The Tale of Soran Dash : The Curse of a Dragon
Story by Christopher Coplen / EternalMoonlightWolf
((Story is told by the main character: Soran Dash))
Mother was about to lay little Rainbow Dash to bed, when Princess Celestia's personal guard rushed through the front door and told us to leave at once. Mother didn't know what was going on, so the natural thing to do was to question the reason for our sudden required departure, we had done nothing wrong. But the guard whispered that there was no time to explain, Rainbow Dash and I were in great peril. Though she still did not know what was going on, Mother told me to get Father, who was at the time Blacksmithing in his shop in Ponyville.
When I had arrived at his shop near what is now called the "Everfree Forest" I found it burning! I hurried down to see if Father was nearby, but when I arrived at the back door there was a trail of Apples leading uphill to a secret place where father had once trained me in combat. I followed the apples up the hill to find what father had hidden there, after all that was how we played most of our hiding games. When I arrived at our old tree-house I saw a hammer pointing under the floor. I reached under the flooring and got my hoofs around what felt like a handle. When I pulled it out of the tree I realized this was not just a handle, it was the hilt of Father's own sword, forged many years ago with the scales of a Dragon who once threatened Equestria. Wrapped carefully around the hilt of the gleaming silver blade, there was a letter which read, "Dear Soran, if you are reading this letter than our family is being targeted. I should have warned you before I left and burned down the old shop, but you are strong enough now to take care of your mother and little sister. Please give it your all, Soran! We will meet again if the situation gets better. I Love you my son, Father." After reading the letter I dashed frantically back to the house.
After telling Mother about the letter and showing her his sword, her face had drained of blood. I assumed she knew what was going on. She told me to take Rainbow Dash to the Rainbow Factory and tell them to keep her hidden till they returned. I hurried South to be greeted by Doctor Whooves, who had been taking care of the sick people who work at the Rainbow Factory for centuries; he had a special talent to be able to walk on clouds, all of the Pegasus loved him and helped him soar to higher elevations if needed. I followed him to a secret tower in Cloudsdale, woke Rainbow Dash up and told her to stay in there until I returned. She was still a young filly fresh from Mother's womb so we stocked the room full of toys so she would be entertained. Soon after that Doctor Whooves and I gathered some of Cloudsdale's finest guards and raced back to meet up with Mother. But when we arrived it was too late. There she laid on the rose tinted grass... There was nothing we could do...
Seeing mother now gone, rage had filled my heart. The ground itself had trembled beneath my hooves and the first thing I noticed was the sparkle of Father's blade, it wasn't long before a sheath appeared at my flank. An alluring aqua aura shined around both sheath and blade. Soon after, I somehow knew I could control the sword with magic, even though I'm a Pegasus. For it was the sheath itself that possessed the powers that only the family could use. I hadn't a clue why the sword had such power but what I was sure of was that it called to me. Despite the fact that I had been trained to resist the feeling of darkness, I was consumed with it, devoured by nothing but hate and before I knew it, there laid several Ponies with Mothers rosy grass. Moments later I discovered the blade drenched in cherry liquids. Stunned to see that I had unconsciously contributed to their deaths I dropped the cherry blade and gazed upwards to Cloudsdale. Tears began drifting down my face and before long it started to rain...
"BOOM!" Thunderous sounds rushed past the city of clouds, but still I sat there in a gaze. Then a voice cried out to me; "Soran!..Soran! Come on lad! We've got to get out of here before they find you!" I glared down to the direction of the voice and discovered it was Doctor Whooves. I asked him what was the point in living if I had taken a life. "SLAP!" His hoof was driven across my face. "Pull yourself together! Don't let your mothers death be in vain! Have you forgotten about your sister?! She is in grave danger! C'mon boy!" He shouted. As soon as I was reminded of little Rainbow Dash I came to. I put the blade back in its sheath and followed him back to the Rainbow Factory.
Upon arrival we had found countless fallen Pegasus drenched in scarlet robes. Doctor Whooves told me not to get so worked up in protecting those you love. He told me what had happened back at the house; I refused to believe rage had taken me. But my memory of that event was blank, his word was the only truth I could go on.
As I calmed down we pounced up the stairwell as fast as we could. When we bashed open the door we were relieved to see Rainbow Dash fast asleep. We locked the door and barricaded ourselves in while devising a plan to get her out of Cloudsdale. Doctor Whooves told me we had to take the battle far from Equestria, otherwise it would become an ocean of red wine.
Moments later we heard a noise outside the window. I prepared my blade, ready to strike. I swung at the figure entering from the window, but she blocked and tossed the blade in the air like it was a sack of apple seeds. Doctor Whooves noticed who the figure was, it was General Derpy Hooves, his personal assistant. She told us to take Rainbow and hide her in the old tree house. I almost hesitated to listen due to the fact that the club house was not a safe place to be. General Derpy requested I trust her, she told us Father had sent her as a messenger and to help defend Cloudsdale. I placed Rainbow Dash in a pouch at my flank so she would not be spotted and we rushed off.
On the way to the club house I asked General Derpy who the attacking Ponies were. "They are not ponies, but nor are they monsters." Was the only reply I had received. Feeling a bit mocked I questioned again, receiving no reply, only a glare.
After arrival I was shocked to see our ruler greet us. Princess Celestia dressed in blazing gold and what looked like eight Elite Battle Steeds. Back when I was still a Filly my comrades and I always dreamed of seeing these Ponies in battle. They are said to only show up during harsh times and normally only one shows up. To see Celestia and eight Steeds must have meant we were near the threshold of disaster. She told me what was going on, and after hearing Rainbow Ponies had unique gifts I nearly dropped dead; apparently our manes have special pigments that could be fused with some special magic. Though she never told us what magic it was, only that we must prevent it, so we devised a plan.
Doctor Whooves, General Derpy and I created a doll that looked just like Rainbow Dash. We would split up with Celestia and take the battle away from Equestria. Princess Celestia strapped the doll securely on my hind quarters and dressed Rainbow Dash in some scruffy clothing to make her hard to recognize. And to make things less conspicuous she only took one Steed with her and the rest traveled with us. The one that stayed with her watched her from the shadows and stayed well hidden, just so they didn't draw any attention, she herself dressed in rugged clothing. Just the sight of Celestia would attract almost everypony around.
Celestia took Rainbow Dash to her chambers in Canterlot and kept her safe there till we sent one of the steeds back to get reinforcements once the battle was taken out of Equestria.
It wasn't soon after that we found ourselves ambushed at the border heading onto the Predatorial Territory. I soon realized our attackers were from old ponytales, Coyotes'. These creatures are said to be the meanest and most brutal of all the world. Equestria was bound by magic and sealed so no creature could ever set foot in it without Celestia knowing. During that ambush something happened to me; a calming breeze tapped my shoulders, the trees spoke with the leaves, and then everything was crystal clear to me. Once I had that realization I flew up into a cloud. General Derpy, still fighting, yelled "Soran get your flank back into the battle! There is no cowe-" "ZOOM!" Without even a moments warning I flashed out of the cloud and before she even realized it, all the Coyotes' laid face down in a puddle of their own blood. General Derpy gazed at me in awe, and without even knowing it, an image had appeared on my flank. A cutie mark was now clearly visible, and at that moment I knew war was coming. I slashed the ground with Fathers sword and before long the barrier that protects Equestria from outsiders was reunited.
I requested General Derpy and Doctor Whooves to go back to Celestia right then and there and zipped forward towards the enemy, taking all the clouds I saw with me. Seeing me far out of sight to even try to reason with, General Derpy and the Doctor jetted as fast as they could back to Celestia...
General Derpy and Doctor Whooves arrived at the Canterlot Keep soon after departure and told Princess Celestia everything that happened after she had left; about my cutie mark, Fathers blade, the barrier, etc. They also confirmed that the enamy was none other than our previous adversaries, the Coyote Tribe. Celestia then told them to go to each town and double the guards then report back to her for further instructions.
Celestia requested an audience with the Equestrian Guardsman Academy and started preparations for war. They all received a special new prototype armor called "DragonHide" for extreme combat training. This armor is similar to that of Fathers Sword, while equipped even an earth pony can use a certain variety of temporary magic, though its usege is limited; if used incorrectly the armor could decompose into dust leaving possible burns to the body.
While Celestia was gathering and training more forces I was ever so close to the Enemy Headquarters; a rather rugged place if you ask me. Crawling down a hill I snuck behind it and looked for an entrance. I soon noticed a small hole in the side with no guards nearby. Slowly I began to make my way over to it and with extreme caution; the entire place was invested with Coyotes'. The hole was rather small, but I managed to sqeese through it.
While inside there was this awful aroma in the air; smelt of death, vomit, and tears. It was hard keeping myself conscience in that horrid place, not to mention the screams I heard every so often were quite reassuring. As I made my way through I realized something: there were absolutely no guards in the area since I had entered. Knowing that ,I felt even more uneasy and nearly fainted twice.
"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER!" a random voice cried out from a room nearby. I slowly trotted to the room were the voice had come from. "Thump" a body suddenly fell out of the doorway and nearly startled me. I gazed in the room to see a familiar face. I couldn't believe my eyes, there in that room was both Mother and Father. He looked at me and could not belive his eyes either, of all places to find each other. He gave me a big hug and asked why I was there. I told him about the events that took place after he found the sword. "I see. I'm so glad you and Rainbow Dash are still alive! We almost lost your mother." he replied in grief. That bothered me; at the house mother was clearly dead, why was father saying they almost lost her? And what was he doing in the Enemy Headquarters? I kept asking myself till I finally asked him. He told me that mother was not dead, she was poisened. The Coyottes' were planing on using her for their newest experiment. Though he did not say what that experiment was. He carried Mother on his back and asked me to protect them both.
On our way out I had this bad feeling; the only guard we had encountered was the one father had already killed back in the room mother was in. Before we knew it we were amused! With no clouds nearby I was at a complete disadvantage; I still was not all that use to combat using Fathers blade. "Loyalty, ACTIVATE!" Father chanted. I looked at him in confusion and suddenly the blade was glowing like an eclips! Ruins began appearing on the sheath, the blade itself became lighter. Soon after the ruins appeared a bright flash of light began channeling from the tip of the blade. "Soran! You must say your name to the blade! Otherwise it will reject you from using it!" Father shouted. I stared at the sword and said "Soran Dash". "Master accepted, Loyalty now under command of Soran Dash" The blade whispered. I fell back in a fright, a talking sword was too much to take in. "You are stronger than that Soran! Get up and command Loyalty! Need I remind you we are in the middle of an ambush?!" Father shouted once more. Not wanting to disapoint him, I took the sword and commanded it to give the the abulity to slay the enemies. A HUGE wave of energy began channeling throughout Loyalty. Soon after an energy auro surrounded both my father and I, afterwards sent three in one elemental bursts to each foe. I knew that sword was unbreakable, but what I had witnessed at that ambush was something completely out of pony tale books!
Once we exited we found all the outside guards dead. "Good to see you are still alive Soran! We've come to aid you by order of the Princess. Our blades are yours to command!" General Derpy greeted us. I was left in awe when I saw over five thousand Elite Battle Steeds, including General Derpy kneeling before me. After a few seconds left speechless I began questioning them. "So you find me to be your captain? How is it you can trust me when you have yet to meet me? I could be a spy from the Coyottes!" "You are no spy, and have been chosen by Lord Dresnar to lead us into battle. He has lent you his strienght and will protect you till the very end." General Derpy quickly replied. I asked who this Lord Dresnar was, her reply was "the very Dragon who was slain centuries ago to forge Loyalty". Stunned to hear a slain Dragon had chosen me to be its Currier, I put Loyalty back in its sheath and glanced at the crowd of Elite Battle Steeds. "What are your commands Captain?" one of the Steeds asked. I told them we would be departing at sundown, targeting another Coyote Keep. "We should wait in the nearby forest and prepare ourselves. It is best we leave durring the night so we can take our enemies by surprise with less casualties. Father waved farwell and took mother back to Equestria were she would be able to rest and awaken.
After sundown we prepared ourselves and stealthly trotted northeast towards one of five coyote armories called Crimson Tide Keep. On the way we found several coyotte corps', each with what looked like fang marks around the hind quarters or neck. I assumed they got into a fight with other coyotes' about who gets what; coyottes' are not known for cooperation with each other.
We stopped to make camp in a cave nearby due to exhaustion after five days of trotting. That night was my shift for watch and I was not all that happy about it, but it is my responsibility as a guard and I had to set an example to those following me. As time passed we were greeted by a thick mist; worst night for me to have the watch shift. It was cold, humid and dark, not to mention you could barly see two hooves in front of you. Though I still kept a sharp keen eye out for any signs of an attack. Peering in the distance every now and then I saw what looked like glowing eyes. Loyalty at the ready at every moment; there was definitely another's presents. There were these strage chanting whispers surrounding me, and I could not make out what they were. "You should not be here...Leave now and you shall not be harmed..." one of the chants whispered. "Who are you and why should we leave? We have been invaided by these creatures and will not allow them to expand their forces!" was my reply. "You have been warned, consider this a final warning; oh Dragonshire of the mist, show no mercy to this twist, for thou hath bathed in blood of anew, now give this morsel the gift of your wrath." The voice then chanted. My hoof began to burn and screams of pure agony were now present. General Derpy rushed out to me as soon as she heard the screams. "What's the matter Soran?!" She demanded then gazed at the burning flesh. "MEDIC!" She then cried out. One of our medical steeds then came out to try to aid me; it was no use, nothing could stop the burning, bandages even burnt clean off. A black marking started to appear, and the agony increased even greater, soon all conscience was gone.
When I awoke I found myself on General Derpy's back. Seeing that I had finally come to,
she asked if I could trot again. "Yes, my hoof is just a little swore, but I'll mannage" I whispered. She kneeled so I could get off slowly, the pain was still present but it wasn't as bad as it had been. Observing my hoof for any signs of bleeding or flesh loss, I spotted a marking. "What the hay is this?!" I asked her. She told me it had appeared a few minutes after I had fainted. All I could remember were those chanting words; "oh Dragonshire of the mist, show no mercy to this twist, for thou hath bathed in blood of anew, now give this morsel the gift of your wrath". There was nothing I could do about it for the time being. I, barely able to trot, started forward towards Crimson Tide Keep; perhaps in there laid a clue to this marking I kept telling myself.
Hours later we finally came across Crimson Tide Keep. Now that I was able to move my hoof around with little pain, we started devising a stratagy to invaid the place. There were no oppenings except the front gate, a stealthy approach would not work. Then an Idea hit me: Devide the forces into five equally numbered groups, then attack at each side with four of the five groups, my group, the fifth, in hidding ready to charge at the front gate. Everypony prepared themselves and phase one of the plan had begun. Groups one through four started attacking their assigned side; the plan was working great. Then it was time for phase two; groups one and five full charge at the gate. Our main problem were the towers; they had battle unicorns casting spells at us with everything they had. "Loyalty!" I began chanting. I swung the sword towards the towers and out bursted sharp energy spears, chopping the towers in pieces. Now on to the final phase; Invade and take over.
For a while the plan was showing huge success, then the marking began to glow. Shreaks of agony poured through my lips, the air around reeking of burning flesh. General Derpy and ten others circled around, protecting me with their lives, fighting off horde after horde of Coyottes'.
A blow horn sounded in the distance, the sky then began raining flame tipped arrows; each targeted directly at the Coyotes, and direct hits. I, still suffering from agony and pain, looked towards the direction of the arrows and was shocked to see countless archers of unknown origin. As one of them prowled closer, my hoof burned worse. Tears dripped down my face, pain was all I could feel, no words could escape my lips. "We told you to leave this place! Now you suffer from your curse. That blade is an unholy relic that was forbidden to ever return to this land." shouted what looked like the leader. She took off her hood and walked closer. General Derpy stood there guarding, not allowing her passage. "Learn your place pony, this is our land you are staining with blood. Stand asside or he will die of blood loss." the leader demanded. As General Derpy and I looked at her face we were nearly overcome with fear. The Wolven Tribe of the Frozen North were standing face to face with us; the most feared species in all pony tale legends. "W-why are you here?" General Derpy shakenly asked. She told us to call her Ikaru and they were there by order of their Queen to prevent Loyalty from getting to its master. "But Loyalty has chosen me and will help us stop these Coyottes' who have declared war against us..." Slipped out a few words from my pain infested lips. She replied, "You fool! Dresnar is using you so he can be released from his imprisonment! One would think the great Celestia would have known this, being the one who imprisoned him!". "That's not possible! Lord Dresnar was with Princess Celestia and gave us orders to follow Soran into battle! I should have you arrested for your madness!" General Derpy so angrily stated. The two of them argued back and forth for a while, then realized they'd get nowhere by arguing.
Ikaru then turned towards me and drained a potion on the cursed hoof. For a few seconds the pain increased, then slowly ceased. I asked what she had used, our medics could never find anything that would even halt the pain for a few measly seconds. "It is an herbal remedy only found in our lands. Consider it an honor to be treated with it; only our finest archers are aloud to use it." Ikaru stated. I couldn't help but feel uneasy around her, she and her kind were known as the most visious and feared creatures in pony tale legends; she reasured me they meant no harm.
Ikaru offered to aid in our battle, mainly to keep me from getting near the King of the Coyotes'. The only reason I accepted her offer was due to our lack of ranged calvary; most of our unicorns had fallen in that last attack. We gathered whatever supplies we could find in the now destroyed armory and made our way east to the next target: Castle Skulkmesh.
The Battle Steeds often asked why I let wolves follow us, they are afterall carnivors. I told them if they wanted to kill us they would have done so at the Keep.
As we made way to Castle Skulkmesh, the curse marking began to singe, burning greater with each forward step. Thanks to Ikaru's potions the pain was bareble.
Now in front of us stood a most foul and horrid place. Ikaru stopped us and asked "Soran Dash, why does your mane have such variety of colors? These other ponies have one or two colors to them". I replied with: " according to Celestia both my little sister and I have special pigments in our manes that give off rainbow colors, and for some reason these pigments can be extracted for dark magic". She asked about my sister and how I felt, though I still felt uneasy around her so I refused to answer for now; we were at what I'd call the gates of hell. In the middle of an active volcano stood Castle Skulkmesh, even the wolves had fear in their eyes. "Soran Dash, we should go no further. I've heared tale of this desolate place, it is said to be the heart of the Coyottes' Brutal Forces; failed experiments now filled with nothing but thirst for blood, with no emotions." General Derpy requested. "We must go on! If this is indeed that place you speak of, I will see it burned to ash before I let such creatures live on!"
"My comrades! Pegasus, Unicorns and Earth Ponies alike. We stand before the very gates of hell, but we will NOT let such a place exist! As we speek more and more of these monstrous creatures are created! You may cower back to Equestria if you wish. But I'd rather die here and take the bastards with me before allowing them to run loose! Are you not the Equestrian Battle Steeds?! Chosen by Celestia herself? I'd call this place a festival compared to what we may face in the future! Now what say you? Will you fight by my side and take break down the gates of hell?!" I preached They became silent and looked at each other; a small handful left in the direction we had come. The rest cheared: "FOR EQUESTRIA! FOR CELESTIA! FOR OUR CAPTAN! SHOW NO FEAR TO HELL ITSELF!"
Ikaru came up to me and told of a secret path in; a trap door near the southern wall which had once been used as passage for escaping prisoners. Weary about this idea, I had no choice but to use it; there were no other options and charging the gate would have been suicide. I sent a squad out to patrol the area; they came back saying it was clear. So we made way to to the southern wall, preparing ourselves for what might seem like a nightmare.
We had far too many ponies for us all to enter without being noticed, so I left three groups outside on guard while the other two groups, alongside the wolves, made way into the passage; Ikaru and I leading the groups.
The inside was far worse than what was seen outside; blood, organs, skulls, and rotting flesh were all over the walls. You could hear terrifying noises and restless chain shakles. We stumbled across several locked rooms, each with either dead or half alive horrid creatures, not recognizable; most banging at the doors leaving our group restless and full of fear. The further in we went, the worse it had become; what was original an infiltration became an endless nightmare. Little words could describe what had been done or even seen in that Castle.
It wasn't long before the nightmare had taken over our sight; visions of monstrocities far supperior to those in the hall, screaching noises against the wall, and worst of all some of us swore we could see and feel our flesh rotting off. I began to see a demonic figure in the corner of my eye every time we turned a corner; glowing red eyes and blood dripping claws screaching against the wall. Each and every one of us were in a panic, fearing we would never escape.
Ikaru was an exception; the nightmares had no effect on her at all. She lead us onward and punished those who had fallen behind. She told us the nightmareic things we had witnessed were only illusions from dark unicorns to keep intruders out as well as tourment any prisioners; though the images on the wall were real. The old pony tales of Nightmare Moon had nothing on Castle Skulkmesh; Nightmare Moon herself would be cowering in fear at the site of that horrid place.
Now knowing the images we had seen were nothing but dark illusions to scare us into insanity, we had a boost of confidence and rushed off towards the main tower. Ikaru halted us once we had arrived, for there was something creeping out of the basement below the starcase. The ground shook and cracked everytime the figure made a single movement. As it crept ever so closer, Ikaru began trembling. The figure was now very clear; at that point we wished we had died back at the entrance. For this beast was like no other, we called it "Nightmares Apocalypse"; sewn together body parts from countless creatures. It began rasing its arm, about to strike. Ikaru and I pounced out of the way, it was too late for the others. One fifth of my entire baltoon now laid squashed in a crater caused by the beast. "Soran! Raise your blade and chant: Imatu Zompai Isanamesh!" Ikaru shouted. Willing to take any risk to escape the nightmare, I did as she requested; Loyalty began glowing red. It pointed towards the beast channeling energy around it, binding the beast in place. As the beast tried to escape, Loyalty stabbed it in the head, leaving no power unused. The beast began slowley loosing its flesh; fountains of blood spewed all over. Chains soon followed, binding the still living nightmareic creature, crushing it, getting smaller every second. Soon there was nothing but a blood bath left.
Feeling relieved to be rid of such a nightmare, Ikaru and I headed up the stares; still warn out from fear and exhaustion. She told me the nightmare was not over yet, we still had something even greater to face attop the spire; just the thought of such a thing left my mind numb.
Attop the spire Ikaru wondered around, looking for something. I walked around a bit and descovered an old book on a pedestal. "Forbidden Magic by Starswirl the bearded" was tittled on the books cover. Opening the book, text began writing itself: "Those who read the horrid book, shall find new life in a hook, for should the reader read much more, thou shall be swollowed in a door, read no more and ye might live, continue more and ye face ye doom..." Heading the books warning, I slammed shut the book and took it to Ikaru. "This is the artifact we have been seeking! Now hurry! The Dragon does not like visisters. We must leave NOW!" She whispered.
About to leave in the direction we had come, a gate shut in front of our faces. Smoke gushed out from every corner, following breathing and fierce roars. Six Dragons soon appeared, each gazing down upon us. "We have no choice now! Fighting is our only way out!" Ikaru yelped. We both prepared ourselves, ready to attack with all our striength. Clashes of claws, blades, fire, and arrows scattered all over the Castle. Since Loyalty was a magic blade, usable only by the wielder's mind, Ikaru gave me one of her special bow with custom arrows; she called them Blackhearts. Despite not being familiar with bows, I aimed at one of the dragons; once I had a clear shot I fired, leaving the dragon burning to ash. As I aimed for another, all five dragons targeted me. Unable to get out in time, I tried using an Energy Blast from Loyalty, but it was too late, the blade never reached me in time. "SORAN DASH!!!" Ikaru cried out. The light began to fade, now only darkness was present. I began to wonder about little Dashie, hopeing she was safe. "Soran of Cloudsdale" a voice appeared. "You are not dead yet. Rise and slay those cursed dragons." The voice was now recognizable, it was Princess Celestia. "The time to activate your true powers has come, please take my hoof." Our hooves touched and a spark had activated. "Good luck young Soran..." Celestia's voice faded...
THUMP THUMP! THUMP THUMP! My body was soon engulfed in flames and the curse mark began to bleed. Loyalty began circling around my body, letting off bolts of energy every few seconds. My eyes had turned pure white; soon the flames around grew larger and larger. Loyalty rose upwards, then feircly drove down into the ground, following with an enormous wave of molten lava... Ikaru used that opportunity to escape, watching from afar. The dragons still charged at me, each spraying fire in all directions. My curse mark soon became drenched in blood. Screams of agony and tourment escaped my lips. A white flash appeared for a few seconds, following a shock wave uplifting the gravel and stone benieth us. The flash grew larger and larger, until an explosion of energy surrounded the entire castle. General Derpy and the others looked up in confusion to see the entire castle vaporized. After that I had fallen, no memory of that time was present, all I know is one minute I hear Celestia, and the next, the entire Skulkmesh Castle was erased from the face of this world.
Wounded, exhausted, and bleeding to near death, General Derpy carried me for days, untill we came across a small village. It was a rather small yet lovely village; all the villagers were friendly and piecful Coyotes'. They aided in my recovery and offered us food and shelter; we were forever in their dept. We stayed there for a while and heared some amazing tales of their old kingdom, before the current ruler became king.
Three weeks had past and I had recovered most of my injouries. We continued our journey to the empire of the coyottes', known as the Pit of Hell.
About half way to the empire, we were greeted by Princess Celestia. "Celestia! What brings you here? And how is little Dashie doing?" I asked in excitement. "Rainbow Dash is doing well, she has made a few friends and am currently studdying the elements of friendship with a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle; also my personal student. But that is not why I am here. A few of your soldiers came back to us frightened beyond repair. We had to make note of this and dashed off to find you as soon as we could. The timming was perfect, your father has created a new prototype of armor he called the Elite Honor Guard Silver series. He made a mastered set for you and you alone, the rest of my followers have the prototype." Celestia replied. As we gazed over the hill we were left in complete silence. There were only twenty of us left and we had out doubts about taking on the Empire. There stood over five hundred of the finest soldiers all dressed in Elite Honor Guard armor, all completely calm. "We had a major lack of participants so we had your father create this armor for them. The five hundred Elites you see before you can take on over seven hundred thousand soldiers with ease. Doctor Whooves and I personally trained them." Celestia exclaimed.
Moments later we marched to the Coyote Empire, to the Pit of Hell. Soon joining us were fifty wolfen archers of the same rank as Ikaru, then some Coyotte Berserkers who have come to take back their kingdom. As we marched with fury in our steps, every village we passed hailed us; some even supplied gear and soldiers.
With the Coyotte Empire in our sites, Celestia, General Derpy and I revised several invasion strategy. The palace was drenched in Archers, the gates barricated with Berserkers and Rouges, and towers enriched with dark unicorns; an invasion plan against this seemed almost futile, however, Ikaru told of a small cave leading to the dungeon. Celestia left all her Elites outside to wait for her signal to start the invasion. The four of us then headed towards the cave, covering out hoof prints with dirt.
After ariving, we headed deep into the cave, using Celestia's Ghost Lantern spell for light. A few hours had past and Celestia grew tired; her Ghost Lantern spell requires a lot of focus and magic to keep active. Ikaru got a small fire going while Celestia replenished her striength. I soon heared a noise from ahead, General Derpy asked me to see what it was. Investigating the area of the noise I found a bandana, it was a little damp still. I saw a rock fall from the right, and made my way to it, with Loyalty at the ready. "HAR!" I was pounced by an assassin. I threw the assassin off and started to charge with Loyalty. "WAIT!" the assassin demaned. "That blade...Loyalty if I am not mistaken. I have been searching for the wielder of this blade for months! I take it you are the one then, a worthy wielder of Loyalty, no creature has ever thrown me off them after an attack." She took her mask off and said "My name is Konamo. I am the Princess of the Fox Tribe. I've come to aid in your assult on this Empire. Lord Dresnar has enslaved our species for far too long!" "Did you say Lord Dresnar?!" General Derpy asked with a ghost like expression. "Yes, he has been ruler of the Coyotte Empire for five years now and has been enslaving the Fox kin ever since then! He is nothing but a coward and a betrayer!" Konamo replied in anger. Ikaru, not surprised to hear Dresnar leading the Coyotte Empire remembered General Derpy telling her that Dresnar was with Celestia a while back. "I do not recal being with a Dragon Lord by the name of Dresnar. Nor do I remember telling General Derpy to find Soran. I've been protecting Soran ever since he was attacked." Celestia replied in fury. "Heh. That's no surprise, that dragon can shapeshift and has a son. They might have at one point infiltrated Canterlot to gain loyalty to him. What a coward." Konamo stated in discust.
After a few minutes of debates, Konamo joined our group and we started for the dungeon.
It became darker and darker the deeper in we were; even Celestia's Ghost Lantern spell was starting to have no light effect. Ikaru requested we follow her, since she was able to see in the dark. It wasn't long until we reached the dungeon, though compared to Castle Skuklmesh it was a trot in the park. Unlike the other Keeps and Castles, this one was heavily guarded; they did NOT want any creature in or out without their knowledge. Because we did not want to give away our position until we breached the main gate, we sent Konamo to assassinate every coyote in the way. Before we knew it we were staring the gate in the face. Then came the real challenge: Opening the gate without the dark unicorns in the towers knowing. What made things even worse was the fact that nearly fifty Berserkers guarded the gate. Ikaru had a trick up her paw; she took out two arrows and aimed directly at the two lines of guards, at a perfect angle. She then plucked the string and let go. The arrows went right threw each and every one of the Berserkers, taking them all out quickly and quietly. The next step had begun; opening the gate before the enemy found the dead berserkers. Celestia used her magic to control one of the corpses and made them unlock and open the gate. As soon as she did so, the sun went down.
"FOR THE PRINCESS!" Celestia's hidden army rushed out of trees, bushes, and holes in the ground charging directly at the main gate. Celestia then summoned a surprise; a thousand mercenaries, Foxes, Coyottes', Wolves, Ponies, you name it. All summoned at the heart of the Empire. General Derpy and Ikaru rushed off to aid the mercenaries. "Lets get this party started! Yea!~" Konamo yelled in excitement. Celestia and I headed towards the main tower, the very living quarters of Lord Dresnar himself. "So Celestia, how in Equestria did you summon all those mercenaries?!" I asked while running. "While in Magic Kinderguarden, Luna and I found a book on Starswirl the beareded's desk. He told us never to read it, but Luna kept insisting he wanted us to, otherwise why would he have it on his desk in the middle of class? Luna was always a troublesom sister, but we were in it together. After class we took the book home and started reading it. I found a spell that could summon anything I wished for and without magic limitations, however, only a skillful alicorn could use such magic, so I thought it would make me the coolest in school. Then Luna found a hidden page. On it read "Nightmare's creation", we assumed it meant we could give nightmares to other ponies as a prank. That day will always haunt me; as soon as Luna repeated the wording in the book she became engulfed in darkness. Her very image had changed, she saught power and wanted the night to last forever. We couldn't let that happen now could we? Not even Discord wanted that, he said it made the chaos boring. So I began looking for a spell to help Luna, but all I found was a banishment spell. It was our only hope in controling her; so I gathered up the materials needed for the ritual known as the Elements of Harmony and began the incantation. She stormed the castle with fury and threatened to destroy Equestria. She almost won too; the spell was taking longer to finish than was originally intended. Right as she charged at me the spell was finished and she was taken to the Moon, drained of her powers and stuck there forever, or so we thought. The book itself did not say in a thousand years she would return. Starswirl told me to be ready and teach other ponies the true Elements of Harony : Honesty, Generocity, Kindness, Loyalty, Laughter and Magic. From that day forth I swore I'd save Luna! I use to watch her from afar, crying for her to come back. I'm just happy she is back now. Your sister aided in saving her, like you she has the gift of Loyalty." Celestia fortold. After hearing that story and that little Dashie was doing great and helping others I had the modivation to do anything. I took Celestia's hoof and dashed towards Dresnar like there was no tomorrow.
In a matter of minutes Celestia and I had reached the the tower Lord Dresnar was located in. Without moments hesitation we both rushed in, broke the door down and demanded answers from him. "Why whatever do you mean your majesty. I am but your humble servant." he replied with mokery. "How dare you deny your part in this war. Was it not you who started this!? You damn fool!" I shouted at him with rage. "Ah, the brave Soran Dash. I've been expecting you. Thank you for delivering me the blade which your father had stolen from me decades ago. Now I can be complete." he chuckled. I began laughing and told him the blade was not with me. "The blade you seak is hidden were you'll never find it. NOW DIE!" I began to channel energy from the curse mark. Celestia was quite thrilled to see that I had finally learned to control the curse; it was a gift she had gave me in hopes that I would be able to take down Dresnar. Dresnar's face turned red and he began to rage: "YOU THINK YOU CAN COME UP TO ME AND THINK YOU ARE CAPABLE OF TAKING DOWN THE FIERCES DRAGON IN ALL THE WOLRD!? YOU are NOT prepared for what you are about to face! I was going to spare you for brining me the blade. But now I'd rather kill you now and search for it later. I know this entire Territory like the back of my claws!" Celestia aquired his attention while I channeled energy throughout my body.
"You were never fit for this world Dresnar. You come to MY pieceful land and dare impersonate and make a mockery of Equestria. It is YOU who will be going down! NOW DISCORD!" Celestia shouted. Discord appeared from the roof wearing snakes as a tie and a live racoon for a hat. "You ready for Chaos?!" he so happily asked. Dresnar's fury became greater and greater with every joke thrown at him. "Aww whats wrong little dragon? Baboon stole your claws?" Discord mocked with a fun laughter. Completely unamused, Dresnar's raged had reached maximum limit, "I'VE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF YOUR CHILDISH GAMES DISCORD! TIME FOR YOU TO DIE!" Discord looked at his watch... "It's not time to die, it's time for ChAoS!" He pulled a huge ball of yarn from his ear and tossed it at Dresnar. Soon after hundreds of cats began swarming him, biting him and playing with the ball of yarn. "Who let the cats out of the bag?" Discord asked while holding a bag which cats kept sprewing out. "Discord. That's enough! Soran is ready!" Celestia demanded. "Pff, fun sucker. I'll see you in chaos my deer!" Discord replied while leaving.
I began circleing my hooves letting energy rotate into a disk, than threw it at Dresnar. He grabbed the energy disk and threw it at me with enourmous force. "YOU THINK THAT PETTY DISK WILL EFFECT ME?!" Full blown rage took him over. Dresnar could no longer think properly, he breathed fire randomly around the room and destroyed his tower. His eyes turned completely red dripping blood unable to see, his claws grew twice in size, and his breath became an explosive gas. "Now's your chance Soran! Use it!" Celestia shouted. I took out the Forbidden Magic book and chanted the spell of banishment. In a matter of seconds Dresnar was taken to the moon and was stripped of all his powers, to be banished for a thousand years. "Phew" both Celestia and I dropped to the floor exhausted.
After catching our breaths we trotted downstares to aid in the rest of the attack, however, when we reached the bottom we were hailed by the entire guard force, General Derpy, Konamo, Ikaru, and all the Mercenaries. The war had finally ended! After five years of tourment and suffering. "ALL HAIL THE PRINCESS AND SORAN DASH! Hail! Hail!" They all chanted. "Well little Soran, you'd make one fine husban. I hope the woman you find will be as great as you one day. I myself and quite envious, but you know what they say about interspeices relationships." Konamo flirted. I began to blush and was completely speechless. She laughed "You sure are one hell of a cutie, perhaps we will meet again." Before I knew it she was gone. "Well Soran Dash, your name is going down in history! Be careful though, your going to have quite the fans when we get back to Equestria." General Derpy laughed. Ikaru waved farwell and gave me a necklace. "It symbolises bravery and honor to the Wolf Tribe. May it watch over you forever." "Alright lets go home everypony!" Celestia giggled. I asked if she could possibly teleport us back home, but she said she was far to exhausted to do such magic, not to mention the fact that she had to ask Discord for help.
When we arrived back at Canterlot we were greated by the entire palace guard as well as the citizens living there. They prepared a huge feast in our honor. It was a grand party and a great thing to come home to after a long brutal war. But one thing kept my mind wondering off... My wings were broken and I really wanted to see Rainbow Dash, but I had to recover before I could even leave Canterlot.
Months past by and I was finally able to fly again. My wings never felt so alive in all my life! I flew all around doing loop the loops and twisters, soon after the Wonderbolts joined me in the fun. It was almost the best day ever, though I still wanted more than anything to see Rainbow Dash. When Celestia heared I wanted to see Rainbow Dash, she prepared a carriage, but did not tell me were it was going to take me. She only said "Good Luck Soran!" and waved.
Hours later I arrived in Ponyville and began dancing with joy. Then you three fillies kept asking me about my adventures...
Soran Dash: So, how did you like the tale?
Scootaloo: OMG IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME! ARE YOU REALLY RAINBOW DASH'S BROTHER?!
Soran Dash: Yes Scootaloo, I am her brother.
Sweetie Belle: Aww that was such a cute story!
Apple Bloom: I wonder if we should serve in a battle, we might get our cutie marks.
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom: CUTIE MARK CURSADERS...umm...CRUSADERS!
Soran Dash: Now, now, getting your cutie mark requires patients and time. You three are lucky to not have a cutie mark yet. I'm sure each one of you has a special talent like no other! Now go play outside, I've got some armor to forge. Mabye one day I'll let you all help out. ^^
Scootaloo: Aww...OOO OO!!I'll go get Rainbow Dash!
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom: CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SIBLING UNITERS!
Apple Bloom: wait that dosn't sound right...
Unknown: So how did they like the story deer? ^^
Soran Dash: Oh you know kids, they just can't get enough of the war tales. ^^
Unknown: I guess your right. Now come on, dinner's ready! Go get Kitsune from the backyard and bring her in for dinner. ^^
Soran Dash: Will do!
Unknown: Oh by the way, did you ever get to see Rainbow Dash?
Soran Dash: Well if you mean talk to her, no. I'm still not sure how she would react if
she found out she had a brother. She's always been the wild one you know.
Unknown: Oh I'm sure she'd love to have a super cool brother like you! You are the Hero of Equestria afterall.
Soran Dash: Well if she comes over I'll give her a hug and let her know how much I love her. ^^
Unknown: Aww your such a sweet brother! That war sure didn't have bad impact on you like it did the others. General Derpy can't see correct anymore.
Soran Dash: It was one hell of a war. I'm glad I met you, dispite your stealthy skills...now give back those bits! XD
Unknown: Ah you got me! Your no fun, I think your starting to see right through my skills. *Kiss*~
Soran Dash: Kitsune! Time for Dinner! ^^
Kitsune: Okay Daddy! I'll be right there! ^^
(Rainbow Dash trots in the front door)
Rainbow Dash: So..um...Scootaloo says you are...um...my big brother...
Soran Dash: Um...(whispers) Darling help me out here!
Unknown: Did you not just say you'd great her and give her a hug?
Soran Dash: I guess your right...Um...Rainbow Dash, yes. I am your big brother, but you
um...you don't hav-
Rainbow Dash: *Hug!* *Cries* I'm so glad I've finally got someone to call family! I've
been soo lonely the past few years! Even Fluttershy had someone to call family! I'm so
glad! I want to be with you forever big brother!
Unknown: awww now that's just too sweat!
Unknown, Kitsune and Soran Dash: Welcome to the family Rainbow Dash! ^^
Pinkie Pie: This call for a party!
Soran Dash: Wait what?!
