calmly, in an almost sadistic way. “You’re saying that where Discord used to rule, there’s now peace and harmony?” It scoffed at this remark, and then revealed a set of razor sharp fangs. The squirrel went even paler with fright. “Don’t lie to me. I know that Discord rules there. Why do you think that he doesn’t?” The squirrel quailed, and then began speaking even more rapidly. The monster nodded slowly, putting in the occasional exclamation as the squirrel spoke as fast as it could. “So… You claim that Discord was defeated by a pair of creatures known as alicorns. Fascinating. Do go on,” the creature said, flicking its head and antlers towards a tree. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll let you go if you keep me entertained. I am generous at times.” The squirrel gazed at the tree in question, and then felt a surge of hope. Maybe the creature would take pity on it. It chattered out a few more words, making the monster pause. It kept chattering until the monster growled at it to stop. “No,” he murmured. “You’re lying. You must be. Tell me the truth, or you’ll learn how deadly my fangs can be.” He bared his fangs to illustrate his point. A drop of green venom fell from one of the fangs, causing smoke to rise from the newly sprouted plants. The squirrel almost fainted with fear, its eyes as wide as they could be. However, it said the same few squeaks, sticking to its original story. The monster seemed interested, but also a little taken aback by the squirrel's information. “So… You’re not lying. That’s a surprise. Well then, if what you say is the truth, then I am one lucky peryton.” The peryton stretched a hoof, but kept one pinning the squirrel. “I should go soon, but I need something to eat. I’m grumpy if I don’t eat anything, so you either need to tell me something to keep my mood up, or you are on the menu. Take your pick.” The squirrel screamed, and then chattered even faster than before. The peryton grinned as the squirrel rattled off anything it could think of. Dozens of secrets about the woodlands became known to the peryton, who just leered as it spoke. “Fascinating. Mr. Robin has been cheating on his wife? You stole a few nuts from your neighbor? There are five bear cubs living a few miles from my cave? Certainly not the most helpful of information, but entertaining nonetheless.” The peryton lifted his hoof, allowing the squirrel to get up. The squirrel relaxed, wiping a paw across his forehead. He began to chatter thanks to the peryton, who simply stared at the tree. The squirrel ran up and shook the peryton’s hoof in thanks and bad judgement, but that turned out to be a sad mistake. The peryton stomped down on his hoof once more, pinning the squirrel by his chest. “Now, now, you shouldn’t talk to strangers. Didn’t your mommy squirrel ever tell you that?” The peryton asked mockingly. He grinned wickedly, bringing his fangs within an inch of the face of the squirrel. “Now, where should I bite? I love to see how my venom reacts. Take your pick. I can do your neck, your tail, your paw… The list is endless.” The squirrel began to cry. Small tears ran down its face, and the peryton seemed to have mercy. “Fine. You’ve twisted my leg. Run off before I change my mind.” The peryton lifted his hoof, allowing the squirrel to get up. But before the squirrel could run far, the peryton lunged forward, biting down hard on its neck. The squirrel collapsed, its face frozen in a joyful grin. The peryton picked up its carcass and gulped it down. “Pity. I like it when they twitch.” The peryton stretched his bird-like wings, preparing for flight. “Ah, it will be nice to see them again. How long has it been?” He winced at the thought, and the scar across his eye seemed to shine in the dim light. “Too long. Far too long.” The peryton laughed maniacally, then took to the air, flying towards a location that only he knew. When he had gone, the birds and squirrels crept out of their hiding places. When they came back to where the unlucky squirrel had been, all they found was a tuft of hair, and a drop of green venom that burned all it touched. Chapter Two: A unicorn, a pegasus, and an earth pony walk into a barThe bar was the almost empty. A few ponies remained, mainly the bartender and three disgruntled customers, one of each pony tribe. They each sat on a stool, bartender included, each with their own drink. The bartender sighed. “Will you three clear out? It’s close to midnight.” His voice was gruff and his brown coat was partially stained from either blood or wine. “Also, you’re eating me out of house and home.” The orange pegasus, who was drinking from a small mug, shook her head. “No. It’s only about nine o’clock. Learn to tell the time. Also, we’re paying you, so you can’t qualify it as ‘eating you out of house and home.’” She took another sip of the mug, and then set it back on the counter. “Plus, I don’t think this fellow will be clearing out any time soon.” She nodded to the earth pony, who had so far cleared out several mugs of cider, and was snoring peacefully. His mustache fluttered slightly while he snored, but the comical effect was lost on the trio. The bartender muttered something under his breath while glancing at the earth pony, then turned back towards the pegasus. “Why won’t you clear out then?” He asked. “There’s a party going on outside, so why aren’t you there?” The pegasus opened her mouth to speak before the unicorn interrupted. “Are you going to be our bartender,” the white unicorn interrupted, or are you going to be our advisor?” The bartender opened his mouth, then closed it, noticing the long sword that the unicorn carried. “Um… I’m going to be your bartender.” He then pulled out a dirty cloth and began wiping mugs with it. The pegasus grimaced. “Are you going to serve drinks in that? Because I certainly don’t want to drink out of it.” She nodded towards it with her head, emphasizing her point. The bartender shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Most of my customers forget to check. The ones that do don’t care.” “Well,” the unicorn began. “I would certainly care. Does every bar in Trottingham have this terrible service? Because, if not, I’m going to the cleanest one around.” The bartender shrugged. “If you want the cleanest one around then you’re in the right place.” He nodded to a rack of semi-dirty mugs. “The cleanest mugs at any restaurant, bar or hangout in all of Trottingham, that’s my pledge.” The pegasus grimaced. “I guess I picked the wrong town for drinks, then.” She sipped again, and then grimaced even harder. “Did you have to tell me? Now I have a bad taste in my mouth.” The bartender shrugged. “I just serve drinks. It isn’t my job to remove tastes from mouths.” He grinned, and then set the mug on the table. “Besides, you should see a doctor if you want that.” He then began cleaning the counter… with the same cloth that he had been using earlier. The pegasus coughed cider all over her front in surprise. She soon started retching in an attempt to remove that taste. “That,” she said in the middle of a cough. “Explains… A lot, actually.” She frowned, using a wing to wipe her face. “Disgusting,” she muttered quietly. The bartender smirked. “Not enjoying a stallion’s drink?” “Seems more like a dead pony’s drink,” the pegasus muttered. She leaned back, glancing out the window. “Are you sure that you don’t have anything healthier than that? I lost my appetite, and I really don’t want to spend the next thirty minutes here doing nothing.” The unicorn glared at her. “Why thirty minutes? Do you have anything specific? Also, your voice is annoying. It grates. ” “My, my, you’re grumpy.” The unicorn harrumphed. “No, I just can’t stand know-it-all pegasi.” The pegasus shrugged. “There’s nothing you can really do about it though.” The bartender, sensing a storm brewing, came an interrupted the pair. “Now, now, let’s talk about something else.” “Fine.” The unicorn shrugged. “As long as it keeps this…” He paused, fumbling for the right word. “Imbecile quiet I’m happy.” He shot a superior glance at the pegasus, who glared back at him. The bartender nodded. “Very well. Let’s begin discussing.” “Well… What do you want to discuss?” She leaned against the wall, trying not the sip from her mug however tempting it was. The bartender shrugged. “What brought you to Trottingham?” The unicorn grunted. “Killing dragons.” The pegasus snorted. “Dragons? You’re in the wrong place for that. What are you doing in the middle of Trottingham, the coldest town in Equestria? Only an idiot would-” “Makes sense, actually,” the bartender interrupted. There are rumors of a rogue dragon in these parts. Ice one, from what I’ve heard.” The pegasus dropped her mug in surprise, letting it fall from her hoof, strike the wooden floor, and splatter cider over her. “Urgh…” she muttered. “Idiot.” The unicorn glared at her, but she took no notice. “Great. It takes forever to clean these wings. Now I’m going to spend an eternity with fermented drinks covering my feathers.” The bartender looked puzzled. “It isn’t that hard to clean your wings, is it?” “Yes, yes it is.” The pegasus glanced out the window. “Well, it’s been a pleasure here.” She cast a few coins onto the bar before continuing. “But I have to go now.” She trotted towards the door, using a sticky wing to pull her cloak off the hooks by the door, slinging it over her shoulder. She then opened the door and stepped out into the alley. The bartender glanced towards the door then turned back to look at the unicorn. “Do you want anything else…?” The unicorn shook his head. “No.” He strode through the door, slamming it aside with his magic then slamming it shut as he walked out. The bartender sighed. “Grumpy customers. Never good for business.” He glanced at the sleeping earth pony from over the bar. “Don’t suppose you want anything else?” The earth pony kept snoring. The bartender sighed again, leaning against his kegs. “That’s what I thought.” The pegasus walked through the bustling streets of the city, glancing back and forth. Her gaze was determined and her eyes were cold. A cloak flapped around her, allowing her to move without being identified. Few ponies paid her any heed, and why should they? It was simply another pony in the large celebration of Discord’s defeat. The pegasus turned towards a large building with a scroll on the door. She had a moment of indecision before striding towards it. She swung the door open and took a deep breath once inside. “Quiet,” she whispered. “Sweet quiet.” She glanced back towards the door and then turned back towards the middle of the building. Shelves of books lined the building, reaching up to the ceiling. A few ponies were walking back and forth between the shelves, carrying books that interested them. However, for the most part, it was empty. “Seems that I found the right place,” the pegasus muttered. “Now to find the right thing.” She walked through the rows of books, murmuring denials and anger as she walked. “No. No. Stupid book, wrong edition,” she growled. She continued her mutterings for some time, unable to find the object she was searching for. She muttered a few choice curses, casting dark glances at the lines of shelves. “So… It isn’t in this area.” She grimaced, then walked up to the front desk. “Pardon me…” She began. “But do you know where-” “ “Must be deeper in the library,” the librarian interrupted, not even looking up from here book. The pegasus turned towards the back, where hundreds of thick volumes resided. “So it’s back there?” She walked slowly towards the back, glancing back and forth in a paranoid sort of way. “Is anyone following me?” She whispered. “No. Good.” Halfway to the back, she glanced back at the librarian, who continued reading. “Huh,” she remarked. “She’s really out of it.” After she arrived at the shelves, she laughed. “So many books. You didn’t see things like this back in Gerald’s empire.” Her brown eyes twinkled with mirth. “That foolish griffon. He didn’t see what knowledge could bring.” She grinned, glancing back at the shelves. “So… Where’s the book I want? Is it here?” She glanced at one portion of the shelves, running a hoof down the list of titles. “Songs of Syrens, Blood of Battles, Hurricane’s Last Ride…” She paused at the last one. “Heh. The irony.” She shook her head, turning back towards the books. “Doesn’t matter. That’s not what I’m here for.” She continued her search, pulling book after book off the shelves. Eventually a pile of books lay high, towering over the pegasus. She flipped another book off the shelf. “Urgh… Must be another useless book.” She glanced at the cover, more of habit than anything else. She tossed the book onto the pile, then realized what book she had grabbed. “Wait!” She hissed, grabbing the book. “Just what I came for.” She turned to go, pulling her cloak, which was caught under a thick volume. “Stupid book.” She tugged harder, which dislodged her cloak, but also freed the heavy volume. She had a moment to realize that the pile she had stacked was loose before it landed on top of her. “Maybe I should have asked a librarian for help.” Then the books buried her. The peryton landed roughly on the mountain rock. He rolled a few times, adding even more cuts and bruises to the ones that adorned his body, proof of the journey that he had made to arrive at the cliffs. He grimaced, and then pulled himself to his hooves. “Well, they all say ‘no pain, no gain.’” He chuckled softly. “For what I desire, then I’ll have to endure a lot of pain.” He smiled, sparing a glance to the area around him. “Ah, the Peryton Cliffs. My home.” He grinned maliciously, surveying the craggy rocks and dangerous pitfalls. “It’s been so long since I’ve been here. But, then again, I was banished.” He winced, the scar across his left eye seem all the more visible. “It wasn’t fair, being banished. Not that it matters now.” He glanced upward at the giant mountain, its peak rising high into the air. “Yes,” he whispered reverently, licking his fangs with his tongue. “It has been so long since I’ve been here. Wonder how my family is.” He smiled a bit wistfully, as if he had missed his home and family. A scream pulled him from “his pondering. The peryton paused, and then took a step backward. Another peryton, this one far younger than him, fell from the sky hit the ground in front of him with a crunch. The peryton paused to look down at the younger, who was moaning in pain. “You survived the fall. That’s big a surprise. Brigade usually throws them hard enough to kill them.” He grinned at the dying peryton as he realized who he was. “Stag. Been a while, hasn’t it?” The younger peryton, Stag, glanced upward at his last chance for salvation. “Please… Help me.” One of his horns had completely snapped off, leaving his head with only one horn, which made his head lean to one side against the rough rocks, causing even more lacerations. “Whoever you are, help me.” The peryton paused. For a moment, it looked like he might help Stag. Then he shook his head. “No. I don’t always agree with Brigade, but survival of the fittest is one of the few I agree with. That transcends even the blood of a relative. Farewell, Stag.” He paused, and then spoke again. “On second thought, let me help send you away,” he hissed softly, bringing one of his hooves into the air. Stag screamed in terror, finally recognizing the voice of who could have saved him. “No! Please, help me, Prong! Please!” Prong took no notice, bringing down his hoof onto Stag’s back, breaking several bones in the process. Stag screamed once more, this time from pain as Prong began to walk up the mountain. “Prong! Don’t leave me like this! Please!” But Prong took no notice, leaving his brother to die on the hard rocks of the Peryton Cliffs.
Prologue: Dealing with luck.The four beings stood at the table together. They glared at one another as a deck of cards was shuffled. One of the four, a pegasus with a coat that was a mix of orange and brown, glared at the shuffler. “Why did you bring us here?” She asked. The shuffler seemed to grin, although most of her face hidden by a long black coat, and tossed a card to the pegasus. “To demonstrate what I am going to say.” She tossed a card to each of the three players in turn, and then dealt one to herself. “You really are terrible at dealing with luck.” A small red dragon picked up one of his cards and grinned. “What do you mean?” The shuffler shrugged and dealt him another two cards. “Take this for example.” The dragon peeked at the two cards and grinned. “You have three of a kind there.” The dragon nodded, his harsh eye glaring suspiciously at the dealer. “So? Deal me my other two,” he snapped. “Finish up with your analogy. I don’t want to have to deal with it for longer than I have to.” “I will finish in due time,” she hissed. She dealt him another two cards, and then dealt five more to a different stack. “What do you have there?” “A full house,” the red dragon snarled, revealing his hand. Three generals and a pair of aces were shown in his scaly grip. The shuffler nodded and flipped up three of the cards in the stack she had dealt. “Three of a kind.” She gestured to the three cards, showing one of the three types of ponies on each. She then flipped up a fourth, showing a bearded unicorn. The dragon’s eyes widened and he blew a shot of fire, incinerating the four cards. “So?” He tossed his pair of aces back to the dealer, who then handed him two new cards. He gazed at them for a moment before adding another card to his three. “There. Four of a kind. We’re tied. What does this show?” She grinned and flipped up the last card in the stack, revealing an ace. “You could have kept one of those aces and at least have had a chance of winning. Instead you gambled it all away for a card you would have gotten anyway.” The dragon glared at the figure before burning his cards to ash with a puff of flame. “What’s it matter? I would have won anyway.” “Maybe,” she replied. "However, you didn’t try to eliminate the variables. You gave away one you didn’t need in your perspective, and lost as the end result.” The red dragon snorted and stalked away from the table. One of the other players, a pale blue dragon, placed his card on the table. “Custom deck?” He asked, moving his claw away to reveal a card with a windigo on it. “Yes.” Another four cards landed in front of the blue dragon, who picked them up one at a time. “What does this go to show?” He asked coldly. He revealed three of his cards, each with a windigo on it. “I know what happened. Why do you have to tell us?” He ran a claw through the table, leaving deep grooves. The dealer shrugged and dealt five cards into another pile. “That you didn’t try going for something better.” She flipped up the cards again, revealing yet again a card of each pony species. “You had it in the bag, but you were beaten by a simple card.” She flipped up another card, revealing a general. The blue dragon nodded and set his cards back unto the table. “You had the opposite problem of our friend over there.” “Very well.” He set his cards in the normal sign of folding and stepped back. He swished his tale back and forth, his cold eyes focused on the pegasus. “As for her?” He asked coldly. The pegasus gulped and peeked at her card. Her eyes gazed at the dealer in an attempt to gauge something of her plan. She took her cards as they were dealt and grinned when she had all five. She flipped them all up, revealing a flush. “So…What do you have to say about my style?” She asked. She pointed to the cards on the table. Each displayed a griffon, their eyes beady and cruel. “I fail to see how you can criticize this.” “Easily.” With that word, five cards were dealt face up onto the table. Another flush, made entirely of pegasi. “You went for a lower suit,” she hissed coldly. “Far too many things outrank griffons. Unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, dragons and more. You lost by one of the most standard rules around.” The pegasus grimaced. “I don’t play by the rules,” she muttered. “A flush was never what I planned to face. How many suits are there in that deck anyway?” She threw a dagger onto the table, pinning the five cards in place. “Far too many. Griffons, diamond dogs, pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies, timberwolves, even manticores.” As she named each race, the dealer dealt a card of that suit onto the table. “I could go on, but I thought I’d spare you the humiliation.” “I’d like to see you do better,” the pegasus muttered. “I will,” she hissed. She dealt herself a hand of five cards before handing the deck to the pegasus. “Go on. Deal out five cards.” The pegasus did so, revealing five cards of the same suit: a princess, a draconequus, an ace, a general, and a high princess. The pegasus’s eyes widened with surprise as she saw them. “An unbeatable royal flush.” She examined the cards one by one as if to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. “A draconequus, two alicorns, a general, and the Elements of Harmony. What are you playing at? You can’t beat that hand. There’s no way that you could beat that in all possibility. You can’t outrank that suit and you can’t beat the hand.” The dealer grinned, revealing that she had a three of a kind: a trio of deer-like monsters. “You’re right, I can’t. However,” she sneered, throwing the draconequus back into the deck. “I can do this.” She handed a new card to the former royal flush, then drew a new card. She held it up, revealing a draconequus and the trio of deer-like monsters. “A three of a kind. That’s all I need.”
Chapter One: An Unlucky SquirrelThe city was celebrating. Discord was gone, and the two alicorns Celestia and Luna had taken over as rulers of Equestria. Few had said anything against them ruling, and the cheers of the celebrators had drowned them out. One being, however, was not in the mood for celebrating. That being was Discord. The draconequus stood erected in the courtyard of the Castle of the Two Sisters, as the castle had begun to be called. Few ponies actually knew that he was the one and only Discord. Most thought that he was nothing more than a statue, a simple block of stone carved in the likeness of their most hated foe. Those who did know thought that it was the best option. If any knew that Discord, instead of being dead as most thought, stood in the sculpture garden, then there would be a riot. I hate this, Discord though maliciously. I’m stuck here, nothing more than a block of minerals. I could have taken being chocolate, but no, Celestia had to turn me into a pretty little statue. That alicorn is no fun. I was perfectly happy ruling Equestria, but she had to come with her sister and end up defeating me. The worst part of all of this is that I can’t snap my fingers, he though bitterly. No way to even access a bit of chaos magic. I’m stone, and there is no way for me to break free. It would take eons of wearing away at this to make a dent, and Celestia and her sister would simply seal me back up if I tried. I hate that little alicorn princess. As the draconequus mulled over his condition, he cast his stony gaze across the courtyard. At least they gave me a nice position. I can see in multiple directions from here. He stared to one side in an attempt to find a familiar face. Finding none, he cast his memory back to when he was defeated. Hm. Celestia said that they were the Elements of Harmony, while Luna said they would defeat me by using them. I suppose that the Elements came from the Tree of Harmony. I wish I knew how they used those Elements of Harmony to defeat me so quickly. My plunder seeds were supposed to have sprouted up long before they defeated me. I had my victory in the bag, yet the beat me with a set of jewels that grew on a tree. Those Elements are intriguing. They seem to be able to destroy chaos. I wonder, do they have any limitations? Can they be separated from their owners? The draconequus wondered. Are the Elements of Harmony independent, or do they require their users to activate them? A voice jarred him from his pondering. “So, what do you think of the new statue?” The owner of the voice, a young earth pony, was speaking to a friend. “According to some, the princess commissioned it to celebrate Discord’s defeat. I like it. What about you?” “Hm,” her friend replied, flapping her wings in order to fly up to Discord’s head. “I admit that it looks quite a bit like him.” Of course it looks like me, you useless twit. Instead of flying around criticizing me, why don’t you free me? Discord though sourly. The world needs more chaos, not ponies like you trying to figure out if I resemble myself. “But,” the pegasus continued. “He doesn’t look exactly like Discord. His arms seem a bit too long.” She spread her legs wide in order to illustrate this point. “See? Discord’s arms were always a certain length according to what others say, but this statue’s arms are a bit off.” You need to get your eyes and those of your friends checked. My arms were never the same length. They changed depending on how long I needed them. Discord growled inwardly. He tried to illustrate this point, momentarily forgetting that he was stone. Of course. I’m completely solid. There’s no way for me to show you that. “Eh,” her friend replied. “Discord was always strange looking. Most ponies never even got more than a glance at him. Those that did get more were so terrified from the experience that most never spoke of it again. I never saw more than his outline and the occasional drawing of him. I’m not really that surprised that a few details were off.” As the pair walked away, Discord glared forcefully at them. Well, some ponies cannot realize that I am a true beauty. At least they fear me. That wasn’t the most interesting of conversations. The draconequus tuned his somewhat nonresponsive ears to conversations elsewhere in the courtyard. I wonder, are there any other conversations for me to listen in on? “Well,” a high-pitched voice began, grating against the draconequus’s eardrum. “There are seven basic…” Discord immediately stopped listening to the mare’s words. Seven basic things were not what he wanted to hear. He began tuning his ear to different conversations. That won’t be helpful. Does anypony at this party have any information for me? “I know that Celestia and Luna…” Discord began listening intently. Well, you have knowledge of my defeaters. I’m listening. “Most of us are wondering how they beat Discord. The princesses refuse to tell us. However, I think that it would be beneficial if they told the secret to the public. The ponies have a right to know!” Oh. You’re a reporter. That doesn’t do much good. The only way you could help me was pestering Celestia and Luna to death. Hey, there’s a thought. Why don’t you go and pester my enemies to death? He thought sarcastically. I never had a tolerance for reporters anyway. A voice pulled him from his annoyed thinking. “Having a good time?” A pair of soldiers, spears in hoof, walked past the statue of Discord. The speaker waved a hoof at the whole party, and in doing so, waved his spear, thwacking one or two partygoers. “Yeah,” the other replied. He leaned his spear against Discord, and then leaned against Discord himself. “It was nice of the princess to place the statue in a prominent position. Makes it easy for ponies to sit on and relax.” Great. Now everypony can use me as chair. Everypony should envy me, because I’m a statue. Wonder how you’d like being stone? Then ponies could sit on you and relax. How’d you like that? Discord tried to will some of his power to punish the guard. The soldier’s eye twitched, but that was about it. The soldiers continued their conversation as if nothing had happened. “Discord’s gone once and for all,” the first soldier began. “It’s such a relief. Do you think Celestia’s speech will be any good?” “Eh,” his friend replied. “She’s not the best at speeches. I’ve heard her. Sure, she’s kind and just, but motivational speaking isn’t her specialty.” “True. I’ve heard her speeches. She really needs some motivational speaking lessons.” Celestia, in need of motivational speaking lessons? How surprising. “Oh, here she comes,” the soldier remarked. The graceful alicorn alighted on a podium a little way away from Discord. She was wearing a golden crown, one that Discord had never seen before. Wow… You’re here to give that speech right in front of me and in full regalia. What a surprise. Maybe I can give you something to think about. Something scary, something ominous. The type of warning you tell in rhymes to scare them to death. As Celestia began to speak, Discord tried to find a way to say something to her. “My little ponies,” she began. I will get you to listen. Even without my chaos magic, I still have basic magic. Not a lot, but enough for what I need to do. Plus, your speech is too boring. You need something to lighten this party up. “Today we celebrate the defeat of Discord,” Celestia continued, oblivious to Discord’s attempts to contact her. “It is a momentous occasion. Together, let us build a new world, one devoid of Discord’s influence.” Listen to me. Celestia continued without a qualm. “Working together, Equestria will become a place filled with love and harmony.” No. I will not let you. You cannot defeat my chaos. “The land will be restored, the fields tended, the skies filled with pegasi and the unicorns allowed to continue their studies. Peace will reign, for our enemies are gone.” That will not happen! I will destroy you, raze your villages, burn your fields in waves of chaos. I will be free, and then I will laugh at your misery! Celestia continued speaking without hesitation. “Any who wish to try their own path may do so. It will be up to everypony to choose their destiny. Discord is gone, and none shall fear his whims.” Enjoy your fun while it lasts. Some day I will be free, and then I will be ruler of Equestria once more to finish my fun. Soon, very soon. The draconequus sat back inside his stone prison and pouted while the party raged on. A roar sounded from the cave. The birds and all the other creatures fled from it, their eyes wide with fear. They knew what lived in the cave, and their natural instincts told them to run. They needed no more invitation. They were prey, what lurked inside was the predator. The animals scrambled in a mad rush, trampling each other in a stampede of feet, paws and talons. They feared what lurked inside the cave, and they all wanted to be free of it. Too many of their number had been eaten by what lurked inside while he had hunted, toying with them and letting them run. They simply hoped that they could outrun the others, for the slow ones were the ones who were usually eaten. An unlucky squirrel failed to run fast enough. Its eyes wide with fear, it scampered away as fast as it could, only to have a hoof stamp down on its tail. It squealed in terror, as a vicious head bent down to gaze at it. A cruel eye gazed at it, focusing all its malice upon the squirrel. “Unlucky,” the creature said quietly. “Abandoned by all your little forest friends. What a shame. It’s not even your fault that you’re going to be eaten; it’s all of theirs. That’s a sad fact in life. The weak ones always get eaten. Isn't it bizarre?” The squirrel squeaked with fear, trying to get the monster to spare it. It squeaked out a few words in whatever mangled language it spoke, succeeding to catch the monsters interest. “What’s this you say?” It asked calmly, in an almost sadistic way. “You’re saying that where Discord used to rule, there’s now peace and harmony?” It scoffed at this remark, and then revealed a set of razor sharp fangs. The squirrel went even paler with fright. “Don’t lie to me. I know that Discord rules there. Why do you think that he doesn’t?” The squirrel quailed, and then began speaking even more rapidly. The monster nodded slowly, putting in the occasional exclamation as the squirrel spoke as fast as it could. “So… You claim that Discord was defeated by a pair of creatures known as alicorns. Fascinating. Do go on,” the creature said, flicking its head and antlers towards a tree. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll let you go if you keep me entertained. I am generous at times.” The squirrel gazed at the tree in question, and then felt a surge of hope. Maybe the creature would take pity on it. It chattered out a few more words, making the monster pause. It kept chattering until the monster growled at it to stop. “No,” he murmured. “You’re lying. You must be. Tell me the truth, or you’ll learn how deadly my fangs can be.” He bared his fangs to illustrate his point. A drop of green venom fell from one of the fangs, causing smoke to rise from the newly sprouted plants. The squirrel almost fainted with fear, its eyes as wide as they could be. However, it said the same few squeaks, sticking to its original story. The monster seemed interested, but also a little taken aback by the squirrel's information. “So… You’re not lying. That’s a surprise. Well then, if what you say is the truth, then I am one lucky peryton.” The peryton stretched a hoof, but kept one pinning the squirrel. “I should go soon, but I need something to eat. I’m grumpy if I don’t eat anything, so you either need to tell me something to keep my mood up, or you are on the menu. Take your pick.” The squirrel screamed, and then chattered even faster than before. The peryton grinned as the squirrel rattled off anything it could think of. Dozens of secrets about the woodlands became known to the peryton, who just leered as it spoke. “Fascinating. Mr. Robin has been cheating on his wife? You stole a few nuts from your neighbor? There are five bear cubs living a few miles from my cave? Certainly not the most helpful of information, but entertaining nonetheless.” The peryton lifted his hoof, allowing the squirrel to get up. The squirrel relaxed, wiping a paw across his forehead. He began to chatter thanks to the peryton, who simply stared at the tree. The squirrel ran up and shook the peryton’s hoof in thanks and bad judgement, but that turned out to be a sad mistake. The peryton stomped down on his hoof once more, pinning the squirrel by his chest. “Now, now, you shouldn’t talk to strangers. Didn’t your mommy squirrel ever tell you that?” The peryton asked mockingly. He grinned wickedly, bringing his fangs within an inch of the face of the squirrel. “Now, where should I bite? I love to see how my venom reacts. Take your pick. I can do your neck, your tail, your paw… The list is endless.” The squirrel began to cry. Small tears ran down its face, and the peryton seemed to have mercy. “Fine. You’ve twisted my leg. Run off before I change my mind.” The peryton lifted his hoof, allowing the squirrel to get up. But before the squirrel could run far, the peryton lunged forward, biting down hard on its neck. The squirrel collapsed, its face frozen in a joyful grin. The peryton picked up its carcass and gulped it down. “Pity. I like it when they twitch.” The peryton stretched his bird-like wings, preparing for flight. “Ah, it will be nice to see them again. How long has it been?” He winced at the thought, and the scar across his eye seemed to shine in the dim light. “Too long. Far too long.” The peryton laughed maniacally, then took to the air, flying towards a location that only he knew. When he had gone, the birds and squirrels crept out of their hiding places. When they came back to where the unlucky squirrel had been, all they found was a tuft of hair, and a drop of green venom that burned all it touched.
Chapter Two: A unicorn, a pegasus, and an earth pony walk into a barThe bar was the almost empty. A few ponies remained, mainly the bartender and three disgruntled customers, one of each pony tribe. They each sat on a stool, bartender included, each with their own drink. The bartender sighed. “Will you three clear out? It’s close to midnight.” His voice was gruff and his brown coat was partially stained from either blood or wine. “Also, you’re eating me out of house and home.” The orange pegasus, who was drinking from a small mug, shook her head. “No. It’s only about nine o’clock. Learn to tell the time. Also, we’re paying you, so you can’t qualify it as ‘eating you out of house and home.’” She took another sip of the mug, and then set it back on the counter. “Plus, I don’t think this fellow will be clearing out any time soon.” She nodded to the earth pony, who had so far cleared out several mugs of cider, and was snoring peacefully. His mustache fluttered slightly while he snored, but the comical effect was lost on the trio. The bartender muttered something under his breath while glancing at the earth pony, then turned back towards the pegasus. “Why won’t you clear out then?” He asked. “There’s a party going on outside, so why aren’t you there?” The pegasus opened her mouth to speak before the unicorn interrupted. “Are you going to be our bartender,” the white unicorn interrupted, or are you going to be our advisor?” The bartender opened his mouth, then closed it, noticing the long sword that the unicorn carried. “Um… I’m going to be your bartender.” He then pulled out a dirty cloth and began wiping mugs with it. The pegasus grimaced. “Are you going to serve drinks in that? Because I certainly don’t want to drink out of it.” She nodded towards it with her head, emphasizing her point. The bartender shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Most of my customers forget to check. The ones that do don’t care.” “Well,” the unicorn began. “I would certainly care. Does every bar in Trottingham have this terrible service? Because, if not, I’m going to the cleanest one around.” The bartender shrugged. “If you want the cleanest one around then you’re in the right place.” He nodded to a rack of semi-dirty mugs. “The cleanest mugs at any restaurant, bar or hangout in all of Trottingham, that’s my pledge.” The pegasus grimaced. “I guess I picked the wrong town for drinks, then.” She sipped again, and then grimaced even harder. “Did you have to tell me? Now I have a bad taste in my mouth.” The bartender shrugged. “I just serve drinks. It isn’t my job to remove tastes from mouths.” He grinned, and then set the mug on the table. “Besides, you should see a doctor if you want that.” He then began cleaning the counter… with the same cloth that he had been using earlier. The pegasus coughed cider all over her front in surprise. She soon started retching in an attempt to remove that taste. “That,” she said in the middle of a cough. “Explains… A lot, actually.” She frowned, using a wing to wipe her face. “Disgusting,” she muttered quietly. The bartender smirked. “Not enjoying a stallion’s drink?” “Seems more like a dead pony’s drink,” the pegasus muttered. She leaned back, glancing out the window. “Are you sure that you don’t have anything healthier than that? I lost my appetite, and I really don’t want to spend the next thirty minutes here doing nothing.” The unicorn glared at her. “Why thirty minutes? Do you have anything specific? Also, your voice is annoying. It grates. ” “My, my, you’re grumpy.” The unicorn harrumphed. “No, I just can’t stand know-it-all pegasi.” The pegasus shrugged. “There’s nothing you can really do about it though.” The bartender, sensing a storm brewing, came an interrupted the pair. “Now, now, let’s talk about something else.” “Fine.” The unicorn shrugged. “As long as it keeps this…” He paused, fumbling for the right word. “Imbecile quiet I’m happy.” He shot a superior glance at the pegasus, who glared back at him. The bartender nodded. “Very well. Let’s begin discussing.” “Well… What do you want to discuss?” She leaned against the wall, trying not the sip from her mug however tempting it was. The bartender shrugged. “What brought you to Trottingham?” The unicorn grunted. “Killing dragons.” The pegasus snorted. “Dragons? You’re in the wrong place for that. What are you doing in the middle of Trottingham, the coldest town in Equestria? Only an idiot would-” “Makes sense, actually,” the bartender interrupted. There are rumors of a rogue dragon in these parts. Ice one, from what I’ve heard.” The pegasus dropped her mug in surprise, letting it fall from her hoof, strike the wooden floor, and splatter cider over her. “Urgh…” she muttered. “Idiot.” The unicorn glared at her, but she took no notice. “Great. It takes forever to clean these wings. Now I’m going to spend an eternity with fermented drinks covering my feathers.” The bartender looked puzzled. “It isn’t that hard to clean your wings, is it?” “Yes, yes it is.” The pegasus glanced out the window. “Well, it’s been a pleasure here.” She cast a few coins onto the bar before continuing. “But I have to go now.” She trotted towards the door, using a sticky wing to pull her cloak off the hooks by the door, slinging it over her shoulder. She then opened the door and stepped out into the alley. The bartender glanced towards the door then turned back to look at the unicorn. “Do you want anything else…?” The unicorn shook his head. “No.” He strode through the door, slamming it aside with his magic then slamming it shut as he walked out. The bartender sighed. “Grumpy customers. Never good for business.” He glanced at the sleeping earth pony from over the bar. “Don’t suppose you want anything else?” The earth pony kept snoring. The bartender sighed again, leaning against his kegs. “That’s what I thought.” The pegasus walked through the bustling streets of the city, glancing back and forth. Her gaze was determined and her eyes were cold. A cloak flapped around her, allowing her to move without being identified. Few ponies paid her any heed, and why should they? It was simply another pony in the large celebration of Discord’s defeat. The pegasus turned towards a large building with a scroll on the door. She had a moment of indecision before striding towards it. She swung the door open and took a deep breath once inside. “Quiet,” she whispered. “Sweet quiet.” She glanced back towards the door and then turned back towards the middle of the building. Shelves of books lined the building, reaching up to the ceiling. A few ponies were walking back and forth between the shelves, carrying books that interested them. However, for the most part, it was empty. “Seems that I found the right place,” the pegasus muttered. “Now to find the right thing.” She walked through the rows of books, murmuring denials and anger as she walked. “No. No. Stupid book, wrong edition,” she growled. She continued her mutterings for some time, unable to find the object she was searching for. She muttered a few choice curses, casting dark glances at the lines of shelves. “So… It isn’t in this area.” She grimaced, then walked up to the front desk. “Pardon me…” She began. “But do you know where-” “ “Must be deeper in the library,” the librarian interrupted, not even looking up from here book. The pegasus turned towards the back, where hundreds of thick volumes resided. “So it’s back there?” She walked slowly towards the back, glancing back and forth in a paranoid sort of way. “Is anyone following me?” She whispered. “No. Good.” Halfway to the back, she glanced back at the librarian, who continued reading. “Huh,” she remarked. “She’s really out of it.” After she arrived at the shelves, she laughed. “So many books. You didn’t see things like this back in Gerald’s empire.” Her brown eyes twinkled with mirth. “That foolish griffon. He didn’t see what knowledge could bring.” She grinned, glancing back at the shelves. “So… Where’s the book I want? Is it here?” She glanced at one portion of the shelves, running a hoof down the list of titles. “Songs of Syrens, Blood of Battles, Hurricane’s Last Ride…” She paused at the last one. “Heh. The irony.” She shook her head, turning back towards the books. “Doesn’t matter. That’s not what I’m here for.” She continued her search, pulling book after book off the shelves. Eventually a pile of books lay high, towering over the pegasus. She flipped another book off the shelf. “Urgh… Must be another useless book.” She glanced at the cover, more of habit than anything else. She tossed the book onto the pile, then realized what book she had grabbed. “Wait!” She hissed, grabbing the book. “Just what I came for.” She turned to go, pulling her cloak, which was caught under a thick volume. “Stupid book.” She tugged harder, which dislodged her cloak, but also freed the heavy volume. She had a moment to realize that the pile she had stacked was loose before it landed on top of her. “Maybe I should have asked a librarian for help.” Then the books buried her. The peryton landed roughly on the mountain rock. He rolled a few times, adding even more cuts and bruises to the ones that adorned his body, proof of the journey that he had made to arrive at the cliffs. He grimaced, and then pulled himself to his hooves. “Well, they all say ‘no pain, no gain.’” He chuckled softly. “For what I desire, then I’ll have to endure a lot of pain.” He smiled, sparing a glance to the area around him. “Ah, the Peryton Cliffs. My home.” He grinned maliciously, surveying the craggy rocks and dangerous pitfalls. “It’s been so long since I’ve been here. But, then again, I was banished.” He winced, the scar across his left eye seem all the more visible. “It wasn’t fair, being banished. Not that it matters now.” He glanced upward at the giant mountain, its peak rising high into the air. “Yes,” he whispered reverently, licking his fangs with his tongue. “It has been so long since I’ve been here. Wonder how my family is.” He smiled a bit wistfully, as if he had missed his home and family. A scream pulled him from “his pondering. The peryton paused, and then took a step backward. Another peryton, this one far younger than him, fell from the sky hit the ground in front of him with a crunch. The peryton paused to look down at the younger, who was moaning in pain. “You survived the fall. That’s big a surprise. Brigade usually throws them hard enough to kill them.” He grinned at the dying peryton as he realized who he was. “Stag. Been a while, hasn’t it?” The younger peryton, Stag, glanced upward at his last chance for salvation. “Please… Help me.” One of his horns had completely snapped off, leaving his head with only one horn, which made his head lean to one side against the rough rocks, causing even more lacerations. “Whoever you are, help me.” The peryton paused. For a moment, it looked like he might help Stag. Then he shook his head. “No. I don’t always agree with Brigade, but survival of the fittest is one of the few I agree with. That transcends even the blood of a relative. Farewell, Stag.” He paused, and then spoke again. “On second thought, let me help send you away,” he hissed softly, bringing one of his hooves into the air. Stag screamed in terror, finally recognizing the voice of who could have saved him. “No! Please, help me, Prong! Please!” Prong took no notice, bringing down his hoof onto Stag’s back, breaking several bones in the process. Stag screamed once more, this time from pain as Prong began to walk up the mountain. “Prong! Don’t leave me like this! Please!” But Prong took no notice, leaving his brother to die on the hard rocks of the Peryton Cliffs.
