At the Twilight of Harmony

by Rammy

Rating: teen
Tags: Sex, Tragedy, Dragons, Profanity, Adventure, Discord, Violence, Alternate Universe, Twilight Sparkle, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 218479

The Keeper War has begun. Can the Hourglass Dragon Clan defeat the Nameless One before harmony falls?

Book 3 of the Keeper Trilogy:
At the Twilight of Harmony

A creature of unimaginable evil and power has escaped its prison, the drums of war have sounded, and only death and destruction are guaranteed as the forces of harmony magic fight against the rising tide of dark magic.

With the overwhelming odds against them the forces of Equestria, Hourglass, and the Griffin Allied Eyries are still confident in winning. But will the victory be Pyrrhic?

Published 2015-05-13 16:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-01-28 07:56:58 UTC

A Bed to Rest His Weary Head

36 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 20 of the Nameless One’s escape

Mid Morning, City of Hourglass

“Okay…” Golden DragonHeart raised an eyebrow at seeing the entire clan walk into the council chambers just moments after Soul Fire left for Equestria. “Everyone in the clan minus Soul Fire... What is going on?”

“Our Secondclaw’s hoard that’s what.” Legacy Chaser answered crossing her arms.

Golden DragonHeart pinched his brow he had started to really worry about him as he not found a spot for his hoard yet. On a lesser manner, he still hadn’t found a spot to mediate yet. Between the two it was very difficult to find him when needed outside of sending off a letter. “Yes, I am aware he’s moving around nightly. He’s not disturbing you is he?”

“No, quite the opposite…” Eternal Beats responded.

“With the help of Eternal Beats night time ‘strolls,’ he has discovered that Soul Fire has been sleeping within sight of each of our hoard’s entrance for one night in rotation.” Metal Claws continued.

“When he sleeps near our hoards we sleep as if we on in the Slumber… which is saying alot considering He has returned.” MetalEtched Claws finished for her mate.

“So he is guard sleeping?” Golden DragonHeart speculated. I think I understand why he keeps moving about. He is guarding his hoard afterall.

“Yes, but the problem is he’s not sleeping on treasures of gems or coins. It’s not good long term for his belly scales.” MetalEtched Claws countered.

“Hmmm…” She was right. But how to fix that… “We can’t have gems or coins out in the open. Any suggestions?”

“Make a special bed that can be closed or open only by him for each location. The bed will remain visible but the cover over the top will let others know not to touch.” MetalEtched Claws suggested.

“Okay, then make three.”

Everyone looked at each other eying to each other to find who had to correct their Firstclaw. Metal Claws was the one to voice their objection. “Firstclaw… we’ll need four.”

“Make. Three.” Golden DragonHeart reiterated leaving the council chambers via the passageway to the defense grid control room. He had to do some calibration work on the obelisk towers.

“As you wish Firstclaw…” Metal Claws acknowledged. “Anyone have any ideas?”

“Yes, I do…” MetalEtched Claws responded before whispering into her mate’s ear.

“I think that can be done,” Metal Claws rubbed his chin in thought as he listened, “but I’ll need a model of one from Eternal Beats.”

Legacy Chaser and Eternal Beats gave each other a sidelong glance. To them it seemed that those two still had nesting on the brain. Their nest for their eggs should already be done by now.

Eternal Beats shook his head in amusement. “Come on. I have few spares. Though I don’t think I ever thought one of my bird nests would be used for this…”

37 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 21 of the Nameless One’s escape

Noon, City of Hourglass

“I took a look at the various nests and I found one that I think will work the best. The nest is mainly comprised of large twigs and I think that will be easier work with and be more sturdy than smaller ones as we will be using metal rods instead of twigs.” Metal Claws held out a long metal rod in one claw and the mentioned nest in the other.

“My mate and I will forge the rods you will have to use your own strength and fire to soften the metal enough to weave it into a nest. By our Firstclaw’s own estimation we only have less than four days to do this before Soul Fire’s return. Make your nests large enough for a third growth dragon.” Metal Claws pointed out a pile of already made rods and Legacy Chaser and Eternal Beats took a few rods and started to weave their nests.

“GAH!” Legacy Chaser screamed when another one of her rods snapped.

“Sister, calm down just relax. Don’t force it.” Eternal Beats put a claw on Legacy Chaser shoulder.

“Here, use this barrel of water and some buckets it will cool down your nests if they get too hot.” MetalEtched Claws put a barrow full of water down along with two buckets before reentering the forge.

40 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 24 of the Nameless One’s escape

Late evening, City of Hourglass

Eternal Beats eyed his nest. This still needs something… I know its needs paint! I think Legacy Chaser would have what I need.

Legacy Chaser was sitting on top of her nest with a paint brush. Her claws were covered with splotches of paint. I see I’m not the only one thinking of paint. Eternal Beats noted.

“Hey Eternal Beats, what brings you around here?”

“Green paint.”

“I do have some in my workshop. Hold on, I’ll be right back.” After a moment she had returned with a few jars and a paint brush. “Here are a few different colors of green… and a spare brush.”

“Thanks! I’ll bring them back when I’m done”

“With the lids secured and the brush cleaned, or I will paint your claws a lovely shade of pink!” Legacy Chaser called out to her rapidly retreating brother.

41 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 25 of the Nameless One’s escape

Sunset, City of Hourglass

Soul Fire was exhausted. It was nearing sunset as Hourglass came into view he and couldn’t wait to settle in and sleep. First though he needed to give a report to his Firstclaw.

“Who’s turn is it?” Golden DragonHeart asked as soon as Soul Fire entered the library’s main doors.

Soul Fire blinked. He was lost as to why his Firstclaw would ask such a strange question the moment he got back never mind just inside the library. “I don’t follow Firstclaw.”

“You don’t have a single spot for your hoard you have four.”

Soul Fire’s eyes went wide in shock before they narrowed dangerously, “I see I have been found out… but I am not…”

“Go to each spot then come back and then report on your trip.” Golden DragonHeart ordered, retreating back further into the library.

“Okay…” What is going on?! Soul Fire wondered as he left the library.

He headed towards Legacy Chaser’s museum first as it was closest.

That’s new. Soul Fire wondered as he approached the museum. It looks like a large metal bird nest. The ‘nest’ was large enough for a dragon after the third growth. He figured that he could stretch out and almost keep his tail within the nest. As he got closer he could see a note was attached to the side.

Dear brother,

We made these ‘nests’ so you could have a proper hoard bed. Just place your paw on the top of the lid and it will open. Golden DragonHeart cast a spell on it so that it will open only for you.

P.S. You only needed to ask if you wanted some cuddle time.

Soul Fire touched a paw to the top of the spiral lid which had the Hourglass crest painted on it and it noiselessly opened. Inside was a pile of coins and gems. The perfect material for a hoard bed.

He choked a bit with emotion as he climbed in. His family was the best. He spun a few times around to help settle the gems a bit before he laid down to face the museum entrance. He mind suddenly hyper focused as he watched the entrance to his hoard. This was the right spot to guard it. Yes, this was his hoard bed. He purred in contentment.

He blinked as he mind came fully back to him. That was interesting to say the least. Yawning he slowly got up. The bed was almost too comfortable and he had two places to go before he could return to the library. He jumped out of his nest to run towards the park.

A pink Dragoness stifled a giggle before disappearing back into the shadows.

“Hey Soul Fire, it’s over by those hedges. I painted it to make it blend in.” Eternal Beats pointed to the mentioned hedges. Soul Fire could barely see the nest as it was painted in green camouflage.

He once again the nest opened socially and he climbed in. Again, he could feel his rational mind fuzz up again as he laid down in the nest that Eternal Beats made. And again, he now saw the nest as his. He started to choke up again as his mind cleared.

“You best be off, Soul Fire, you still have one more nest to claim as your own.” Eternal Beats mused as he pull his bass guitar off his back and began tuning it in preparation to practice. “Now what rhymes with orange...” He wondered as Soul Fire took off.

Soul Fire heard nothing more of Eternal Beats musings as he headed towards the forge. He picked up speed as he rounded a corner now having a straight path to the forge. As he neared the forge he could see a nest just like the others.

Every one of the metal ‘twigs’ was intricately carved to actually look like real twigs. Soul Fire ran a paw across and could feel every groove and bump. It even felt like wood. The level of detail was exquisite as to be expected from the clan’s metal workers.

“Do you like?”

Soul Fire turned to face the forge and saw MetalEtched Claws watching him. Metal Claws most likely was manning the forge by himself at the moment. “How could I ever not like something that my family made it for me?” And each one made unique by dragon that the nest is for...

Soul Fire climbed into the third nest hoard bed of the night. The detail inside was just was strong as outside. He could see the metal shell had etching in it as well. They must have been working non stop to get this done in time… he laid down and for the third time felt the change. He nearly fell to sleep right there but he managed to pull himself out of it just in time. I’m glad that’s the last one. I don’t think I can handle much more… I am sooo tired.

Soul Fire yawned heavily as he dragged himself into library. He didn’t know if he could give much of a report. The quick look at Golden DragonHeart told him that he too was tired.

“I take it you saw what the your fellow clanmates have been up to since you left for Equestria?” Golden DragonHeart smiled as he lead Soul Fire to his Hoard chamber. “They made those when they found out that you had been sleeping without a hoard bed. Next time Secondclaw. let us know.”

“Firstclaw don’t tell me how to hoard…” Soul Fire yawned out, too tired to snap in anger.

“Your family was concerned for you! We are fully aware of your maturity in hoarding. Just next time let your hoard help you out. We know not to tell you how to hoard, but we also could have helped you hoard better.”

“I promise Firstclaw... it just was I wasn’t sure yet if what I was doing was the way I wanted to do it or not… I couldn’t seem to find a spot that spoke to me… My Hoard is so unique that I was unsure where to ‘store’ it as it were. While I was rotating between my family's hoards I was guard sleeping from different spots. I even tried finding a spot that I could see all four but the only spot is the Spiral Spire…” Golden DragonHeart chuckled at that. Soul Fire rolled his eyes and laughed along with him before he demeanor saddened a bit. “Now if I can find a spot that speak to me while meditating…”

“That I’m sure it will come.” Golden DragonHeart took a small rainbow gem that was lying on his desk. “I like the others have something for you, but I didn’t want a nest near the library.” He then carefully grabbed one of his sparks. Soul Fire watched with curiosity not yet sure what his brother and Firstclaw was up to just yet.

Golden DragonHeart slashed his arm. Soul Fire nearly gasped in shock. With that he knew now what Golden DragonHeart was doing. He was making a Hoard gem. Golden DragonHeart carefully coated the gem with his blood then baked it on with a bit of his fire.

“Firstclaw what are you thinking? We are the first clan in many millennia and not every dragon is going to understand clan dynamics and if we add a hoard gem to the mix… As your Secondclaw I would be remiss of my duties if I didn’t warn you that this could be misconstrued if it this is ever found out.”

“I dont care a lava shit what other dragons may think! It’s my job as Firstclaw to look out for those in the clan. This clan and I’m not having my Secondclaw out in the open when he is doing what he feels is necessary for his hoard.”

“And it’s also your job to bring dragons into harmony!”

“How else but by example?” Golden DragonHeart countered holding out the now dark but glowing red gem.

“Very well then.” Soul Fire took the Hoard Gem and chomped down.

He knew of the effects but it still surprised him when it actually happened. For a moment, he forgot himself as he saw himself as Golden DragonHeart not Soul Fire. He knew where every object was in the library and the location of his… He blinked. No, the library is my Firstclaw’s hoard and I am Soul Fire not Golden DragonHeart...

“Okay, that was… interesting... and a bit disturbing.” Soul Fire shivered a bit at the memory of thinking that he was Golden DragonHeart.

Golden Dragon Heart yawned heavily. “Well I was going to listen to your report, but I think it will need to wait until morning…” He laid down on his hoard bed, yawning again.

Soul Fire laid down next to the hoard bed, still not comfortable about being inside his brother’s hoard like this. Golden DragonHeart shifted a bit as he couldn’t get comfortable. He turned to see that his brother was lying next to the hoard bed staring straight at the doors.

“Secondclaw…”

Soul Fire whispered. “Liezs Slozszelts CktüisSirts i sūs aizsarzs liezu.”

Golden DragonHeart yawned and fell into a deep slumber, the troubles of the day fading away. Soul Fire smiled as he heard the sounds of his brother sleeping peacefully.

Unfinished Business / To Bury the Past

36 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 20 of the Nameless One’s escape

Mid Morning City of Hourglass

“Firstclaw I need permission to leave…” Soul Fire trailed off when he noticed his Firstclaw was busy reading a comic book and in the council chambers of all places. “Are you reading a Power Ponies comic!?”

“Yeah, so?” Golden DragonHeart shrugged, flipping a page.

“Nothing, nothing at all…” Soul Fire smiled and rolled his eyes.

“Well, what do you need? I’m would really like to see how this one ends.”

“I need permission to leave for Equestria.”

You're still the Alicorn Keeper…oh, whatever. Golden DragonHeart raised an eyebrow in wonder while looking over his comic. I’ll play along. “What for?”

“There is some things that Harmonious Knight left undone that I must attend to. I can’t shed that name completely until I do.”

“Such as?” Golden DragonHeart asked as he put down his comic. The fate of Maretropolis can wait a bit.

“For one, his territory markers are still active.”

That surprised him a little. But then again everything about Soul Fire was one surprise after another. “Let me guess, because it was alicorn magic it didn’t dissipate.”

“That is my guess…”

“On a similar matter to that, firemail is dragon magic so I assume that his firemail network...

“Gone. I thought that maybe that because half of the network was alicorn it might work, but no such luck… I think it’s because the anchors were his and not mine.”

“Okay… something will need to be done about that. I only have twenty five non clan dragons in mine, and all but one are from the eastern continent thanks to the trip taken nearly a year and a half ago. I really don’t have any from this continent.”

“That is the other reason for me leaving…”

“Then you have my permission Soul Fire.” I think I’ll finish the comic later...

38 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 22 of the Nameless One’s escape

Mid Afternoon Everfree Forest

“What are you doing in our territory Dragon of White Scales and Rainbow Horns?” He of Everfree snapped. He was not pleased to see a dragon so blatantly enter Equestria. Though to be fair Harmony’s wards were down at the moment.

“Hello, He of Everfree and He of Everfree River. I am He of Hourglass, Secondclaw of the Hourglass clan.”

“You’re a dragon from Hourglass!? And the Secondclaw?” He of Everfree exclaimed in disbelief. He was aware of all of the dragons of Hourglass as a precaution. Harmony didn’t want him to get needlessly angry thinking that a dragon had violated his wards and was invading Equestria when the dragon may not be.

“Quartermaster was never the secondclaw. I have always been the Secondclaw.”

That shocked He of Everfree so much so that he dazed out. He of Everfree River was taken aback a well, but his concern kept him from following He of Everfree. Harmony made sure that they both knew of any new dragons in the Hourglass Clan. This was just encase there was an emergency and Harmony needed one of them in Equestria post haste they wouldn’t be delayed.

“Is everything alright with He of Harmony? I noticed that his territory ward collapsed just over two hours ago, and I can’t get anything through with my firemail.”

“Hence my reason for ‘summoning’ you. I collapsed the ward…”

“YOU WHAT!” He of Everfree roared. His tail spikes came out. He was going to make this dragon pay for doing that.

“ENOUGH HIDDEN CLAW!” He of Hourglass held out a claw and magically held down Hidden Claw’s tail. Hidden Claw blinked, not expecting the dragon to know that epithet. Only He of Everfree River and Harmony knew that, and he specifically told him to never tell another one that under any circumstances. In his shock he didn’t even notice that his tail was being held down. “As I was saying, I collapsed the ward as Equestria is not my territory Hourglass is.”

“Equestria is not your territory?! Of course its not!” Hidden Claws roared readying to flambe the dragon.

Ugh… I was hoping not to have to do it but… He of Hourglass quickly unbound his alicorn magic which transformed his body back into the white alicorn with rainbow fire mane and tail. Both dragons slack jawed at the alicorn stallion standing in front of them.

“You… wha… ba?” Hidden Claw’s brain for the second time stopped working. His tail spikes receded and the flames in the back of his maw faded away.

“Oh good, you broke him…” He of Everfree River smirked.

“River Guardian, please…” He of Hourglass facehoofed. “He may be a grouch but he is an honorable dragon.”

“That he is. By the way, congrats on your choosing.”

“Thank you.”

“One question, though. How in the world do you remember anything?” River Guardian pinched his brow for a moment before weaving off any response from He of Hourglass. “No, don’t tell me, something to do with being an alicorn.”

“Not anymore. He’s dragon now.” Hidden Claw remarked, finally recovered from his stupefaction.

“Thank you, Hidden Claw.”

“Not anymore my name is Cloaked Scales.”

Well that explains a bit… And it means that River Guardian knows Cloaked Scales’ name. “Soul Fire.”

Cloaked Scales raised an eyebrow. The name seemed unusually pony like, but it was so him. River Guardian, however, thought the name was perfect. This was all great for Soul Fire but he needed to get things back on track. “As for why I am here…”

Cloaked Scales raised a paw to stop Soul Fire. “I follow what you are wanting, Soul Fire. I don’t want other dragons sending the ponies into a tizzy. It would mean that my privacy would be disrupted… I’ll extend my wards to the entire Everfree. If that is alright with you River Guardian?”

“I’m all for it.” Less work that would mess up my lovely coiffed hair spines.

“Okay then all that is left then is the issue of reestablishing firemail. Here are my anchors,” He of Hourglass gave each dragon a coin with his cutiemark stamped on it. “Now by your leave as I must go make preparations for the Üausēts Attzilšatha Ceremony.”

39 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 23 of the Nameless One’s escape

Several hours before sunrise, Ponyville

“Explain to me again…” Rainbow Dash yawned heavily, “why we had to be up so early?”

“For the umpteeth time, He of Hourglass sent word that we were to gather together three hours before sunrise. He didn’t say why.” Twilight grumbled it was a bit early for her too but she wasn’t in the mood for complaining.

The doors to the council room opened and Luna entered followed shortly by Celestia.

“Princess Luna and Princess Celestia? I don’t mean to sound rude but what are you doing here?” Rarity asked.

“Ooo Deja vuey.”

“Pinkie Pie…” Twilight began but was interrupted by a blinding rainbow light coming from the dias.

“Morning Bearers of Harmony, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna.” It almost sounded like Harmony but slightly deeper and throaty. The rainbow light faded and standing on the dais was a white dragon with rainbow horns. The dragon had strange two color eyes and a trident weapon end to his tail. The dragon was definitely not Harmony.

No one expecting this. A call from Hourglass, maybe, but not a dragon. A dragon that no one knew and was able to teleport onto the Dais. Harmony had told Twilight that only he and her had that capacity never mind the knowledge of how to do it.

“I am He of Hourglass of the Hourglass clan. Thank you for being here and on time too.”

“Who are you really?” Twilight, Celestia, and Luna horns all glowing in preparation. They knew that that it would take a being,even a dragon, of immense power and most likely a dark magic user to manage to infiltrate the castle like this dragon did. And with the Dark One on the loose they were a bit on edge.

“Didn’t I just say He of Hourglass? It was so long ago I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you forgot what happened after Quartermaster’s choosing. All dragons of a clan have the ‘He of’ or ‘She of’ name of clan honorific. Even He of Music can be called He of Hourglass he just never used that honorific because he knew from the beginning that non dragons would struggle with pronouncing the subtleties between ‘He of Hourglass’ and ‘He of Hourglass.’ I don’t have another title to use because I haven't found one yet.”

“And we are expected to believe that? The ‘Dark One’ has escaped and he could have fooled Princess Celestia into thinking she was receiving firemail from Hourglass!” Rainbow Dash flew right up the the dragon staring at him with suspicion.

The dragon casually waved a claw and levitated Rainbow to her throne. Rainbow was too shocked to protest. “Don’t believe me… It is to be expected… Celestia could you please send this to He of Hourglass for me.” The dragon held out a scroll.

Celestia took the scroll. Why would a dragon supposedly from the same clan need me to send a letter to… oh nevermind… the soon I send the faster we can discover truth.

A reply soon appeared.

The dragon before you is a member of the clan and my Secondclaw.

“Okay, I believe you, but why are you here and not Harmony?”

“Because Harmonious Knight chose.” He of Hourglass facepalmed at the confused looks. He rolled his eyes. “The Alicorn you knew as Harmony Chose.”

“Harmony is an alicorn he couldn’t Choose.” Twilight countered.

“Says the ascended alicorn. Harmonious Knight was ascended to a Spark Dragon.”

“I don’t believe that He of Hourglass would ever do that to him.” Twilight shook her head in disbelief.

He of Hourglass nearly cringed when Twilight mispronounced He of Hourglass. He knew it wasn’t her fault. I need to find a suitable title and soon. I was going to keep He of Harmony until found one but I need a clean break. “He is a Keeper of Harmony Bearer of Magic specifically the Dragon Keeper. I know you don’t know this, but when Harmonious Knight passed the Rite of Guardianship he became a dragon at least as far as dragons were concerned. As such, He of Hourglass was his Keeper. Harmonious Knight was broken and in a state of disharmony it was the Dragon Keeper’s job to fix that. Harmonious Knight needed to choose because he could never be complete after the Spike’s choosing otherwise. It’s one of the consequences of the Rite. Although to be fair, He of Hourglass didn’t know he ascended Harmonious Knight until after he Chose.”

“Okay... but why are you telling us all of this?”

He of Hourglass took a deep breath and then transformed into his alicorn form. The bearers and princesses fell into various stages of shock. They were not expecting the dragon to transform into an alicorn. The alicorn’s fur and mane colors similar to the dragon. His mane and tail was rainbow like his horn and tail spines. His horn was purple and green striped.

“Knight!?” Celestia questioned in disbelief.

“No.” He of Hourglass shook his head.

“But…”

“It’s complicated. But I did say Harmonious Knight Chose and I was him. ”

“I believe you... it’s just that…” Celestia started crying.

He of Hourglass put a comforting paw on her shoulder. He knew exactly what she was trying to say. “Celestia… at the end he was at peace and was complete. Something that is truly rare for many die without some degree of regret and pain. There is nothing for you to be regretful for either. From what I know he never held it against you. Besides you hardly would be expected to know what to do at such a young age and after so many tragedies is such a short time. Come, I have already made the preparations Harmonious Knight would wish to be next to his brother…”

“Is this why you wanted us to gather so early before sunrise? And how would you know all of that?”

“Yes, and I know because I possess Harmonious Knight’s memories. It was only in the last few days that I felt I that I had recovered enough from my choosing. Which is why I am here now and not earlier...”

“Wait, you possess his memories!? How?! I thought that the choosing erased memories.”

“At a later time Bearer of Magic. I can sense your confusion. Although to be fair, I have yet to find one not confused by my Choosing... Come we must go or the ceremony shall be late.”

39 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 23 of the Nameless One’s escape

Sunrise, Ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters

As the sun slowly peaked over the horizon everyone put a flight feather into a glob of lava that He of Hourglass, now as a dragon, was levitating. Celestia was the only hold out.

“Celestia please…” He of Hourglass put a paw on her shoulder, “you need the closure.”

“I know…” Celestia sniffed before she started to bawl again.

“Celestia just as Harmonious Knight modified this Ceremony in light of Spike's family being ponies so too have I done the same for you. Yes it’s true, he never really considered you much more than distant relative, but you still thought of him as your cousin. Do this not for him but for yourself.”

Celestia nodded slowly and released her feather into the lava. He of Hourglass lowered the orb of molten rock into the ground. He then magically cooled it before putting back the soil he dug from the hole. The last thing he did was carefully positioned an obsidian tombstone just like Spike’s.

Here lies the One of honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and the spark that reveals them all.

May Harmony live in us all

Twilight thought for a moment trying to remember why the phrase ‘spark that reveals’ sounded so familiar. “I remember that line… Why you use that instead of magic? I mean I know that it’s not the best name…”

“Because that element really is not the Element of Magic. The element really means ‘spark that reveals’ but there isn’t a good word for it in Equestrian.”

“Huh?”

“Because my dear Bearer the Element of Magic is not an alicorn element but a spark dragon’s element.”

“How did you figure that out? Harmony himself didn’t know exactly what it was... And what do you mean by my dear Bearer?”

“I’m still the Alicron Keeper of Harmony.” He of Hourglass sighed at the still confused looks he was getting.

“So if the Element of Magic is a spark dragon's how come I can use it?”

“Now that, I’m not entirely sure… but I can at least assure you there will be no choosing for you. You will remain an ascended Alicorn.”

39 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 23 of the Nameless One’s escape

Early morning, Ponyville

Bearers, Luna, Celestia, Alicorn Keeper: Private: Lock

“There, now we have some privacy. What I’m about to reveal I must ask you to keep to yourselves.” He of Hourglass levitated a scroll that Twilight was trying to hide and promptly incinerated it. Celestia facehoofed. “Which means no writing it down Bearer of Magic.”

“The way Harmonious Knight told you about the choosing was a bit flawed. I will attempt to correct that. For starters I have Harmonious Knight memories because that is the way it is suppose to be. Memories are not supposed to be lost at a choosing.”

“Then how did you keep yours?”

“Technically they’re his not mine... being an alicorn among other things would be the only answer I have.”

“Your language doesn’t have the right word but Spike never died in the way you think. He will remain alive until He of Hourglass breathes no more. Here is why I can say that: Spike both died and was transformed at his choosing. A dragon has a duality to their souls.”

“But an alicorn soul is doesn’t have a duality to it.” Luna questioned. “For that matter, I don’t know any creature that wasn’t being possessed another that had that attribute.”

Luna shuttered as she finished. He of Hourglass, Celestia and Twilight knew that this was still an issue for Luna, even after fifteen years.

“You are correct... I’m not sure how but when Harmonious Knight was ascended I came into being within him. Dragons have a duality because of the Choosing. That is how Spike can die and also not die.”

“Speak Equestrian not migraine inducing eggheadism!” Rainbow Dash grumbled.

“I’m trying Bearer of Loyalty.” He of Hourglass gritted his teeth in frustration. “I’m dealing with a language and culture barrier. There are a lot of Draconic words and concepts that don't translate well. Now what Luna was thinking of is two separate souls. A dragon soul is not like that… and before you ask our souls and beings are transformed not replaced. Replacing a soul is dark magic. At a Choosing the dragon soul splits half goes to the Voice… the half that remains get molded and changed…”

“That makes no sense!” Twilight explained. She had no idea what this Voice was but it sounded like the dragons equivalent to the Pasturelands. What really got her was how can a soul split in half?!?

“AGH!” He of Hourglass snapped. “The sentience of a creature is the soul or heart. The dragon soul at Choosing is molded so it can handle the Dragon Heritage Memories. But the amount of changes necessary are too much and the soul becomes nothing like it was before. That is why a dragon ‘dies’ at a choosing.”

“Then why can’t it be like that at the beginning?” Twilight grumbled.

He of Hourglass rubbed his head, growling in frustration. These ponies were going to be the death of me. His frustration leaked out as he growled out, “And why do ponies have multicolor fur? You are a prey species and bright pastel fur color makes you stand out not blend in.”

“He of Hourglass... I… I’m sorry…” Twilight sniffed an apology, upset that she upset He of Hourglass. She was hoping that just maybe that there was a way for her to get back Spike. Her grief was better than before but there was still times she struggled.

“No. Don't.” He of Hourglass sighed. “You are trying to understand why Spike had to leave you. Let me try explaining this a bit differently. What goes to the Voice is the shell not the core. When the shell leaves the inner soul, known as the inner fire, becomes unleashed, expands, and changes. It’s like a carefully constructed and tended fire that it suddenly no longer is contained within a campfire pit. It still a fire but it’s no longer bound because it’s strong enough without the protection of the rocks or pit that it was in.

“Sounds wild, dangerous, and destructive.” Rarity commented.

“I only used that as a crude, simplistic way of explaining it...:” He of Hourglass admitted.

“I still don’t completely understand but are you saying that the inner fire of He of Hourglass is Spike just as yours is Harmonious Knight?”

“In a very simplistic way, yes.” He of Hourglass agreed while shouting inwardly FINALLY! “Before I left He of Hourglass was reading a Power Ponies comic in the council room. Now who does that remind you of?”

“Spike… I don’t know how many times I had to tell him to not read his comics in the Friendship Council Chambers.” Twilight laughed along with He of Hourglass.

“See? If you are really paying attention you will notice that he will do things like Spike would. Tell me what was his favorite gems?”

“Sapphires.” Twilight responded without missing a beat.

“I give you one guess on He of Hourglass’.” He of Hourglass then noticed that the Element of Magic was glowing softly. It’s about time… “Bearer of Magic the door that once was sealed is no longer sealed. Just remember that He of Hourglass at his core is Spike and that he needs you as much as you need him. Never forget that.” He of Hourglass left at that, leaving everypony to contemplate what He of Hourglass said.

Author's Note

Expect this to appear all the time( It will make it easier as we will be in multiple places at the same time throughout the book):

XX days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day XX of the Nameless One’s escape

Time of Day, location

Intermission I: Interruptions and Herbal Broth

“Whoa, backup!” I exclaimed, stopping Storyteller's story. “You said that the ‘horned pegasus’ was an alicorn, and now you're telling me it’s actually a dragon in the form of one? And if I heard right his title was also He of Hourglass. Forgive me if this sounds rude, but wouldn’t it make more sense for your characters to have separate names or titles to avoid confusion?”

As soon as I said that I knew I was in trouble for Storyteller’s gaze moved ever so slowly from the white fire to me. I chuckled nervously as I could feel Storyteller’s eyes bore into me again. Then I started to sweat as he walked right up to me and stuck his face right into mine. Even with his face right up against mine I still couldn't see inside the cloak to see who Storyteller really was.

“How perceptive of you.” He finally said after a very long and uncomfortable time.

I breathed a sigh of relief as he moved away from me. Then promptly passed out.

Oww, why does my head hurt so much? I slowly opened my eyes to see that I was still in that den that I was in earlier. So it wasn’t a dream...

“You passed out from all the excitement.” How can having someone stare right into your soul ever be exciting? I looked over to see that Storyteller was entering the den with a tray with what appeared to be a bowl of soup and water. He placed it on the table before backing a way to sit on a chair that he must have brought in when I passed out. “I made some herbal broth. It will help your dehydration and loss of electrolytes. You are too weak yet for any solids.”

It was a bit bland but not bad, and I was hungrier than I thought because I drank up the broth so fast that some of it dripped down my muzzle.

Storyteller chuckled as he took my now empty bowl. “I’ll get some more.”

As he left I shifted to get a bit more comfortable on the couch and that’s when I noticed the fire. The fire was no longer white. It was now a brilliant, bright blue color. Which only confirmed my suspicion that it was a magical fire. The question I now had was: What was the purpose for it, and why did it change colors?

Storyteller picked that moment to return and seemed to have noticed that I was staring at the fire as he mused. “Soothing to watch a fire crackling in a fireplace, or is it the fact that it’s neon blue now instead of white?”

I nearly jumped. The ability of this person to know exactly what I’m thinking was terrifying. I need to remember to never invite him to a poker night. Somehow I think Storyteller would win that is if he doesn’t murder us all first… But first, I needed to cover for my drifting off. “It’s not that, it's just there was something about the stain glass window that I forgot to ask earlier…”

“Oh?”

“The strange upside down triangle thing behind the Keepers...”

“Uh… yes… That would be Hourglass.” Storyteller answered as I lapped up another bowl of broth. “Well, technically Terra Hourglass. The city of Hourglass is… on top of what would be underneath the bottom if the mountain wasn’t upside down… I think I said that right…”

An upside down mountain? That’s impossible! I guess one of the theories that the stain glass windows were depicting mythological stories and not real ones seems to have merit after all. It also means...

“Damn it…” I cursed gritting my teeth in my anger. Those pompous idiots at the university were right… They laughed me out with my theories on the Crystal Castle and the Mountain town ruins on Canterhorn Mountain. My eyes teared up. “They were right… I am a failure… I...”

“ENOUGH!” Storyteller roared, shocking me out of my lamentations. “This is not History Seeker that braved the Untamed Wilds to find the answers he seeks. Buck up!” He slammed my broken compass to the table. “You wouldn’t have this otherwise!”

“That thing? But it’s just an ordinary compass and it’s broken…”

“Broken!? ... Broken!” Storyteller repeated, snorting. “Mwhahaaaaa,” He fell into uncontrollable laughter.

I could feel my face burn from my anger. I wasn’t happy about him slamming my compass on the table like he did, even though it never worked. But then he had to laugh about it? That went too far. “That’s not funny!” I grabbed the compass from the table and placed it back it my saddle bag. “I found that when I was just a young colt… I only keep it as a reminder of when I got my emblem.”

“Don’t you mean cutiemark?” Storyteller questioned, his head tilted a bit.

“Cutiemark is the old word for it… it’s rarely used by anyone under eighty…”

“Well that’s what I get for being a hermit.” Storyteller chuckled.

I stared at him in a mix of shock, horror and a bit of amusement. Hermit would be right. This guy is crazy! One second indifference, then rage filled, then laughing the next. Maybe, it would have been better to have died out in the desert…

Storyteller coughed, getting my attention.“Let’s get back to the Keeper War shall we?”

Author's Note

What is with the fire... and why did Storyteller think that a broken compass wasn't broken?

As for the suggestions about this:

XX days from Secondclaw’s Choosing
Day XX of the Nameless One’s escape
Time, Location

I'm thinking of ways to stream line it, and, no, I am not having Storyteller play narrator in the main story chapters.

On the Hunt

42 days from Secondclaw’s Choosing

Day 26 of the Nameless One’s escape

Early morning, City of Hourglass

“What the buck are you doing?!” Twixt’d grumbled as he was rudely awaken by being hung upside down by the tail.

“Waking you up.” He of Hourglass rolled his eyes as he let Twixt’d down. “I’m wondering why you are in his home.”

“I… uh…” Twixt’d sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. He missed Knight a bit, but he was too ashamed to admit it just yet.

“You need to find your own place…” He of Hourglass thought for a moment then got an idea. “Have you tried the orchard on the east edge of the city.”

“I eat meat,” Twixt’d countered, crossing his arms, “not plants like He of Hourglass and He of Music.”

“I’m not talking about the fruit tree but the silos.”

“Silos?”

“It’s a circular, tall building used for storage of perishable items, usually grain.”

“I stand by my earlier remark.” Twixt’d eyed his claws. They seemed a bit dull to him. “Besides what is wrong with this place?”

He of Hourglass growled in frustration. It was too early in the morning to deal with this. One more thing I need to deal with concerning him… Very well.

OUTHe of Hourglass roared.

Twixt’d scrambled out not wanted to test his limits with the Secondclaw of Hourglass. Once he was out He of Hourglass followed. He turned around and roared. He poured magic into the roar and the force of the magically enhanced roared tore apart the small home. Within seconds the small home that was once Harmonious Knight’s collapsed into a pile of rubble. He of Hourglass then breathed a such a hot stream of fire that the stones and plaster of the building glowed red and the wood vaporized instantly.

Twixt’d had an expression of pure horror mixed with rage. He of Hourglass slapped him with his trident “It is a BUILDING! Twixt’d nothing more. He is here,” He of Hourglass put a paw on his heart before he gestured to the rumble that once was Harmonious Knights home, “not there!”

“I know that you jerk!” Twixt’d snapped. He was still livid. He so wanted to attack He of Hourglass, but he knew he would fail before he could even make a move. “But did you have to do that!?”

“Maybe not, but I will stand by what I did with no regrets. As I said before, it was merely a place for him to sleep nothing more. As his kind would say ‘home is where the heart is.’” He of Hourglass looked at the rumble one last time before adding, “Come on, we have silos to look at.”

“Fine.” Twixt’d grumbled as he followed He of Hourglass as he flew towards the orchards on the eastern edge of Hourglass City.

The orchards no longer was neat and orderly. The ground couldn’t be seen under the thick canopy. He of Hourglass didn’t have any farming skills to be able to fix the orchard. No way was it healthy for the trees to be so close like they were. Just another thing in a long list of things needed to be done to restore Hourglass.

Up ahead they could see a line of a dozen silos of varying types and sizes. The two dragons broke off with Twixt’d heading to one end and He of Hourglass the other.

He Hourglass poked his head through a hole near the top the last silo on the right. The silo was one of the larger ones and it appeared that it could contain the hoard bed of a fully grown dragon. This one could do it if it’s not too damaged. The inside part of the structure looked sound so far with no visible signs of wear. I think this will work, but I will need to get Quartermaster in here to strengthened the silo and put in a floor…

“Okay He of Hourglass,” Twixt’d grumbled, peering down at He of Hourglass who was now inspecting the lower part the silo, “Why would you think that I would want a silo for a home? I would have to fly up and down. That’s when I find one with a hole in it.”

“I wasn’t thinking about having you sleep on the floor of the silo… See the large hole on the side of this one?” He of Hourglass starting to fly up back to the hole.

“Yea, what about it?” Twixt’d asked as he shifted out of the way to allow He of Hourglass enough room to climb out.

“It’s at the perfect height to take flight.”

“Yeah, but I still would have to climb up to take off…”

He of Hourglass slapped Twixt’d with the side of his trident. “A floor at this height will need to be built.”

“Oh, right, but how?”

“You are a part of my family remember?” He of Hourglass facepalmed. Twixt’d knew that They of Hourglass did this kind of thing all the time.

“I know… It’s everyone else…”

“They will come in time. It took a while for Quartermaster to accept him.”

“Really? How did he do it?”

“Save his life from a rage dragon… For you it should be a bit less life threatening...”

“Oh, no, you don’t mean…” Twixt’d moaned when he realized what He of Hourglass was wanted him to do and with whom.

“Yep, and if I have to I will order him to help with a smile.”

“That’s just plain evil…” Twixt’d smirked. This might not be so bad...

“A bit, but I better not find out that you took advantage of it. Or I…” He of Hourglass stopped as he heard a rumbling sound.

“I think, I should go hunt.” Twixt’d rubbed his stomach. He of Hourglass’ stomach then rumbled as well elicited a laugh out of the whelp. “Sounds like you could use some food too. I’ll see you later as I’m sure you’d rather have plants and gems instead of meat given your former self.”

He of Hourglass chuckled nervously. He actually was a bit indifferent. He wasn't not sure which way to go yet. It was a bit instinctual for a dragon to go one way or the other… And his hoard didn’t preclude him from meat like He of Music and He of Hourglass.

Twixt’d eyed him curiously. “Want to come anyway? I might come up with an idea for a new… title, right?”

“Title is correct and if anyone could come up with one it would be you Twixt’d.”

He of Hourglass let Twixt’d led the way even though he knew the way to the hunting grounds. He figured that as it was Twixt’d that offered for him to come along that he should stay back. He could see though that Twixt’d’s was deep in thought as he was not doing is usual tricks when flying. Most likely pondering what kind of title would fit him.

Whatever it will be I’m sure it will be perfect. A memory from him buble to the surface as he thought about it.

“You need a name that only you or I know.”

“Why?”

“I was a street urchin... it’s…”

“A street thing I know.”

“You are such a know-it-all.”

“Eh.” Harmony shrugged. “So about this name among brothers.”

“Oh, yes…” The black whelp eyed Harmony over for a moment. “You seem like Knight to me…”

And he didn’t know that it was part of his name. He of Hourglass chuckled.

This got Twixt’d’s attention for a second, and he looked back. When he realized that He of Hourglass must be reminiscing about something he just went back to his gliding. The hunting ground were quickly approaching and he needed to be careful from here on out as to not spook any of the animals needlessly.

Twixt’d landed silently in a clearing followed shortly by He of Hourglass. He of Hourglass nose twitched he could tell there was several delicious prey near by. Delicious? He of Hourglass wondered as he silently followed Twixt’d. After a few moments Twixt’d held up a claw and pointed He of Hourglass didn’t need to be told he could smell the deer on the other of the brush.

The deer smelled so enticing. Yes, prey smell good.... must eat now. He of Hourglass tried to shake the thoughts away but they were overpowering him. His tongue rolled out of his mouth at the anticipation of the kill. Must get prey now!

Twixt’d hissed out a warning as he saw him move forward. “He of Hourglass what are you doing!?”

He of Hourglass was too attuned to his task to notice the whelp. His prey was right before him, and he was not going to let anyone take it from him. Luckily the whispered warning didn’t alert the deer to his presence. He stalked a bit closer then pounced. The deer bellowed in fright as it was being pushed to the ground. He of Hourglass grabbed the deer’s neck in his maw and shook once. He heard the satisfying snap he drop the now lifeless corpse and began to eat with abandon. It tasted better than any gem he had ever tasted. He would never look at gems the same way.

Twixt’d jaw dropped at the sight of He of Hourglass pouncing on a deer killing it with a quick shake of his powerful jaws before he started to ravage the corpse. He must have been really hungry... I never was that sloppy even when I was starving… but how did he know what to do? You know what, I give up!

He of Hourglass’ mind and head suddenly snapped into focus. A piece of what appeared to be liver fell from his mouth. Something is not right as he could feel a sense of foreboding… A strange coldness washed over him and trembling fear stabbed him right in the heart.

Hourglass!

“Hey!” Twixt’d yelped as He of Hourglass rumbled past him, taking off. “He of Hourglass!” He took off after him wondering what got him in such a panic. He could tell that He of Hourglass was flying fast. He knew that he would have to push himself to his limits if he had a chance to catch up.

“He of… Hour… Glass… What is… going on?!” Twixt’d panted as he desperately tried to keep up with He of Hourglass. He was a naturally fast flyer but it seemed that He of Hourglass could one up him.

“I don’t... know…” He gulped out as he picked up speed and the telltale signs of an air cone formed around him. A boom sounded and he broke the sonic barrier. A rainbow shock wave went out from him nearly knocking Twixt’d out of the sky.

How did he do that? Twixt’d wondered as he quickly corrected his flight. I wonder if he can teach me that trick.

Soul Fire managed to get the rest of the way to Hourglass in seconds thanks to the Sonic Rainboom. He noted that none of the defenses were up but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong or would be very quickly. He went into a shallow dive as he angled himself along one of the main thoroughfare through Hourglass. Soul Fire skid hard in the street as he landed in front of the library. He didn’t slow down as he hurried inside.

“Whoa!” Golden DragonHeart explained as Soul Fire tumbling and panting into the library. He could see that his scales were stained with now dried blood. “What’s wrong!? You’ve got blood all over you.”

“Huh?” Soul Fire looked at himself and blushed. He had breakfast all over him still. “The blood was from a deer I had.” Golden DragonHeart stared in shock. He was not expecting Soul Fire to be a meat eater. From the looks of him he went into a frenzy too. Must have been his first kill… eh, whatever… what concerned me is his state of panic.

“That’s not what’s important right now though. Firstclaw, how far out can the defense sensors go?”

“About fifteen miles, any further and it becomes ineffective.”

“We need to extend them that far along with the clans wards.”

“Okay… but can you tell me why?”

“Just a feeling…” Soul Fire shuddered as he remembered what he felt. “Just a feeling… I’ll be in the Keeper Council Chambers if you need me. I need to figure out exactly why I had this feeling, and what it could mean.”

“Think he had it before?”

“Possible, and that is the only place I've found that I can meditate deeply…"

Author's Note

What has got Soul Fire so panicky?
Any guessed on what Twixt'd might come up with for a title?

One up, fave, and comment

The Fall of Traxti City

Day 23 of the Nameless One’s escape

Early morning, Traxti City

“Whispering Logic, what is going on?” An annoyed voice grumbled at a light blue unicorn stallion with carefully groomed dark blue mane. His cutiemark currently hidden by the suit he was wearing.

“Rioting from the looks of it.” Whispering Logic was looking sideways out the window as he held up a rock in his blue magic. He had heard a loud crash in the front office and discovered that one of the windows was broken and with the rock that he was now levitating in the midst of it.

“Any sign of the Peace Keepers?”

“No, Envoy, not yet.” Whispering Logic shook his head at the unremarkable brown earth pony with a map overlaid by a dove for a cutiemark.

“I don’t think they will be coming anytime soon my little ponies.”

“Discord!” Whispering Logic threw the rock at a pair of yellow eyes blinking on the far wall. An orange oven mit caught the rock before it reached the wall and the eyes upon it.

“Trying to get an early start on hoofball season there Whispering Logic?” Discord commented as he fully materialized.

“I bet this was your idea of fun.” Whispering Logic snapped. “And how many times have I told you! We aren’t your little ponies!”

“Whatever.” Discord waved him off. He slid over to the currently smashed window and took a peek of the streets below. “I’m all for pranks and jokes, but only if it is in good fun. This… this is just cruel…”

“Says the draconequus who once helped Tirek steal ponies talent magic.”

“GAH!” Discord cried out in exasperation. “I’m never going to live that down.”

“Back up.” Whispering Logic suddenly pulled the draconequus roughly away from the window. A molotov cocktail crashed through the window that Discord was just standing by. Discord snapped his tail and the resulting fire disappeared in a cloud of confetti.

“I think it’s time to disperse this crowd.” Discord snapped a crate with a label on the side:

Caution!

poisonous snakes and scorpions

He opened a window and casually thrusted it out. The sounds of it crashing on the street followed by panicked screams got a chuckle out of Discord.

At the shock looks of the diplomats Discord shrugged. “What? It was just a barrel of rubber snakes and scorpions…”

Day 25 of the Nameless One’s escape

Just before midnight, Traxti City

Three days and coming on three nights of rioting had exhausted Discord. His magic reserves were still fine but his physical reserves, however, were nearly tapped out. At least he was able to at least minimize damage and injuries, but he didn’t know how much longer that would last.

“What am I going to do? Dealing with dark magic and magic mishaps I can do but dealing with the intricacies of grating and conflicting personalities… not to mention people who don’t want to get along...” Discord sighed, putting his head literally in his hands.

What was worse was that he was sure that someone or someones was pulling strings but who or whom ever was doing it was very clever. Everytime he thought he was getting close he would find out that the trail was a fake, and by the time he got on what he thought was the real trail it had gone cold. Tirek was easier to track down.

“I hate mazes when I’m the one in them… and I hate cheese.” Discord grumbled as he tiredly rested again the roof access door.

Discord looked up but the lights of the city and the smoke from the rioting and looting masked a lot of the stars. He was not sure why Harmony would have him do this type of work. Harmony would have done better, sadly, he was not well enough to deal with all of this. The ash illness was weakening him severely and with one of the necessary ingredients only native in Equestria and the lands around it he regrettably understood why he remained in Hourglass.

The sounds of approaching chanting pulled Discord from his inner thoughts. No rest for him tonight, again.

Day 26 of the Nameless One’s escape

Early morning, Traxti City

Whispering Logic awoke in searing pain. “Argh! My horn it hurts!”

“Your horn! It feels like my hooves are on fire.” Envoy screamed.

Discord was startled awake by the noise. He could feel a numbness in his hands and tail. The areas where he typically gathered his magic just like a unicorn’s horn and an earth pony’s hooves. Something was not right. He went to the window and carefully peek through the blinds. The sun was just rising but the sky had an odd green glow to it. Green?

Discord snapped a claw and flashed to the roof of the building. A pain suddenly shot through his claw. What is going on with my magic? Discord ignored the pain for a moment to survey the city. From what he could see there was a magic dome of a greenish tint over the city. A shiver went down his spine as he tried to figure out what the dome’s purpose was. Something about the dome was familiar, too familiar. He peered downwards to see that the streets were flowing with dazed and panicked citizens.

Another snap, this time with his tail, and he was back in the diplomat’s office. “We need to get out of here right now. Someone has put a magic disrupting shell that also drains magic like Tirek.”

“Why would anyone do that?”

“Someone that as more powerful than Sombra, Tirek, Nightmare Moon, and Chrysalis combined at the peak of their power. A dark magic master who nearly destroyed the world once and will mostly likely try again. He is more powerful then the Elements of Harmony. Equestria may burn to ash and there might not be anything Celestia, Luna, or The Bearers of Harmony can do. Is that could enough!?” Discord snapped before he sighed heavily. “We are at the twilight of harmony prey to Faust that there still be morning.”

“‘At the twilight of harmony?’ What in Celestia is that suppose to mean!?”

“I figured that if Storyteller could say the title I could too.” Discord shrugged.

“DISCORD WE ARE IN MIDDLE OF A CRISIS AND YOU HAVE TO CRACK A JOKE!” Whispering Logic screamed, his cheeks going purple from his rage.

“Actually, I broke the fourth wall.” Discord countered.

“GAH!”

A flash of light lit up the room and a concussive blast took out the remaining of the windows and slammed all three to the far wall.

“Everypony alright?” Discord slammed a phone down to get the ringing to stop.

“What was that!?” Envoy slowly got to his feet, dazed a bit from the explosion.

“My guess? The building across the street just blew up.” Whispering Logic brushed some debris off of his back before checking himself for any injuries. “Discord get us out here.”

Discord snapped a claw and all three where suddenly on the roof.

“When I said get us out of here I didn’t mean the roof!” Whispering Logic yelled.

“I’m trying!” Discord grunted in frustration. The dome was sapping his reserves plus everytime he used magic he felt pain. “I may be the self proclaimed master of Chaos magic but even I have limits.”

“We are going to die!” Envoy panicked.

Discord pull a glove out of nowhere and starting slapping the pony senseless with it. “Snap out of it man! Pull yourself together! Get a hold of yourself…”

“Okay! Okay! I get it!” Envoy knocked the glove out of Discord’s paw.

An explosion lit up the sky. Discord and Celestia’s diplomats look out to see the Traxti Lighthouse crumbling to the ground. Before any them could react further another explosion boomed. It was so close that they could feel the shockwave. Looking about they found a near by apartment building engulfed in flames.

“We need to do something to help them!”

Discord put a paw on Envoy’s shoulder and spun him around. “And we will be joining them soon if we don't’ get out of here. Traxti City has fallen and all of Celestia’s little ponies won’t be able to pick up the pieces if they are DEAD!”

Discord snapped his claw and all three disappeared in a flash.

“Gah! That hurts.” Discord yelped as he snapped with his paw an ice pack for his claw

“Serves you right abandoning those people in their hour of need!” Envoy snapped. He was beginning to see that maybe Whispering Logic was right about the draconequus. “I say you aren’t really reformed and need to go back to that stone prison in Princess Celestia's garden.”

“You are so bipolar!“ Discord rolled his eyes. “Remind me again, what were Celestia’s orders?”

“That you are in charge if things got too dangerous in Traxti City.” Envoy answered, lowering his head in shame.

“I think this morning events qualify as ‘too dangerous.’” Discord looked off towards Traxti City in the distance and could see that the green dome was still up. Copious amount of smoke was rising from the city, obscuring the sun in a reddish haze. “Stay here. I want to check up on something.”

“Where do you think are you going?”

“With any luck, to contact Harmony. I’m in over my head right now.”

“The non existent ‘Alicorn Keeper of Harmony’!? Yeah, I heard about ‘him’ from the locals. Fascinating tale of fiction.” Whispering Logic snarked.

Discord grumbled pinching his brow. Harmony why were you so insistent on not being known in Equestria! “Just stay here and out of sight. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

A snap and a flash later and Discord vanished. Leaving the unicorn and earth pony behind. Another explosion could be heard in the distance.

“Uh, what now?“ Envoy wondered.

Whispering Logic grumbled. “As much as I don’t like him. He’s right. It’s best we stay out of sight and wait for his return.”

Council of Harmony Chambers, Plane of Harmony

Late evening Hourglass City, Early morning Traxti City

Discord appeared in the Council Chambers and noticed that there was a young white dragon with a set of rainbow horns sitting in front of Harmony’s throne. “What are you doing in here?”

“Meditating He of Laughter.” The dragon responded opening his eyes and standing up. Discord noticed that this dragon had dual colored eyes. But he was more interested in why the dragon was here not the strangeness of his eyes.

“Okay, let me rephrase.” Discord pulled out a chalk board from nowhere and wrote what he said next. “Who are you, and why are you here?”

“Why don’t you ask them?” He of Hourglass motioned behind him to the glittering thrones of past Keepers.

Discord smirked as he yelled, “Is the Alicorn Keeper in harmony?”

He of Hourglass jaw dropped he was not expecting him to ask that question. What game was Discord playing at? He had not yet told him about his Choosing and he had made sure that no one told him as he wanted to tell him personally.

The Alicorn Keeper is in harmony. Came the response.

Discord sniffed, drying his tears from his eyes. “I’ve waited ten thousand years to hear that.”

“You did all that on purpose?!” He of Hourglass facepalmed. “You knew the moment you arrived and saw me.”

“Yes.” Discord floated around the dragon taking note of the unusual purple and green pattern of his eyes, horns, ear frills, and tail trident. “I just wanted to be sure that a little of him was still in you.”

“I know that he explained to you once how a dragon matures.” He of Hourglass responded only nominally keeping Discord in his sight.

“Yes, but going from alicorn to dragon is not the same as whelp to adult. How else would you remember that he explained how a dragon matures...”

“I… huh… Good point… but how are you not the least confused or troubled by this...”

“I’m three hundred thousand years old I’ve seen some strange magic phenomena in my day. It was too easy to know that you would become a dragon. You somehow retaining your memories when you became a dragon doesn’t surprise me either.”

“Technically, they’re his...” He of Hourglass corrected. Discord shrugged as he finally stopped examining him and slumped onto his throne. “He of Laughter what is going on? You looked frayed.”

“Something terrible has happened to Traxti City.”

“Should I summon He of Hourglass?”

“Might be a good idea... Celestia as well.”

“Very well. I’ll have He of Hourglass get Twixt’d as well. He might have some insights that could prove useful.”

He of Hourglass quickly sent off two scrolls. A few moments later a portal opened and Twixt’d and the Dragon Keeper stepped through.

“How were you able to find him so quickly?” The Alicorn Keeper was amazed. He expected that it would have taken his firstclaw a bit longer to find Twixt’d. He hardly noticed as Twixt’d hurried about the council room.

“Well it’s not hard as he was been pacing near his old home all day.”

“Twixt’d...” The Alicorn Keeper gave the whelp a hard look.

Twixt’d chuckled nervously. “Sorry He of Hourglass… It’s not like I had anything else to do, and he wouldn’t tell me where you went.”

“I was here. Trying to figure out what panicked me.” The Alicorn Keeper felt the familiar feeling and breathed out a small flame which quickly turned into a scroll. “It appears Celestia is ready.”

A second later and Celestia image appeared.

“Cool.” Twixt’d commented as he noticed the white alicorn mare’s image. “This place is awesome!”

“Thank you for coming so quickly.” The Dragon Keeper bobbed his head in greetings.

“Something has happened to Traxti City. Twixt’d your familiarity of the ins and outs of Traxti City might prove useful. He of Laughter?”

“The city is encased in a greenish magic dome that disrupts magic and drains it. I need to know, Twixt’d, if during your time in the city did you encounter anything like that? Anything shield like or green that was used by either criminals or the authorities.”

“And that’s one thing that street urchins have is the ability to find out about things that are secret because no one pays to us in anyway…” Twixt’d sighed heavily. The memories still haunted him. “Sadly, I have never heard of anything like that in Traxti City. If I recall correctly, the only thing close was a spell dampening field and it was blue and was never could be city wide… something about not being effective… or at least that was the rumors on the streets.”

“Magic domes like that tend to be weaker the larger they are…Hourglass is the only place that can produce an effective shield of that size. To duplicate something similar is still a long ways off.”

“Could someone trying to duplicate the Hourglass shield cause this effect accidentally?” Celestia wondered.

“He of Laughter?”

“The dome was way too stable.”

“The only other way to match it is to have hundreds casters but that would require being out in the open…and to get that many casters to synchronize their magic is nigh on impossible outside of harmony or heartsong magic. It was a long shot, anyway. Thanks Twixt’d.”

“Your welcome, Secondclaw.”

“What?” Twixt’d shrunk back a bit at the two dragons now staring at him.

“Why did you use that title?” The Alicorn Keeper asked.

“This is an important meeting isn’t it?” Twixt’d quickly explained, hoping to get out of the mess he thought he got himself into. “I really shouldn’t have even be here anyway. I’m just a low life, a street urchin…”

“Enough!” The Dragon Keeper roared, making Twixt’d shrink back. ”My secondclaw has not been wrong yet on the right dragons to join the clan. Your cursing leaves much to be desired, your heart on the other hand… When it comes time for your Choosing and if you still wish to join you will be a member of this clan. Until then I will treat you like you are one.”

“Why?” Twixt’d looked down in shame as he questioned why the Dragon Keeper would want him. “I mean…”

“Must you be so negative?” The Alicorn Keeper shook his head in disappointment.

“Sorry Secondclaw…” Twixt’d looked up at his brother, his eyes visibly watering. He tried not the be so negative but it still slipped out.

“I think it’s time. Don’t you Firstclaw?”

“Sun Princess we will resume in a moment.” The Dragon Keeper spoke to Celestia before he turned to address Discord. ”He of Laughter we will need some privacy.”

“Dragons and timing!” Discord flung his arms in exasperation.

“He of Laughter, even in war life must go on.”

Celestia put a hoof to her mouth as she tried to hide her giggling. Her cousin, even as a dragon, was still the same. It was also wonderful to see the bitterness and pain no longer holding him down. She let the magic on her end fade and soon her image left the Council of Harmony.

Discord floated on out of the chambers and into the Plane. He smiled because he noticed a trait of Harmonious Knight coming out. His love of family.

Once the doors closed the Alicorn Keeper turned to face Twixt’d. “Twixt’d remember when I said that my hoard can’t grow unless the clan grows? That’s only partially true. My hoard name limits me to family, but there are ways for dragons be be a family outside of the clan structure.”

“When you gave him the title ‘Knight.’ You and him agreed to be brothers in a verbal agreement. But it was more then that wasn’t it?”

“Yes, I really thought of him as my brother. True, the name thing was a street thing… but the truth is... I wanted more than a street thing. And when you Chose I thought… I thought…”

“Which is why I wanted you to find a new title for me. When you he agreed to be your brother by accepting that title you become brothers by agreement. Which is all that whelps can do. If you do it now we would really would become brothers. Hatchmates in fact. Do you still want to be brothers?”

“Yes… you really would want me as hatchmate?” Twixt’d then remembered what he said about his inability to call anyone in the clan anything but brother or sister. “Does this mean you you could never not call me brother like you said?”

“Yes…” The Alicorn Keeper rolled his eyes. “I had intended to tell you all of this when you chose a new title…but you are becoming fully dragon faster then I figured. With that in mind, I think now is a good time to for you to learn my hoard name. I was waiting for you to be ready for the responsibility that comes with knowing someone’s Hoard Name. I think you are now ready. My name is Soul Fire.”

“Can I be frank?” Twixt’d smirked. “ It’s better than the old one.”

Soul Fire chuckled nervously. “To be fair, I didn’t chose that one.”

“You still have a ways to go it seems.” The Dragon Keeper facepalmed. “My hoard increases when I share my hoard name which is Golden DragonHeart.”

“Golden DragonHeart?” Twixt’d also wonder how sharing a hoard name have anything to do with hoarding, but he was not in the mood for what would probably be a long lecture if he asked that question.

“The Dragon part is recent it has to do with the Path of the DragonWyrm… Soul Fire explained. “Something you are chosen for by The Voice, and not something you need to know about just yet.”

“You adults have all of the fun…” Twixt’d whined. He wished he didn’t have to wait so long to become an adult.

“I wish…” Soul Fire rolled his eyes. “There are things Golden DragonHeart and I have to do that is no picnic. Double so because we are Keepers. For now, just enjoy the freedom that you have Twixt’d. And thanks again for your help tonight. Just remember to keep our hoard names to yourself it’s best to call us either He of Hourglass or Firstclaw or Secondclaw to prevent accidental slip ups. And now it’s time for you to head off to bed.”

“I’m not a hatchling anymore! Don’t baby me.” Twixt’d growled.

“Fine don’t go to bed, but I talked with Quartermaster and he wants to start bright and early tomorrow morning. A good nights rest will keep you on his good side…”

“He has a ‘good side’?”

“Twixt’d…” Soul Fire warned.

“Fine. ” Twixt’d pouted. “Firstclaw?” A portal open for Twixt’d and he stepped through. “Thanks.”

“It’s so strange how he acts sometimes…”

“How so?” Soul Fire was a bit curious why Golden DragonHeart would say that. He knew that Twixt’d was still learning how a dragon acts and that his life as a street urchin was so ingrained that it would take a long time, if ever, to get it out of him.

“One moment he acts like a mature adult and others a child.”

“A hard street life will do that to you… I can tell you he longs to be a child but doesn’t dare to get his hopes up. He was working on it but didn’t want to push. Luckily, my chosing didn’t affect him negatively. I think it actually was a good thing he remembers him…”

“Hmmm…” Golden DragonHeart hummed in thought. “Let’s get the meeting going again. I’ll contact Celestia you go find He of Laughter.”

“Yes, Firstclaw.”

A moment later and Celestia’s image reappeared and He of Hourglass retrieved Discord from the Plane of Harmony.

“Thanks for waiting.”

“It’s not a problem Dragons of Hourglass.” Celestia smiled. A moment's respite to help a child was always okay in her book. Sometimes it made her wish that she had children of her own. But the right stallion never came along and with her duties as the ruler of Equestria took all of her time now. Maybe it was time to find another student to mentor.

“Back to the matter of the situation in Traxti City.” The Alicorn Keeper began. “Thanks, Discord, for keeping what I’m sure will be the more gruesome details away from Twixt’d I would rather speak to him alone about it. Discord what else do you think the dome was doing?

“The dome also seemed to be affecting the magic power grid of the city. The building across from the embassy blew up just before I got us out of the city.”

“Any pattern to the explosions that you noticed?” The Alicorn Keeper inquired.

Discord closed his eyes, trying to reminder all of the locations. “Mostly older buildings from what I can recall.”

“Riots, social unrest, and seemingly only older buildings that most likely housed the poorer citizens which means less money for repairs… coupled with the likelihood of someone orchestrating this...”

“The ‘Dark One?’” Celestia guessed. No one responded as they all knew that the likelihood was very high that he was involved. It would not be surprising to anyone them if he had know how to construct such a shield.

The Alicorn Keeper paced for a few moments before he sat back down on his throne. “I’m afraid that it would be best that you recall your diplomats. This is going to devolve into a warzone very, very quickly and a warzone is no place for them.”

“I was hoping that we could turn it around.” Celestia sighed heavily. “But I am in agreement. Discord, I’m sending a sealed letter to He of Hourglass.” Both He of Hourglasses inwardly cringed. They both hoped Twixt’d would find a new title and fast. “Give it to Whispering Logic when we are done. It will contain his and Envoy's recall orders.”

“I hate to say this, but at this point it looks like it might be just Equestria and Hourglass and, with any luck, the griffon eyries. Celestia, I suggest that you accelerate on finding ways to unite the griffon eyries near Equestria. Equestria needs to be firm in its unity. On that matter, how is Luna’s investigation into the Cult of the Moon?”

“Better then I thought. Most cultists are just Luna fans and not true cultists. Luna is brainstorming ideas with Twilight on getting those out of the cult before being nominal ‘members’ gets them hurt.”

“Good.” The Alicorn Keeper turned to address Discord again. “He of Laughter find out everything you can on the dome. Who set it up, the true purpose for it, and anything else you may think that might help. I will try and see if he encountered anything remotely similar.”

“If the fighting gets to dangerous fall back to Equestria.” The Dragon Keeper ordered the Crimea Keeper. “We can’t afford to lose another Keeper.”

“Dragon Keeper, something tells me that the ‘if’ is more like a ‘when’ and the ‘when’ will be very soon.” Discord stated.

“Then work as fast and as safely as possible…” The Alicorn Keeper countered.

“Has there been any unusual activity of any kind in or around Equestria the past few days?” The Dragon Keeper addressed Celestia.

“None that that have been brought to my attention. I shall double check once we are done here.”

“‘The Nameless One’ usually coordinates attacks on the champions of Harmony and there has been no attack on Equestria or here. Which is very concerning. Did you figure out the feeling yet, Secondclaw?”

“It’s not directly related to Traxti City. I have no way to sense that far out as I don’t have harmony magic to do so. Something local to the area around Hourglass triggered it. What exactly it is is still alluding me…” The Alicorn Keeper grumbled, “I memory walked major events in his life and even the first couple of centuries of his life before being around dragons dulled his prey instincts… I’ve even used the plane here to experiment to try and trigger the feelings again with the help of the council but no such luck. I even thought it might have been some reaction to becoming a meat eater. Of course, that made no sense… Though it could be a dragon instinct that I’m mistaking for something else...”

“You are so like him.” Celestia laughed at seeing He of Hourglass being frustrated over not knowing what it was that was bothering him and then going off on a tangent. He of Hourglass and Discord noded in agreement.

“What?” The Alicorn Keeper questioned crossing his forelegs.

“Oh nothing…” Came the united excuse from Celestia, Discord, and He of Hourglass.

The Alicorn Keeper grumbled hotly which only got them to laugh more.

Author's Note

A looong chapter... hopefully I caught most of the mistakes especially all the errors that occurred during importing....

And so the war begins...

How Twixt’d Gained a Family

Day 27 of the Nameless One’s escape

1 day since the fall of Traxti City

Early morning, Hourglass City

“She of Hourglass?” Twixt’d wondered as he watched the robin blue and ruby red scaled sea serpent land near the orchard with a bundle of long metal rods. “I thought it was going to just be Quartermaster.”

“The ground beneath the silo will need to be reinforced, and right now you will only get in the way. So while he is working on the ground around and under the silo, you are going to be building a metal bird’s nest.”

“Do I look like He of Music!? Or a large bird!?” Twixt’d countered hotly.

She of Hourglass growled in annoyance. If this wasn’t for her Secondclaw she would stay at the forge. She could tell it was almost time to lay her eggs and it was getting a bit uncomfortable both physically and mentally to be away from the nest.

“It’s not for you, but your home won’t be complete without it.”

“Huh?” Twixt’d was confused. How could it not be for him but his home would not be complete without it? Sure he had seen another birds nest near the museum. Maybe it was some sort of rite of passage or something for clan members.

“You’ll see once the nest is completed.”

“Whatever…”

Mid Afternoon, Hourglass City

“How’s it going?” Soul Fire questioned as he walked up next to MetalEtched Claws.

“I don’t think I have heard so many and varied curses in my life! That whelp needs his mouth washed.” MetalEtched Claws grumbled. “He is definitely not going anywhere near the forge…”

Soul Fire said nothing. The forge was her mate and her’s hoard and he wasn’t going to interfere with that. He watched as Twixt’d attempted to get a rod to work for him. Twixt’d roared a particularly strong curse before throwing the offending rod away and picking up a fresh one from a nearby pile. Soul Fire’s eyes watered in pride as he watched Twixt’d put care into his construction of the nest.

“Looks like he might get done by the end of the day. Though his work leaves much to be desired.”

“On the contrary, the nest looks perfect, and it’s just like him wild and free.”

“If you say so…” MetalEtched Claws held a paw to her head, a wave of pain and nausea overcoming her. “I must go. Head is hurting...”

Early evening, Hourglass City

Metal Claws wiped the sweat from his brow. He had finally finished the preliminary work on the silo. He had cut a proper hole in the side of the silo just above the level where the floor would be. The foundation was now ready for the increase in weight and he had placed a dozen large metal supports around the edge of the silo as well as in three the center. The lattice structure would be done by the whelp himself. Now he needed to check to see if the whelp had finished the nest for Soul Fire yet or not.

He lower himself to the ground and walked towards the orchard nearby. He frowned when He saw the nest that Twixt’d had built. It was rough and looked like he didn’t put much effort into it.

“This nest looks awful.”

“I’m a flyer not a metal worker like you.” Twixt’d snapped. He had worked hard on the nest. If they were expecting him to do better then they should have helped him not leave him to do it on his own.

Quartermaster growled hotly at Twixt’d’s assertion. “I am no mere ‘metal worker!’”

“Do I look like I give a lava shit about you or your occupation? You never bucking liked me so why should I try changing that? I’m here because the Secondclaw wanted me to have my own home, and I know he ordered you to help. So let’s just get the over with so we can continue to avoid one another in peace.”

Quartermaster rage began to build. This irritating, miserable excuse for a whelp was using Secondclaw to address He of Hourglass? He’s not a member of the clan! “You are not a member of this clan! I won't have you showing any disrespect for him by calling him that incorrectly.”

“He is my brother! That is good enough for me and for him!” Twixt’d’s eyes burned with anger at Quartermaster. “If you ever try to force me to disrespect him I will end you.”

This took Quartermaster by surprise. This whelp was fiercely loyal to He of Hourglass. He could tell that Twixt’d would not hesitate to try and make good on the threat. He would make a good dragon and clanmate one day… Quartermaster growled then roared angrily both at the situation and his thoughts. He turned away from the whelp and stomped off.

After a while he found Soul Fire high up on the council building’s roof. He flew up to join him. “Secondclaw, your nest is done.”

Soul Fire slowly opened his eyes as he pulled himself fully out of his mediation. “Good. But something tells me you have something else to talk about.”

“Why did you order me to do this?”

Soul Fire raised an eyebrow at Metal Claws’ somewhat rhetorical question. He knew the Metal Claws knew the exact reason for him doing this. “Because of your skills working with metal! I could do it, but the structure would not be as strong. I told you I wanted that silo to handle, at minimum, a full grown dragon sleeping in there.”

“If that whelp does everything right it should be able to hold the weight of at least four fully grown dragons plus a decent amount of gems and treasure.” Metal Claws countered. He took pride in his skills, and no way was he going to make something adequate. He was going to make sure that the silo could handle way more than necessary and that it would not need to be reinforced or repaired later because of poor construction work. That silo was going to be standing long after the other silos had toppled over due to age.

“But why are we helping that whelp? He is pompous, ungrateful, and hotheaded! He intentionally tries to bait me to anger. The only thing he has for him is his wonderful talent for cursing.”

The last sentence got Soul Fire wondering. There was no hint of sarcasm in the remark if anything there was pride in it. Why would Metal Claws praise Twixt’d for his skill at cursing? That was something only close drakes would do… Soul Fire then voiced what he thought was Metal Claws’ real problem. “You're not angry at him but at yourself! You see yourself in him, and you don’t want him to make the same mistakes you did. Do you have the courage to do what is right? Don’t wait until he saves you from a rage dragon!”

The only response from Metal Claws was to stare blankly at him. Soul Fire pinched the brow of his snout, he could feel a headache coming on. “Go to your mate. She needs you right now. I presume that the construction of Twixt’d’s home will resume again tomorrow bright and early?”

Metal Claws grumbled, but nodded a yes before taking flight back to his forge.

Now that the nest was completed Soul Fire left for the orchard. He landed near his nest and pick up a large satchel that he had placed nearby earlier in the day. He opened it and dumped its contents into the nest. He then climbed in the carefully spread out the small pile of gems and coins. He then climbed back out to retrieve a second satchel which he again dumped and spread out. Soul Fire eyed the amount and nodded in satisfaction. The amount was good enough for him. He laid down onto the gems and as before he hyper focused on the silo before he snapped out of it. The day had been a long one for him so he decided to go ahead and fall asleep.

Soul Fire was suddenly stirred awake by someone, but oddly he wasn’t angry. “What are you doing out here?” Soul Fire recognized the voice, it was the owner of the home that he was watching. It explained how the figure had manage to approach him without tipping him off that there was someone nearby.

“Trying to guard sleep.” Soul Fire opened his eyes fully to see that night had fallen. Nearby was Twixt’d taping his claws on his crossed arms.

“Guard sleep?” Twixt’d wondered. He was already pretty sure he knew what that meant but he needed to know for sure.

“It’s a type of watchful sleep that a dragon does when he is guarding his hoard.”

“Sounds like something one learns to do on the streets quite quickly if one wanted to live till morning.”

“If you are uncomfortable, I will move my nest further away.”

“Nah.” Twixt’d waved a claw dismissively. “You don’t need to do that. At least now I know what all the metal birds nests are for…”

“What is wrong?” Soul Fire inquired when he noticed that Twixt’d seemed to be a bit down at finding out what the nest was really for.

“The nest is terrible, if I…”

“It’s perfect Twixt’d.” Soul Fire interrupted Twixt’d. “Not because it looks perfect but because you made it.”

“But…” Twixt’d weakly objected.

Soul Fire again stopped him. “Twixt’d, I watched you as you built it. Several times you undid a weave to correct a mistake without any direction from She of Hourglass. You wouldn’t have done that unless you wanted it to look good.”

“But I could I have done more…” Twixt’d countered weakly.

Soul Fire pulled him into a hug. “It. Is. Perfect.”

After a few moments, Soul Fire let go of Twixt’d. Twixt’d remained quiet as he looked off in thought for a bit. Soul Fire waited patiently figuring that Twixt’d was thinking about a title.

He is always looking out for me… but he also looks out for everydragon in Hourglass. Guard sleeping he called it. That isn’t like a knight... more of a guard or a night watchperson but neither words are right. Close though, so maybe a close word would be right.

Suddenly a name came to him. It was too perfect there was no way that Soul Fire wouldn’t love it. “Sentinel.”

Soul Fire eyed Twixt’d, not sure if he was just starting to think out loud or if that was the title that Twixt’d had come up with. “Twixt’d?”

“It’s your new title. Sentinel.”

“It’s perfect.” Soul Fire could feel his bond to Twixt’d surge and in a haze he licked him with affection.

Twixt’d was about to protest when the effects of the lick overcame him. Soul Fire being his hatchmate burned into his mind so completely that he just knew that he was always his hatchmate. Suddenly the long day caught up to him and he yawned heavily. “G’night Sentinel.”

“G’night, my hatchmate, my brother.” Sentinel settled back onto his bed. He knew that his hatchmate would find the right title. ‘Sentinel’ was more then perfect as it could almost could be a part of his Hoard name.

Twixt’d smiled then walked off to go sleep near his own, currently makeshift, bed near the silo. He hoped that it wouldn’t take much longer. He couldn’t wait to wake up, take a step, and fly off. Nevermind his irritation with Quartermaster.

Day 28 of the Nameless One’s escape

2 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early morning, Hourglass City

“Here is what you are going to do today. You are going to take these metal rods” Quartermaster held up a rod, “and ‘weld’ them with a control stream of your fire to the supports inside the silo that I placed in there yesterday. Chalk markings will show you where the rods are to be welded into place. I shall monitor your welding to make sure you do it correctly each time.”

Mid Morning, Hourglass City

“Your fire is wavering. Concentrate!” Quartermaster ordered.

Twixt’d grumbled but did as he was told.

“So…” Quartermaster rubbed his arm nervously, “what did He of Hourglass think of his nest?”

Twixt’d smirked at the poor attempt at starting a conversation, and he was in no mood for it so he decided to head it off before it got anywhere close to awkward. “Okay, did Sentinel ask you to talk me up or something?”

“Sentinel?” Quartermaster repeated in surprise. He had no clue who that was.

“He of Hourglass’ new title.” Twixt’d commented before he welded another thick rod onto the supports.

“I wasn’t aware of that…”

“I gave it to him last night.”

“Wait here Twixt’d,” Quartermaster paled visibly, “and don’t weld anymore until I return.”

“Like I have anything else better to do…”

Metal Claws hoped that Soul Fire had not left his orchard nest yet. Sure enough, Soul Fire was still there staring oddly at the nest

“What are you playing at Sentinel?” Metal Claws growled in an accusatory manner which snapped Soul Fire out of his trance.

“I’m trying to help my hatchmate.” Soul Fire simply stated, not yet looking at Metal Claws.

“So, he wasn’t lying…” Metal Claws said almost to himself.

Soul Fire growled, clearly annoyed at Metal Claws mistrust. He now let Metal Claws know this by giving him a hard stare. “Twixt’d never saw me as a father figure but as a big brother. He wants more then a big brother. My question still stands. Will you do what is right?”

Metal Claws went wide eyed. He now saw exactly what Soul Fire was getting at. “You do realize that you might lose him as a hatchmate? I will not mess with your hoard.”

“Do what is right. I’m not greedy.” Soul Fire countered. “I have no issue giving away my hoard to someone worthy to take care of it. Besides, have you forgotten that your children are in my hoard already?”

Day 29 of the Nameless One’s escape

3 days since the fall of Traxti City

Last afternoon, Hourglass City

“My parents died when I was only a few months old... I can’t remember them. I can’t even remember what they look like or anything.. All I remember is that they died and that they named me Black Ice…”

“No egg name?”

“Egg name?” Twixt’d scratched his chin in thought. “He of Hourglass said something about that during one of my lessons… No, I don’t remember.”

Quartermaster knew it was a long shot. It meant he had to resort to the other option. He just needed to see if Twixt’d was really wanting it or was just saying that he wanted it.

“Why do you care about all this anyway?”

“Do you want a father and mother…”

Twixt’d blinked before he bowled over in uproarious laughter to hide his pain. “I see it now! You are trying to get back at me. Well it won’t work!”

“DO YOU WANT A FATHER AND MOTHER?” Quartermaster yelled at the whelp who was now climbing out of the silo.

“YES!” Twixt’d roared out in emotional pain tears already forming in his eyes. “You happy now?” He then ran off and sat near Sentinel's nest.

That was all the Quartermaster needed. Twixt’d was going to be his son, and he would have a family that was robbed from him. Soul Fire was right, Twixt’d reminded him of himself. Stubborn and hotheaded, but fiercely loyal.

“Leave me the buck alone Quartermaster.” Twixt’d weakly protested as he heard the the dragon’s approach. Quartermaster had opened a wound so deep and raw. Sentinel was never this upfront. He was always patient with him and would wait until he was ready. Quartermaster however was just plain awful with his forceful confrontation. Why was Sentinel so insistent that he would have to work with Quartermaster? He inner rantings was interrupted when he suddenly could smell a familiar smell. The smell of comfort and love. It was a smell that he somehow knew was coming from his father, but his father was long gone.

He spun to see that Quartermaster was looming over him. The smell seemed to come from him. But Quartermaster wasn’t his father...or was he? Twixt’d didn’t have any more time to ponder before Quartermaster roared a stream of fire right at him. In his shock, he froze.

The fire from Quartermaster was oddly cool and not burning hot. Before he could question it his mind stop working as the fire began to cleanse his mind. He couldn’t remember his old parents anymore…it was as if the only parents were his father and mother They of Hourglass. His time and memories of his life of as a street urchin remained but was colored differently. It became a struggle to find his parents again instead of the knowledge that his parents were dead and there was no hope.

For a moment, he panicked as he could feel that he was losing Sentinel as a hatchmate, but then he realized that he would still be family. A moment later, he forgot that Sentinel was once his hatchmate and now saw that he had three hatchmates. How he knew that he didn't know.

Quartermaster was not as affected as Twixt’d. He knew that the whelp was adopted by him but his love was strengthened so that he would and could only treat him as if he really was his egg parent. It was too bad he didn’t know the egg name of the whelp. He would rather have not had to resort to using his flame as it would make Twixt’d forget his egg parents, but he knew from Soul Fire that Twixt’d needed parents.

All his worries, however, melted as he watched his son’s bitterness and pain burning away. He nearly lost it as Twixt’d looked up at him in love. His eyes had lost the coldness and smugness replaced by a sparkle that only could came from joy. His flame finally gave out, but he could see that the adoption flame was still coursing through his son and would for a few moments longer.

“WHOOO HOO!” Twixt’d launched himself into the sky corkscrewing as he climbed. The joy he was feeling was exhilarating.

“Brace yourself.” Came a warning.

“For what Soul Fire?” Metal Claws turned to see both Soul Fire and Golden DragonHeart walking out from the shadows of the orchard. How does a white dragon hide in shadow? And what is with them watching from the shadows all the time?

A loud boom sounded and all three dragons looked skyward to see a rainbow shock wave. A moment later, the large concussion blast accompanying the rainbow shock wave buffeted the dragons. Soul Fire was the least affected given his ability to use the Sonic Rainboom and just stood there letting the wind buffet around him like it was nothing. Golden DragonHeart who, like usual, was wingless so all he had to do was to crouch down. Metal Claws, however, fought to get his wings under control. Luckily, his weight kept him from lifting off it still didn’t stop him from sliding back causing his claws to gouge the ground.

“And I didn’t even tell him how to create one.” Soul Fire chuckled as he watched the joyous whelp soar through the sky now with a rainbow trail behind him.

“How do you create one?” Metal Claws wondered.

“Speed, unbridled joy, and a just a touch of magic. At least for the first time… I’m actually surprised the Bearer of Joy has not been able to create one…” Soul Fire paused for a second then shuddered before adding, “Probably a good thing actually.”

“He was right…” Golden DragonHeart mused as he dwelt on the events on the past few days.

“What do you mean Firstclaw?” Metal Claws wondered, still watching his son’s joyous rainbow flight.

“The dragons are rapidly returning to harmony.” Soul Fire answered as he returned his gaze skyward to watch his former hatchmate along with Metal Claws.

On the Trail of Scattered Recollections

?? days since the fall of Traxti City

Unknown time, unknown location

“Oww...” Discord grumbled as he awoke. His whole body ached. He slowly opened his eyes to see that he was most likely underground judging from the roughly hewn chamber his was in. The only source of light was a rapidly dying out torch on the far wall.

Where exactly am I? Hmmm… Odd… My magic reserves are curiously low.

Something warm and sticky dripped down over his eyes. In curiosity he put his clawed hand up to see that it was blood. This, plus his aching body, got him to examine himself. He could see that he had several deep cuts and bruises all over his body. A dull ache coming from his paw made him think that it was either sprained or broken. He must had been in a terrible fight, but he couldn’t remember.

Discord looked around to see that wherever he was had recently been the scene of something violent. He could see the shadows of overturned chairs, torn cloth, and smashed boxes and barrels. He must have passed out before he could escape from whatever Tartarus he got himself into.

He snapped a flashlight to get a better view of the chambers as the torch was not providing enough light. He swept the beam of light across the destroyed room. He could see that there was a lot of what he really hoped was red paint splattered all over the place.

He slowly crept to look over an overturned table and went green. He could see at least three mutilated, beyond recognition, bodies. As he moved the beam of his flashlight around he could count at least seven more bodies of which at least could be recognized. Looks like it he was in a diamond dog cave system judging by the fact that the bodies were diamond dogs..

What exactly happened here??! And for that matter how did I get here?

He nearly screamed like a little girl when he saw a diamond dog hanging from a hook from the ceiling with his mouth cut wide open in a smile.

Prior Event

“Why so serious!?” Discord looked over at the now terrified diamond dog.

The diamond dog in question whimpered. He would have lost his everything in his bowls if he hadn’t already when he saw what the draconequus did to three of his pack earlier. He scrambled to back up from the demented draconequus now sporting clown makeup and a green wig.

“Let’s put a smile on your face.” Discord licked his lips and moving a strand of the green hair out of his eyes.

Present

Now I’m really going to be sick… Discord thought just before he threw up into a paper bag. He pulled out a spiral note book and wrote down. “Note to self: never speak of this to Fluttershy. Anyone.”

Unfortunately, he still was not getting the answers he needed or, in the case of the previous, wanted. His magic was also not working correctly to enter the Plane of Harmony which he was sure would be less traumatizing for him to find out what happened. Less haphazardly too as he really needed to remember things in order otherwise he could miss something...

He continued to wander the room using his claw to feel for residue magical energies. There was a lot of residual dark magic but he kept going as there had to be something he could discover other then the obvious.

In the center of the room he finally found something of interest. To the uninitiated it was just a pile of stones but to Discord it looked to be indicative of Diamond dogs stone magic. However, the magic residual on the stones was off. He could tell that the stones were saturated with dark magic. Fresh too as the stone were still quite warm and yet ice cold. Discord shivered; he never really liked the feel of dark magic.

The dark magic concerned him as it was atypical for a diamond dog. Not only that, it was an unfamiliar type of dark magic. He had encountered dark magic users from every race in his long life… except one.

Prior Event

“For your sakes this had better be good…” Discord could just make out the sounds of gruff and bony chilling sounding voice. A moment of yapping and barking from the diamond dogs sounded. It was clear that he was being shown to whomever the voice belong to.

“You diminutive slobbery waste of flesh you let someone follow you!”

“Only silly chimera. Not someone.” One of the diamond dogs countered.

Discord opened his eyes just enough to see but not let them know he was conscious. His head was spinning from the knock to his head from earlier, but he could just make out the flicker of a magically projected, dark silhouette. A draconic silhouette from what he could tell. The distortion and his spinning head was making a positive ID hard.

“Idiots! That is no mere chimera! That is a draconequus and a KEEPER OF HARMONY!!”

The diamond dogs stood there confused. One even scratched his head. Discord carefully shifted his arms and noticed that he was tied up and that his hands were shackled. From the slight numbness he surmised that the shackles were most likely of the magic suppressor type. Luckily, he could feel that his tail was merely tied up with rope like the rest of him.

“Don’t just stand there drooling! KILL HIM!”

The fight afterwards was a blur. Unfortunately for Discord, the magic suppressor cuffs had effected his magic and being attacked from all sides by over a dozen diamond dogs and from at least two dog mages made the fight a life or death struggle for him. By the time the last diamond dog was dead Discord had numerous deep cuts and a broken paw.

“Impressive and that’s saying a lot coming from me.” The dragon clapped. Discord glared up at the dragon, a murderous glint in his eyes.

“You’re… Next...” Discord gasped out, stumbling towards the figure.

“Not likely Keeper…” The silhouette smirked as Discord lost consciousness.

Present

A dragon dark magic user that wasn’t the ‘Chaos Bringer’ was reason for extreme alarm. It was going to be hard enough to take the “Chaos Bringer’ down as it was. “I need to warn the others!” Discord exclaimed rushing out of the chamber and into a maze of tunnels. As soon as I find a way out of here… I just hope I’m not too late.

Discord again attempted to enter the Plane of Harmony but failed “Damn it!” He couldn’t even leave a note yet either. This was beginning to annoy him. At least he could do basic stuff.

After an hour Discord was even more lost than before. “I HATE MAZES!” In frustration he slammed a clawed fist against a wall. A rock dislodged from the ceiling and became an ear of corn when it hit his head. “I said maze not maize…” Discord rolled his eyes kicking the corn. I guess this is poetic justice for what I did to He of Hourglass’s Bearers...

Prior Event

Diamond Dogs? No way did Diamond Dogs that to Traxti City… at least not alone. Nevermind diamond dog magic cannot do what the dome did. There must be more… Mmmm I see hoof prints… but the gait indicates minotaurs not ponies or some other hooved creature… though it doesn’t leave out a chimera...

Something doesn't add up the trail was masked so carefully before now. Several exclamations could explain this either they figure the panic would mask their retreat, they no longer care, or I’m walking into a trap. Discord noticed that the tracks went into a cave nearby. Taking a long hard look around he could see no sentries nearby. Discord was a bit surprised at that and really hoped that it meant he wasn’t walking into a trap…

He snapped a necklace of glowsticks around his neck and cautiously stepped into the darkness of the cave. At the back of the cave was a poorly disguised tunnel. Discord carefully made his way in preparing for the ambush. When none came he kept going, hoping that he wouldn’t lose the trail in the darkness.

Judging by the crudeness of the tunnels it was apparent that this was dug by a rouge pack and not part of the Diamond Confederation. Made sense to him given the dark magic quality of the green magic dome.

Discord carefully and slyly marked the route he was going. He wanted to make sure he didn’t get lost as diamond dog tunnels were know to be deadly just for the fact that they were maze like. Of course, they were also deadly for another reason as it wasn’t uncommon for some tunnels to be booby trapped.

Present

“O perfect,” Discord sighed. “Now I finally remember a helpful memory that isn’t *hurk* gut wrenching…” Discord snapped a fastfood placemat kiddie maze in front of him. A Discord head marking his location in the maze. “Now to get out of here.”

Discord quickly made his way out of the tunnels. He didn’t care if in his haste if he ran into anyone. Time was no longer on his side and what he discovered made being cautious useless now.

Less than half an hour later he stumbled out of the cave and into the darkness of the night. How long was I in those tunnels?!

8 Days after the fall of Traxti City

Just after sunset, Forest somewhere near Traxti City.

Discord hid carefully in the trees as a group of battle ready minotaurs marched by. That was the third one in the past six hours. This was making it very difficult for him to keep on the trial that he was on. He had sensed the same magic that comprised the dome less than two days ago. The trail was rapidly fading. Much more of these interruptions and he might totally lose it.

After a few minutes of waiting Discord got down and began to follow the magic trail again.

Several more times during the night he had to again hide from minotaurs and once even a pack of diamond dogs. The escalation to war was astonishing. Though he supposed with the slow deterioration of the city over the past year it shouldn't be too surprising.

The sun was just beginning to rise when he noticed that there was tracks along the same route as the magic trail he had been following. Discord bent down and carefully examined the tracks. This was the first actual physical tracks on the trail that he had been following. “Diamond dogs.” He whispered.

Sharing, Friendship, Family, Love

Sharing, Friendship, Family, Love

30 days since the Nameless One’s escape

4 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early Morning Hourglass City.

Golden DragonHeart stretched, yawned, allowed his wings to materialize and took off towards the orchard. Twixt’d had finished his work as the rest had to be done by Metal Claws. Twixt’d almost wasn’t able to finish yesterday. Not that anyone cared if he had or not.

He of Hourglass noticed that Twixt’d was returning, the rainbow trail fading as he did. He turned to address his Secondclaw about something but stopped. Deep within the glistening eyes of joy that his clanmate was showing was the hint of deep hidden pain. He wondered why this was so. He was now in harmony and nearly everything that had weighed down Harmonious Knight Soul Fire had burned away. He looked a moment longer and nearly gasped what ever this pain was it recent.

Metal Claws luckily didn't see the pain that Soul Fire was dealing with. Soul Fire hid it well but it was clear that something about the adoption triggered a deep seeded pain. It wasn’t the adoption itself. Soul Fire nudged Metal Claws into adopting the whelp. Golden DragonHeart just hoped whatever it was wouldn’t get worse or that he was just over reading him.

He of Hourglass was soon lazily gliding over the orchard. Ahead he could make out the silos rising above the tree line. For the moment he could see neither Metal Claws or Twixt’d. As he was approaching the last and largest one a large red head popped out. Twixt’d soon followed.

“Good morning Quartermaster,” He of Hourglass greeted. ”Twixt’d.”

“Morning Firstclaw” Twixt’d and Quartermaster answered in unison. They both blinked then laughed. Quartermaster grabbed his son roughly and managed to get a claw under his horns to give him a noogie.

“Dad! Stop!” Twixt’d growled knocking his dads claw away.

“Just be glad I don’t lick you like your mom.” Quartermaster grinned as his flicked his tongue at him.

“Damn it dad! Not in front of the Firstclaw!”

He of Hourglass snorted as he attempted and ultimately failed to not laugh. This clearly embarrassed the whelp as he turned away and stalked off grumpily. “No don’t.” He of Hourglass put an arm out to stop Quartermaster. “I got this. He doesn’t know that I may be the firstclaw but I’m also a friend and one day a clanmate...”

“Very well…” Quartermaster swallowed his urge to parent. He knew that it was because Twixt’d was not fully yet dragon in his thinking… He was getting there and the adoption flame helped quite a bit but having essentially never being around dragons had dulled his draconic instincts. Not knowing dragon culture didn’t help either.

“No regrets, Metal Claws, neither you or him were ready.”

Golden DragonHeart slowly approached the whelp. It was clear the the whelp had been crying crossed with anger judging from a couple of scorch marks.

“Why did you have to come and not Sentinel?” Twixt’d growled out.

“Sentinel wants to spend some time with Medallion.”

“Doing what?”

“Why are you so interested in Sentinel?” Golden DragonHeart eyed the whelp. He knew that the adoption flame should have burned away his need to be that close to Soul Fire. Though it could be an unknown effect of his name.

“Nothing… just curious as it’s usually Sentinel and not you that comes by.”

Golden DragonHeart didn’t buy the exclamation but let it slide. “Come. Let’s go for a flight.”

“Fine.”

After a few minutes of silent flying it got to be too much for Twixt’d. “Talk Firstclaw.” Twixt’d demanded. “I may not be familiar with family dynamics but I know that this is not just a simple flight. Now spill.

“Are you dragon?!”

“What!”

“ARE YOU DRAGON?”

“YES!”

“Good.” Golden DragonHeart started to descend towards the hunting grounds. “Let’s land here.”

Twixt’d was a bit confused that he would land in the hunting grounds. He knew that his Firstclaw was not a meat eater. Golden DragonHeart sat down then leaned carefully against a tree.

“Yes, I am your Firstclaw. But…” He started as soon as Twixt’d sat down nearby “I’m more than that. I’m your friend. I wouldn’t have given you my Hoard name otherwise. One day it will be more then friend it will be clanmate... we would be family.”

“Really?”

“When it comes to a dragon’s hoard or hoard name a dragon is always serious. You need to stop being so negative all of the time. I’ve seen when you finally unburdened yourself that you never go back and that you soar to heights unknown.” Golden DragonHeart grinned as wide as he could. “So one way or another we will be friends…”

Twixt’d gulped. He didn’t like the look on the face of Golden DragonHeart, “Oh, horseapples…”

That was all that Twixt’d had a chance to say before Golden DragonHeart lunged at him. Twixt’d managed to shield himself before his rolled a way snapping his tail and growling at the offending dragon. He was pissed that this dragon would try and attack him like this. It was worse then when he sparred with Sentinel before he chose. It was wild and free and after getting over his intentional anger and surprise he found it to be exhilarating and went on the offense trying to bite and scratch the other dragon. Never to blood but he was going to wrestle his friend into submission.

After nearly an hour both dragons stopped, panting and wheezing in exhaustion. Golden DragonHeart could see that the friendship was truly two sided now as he felt the bond between them surge.

“Is this really the way of dragons? To act like hatchlings!?” Twixt’d exclaimed as soon as he caught his breath.

“Yes and no Twixt’d… what we just did has a purpose even though it was fun… it’s to hone your skills… When you one day get to be Quartermaster size you will find fighting like how I or Sentinel or even yourself impossible. Rough housing like we are not only teaches you to fight but it also build camaraderie between us. A dragon that can’t defend his hoard will find his hoard gone one day. Besides ‘fighting’” Golden DragonHeart air quoted. “amongst dragons is more common than you realize. Your father and He of Music are always getting into fights and yet they could be considered best friends.”

“My father seems to be close to Sentinel, but they hardly ever fight…” Twixt’d countered.

“Fighting is not indicative of dragon friendship, but sometimes that is how they are formed. Quartermaster and Sentinel were not always as close as they are now. I had a lot of problems with Quartermaster being suspicious of him until Sentinel saved him from a rage dragon.”

“What about Sentinel and myself… sure we sparred but not the rough and tumble…”

“Hard to say… Sentinel… He tends to make friends based on what he see in their inner fire or character... Remember when you asked about the way I said mine or my in relation to speaking about my hoard?

“Yeah…” Twixt’d forgot his own question he had asked as he remembered.

“Its hard to describe… but it’s means is sigh of a mature hoarder. He does tend to soften or refrain from putting emphasis on the words mine or my when he talks about his hoard but only when he is alone with his hoard…” He of Hourglass explained. “I even asked him once on it and his response was ‘my hoard knows they are mine I’d rather save it for those who don’t so they think twice before trying to hurt them.’ Personally I also think it may have to due with his previous alicorn nature…”

“... I mean is that he tends to only speak when he needs to but when he does he does tend to lecture… and yet he has this way to know everything about you. It’s as if he doesn't need to talk to be friends but to just be with you.” Golden DragonHeart was so far gone talking about Sentinel that he never noticed that Twixt’d had been reliving a memory

“Ow!” Twixt’d lightly smacked Golden DragonHeart with his tail. “What was that for?”

“Only if you can catch me Firstclaw.” Twixt’d smirked at his friend and Firstclaw. ‘Must you be so negative?’ Sentinel I vow to strive to not be anymore...

Golden DragonHeart smirked as he ran after the laughing and retreating Twixt’d. When he gets it he gets it... Suddenly, he lost him in the trees. Golden DragonHeart ducked as he heard the whooshing sound of a flyer coming up from behind him. Nice try, whelp. He grinned as he watched Twixt’d fly away. He flapped his wings and began to fly after him.

Twixt’d looked back at Golden DragonHeart and blew a raspberry before picking up tremendous speed. For the second time in his life he created a Sonic Rainboom. Golden Dragon Heart only chuckled as he avoided rainbow wave. He slowed down to a leisurely rate knowing full well that he could not match Twixt’d in the air.

Something about his flying, though, got him thinking. I can’t be sure without reconsulting the Memories but could he be one of those rare dragons?

Meanwhile in Hourglass City

“What is He of Laughter’s real name?” Legacy Chaser asked as she glanced over at Soul Fire who was preparing a poster for archiving that she found at the stadium.

Soul Fire was so shocked that she would ask such a question that he nearly ripped the poster. “Why would you ask that?

“Take look at this passage in this diary.” She pointed to the dairy she was examining for possible inclusion.

Soul Fire went over and took a look at the indicated passage. Judging from the writing this was a very young persons journal/diary. It took him a bit but he was finally able to get what it was saying. At least it was a short entry:

Ran into the creepiest draconequus ever at the park. Ugly too.

Says his name is Discordo Simetria. More like Demasiados Deformis.

Weirdest name ever.

Soul Fire went wide eyed in shock. He carefully flipped through more pages to see if he could discover more but sadly that was the only entry and judging from how few there were afterwards it was probably written very close to when the city…

“I can’t saw for one hundred percent certain without consulting He of Laughter, but I think this may very well be him being talked about.”

“Neat!” Legacy Chaser took the diary and carefully placed it her special spot. This was worth of inclusion into her hoard. Maybe if she could find more artifacts on He of Laughter she could have a section in her museum on the Keeper. “But I can’t help but think of how much pain He of Laughter went through. I mean I knew from what you said, but to have the historical proof…”

“Legacy Chaser, if you where to learn the backstories of the Keepers you will find similar stories in nearly all of them. Mine is very similar... hated by my own kind for having fur that was nauseating to look at.”

“You know some girls really like the misunderstood bad boys…” Legacy Chaser nuzzled Soul Fire.

“Legacy Chaser,” Soul Fire deadpanned as he pulled away from her nuzzle. “I don’t have a mate and I’m not yours.”

“A girl can dream…”

Soul Fire facepalmed.

34 days since the Nameless One’s escape

8 days since the fall of Traxti City

Noon, Hourglass City.

Soul Fire rushed around the corner of the cobblestone street knocking a few stones out of the street. He slid to a stop at the entrance to the forge. Metal Claws was pacing in front of it and hadn't noticed him just yet. “Metal Claws you called for me? Your scroll sounded urgent.”

Metal Claws stopped pacing and breathed a sigh of relief as he looked down to his clanmate. “Yes, She of Hourglass is about to lay our eggs.”

“Yeah, I know.” Soul Fire raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t see the need for him to be rushing over. The only thing he could think of was that maybe that he needed help to calm down but that was really tenuous of an excuse.

“Somehow I shouldn’t be surprised…” Metal Claws facepalmed, shaking his head. “Both my mate and I want you to be there for the laying…”

“Metal Claws I’m not your mate or your child!” That shocked him. He may be a clanmate but it would be extremely dangerous for him to be inside the hoard right now. The act of laying could make both of them unable to see him as clanmate but as an intruder for a few minutes.

Metal Claws growled in frustration before he took a deep breath. “Secondclaw why must you be like this…”

“Because, one, I will not force myself on another even if it does strengthen my hoard. Two, you both know what happens to dragons for a few minutes during and after the laying. Three, I have a feeling this is to make up for Twixt’d.” Finally, I will never know what it will be like to have children of my own. I don’t know if I could handle it. He added in thought to himself as he didn’t want to marr this occasion with them being reminded he couldn't have children.

“Sentinel there is another reason…”

“You don’t want Twixt’d have to go through the Rite of Guardianship if something happens to you and She of Hourglass?”

“How do you do that?”

“Hoard name.” Soul Fire shrugged. Actually, he suspected the real reason the moment that Metal Claws revealed he wanted him there. He just wasn’t exactly sure until the ones that he listed, the more obvious ones, were rejected.

“Of course…” Metal Claws rubbed his head. Soul Fire did choose a very powerful name.

Metal Claws waved Soul Fire inside. Soul Fire followed right behind. The heat of the forge felt good on his scales but he didn’t slow down and was inwardly disappointed as his scales chilled as he walked away from the large forge. As he walked he could see various projects in various stages of work. Most of the projects where typical for a blacksmith various weapons and in a far corner he could see what looked like dragon armor.

What is this? Soul Fire wondered as noticed stacks of thin ,long bands of etched metal about a fourth of an inch thick and two hoofs wide. This looks almost like siding. What are they planning? He stepped up his pace as he noticed that he was falling a bit behind Metal Claws.

Quartermaster stopped once he reached the far back of the building. Sentinel could just make out Twixt’d wringing his claws together, clearly lost as to what to do. Sentinel put a comforting paw on his shoulder.

Twixt’d barely registered the gesture as he softly greeted him. “Hi Sentinel…” Was all that he could muster before he went silent again.

“I was worried that you wouldn’t make it Sentinel.” She of Hourglass whispered as she noticed Sentinel’s approach. Beads of sweat glistened over her scales. Quartermaster went over to her mate and flicked his tongue at her. She of Hourglass smiled at him and flick her tongue at him in turn before dropping her head to rest.

“It’s time Quartermaster.”

Quartermaster curled up with his mate his tail to her snout and his snout to her tail. He covered the area between them with his wing. A wave of pheromones overcame him as She of Hourglass’ body spasmed. Son will protect. Was the last sentient thought he had.

His first egg was orange with splashes of robin eggs blue. He carefully took the egg and cleaned the birthing fluid off the egg before nudging the egg to the center of the nest. Another spasm coursed through She of Hourglass and Quartermaster quickly moved his attention back to catch the second egg. A pure robins egg blue. He cleaned the egg just like the first one. The last egg was a rich red and looked to be a glossy ruby.

Sentinel struggled to remain coherent during the whole process. It didn’t help that Twixt’d was growling at him in a threatening manner. He had lost himself and in his haze thought Sentinel was an intruder here to smash or steal the eggs. A part of him wanted to smash the eggs but the true part of him knew that it was just the laying that was making him think that.

After some tense few minutes Twixt’d blinked and shrunk back from Sentinel. Sentinel could see that he was in scared out of his mind. Understandable, Twixt’d had not experienced his mind altering temporarily like this before.

“Welcome back.” Sentinel reached out to Twixt’d who knocked his paw away.

“I… I wanted to kill you…”

“I know and what happened is perfectly normal.”

“It’s normal to want to KILL MY BEST FRIEND!!?”

“It’s a magical instinct that overcomes dragons when certain things happen like the laying of eggs… It was only temporary… and you were only trying to protect you hatchmates….” Sentinel rubbed his head sheepishly for once unsure of how to reassure Twixt’d. “Magical instincts are not common for whelps or hatchlings but it does happen.”

Twixt’d didn’t appear convinced at Sentinel's explanation. Lucky stirring from the two mated dragons drew his attention away from his shame. Quartermaster pulled his wing back and lifted himself slowly away from She of Hourglass. She of Hourglass looked relieved but tired as she looked down lovely at her eggs. She looked over to Twixt’d and motioned him to come over “Come on over, Twixt’d. Don’t be shy.”

Twixt’d climbed carefully into the nest. He could now see his siblings’ eggs as the nest walls had obscured the small eggs from his sight. Twixt’d instinctively curled around his siblings. He then carefully rolled them closer to himself. No one was going to hurt his hatchmates. He slowly nuzzled each one in turn as he did he could feel the life of each of his hatchmates stirring within.

She of Hourglass saw this and licked her son in affection. Quartermaster in turn nuzzled his son. Sentinel almost lost it watching the display of dragon love. Alas, he knew that this could never come to pass for him.

She of Hourglass and Quartermaster started to sing over each egg in order. Twixt’d hummed as his parents sung his hatchmates egg names.

Lzlathtojot Lavas Cktar Ratošu Uth Testruütīva.

Cktasarzāt Scktīles Uth Zoss, Üas Thes Cktestīšathu.

Ieüšējs Lieslas Tiü Süaista Üā Rusīthiel.

Sentinel teared up it was just as wonderful as when his hatchmate’s egg was sung over.

Twixt’d head snapped at the sounds of the adult dragons suddenly growling angrily. She of Hourglass reflexively curled tighter around the eggs and in turn Twixt’d.

“Mom what is going on?”

She of Hourglass turned to face him. Her eyes ablaze in fury. “Something has breached the wards around our home... Something sinister.”

The forge darkened to near black. The fire from the forge providing the only light.

Quartermaster and Sentinel bounded out of the forge, fire seeping out of both of their clenched mouths. The sky was dark and grey with tint of pink from the Hourglass shield.

“What is going on!?” Quartermaster roared in anger

“Dark magic…” Sentinel responded, “and not a type I’m familiar with…”

“Meaning!?” Quartermaster nearly let loose his flame at Sentinel. He was not in the mood for guessing games. Not while his hoard and family were under attack.

“Either I have not yet memory walked the right memory or we are going to be in the fight of our lives.”

“I’m coming.” Twixt’d insisted as he walked out of the forge.

NO. Sentinel snapped, barely able to contain his fury. “Protect your mother and your siblings. Don’t let anyone or anything get near the forge and your parents Hoard.”

Author's Note

Sorry Frsotbite4 for the delay

I'm working on a timeline so you guys can better keep track of the shifting timelines...

On a side note (that I will regret) I am shocked that the dragon in the previous chapter didn't get the 'Was that Quartz?' from Jamesinor

Taunts from the Darkness

34 days since the Nameless One’s escape
8 days since the fall of Traxti City
Early Afternoon, Hourglass City.

“Any sign of the intruder on the scanners?” Soul Fire questioned Golden DragonHeart as he stepped out of the council building to join the other clan members gathered.

“No other than the repressive… cloud?... of darkness surrounding the city the scanners can’t see anything, and yet, I can still tell there is an intruder.”

“Same here.”

“I don't see why we are doing this and not out there…” Metal Claws barked in frustration.

“Metal Claws! Cool it.” Soul Fire ordered. “I’m just as ticked off, but going in blind claws swiping and maw ablazing may be exactly what whomever is doing this wants… unknown dark magic rarely responds to direct approaches.”

“Don’t even try.” Golden DragonHeart growled when he noticed Metal Claws was about to go over the Secondclaw. “Soul Fire has way more knowledge of dark magic then I do.”

Metal Claws grumbled hotly but said nothing else.

Sentinel shifted into his alicorn form. His horn glowed conjuring a scrying orb for other to watch as he probed the darkness. After a few moments of tense silence Sentinel horn dimmed and he grunted. “Well this is an oddity though not unexpected.”

“Meaning?” Metal Claws held back his anger, just barely.

“The mist is blocking my alicorn magic…”

“Dragon magic is stronger than alicorn of course it would block your magic.”

“Have you forgotten so quickly Metal Claws? He spent many years among our kind don’t think he doesn’t know how to exploit the very weakness you just stated?”

Metal Claws blinked, completely confused as he didn’t stated any weakness to dragon magic.

“Pride.” Soul Fire answered. “Sure you and I like all dragons can split a rock with a single blow of our fist? But did you know that a tiny crack some water and a cycle of warm and freezing temps…can split it was well? Sure it takes longer but no one suspect a crack and a few drops of water ever of cutting a mighty boulder!”

“We don't have time for slow and steady!”

“I KNOW THAT!” Soul Fire roared readying his horn to attack Metal Claws.

“ENOUGH!” Golden DragonHeart put his hand on Soul Fire’s horn shorting it out. “Both of you! Save it for them.”

“Oh, lovely, two of my favorite ‘lings…” Soul Fire growled as he noticed what his firstclaw was indicating. The scrying orb he had conjured was showing inkings and shadowlings coming out of the mists.

“Keep those demons at bay. I’m going after the caster.”

The gathered dragons minus Soul fire grunted in acceptance of the plan. Worry etched across Sentinel's face but he nodded his agreement nonetheless.

“FOR HOURGLASS!” The clan roared in unison before taking off to defend their hoard. Golden DragonHeart flew away low to the ground. He figured that the caster would most likely be on the ground given the amount of concentration needed to cast the darkening mist and summon the demons. Which also meant that caster was most liking somewhere in the lands just around the mountain.

The defense obelisks began firing at the masses of inklings and shadowlings. Unlike the previous attack on Hourglass there was more dragons this time to defend it. So instead of letting the obelisks do all of the work while waiting for the shields to fail before directly fighting this time they would fight to prevent the shield from failing. She of Hourglass had just laid the future of the clan and was a bit weak while Twixt’d was only a whelp neither would be able to hold against them for very long.

Sentinel landed on top of the shield then rose in the air in power his mane grew and became a literal rainbow fire. His cutiemark shined and lights in the colors of the flames flew out from it and circled around him. He eyes shot open and magic poured from them like smoke. The lights that swirled around him became a rainbow of swords. A roar escaped his lips as he charge at the mass of inklings and shadowlings.

The tide of shadowlings and inklings never slowed down and never decreased as the minutes turned to hours. The shield had managed to hold but for how much longer was unknown. The dragons were beginning to wear out. Sentinel guest that the sun would probably be rising in a hour when the shields did finally fail. When they did something about the movement of the ‘lings troubled him.

Something is not right… He carefully landed on a building to carefully gaze about the battleground. As he suspected the mass of demons seemed to be heading in one direction and from he could tell it wasn’t from He of Music’s playing… it was as if… In a mixed of panic and rage in took off towards Medallion killing demons as he went.

“I got this Medallion go help He of Music near the forge.” As he managed to get close enough to Medallion to be heard.

“Are you crazy!? I...”

“Don’t question me again Medallion!” Sentinel snapped. GO.

He of Hourglass stood resolute at the edge of the wall of mist. The dark magic pouring from it was chilling to say the least, but he didn’t want to let whomever was casting this know that he was a bit unnerved.

“Well if it isn’t the weak Dragon Keeper.” A laughing, distorted, young dragon voice called out in the swirling mass of darkness. He of Hourglass growled out in response but held back his flame for the moment.

The voice returned and the mist began to swirl around He of Hourglass “You are a pathetic, weak dragon needed other week dragons to help you out…”

Why is it that every villain have the overwhelming need to monologue?! At least it will give me time to figure more about this dragon or if this is some trick of the mist...

“A foolish dragon is one that thinks he can solve everything on his or her own. A wise dragon knows this and surrounds him or her self with those that bring out the best and help burn away the worst. I am stronger for being a part of a clan.” He of Hourglass sparks changed from multicolored to gold.

He of Hourglass roared in frustration as the dragon appeared behind him and flicked his tongue before fading back into the cloud. “But of course, you want to be part of a clan.” The voice mocked. “Just like those scared ponies… weak... so weak that they congregate in hopes that that the others will act as a meat shield!”

He of Hourglass eyes glowing gold in power. “You lack empathy and understanding then, because if you truly had taken time to look at the ponies you would see that their true strength is inner strength. I would not be the dragon I am without two in particular.”

“No wonder I still feel fear coming off of you.” The drake sneered. “You claim you are dragon and yet you converse with ponies... PREY!”

He of Hourglass claws glowed gold just like his eyes. “Of course I’m scared and afraid. And yet here I am to confront you. Courage isn’t about not being afraid but standing up doing what is right even when afraid.”

With that he roared and his golden sparks burned away the mist around him revealing the dragon within. The dragon looked just like him but a darker version. Golden DragonHeart nearly fell backwards in shock before a rage came over him. How dare this dragon dare mock me! He slashed at the dragon cutting him deeply across the chest. The area that he hit became ashy.

This told him that this was no dragon but a magical clay spectre in the shape of a dragon. It was quite likely that the true caster was not around, but was most likely aware of what was going on. The power required for this was massive. Which meant this was most likely the ‘Nameless One’ himself doing this.

He of Hourglass growled out. “You thought to break me down but all you did is ensure your destruction.”

“Did I? Tell me Keeper… How long can you hold back your rage?” The fake dragon laughing maniacally even has more of his ‘body’ turned to ash.

The revelation shocked He of Hourglass for merely a second before, in a rage, he smashed the fake dragon with Harmony Magic causing it to instantly turn to dust and fade away. The sounds of the laughing dragon still echoing in his mind. Light returned to the world as the mist dissipated. He of Hourglass looked to see that the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon.

“I hope... He of Hourglass finds... the caster soon…” Twixt’d panted as he slashed another inkling dead.

“Stay resolute Twixt’d tap into your inner dragon if you must.” Sentinel blasted several shadowlings with light magic.

“Inner dragon!? Sentinel!” Twixt’d slammed an inkling into several others with a swipe of his mace tail. “We have been fighting for hours!”

Sentinel knew this, but he needed to keep Twixt’d focused and his moral up as much as he could. He prayed to The Voice that He of Hourglass would succeed soon as his alicorn magic was getting low. He would have to switch to dragon before too long. Even then, he was physically tired, and he would collapse from physical exhaustion before too long.

The dim greyish cloud suddenly faded away and the demons shimmered into nothingness.

“Thank The Voice.” Sentinel breathed a sigh of relief. Down the road he could see and feel Quartermaster rushing towards the forge. Sentinel was glad for the earth pony magic keeping him steady. Twixt’d, however, was having a bit more trouble even though his tail could counterbalance that fact he was on two legs. His weariness was making that a bit harder.

“Find He of Hourglass.” Sentinel ordered as Quartermaster bounded up to the forge entrance. Quartermaster hesitated a moment, torn a bit on double checking She of Hourglass even though it was clear she and the eggs were safe. NOW!

“Twixt’d… I…”

“No, don’t.” Twixt’d stopped Sentinel before he could manage an apology. “You’re the Secondclaw and everything...”

Sentinel eyed Twixt’d for a moment before he turned his attention back to the sky. “This is about to get interesting…” Sentinel commented as he noticed both Medallion and He of Music coming in, quite quickly, to land.

“How so?” Twixt’d open and shut his fists reflexively not sure what Sentinel could mean by ‘interesting.’

“Remember what happened during the laying?” Sentinel kept a close watch on both as he answer Twixt’d. He knew they needed to land but why did fate have to have both of them in the same area.

“Please.” Twixt’d shuddered violently at the memory. “I don’t want to remember…”

“Well something similar is about to happen to He of Music and Medallion.”

Come on I need to land. He of Music grunted as he could feel it coming, and he really didn’t want a repeat of the last time. At least the falling out of the sky... As for the other part he would have to hope he didn’t do anything during that part to embarrass himself. Although judging from where he was going to land it looked like he was going to be embarrassed anyway...

The moment he landed his mind shifted like before. He purred in excitement as the same sensational tingling went over his body. As he reflexively pawed the ground his paws double in size. The claws on the front paws however nearly tripled in size making his frontpaws more claw like. He licked his fangs as his watched these changes. A hunger overcame him, a sadistic hunger to use his claws to end the life of delicious prey.

He began panting as his neck stretched outward. It sent a ripple of sexual desire into his body and mind. I must get a dragoness to rut… He suddenly could see a dragoness nearby. However there was a puny alicorn, a perfect snack, and a spooked fake dragon between him and the dragoness. No self respecting drake would be afraid. He would end the life of the whelp soon enough. No need to have a pathetic dragon making real dragons look weak. When he stepped forward a forked tongue flicking out. The alicorn smelled so delicious and so did the dragoness. He could kill the alicorn to woo the dragoness in his hunting prowess.

Sentinel stood defiant between Medallion and He of Music. His biggest concern was He of Music and Twixt’d. He of Music because a drake was usually more aggressive than a dragoness, and Twixt’d because he was probably disgusting the mind altered dragon with his fear. “Try to relax Twixt’d.”

“You try doing that when you got a drake looking at you with feral, murderous eyes.”

Sentinel was glad he wasn’t looking at Medallion then.

Medallion was tired, so very tired, from the night long fight. She just needed to land and fast before her wings gave out. That and she was feeling weird but her mind was too tired to figure it out. She managed to make a decent landing even in her weariness.

A warmness enveloped her as soon as she landed. Her mind altered as the warmth increased. Why am I standing up like this? She would need to fix that and she lowered herself to the ground. Popping and grinding sounds could be heard as her arms shifted from arm to legs. Her body remain somewhat slim as it enlarged.

Finally to rid myself of that useless bipedal stance. So hard to get service that way. She felt so hot as her wing stretched out and enlarged twice in size. Her spikes and dagger tail and claws lengthen and sharpen. She dug the longer claws into the cobblestone street feeling more powerful and sexy. Her greed shifted from her hoard which she needed to increase as it was too modest to impress any drake to needing something a bit more pleasurable.

The musk of an aroused drake got her attention as she lookout to see see the prefect drake nearby. She so wanted to really heat up properly. Her eyes became slitted in her lust. She raised her tail to get the attention of the drake. She shuddered as not only she watched the drake start to step towards her but from her tail lengthening. As the drake size increase in size and bulk her mind began to swarm knowing that his large frame would mean that a delicious tight penetration would be a guarantee.

As the changes finished her mind suddenly snapped back to rationally. She blinked a bit but as she examined herself the sexual thoughts only increased instead of staying in the back of her mind like before. She felt no shame in letting the sexual thoughts remain.

Sentinel breath a sigh of relief as he noticed both dragons had snapped back to normal. Medallion said nothing as she examined herself in a very suggestive manner. Sentinel inwardly groaned at this. Medallion soon stopped and walk away her tail swaying in a way that would send a mate into a sex crazed lust.

“Oh, great…” He of Music nearly sang his misery at knowing that Medallion would use this moment to tease him to no end. “I’m never going to live this down with her…”

Sentinel rubbed his ears thinking it might be clogged or something. He turned to face He of Music and had to move his gaze up as he was now twice as large as before. With his longer neck and claw like fore paws he looked more like a mini full grown dragon. Great… Sentinel winced. His sore neck not in the mood to gaze upwards. If this keeps up I’m going to need a neck brace… “He of Music are you doing that to show off?”

“No.” He of Music responded in the same lyrical voice.

“Okay then… But I think it’s worse than that…”

“No, don’t tell me…”

“She kept the part the changes…” He shudder violently, “...the sexual changes…”

“I said not to tell me.” He of Music grumbled as he headed off to the park. He was tired and he needed to get to sleep and not deal with this. His feelings for needing a mate increased this time, and he didn’t need her making him more frustrated over not having a mate.

“Can somedragon please fill me in!” Twixt’d snapped, not noticing that He of Music was already retreating. He wanted to know exactly what just happened.

“Later, Twixt’d. Right now everydragon needs to recover including you. I’ll be by later this afternoon.”

“Promise?”

“Es acktsolu.”

Twixt’d blinked. That was the first time he heard draconic and yet he knew exactly what Sentinel had said and knew that he wouldn’t break his promise.

“Iss wiLL ENd hIsSSs liFe ANd I wiLlss ENjoY Itssss.” Golden DragonHeart started to gain a lisp as his rage got stronger.

“So will I… But I’m not going to lose my Firstclaw in the process! I will beat the rage out of you if I have to!” Metal Claws slammed a fist mere inches from Golden DragonHeart shocking the smaller dragon out of his rage.

Metal Claws again slammed his fist on the ground when he saw his Firstclaw nearly collapse in shame. “Not going to allow that either! It’s been a long battle and we all need rest.”

Golden DragonHeart swallowed his pain as best he could before he nodded. He let his wings return and started to climb in the air to return Hourglass.

Not long after that both had returned to Hourglass. Golden DragonHeart tiredly entered the library as Metal Claws carefully watched him. He turned away from the library and saw Soul Fire back in his dragon form standing near the Spiral Spire.

“Metal Claws, how bad?” Soul Fire tried to not sound forceful but he needed to know.

Metal Claws sighed heavily. “Bad.”

The way he spoke that one word was enough for Soul Fire to know that Golden DragonHeart’s descent into rage growth was worsening. Without speaking another word he walked past Metal Claws and entered the Library. Metal Claws silently watched in worry as his Secondclaw entered the library. Good luck Soul Fire, The Voice knows we need it right now.

“Soul Fire!?” Golden DragonHeart’s head shot up when he saw Soul Fire enter without announcing himself. If he had come in much later he may have never noticed his arrival. The Hoard Gem did give him free access to the library and his hoard but Soul Fire still usually announced his presence as a courtesy. “What are you doing here? It’s not my turn for you to guard sleep here.”

“No, it’s not.” Soul Fire admitted. He could see the shame and pain on his Firstclaw’s face. He knew that a deep sleep would help but only would occur if he guard slept here. “But, you need it more right now then anyone else... Liezs Slozszelts CktüisSirts i sūs aizsarzs liezu.”

Golden DragonHeart wanted to protest but between his exhaustion and the effects of Soul Fire’s Draconic utterance he could do nothing more then let the sweet embrace of sleep overcome him.

Intermission III: Bedroom Topics Should Stay There

“You know I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of expression before…” Storyteller suddenly stopped his story. “It appears to me as a mix of horror, revulsion, embarrassment, and just a touch of lust.”

“Buh... wha... you... are you some pervert or something!?” I nearly shouted after angrily sputtering the first couple of words. This hermit must do this as a way to jerk himself off or something… All that is left in the hermit cliches is murder... It was then that I realized that I might have said something wrong as I noticed that Storyteller was just staring at me, or at least I think he was. (I really wish he would remove his cloak) After what was for me another in a series of tense moments he burst into howling laughter. I nervously chuckled a bit.

“I wouldn’t worry about the homicidal hermit cliche…” Storyteller finally said after allowing his laughter to die out. “I don’t kill sentient beings except in self defense…”

For a moment, my brain stop working. And it wasn’t from him doing the whole the creepy ‘I not reading your mind I just know’ routine. That, sadly, I’ve come to expect. It was the other thing he said and all my brain could do was repeat ‘I don’t kill sentient beings except in self defense’ over and over.

As my brain finally got it’s gears moving, I came to realize that the statement was a loaded one. Because if it meant what I thought it meant it meant that he does kill non sentient beings which means he ain’t no pony… unless being a hermit drove him crazy enough to start eating meat... It would explain the reason he never ate in front of me. Probably figured I couldn’t handle it in my weakened state… To be honest, I don't think in a non weakened state would I be able to handle it well...

“Well…” Storyteller stretched and yawned and yet still managed to remain hidden to my increasing chagrin. “It’s time for you to rest and get some sleep. You need to regain your strength and an all nighter is not going to do that for you.”

I myself yawned heavily as he said this. As much as I was enjoying the story, even if it seemed a bit fantastical, I wasn’t going to complain. Before I knew it I was fast asleep.

I awoke to the sounds of the fire crackling. I rubbed the sleepiness from my eyes and looked over to see that the fire was now pink. Beside the pink part, the fire was... it looked forced. Not sure how a fire could look forced…

At the edge of the fire was a rolled up scroll tied with a ribbon. With curiosity and concern for it being close enough to burn I got up and quickly grabbed the scroll. As I grabbed it, the fire seemed oddly cool and not blazing hot like a fire should be. I slowly reached out with the tip my wing towards the fire.

“What are you doing?” Came an angry voice from behind me.

I fell backwards in fright and with much shaking I turned to see Storyteller right behind me. “I… was… um…” I held out the scroll which he promptly took and buried in the folds of his cloak.

“You thought that the scroll had fallen, rolled over the the fire somehow, and that the heat might damage or set it on fire?” I quickly nodded hoping that being honest might placate his anger. “Commendable, but wholly not necessary, and I suggest to leave what is not yours alone. Misplaced curiosity is quite dangerous… lethal in some cases…”

I involuntarily gulped at those last words. I had fallen into a trap that I should have seen. Too many times have I heard stories (or seen the aftermath) of tomb raiders or explorers letting their greed or curiosity blind them to obvious booby traps. The question was now was if I would survive or leap heroically out of the way at the last possible second.

“Okay, enough of this bad horror cliche… Ready for breakfast?”

My jaw dropped at the turn around though I was relieved that it was the second outcome not the first one. A faint gurgling sound coming from my stomach answered Storyteller’s question for me as I was still trying to get my heartrate down. Somehow, I can imagine Storyteller smirking under that hood. He left the den and returned a moment later with a covered platter and a glass of orange juice. I carefully lifted the lid and saw a bowl of oatmeal with apple slices, hash browns, and two slices of buttered toast. After a whole day of herb broth my stomach was ready for real and filling food as it growled loudly. I could hardly control myself as I dug right in.

“Okay, this is going to bug me...” I momentarily stopped stuffing myself and looked up wondering what Storyteller was grumbling about.

He went and stood in front of the fireplace. Between the way he stood and his cloak the fire was blocked from my sight. When he moved away the fire was no longer pink and fake looking. It looked like a normal fire... except for being white.

I stared for a moment more I returned to my breakfast. Before too long I had eaten everything and had even licked the bowl clean. For someone who lived in the middle of a desert he sure had fresh and flavorful food. I don’t think I ever had such tasty apples.

“So... I am confused about something…Why did He of Music want Medallion as a mate one moment and not the next?”

“Part of that I’ll allow Sentinel to answer as that has to do with the body changes they went through… Tell me how do ponies find ‘mates?’”

“Well it can get complex depending on whether or not the ponies are going to herd or not.”

“Herding is appalling to a dragon… dragons can only have one mate in their lives.”

“Why?”

“Tell me how does one make marriages slash herds ‘official’?”

“Usually in a ceremony with witnesses where they exchange vows and are given a piece a paper that reflects that they took marriage vows.”

“Worthless vows and pieces of paper… especially to a magical being like a dragon. For dragons it’s the literal mixing then exchange of their inner fire, their souls as it were. A dragon's flame is usually the same color of their belly scales. When they become mates the fire switches permanently. Quartermaster’s flames is his mates as She of Hourglass’ is Quartermaster’s. It’s as if they become one being in two bodies.”

“Whoa.” I whispered in awe.

“Indeed.”

“I see why they could only have one mate… so I guess cheating is never an issue.”

“Neither is divorce… another thing that is different between pony and dragon is time. Think about Belle Flower and how you came to wanting her as a mate. Even if it was ‘love at first sight’ you still dated and courted each over for a length of time…” I nodded, not wanting to interrupt Storyteller’s flow. “For a dragon it’s done with pheromones, magical pheromones that only trigger the desire to mate with those that have compatible souls. And it’s love at first smell and there is no lengthy ‘courting’. When a drake smells those pheromones he will lose upper brain function to woo the potential mate. And if female finds the drake is worthy then they mate right there.”

“Th-that... that is way fast.” I stuttered in shock. “...and a bit animalistic.”

“You have never done the deed then, because I know for a fact that ponies can become a bit animalistic in heat of the moment. As for the ‘fast’ part, every race or culture is different… Ents don’t have the concept of mates or ‘sex.’ I’ll leave that there because somehow I think it would only confuse you if I try to explain…”

“Still doesn't explain my original question.” I countered hoping that he would stop all of the bedroom talk, or at least, lessen it a bit.

“Medallion is not compatible with anyone in the clan. It was the fog of the growth that does that.”

“Huh?”

“Would you panic if all of a sudden you found yourself changing into... let’s say... a minotaur?”

“Uh...” I could feel all the blood drain from my face as I couldn't help but visualize that happening.

“It’s so the dragon doesn’t panic fight the physical changes…” Storyteller explained, “though some dragons actually want to keep the mental changes which is what Medallion did.”

“What would happen if they had mated…”

“You don’t want to know.” Storyteller interrupted me, shivering violently. Whatever it was must be very bad. Bad enough for me to not even think about pushing for the answer. “It’s very unusual for a female dragon to choose. Normally they will be mated as a whelp and will never need to choose. There are certain conditions for the growth ‘spurts’ to occur. Really the only time that two dragons would have a growth ‘spurt’ occur at the same time is with dragon clans. So the situation between He of Music and Medallion is extremely rare.”

“I think now is a good time to cool things down just a bit…”

Author's Note

By way anyone notice that what Storyteller saws at the end of the intermissions is a hint to what the next chapter is on?

COMMENTS PLEASE... now that Jameisnor is in a funk and RadicalDishonesty currently MIA I need a comment fix.... (you can help by guessing the what might happen in the next chapter...)

An Early Frost Comes To Equestria

34 days since the Nameless One’s escape

8 days since the fall of Traxti City

Just before sunrise, Ponyville.

“Mistress!”

Twilight stirred a bit before she pulled more blankets around her.

“Mistress must wake up!”

“Huh... mag.. wha…” Twilight groaned as she attempted to ignore the voice intruder to her dreams. Suddenly a weight was lifted off of her and coldness assaulted her body. In a flash she was up. “Mangy Mutt! What is the…” Twilight stopped her rant as she noticed her breath was visible. She waved her foreleg through her breath cloud momentarily fascinated by it.

“Mistress?”

“Huh? Oh, right…” Twilight glanced over to her diamond dog assistant who was nervously holding on to her blankets. “Mangy Mutt, what is going on?”

“Snow and cold early. Mangy checked calendar. No snow three weeks.”

“That is odd… I wonder if there was an accident at the weather factory… again.”

“Mangy check with Rainbow?”

“Please do.” Twilight asked. Mangy Mutt bowed slightly and quickly rushed out the room. He is a good assistant... A slight pain went through her heart as she thought that. Spike...

Twilight quickly got ready for the day and soon walked down the hall to a plain door. She took a deep breath then unlocked and opened the door.

“Spike…” Twilight walked up to Spike’s bed and sat on the edge of it. “I hope you’re not too jealous of Mangy Mutt. He’s a great assistant, and please don’t take this wrong but in some ways he is a bit better… but you were more than that... You were… are my little brother even if you no longer remember me as such… I can only hope that when the ‘Dark One’ is defeated and the curses that he put on you and your race are gone that you will remember… and even…” Twilight choked back a few bittersweet tears, “...even if not, I’m glad that you made sure that you would would always be there for me… You know, I look forward to getting a chance to talk to ‘you’ weekly… when this war is over I’m going to make a point to spend some time with you personally without the fate of the world hanging in the balance.” Twilight facehoofed at what she just said. “You have become the new Candace.”

“Mistress?”

“Mangy Mutt!” Twilight nearly jumped when she heard Mangy Mutt. She quickly did some breathing exercises to calm down. “What did Rainbow say?”

“Not her. No accident. Factory working right. Mangy prepared lab. Lab ready, Mistress.”

Twilight chuckled and turned her gaze back to the bed. “See what I mean?” Twilight got up and headed out Spike’s room turning back only once to give a small smile before she shut and locked the room. Mangy Mutt scratched his head in confusion but followed Twilight in case she needed help in the lab.

Twilight refocused the microscope as she was peering through the eyepiece. After a few adjustments she could see the snowflakes. A confused scowl began to form as she took note of what she was seeing. “Identical snowflakes?!” Twilight wondered out loud before she slid her chair over to a printer that was printing off the compositional analysis of the snow that she had melted earlier.

“Water plus the typical particulates and chemical impurities.. Typical of normal snowflakes, but the magic levels are strange. Not typical for pegasi magic… or unicorn magic either…” Twilight muttered as she went over the the charts and figures.

She carefully extracted herself from the piles of paper and walked over to her reference bookshelf. She scanned it for a particular book. “Aha!” Twilight exclaimed as she pulled out a thick book.

Magicona Identfica: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to Magic Wave Signatures.

She rifled through the tome attempting to find anything similar to what the printout.

No… No…. No… wait. Twilight flipped back a page. She put the results of the compositional analysis next to the the diagram on wendigo magic. The results where remarkably similar and yet there appeared to be something underlying the wendigo magic. Though given a notation stating the small sample size it was possible that it was just normal.

Wendigo!? But how could a wendigo or wendigos manage to get into Equestria much less thrive enough to cause a massive snowstorm with no warning?

“Mangy!” Twilight yelled.

“Mistress forgot Mangy here.” Mangy whimpered. He was getting better but Twilight still surprised him sometimes with her outbursts. That was the case this time as he missed the cue that she was about to yell.

“Oh, sorry...” Twilight chuckled sheepishly.

“Mangy get friends.” Mangy Mutt bowed before running out of the lab.

It’s scary how he knows what I’m thinking. Twilight commented as she released the magic keeping the lab ice cold and shut the light. Mangy would clean up the lab later. An Equestria ending crisis took priority over cleaning her lab.

“Thanks girls for...” Twilight began just as Rainbow came flying in the council chambers and after she used the tree’s magic to lock the doors.

“I swear it wasn’t me!...” Rainbow immediately shouted before she quietly added, “This time…”

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity admonished the prismatic pony.

“The storm is not normal it’s magical in nature. I can’t be sure as the wave patterns on the magicolly scale are a bit off... but give the very small sample size...”

“Twilight,” Rainbow facehoofed. “Skip the eggheadism and just tell us what is going on.”

Twilight blushed hard in embarrassment. “I have reason to believe the storm is being caused by wendigos.”

“Then we should do like the ponies from the Hearts warming…” Rainbow was interrupted by a booming knock on the council doors.

“Enter.” Twilight called out unlocking the doors with her magic.

A dark green pegasi in dark fake leather armor entered, saluted, then spoke. “Princess Celestia requests you and the council to come to Canterlot immediately.”

“But what of the storm and Ponyvi…”

“That is being taken care of.” The pegasi interrupted Rarity who humph at the perceived rudeness.

“Let’s go then!” Rainbow jumped off her throne started to trot out of the council before she suddenly stopped and turned back to see the entire council looking at her incredulously “What?”

“It’s jus’, Sugarcube, this is not like yah.” Applejack commented.

“The Royal Elite Pegasi Guard are trained for situations like this.” Rainbow Dash explained. “Let them handle it.”

8 days since the fall of Traxti City

Noon, Canterlot Castle.

Twilight had only been in the round war room once before. Last time it because of a changeling threat to the Crystal Empire. Now she was here with the other Bearers for a crisis that could Equestria life ending. She looked up to see that Luna had entered all that was left was for Celestia who was still busy trying to keep the ponies of Canterlot calm and coordinate the various military branches in response to the crisis.

“Your dreams have been lighter than I have seen it quite some time.” Luna noted as she smiled in greeting.

“He of Hourglass released his room.”

“The room that he said that would not open when until your grief no longer controlled you?”

“The very…” Twilight held back a tear before she looked over to see Luna gazing at her warmly. “Does it get any easier?”

“No…” Luna sighed. “It gets better, but easier… never.”

“Thank you for coming so quickly.” Celestia greeted as she closed the door to the war room behind her. The conversations that had been going between the various ponies instantly died out.

“Princess Celestia, the snowstorm, it’s wendigo in origin isn’t it?” Twilight blurted out before blushing deeply over her rudeness.

Celestia blinked for a moment before nodding. “You are correct, Twilight, it is being caused by wendigos.”

“Is the Fire of Friendship real? I mean I know alot of Equestria history has been altered…”

Celestia looked at her former student with and gave her a reassuring smile. “It is a real thing. Like many things it’s not as the play or history records. It’s a combination of the Elements of Harmony and Dragon’s Fire.”

“Uh… Celestia we may have a problem getting a dragon…”

“That won’t be necessary as it’s just the name of the spell that mimics it. Harmony or is it He of Hourglass?... created it.” Celestia chuckled as she pulled a scroll from on the numerous shelves lining the wall.

“The matrix looks familiar…” Twilight noted as she began to study the matrix to memorize it.

“It should.... as it’s part of the firemail spell.” Celestia simply said.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as they waited someone nervously as Twilight continued to study. After a few moments Twilight rerolled the scroll.

“Okay, so how do I combine the two?”

“Did Harmony or He of Hourglass teach you how to combine spells to the rainbow?”

“Not really... he focused more on getting me to learn how to balance the elements.”

“Well that is step one. In order for the Friendship Fire to work the elements must be in near perfect balance. Step two is to hit the Dragon’s Fire with the Rainbow.”

“That’s it?” Twilight questioned the simplicity of it.

“That is how he explained it to me…”

“What!?” Rainbow snapped, flying up and waving her arms wildly. “You don’t even know how to do it?!? That’s just perfect!”

“Rainbow!” Twilight admonished, slightly horrified at her outburst.

“No. Rainbow Dash is correct…”

“It matters not.” Luna put a reassuring wing on Celestia. “The storm is worsening. We must, if I understand the modern expression, ‘wing it.’”

Celestia led them out of the war room and to a large balcony facing toward Ponyville. The bitter wind and snow assaulted the ponies. Twilight noted that the temperature and the storm was worsening if she was not mistaken. She hoped she could produce the Friendship Fire or it would not be long before the storm would claim lives.

Celestia put a wing over Twilight and whispered. “Have faith.”

Twilight took a deep breath and nodded to the others. As the other bearers released the power of their elements and connected to each other in a band of rainbows. She closed her eyes to concentrate. She recalled how Harmony had told her to balance the elements.

“You need to immerse yourself in the elements. The easiest and fastest way for you to learn is for the Bearers to use their elements on you similar to what happened when you ascended. You need to feel the elements, taste the elements, hear the elements, smell the elements, see the elements: be the elements.”

“How am I supposed to ‘hear’ or ‘taste’ or ‘smell’ the elements!?” Twilight scratched her head in confusion.

“You just will.” Harmony shrugged.

“UGH! Can you be anymore vague!” Twilight snapped in frustration.

“I’m sorry Bearer of Magic, but each pony experience the elements in their own way. Tell me did you ever ask Spike what a ruby tastes like?”

Twilight cast the Dragon’s Fire. The flame of the spell floated above them. Twilight looked up for a moment before feeling that the balance had been achieved. A rainbow blast shot out of her Element right at the Dragon’s Fire. The Dragon fire absorbed the rainbow fire. And for a moment a look of confusion came upon the Bearers as nothing happened.

Then an explosion of pink light overcame them. A cheer went out as they saw the pink fire in the shape of the heart. The fire then died out. A look triumphant quickly turned to confusion and horror as the storm again assaulted them just as bad as before.

“It… It didn’t work! How could it not work!?” Twilight began to panic and pace. “Did I do the spell right or was it not strong enough or maybe there is something else we are missing…Maybe He of Hourglass left something out… or...”

The ponies watched in worry as Twilight descended into typical Twilight hysteria. The Ponyville friends shared a look before Applejack pulled her stetson hat off her head and smacked Twilight, hard, with it.

“Thanks…” Twilight rubbed her stinging cheek. “I needed that... Celestia?”

Celestia shook her head sadly. “I’m at a lost as well, Twilight.” She silently took note that the ponies were beginning to shiver violently. “Come. Let’s return inside.”

The others nodded and shivered in agreement. Celestia whispered to a maid that was passing by as they headed back to the war room. The maid bowed and trotted away quickly. As they reentered the war room they noticed that there was a tray filled with mugs of steaming hot chocolate.

“Warm up first.” Was all that Celestia said as she made note of the various reactions from the Bearers.

Twilight did as she was asked, but her rising concern made it hard for her to do more then take a few warming sips. She waited as patiently as she could as she knew that Celestia would booker no conversation until everypony was warmed up.

“About the failure of the Friendship Fire spell… I can’t get through to Hourglass… Could it be that the wendigo magic is distributing the firemail spell?”

“It’s possible... I’m afraid that He of Hourglass would be the one to know more...”

“Whom I can’t seems to get ahold of…” Twilight growled in frustration. Celestia quickly tried herself and found that like Twilight before the scroll would return after a moment.

“Can’t we just use the magical image thingy in the friendship castle?” Rainbow grumbled at the back and forth.

“Its not a magical image thingy Rainbow!” Twilight snapped. Fluttershy put a hoof on her and she sighed heavily before she continued, “And no, the Hourglass crest stopped working. I tried several times before you showed up. I can’t just use the backup as that would drain my magic too much unless we get lucky and He of Hourglass is aware of our troubles... I need conserve my magic as we may need it if this wendigo snowstorm continues…”

“Would it be possible to find He of Everfree or River Guardian and see if they can get through?” Fluttershy squeaked out.

“There is also a chance neither one will be able to get through. I have a feeling at the rate the temperature is dropping it will become deadly within a day possibly hours.. it's already becoming dangerous. We just don’t have the time to run down every solution to the wendigo or communication problems...”

“Then it looks like there is only one option: direct contact.” Rainbow spoke with fake smugness. “Lucky for us, I’m the fasted pegasi around and I can fly over the Untamed Wilds.”

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna exchanged a silent glance before Celestia gave Rainbow Dash her consent. “Go.”

Rainbow gave a sharp salute then took off at near sonic speeds. The wind of her take off blowing scrolls and manes around.

“Rainbow!” Rarity growled out as she went about fixing her mane.

Stay safe… my little pony. Celestia prayed as she worried looked off after Rainbow.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay last week I was running on less then 3 hours of sleep and just now have had enough sleep to be able to write again.

I will get on that timeline thing but to help you out on this chapter. This occurs the same time as Discord spelunking in the diamond dog tunnels during On the Trail of Scattered Recollections and of course the attack on Hourglass during Taunts from the Darkness

On that we know a dragon is responsible for the attack on Hourglass and and a dragon was also directing the diamond dogs on the attack on Traxti City... could it mean that there is a dragon involved (The "Nameless One" or otherwise on all three attacks) with the Wendigos assault on Equestria?

I expect comments on this Frostbite4 not pms... unless its something to do with your OCs...:moustache:

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes/Once More into the Breach

35 days since the Nameless One’s escape

9 days since the fall of Traxti City

Late Afternoon, Hourglass City.

Soul Fire yawned. He looked over see that Golden DragonHeart was still sleeping peacefully on his hoard bed. He turned to see the special clock over the door was indicating that it was late afternoon. He got up and stretched. It was time for him to find Twixt’d. A few minutes of flying later and he landed near Twixt’d’s silo.

“Twixt’d!” Sentinel called out, hoping that he was here and not out flying. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Twixt’d peer out to see who was calling for him.

“Hey Sentinel!” Twixt’d shouted in excitement when he noticed him. He jumped out of his silo and spun downward before he opened his his wings to land expertly in front of Sentinel.

“Show off.” Sentinel smirked.

“I’m not showing off! I…” Twixt’d blinked suddenly forgetting mid rant what he was going to say. Twixt’d growled in annoyance at that. One, he was angry for ranting at his friend. Plus he was angry that his frustrations had once again made him forget his train of thought. This had been going on since shortly after his first Sonic Rainboom. He bit back a string of curses. “Nevermind…”

Sentinel eyed him carefully as Twixt’d calmed down. Twixt’d had never before today complained about being tease for his ‘showing off.’ I’m sure of it now. He is one of those dragons… I will need to let He of Hourglass know.

“So are you going to stand there or what? I want to know what happened this morning!”

“You remembered when you changed from a hatchling into a whelp?”

“Of course… wait are you saying that adult dragons…” Twixt’d words trailed off as his mind wandered to his own future. I wonder how I much better of a flyer I could be if I was my dad’s size?

Sentinel could see that Twixt’d was deep in thought. He could take a guess on what it entailed. He whipped his tail outward and lightly smacked Twixt’d with the side of his trident. Twixt’d snapped out of his day dream snarling before he realized that he had spaced out in front of Sentinel. “Adult dragons go through three major and several minor growth spurts known as growths. Medallion went through what's know as the first growth; He of Music went through what’s known as the second growth.”

“There are several conditions in order for these growths to occur. I’m not going over the entire list… Medallion grew because she had successfully defended her hoard for the first time from life or death battle. He of Music was because he defended another’s hoard for no reward or payment after a life or death battle.”

“What about mom and dad? They are clearly full sized.”

“It’s possible for mated dragons to go through all the stages of adult growth all at once just before they become mates. That is what happened to your parents.”

“So when did you grow the first time? Or where you always like this... I mean it’s…” Twixt’d scratched his head in confusion.

Sentinel chuckled lightly at Twixt’d’s confusion. “That is actually a good question, and one I don’t mind answering… It was when he protected your father from a Rage dragon.”

NO ONE. HURTS. MY FAMILY!

He watched as the alicorn fought the other dragon. He may be annoyed, angry, and hurt at the alicorn but at least he defended his hoard. Before too long the alicorn succeed in not only defeating the dragon but killing it. He roared in triumphant at the death of the dragon.

A tingling sensation came upon the dragon. A growl of annoyance and anger issued from his maw. He crouched down to prepare for what he thought was the alicorn intruding the area again. As soon as his claws touched the ground the feelings of annoyance and anger was replaced by pleasure. His arms quickly morphed and became forearms. The horns on his head lengthen along with his tail. His wings and body increased in size.

The tingling sensation ended and the dragon flexed his forepaws. A mass of flames poured out of his mouth as he then sensed his nemesis enter his home.

“But if that was your first growth then how did you not grow earlier?”

“Best guess? I was in my alicorn from.” What he didn’t say was that he had suspected that being in that form would stop the growth from starting. He was not sure if he entered his second growth that he would be able to access his alicorn magic again and right now he knew every advantage was needed if the world was going to survive the ‘Nameless One’s’ wrath.

“And He of Hourglass?”

“Not sure, but… there is something you need to know…”

SENTINEL! An angry dragon roared out. Sentinel looked out to see that He of Music was bounding through the orchards and straight for him. Sentinel eyes went wide in shock and confusion. He had no idea what he could have possibly done to anger his clanmate like that. It made no sense as he should have know instantly if he had did anything wrong. Nevermind that he instinctively knew what would most likely make him happy or mad.

He of Music smashed into Sentinel hard. Sentinel had enough time to prepare for this so he manage to remain upright as his slid back nearly a dozen feet tearing up the ground with his claws. He of Music grabbed Sentinel roughly by his the neck, picked him up, and slammed him wings down into the ground.

During the whole time Sentinel did nothing but cast a protection spell over himself. He was bound and determined to find out what had gotten He of Music so worked up. Given that he could not figure out what he did wrong it meant that it was most likely He of Music being angry about something that Sentinel could fix and not angry at himself directly. He could see that after He of Music had slammed him to the ground that he was starting to calm down.

“Okay… enough.” Sentinel started to shove He of Music off of him. “What is it you want me to do He of Music?”

He of Music didn’t immediately speak. Twixt’d slowly peered around the his silo that he had scrambled behind when He of Music started to charge at Sentinel. As much as he wanted to defend Sentinel somehow he knew that he needed to stay out of it. Sentinel was more than willing to wait as long as it took for his clanmate to calm down enough to speak. A slightly blinding glint from He of Music scorpion ocarina caught his attention.

“Sentinel! Why are you staring at my ocarina?” He of Music growled. He was not liking the way his clanmate was staring at it.

“It’s different…”

“Huh?” He of Music looked down at his ocarina and his eyes went wide. He carefully unclasped it to get a better view. The ocarina was larger and more detailed than before. For example the leg segments that controlled which holes were opened or closed had more segments. It appeared It was becoming lifelike instead of the simplistic ocarina that it was originally.

He pulled his bass guitar off his back to see that it too was different. Beside it also being larger. the smooth curves of the body had become a bit sharper and the colors had darken a bit.

Sentinel observed a glint of greed in He of Music's eyes as the dragon looked over his improved instruments. It was clear to him that nothing would ever make He of Music take those two instruments off now. Not until he finished growing at least. A shiver went up his spine as he knew it was his younger self that had given the guitar to He of Music. He wasn’t sure what would happen if he revealed that fact. As it was, he wasn’t sure the reaction of He of Hourglass once he finds out that he was the egg that his past self had gone through the Rite of Guardianship for.

Sentinels musing was interrupted by He of Music knocking him down again and pushing down on his belly with his front paws. Sentinel could see the greed rising in his clanmates eyes. “Instruments. You will get more.”

“Any in particular?” Sentinel asked lightly. He knew that it was the increase in greed from the second growth talking and to tread lightly lest He of Music got the wrong idea.

He of Music blinked, the greed glint disappearing. “A small xylophone and schematics for bass chimes... and is there a source of oscillarium ore near by?”

“Check with He of Hourglass on the oscillarium ore. There should be some sort of geological surveys in the library research archives. As for the other two, I shall leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you. I would go with you but I don’t think I can right now… not until I get more… enough… to satisfy mine... my greed… I don’t want to scare the ponies or make Pinkie Pie sad because of my lack of control.”

“Is this a side effect of one of ‘growths’?” Twixt’d finally spoke.

“It can be… it depends on the type of hoard a dragon has. Medallion will probably never have this problem…”

“No, she will just frustrate us with her sexual ‘teasing’.” He of Music growled, finally tearing his eyes away from his ocarina and bass guitar which he put back on his back.

“Oh great,” Twixt’d grumbled as he facepalmed, “she’s embarrassing enough as it is…”

He of Music raised an eyebrow at that then glance over at Sentinel who shook his head. That got both of his eyebrows to rise.

“Um… Twixt’d… the issue with the teasing is not the it’s ‘embarrassing’ but that it causing frustrations as it instinctively stimulates a drake's desire to have sex with their mate. Given that your father is the only one with a mate…”

Twixt’d blinked a couple of times before he erupted into laughter. “This has to be some sort of joke or initiation rite, right?! Because if it is it’s hilarious!”

Both Sentinel and He of Music pinched the bridge of their snouts. Both inwardly debating whether or not to just let him think what he was thinking or correct it. However, neither would get a chance to decide as Twixt’d suddenly stopped laughing and was gazing curiously to the north of Hourglass.

“Uh… what does it look like when someone is coming straight at you after using a sonic rainboom?”

Sentinel for a moment couldn’t wrap his brain around the question. “Come again?”

“A sonic rainboom. What does one look like when the it’s coming straight at you?”

He never thought of it before. Of course, considering until the Bearer of Loyalty managed the feat the day his hatchmate was hatched he was the only living creature known to be capable of doing one. He never really was that interested in how it look. Though admittedly it was a spectacular sight.

Sentinel looked off in same the direction as Twixt’d and saw a circular distortion. He quickly waved a paw the air and the air in front of him shimmer a bit as the spell magnified the his sight. It appeared to be an air cone and that would only occur near or above the speed needed for a sonic rainboom.

That meant only one thing to Sentinel. He took a running jump and flew off to intercept. He of Music and Twixt’d eyed each other, but as neither really knew what was going on they just shrugged, figuring that they would find out soon enough.

A few moments later Sentinel returned carrying a blue pegasi with a rainbow mane. He of Music recognized her as she was one of the Bearers of Harmony. Sentinel carefully lowered her to the ground. Rainbow seemed to not understand where she was or what was going on. He eyes seemed glazed over as she kept looking around but didn’t seem to noticed that she was surrounded by three dragons.

“Bearer of Loyalty can you hear me?” Sentinel snapped his claw as he tried to get a response from the loopy and clearly overexerted pony.

“The Friendship Fire didn’t work!” Rainbow Dash yelled out before fainting away.

“It seems she is spouting nonsense. Not surprising given her clearly delirious state…” He of Music commented. While it was true that he had limited understanding of ponies, as the only one he really knew was Pinkie Pie and he knew she was nowhere near the norm, the phrase was something that he could not see a pony spouting under normal circumstances.

“No, that is not something I would expect the Bearer of Loyalty to say in a delirious state… He of Music gather the clan I will attend to our guest.”

“What of me?” Twixt’d asked.

Sentinel turned to face Twixt’d. “What of you? As I recall He of Hourglass said he would treat you as if you were a member of this clan.” Twixt’d hesitated a moment. “Well? What are you waiting for? Follow He of Music!”

Sentinel slowly walked towards the city proper. Hopefully with a bit of rest and a special brew that he kept in his museum hoard bed would revitalize her enough to talk. Her outburst concerned him deeply. The words ‘Friendship Fire’ was not something that was casually brought up in conversation even though it was getting close the that time of the year...

Sentinel facepalmed. He of Hourglass or himself will have to have some words with Legacy Chaser. He wasn’t terribly surprised at her teasing she was always doing it but not this bad. He wouldn’t had cared if it wasn’t for the fact that they had a pony guest. “Quartermaster do me a favor and go ‘water’ your mate.”

Quartermaster musk suddenly filled the council chambers as he bounded out of the council chambers with a feral growl. Rainbow Dash fainted away. Luckily she had decided not to hover.

“Sentinel…” He of Hourglass grumbled, “did you have to do that?”

“Maybe not... but it got him out here and to his mate faster.”

He of Hourglass groaned and pinched his brow. His secondclaw was probably correct but he wished he could have not used such a blatant sexual innuendo to do it. He knew that ponies were a lot more private about that then dragons. He also knew that Sentinel knew this. He sighed. What’s done is done...

“Hey Rainbow Dash!” Sentinel snapped his claws trying to reawaken the pony. “Your fans are waiting for you!”

Sentinel sighed as Rainbow began to stir. Once he was satisfied that Rainbow needed no more prompting he rose up fully. He suddenly felt that there was eyes boring into him. He looked up to see that it was Medallion that was staring at him. The other drakes had already heard Sentinel (or Harmony) used the Bearers real names so they were only casually looking in his direction.

“Yes, I just called her by her name… She is not a dragon or an acolyte and ponies don’t have the same issue with names as we do...” Sentinel motioned to the Element of Loyalty on Rainbow’s neck. “He of Music is friends with the Bearer of Joy and if my source is correct he calls her Pinkie instead of Bearer of Joy.”

He of Music blushed a bit at that. Medallion eyed him in a sensual matter but said nothing. This only redden the drake further. He of Hourglass bit back a laugh. He still needed to talk with her but she was at least toning it down now.

Sentinel shook his head before he went back to addressing Rainbow who had fully reawaken. “Now Bearer of Loyalty, did I hear correct that the Friendship Fire did not work and that Equestria is under wendigo attack?”

Rainbow Dash nodded still trying to get her swimming head to stop moving. Sentinel took this as an opportunity to activate the ‘knocker’ on the communication matrix. He was curious as to why Rainbow Dash had come personally instead of a letter being sent or communication matrix being used.

“Odd…” Sentinel wondered when he noticed that it was not activating.

“Yeah, Twilight already tried that and firemail and couldn’t get through that’s why I am here.”

“Wendigo magic can’t do this…” Sentinel muttered as he examined the matrix. There were no traces of any flaws, cracks, or breaks and the power levels were near max and steady. Everything appeared to be working which meant like the firemail this too was being blocked but to block it would require massive amount of dark magic… “He of Hourglass I think we can safely assume that our dragon is in Equestria or at least another construct.”

“‘Our dragon’? What in Tartarus are you jabbering about!”

“A dragon using dark magic attacked Hourglass yesterday. He of Hourglass discovered that it was merely a magic construct. The real caster was no where around. Whether or not the caster is in Equestria or is using a construct is unknown, and it will be until we deal with the wendigo problem.”

“While I’m on that, there is a distinct possibility that the wendigos are running amuck in the south.”

“Equestria is freezing over! Ponies could be dying as we speak. Why should we be worry about that!?”

“Bearer of Loyalty, may I remind you that the world does not revolve around Equestria? I am fully aware of the issue of ponies dieing. I am coming with you as is my duty. As for me bringing up the possibility of a wendigo problem to the south. A mass of wendigos could do a lot of damage and could very well be unstoppable if they manage to get up this far and given the sparse population we may not get any warning.”

He of Hourglass interjected. “You worry about Equestria, Seconclaw. The Clan will handle the issue to the south.”

“Oh…right...” Rainbow visibly deflated when she realized that she jumped head first without looking… again. “But how are dragons going to take on wendigos!?”

“A dragon’s fire is more then enough to destroy them.” Sentinel explained. “By your leave Firstclaw?”

“Go.”

He of Hourglass noticed but said nothing as Twixt’d slipped out of the chambers shortly after Sentinel and Rainbow leaving He of Music, Medallion, and himself alone in the council chambers. Perfect.

Sentinel was discussing the details of how they were going to fly to Equestria when he noticed that Twixt’d had exited the council chambers and was following them. He stopped walking and turned to address the whelp. Rainbow kept walking for a few steps before she realized that Sentinel had stopped. She turned to see why and saw Twixt’d.

“I want to come and help.”

“No.” Sentinel flatly stated. He did hope that Twixt’d would challenge him.

“I’m a whelp not a hatchling! I’m don’t even have to live in Hourglass by the Code!”

“Under normal circumstances, yes, but we both know that a whelp must know all of the whelp and hatchling codes before then.”

“Do I look like a give a lava shit about that?!” Twixt’d snapped. “You are my clanmate and best friend no bucking way should any of us go anywhere alone if the attack earlier is any indication.”

“Good answer.” Sentinel smiled with pride. Twixt’d had managed to challenge him and win. “Because you are being treated like a clanmate and that you are coming with me it negates the requirements that I stated.”

“Are we done!? Equestria needs us!” Rainbow shouted.

“Yes.” Sentinel replied still staring at Twixt’d who was staring back unflinchingly.

“I’m not slowing down for him.” Rainbow bluntly stated. This got a growl of annoyance as a response from Twixt’d.

Sentinel broke his eye contact with Twixt’d give a smug grin to Rainbow. “You may find yourself fighting to keep up with him.”

Rainbow smirked. She always loved a challenge and she was not going to let Sentinel’s assertion intimated her. “Bring it on, because I’m the fastest flyer around.”

“Why don’t we test that.” Twixt’d growled.

“Okay enough!” Sentinel stopped the coming fight that he could see brewing between the prismatic pony and dragon whelp. “We need to stay within each others air wave Rainbow you are to be in the back.” Rainbow was about to object when Sentinel put up a forearm to tell her to be silent. “The potion I gave you only restored some of your vitality not all of it. You need time to recover. Twixt’d start us off when you start to remotely get tired fall to the back.”

“Legacy Chaser,” Golden DragonHeart sighed heavily. He knew he was about to hurt Legacy Chaser but she needed to understand that she was out of line. In the end she would come out stronger. “your teasing needs to be kept in check when we have guests in Hourglass.”

True to what he thought it did hurt Legacy Chaser. She had done nothing wrong in the eyes of the dragon culture. Her eyes shined with pain and she lowered her head in shame. Golden DragonHeart walked up to her and knelt down.

“I know you want a mate and that you can never have be a mate like MetalEtched Claws but you are my sister, my clanmate. I will help you as will Soul Fire.” Legacy Chaser didn’t seem to want to listen. “I didn’t say to change. You wouldn’t be you without your attempts to turn us on.” He lower his voice as he added. “And between you and I... When you find your mate. You are going to make the rest of us jealous…” This got her attention as she looked up to see that her Firstclaw was smiling at her warmly. “All I want you to do is be considerate to guests. Ponies and for that matter most races do not understand our ways and culture. When we don’t have guests feel free to go all out with your teasing.”

Golden DragonHeart straightened out so he could address both dragons. “Now I want you and Eternal Beats to head south to see if Soul Fire’s assumption is correct. If it is, rectify the problem and be careful. Wendigos may be weak against our fire but they are still formidable in groups. Retreat if you must.”

“Firstclaw, wouldn't it be better for you to come because of your harmony magic?” Eternal Beats questioned. He understood himself going as his ability to use Soul Song Magic could prove useful against the winter demons. Also, he wasn’t sure if he could handle Legacy Chaser on his own. Not that he would ever truly want her to stop but…

“Wendigos feed and increase emotions like hatred, rage, and strife. Now tell me do you think it would be wise for me to go?”

“No.”

“One last thing: avoid the Chimney Arch Desert.” Golden DragonHeart growled dangerously.

Knowing that their Firstclaw would broker no more idle chat Eternal Beats and Legacy Chaser walked out of the council chambers to make preparations for the journey.

Author's Note

Sorry Forstbite4 it took way longer to write then I thought...

What Heart Could be Colder than a Wendigo?

35 days since the Nameless One’s escape

9 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early Evening, Hourglass City.

Rainbow Dash grumbled as she followed the two dragons as they slowly flew north across the city. Originally, to help conserve energy they were not going to climb up but ‘dive’ off the edge of the mountain to gain the speed they would need for a Sonic Rainboom. She could not understand why they had to bring the dragon whelp known as Twixt’d. She was frustrated as they needed every second and with the whelp coming they would not be able to gain those speeds, delaying their arrival, and possibly costing lives. She didn’t really trust him, plus he was a jerk. He almost reminded her of Gilda, and that was never a good thing. However, she knew better than to push Sentinel.

Within minutes, they were approaching the edge of the mountain.

*Is everyone ready?* Sentinel spoke mentally to both Twixt’d and Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash fumbled a bit at the sudden intrusion into her mind. *Little warning next time Sentinel.* Rainbow grumbled through the mental link.

*Sorry.* Sentinel apologized. *Got hyper focused there and forgot to give warning... And Twixt’d quit laughing and focus. What we are about to do is extremely dangerous, and any false move would prove at minimum painful.*

“Which is?!” Rainbow shouted out loud in frustration.

*Just make sure you keep up and FOCUS.* Was Sentinel’s only response.

Sentinel looked back to see that Rainbow Dash had comfortably cleared the mountain. He also saw that Rainbow was focused on him and correctly did not respond to his gaze. Good. He turned back to face Twixt’d. *Hit it.*

Twixt’d gave a whoop then went into a steep dive Rainbow Dash struggled to keep up. This dragon is fast, but I am… An ear piercing boom and rainbow blast interrupted her inner, boastful dialogue. It took all her years of training with the Wonderbolts and then the REPG to not fall out of the sky from the shock. *You could have told me he could do that!* Rainbow Dash yelled through the link.

*Tell me... would you have believed me?* Sentinel asked. Rainbow Dash did not respond. *Thought not.* Sentinel growled as he noticed that Twixt’d was laughing again, and his flight was being affected by it. *I said focus Twixt’d! You need to keep your flight path as steady as you can.*

36 days since the Nameless One’s escape

10 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early morning, Near Everfree Forest.

Sentinel eyed the storm that covered, from what he could tell, the entire Everfree Forest. It was very dark looking, even taking into consideration that the sun had only barely risen. *I’m taking the lead.*

*But I’ve only been in the lead for short while.* Twixt’d whined.

*The storm appears very turbulent…* Sentinel started.

*So?* Twixt’d interrupted.

*...and is magical in nature. Besides Rainbow Dash, I have had the most experience dealing with this. That and a bigger body will be able to punch a bigger ‘hole’ through the edge of this storm*

Twixt’d was about to bank away so he could take the rear when he felt the air above him churn and he looked up to see that Sentinel was flying above him and was preparing to take the lead. Twixt’d maintained his speed not wanting accidentally back into Rainbow Dash. A mid air collision was not something any flyer would look forward to.

Moments later they were within the storm. Twixt’d could feel the chaotic winds attempt to knock him out of the sky. He could see why Sentinel went first. But if he could survive the streets of Traxti then this should be relatively easy. He redouble his focus, determined to remain in the air.

10 days since the fall of Traxti City

Mid morning, Near Ponyville

Sentinel had just taken the rear when he noticed that Rainbow Dash was struggling mightily to not only keep up with Twixt’d but to keep her flight path stable. *Bearer of Loyalty your flying is becoming extremely erratic I think its time for you to rest. Twixt’d and I will continue flying.*

“Buth Ewestia needzz me…” Rainbow slurred, apparently too far gone to be able to use the mental link.

*You have gone above the call of duty Bearer of Loyalty.* Sentinel adjusted his flight path and carefully grasped Rainbow Dash who was too tired to protest any further. *We need to make a stop, Twixt’d, I won’t be able to carry her far.*

*But where? There is not much for landmarks and even then visibility is poor. We are flying nearly blind.*

*With normal sight, yes… begin a slow decent and bank to the left*

Twixt’d did as he was told and after traveling for hours over the Everfree he finally saw the end of the forest. *I see a town*

*Ponyville… Look for an overly large crystal tree castle.*

Twixt’d did that and soon saw what appeared to be an extremely large lone tree. He was still too far away from it too tell more than that, but nonetheless, he headed towards it. Sentinel, however, knew what it was. It as the Friendship Castle.

Twixt’d landed gracefully in front of the castle. Sentinel had a bit more trouble given the fact he was holding a limp Rainbow. Once he managed to land without hurting her, he carefully placed her on his back. As soon as he was sure she was securely on his back he quickly cracked open the door and slide inside.

Inside it looked like a refugee camp. Groups of ponies were huddled next to small fires along the long hallway with blankets wrapped around them. Coughing and crying could be heard echoing across the cavernous hallway.

“I need a nurse or doctor!” Sentinel bellowed out hoping that somepony would push back their fear of approaching a dragon.

Thankfully, after a few tense minutes, a pony made her way to the front. It appear to be a white mare with a pink mane. Sentinel had no idea if she was an earth pony or a pegasi as the pony was thickly wrapped in a blanket.

“I’m Nurse Redheart. What is wrong?” Nurse Redheart asked. Sentinel was impressed that she was hiding her fear quite well. There was no tremor to her voice and outside of some obvious shivering from the cold she remain steady on her hooves.

“This pony is suffering from over exhaustion and overexertion, please treat her.”

“Rainbow Dash!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed in shock as she saw Rainbow. “Come, we set up a section in the back as a makeshift medical ward.”

Sentinel and Twixt’d followed the mare. Sentinel could see the worried and fearful faces on the ponies faces as they huddled in groups around cauldron fires. He wish he could tell them that it was nearly over but he would not give them false hope. Even if he was successful in helping dispelling the wendigo snowstorm there was still the issue of the ‘Nameless One.’ Most likely another construct.

Sentinel returned his full attention to Nurse Redheart who was holding a curtain open that was hanging across the hall. He slowly enter the make shift medical ward. He saw that there was another mare, obvious a nurse from the hat she was wearing, attending to a pony on a cot wrapped in blankets. She only made a cursory glance at Nurse Redheart and Sentinel before she went back wiping the feverish sweat off of the pony’s forehead.

Sentinel carefully laid Rainbow Dash down on the cot indicated by Nurse Redheart. As soon as she was laid he removed the Loyalty necklace from her and began to leave. “What are you doing!” Nurse Redheart harshly whispered. “That necklace is not yours!”

Sentinel was taken aback as the nurse moved in front of him to block his path. “You are either really brave or really stupid…” Sentinel commented. “The elements are not to be owned but bared. Right now she is in no condition to use it and if you want to be responsible for everypony that dies from hypothermia while we wait for her to recover then go ahead and stop me.”

When the pony said nothing Sentinel smirked. “Thought not.” He stepped out to see Twixt’d waiting. “Come on Twixt’d we need to head to Canterlot Castle.”

One hour later, Canterlot Castle

Nearly every eye snapped to attention as the throne room doors slammed opened. A few startled and fearful screams echoed across the room as the ponies towards the front saw two dragons walked through the opened doors. The white dragon turned back to face the doors and the doors quickly slammed shut.

A dozen guards descended on the dragons brandishing their spears. Twixt’d smirked. Only fleeting glance told him that these ‘guards’ were not very skilled. Though he did concede that it was possible that it was the armor that they were wearing. Either way the way they moved and held themselves was stiff.

When one out of nervousness and fear over Twixt’d snort of amusement jabbed his spear even closer. A mistake of epic proportions. Before the guard could even blink Twixt’d had crouched down and slammed him and several of guards to either side of him to the ground with the swipe of his mace tail. With practiced ease he grabbed a spear that a guard had a death grip on and used him to smacked the remaining guards to the ground.

The ponies that were nearby and watching became even more fearful as the black dragon knocked out the guards with no effort. The white dragon seem to not even flinch during the whole fight. it appear that the white dragon was bored.

“Damn. I thought you told Celestia to make sure that her ponies prepared for war.” Twixt’d commented. “If the ponies are this bucking easy to taken down…”

“Nice form Twixt’d.” Sentinel congratulated the whelp before he leaned down to the dazed guards. “Don’t feel too bad... Twixt’d has been trained by the best and has actual battle experience.” He returned his attention to Twixt’d. “There is a difference between guards and soldiers. How they fight and carry themselves is different. For example, spears, which is the standard weapon for the Equestrian Royal Guard, are very effective against most ponies which are usually the type of ‘attackers’ they deal with. Spears, however, are never a good thing to use in close range with dragons... swords and powerful spells are better.”

Sentinel shifted his gaze upward. “It appears that the pony I need to find is not on the throne… And if I’m seeing right it appears it to be the pompous jerk of a pony ‘Prince’ Blueblood... this should be fun.” Sentinel deadpanned as he began to make his way to the throne with Twixt’d following close behind. Eying the ponies for signs of trouble.

“Where is Celestia?” Sentinel yelled out, continuing his march towards the throne. He carefully made his way around shivering and huddling ponies too cold or scared to move as two dragons walked past them. Even with the castles enchantments it was clear it would not be long before some would start to succumb to the cold.

“Guards get these appealing… creatures out of the throne room and lock them in the dungeons or throw them out in the storm. I don’t care how but just get them out of here and now.” The pony prince whined.

Sentinel rolled his eyes at the lack of fear that is typical for a pony seeing a dragon. Apparently Prince Blueblood was lax about his knowledge of dragons. “The only appalling creature I see here is you ‘Prince’ Blueblood.”

Sentinel raised an eyebrow at the line of spears again pointing right at him and Twixt’d. Apparently they had forgotten the thrashing handed to them earlier by Twixt’d or these were new guards. Either way Sentinel was not in the mood.

“Halt! By the laws set by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna you are under arrest for assault on the Royal Guard.” One of them ordered.

“Really!? I will not take orders from the Equestrian Royal Guard. Now, since I know you won’t stand aside I’ll do it for you.” Sentinel waved his right forepaw and the entire line of guards flew to the other side of the throne room and fell into a crumbled heap.

Twixt’d snorted as he attempted to suppress his laughter at the sight of some of the guards squirming uncomfortably as they flew by. He turned back to see that Sentinel had climbed up to the thrones where the pony that Sentinel had earlier identified as ‘Prince Blueblood’ was shaking in terror.

“Now I won’t ask again. Where is CELESTIA?!” Sentinel roared at Blueblood. The only response was whimpering. Sentinel rolled his eyes at the display of cowardice. “Pathetic coward as always.” Sentinel roughly put his paw on Blueblood who lost all control of his bowels. Sentinel for a split second wanted to drink in the sight but he had a more pressing manner. He poured a memory search spell though his paw into Blueblood. A moment later he had his answer. “Of course! The war room now why didn’t I think that?”

As they walked away Twixt’d snapped his jaw at the cowering prince. That was the last straw as the prince fainted dead away. Twixt’d gave a growling laugh at that and spirited off to catch up to Sentinel.

Twixt’d lost track of the twists and turns. It didn't help that numerous times either Sentinel or he had to knock out guards. He was beginning to miss Hourglass as none of the buildings were this bad. That and all these guards bitterly reminded him of Traxti City. After he left Traxti, he promised himself to never go back to a place like that.

“Here we are.” Sentinel stated, eying a plain looking door.

“Looks like a door to a closet.”

“That’s the point.” Sentinel said as he pushed opened the door.

Sentinel walk into a round room followed by Twixt’d. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books, scrolls, and various trinkets. A map of Equestria was painted on the wall opposite of the door. Sentinel recognized Celestia and Twilight and both of which appeared exhausted. Understandable, they probably had not slept since the crisis started two days ago. There were three others around the table all stallions two of which where unicorns and the third a pegasi dressed in armor. The opening of the door caught all of their attentions and a look a of relief and recognition came upon the two Princesses while the three stallions immediately trying to ‘apprehend’ the dragon intruders. Sentinel merely rolled his eyes and telekinetically grabbed the stallions and shoved them against the high ceiling.

Celestia facehoofed. Her guards, bless them, as usual tried to be overzealous in their protectiveness. They knew that the door would not have opened for just anyone and dragons aren’t known for casually ‘opening’ a lock door. Still, He of Hourglass could have knocked first to alert them.

“He of Hourglass…”

“Sentinel.” Sentinel interrupted.

“Okay,” Celestia noted the title. “Sentinel, please put down my guards you've made your point.”

Sentinel slowly lower the guards and address Twilight. “Where are the other Bearers?”

“In various parts of the castle trying to help keep ponies calm and warm.” Twilight answered. “Where is Rainbow Dash?”

“Summon them. It’s high time to end this attack. As for the Bearer Loyalty, she is in Ponyville under the care of Nurse Redheart, as I recall correctly, resting. I will handle the loyalty element.”

“But how are we going to get the elements to work correctly as you are not exactly ‘friends’ with the other bearers.” Twilight questioned.

“That would be true if we were attempting using friendship magic like when you defeated Tirek, but we are using harmony magic.” At the look of continued uncertainty Sentinel added, “You will be fine as, according the the Bearer of Loyalty, you did everything correct. I think you just lacked the power. With actual dragon’s fire it should, hopefully, work.”

As this was going on Celestia had done as Sentinel as ordered. She sent off the guards to get the Bearers and to have them head to the same balcony where they had tried the Friendship Fire before. “Sentinel,” Sentinel turned to face her. “I have sent my guards to find them and to take them to the balcony where we can make the attempt.”

“Lead the way.”

Celestia nodded and her along with Twilight lead the way through the maze of hallways much to the annoyance of Twixt’d. A few minutes later they walked out onto a balcony. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack were already there.

“Where is Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy worriedly asked when she didn’t see her best friend.

“Rainbow Dash is recovering... Sentinel will handling her element.” Twilight explained, gesturing to Sentinel.

“But…” Rarity began.

“Chat later, save lives first.” Sentinel interrupted, growling. He was not in the mood to have to repeatedly explain everything as the only pony that needed to understand right now was informed of the situation. Sentinel blew some fire and let it float above the bearers. He then closed his eyes to begin to mediation on the element in his claw leaving the rest in the capable hooves of Twilight.

Sentinel looked out in the darkness to see the lightning shaped loyalty element floating lazily.

Creator why wielding us again?

“Because your bearer, in her drive to save her friends, her family, her country, has collapsed from overexertion and over exhaustion. To wait for her to recover is to invite death on the ponies that you were created to help, and what is attacking the ponies you and your fellow elements can stop.”

You gave us away. You not loyal.

“Which is has greater loyalty: to your hometown or to your friends? Would me keeping you and your ‘siblings’ created loyalty? An already powerful Alicorn with powers that go beyond a normal alicorn telling ponies how to live… or a simple pegasi just like all the other pegasi living amongst pegasi living loyalty. Which produces a truer loyalty?”

Bear me until Bearer healthy.

“Thank you.” Sentinel whispered as the darkness faded to white.

The Loyalty Element glowed and its rainbow band joined with the others. Twilight and the other ponies rose into the air from the magic power. Sentinel remain grounded as he focused on maintaining both his level of loyalty and the the ball of his fire. Sentinel could feel Twilight releasing the rainbow and it went straight at the fire. As it hit the fire expanded into a large heart and turned pink.

The Friendship Fire color deepened to a cherry red and brighten to the point that everyone had to shield their eyes. The ponies panted from a sudden change from extremely cold temperature to the cool temperatures typical of fall in Equestria. It felt like they had lept right into a campfire. Sentinel and Twixt’d seemed unaffected as would be expected from dragons. Everyone looked around and saw that this time the Friendship Fire had been successful as the wendigo induced blizzard had dissipated.

Sentinel started to growl darkly. His eyes became so slitted that is was almost impossible to see it. A strange dark aura, barely detectable, could be seen surrounding the dragon. The ponies backed up from the angry dragon instinctively. Sentinel claws dug deeply into the marble and his tail repeatedly slammed the balcony causing severe cracking. Celestia frowned at that but said nothing, knowing not to attempt to complain about it to a dragon clearly losing control of his rage.

Where are you… Sentinel scanned the horizon searching for where the dragon could be hiding. He knew the dragon would avoid the Everfree Forest as there was no way he would have been able to enter it without alerting He of Everfree. He ignored any open areas for obvious reasons and he ignored anything remotely looking cave like as he doubted the dragon would be hiding in any location that remotely could be home of a dragon. That left Whitetail Forest.

He stretched out his wings and was about to take off when he out of the corner of his eye he saw Twixt’d was readying to take off as well. “Stay here.” Sentinel ordered.

“No. You...” Twixt’d began to protest.

NO! Sentinel nearly roared at Twixt’d. He shrunk back in shame before he gently added, “You don’t have dragon magic.”

“So? I’m dragon! My scales are resistant to magic.” Twixt’d countered angrily.

“Not against dragon magic. Dark dragon magic.” Sentinel shuddered. “Please stay here.”

Twixt’d reluctantly nodded. Sentinel took a deep breath and flew away in the direction of Whitetail Forest. Twixt’d wrung his claws in worry as he watched his friend disappear into the distance.

Sentinel stood just outside the Whitetail Forest. Unfortunately for him, this section of the forest was quite thick. An ideal place for an ambush. He could sense the dragon was just inside the tree line but that as all he could sense.

A dark voice called out. A dragon protecting prey? This is would be amusing... if it wasn’t so disgusting.

“You're using a disembodied voice spell so if you were hoping I would angrily look about you are going to be waiting a long time…” Sentinel kept his voice and expression laid back. Inwardly, he was raging, but he was not going to give this dragon, clearly not the ‘Nameless One,’ any satisfaction… yet. He needed to find him first and given he had no experience with a dragon dark magic user he also needed as much information as possible before he fully confronted the dragon.

Clever dragon… Surprising considering you seemed to like mindless creatures.

“Baiting me?” Sentinel scoffed. “Let me guess, you took the class ‘Villain Taunting 101?’”

Now who’s baiting?

Sentinel fought back the urge to laugh. Instead he let out a low growl.

Ooo I think somedragon’s angry...

This time Sentinel did let out a short bark of a laugh. “Oh, I’m angry, livid even. I will be happy to admit that, and I would love to go all ‘raging’ dragon…” Sentinel sighed in disappointment. “But raging at nothing is a waste of time, and let’s be honest we are both itching to tasting each other’s blood not trade verbal barbs.”

I like you. The dragon laughed. Always have… Ever since I saw you tear into that deer… Tell me... didn’t it make you feel more alive than ever?

Sentinel would never admit it, but the dragon was right. Ever since that day he had savored every sadistic thought of killing prey. There was times that his mediation would be interrupted by visions of a bloody and savage hunt. When that happened it he didn’t even bother to try and stop it. If anything, he encouraged it. Clearly, this dragon was the same but with one glaring difference. This dragon saw anything that wasn’t dragon was prey and somehow Sentinel was sure that this dragon would kill just for the sake of killing. Sentinel would and never considered any sentient animal or creature as prey and he was disgusted by any thoughts of killing prey for any reason but for food. But the act, oh, the act, was ecstasy.

I can see that you agree with me.

“Agree with you!?” Sentinel snorted, trying to hide his rage that the dragon had guessed correctly. “That is so laughable…”

Believe whatever you want if that makes you feel ‘better.’ The dragon sneered the last word. But we both know that you are lying… Back to the matter at claw, I was impressed that you could sense me that day as I went thought alot of trouble to make sure I wouldn’t be caught. You nearly ruined my plans as I was not ready to show myself. But then again… you have potential...

Gotcha. Sentinel smirked as he finally found where the dragon was hiding and waved a paw to telekinetically smack the location.

Tired of verbal appetizers? Good. It’s time for the main course, anyway...

Sentinel stood there in shock as the dragon pushed through the underbrush and into the open. It can’t be!

Author's Note

MWAWHAHAHAHA cliffhanger!:pinkiecrazy:

Wonder what Sentinel meant by "It can't be!"?

Intermission IV: The Shame of the Dragons.

I put out a hoof to stop Storyteller. The other hood was keeping my mouth closed. I was suddenly feeling very green from the revelation about Sentinel. It was a fight to not throw up. I had just managed to stop it when I realized that Storyteller was softly chuckling.

“You find that FUNNY!” I raged. I couldn’t believe this, whatever he is, would find my reaction to Sentinel sadistic pleasure in killing and I would presume mutilating prey as amusing in any way. I can understand the need to eat meat but… Suddenly, I felt the urge to throw up again but I manage to swallow it quickly in my anger. Sure, I can understand someone evil like the unknown dragon (though the last thing Storyteller said makes me think that Sentinel knows something about this dragon) finding such... pleasure… Though I think I’m having have troubles with that as well.

Storyteller shrugged to my outburst.

At that I became unglued as all my frustrations over creepiness of Storyteller and the stress of nearly dying leaving behind my Belle Flower boiled over. With a shout I lunged right at him. Storyteller slipped to the side l so fast that I swear that he was never in front of me to begin with. I slammed face first against the book case on the far wall knocking the contents and burying me in a mass of books, scrolls, and something unknown, heavy object. It was painful to say the least.

I slowly got up huffing in rage and pain. “I have had enough of you! First you laugh about my reaction to dragon... bedroom topics... which I could understand... a bit… But to have the AUDACITY TO LAUGH ABOUT MY REACTION TO THE UNSPEAKABLE HORROR of… I get that he’s a meat eater I understand that but not … not... SENTINEL IS A MONSTER!!”

I knew that I went to far when the hulking form of Storyteller suddenly loomed over me. I went from hot rage to cold terror.

“There is the door.” Storyteller calmly but coldly stated. “Take the hallway to the left follow it to the end and you will find yourself in a vast foyer. Just outside is an oasis where you can fill your canteens and head back home to the north.”

I grabbed my saddlebag that was floating in Storyteller magic put it on and quickly made my exit. I didn’t even bother to look around I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. I stumbled outside and nearly went blind from the sudden, and painful, brightness.

Once my sight returned, I could see a crystal clear oasis with a few trees around it providing some shade. I edged up to the oasis and pulled off my saddlebag to dig out my canteens. It seemed heavier than it should. In my panic, I hadn’t noticed the added weight. Inside my bag I found containers filled with various dried fruit, granola, and several strips of what looked to be hay jerky.

Where did all of this come from? I wondered as I continued to dig through my saddle bag. As I got to the bottom I finally found my compass with a note attached. I was tempted to just throw it out but ended up opening it to see what it said.

History Seeker,

I you are reading this you have decided to leave. Not that I would blame you… I can tell that you are uncomfortable around me… I’m sure it was something I said or did that drove you to leave. As you can see I packed your saddle bag with food and an extra canteen. It should be enough to get you out of the desert (about four days to the north) safely.

The compass you have is no ordinary compass and contrary to what you think it’s not broken. Not just anyone can find this compass. You are meant for something... I don’t know exactly what just yet… All I can say is be true to who you are and have faith that the compass can guide you.

Storyteller.

I opened the compass just to reminisce the day of when I found it. I sighed as I was about to close it when something about the needle caught my attention. It was pointing right at the magic shack/mansion thingy behind me.

I glanced back and nearly hurt my jaw from what I saw. The home which, was more like a mansion or castle on the inside, was merely a runned down, small shack. Magic. I grumbled.

“What kind of compass is this!?!” I wondered as I refocused on my compass. I walked about the oasis and the shack trying to get the needle to point anywhere but the house. Before today it never done anything but idly spin around. “This makes no sense!’

Make sense? Oh, what fun is there in making sense?

“Who’s there!?” I yelled out, suddenly afraid again. “Storyteller?”

“Broken!? ... Broken!” Storyteller repeated, snorting. “Mwhahaaaaa,” He fell into uncontrollable laughter.

“Okay, so this is a different type of compass, or, more likely, Storyteller cast a spell on the compass…” I muttered. “I guess having at least a single point of reference will make traveling safer...”

“Even then... He should have asked!” I yelled at the shack hoping he was listening in on me.
I began to leave having put everything back into my saddlebag when a nagging thought compelled me to turn back. Storyteller had saved me from dying in the desert and I never properly thanked him. I just knew that Belle Flower would have my wings if I didn’t at least do that.

“ARGH!” I stomped angrily before ran right to the door of the shack, opened it, and stepped back inside.

I could see a grand staircase the went to the second floor and various hallways jetting off in all directions. My desire to explore almost overcame me before I remembered what I came here to do. Luckily, I still remembered the instructions from earlier so I headed down the hallway to my right and back to the den.

I stood nervously in the doorway to the den. Inside I could see the books and scrolls were still scattered from earlier. Storyteller was laying down on the floor, his back to me. The fire changed from when I was in here last as I could see the same strongly fake look pink fire that I had seen earlier this morning.

“Go away...” Storyteller tiredly called out, not moving. “Go home… there is nothing here for you…”

I was angry at Storyteller for his insensitive chuckling… I was angry that I had wasted all this time looking for the vindication that would never come… I was angry for rushing into this blasted land without a map or a guide… I was only mildly irritated that Storyteller cast a spell on my compass without permission (even if it will probably save my life in this desert). But then to hear him sounding so… defeated… Everything I wanted to yelled at him… just left my brain.

I didn't really know how to deal with this so I just stood there in silence. Neither of moved or spoke for what seems like hours though I’m sure, at most, it was half an hour.

“Do you know why dragons are merely a myth in your land?” Storyteller suddenly asked.

“No, not really…” My brain was confused at the sudden and unexpected question, and all I could think of was: Now, why would he ask that kind of question?

Storyteller again said nothing for a while and when he finally spoke it was a barely hearable whisper. “Shame... Because of shame…”

“I don’t understand…” So far I heard nothing that would make an entire race avoid another in shame… Individuals like Sentinel maybe… Sentinel does seem to have a short fuse with ponies but it was possible that came out due to all the fighting and the non stop flight… If I recall correctly he didn’t seem that bullyish with them during the burial(?) of Harmonious Knight.

The ‘Nameless One’ and this unknown (at least for me, obviously) for sure. But this is merely a mythological story… I guess I’m okay with that… I wanted to know about the stain glass window I just guess I was hoping for an historic story not a mythical story…. it’s still an important part of history as studying a culture's myths or story is a great way to understand how a culture thought and believed. Something that than a broken pot or cracked mural struggle to convey.

“Tell me... does it seem that in my story that I portray the dragons better than the ponies?”

“…A little…” I reluctantly admitted. I said nothing before becuase it would have been rude and I was a bit leery about be too forceful… He is creepy and still is… And his mood is becoming more… erratic.

“Don’t lie…” Storyteller shifted for the first time since my return. “The truth is the opposite… A dragon without honor is no dragon. Twice. TWICE! A dragon has been responsible for so much death and destruction and twice dragons failed to do what was right until it was too late… every race has a role… a part to play… and dragons twice failed in the role they were meant to play...”

At that Storyteller went silent again. What in Tartarus is with this creature? I growled in frustration. I’m beginning to think that maybe I should have left without turning back.

“Guardians…”

I snapped to attention as that. “Guardians?” … Of what!?

My stomach rumbled but as Storyteller seemed still not be in the mood to speak. I dug into my saddle bag to have some of the dried fruit and a few pieces of the hay jerky. Luckily I had refilled my canteens with from the Oasis I don’t think I would want to try and find the kitchen...

I had just finished tearing of a piece of hay jerky when I nearly jumped straight to the ceiling. Storyteller was sitting across the coffee table from me staring at me. I quickly swallowed the jerky and took a small swing of water from my canteen to wash it down. It appeared that maybe he was now in a talking mood but was waiting. I put my canteen and the rest of the jerky away and waited.

“It’s a bit later in the day then I’d like to for heading through the Salt Flats…” Storyteller began. “I guess we’ll have to wait until morning. Now that you are done with your dinner it’s time to enjoy the show…”

Author's Note

These intermissions are becoming full fledged chapters it seems(3 words longer then my shortest chapter)... I had to cut out a lot from this intermission otherwise it would be a lot longer (it would have also mess up the pacing)

I'm curious as to what others might think who Storyteller is please comment below with your thoughts on that.

And what is with that compass of History Seeker?

And for those irritated that I cliffhanged right into a intermission the next chapter will start right at that cliffhanger

We Are the Same, You and I

36 days since the Nameless One’s escape
10 days since the fall of Traxti City
Afternoon, Near Whitetail Forest.

Sentinel stood there in shock as the dragon pushed through the underbrush and into the open. It can’t be!

He recognized the dragon coming out of the underbrush. The yellow belly scales had become sickly looking and the white seemed off color as well. The scars appeared more prominent and oddly fresher almost as if the dragon had intently reopened them. But there was no doubt this dragon was Quartz. Well, formally Quartz, clearly he had chosen. Not that he cared…

This dragon, by using dark magic like he did, was worthy of the dishonor mark. Frustratingly, he did not have the ability to remove his name, whatever it might be. His Firstclaw, He of Hourglass, might be able given he was the Dragon Keeper and was on the Path of the DragonWrym. Given that only one dragon ever had his name removed that ‘might’ may be stretching it a bit. How did the Elder Council do it!?

“Not what you expected?” The dragon smirked showing off his yellow teeth. “Were you expecting my idol? My hero? My… inspiration?”

Sentinel narrowed his eyes at the dragon opting to show anger over his disgust. This dragon worships the Nameless One!? This probably meant that getting a dishonor mark would make the dragon proud and would be a mark of honor to him. Same with the removing of his name… Somehow he was sure nothing would faze this dragon. That made him all the more dangerous of an opponent. He just hoped that the ‘Nameless One’ was merely his idol and hero and not ally.

The dragon seemed to not care for Sentinel’s reaction as he casually took a claw and dug deep into a scar on his right arm cutting his flesh along the entire scar. Sentinel could see a shudder rise up and down the dragon’s spine. A shudder not of pain or disgust but one that was of pleasure. Sentinel could feel a shudder of his own beginning, but he managed to suppress it before it began.

The dragon slowly licked up all of his blood and swished it around his mouth before swallowing. This time Sentinel failed to suppress the shudder. He was a carnivore and liked the taste of blood but enjoying the blood of a self inflicted injury, if one would call it an injury, was a bit much. The dragon seemed to notice Sentinel’s discomfort.

“Oh you want some, don’t you? How rude of me!” The dragon apologized, holding out the very arm he had just cut. When Sentinel made no move he added, “You did say you wanted to taste my blood.”

“When I’m done with you all I’ll taste is ash!” Sentinel roared, sending out a plume of white flame. The dark drake sidestepped the initial attack before he added a dark flame of his own. The white flame of Sentinel and the dark flame of the unknown dragon clashed violently. The dragon backuped as Sentinel suddenly cut through the flames and attempted to slash him. The scarred dragon shot his flame out then ran to the side to try and outflank the white dragon. The white dragon saw this and blocked the attack with the flat edge of his trident tail. A wave of his claw and a large nearby rock was hurtled right at the drake. The drake flew up and out the way before dive bombing at Sentinel. Sentinel inwardly cursed as he didn’t have enough time to prepare for the impact.

Sentinel wheezed as he struggled to regain his breath. He was sure he had a cracked rib. Before he could do anything else he was slammed to the ground then roughly picked up. By what he couldn't tell, yet, with all the dust and smoke obscuring his vision. That and his head was dizzy from all the blows.

Once his head and the air cleared he could see that he was in the grasp of a shadowy dragon claw construct. This along with the wendigo storm and the attack on Hourglass it was clear that this dragon had skills in dragon magic that rivaled even He of Hourglass either that or he was using something to augment it. The final Elder amulets was a possibility. While Sentinel had some skills with dragon magic he was not at He of Hourglass’ level. He would need to be in his alicorn form to have a chance but even then alicorn magic was not as strong as dragon. He needed to find a way to used both at the same time. Right now, however, he needed to escape the bind he was in, hopefully, without revealing his duel forms.

Sentinel wiggled to see what, if any, range of movement he had. Some of his tail was in the grasp of the hand so he couldn't get his trident around enough to do anything but weakly hit the claw construct with the flat edge. None of his paws were free so that severely reduced his dragon magic ability and he could not get enough air to do much more then send a letter with his flame.

“Oh this is soooo sweet…” The scarred dragon commented on Sentinel apparent inability to escape. “I’ll tell you what… Normally I wait until just before killing, “the dragon licked his lips in anticipation.” Because that is when I add them to my hoard. You see, I want the world turn to ashes around one that will be added to my hoard and then, knowing that they have no way of stopping it... then and only then I slowly and deliciously make them scream…”

“I wouldn’t give a lava shit about your name…” Sentinel growled, renewing his struggle to extract himself from the dark claw construct that the dark dragon had trapped him in. He knew that he could probably break through it with alicorn magic but he didn’t want to reveal that just yet.

“Oh, but, I think you do want to know He of Hourglass.” The dark dragon came up behind Sentinel to whisper into his ear. “I think you need to know…” The white and yellow dragon then moved in front of Sentinel. “Because for the simple fact that we are alike… you and I. We are the same on the inside.” The dragon sighed as he circled around Sentinel. “So few are what dragons should be... most I find are lazy, mellow, fat.”

“Dragons fierce and proud!” Damn it! Sentinel cursed as the claw squeezed tighter with the dragon’s anger. He now fought to remain conscious. I will not die! Not to him! “Others should be in constant terror that we might come and steal away their treasures…” The dragon looked at Sentinel and apparently noticed that he was squeezing too tight and he waved a claw. Sentinel resisted the urge to sigh in relief as the claw loosen enough for him to breath again. “Although to be fair I find treasure to be boring. Why such fuss over bedding and tasteless art? The screams those should be music to our ears… That should be what drives a dragon... the blood… the gore... the fear, the delicious fear… the gold and gems are just simple seasonings… and bland at that… and never truly filling.”

Sentinel could feel the hot breathing of the dragon on his neck. “Fear is like good cooking you have taste it to see if it tastes right.”

Will this dragon ever stop talking! I’d tune it out but… Sentinel shuddered as he felt the tongue of the evil dragon licking him. Of all the things that this dragon could do it had to be licking. Licking is a sign of affection between friends or family and him being ‘affectionate’ sicken him. This was more than just that though the slimy, forked dragon tongue scraped across the back of his neck slowly and almost sensuously. Sentinel was glad he hadn't had much to eat recently and that he movement was restricted otherwise he was sure he would have lost his stomach from his revulsion.

“Yours is one I have never tasted before… it’s a fear not of me… that’s too familiar... no… I can't be sure but I think it’s a fear that I am right… not the type of fear I look for… and I don’t want you to fear me… at least not yet…”

“But enough of that… Time for you to know my hoard name…” The dragon leaned in and whispered. “Scktītzithāja Ülietziethi.”

Tortured Screams!? Sentinel felt another wave of nausea nearly overcome him. Of all the sick names for one to have!

“And now, what to do with you…” The dragon started to pace. “I don’t want to kill you but I can’t have you interfering with my hoard building… I could take you home… but I’m going to need a way to suppress your magic...”

I have to get out of this! As much as I hate doing this, but if he won’t release me. Sentinel let his alicorn magic free thus shifting his form. Hmm... I never noticed this before but my alicorn form is slightly less bulky than my dragon form... which means… Sentinel pulled himself out of the dark magic claw.

“An… alicorn!? I… wha...” Sentinel looked over to see the dragon had his jaw wide open a claw raised in question. He couldn't help but grin at the utter shock on the face of his enemy. He took this time to completely extract himself from the claw. The claw shattered just as he managed to get out. Oh, sure... Sentinel rolled his eyes as he flare his wings to land. Now the dragon loses his concentration enough for the claw… ah whatever!

“You...You’re not just any ali.. alicorn you’re... you’re the Alicorn Keeper of Harmony!” The dragon stuttered to the immense enjoyment of Sentinel. His enjoyment turned to confusion as he heard the dragon chuckle. Sentinel stared at the other dragon trying not to become unnerved.

“Oh this… this… is EVEN better!” The dark magic dragon now roared in laughter. “A mere prey animal so disgusted at its own ‘people’ and itself the he becomes the hunter, the predator…”

“You talk too much.” Sentinel snapped as he conjured two swords and swung them at the dragon’s head.

The dragon crouched down to avoid the attack. He continued to chuckle as he blocked the next two with his arms augmented with dark magic. A magic missile came at him which he grabbed casually, added his own magic, and threw it back like a grenade.

Sentinel raised a shield as his attack was flung back at him. The resulting explosion nearly shattered his shield. He dropped the shield and retaliated with his swords again. This time he used four. The dragon eyed the swords carefully. He seem bored as he smacked one them away with a backhand, grabbed the second, evaded the third, and jumped onto the fourth, riding it.

Sentinel nearly lost his concentration at seeing the dragon riding one of his swords. He dismissed the sword that the dragon was wielding before the dragon could corrupted for his own uses. The sword he was ‘surfing’ he flipped. The dragon seemed unfazed by that as he rolled back into a fighting stance without missing a beat after being knocked off.

Sentinel grimaced at the fighting skills… Quartz was a strong fighter and had the potential to outdo even his alicorn self. The addition of magic, and dark magic at that, made him a even match. The fighting was not Quartz’s style… One of the few times Sentinel wished it was still normal for dragons to retain their memories as it would have made it easier...

Sentinel charged at him roaring. As he did he summoned remaining swords. The other dragon seemed to have a similar idea and a mass of dark energy amassed around his hands and coalesced into duel black swords. The swords were twisted with sharp teeth along one edge. The swords of the two met in a clash of sparks. Both back off before resuming their mutual attack. The movements of the dragon and alicorn began to blur as the two attempted to gain advantage over the other. Sparks flew and the clang and scrap of the clashing swords echoing around the field.

It became clear after a short while that the dragon was holding back. This both confused and enraged Sentinel. He himself was not holding back though the events of the last few days had weakened him considerably.

The sun was beginning to set and Sentinel and the dragon both were panting. Sentinel had already dismissed all but one of his swords. The sword was tilted downward as Sentinel struggled to keep it in the air.

“It seems... we are both out of energy... and I can tell your ‘friends’ are approaching... so until next time Alicorn…” The dragon gave a mock salute before he began to back away into the shadows.

Sentinel growled hotly not wanting the dragon to get away. He tried to lunged at the dragon but as his hoof was about to connect the dragon smirked and disappeared in a burst of ash and smoke. He roared angrily as he frantically tried to find the dragon.

The rush of adrenaline left him and all the exhaustion of the past few days and the pain from the fight caught up to him and he collapsed in a heap. The sounds the sick laughter of the dragon echoing in his head as he fell into darkness.

Author's Note

Quartz is baaaack!:pinkiecrazy::pinkiegasp: And I planned for his return since he debut in DoH

Happy Jamesinor?:flutterrage:

A Dragon Graveyard

?? days since the Nameless One’s escape

?? days since the fall of Traxti City

Just before sunrise, ??

Discord blinked and yawned as the morning sun woke him. He carefully looked around him as he walked. He facepalmed. It looked like he had been walking in his sleep… again. He looked about to see that he was in a lightly forested area but he had no idea where. Hopefully, he stayed walking east the whole time and not gone in circles to only head east just long enough to be awoken with the rising sun.

“Hmm... I was expecting trees with holiday shaped doors... Eh. Oh, well.” Discord shrugged as he kept going. He saw no reason not to as he still needed to get back to Equestria or at minimum the Council of Harmony. The latter had not been attainable for the last two days, not since the cave fight.

That was the most concerning for him as his magic levels had recovered already. The only thing he could think was that something interrupted his ability to enter the Harmony plane just like whatever happened in the cave affected his magic. In a sudden fit of frustration at that, with a snap, he blew apart a tree into a miniature log cabin complete with log furniture.

Discord sighed and was about to take flight to speed his return something caught his senses. Something that caused his entire body to shiver like from the cold. Dark Magic… Discord cautiously made his way towards the source.

The dark magic permeating the air around him. The air was freezing cold more so than a fall morning should be and yet he pressed on. He needed to find why there was so much dark magic in the area. At least from what he could sense the dark magic was dissipating. The bad thing was it was similar to the dark magic from the diamond dog cave meaning it was dragon… But given he had only ran into one dark dragon magic example he had no idea if it was the Nameless One’s signature, the dragon from the cave, or somedragon else.

Discord grumbled and pinched his brow. It was times like this that he really wished he could consult Harmony now He of Hourglass… “I miss those days...”

Something caught his eyes through the trees. There was something odd looking in a clearing up ahead. Keeping his eyes peel for a possible ambush he made his way to the clearing.

What happened here!? Discord gasped in shock as he saw dragon body after dragon body. Each body was skinned, quartered, and headless. A bloody pile of mush was next to each body. Discord could only figure that the piles were probably what was left of the heads. He struggled not to lose his stomach, his entire body becoming green.

From the amount of decay of the magic and bodies Discord estimated that the last body was killed at least four days prior. He was not well versed on the decay of dragon bodies so that was as far as he was willing to guess. His only example of dragon body decay was the Dragon Migration Massacre as dragon bodies were generally not allowed to rot in the open like this. The exception would be dishonored dragon and even with his long life he only personally ran into two of those. Those, however were nothing but bleached bones. None of these bodies were that way yet, probably because of the dark magic… And there was no way all of these dragons had died in a dishonorable way...

So much senseless death… Discord sadly commented as he continued. He nearly broken down when he saw several smashed eggs near the center of the for lack of a better term graveyard. I know it’s the way of dragons to smash orphaned or abandoned eggs but this... but this…

“CHAOS BRINGER WHEN I FIND YOU I WILL TEACH YOU THE MEANING OF PAIN!!!” Discord screamed into the sky, tears flowing down his face, fists clenched in anger.

But what can I do? All I’m known for is being prankster nothing more then a powerful court jester… I’m no warrior like He of Hourglass formally Harmonious Knight...

“Oh right enough is enough! I AM DISCORD! I AM A KEEPER OF HARMONY!” He could feel the warmth of his harmony magic surging. It had been a long time since he used it last. So long in fact that he actually couldn’t remember the last time. He usually found his normal magic sufficient in most cases. Of course, most cases he couldn't get his Harmony magic to work when and the way he needed to… it was like trying to get his magic to be ‘under control.’

Discord snapped his claw, paw, and tail together releasing his Harmony magic. Out from those locations came strands of golden energy filled light. The strands of golden energy coalesced into various animals including, elephants, ostriches, crocodiles and oddly hippos wearing tutus.

Discord facepalmed as the animals starting dancing around. And this is why no Keeper before Harmonious Knight would have anything to do with me.

The animals continue their dancing seemingly oblivious to the annoyance of Discord and the bodies of dragons. As the dancers neared the edge of the graveyard the light of their bodies began to fade into nothing. The air around suddenly warmed now that the area was no longer saturated dark magic and it’s chilling effects.

Discord slumped to the ground exhausted. I really need to practice Harmony magic more often… He thought before he fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Discord awoke with a start. It was now nighttime and the moon had just risen above the tree line. Even though the area had been cleansed of dark magic the area around the graveyard was eerily quiet for nighttime.

Discord sighed heavily as he again gently caressed the shattered egg near his feet. A single tear fell and splashed on the ground. He slowly got up and stretched. His joints popped as he got all the tension out of his muscles. The need to do something weighed heavily on his mind as he snapped his claw. In a blinding flash Discord disappeared from the graveyard.

“FINALLY!” Discord’s yell echoed through the Council of Harmony chambers. “And now…” Discord snapped an Discord shaped alarm clock, wound it up, and placed it next the letter he quickly wrote. He would check back in an hour and would continue to do so until he got a hold of his fellow keepers. He just hoped he could warn them before it was too late...

38 days since the Nameless One’s escape

12 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early Morning, Somewhere near Chimney Arch Desert

“Morning sexy…”

“Legacy Chaser…” Eternal Beats absentmindedly grumbled before yawning loudly. “It’s a bit early morning for this...” He looked over to see that Legacy Chaser was still asleep. His scowl softened. Dreaming of a mate it seems. Wish I’d get dreams like that more often. He smiled as he walked outside of the cave they were using for the night.

As Eternal Beats didn’t want to wake up his clanmate just yet he took this time to study the map once again while munching on a diamond from his travel pouch. If he was reading the map correctly the Chimney Arch Desert was about an hours leisure flight south. This meant that they would need to bank to the right at the first sight of red.

Eternal Beats went wide eyed as he noticed a pink mass walked silently past him and towards the cliff just outside the cave entrance. How did she awaken without me knowing? I don’t think I was that engrossed… was I? Legacy Chaser slumped down at the edge of the cliff sending out a ring of pinkish smoke...

Ever since Golden DragonHeart called her out she had been quiet and her song had been subdued. It bothered him greatly to have a clanmate's song so. “Sister? What is troubling you?” He asked, already figuring that it had something to due with their Firstclaw telling her to keep her sexual teasing under control when guests were in Hourglass or at least it was the trigger for something deeper.

Legacy Chaser sighed heavily. “It’s nothing…”

Eternal Beats gave her a look. “I may not be as skilled as Soul Fire, but I know that is a lie. Tartarus, Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws eggs could tell that you’re lying!”

“It’s just that I feel like I’m not wanted… I mean I’m a female dragon that Choose for Voice sake!”

“That's a lie! Everydragon wanted to you to join... and to be honest both Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws were really wanting you to join…”

“Yeah, a glorify sex stimulator!” Legacy Chaser huffed.

“That’s is not what I meant…” Eternal Beats pinched his snout. Soul Fire makes this look so easy!

“And what of Soul Fire?!”

“What of him!!?”

“He wasn’t even there during my choosing!”

“Argh!” Eternal Beats facepalmed. “Because at the time no one knew he was the Secondclaw... He didn’t know… He was an alicorn at the time and was showing utmost respect by not being there. Yes, he should have been there… but again at the time he wasn’t aware of his position and wanted to respect the sacredness of the Choosing… Why are you focusing on him?” Eternal Beats pinched his snout. ”You already know all of this!!” In frustration he took off in flight.

“Twixt’d gave him the title Sentinel.” Eternal Beats answered Legacy Chaser pointed question.

“But Twixt’d was adopted by Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws no way would Soul Fire interfere with that!” Legacy Chaser stammered out.

“You got it flipped. Twixt’d gave him the title then he was adopted.”

“But why would Soul Fire give up something like that… having a hatchmate…”

“What is with you? You never jumped to conclusions like this?!” Eternal Beats exclaimed in amazement at her unusual jumping to conclusions. True, she was one to theorize but it was as if she couldn’t see or accept the truth right in front of her. The truth she already knew. “Soul Fire was the one that basically told him to adopt Twixt’d.”

“W-Why?”

“I really don’t know…” Eternal Beats admitted. “His name has such a deep and complex meaning… and he’s a mature hoarder…”

For a while neither spoke. Eternal Beats was getting desperate trying to find a way to help his sister. He strained to listen harder to see if there was something underlying it. Golden DragonHeart was gentle with her and he stressed to her that he liked her teasing so why was she still troubled after three days? A sense of longing, of loneliness, and hopelessness seemed to be the answer. This told him exactly what he needed to say. “Ask him…”

“What?” Legacy Chaser looked up at Eternal Beats who kept his gaze on the horizon.

After a moment of silence Eternal Beats repeated. “Ask him.”

“Eternal Beats I need more than that! Ask who!? And what for that matter!?” Legacy Chaser snapped, her flight path becoming a bit erratic in her irritation.

“If Soul Fire is willing to give up his hatchmate so Twixt’d could have parents what makes you think he wouldn't do everything in his power to find you a mate even if it means he must lose the chance for the perfect mate to be yours.”

“I… uh... that...” Legacy Chaser became so shocked from Eternal Beats assertion that her wings locked to her sides and she fell from the skies.

“Legacy Chaser!” Eternal Beats screamed as dived after her. He struggled to reach her. “You have to open your wings Legacy Chaser!”

“I can’t!” Legacy Chaser panicked.

“You MUST!” Eternal Beats commanded as he eyed the rapidly approaching ground.

‘Oh… okay..” Legacy Chaser took a deep breath and finally forced her wings open. She managed to right herself. Her eyes went wide as the ground was nearly upon her and there was no time to climb out of it. The best she could hope for was a rough landing.

Both dragons gouged a long trench in the hard ground as they landed roughly. Both of them panted and gulped trying to get their respective heart rates and breathing down. Once Legacy Chaser had calmed down from the near death experience she laid down crying.

“When this trip is over promise me you will ask him.” Eternal Beats put a claw under Legacy Chaser chin to lift up her head so that she could see his tear filled eyes. “I miss my sister... I miss the teasing… Please go back to being the sister, the clanmate that we all love and not the brooding one that you are now…and I don’t particularly care for sad songs...”

Eternal Beats smiled when he saw his clanmate sniff then nod her promise. He turned away to prepare to take off. “We’d best be heading out again if the map that Golden DragonHeart provided is correct we are still three to four days away from the Southern Crystal City. The sooner we finish the sooner we can return to our hoards.”

“That only because Soul Fire is getting you more instruments…” Legacy Chaser rolled her eyes and she took off right after Eternal Beats. “Personally I think you have enough instruments to woo a lady cause a lady only needs one.”

Eternal Beats wanted to groan at the lameness but to get her going again was a relief. “Now that is the Legacy Chaser I love.”

“Speaking of love I could ease a certain itch for you… you know... the one only a dragoness…”

“Okay, okay, enough!” Eternal Beats chuckled flicking his tail at her. Maybe I should have kept her brooding… oh who am I kidding!? I love every tease… Eternal Beats grinned wickedly as another thought came to him. Now if I can manage to find a mate half as good at it as her… I could really sing then.

A few minutes later Eternal Beats saw the telltale signs of the Chimney Arch Desert ahead and banked to the right and away from the desert.

“Do you know why our Firstclaw doesn’t want us to go through there?” Legacy Chaser asked as she followed her clanmate's lead.

“Not completely… but what I do know is that if our Secondclaw finds out we went there…” Eternal Beats whole body shuddered.

Legacy Chaser gulped the tales of the Secondclaw’s rage were the things of legend among the older members... She had yet to see one and wasn’t willing to find out firsthand. “What is in the Chimney Arch Desert that would occur Soul Fire’s wrath?”

Eternal Beats increased his speed to get the desert as far behind him as possible as quickly as possible. “A dragon graveyard…”

The Truth Will Out

38 days since the Nameless One’s escape

12 days since the fall of Traxti City

Morning, Canterlot

Sentinel slowly awoke and realized he was not in Hourglass nor anywhere else he recognized. He looked around the white room to see that he was in a hospital. He was sure it wasn’t the Ponyville hospital so the only logical place would be Canterlot. Only one way to be sure. He threw off the blankets and got up to check his chart.

His royal majesty “John Colt”

Two guesses on who said I was royalty… Sentinel facehoofed as let his chart drop back down on the edge of the bed.

“Very funny Celestia!” Sentinel bellowed out, spooking someone as he heard a clatter behind him. Sentinel turned to see that there was a mare, a nurse, on the floor shaking in fear. He walked up to the nurse he spooked, got down, and calmly asked, “How long?”

All he got out of the mare was incoherent fear filled blubbering.

“Look,” Sentinel sighed, “I’m not going to banish you to the moon... I just need to know how long I’ve been here.”

“Little under two days prince… I-I-I mean your majesty?”

“I am and never have been a ‘prince,’” Sentinel countered, “and I‘ve not been ‘your majesty’ for several years…”

“And you should be in bed and not scaring my nurses.” Came a stern voice from the doorway.

Sentinel looked up to see an irritated unicorn stallion, obvious a doctor from the fact he was wearing a white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging around his neck. “You must be the doctor in charge of royalty both Equestrian and otherwise…”

“I am.” The doctor nodded for the nurse to leave and she hurried scrambled out of the room. You are suffering from a severe case of physical and magical exhaustion you need to rest until…

“Not happening doctor,” Sentinel interrupted the doctor, “and you need to recalibrate your scanners or something because while I did have physical exhaustion I wasn’t magically exhausted.”

“Look… uh…”

“Sentinel.”

“Sentinel I’ll update your chart... as for your self diagnosis I have an advanced magic medical degree…”

“And at one point I suffered an advanced case of ‘Pony’ Magic Wasting Disease! I think I know what being magically exhausted entails.”

“That is impossible!” The doctor was showing signs of extreme irritation. “If you had that not only the scans would have shown it, but you would have mostly likely be on the verge of death! There is no known cure for advanced cases!” The doctor rubbed a hoof over his head. “As I was trying to say…. leave the diagnosis to those who are trained and know what they are saying.”

“I helped develop the original cure for less advanced cases along with Starswirl the Bearded and Scorpan brother of Tirek.”

“Whatever! I’m still the doctor here and if I must I will have you fitted medical magic inhibitor given your delusion state!”

“You got one graded for dragons?”

“Dragons!? No… But I do have one for alicorns.” The Doctor held the said horn inhibitor for Sentinel to see..

“Well unless you find and inhibitor that can handle dragon magic then do us both a favor and stand aside.”

“No.”

“You got guts doctor, and you will need it soon if this war escalates like I think it will.”

“Equestria is not at war.”

“War has already hit Equestria you just don’t know it yet.” Sentinel pushed the doctor aside with his magic and began his march out. He needed to get outside so he could teleport. He had no idea where the hospital in Canterlot was. Probably near the castle but he wasn’t about to do something as crazy as blind teleport, at least not yet.

“Hey! Stop him!” Sentinel could hear the doctor shouting behind him. He blocked another nurse and from what he could see a guard from stopping him as he made his way out of the hospital.

As soon as he was clear Sentinel teleported and found himself surrounded by ponies. Must be the start of day court. Lovely.

Once the shock of his teleportation wore off the pony’s immediately around him started bowing as soon as they saw that he was an alicorn. He could hear whispers of ‘alicorn’ and ‘stallion’ among other things that would incur Celestia’s wrath and Luna’s amusement.

“Will you please stop your snively bowing! I am no longer your ruler and will rather die than become your ruler again!”

This got the whispers to to increase. This time he could hear the words ‘again’ being used. Sentinel rolled his eyes and made his way to the throne.

“Is that how you really feel Sentinel?” Celestia quietly questioned when he got within whispering distance. She sounded a bit hurt at his declaration.

“I’m in agreement with my younger self ponies were never my people nor family only duty. And when my duty is done… Outside of the Bearers and you and your sister I would rather not see another pony for a long time.”

“All I’m saying is that you should give them a chance ponies as not as superstitious as they were…” Celestia commented as they entered the war room. The bearers were already there along with a red unicorn mare wearing rectangle glasses busy with various scrolls..

“Really?! Have they? OR how about when I show myself as being the same dragon as before? And the fact that a DRAGON is responsible for 1,384 and counting pony deaths! Unless you have princess as a title or are from Ponyville ponies have ‘issues’ with anything out of the ordinary and the only reason Ponyville is immune is becuase of ‘If it’s Tuesday’ syndrome!”

“But it’s Monday silly!”

Sentinel gritted his sharp teeth. “NOT! Helping Bearer of Joy…”

“Sentinel, please calm…”

“WE ARE AT WAR CELESTIA!” Sentinel roared. “DON’T LECTURE ME ON BEING CALM!”

“Sentinel…It’s more than that” Celestia put a comforting wing over him. “What has you so worked up?”

“We are alike… you and I. We are the same on the inside.” Was what the dragon said. And now he had Celestia making him more uncomfortable than he was before.

“Celestia…” Twilight hesitantly spoke as Sentinel struggled to control his rage. “Please put your wing off of him.”

Celestia blinked, a bit confused. She used to be able to comfort him by putting a wing over him why would that be a problem now?

“He is dragon, remember?” Twilight continued, wincing a bit at the confused and hurt look on Celestia muzzle. “He may have the personality and memories of an alicorn but he has the instincts of a dragon. A dragon never drapes a wing over another unless they have shared names, is a hatchmate, or it’s a parent. From his reaction I’d say he has not shared his name with you and obviously you are not a parent or hatchmate.”

“I… Uh… I’m sorry... I...” Celestia quickly snapped her wing to her side. Sentinel still looked angry but had at least stopped growling.

He knew that he upset Celestia and normally he would let it slide as he knew that Celestia was genuinely trying to comfort him but he wanted no comfort from a pony right now. The dragon had riled him up and then to be surrounding by fake loving ponies only incensed him further.

The door to the war room slammed wide open to reveal the black and ice blue whelp Twixt’d.

“Hello Twixt’d.” Sentinel rage left him as he greeted his former hatchmate.

“You!” Twixt’d lunged at him to the shock of everyone minus Sentinel who just allowed the whelp to attack him.

“I SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH YOU!” Twixt’d started pounding him as his scratching seemed to have no effect as Sentinel had cast a spell to harden his fur like dragon scale. “I HAD TO PACE AND HOPE YOU WOULD COME BACK… and when they found you… I... I felt so... so useless…”

“Twixt’d calm down!” Sentinel snapped as he pulled the whelp into a hug with his wing stopping the young dragons assault. “You are not useless! My hoard gives me strength, a purpose. Without you in it...”

“It’s just I’ve been having feelings and thoughts for a while now, thoughts… of my purpose…of what I really am, I guess? I don’t know…” Twixt’d sniffed a bit as his voice died out.

Sentinel pulled him into a tighter hug he would lick him but pony tongues just… ew. He is getting close to Choosing… Damn it… I want the curse to be lifted first… but I can’t delay it even for that… All I can hope for is that whatever the catalyst will be it will occur after the war… I guess I should be glad that it wasn’t the Sonic Rainboom.

After a moment, Twixt’d pulled himself out of the hug and started heading out.

“Where are you going?” Sentinel questioned with a slight smirk.

“The training grounds... I have a captain to destroy in a sparring match.”

“Make him weep like a little filly.” Sentinel ordered him. Celestia facehooved while Luna put a hoof to her mouth to hide her giggle.

Twixt’d chuckled as he left the war room. For a moment afterwards no one spoke. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak.

“That whelp is so awesome! Did you see him…” Sentinel attention was diverted from Rainbow by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to face Twilight, a series scrolls floating in her magic.

“So…” Twilight started. “I thought we had this taken care of.” She waved the series of scrolls in Sentinel’s face.

Sentinel eyed the scrolls but knew the answer. “He’s not concerned about me because I’m in his hoard; he’s concerned because he’s the Firstclaw.”

“I might believe that if I wasn’t also getting firemail from Quartermaster as well!” Sentinel’s response was to snort in amusement. Twilight’s muzzle twisted in confusion. “Why do you find that funny?”

Sentinel leaned in to whisper. “If you knew Quartermaster as well as I do you would… besides, Quartermaster's mate just laid their eggs,” He then spoke mentally to her. And adopted Twixt’d as his son... Do NOT let Twixt’d or anyone else know that his adopted… “Given the circumstances be glad that was all he did. A father can get quite protective… especially since I’m equivalent of a godparent. Luckily, I won’t need to go through the Rite again...”

“Oh… well… I…” Twilight stammered out not sure how to respond to that to hear that Quartermaster would mellow in such a way. From what she knew of him he wasn’t a sit back type. Then to hear that he had eggs and that Twixt’d was his adopted son kinda of shocked her.

“It seems fatherhood is the same no matter the race.”

“Yes, in a lot of ways, it is.” Sentinel smiled as he turned to face Celestia. He knew she was listening in. She was one to be always paying attention to side conversations. It probably made the long hours dealing with the nobles easier or at least less boring. He wasn’t mad with her snooping. She would understand the love of a parent more than most as that is what she in a lot of ways felt she was to the ponies.

“Quartermaster is going to have hatchlings, baby dragons! You know what this calls for?” Pinkie squealed out excitedly, popping up between Sentinel and Celestia.

“A party?” The bearers all answered in unison.

“A party!” Pinkie agreed as she reappeared in her earlier location while throwing confetti in the air.

“No it doesn’t…” Sentinel answered, making his way to the now flat maned Pinkie. “Because Bearer of Joy it may be a long time, centuries or millennia even, before they are hatched. Dragons don’t hatch their eggs until they know it’s safe.” He lifted her head so that she could fully see that he was not trying to be mean. “Hatchlings are quite defenseless against the dangers of the wild and other dragons. War is not a safe time for anyone much less a young child. And this war… is none like the world as seen since the the war to seal the ‘Nameless One.’”

The door hoped to admit a very tired and frazzled Luna.

“Ah thou art awake!” Luna slipped into the older dialect in her tiredness. She made her way to sit next to her sister. “What happened two days ago near the Whitetail Forest?”

Sentinel sighed heavily. “Our doom.”

“Cheery.” Rarity deadpanned.

Sentinel rubbed a building headache. “As Secondclaw of the Hourglass Clan I officially propose the Hourglass Clan to join with Equestria in an alliance.”

“Are you sure Sentinel!?” Twilight questioned. “You realize that this would bring the clan into the open and along with your dual nature. Your distaste for ponies and well as the ponies fear of your kind(or anything strange) could prove problematic.”

“Yes. I’m sure. And we need to do it today.”

“Very well…” Princess Celestia reluctantly agreed after a moment.

“But Princess the amount of work to draw up an alliance and no one know who or what this ‘clan’ is how could we form an alliance without…” The red mare finally got up from her writing to protest.

“Is not necessary… uh...” Sentinel countered, interrupting the red mare.

“Scribbling Notes. Scribbles for short.”

“Thank you ‘Scribbles,’ but Equestria and the Hourglass Clan have been friends since your king’s abdication.”

“But Equestria has never had a king!”

“Believe what you will.” Sentinel shrugged, not in the mood for giving a corrected history lesson.

“Still, signing a formal alliance in less than a day! And the nobles!”

“You ponies and the need for paper documents!”

“But you’re a pony!” Scribbles exclaimed not understanding why this alicorn stallion was implying that he wasn’t.

“Wrong. I. Am. Dragon.” Sentinel snarled before he rolled his eyes at the now fearful pony. “Celestia, how long has this scribe been on the job?”

“Three… three weeks your majesty.” Scribbles managed to reply.

“Figures.” Sentinel shook his head. “New staff are usually either hyper focused in a desire to impress the boss or so nervous to miss important details. Formal alliance papers have already been written they just need to be signed. As for the nobles… They can all go to Tartarus for all I care!”

“Sentinel!”

“Celestia,“ Sentinel smirked at her knowing full well what her annoyed reaction was really about, ”really? My alicorn self never like the nobles anyway…”

“I know that, but all of them!?”

“I suppose the term ‘all’ will need to be slightly modified.” Sentinel conceded with a smirk. He had seen the very brief agreeing look on Luna’s face.

“Now about your proposal…” Celestia began.

Here it comes. Sentinel thought darkly. She about to say something I will hate… but will have little option but to agree to...

“Seven dragons stretches things... One is a whelp and can’t use magic yet.” Celestia ignored Sentinel's look of annoyance. “Two just laid eggs. That leaves just four and I would assume that the defenses of Hourglass require that either you or He of Hourglass must remain…”

“Skip the song and dance Celestia.” Sentinel snapped wanting to end the charade. “His memories may be a bit grey and fuzzy prior to my ascension but I have not lost any intelligence or military skills.”

Celestia frowned for just a moment before putting back on a neutral face. “If the Hourglass has the resources I want three hundred ponies, a hundred from each of the three tribes, stationed in Hourglass.”

Knew it. Sentinel puffed out an annoyed breath. “That kind of change to the conditions of the alliance will need approval from the Firstclaw.”

“Here’s a scroll, an ink bottle, and a quill.” Celestia smiled, levitating the mentioned items.

Sentinel grumbled as he grabbed the items in his magic. He hated and loved that smile. It was the smile that meant trouble. This made a her very shrewd ruler at least when it came to ponies, and most races for that matter, as most would find that smile disarming. She wouldn't last long with most dragons… they don’t do diplomacy… at least not like that.

“It’s so unsettling having you do that to me.” Sentinel could see just the hint of a smirk. “This is payback for earlier isn’t it?”

“Mayhaps.”

“You might what to hold of that celebratory smile for later Celestia… You mess with dragons you will get burned…”

Firstclaw,

Celestia has requested a modification to the alliance agreement we drafted. Given light of the recent attacks… I am in agreement with her even if it will annoy both Quartermaster and myself to no end.

I will be in the Council in one hour with Celestia, Luna, and the Bearers. Bring Quartermaster with you. We shall discuss this in more detail then.

Secondclaw

“He of Laughter! What are…” Sentinel wondered. He didn’t think it was time for an update… though given the recent attack it was possible… but Discord was last on the trail of a possible lead on the cause of the green dome over Traxti City… This is not good...

“Thank insert blank blah blah yada yada!” Discord rolled his claw. “I’ve been desperately hoping for two days that you or He of Hourglass would show up!”

“I have been out cold for two days… What is going on?”

“I found out who was responsible for attacking Traxti City! It was…”

“A dragon.” Sentinel finished for Discord. Discord paled at Sentinel’s knowing that it was ‘a dragon’ not the ‘Chaos Bringer.’ “Hold off anything else until He of Hourglass gets here.”

“This war just got worse,” Discord worriedly commented, “didn’t it?.”

“Somehow, I think that will be the understatement of a lifetime…”

“He of…” Discord began, trying to calm his nerves.

“It’s Sentinel, He of Laughter.”

“Sentinel?” Discord pulled his goat beard in thought as he circled the alicorn. “It suits you… It really suits you… but it’s not your hoard name is it?”

“No…” Sentinel shook his head, “but it almost could be… Ah, here comes He of Hourglass and Quartermaster.” He bobbed his head towards the doors behind him just as the portal appeared.

“How did you know that?” Twilight finally spoke up.

“The council lights.” Sentinel responded. As he turned he was knocked over by a mass of purple and green.

“Brother, please, I’m fine I was just overtired. You need to learn to chill a bit” Sentinel pushed his brother off of him gently. “But you wouldn’t be the Firstclaw you are without fretting in your concern for your clanmate’s well being.”

“I suppose that would be true.” He of Hourglass blushed. “Why couldn't there be a manual or something on being a Firstclaw!?”

Celestia Twilight and Sentinel burst into laughter. He of Hourglass frustrations on lacking a how to be a firstclaw manual reminded them of night when Twilight ascended. He of Hourglass crossed his arms hotly. “I’m sorry Firstclaw…” Sentinel apologized once he was able to stop laughing. “I’ll explain it to you later…”

“As much as I find this therapeutic…” Celestia sniffed before her expression hardened. “We have more important things to discuss…”

“Yes we do… like the fact that the dragon that attacked Hourglass and Equestria is, or more accurate was, Quartz."

Author's Note

Will Celestia get burned? Find out on the next Episode of.... I'm.. going to stop now... yeah... *cough*

Comments Questions? Frostbite4 complaining about the slow updates?

Like Pieces on a Chessboard

38 days since the Nameless One’s escape

12 days since the fall of Traxti City

Plane of Harmony, Harmony Council Chambers

“...the dragon that attacked Hourglass and Equestria is, or more accurate was, Quartz."

“Damn it.” He of Hourglass softly growled, pinching the the bridge of his brow.

Sentinel eyed He of Hourglass and his reaction. The way he said that and the body language. Sentinel frowned as he walked right up to his firstclaw. He was not liking the implication if what he saw was what he saw. “What have you been withholding from me?” Sentinel waited a second for a verbal answer but got his answer from the silence. “You knew didn’t you… The night that Sombra was defeated. HE CHOSE THAT NIGHT DIDN’T HE!?” By this point Sentinel’s horn was glowing white hot. “I can understand not telling Harmonious Knight but to not tell me...ME! YOUR SECONDCLAW. And someone I might add that knows more about Quartz then you do!”

With that a magic missile slammed right into He of Hourglass. A plume of green flame came right at Sentinel who casually slid to the side to avoid it. Sentinel fired a volley of magic missile blindly in the Dragon Keeper direction. The blur of a dragon’s tail came at Sentinel head through the smoke so he ducked.

“But I thought that dragons besides you Sentinel don’t retain memories after a choosing. How would you having any knowledge of Quartz be of any use?” Twilight called out, hoping that the shields the she had put up to protect the girls behind her would hold if it got more out of hoof then it already was.

“True.” Sentinel spate out the word like it was something vile. He cast a shield as another plume of fire came at him. “BUT A DRAGON’S PERSONALITY IS CARRIED OVER! And I’m going to guess that he taunted you… DIDN’T HE!?”

“How...” Came an angry growl though the magic smoke.

“I made you a promise that any memory of great importance I would share… I have not violated it yet and need I remind you ten thousand years is a lot of memories to sort through! I prioritized the ones like fighting and spells and anything that I could grab onto the would help us in this war… even then… He never was just thinking about one thing for two but sometimes five or six things at a time! And none of them would be related!”

“AND IF YOU HAD SAID SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU EVERYTHING RELEVANT ABOUT QUARTZ!”

“ENOUGH!” Celestia bellowed blowing all the smoke away with the force of her magic induced shouting. To her credit she didn’t even flinch at the rage filled glare from the fighting keepers. “We are in the middle of a war! one that will take cooperation to merely survive never mind win I will not have you two…”

“I can’t believe this! The similarities!” Discord mock laughed.

“Discord…” Twilight warned him, knowing full well Discord’s skill at making matters worse.

“Shut it. Twilight I know what I’m doing.”

“Discord!” Sentinel slipped into using Discord name in his irritation, “if you wish to still have a way with the ladies please don’t beat about the bush.”

“The parallels are not exactly the same but we got the fatherly scholar He of Hourglass as Celestia and the dark brooding military minded brother slash second in command Sentinel as Luna. Though I think we all agree the stakes are higher this time...are they not?”

“Yes… yes, they are.” Sentinel nearly whispered seeing exactly what Discord was going after.

“Let’s get this meeting going? I don’t know how long Scribbles can keep the guards guessing where we are for too long.” Celestia smiled.

“The joys of running a nation…” Sentinel chuckled. ”Glad I’m not in that game anymore.”

“Says the dragon that’s second in command of a dragon clan.” Luna mused.

“Clan being the operative word.” Sentinel countered. “I don’t see the Hourglass Clan getting anywhere near the size of Ponyville much less Equestria.”

“What I want to know... “ He of Hourglass spoke up trying to get the meeting going. “Is why you think three hundred ponies in Hourglass, a dragon city, is a wise move?”

“Ponies!” Quartermaster barked. “You want three hundred ponies who have no understanding of our culture and ways wandering the streets of Hourglass! A security risk not only from within but without! How and why should we be responsible for the safety of these ponies that were so easily beaten by my son!?”

“Walk with me Quartermaster.” Sentinel motioned for Quartermaster as he opened the council doors. “NOW! Quartermaster.” He snapped when Quartermaster hesitated.

“Yes, Secondclaw.” Quartermaster finally moved and quickly followed his secondclaw.

He of Hourglass rubbed his face as he watched his clanmates leave the council chambers. “This is going to be a logistical nightmare…”

“Which is why, Twilight, you will be going along.”

“What!?!?” Both Twilight and He of Hourglass exclaimed. Neither one could understand why. Twilight was worried about the breaking up of the elements at a critical time and He of Hourglass, though he would be glad to have some face time with her, felt that it could potentially cause her position in the eyes of the ponies to diminish at a time when the ponies needed solidarity.

“Celestia forgive me when I say this… But are you nuts! Without me the elements are next to useless!”

“Which is why you will only be there seven days.”

“It’s several days either direction! That means something along the lines of two weeks!”

“You and your mate are probably one of the premier forgers, metal workers, and blacksmiths in the world. Tell me Metal Claws what good is swords and shields and armor and spears…”

“Get to the point Soul Fire!” Metal Claws grumbled angrily, not in the mood for dancing around the issue. “Because I don't see how this is convincing me to have anything to do with three hundred ponies in Hourglass.”

Soul Fire rubbed his head trying to end the pain from his headache. “Do you know how a great warrior is remembered by the masses? Sometimes by the deeds but more often it’s their sword or armor…”

“There is a museum in Canterlot… popular by colts known as the Equestrian War Museum… One of the scariest and the most awe inducing pieces in the entire museum much to the chagrin of my younger self is his ceremonial armor and sword. The pieces are known publicly as belonging to the ‘Warrior King.’ That armor and sword has done more to fast track colts into wanting to join the royal guard or the military then the Wonderbolts ever did.”

“Hated that armor…” Soul Fire muttered before shaking his head to rid himself of the memories, “Anyway... the armor has been on display for well over a millennium. Can you imagine how many colts stood there in awe over the years and because of the armor and…”

“Are you saying that my work could…” Metal Claws looked at Soul Fire for a second before staring off into distance. “The dreams and aspirations of young ones being started and…”

This is the dream of any dragon! To have their hoard be the awe of anyone who sees it…

Soul Fire flew up to whisper into Metal Claws ear. “It will be globe spanning… And given your long life it won’t just be the colts and other younglings but also the warriors when the weapons or armor you created…”

The rest of what Soul Fire was whispering was lost to Metal Claws as he felt some warm build inside. They will know that it was my work that save them my work that ended the lives of their enemies. That is was me. My hoard is mine but I shall have my hoard used so that all know that it is mine.

At the last ‘mine’ Metal Claws greed soared to heights that he hadn’t felt since he mated with MetalEtched Claws. The greed this time was not for his mate but for his hoard. And just like with his mate he knew there was no going back. He couldn’t believe how ungreedy he had been. He really couldn't wait for the chance to create armor and weapons for three hundred ponies now if he could get hundreds more. There would be no end to his hoard he would make sure of that.

So this is how a mature hoarder feels… “I understand now…”

“Metal Claws?” Soul Fire questioned, though he had an inkling.

“You lied when you said you weren’t being greedy. You ‘nudged’ Twixt’d to give you your title then you ‘nudged’ me to adopted him. You set us both up just so you could have the best hoard possible.”

“As a mature hoarder,” Metal Claws didn’t even flinch that Soul Fire figured out that he was a mature hoarder, “you should know better then to tell me how to hoard!” Soul Fire growled angrily. “You know that I can not do anything to harm my hoard and you and Twixt’d are both apart of my hoard…” Soul Fire expression softened and he chuckled. “However, you are right about one thing, I am quite greedy about my hoard Metal Claws, very greedy. As all mature hoarders are and should be.”

“Having said that, I never set you two up. Twixt’d already consider me a hatchmate. Just as he did with my younger self. Twixt’d was a street urchin, Metal Claws, and in street urchin culture giving someone a secret nickname is like making them a brother. Someone who you trust explicitly. He gave me the ‘name’ Knight shortly before we ran into Medallion.”

“I told him now that I had chosen that if he did something like that again it would become more than a verbal agreement of brothership but a magical one. One that would literally make us brothers, hatchmates.”

“This place we are in is known officially as the Plane of Harmony though to some it’s been called the Plane of Memories. The reason is the plane can show memories… for example the one in which I told Twixt’d, your son, how a whelp slash hatchling can become hatchmates with an adult dragon.”

Once the council doors closed the Sentinel turned to face Twixt’d. “Twixt’d remember when I said that my hoard can’t grow unless the clan grows? That’s only partially true. My hoard name limits me to family, but there are ways for dragons be be a family outside of the clan structure.”

“When you gave him the title ‘Knight’ you and him agreed to be brothers in a verbal agreement. But it was more then that wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Twixt’d admitted. “I really thought of him as my brother. True, the name thing was a street thing… but the truth is... I wanted more than a street thing. And when you Chose I thought… I thought…”

“Which is why I wanted you to find a new title for me. When you and he agreed to be your brother by accepting that title you become brothers by agreement. Which is all that whelps can do. If you do it now we would really would become brothers. Hatchmates in fact. Do you still want to be brothers?”

“Yes… you really would want me as hatchmate?” Twixt’d questioned. “Does this mean you you could never not call me brother like you said?”

“Yes…” Sentinel rolled his eyes. It seems I was right I was going regret telling him that...

Soul Fire for once could not read Metal Claws expression. That was rare. Metal Claws prided himself on looking and acting the part of being tough, unreadable, but he was usually so easy to read. He was the easiest of the entire clan to read. Now his mate on the other claw was much more difficult. She was actually the only one in the clan he couldn’t get a good reading out of. Not that he went out of the way to try he valued the privacy of his clanmates. That and reading the emotions and expressions only went so far.

“As for you adopting him… You were already thinking about it…”

Another memory popped up, one that Metal Claws recognized.

“...The only thing he has for him is his wonderful talent for cursing.”

The last sentence got Soul Fire wondering. There was no hint of sarcasm in the remark if anything there was pride in it. Why would Metal Claws praise Twixt’d for his skill at cursing? That was something only close drakes would do… Soul Fire then voiced what he thought was Metal Claws’ real problem. “You're not angry at him but at yourself! You see yourself in him, and you don’t want him to make the same mistakes you did. Do you have the courage to do what is right? Don’t wait until he saves you from a rage dragon!”

The last memory faded away. Neither dragon spoke for a while. Metal Claws had a lot to process while Soul Fire mind remained virtually blank. The last week was extremely taxing and he knew it was only going to get worse. The last thing he wanted was more to think about.

Soul Fire sighed heavily. “As I said before, I didn't have you work together for any reason other than I wanted to make sure that the silo could handle him. I’m a warrior not a builder. You on the other claw, know about metal and would know exactly how to construct a metal support structure. I knew of Twixt’d’s desire for a family for quite some time. What I didn’t know was that you admired him until you said ‘wonderful talent for cursing.’” With that Soul Fire began to walk towards the council chambers not far off.

Metal Claws hmphed then shoved his snout right into Soul Fire's face. “Who says we were fucking done?”

“I do.” Soul Fire stated, ignoring the fact that Metal Claws had just used a minotaur curse (probably picked up from his son) as he continued to head towards the council chambers.

Metal Claws’ speared tail blocked Soul Fire. “We need to better your hoard first.”

“What did I say about telling me how to…” Soul Fire snarled before stopping when Metal Claws blew some of his flame onto his tail making it look like it was a torch. A wide, greedy smile crossed Soul Fire’s face as he quickly changed back to his dragon form.

“Nope, not happening!” Sentinel shot down Celestia insistence for him to stay in Equestria while Twilight was in Hourglass. “The dragon has his eyes set on me. If I stay I’m only putting Equestria in more danger than it already is…”

“Sentinel please be reasonable this is a great way for the ponies to get to know that dragons are...”

“YOU DON’T KNOW HIM!” Sentinel roared stopping Celestia. He was not going hoof coddle the ponies into liking dragons. After the war, maybe, but not now. “Celestia don’t play shrew politician! Politicians NEVER win wars.”

“And rage and revenge filled warriors die before their time.” Celestia angrily countered.

Celestia yelped as she was slammed to the ground on her side. Sentinel harshly whispered into the now frightened Celestia. She could feel the fire from his maw. “Need I remind you that I am still the Alicorn Keeper DON’T make me pull rank Celestia.”

“Enough!” He of Hourglass roared, pulling Sentinel off of Celestia. “What is going on with you two? I have never seen this much animosity between the Sun Princess and him. What has changed?!”

“For me? That twice damned dragon!” Sentinel spat. “For her? 1,384 plus dead.”

He of Hourglass pinched the brow of his snout. This is becoming a disaster. He motioned Sentinel to the back of the council chambers near the thrones.

“Let me make myself clear Sentinel,” He of Hourglass hissed at Sentinel once he was sure they were out of earshot, “it’s one thing to fight with me or another dragon about differences of opinion. But I do know enough of pony culture and diplomacy that what you just did with Sun Princess went too far. I also know that ponies don’t hoard, but if what the Ascended One says about her is correct the ponies could almost be considered her hoard.”

“Hmph…” Sentinel snorted. “She immature about it… She is scared out of her mind and acting irrational.”

“And your rage... is it causing you to act irrational?” He of Hourglass questioned, trying to figure out what got his Secondclaw worked up so badly. “There is a reason for it to be this high…”

Sentinel opened and shut his mouth unsure if he should tell him or not. Between the fact that the dragon name was ‘Tortured Screams’ and his assertion they were similar. He was also angered by the pony deaths just like Celestia. He was the Alicorn Keeper it hurt that his charge was attacked by a dragon of all beings...

“And your rage?” He of Hourglass slowly reiterated lifting Sentinel head so he could gaze into his eyes. Sentinel didn’t even resist. Behind the cold fury and rage that He of Hourglass saw was a fear that could cause an ice dragon to shiver.

“He told me his name.” Sentinel broke down for the care and love coming from his hatchmate.

He of Hourglass paled. Hoard names are very revealing and to know the dragon’s name… No wonder he was on edge and fearful. “I see…” He put a comforting wing around his clanmate. After a minute or two he pulled the wing off and walked back to the rest. Sentinel slowly walked after him.

“Everything alright?” Twilight asked as soon as the two dragons returned.

“Sun Princess Sentinel is to return to Hourglass. End of discussion.” He of Hourglass gave Celestia such a look that she was unable to resist the urge to gulp.

Sentinel sighed, putting a paw to his face before gazing at Luna. “Luna gather a team of unicorns and pegasi and head to Griffonstone. There is a relic of the Roc Keeper that might get the scattered and disenfranchised Equestrian Griffons unified. It is known as the Id…”

“Idol of Boreas! I’ve read about that!” Twilight interrupted excitedly. Sentinel groaned and facepalmed. Twilight then realized that she got too excited and had cut off Sentinel. “I… uh… sorry.”

Sentinel waved it off. “Yes, it was lost when Arimaspi fell into the Abysmal Abyss some time ago. I saw no reason to retrieve it with other more pressing matters taking up my time. Now, however...” He exhaled heavily. “Luna lead a team and retrieve that relic. That should get the griffons to reunite and into a military alliance with Equestria.”

"Very well," Luna grinned. "Alicorn Keeper."

"Luna!" Sentinel grumbled while Celestia stifled a giggle. The white dragon just rolled his eyes. “Okay, then... We have delayed this as long as we could... He of Laughter what happened that got you so worked up?”

Discord flinched. “I found out, at least in part, who was responsible for the attack on Traxti city. I was not successful in finding out how… At least one rogue diamond dog pack and as Sentinel correctly surmised earlier a dragon. The rogue pack is dead as for the dragon I have no idea who or what the dragon is. All I know is the the dragon is not the Chaos Bringer, too young.”

“What did the dragon look like?”

“All I saw was a silhouette.”

“How about a voice?”

“Yes... I heard his voice…”

“Go on... let’s hear the voice of the dragon He of Laughter.”

Discord slowly nodded. He walked to the center of the group and placed a recorder and pressed the play button.

Idiots! That is no mere chimera! That is a draconequus and a KEEPER OF HARMONY!!

No one spoke a word. The reaction from both Sentinel and He of Hourglass was enough for everyone to know who that voice belonged to. The voice from the caves was ‘Quartz.’

“Damn it.” Sentinel cursed. He was really hoping that his suspicions were wrong. “I think it’s clear how he managed to get enough power to attack Hourglass and Equestria in the way that he did.”

Twilight gulped. “That would have taken a lot of coordination! He would have had to have help. And no offense to diamond dogs the sophistication of the dome points to someone with more skills than most diamond dogs are able to muster.”

“The Dark One?” Luna wondered. ”Could he be involved as well?” ”

“No, I don’t think so.” Sentinel shook his head. “At least not yet… Inspiration and hero is how the dragon described the Nameless One not master or brother…”

“I… I… I’m afraid there is is more…”

“He of Laughter relax. Take a few breaths and then tell us.”

“It’s just that I’m frightened by the three of you.”

“I don’t understand” Sentinel was lost. Not atypical with Discord but it was rare nonetheless.

“Because of what I found two days ago…”

Sentinel walked up to Discord who nearly flinched when the dragon put a paw on his shoulder. “Discord, relax, we need to know. No matter how bad.”

“O...Okay.” Discord took a couple of cleansing breaths once Sentinel moved off to give him space. “I found something two day ago… something that makes the Migration massacre seem like it was nothing…”

Sentinel and He of Hourglass paled while Quartermaster maw glowed and his claws were clenched in anger.

“TALK!” Quartermaster roared becoming impatient at the delay.

“QUARTERMASTER!” Sentinel roared as he forcibly slammed his head down. The red dragon's tail thrashing around violently. Sentinel got right up into Quartermaster’s face. “I get that you are angry at what he is implying but whatever he saw is scaring him to death and you roaring at him is not helping. Need I remind you that we are not in Hourglass anymore and that he is a Keeper? If you threaten him like that again while we are in the Council of Harmony, Keeper territory,” he leaned in to whisper, “I don’t care if you are my hatchmate or not I will do more than ‘roar’ at you!”

Sentinel stared at Quartermaster a moment longer before he let him go. “He of Laughter please continue.”

“Dark magic, fifty seven dragon bodies destroyed left in the the way of a dishonors along with six smashed eggs…” Discord stopped as he could feel the mana in the council spike to dangerous levels.

Sentinel also felt the mana pressure build. He almost didn’t catch it as his rage had skyrocketed. With his magic he slid everyone non dragon to the edges of the chambers. He recognized who’s mana was building up. “Quartermaster STOP HE OF HOURGLASS!”

This snapped Quartermaster out of his own rage induce stupor. He looked about to see that His firstclaw sparks had begun extremely dark. It was clear from the posture that he was about to explode. With practiced ease he slammed his claw right in front of He of Hourglass only slightly startling the dragon. He of Hourglass slowly turned to face Quartermaster. The look of cold rage in his eyes.

“Oh no you don’t Firstclaw.” Quartermaster growled and backhanded the smaller dragon. The purple dragon tumbled hard into a throne. Quartermaster didn’t give the dragon a chance to recover before he grabbed him by the neck and roared right into his face. The roar lasted for well over a minute before Quartermaster slammed He of Hourglass roughly to the floor.

Quartermaster leaned to whisper into his Firstclaw ear. “I told you I would beat the rage out of you…” He eyed the him for a second before he helped him to his feet.

“Feeling better He of Hourglass?” Sentinel called out, still holding everyone to the walls.

A single nod from the purple and green dragon was all Sentinel needed to know that indeed the dragon had calmed down so Sentinel let go of everyone.

“Couldn’t a simple ‘calm down’ do?” Rarity snapped as she tried to calm herself down.

Sentinel stomped right up to her with fire in his eyes. “How’d you feel if you came home to Ponyville to find the entire town slaughtered every stallion, mare, and child? Bodies mutilated in pieces out on display for everypony and scavenger to see. Heads on spikes entrails used as ropes to hang torsos. You tell me if you how you feel to somepony who told you to ‘calm down or there there’” The entire mane six went green and a few like Rarity starting violently losing their stomachs.

“DON'T! “ Sentinel slammed Celestia mouth shut with his magic before she could utter a word. “EVEN. THINK. ABOUT. IT. Our little dark dragon wendigo tamer would have found that a merciful action on his part.”

At that even Celestia and Luna struggled not to retch themselves. They both had been action in war Luna more so than Celestia and they had never known even the griffons and minotaurs warrior races doing that to their most hated enemies.

“Art thou saying that the foul dragon that attacked Equestria did this as well!?” Luna questioned as soon as her stomach settled enough to talk.

“A dragon graveyard in a random location is not his calling card… too impersonal. No… No. Everything about himis personal.” Sentinel paced. “He want’s you to know it was him. Relishing in pain and suffering that he causes and all the more when one knows the sources of said pain and suffering. He could have easily ran away after the wendigo induced blizzard, but he didn’t.” Sentinel stopped for a second before resuming. “Didn’t he? No... he waited for my arrival. He of Laughter has been,what, two days?” Discord nodded. “No there can only be one that could have done it.”

“The Dark One.” Luna darkly answered.

“The one and only… There is an expression among the elite minotaur slingers never shoot a griffin unless your stone can ‘kill two birds with one stone...’”

“I’m familiar with the expression but what does that saying have to do with a ‘dragon graveyard?’” Celestia puzzled. Harmony and now Sentinel had the tendency to pace and either think out loud and it was sometimes difficult to figure out where he could be heading.

“Can’t say for sure… but you don’t just gather dragons, kill them, and then display them like they are dishonored for no reason. There is no way he is only killing them and leaving the bodies in the dishonored as an act of revenge. Leaving fifty seven bodies in a dishonor state in the same area?! He’s sending a message to every drake around I’d bet that message is if you don’t talk you die and I’m guessing he’s asking… well demanding more likely for information...”

“What kind of information do you think he could be looking for?” Celestia wondered, knowing that if Sentinel had surmised that ‘The Dark One’ was sending a message that he would have already made an assumption on what the message would be.

“He’s after information on the one being that that could stop him. The longer it takes to find this person the more powerful this person becomes…” Sentinel stopped and turned completely around to face Celestia. “I give you one damn guess who the ‘Nameless One’ is after.”

Everyone turned to face He of Hourglass.

Author's Note

Longest chapter yet... I hope I got all o the mistakes

Intermission V: All your name are belong to us

“Hop on.” Storyteller motioned for me to climb into a wooden cart.

“You want me.” I cringed in disgust, “to get into a cart to cross what you called the ‘Salt Flats.’” It was annoying to be forced to walk, but to add insult to injury to being forced to ride in a cart.

“Because I made the mistake of leading someone through the Salt Flats before on foot. The Badlands, as you have already found out, is not exactly kind to those that are unprepared. The dangers are less than they were before... at least when it comes from moving ‘objects’… The Salt Flats are, and have always been, the most dangerous part especially for those who can’t fly.”

“This is so demeaning…” I muttered to myself as I climbed in the back. At least the cart was clean looking. There was a bit of sand in the crevices but given the desert surroundings that wasn’t surprising.

“Well...” Storyteller dragged out the ‘well’ way more then I liked as he put the back of the cart back on, “until you can overcome the chaotic leyonic magic you are doing nothing but staying in the cart until we get to the other side.”

I watched as again Storyteller stopped, hooved(?) the ground, then changed directions. He seems lost and yet at the same there was an odd purpose for his movements. This makes no sense! I was not about to call him out for it just yet so I went back to staring at the cloudless sky.

Out of boredom I idly pulled out my compass. Not that it would help in this situation. I really should have brought a real compass and not relied on a pegasus natural sense of direction. The needle was again steadily pointing in a single direction. Right at Storyteller. What did he do with it!?

“What did you do with my compass?” I grumbled as I shook the compass in my frustration.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing my flank!” I snapped. I held out my compass for emphasis. “When I left the shack, mansion, building, magic thingy, home of yours it started pointing to your home. It’s never did anything but idly spin. Now,” I growled, “Now it’s pointing in your direction.”

“Doubtful... it’s probably pointing the way through the Salt Flats.”

A brilliant flash of light temporarily blinded me, and once I was able to see again I could no longer see Storyteller. Great… this guy must get a thrill...

“I’m behind you History Seeker.” I nearly jumped and dropped my compass. I looked behind me to see that Storyteller was behind the cart. With a grumble I picked up my compass. It was still pointing in the same direction as before, in the direction where Storyteller was earlier.

“What is with this thing!?” I muttered.

“I guess I could show you…” Show me what!? “Wait here and watch. No matter what happens stay in the cart.” Storyteller ordered. I was sure I heard a slight hint of fear in his voice, enough to make me to not want to even think of disobeying.

Storyteller walked away from the cart a good distance. I could hear the sounds of something cracking, like ice or glass. Suddenly, the ground beneath him gave out. “Storyteller!” I screamed. It took all of my mental strength not to attempt a rescue. The air became thick with swirling sand blocking from my sight the last place I saw him. I shook in fright as I heard the creaks and groans of the collapsing ground.

“Now do you understand?”

“YEE...AHHHH!!!” I jumped nearly ten feet at the sound of Storyteller’s voice. The sand dust had yet to settle so I couldn't see where Storyteller was. “Are you crazy!” “I shouted. “I can see now the need for the cart, but what were you thinking dragging me into this DEATH TRAP!”

“Says the stallion that goes into tombs filled with death traps for a living.”

“I…” I wanted to protest but he was right. Damn it. “Good point…”

The cart began to move again. My heart started to pound. I really hope that the cart was being moved by Storyteller and not it moving on its own and into the very large hole in the ground opened up by Storyteller.

“Can you help me out with something that is confusing me?”

“Sure.” Storyteller stopped and for the millionth time that day hoofed(?) the sand. At least now I understood what he was doing and why.

“It’s all these different names and such... I’m having a bit of trouble keeping up. I mean couldn’t you just keep it just one name while telling the story. I had a hard time listening to your story yesterday when I had to remind myself that the ‘Dark One’ and the ‘Nameless One’ were the same. Or at least I think ‘Dark One’ was the same being as the ‘Nameless One.’”

“Yeah, you are correct. The ‘Nameless One’ and the ‘Dark One’ are one in the same... it can be confusing… dragons and their names and titles…”

“Let me give you a run down.”

“The ‘Nameless One’ isn’t a title nor a name. That monster,” Storyteller spat, “gets no title nor name… he is really nameless and unknown male spark dragon from the far past that attempted to destroy the world…”

Suddenly, an image of a large… massive towering mass of smoke and ash with two very large, very evil red, glowing eyes peered through it appeared in front of me. Just like from the stained glass window.I suddenly had the urge to give out a very unstallion like squeak and I involuntarily shuddered at the sight. The eyes alone were larger than my body.

Storyteller climbed into the cart next to me. As much as I really was unsure of him, his presence was comforting. “The ponies refer to him as the ‘Dark One.’”

“Why is that?”

“Huh?” I managed to pulled my sight away from the imposing visage of the dragon to look at Storyteller who was looking down at me expectantly. I stared back at him with a look that said: Like I would have a clue. “How should I know?”.

“Nightmare Moon a Nightmare possessed the alicorn mare also known as Luna and was obsessed with making the night eternal. King Sombra known as the shadow king. He used shadows and dark crystal magic to enslave the crystal ponies of the Crystal Empire. Then of course changelings. Parasitic shapeshifting pony insects that remain in the shadows stealing love.”

“Tell me what is the pattern?” Before I had much of an opportunity to think much less answer Storyteller answered his own question. “All of it dealing with shadows and darkness...”

“‘Chaos Bringer’ is the name that the chimeras have for him.”

“Over three hundred thousand years ago about five years after Discord’s, the Chimera Keeper of Harmony, ‘birth’ something happened in Hourglass City. Something terrible... every sentient being in the city except Discord wiped out in one moment. Hourglass City at the time was the center of Chimera and Draconequus culture and civilization. This caused massive repercussions… the Chimeras became scattered and disenfranchised, forever afraid of congregating in anything but small groups for fear of it happening again.”

“Then, of course, Discord’s period of grief induced madness where he turned Equestria into a chaotic circus freak show. Dancing buffalo wearing tutus, checkerboard patterned grass, cotton candy clouds that rain chocolate milk, and so forth.”

“So are you saying that this nameless evil dragons ‘titles’ are related to whatever evil plagues that race?”

“The titles predate the evils. They are more like prophecies…” Storyteller gazed up towards the sky. “I think I’ll have to tell you the rest as we go along… The sun is getting a bit low in the sky and we still have a ways to go.”

So he’s told me two… but he hasn’t said anything one the meaning behind ‘Nameless One.’ “What about the ‘Nameless One?’”

Storyteller was quiet for a while before he finally answered me. “A dragon’s whole identity is tied to their name… mess with that and make a name meaningless…”

“Does that help?” Storyteller bent low and from what I could see was reading the ground a bit more then usual. This had happened a couple of times before it’s possible he was having issues finding a safe path… Though, somehow, I don’t think even being on the ‘safe path’ is safe.

“At least in one part…”

“Ah,” Storyteller head snapped up suddenly, “it’s also the other dragons… Okay… In order of joining the clan.”

“First, we have He of Hourglass.” An image of a purple and green bipedal dragon began walking next to the cart. Strange multicolored sparks seemed to be emanating from his body. “His name before choosing was Spike. He also has the title of Firstclaw being that he is the first dragon of the Hourglass Clan and the leader of the clan. He also is the Dragon Keeper of Harmony usually shortened to Dragon Keeper.”

“Next we have Quartermaster.” My jaw gaped at the size of the red and orange quadrupedal dragon. Just like with the image of the ‘Dark One’ the eyes were larger than my body. “Like all males in the clan you could call him He of Hourglass... sort of. There is subtle differences in how you speak He of Hourglass that indicates which dragon being spoken about... As you can recall at the start of the story before Sentinel got his title how he cringed at his name being mispronounced.”

“He of Music...interesting case.” A white and blue dragon about twice as big as Storyteller shimmered into existence taking the place of Quartermaster. A large, metal scorpion thing was hanging from a chain around his neck and a bass guitar was strapped to his back. “He of usually followed by a territory name or landmark… He of Music very, very rarely uses He of Hourglass… Actually he did something very unusual in that he used He of Music before ever using He of Hourglass.”

“Why?”

“Because Harmonious Knight was present at his choosing and he knew that he would not be able to hear or replicate the subtleties necessary to proper address him as He of Hourglass.”

“She of Hourglass the mate of Quartermaster…” A willowy long dragon with powered blue and red scales. A small horn red horn was on the tip of her snout and she sported jet black wavy ‘hair.’ She looked quite beautiful though I have never seen a female dragon before so I don’t know how true that is. “She didn’t join the clan via choosing but by becoming the mate of Quartermaster not much to talk about there… I don’t think you really want more bedroom topics right now…”

“Medallion a chosen female dragon.” A pink quadrupedal dragon about the same size of Storyteller replaced She of Hourglass. “Quite rare. A female nearly never makes in five years as a whelp much less the twenty to twenty five years to a typical choosing.”

“Sentinel…” Storyteller sighed heavily. “Sentinel’s story is complex and difficult to unravel much less understand…” A white dragon with rainbow horns appeared that then morphed into the alicorn from the stained glass window. “Formally an alicorn…” The fur and feathers went from white to multicolor. Not only that, the colors kept shifting making it hard for me to not only see the image much less not become nauseous. His mane and tail luckily didn’t shifted color except that the mane whitened and lost all color and the tail darken to black. “He is the Secondclaw and the Alicorn Keeper. The second to join the clan but the last to Chose.”

“Twixt’d, the whelp that is treated as a clanmate, the adopted son of Quartermaster and She of Hourglass, former hatchmate of Sentinel, keep an eye on him…”

“These are the dragons that make up the Clan of Hourglass.”

“Okay, I do find that information… informative... but I’m confused on why you keep switching from using the dragon’s title to saying phrases such as ‘Sentinel's hoard name’ when a dragon is speaking to Sentinel.”

“Oh I see…” Storyteller chuckled. “Got ahead of myself... Dragon’s will use hoard names when speaking in private, but only if all in presence know each other hoard names and everyone present knows that everyone knows everydragon's hoard names…” I blinked real hard at that tongue twister. Luckily I figured it out by saying it in my mind at an extremely slow pace. “Tongue twister, I know...I’m kind of surprised I manage to say it correctly... The hoard names of the dragons are not for me to give out only the dragon himself or herself can do it... I just want you to know that they are using them.”

“While we are on this… You can tell a dragon's trust for another by how they call each other in public and in private. Dragon of insert physical disruption is the most basic form of respect when speaking to a dragon especially when the He of typically territory name or landmark is not known. The next level is referring to the dragon as a brother or sister the final step is known as name sharing. That’s when dragons share their hoard names.”

“That changes in a clan structure as in order to join, without mating of course, requires a name sharing ritual. The joining dragon and the Firstclaw of the clan roar in unison then the Firstclaw and any other dragons joining in the ritual, in order of joining, roar out their hoard names in the order of their joining. Finally the joining dragon roars his or her name for the first time which is the action required for a Choosing to take place. All in Draconian, the magical language of dragons.”

“Clan dragons are a bit different on how they show respect. They don’t call each other brother or sister out of just respect but out of love. You see a dragon loves their hoard and the clan as a whole have a collective hoard… Each other. A clan mate will look out and guard each others hoard without ever the thought of payment crossing their minds.”

“To a dragon in a clan they consider their clanmates their friends to the point of being family. Now if a clanmate wants to take that a step further they can magically become hatchmates, true family. Adult dragons don’t count blood as family but magic.”

“Better?”

“Yeah, it’s helping a little…” I admitted then something else came to mind that was similar to the name confusion I had been having. “One last thing... The word hoard has also also been confusing as you use the word ‘hoard’ to mean clearly several different things.”

“That’s because whenever you translate Draconian, or any language for that matter, it can be difficult to find words that match well… Gold for example… there are dozens of Draconian words that translate into the word ‘gold.’”

“Somehow I think I might need a cheat-cheat sheet to keep up before this story is over.” I laughed at my joke. Storyteller nodded in agreement as he laughed along with me.

Something about all this suddenly sparked a thought. A thought that I had been having for a bit now. Something in the way Storyteller spoke and carried himself seem similar. Also the way that Storyteller seemed to know a lot about dragons… specifically the dragons of Hourglass. And if what he’s saying is correct dragons tended to be private about themselves.

“You know,” I started, “I think you should add another title to the list under Sentinel: Storyteller.”

Storyteller or in this case if I’m right Sentinel stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face me fully. My smile almost dropped as I had forgotten that he was hiding behind a cloak so I would not necessarily get the reaction I would need to confirm my gut feeling. Though I could feel his eyes bore into my own.

“Am I right? You are Sentinel, aren't you?”

Author's Note

Yes "All your name are belong to us" is a poke at "All your base are belong to us"

And what is with the intermissions becoming full chapters? This one is longer then 6 previous full chapters...

By the way need a cheat-cheat sheet?

Firstclaw/Dragon Keeper/He of Hourglass/Golden DragonHeart
Secondclaw/Alicorn Keeper/Sentinel/Soul Fire
Quartermaster/Metal Claws
He of Music/EB/Eternal Beats
He Of Hourglass/MetalEtched Claws
Medallion/Legacy Chaser

To the Edge of the World

42 days since the Nameless One’s escape

16 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early evening, Nearing the south arctic

Eternal Beats yawned. The air was beginning to chill, numbing the soreness in his wings from the week long flight. Legacy Chaser didn’t appear to not be as affected, though, she still was slowing down, just like him.

“Isn’t it suppose to nearing summer in the southern latitudes?” Legacy Chaser called back to him as she noted some ice and snow on the ground

“In two weeks time…” Eternal Beats looked down to see the same snow and ice as Legacy Chaser. “Let’s land so I can consult the charts.”

A few moments later the two of them landed in a patch of withered grass. Eternal Beats spread and smoothed out the mentioned chart. He placed rocks on the four corners to keep the chart in place.

“If I’m reading theses charts correctly we are in this area.” Eternal Beats tapped the chart with a claw.

“Section E7…” Legacy Chaser pointed out.

“According the notations snow and ice would unusual for this area at this time…”

Eternal Beats pulled out a scroll and quickly wrote down the information and sent it off in his neon blue flame.

“How long do you think before we get a response?”

“No idea…” Eternal Beats carefully refolded the charts and put it them away. He then pulled his guitar from his back and began to idly play some songs. He would have preferred to play his ocarina but it was too cold to play it. That and he needed his mouth to not be obstructed when the reply came. He had a tendency to zone out when playing.

As he started played a song that Pinkie Pie sent from a pony artist, if he remember correctly, named Sapphire Shores, he heard a moan. He turned to see that Legacy Chaser had her tail high and was twitching as if in the throes of mating. Eternal Beats face burned in embarrassment and shame. His playing had done this. To his clanmate and sister. She wasn’t his mate and he shouldn’t force this on her…

“I-I-I’m Sorry Legacy Chaser.” He sheepishly apologized noticing that Legacy Chaser was no longer moaning or presenting. She seem a bit confused. “I… I’m still trying to figure out how much and how my instruments have changed…and… and it seems...”

“No… No...” Legacy Chaser shook off the sexual stupor that she was in. “keep playing... I need to build up a resistance. Especially if you need to use that against the wendigos.”

“Great… I don’t want weapons of mass music…I just want to be able to play just to play not to have a purpose persay. Weapons... music should never be about that… or used like that...” Suddenly, Eternal Beats didn’t feel like playing. With a tired sigh he put back his guitar and curled up to get some sleep.

Legacy Chaser put a wing over as much of him as she could. “Remain strong brother. We all need your... laidbackness... Most of all you need to remain true to yourself.” Soft snoring was the only response she got. She slide up next to him keeping the wing over him and went to sleep herself.

Eternal Beats awoke with the feeling that he was receiving mail. A puff of fire later confirmed when it coalesced into a scroll. He slowly got up and inadvertently disturbed Legacy Chaser apparently she had fallen asleep trying to comfort him.

“I take it you got a response?”

“Yeah.” Eternal Beats unrolled the scroll and held it open so she could read it along with him.

He of Music

It would be extremely rare for ice and snow to be that far north at this time of year. It’s unlikely that there will be any wendigos in the immediate area given the amount of ice and snow indicated by your message. Hopefully, it’s just one of those once in a hundred years late season snowstorms.

Keep me informed of your progress and let me know asap if you spot any wendigos. Indicate the location and number spotted if possible.

Stay safe.

Secondclaw.

“Hmm… I was not expecting Soul Fire to answer.”

“Aren’t wendigos ponified snow demons?” Eternal Beats slowly nodded.

Eternal Beats was fully aware that Soul Fire was the Alicorn Keeper and given that the Wendigos part of his duty he would have an invested interest in what they were doing. But he also had become extremely busy as of late, dealing the aftereffects of the alliance between Equestria and Hourglass. He would have figured Golden DragonHeart would be the one answering to help ease the burden a bit.

“He is a sexy alicorn, isn't he…” Eternal Beats facepalmed. While he was dwelling on the whys of Soul Fire contacting them over Golden DragonHeart it was clear she had dwelt on something a bit lower then he.

You have only met one in your life how who you know what is sexy in alicorn? Eternal Beats sighed. “It’s getting late we should find shelter.”

“Feather or leather shelter?”

Eternal Beats rolled his eyes. Her teasing and sexual innuendo had started to shift since they talked four days ago. But as far as he could tell she had not asked him yet… “Practicing on how you plan to seduce him?”

“I... uh…” Legacy Chaser stuttered. A smile then grew as a sensuous thought came to her. “Are you saying you are jealous? That you would prefer to sing my praises?”

“Low blow.” Eternal Beats growled in annoyance. “That was a low blow.”

“That can be arranged.” Legacy Chaser twirled a claw around Eternal Beats’ ear frill.

I flew right into that… A shudder ran up and down his spine when Legacy Chaser claw touched his ear frill. Legacy Chaser giggled and took off before Eternal Beats had the chance to recover enough to complain.

He of Music suddenly could feel a drop in the ambient temperature. It could be from a storm coming in from the direction opposite of the overhang of outcropping they were using for shelter. However the possibility of it being wendigo caused was reason enough to wake Medallion.

“Medallion…” He of Music whispered harshly. When that didn’t work he licked her ear.

“Are you offering?” Medallion smiled but didn’t open her eyes.

“No.”

Medallion's sharp tail smacked He of Music’s tail, hard. “Hey!” He of Music managed to suppress the roar of pain.

“Don’t lead a girl on like that!” Medallion snapped. She yawned and got up. “What’s the problem?”

“Hopefully, nothing, but…”

“It could be wendigos…” Medallion finished.

“Yeah...” He of Music turned from Medallion and gazed outwards.

The sun suddenly dimmed causing both dragons to tense up. Snowflakes began to fall down fast from the sky and the temperature dropped again. The sounds of howling wind entered their ears. Neither dragon could see any evidence of wind which told both what they had hoped it wasn’t.

The light around them dimmer further. Out in the further developing storm He of Music could see a least dozen red eyes. “Do you see what I see?”

“Six maybe more wendigos…” Medallion's eyes narrowed a growl growing in her throat. “You have a plan?”

“Let them get close then we blast them with combined fire. Hopefully that will thin the ranks of the herd. Before our fire attacks go out we take off in opposite directions and with any luck they will split their forces and come after us.”

“Then take out each others wendigos?”

“Yeah…”

More red eyes joined in and the sounds of howling wind chilled more than the air. Both dragons gulped as dread began to fill their hearts. The words of their First and Second Claws soundly filled their minds.

“A dragon’s fire is more then enough to destroy them.”

“Wendigos may be weak against our fire but they are still formidable in groups.”

“Wendigos have a chilling effect not only on the environment but on hearts. Whenever one confronts them one has to guard their heart from the dread that they will try to instill in anyone attempting to challenge them. Let your inner fire grow but not to the point of rage. You are clanmates you protect each other.”

“For Hourglass.” He of Music growled feeling his inner fire grow from his resolve for his clan.

“For Hourglass.” Medallion agreed.

The dragon waited for what seemed like an eternity for the stalking wendigos to get close enough. Neither one did anything but stare forward not letting the mass of wendigos intimidate or distract them. The howling became deafening but still they waited. The pack soon became impatient and lunged forward.

With a nod the two dragons let loose the largest flame they could produce. Before the fire has a chance to faded away they took off in opposite directions. Four wendigos went after He of Music while two went after Medallion. He of Music turned back towards his clanmate. Both clanmates locked their gazes for a second before they broke off. He dived under her then let of a large plume of flame. Unfortunately the two wendigos only scattered from the flame and didn’t appear to be any less for wear. A whinny of pain told him that Medallion had managed to hit at least one.

They pressed on the attack while trying to avoid the ice breath of the demons. He of Music large frame meant that he got hit several times but he was able to keep his flying steadier in the swirling winds. Medallion was able to avoid most of the attacks because of her smaller frame though the winds did give her trouble once or twice. Before too long only two remained.

Medallion roared in pain and anger. She spun around mid air and destroyed the wendigo responsible for icing her tail. He of Music slammed into the final wendigo and slashing it to pieces before taking it out permanently. Both hovered for a moment breathing hard and panting while checking for any wendigos remaining. The storm was oddly not letting up. From what they were told about wendigos, with the herd being defeated it should have meant that the storm would dissipate but that didn’t appear to be the case. Hopefully, Sentinel would have the answers. Both, however, were too tired to keep flying so they descended to take shelter under the overhang.

“Damn those snow demons.” Legacy Chaser blew some of her pink flame onto her tail, trying to warm it back up. “How can cold breath feel hot!?”

“No idea... just rest. I’ll take the first watch.”

“Thanks.” Legacy Chaser blew a long stream to warm the rock below her until it was cherry red. “Ahh...” She groaned in contentment as she laid down on the now warm rock, her tongue rolling out in pleasure. “This feels soooo good.”

“Are you trying to make me envious?” A tired giggle came from her in response. In truth Eternal Beats was envious he rarely ever got a chance to really warm his scales. He didn’t want to accidentally burn any of his birds from his scales being too hot. If Pinkie Pie was to be believed, Fluttershy could be scarier than Soul Fire if something or someone hurt her animals, and while the birds were now his if she found out that he didn’t take care of them properly...

“We need to get a lava pool in Hourglass.” She muttered as she fell asleep.

“Yeah, we…” Eternal Beats looked back and noticed that Legacy Chaser was asleep, “...do.” Eternal Beats chuckled then pulled out a scroll to let the Hourglass Clan know what transpired and that Soul Fire suspensions seemed to be spot on. So much for getting home soon to see his new instruments.

Hours went by with no response. This was concerning for the drake but he trusted his clan leaders to figure out what to do. It was most likely that Soul Fire was memory walking on his knowledge of wendigos. Given how much memory to sift through it could be a while. Didn’t make the waiting any easier.

He of Music peered out into the blizzard. He was sure he saw movement out there. Something that was not wendigo, too solid. Hopefully whatever it was it was not hostile. The fight with the herd of wendigo had exhausted both Medallion and himself and he wasn’t sure they would be able to fight again. A shiver inducing roar rang out.

Medallion instantly woke and sat up. “Was that what I think I heard He of Music?”

“The roar of an angry dragon,” Medallion joined He of Music starring out trying to see anything. “Yep. The question to whom or what is the dragon angry about?”

A Warm Welcome Unwanted

43 days since the Nameless One’s escape

17 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early morning, Nearing the south arctic

“...The question to whom or what is the dragon angry about?”

Another roar rang out, louder and closer. It would not be long before the dragon found them, if the dragon hadn’t already. From the size of the movement the dragon stalking about was most likely fully grown.

“I don’t remember crossing any territorial markers…” Medallion fearfully wondered as a third roar rang out, “you?”

“No…” He of Music shook his head.

“Any chance the dragon will move on and leave us alone?”

“Not likely… our battle left scorch marks and large ice unnatural ice formations.” He of Music pointed to and example, a spiky pillar of blue ice.

“I wasn’t hoping you wouldn’t say that.” Medallion sighed putting her head into her claw. “I’d really rather get back to the lovely dream I was having.”

A glint of light blue flashed in the storm so faint that He of Music almost didn’t see it. “The dragon has spotted us… prepare yourself sister.”

“Yes, brother.” Medallion nodded.

The mass became bigger and bigger, it’s ice blue eyes glowed in the semi darkness. Suddenly, the from of the dragon pierced through the veil of snow and ice. One look confirmed the obvious, the dragon was an ice dragon, no surprise from where they were located, and as suspected was fully grown. The ice dragon had to duck his head to avoid hitting the overhang. That was all the the further the dragon went his wings opening fully.

The dragon was pearl white and with belly scales so pale that it was hard to see that it was blue not white. A pair of bull like horns adorned his head and long needle like spines ran from the tip of the snout to the back of his head. He had no spines or tail weapon but his scales were curled upward the entire length. The opened and large wings, typical for ice dragons made him even more imposing. At least the open wings kept the wind and cold from assaulting them. Sure they were protected from the elements but somehow He of Music and Medallion couldn't help but feel the same coldness coming off of him as the wendigos.

He of Music pulled off his headphones so that he could appear more respectful. That and he wanted to gauge the dragon’s song to minimize the chance of a violent confrontation. Hopefully, the dragon only wanted to talk. Even with the wings blocking out the most of the storm his hearing was still hampered. The song he heard didn’t particular sound confrontational but it, however, did sound cold, relentless, determined. Without getting closer that was all he could get.

“What are you doing here?” The dragon finally spoke. His voice was cold and icy just like everything with the dragon.

“Hello Dragon of White and Pale Blue Scales, I am He of Music, this is Medallion.”

“Skip the warm pleasantries and get to the point.” The dragon barked. “I despise warmth.”

Clearly. He of Music thought. “Uh… Right. We are here under our Claws’ orders to assess and neutralize if necessary a possible incursion of wendigos past their territories.”

“Clan dragons… I should’ve known. Weak. You two are no dragons.”

At that, both Hourglass dragons growled threateningly. It was clear that the dragon had a problem working with others, judging from his remarks. Both dragons would have been fine with the dragon not wanting help as it could make the dragon feel weak. But to call them weak for being clan dragons and by extension Sentinel who both thought was the strongest dragon they knew. Not that their other clanmates were not weak.

With the war beginning to pick up and with Sentinel being a warrior, the entire clan, even their Firstclaw, looked to him for guidance. Of course, when the war ends, if they survived… it would likely change. There was something between Sentinel and He of Hourglass that seemed to go beyond First and Second Claws… something deeper. How else would an alicorn be so interested in the clan and specifically their Firstclaw long before anyone knew, especially the alicorn, that the Secondclaw was the alicorn.

“You can bad mouth me, fine.” Fire began to leak from He of Music’s maw as his rage built. “But if you ever bad mouth our clan you will never again feel cold comfort. Matter of fact, you won’t feel anything again.”

“You can handle my aura.” The dragon eyed He of Music very closely. He said nothing more.

For a long time all the could be heard was the sounds of the storm and the breathing of the three dragons. He of Music and Medallion both looked at the ice dragon hard and with little hidden rage. The ice dragon gaze back, his expression never changing.

“He of the Barren South and I can handle the problem, alone.” He of the Barren South finally broke the silence.

“No offense, He of the Barren South.” Medallion countered. “There is more going on then just rampaging wendigos.”

“And that concerns me how?” Medallion took a half step back from the glare from the ice dragon.

“It does if the Nameless One comes and stirs trouble.” He of Music put a comforting wing on Medallion. “And with how far north the wendigos have gone and the numbers...I’d say he has.”

“I said I can handle it myself.” He of Music could feel the breath of the ice dragon wash over him, ice crystals forming on the tip of his snout.

“And what the South Crystal City? What about other dragons? No offense, but the south arctic is a large area and the wendigo herd that attacked us is quite large. You may not feel you need our help but others may, and we are under orders to assist.”

“I will escort you to the golem city.” He of the Barren South finally spoke. “If they need assistance... Assist. Them. Then leave.”

“Very well,” He of Music resisted the urge to sigh. He was not going to push as truthfully this area was not his territory. For that matter, they no where near his territory... if he had one.. As a clan dragon he had none. The clan, as a whole, had a territory. Some days he wished he had his is own territory but then he wouldn’t have Sentinel or He of Hourglass, and his entire hoard minus his ocarina and bass guitar was comprised of things that either one gave him. “I will need to notify our Secondclaw.”

“Fine.”

He of Music pulled out a scroll and quickly composed message to Sentinel. He made sure that He of the Barren South was unable to see what he was writing and to be double sure he used code that Sentinel had drilled into all of them when he was still an alicorn. He was not going to take any chances at this stage. He finished composing the message and sent it off. All they could do now was wait for the response.

He of Music,

That fact that you were attacked by a fairly large hard as far north as you were means that my suspicions are right. The South Crystal City may be in trouble. For the moment, render any assistance they may need.

As for the dragon you describe. I don’t recognize the territory title off claw and I doubt he has that kind of honor to be able to keep you from the south arctic. The area is about as big as Equestria, and the dragon, to have that level of honor, would have been well known… It is more likely a bluff… However, I will memory walk all the memories I have of the Migration and see if I can find anything on this dragon. He spent time in the south arctic but those memories will be harder to track down. Either way this will take some time… In the mean time, you know the code. If a dragon doesn’t want your assistance then stay out of their territory. Keep me or Firstclaw informed.

Secondclaw

“And?”

“We are to head to South Crystal City and render any assistance they may need.” He of Music answered. “And to follow the code if a dragon does not wish for assistance.”

Without another word He of the Barren South flapped his wings and climbed into the storm. He of Music and Medallion after a second of hesitation quickly followed.

Medallion motioned for He of Music to fall back a bit. “What are we going to do?” She spoke in as quietest voice she thought that could be heard over the wind.

“Well, according to Sentinel he thinks that he is bluffing… I’m inclined to agree… It’s also possible that we could be near his territory and he feels threaten.”

“You assume.” Barked He of the Barren South. “Tell your clan leaders to stay out of my affairs. This doesn’t concern them…”

“They are the Alicorn and Dragon Keepers of Harmony it does concern them.”

“Land. Now.” He of the Barren South snapped, already making his descent.

The dragons had only barely touched the ground when He of the Barren South flung open his wings and stalked right up to He of Music. He of Music stood his ground though his heart was pounding. “He of Harmony, a leader in your clan. An actual dragon clan?”

“Yes, an actual clan,” He of Music narrowed his eyes, not liking the insinuation. Though he knew that the question would be expected he already didn’t like the dragon all that much and was not in a very forgiving mood. “And it’s Sentinel now not He of Harmony.”

“Impossible. ‘Sentinel’ as you call him is pony.” He glared at He of Music before he turned to face Medallion. “Unless somehow Keepers can pass on their duties…”

“He became a dragon and is no longer a pony. He Chose.” Medallion proudly defended her Secondclaw.

If He of the Barren South was shocked he sure wasn’t showing it. All the two dragons from Hourglass could see were the same unwavering cold, almost soulless eyes that bore into them. Time passed almost to the point to cause discomfort for the Hourglass dragons.

For the first time in over a day they could feel the approach of a dragon’s territory ward. Normally, given that they were flying high, it was moot. Territory wards meant nothing high in the air otherwise dragons would never be able to go anywhere. The exception according to Sentinel was the Dragon Migration as He of the Flight got permission for the migration to fly over any dragons territory that crossed the path of the migration just in case of any emergency that might require landing.

The problem was this ward seemed odd. How it was odd neither He of Music or Medallion could tell. And that was worrying for both. It did seem familiar, however, to He of Music but he couldn't place how.

He of the Barren South apparently beat them to the punch. “It’s mine.”

As soon as they crossed the ice dragon seemed more relaxed. The snowstorm that they were flying though suddenly felt less vicious even though the snow was still coming down as hard as before. Both dragons thought that it was strange. Why and how could the storm change like that the moment the cross his wards. This made their uneasiness rise a bit more. Enough for them to look surreptitiously around.

Something below and behind them made He of Music shiver. He fell back to a further distance than the last time they needed to talk alone. With any luck, He of the Barren South wouldn’t overhear it. “We are being followed.” He spoke in the same small voice as before.

“By…” Medallion questioned, trying to keep her fear from leaking into her voice.

“Two, maybe, three wendigos,” He of Music countered, “possibly more. It’s hard to tell without letting our guide know what we are doing.”

“Leave my hoard alone.” Came a cold growl from He of the Barren South.

If He of Music and Medallion thought they had felt chilled by his presence the revelation that his hoard contain wendigos was enough to make them feel like they were frozen solid. In their shock all they could do was gaze in horror at each other. How could any self respecting dragon have wendigos in their hoard? And who could control them without resorting to dark magic as neither of them felt any dark magic...

Author's Note

Say hello to Racko's Dragon OC.
(Please don't reveal his Hoard name I have not decided yet if his name will be revealed in story or not yet and I don't want to spoil the surprise)

Indeed, how could any self respecting dragon have wendigos in their hoard and what role do you think He of the Barren South is playing?

From Wendigos to South Crystal City

43 days since the Nameless One’s escape

17 days since the fall of Traxti City

Morning, South Arctic

He of the Barren South grumbled as he saw the erratic flying of the Hourglass dragons. “Land. Mail.”

Once they landed, He of Music struggled to keep his claw from shaking as he quickly composed a message to Sentinel. He couldn’t tell if the shaking was the cold finally getting to him or the wendigos or the cursed ice dragon. I hate this war. Why couldn’t I have been hatched after the war!? I just want to be surrounded by my hoard, and not need to worry about darkness and death and destruction…

Medallion put a wing on him and He of Music managed to stop shaking long enough to finish the letter and send it off. She was just as nervous and fearful as her clanmate and brother but she knew that with the way he heard the world around him that the chilling effect of the wendigos was most likely affecting him more than her. She’d be damned if she didn’t help him.

A scroll appeared after a few long minutes of waiting. Medallion grabbed the scroll and opened it for her clanmate. He of Music silently thanked her as they both read the missive.

He of Music,

This is not good. It is possible that wendigos could be overpowered... even without the use of dark magic… But... it would take extreme magical power, concentration, and mental control and a weakened wendigo.

Be doubly careful with this dragon. When you reach South Crystal City let me know. I may have words for He of the Barren South.

Sentinel

He of Music burnt the scroll not wanting to risk their guide ever finding out about the contents of the scroll even though it was coded.

“Finished?” He of the Barren South asked in his usual cold manner. A short nod from He of Music was the response. “Good. You are not hatchlings and I am not your parent. Get your act together.”

As they took off He of Music and Medallion noticed that besides the three wendigos from before there was more galloping below them. Both really hoped that those wendigos were also apart the the ice dragon's hoard and not rogues.

What was also curious about the whole situation was they were surrounded by wendigos but the blizzard never worsened nor did the temperature drop. Even the chilling aura that should come off of them was absent. What in the world did this dragon do to these wendigos? It was possible that this was typical behavior and that the herd that attacked them were like the ones that attacked Equestria, driven by dark magic and out of control. Forget being nightmare, to both dragons this assignment was becoming a nightterror.

17 days since the fall of Traxti City

Evening, Near South Crystal City

He of Music stifled a yawn. Except for the nap he took while awaiting a response from Hourglass the day before he had been up for nearly two days and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could go.

Medallion noticed that He of Music was fighting to stay awake. She was about to tell He of the Barren South that they needed to land when she saw something in the distance. A mass of dark purple, blue, and red spread out on the ground. “He of Music we are almost there hold on a bit longer.”

He of Music breathed a sigh of relief. It was hard to say for sure, but it looked like the city was less than a hour away. He was sure he could hold out that long. As they got closer he noticed that there appeared to be wall of the same dark crystal surrounding the city. That was not apart of the intel that He of Hourglass gave them during their final debriefing the morning they left. Though the information was at least three hundred years old.

10 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early morning, Hourglass City

“Golden DragonHeart?” Eternal Beats sang his surprise as head rose up. He was not expecting his Firstclaw to be at his hoard. He had a satchel in his arms. He looked over to see that Legacy Chaser was yawning. They had decided to sleep at his hoard so that all they had to do was wake and take off.

Speaking of his hoard, a few of his bird were snoozing on her head, not even affected by the dragon waking up. Both male dragons watched the dragoness to see how long it would take her to find out she had several birds for a headdress. It was more than a minute before Legacy Chaser noticed the looks her clanmates were giving her.

“Eternal Beats!” She whispered harshly. “Do I look like a tree branch to you!?”

“No…” Eternal Beats struggled to not laugh at the exasperated dragoness as she failed in her attempts to extract the birds. Clearly these birds were taking after their master as he could see the smirks the birds were sporting. He like pulling a prank or two every now and then but right now wasn’t the time. He gave the birds a look and they flew off laughing. A cough drew his attention back to Golden DragonHeart along with Legacy Chaser.

“Morning Eternal Beats and Legacy Chaser.” Golden DragonHeart greeted his clanmates warmly, now that he had both dragons’ attentions.

“Here are charts with notations of expected weather conditions for this time of year.” The purple dragon pulled out a thick stack of folded papers to show the white dragon before he put it back. “Luckily, Soul Fire managed to update all of them before them before he Chose so they are not three hundred hundred thousand years out of date… though do expect some slight inaccuracies…”

Golden DragonHeart dug through the satchel for a few minutes grumbling a bit as he struggled to find what he was looking for. Suddenly his expression lightened as he finally snagged the item he was looking for. “Here is some intel on the South Crystal City.” He held up a small bound book. “It includes what the city should look like and what to expect from the golems. It should take roughly seven to nine days to reach the city plenty of time to read up.”

Golden DragonHeart put everything back then handed over the bag to Eternal Beats “Thanks Firstclaw.”

Eternal Beats and Legacy Chaser were about to take off when Golden DragonHeart put a claw on Eternal Beats back. “One last thing Eternal Beats…”

“Yes.” He chirped. Golden DragonHeart cross his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Oh… I spent sometime yesterday practicing stoping the lyricaliness of my voice…”

“And?”

“I can sort of control it now… “ Eternal Beats spoke slowly. It was hard to control his lyrical voice without concentrating. ”I don’t like it, but I can control it… you never told me why.”

“I only have suspicions, Eternal Beats, nothing more… What happened to your voice and instruments makes no sense to me… I have not enough time to memory walk the Memories yet to do more than speculate. Just keep practicing…”

Present

He had made it his goal to not speak like a bard in a bar the entire trip down. He was glad that his firstclaw told him to practice. Somehow he didn’t think He of the Barren South would find it all that ‘arousing.’ It was quite hard, though, as he was itching to allow his voice to normalize and the itch had only risen over time. A small part of him considered his voice as part of his hoard. A small, nagging, singing voice...

The ice dragon began to descend. It appeared the ice dragon was going to have them land outside the wall. Made sense as walls were not put up without a reason. It would not be well to spook or anger the local populace by flying over the wall unless they had no choice.

As He of the Barren South seemed to not want to help any further Medallion started looking for a gate or a door or something while He of Music stay with the ice dragon. He of the Barren South had lead them to the wall just outside the city but she could not see anything that could resemble an entrance.

“Here is where I leave you.” He of the Barren South finally spoke as he handed He of Music a flat round piece of glass that was etched to look like a snowflake. “When you're finished send a scroll. I will escort you back north. Am I clear?”

“Clear.” He of Music nearly gulped by the hard look that the ice dragon was giving him. He managed to recover just as He of the Barren South had turned around. His posture indicated that he was about take off. “Wait. My secondclaw said in our last correspondence that he might wish to send a letter to you.”

He of the Barren South huffed and turned around. Outside of the huffed breath there was no indication that the dragon was irritated as he maintain his usual icy stare.

He of Music nodded his thanks, wrote a quick note, and sent it off. Less than three seconds later he had a reply. That surprised him as he wasn’t expecting a response so quickly. He almost wasn’t able to catch the scroll.

I’m sending an sealed scroll for He of the Barren South’s eyes ONLY. Give him three of my tokens along with the scroll.

Sentinel

He of Music was confused by what his secondclaw was ordering but nonetheless another scroll soon appeared just has he managed to grab the requested tokens. “My Seconclaw has ordered me to give you this scroll and three of his firemail tokens.”

He of the Barren South grabbed the scroll but did not touch the tokens. He of Music shrugged and he figured that he could also get them later. He was, however, curious about the contents of the sealed scroll. The ice dragon quickly broke the seal and began reading. His expression curiously morphed as he read.

He of Music didn’t think it was possible but somehow his scales managed to pale and his eyes widen in what he could only describe as absolute shock. He showed no shock when Medallion had revealed that the Alicorn Keeper had become a dragon… Of course, he was in all likelihood in disbelief about the revelation. Maybe Sentinel used Draconic Script to force He of the Barren South to believe. Tartarus it could be anything. Sentinel was an open book filled with riddles and hidden messages that only the writer could deceiver.

“Tokens.” He of the Barren South held out his free claw. He of Music was still in a state of shock and confusion over the change in the ice dragon and was not really paying attention. He of Barren South growled angrily. “TOKENS. NOW!”

What could could have Sentinel written that would cause He of the Barren South to lose his cool? He of Music wondered.

Captain of the Hourglass Guard

38 days since the Nameless One’s escape

12 days since the fall of Traxti City

Late Evening, Canterlot

“I don’t care my squad and I are not getting on board!” An orange unicorn with a two tone yellow and red mane growled. His cutiemark was a phoenix curling into itself. A sky blue Pegasus stallion wearing a white suit sailor suit was leaning on the railing of the airship and appeared exasperated at the unicorn below.

“Something wrong private?” Sentinel asked as he walked up next to the irritated orange unicorn .

“It’s Staff Sergeant not private. Staff Sergeant Phoenix Wave.” Phoenix Wave snapped not looking at the dragon.

“If you don’t get on board now you will be.” Sentinel threatened.

The unicorn finally glanced over to see the dragon. He humphed as he did, showing only anger not fear. “You are not my superior, lizard.” Phoenix Wave sneered. He had nothing against dragons per se but to be ordered around by one that was something else entirely. He lived to protect ponies and the princesses not dragons.

“A racist… Big surprise…” Sentinel rolled his eyes. “Your orders make me your superior… You and your squad BELONG TO ME!”

“Your orders HA! I don't think so I will not take orders from a bucking stranger to Ponykind. I answer to the Princesses not a foreigner. We ponies take care of own not some ‘dragon city’ to help some unknown fire breathers with their own problems. AND I BELONG TO NO ONE!” With that a whip of fire spud forth from his lit horn and snapped at Sentinel who merely stood there.

“Flames!?” Sentinel laughed. “Did you really think that flames would hurt me a creature of flame?”

“Ever heard of a fire break? Fire can defeat fire!” The fire whip became a lasso and he managed to lasso Sentinel’s tail as he attempted to used it to stab the unicorn. Having had enough Sentinel waved a paw increasing gravity over the unicorn so much so fast that the unicorn was slammed onto the boardwalk shorting out his horn and the fire lasso and making all the air in his lungs escape.

Sentinel resisted the urge to wince as he walked up to the struggling unicorn. The last attack actually hurt. This was good as with some training he could take on dragons as well as ‘he’ did. Perfect for the Captain of the Hourglass Guard.

“Our problems, your problems…” Sentinel mocked before he leaned down to to whisper into the pony’s ear. “The snowstorm several days ago was no ordinary storm. It was wendigo induced, and the wendigos were merely puppets of a twisted individual that only cares about inflicting pain and suffering. That creature, monster really, that attacked Equestria via those wendigos also attacked my clan at the same time with shadow demons. Earlier he attacked Traxti City, a multiracial city larger than Manehattan. This is EVERYONE’S problem and if we have any chance at all we will need to work together. The Elements of Harmony alone will not do.” With that Sentinel withdrew from the unicorn and released the gravity well that was holding down Phoenix Wave.

“Air Captain is all that is delaying our departure is this stallion and his squad?”

“That is correct.” The air captain responded as Sentinel made his way up the boarding plank.

“Well what are you waiting for Captain Phoenix Wave? Get your ponies on board we haven’t got the time… there is a war going on if you haven’t heard.”

“Captain, now.” Sentinel barked when he saw Phoenix Wave remain standing with a shocked look on his face.

“Yes, sir.” Captain Phoenix Wave saluted before galloping off to get his squad.

Sentinel smirked as he watched his captain make haste to do as he was ordered. A dragon in pony skin...

13 days since the fall of Traxti City

2 hours before sunrise, Nearing the Badlands

“Captain Phoenix Wave you should be below deck sleeping. The days and weeks ahead will make basic training seem easy.”

“Sir? Why…”

“You were the only one to questioned your orders…”

“Sir that is not true.”

Yesterday, Canterlot War Room

“All greener than an earth pony hoof…” The wizened pegasus mare chuckled. “Plus a few officers to keep them in line.”

Sentinel quickly flipped through the mentioned officers’ dossiers, none of which appealed to him. As usual, Celestia was able to anticipate his desire for only young inexperienced ponies. They were easier to mold into what he would need as the Hourglass Guard. Not to diss the way the Equestria trained their military given his alicorn self had written and developed a lot of the training methods as is great setup for pony only units. The problem was these ponies will be working, training, and fighting with dragons everything in the rulebook had to be redone.

He threw the dossiers across the table. “Useless. None of these are captain material.”

“What then are you looking for Sentinel?”

“I’m looking for a pony in his or her 30’s that has either not risen through the ranks or has been demoted due to insubordination and or temper issues. One that given all that still has reenlisted even with generous and numerous offers to leave.”

Sentinel grumbled, he had been going through dossier after dossier trying to find the right one. His head began to spin as he rejected another one and picked up another. As the many before, he took a cursory glance. He was about to toss it when something in it caught his eye. Everypony else was too busy with getting the everything set for the move to notice that Sentinel was reading a particular dossier intently and that his frown had turned into a wide smile.

“Unless things have changed Staff Sergeants are usually in charge of a squad of eight, correct?”

“Correct…” General Iron Arrow grabbed the dossier that Sentinel slid to him.

“Staff Sergeant Phoenix Wave, 34. Been in the Unicorps for fourteen years. Numerous citations for insubordination and fighting… which according to psych evals was most likely due to a fierce loyalty to his squad members. Says that several of his squad members have refused promotions to remain under his command…”

“You know the amount of marks against him he should have been drummed out and yet you not only haven’t but you allow him to reenlist… I’m going to guess you had him working in the Elite Unicorn Military Spell Program? Most likely due to his skill in pyromancy no doubt.”

“And how the buck do you know that!?!“ General Iron Arrow angrily scanned through the dossier again. He could find nothing in there about that program and made sure that only the declassified records were used and yet this dragon knew about highly classified secrets. “Princesses I protest again: first you declare war with an unknown hostile force then you go into an alliance with a nation nopony has heard of then you want 300 green hoofed to go Faust knows where and now worse of all you are giving out military secrets to a foreign power! Especially one that until this morning nopony knew about.”

“The Hourglass Clan has been known to us since its founding only a couple of years ago. I have already explained the rest. We are allies with the Hourglass Clan; end of discussion.” Celestia spoke with finality.

“Also drop the ‘giving away Equestria military secrets’ spiel.” Sentinel added. “There is very little that I don’t know about Equestria military and I never had to ask, coerce, torture, beg, plead, steal, or compel... Should I get a thesaurus and start reading it? I know Discord would… and he would have gone one step further and sung it ala dictionary song.”

“Who are you!?” One of them barked. Sentinel was too busy trying not to chuckle to figure out who asked. The one time he needed his keeper colleague and he wasn’t here. Not for long of course, Discord was instructed to hightail it back to Equestria as fast as he could and by any means.

“Now that is classified and beyond your pay grade.” Sentinel joked.

Luna chuckled at the infuriated and red looks on the generals. Celestia scowled at Sentinel but he could see the twinkle in her eye for a fraction of a second. Twilight was shaking her head into her hooves. Sentinel smirked before he coughed to get the meeting back into order.

“Now back to Staff Sergeant Phoenix Wave, I want him and his squad. If his psych evals, and service records are any indications he will fit perfectly among dragons. He is the be Captain of the Hourglass Guard… if he passes my test. Now as to how we are going to transport…”

“We are using those new airships, right?” Twilight nearly squeed in excitement.

“Even with the extreme short notice we did managed to acquire three.” Celestia answered.

“Celestia you forgot something…” Celestia eyed Twilight. Twilight confidence in overriding Celestia had improved over the years to the point that even when Celestia was angry she had the confidence to speak up. Right now, thankfully, Celestia was giving her a confused look though he was using her usual mask to hide it from her generals. “The airships amplify a pegasi’s magic and as soon as we hit the Badlands…”

“Which means you can only take two…” Celestia finished for Twilight.

Well not true, we could take three but Twixt’d would not have the skills to fly an airship… “Which should be fine…because all we are taking is rations, some medical supplies, and the ponies themselves.”

“What about armor, weapons, and other equipment?! You can’t just expect to have a functioning military unit…” The Earth General, General Hard Pack protested.

“We have our own blacksmith who is already working on their armor and weapons. Hourglass is a city not a cave or series of caves. There are orchards nearby and they will be working on growing their own food. The rations are to tide them over until then.”

“You seem surprised.” Sentinel noted the looks on the generals. “Dragons are not all ravenous, blood thirsty predators living in caves that only come out to steal anything shiny for their hoards, capture sexy mares, and then flambe before eating foolish knights out to rescue said damsels in distress. Two of our numbers don’t touch any meat. He of Music has a garden in which he grows food for himself and his birds, and He of Hourglass, Firstclaw, the leader of the clan lives in a library likes to scavenge for berries, roots, and herbs from the nearby forest to eat.”

“The only thing to be put on those ships is ponies, food, and medical supplies. No weapons, armor, tents, uniforms etc AM I CLEAR?”

Present

Sentinel pulled himself from his memories. “Yeah, I know, but you were the only one to protest directly to me. Not only that but you were willing to defend your beliefs with actions. I don’t expect blind loyalty. You had the courage to face up to a dragon and challenge said dragon. Hourglass is a dragon clan if you don’t have the courage to hold your own against a dragon then you you have already lost.”

Sentinel looked off into the darkness knowing where they were because where they were in relation to He of Everfree’s territory wards. “You better get back down to the hold we are about to enter the Badlands and everypony's magic is about to go haywire.”

“One more thing Captain…” Sentinel said just as Phoenix Wave was about to walk away.

“Sir?” Phoenix Wave turned to face Sentinel, a confused look on his muzzle.

“It’s Secondclaw, not sir, and please, address me as Sentinel during informal conversations.”

“Yes, s... Secondclaw.” Phoenix Wave managed to correct himself. He saluted Sentinel before walking down into the hold.

“Air Captain I will need to take over from here.”

“I think not. I may have got payed ten times more money than I could get in a year to transport 150 ponies to an location south of Equestria and come back empty. You know nothing about flying an airship and it’s night time. Maybe in daytime… but I want to get back in one piece…”

The air captain’s rant was interrupted by the ship which shuddered and started to buck and tip violently. Sentinel used his magic in an attempt to stabilize the flight but even then it still was shifting about.

“Are you going to let me take over now?” Sentinel whispered into the pony’s ear. His ears could pick up the sounds of muffled cursing and the shouts of his new Captain of the Hourglass Guard. So far no signs of a mutiny… yet. The air captain finally nodded his consent and Sentinel quickly took the controls and leveled the airship.

“Solar Flare to Moonlight come in. Over.” Came the voice of the air caption of the Solar Flare. With a sigh Sentinel picked up the radio microphone.

“This is the Moonlight. Over.”

“Is everything alright over there? Your flight was erratic for a moment. Over.”

“Yeah, everything is fine over here except for the air captain who might find himself on the receiving end of some angry ponies when they find out the reason for why the ship shook like a bottle of champagne. Over and out.” Sentinel slammed the crystal radio microphone back on its holder.

“Go help Captain Phoenix Wave with any injuries.” Sentinel growled at the shaking air captain. Somehow, I think this is going to long trip...

13 days since the fall of Traxti City

Evening, Salt Flats

“Hmmm…” Sentinel hummed. If his calculation was right any moment his home would become visible to pony sight. He picked up the radio microphone. “Moonlight to Solar Flare. Over.”

“This is the Solar Flare. Over.” Came the tired voice of Twilight over the radio.

“Get your ponies on deck and the cameras ready. Hourglass will be visible any minute. Over.”

“Good. I don’t think I can go on much longer Sentinel. Over.”

Well neither can the ponies… Sentinel added to himself. Between being cooped in a crowded airship and not having magic, even for less than a day, had them tense and irritable. Captain Phoenix Wave had to break up no less than nine nights already. “It’s not much longer to Hourglass hang in there. Over and out.”

“CAPTAIN!” Sentinel yelled out.

The sound of hooves on wood came from the hold below and a second later an orange stallion unicorn appeared. “Yes, Sir...Secondclaw?”

“Get everypony above deck. You are about to see a sight that you will never forget.” Sentinel motioned into the distance. The orange unicorn walked to the railing and looked out.

“What the buck is that!?” Phoenix Wave cursed as he saw what looked like a mountain, if it wasn’t for the fact it was upside down, in the distance.

“That would be Terra Hourglass, the upside down mountain. Hourglass City is uh… on ‘top.’”

"That can't be... it's... it's impossible!" Phoenix Wave stuttered. Still not believing his eyes.

Sentinel chuckled. “That’s exactly what the Bearer of Magic said…”

Debriefing and Orientation

39 days since the Nameless One’s escape

13 days since the fall of Traxti City

Sunset, Hourglass City

“Bearer of Magic, Captain of the Hourglass Guard, can I trust you two to keep everypony in line until debriefing tomorrow at 0700? Under no circumstance are any ponies leave the red torched area. Unless they want a fiery death.”

“Is he being serious Princess Twilight?” Phoenix Wave whispered to Twilight. Sentinel raised an eyebrow at this but said said nothing. He didn’t expect his captain to completely take every word he said serious, at least not yet.

“Dead serious.” Twilight answered. “A dragon defends their hoard with their lives and the city is the collective hoard of the clan.”

“Then why the buck are we here?” Phoenix Wave was flabbergasted. How was he suppose to do his job being restricted to outside the city. He needed to have an understanding of the city layout to facilitate troop movements, especially in an emergency, and to properly defend the city and its residents. He could understand dragons being distrusting but trust had to go both ways i this was going to work out. “We can’t be expected to defend a city if we aren’t allowed to be inside the city to assess its weakness and strengths.”

“Because they need our help as we need theirs. As for not being inside the city, you do not know the ways of dragons, yet... My guess is that the debriefing tomorrow will answer those questions.”

“That is correct.” Sentinel finally spoke up. “Captain,” He turned to face his captain. “I understand your frustrations, but we have to bridge the gap between our species carefully and trust needs to be built on a firm foundation.”

Phoenix Wave sighed before nodding his understanding. He really hoped that these dragons would show a bit of mercy. There was no way ponies would understand all the laws of a foreign land especially without being told what those laws are. For now, though, he would make sure his troops remained within the boundaries set up… Shouldn’t be too hard given that it was nighttime and the city was quite large, with no lighting in the streets and everypony’s magic currently not available. He saluted Sentinel before reentering the red torched area.

“Sentinel?”

“Yes, Bearer of Magic?”

“Um, you think… I mean that is…” Twilight rubbed the back of her head. She felt embarrassed that she couldn’t get the words out that she wanted. Sentinel was understanding even if his temper flared up from time to time and would have no issue with granting her request.

Sentinel smiled. He knew what she was after and was more than happy to help. “I’ll send He of Hourglass right over.”

“Th-Thanks.” Twilight sheepishly thanked the dragon.

“We need to talk Soul Fire.”

“Debriefing later, brother. Your hoard needs you.”

“Fine.“ Golden DragonHeart pointed a claw at Soul Fire. “But don't think that you can hide from this.”

Soul Fire nodded his consent and followed him out of the library. He wanted to guard sleep at Eternal Beats’ hoard tonight as his was the more open of the two hoards that were currently without their owners.

14 days since the fall of Traxti City

0700, Hourglass City

“Bearer of Magic are you sure you want to be here for this?” Sentinel questioned Twilight again. He knew that ponies, as herbivores, found being around meat made them squeamish. Especially while said meat was being eaten. From what he recalled when he was an alicorn he had accumulated to it and didn’t even react when a dragon decided to eat with him around.

“I’m here to help ease the transition...” Twilight stated, keeping her face stoic, but Sentinel could see the unease leaking through. “Which means I need to be here.”

“This is going to get messy…” Sentinel reminded her.

“Very messy.” Quartermaster added with a chuckle. Sentinel smacked him with the flat edge of his trident to which the red dragon merely shrugged it off.

Twilight's facade faltered for just a second as she gulped. “Just remind me again, why you are doing this?”

“We are doing this to help acclimate them to what they will encounter Bearer of Magic. We aren’t going to stop being dragons just because there are ponies here. Just be glad we aren’t making this a ‘dinner and a show.’”

“That’s scheduled for later.” Quartermaster smacked his lips. He wouldn't mind skipping the dinner part and go straight to the show but his mate was currently back at the forge.

Twilight groaned. “Celestia help me.”

Sentinel and Quartermaster just chuckled as the Hourglass Guard started to file in with the orange unicorn captain in the lead. Quartermaster eyed the pony with a light scrutiny. His mane look like that of fire and he noticed that his flank was adorned with the image of a phoenix curling into itself.

Interesting… Quartermaster mused as the unicorn broke off the rest and joined Sentinel and the pony princess on the raised platform.

“Ah, Captain Phoenix Wave,” Sentinel welcomed the captain, “are your ponies ready?”

“As ready as possible.” Phoenix Wave huffed. “The lack of magic… is dredging up bad memories for some.”

“To be expected, but unlike Tirek the issue here isn’t the lack of magic but a disruption of magic. Which will be worked on. If things go well everypony should have access to their magic before the end of the week.” Sentinel looked out and could see that the ponies were all filled in now and were impatiently waiting.

Welcome to the ancient city of Hourglass. Sentinel amplified voice echoed across the gathered ponies. The suddenness startled several ponies and he could hear some muttered cursing throughout the crowd.

You are here to help defend the city so the clan can use its full might take on ‘The Nameless One’ and any other dark magic threats on this continent. Sentinel could make out confused murmurs. Most had to do with ‘what threats’ and ‘Nameless One.’ He would have Twilight address that after he was done with the demonstration.

Hourglass City does not just dragon hoards… This city is over three hundred thousand years old… At the height of its power there was over five thousand draconequus living here. There are secrets here, that if in the wrong hooves, like, let’s say the Bug Queen Chrysalis, will mean the end of Equestria and the world.

Everypony here should know Princess Twilight Sparkle. Twilight stepped forward so that everypony could see her. She is the official ambassador of the Hourglass Clan. She will be teaching you some of the codes that dragons live by. While you are here in this city you are to follow them. I shall give this warning only once: trespassing or thieving from a dragon’s hoard is a capital offense. Equestria may have outlawed the death penalty, but here, it’s not.

There are a large metal bird nests near each dragon’s hoard. Sentinel nodded to Twilight and her horn glowed and an image of Twixt’d’s bird nest appeared. One in the orchards near the silos. Another near a band shell in one of the many parks. Quartermaster's forge has one and the final one is near the Hourglass Museum. The last hoard location you need to be aware of does not have that marker but it is located next to the Spiral Spire, the springy tower, in the center of the city. Each of these locations also have wards so you don’t accidentally enter a hoard...

Having said all that, the city itself is considered the collective hoard of the clan itself so looting of any buildings is theft and, as mentioned before, will be dealt with harshly.

Sentinel ignored the continuing whispers. Captain Phoenix Wave would need to work on that later. Right now it was time for food. He was having trouble controlling his drooling as his hatchmate Quartermaster had brought in two deers for their breakfast/demonstration. I hope all of you listen to your Captain last night about not eating until after this debriefing… breakfast never tastes good the second time around…

“Twixt’d wasn’t kidding when he said you were a messy eater…” Metal Claws remarked to Soul Fire as they headed down one of the main boulevards towards the center of the city. “So… when should I expect ponies for armor fitting?”

“Not until later this afternoon... Bearer of Magic wants to make sure that they get the basics given your…” Soul Fire paused as he search for a better term but finding none he just went with the first one that had come to mind, “distrusting... nature.”

“It’s for good reason.” Metal Claws growled out. He was not worry about his hoard so much as his eggs…

“I know Metal Claws. I would be distrusting of strangers in my hoard, my home and near my children. You are just being a loving father… a father that protects his children.” Metal Claws smirked as again his hatchmate was able to pierce through and see what he was thinking. “Ponies are a good people, Metal Claws, and should be given some benefit of doubt as they don’t know nor should we expect them to know our ways… Having said that, for now, I would remain vigilant with the ponies… most of the are quite young and like all younglings have a way of getting into trouble…”

“Like Twixt’d going to Equestria with you without telling me or his mother first?”

“He’s a whelp and a quasi clanmate…”

“He’s still my son…”

“And you’re his father. I know. Both of you make me proud… This is where we separate as I need to debrief Golden DragonHeart…”

“...Celestia can be such a troll sometimes I swear it was almost as bad as when I was ostracized for my looks... Prince ‘John Colt’ ha!…” Soul Fire suddenly noticed the strange look on Golden DragonHeart’s face. “What?”

“You said ‘I was ostracized for my looks’ not ‘he’ was ostracized…”

“I uh…” Soul Fire stumbled. He knew exactly what was happening and he wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet. At least it happened with Golden DragonHeart instead of someone else.

Golden DragonHeart gave him a hard look. “Soul Fire…”

Soul Fire groaned. This could be bad and he had no idea how to proceed. “It’s starting to happen it seems…”

“What is?” Golden DragonHeart pushed. “Soul Fire… You are holding back. Why?”

“Because the last time I revealed something about how Choosing is supposed to be…”

“There is nothing left that can be done now about the loss… I have accepted it…”

Soul Fire sighed heavily. He knew there was something that could be done about it, at least for him, as he held in a magic memory lock all of Spike’s memories from hatching to choosing. For every other dragon his firstclaw was right. “Memory reintegration...”

“You mean your old alicorn memories are becoming as if they were always yours and not someone else's even though they were always your anyway?”

Soul Fire nodded. “In a normal choosing the Dragon Heritage Memories, are added to a dragon’s normal memories in a sudden and violent action. It’s sort of like putting oil and water in a jar and shaking it real hard. It takes time for memories to resettle but because I have so many…” Soul Fire smiled when he saw that Golden DragonHeart was holding the link that was once Harmonious Knight’s. “Yes the link between you and Harmonious Knight is slowly being relinked by being woven into my link. It’s probably too soon see or feel the changes Golden DragonHeart in my and his links yet.”

“Why?” Came a choked whisper almost too soft for anyone to hear.

“Golden DragonHeart?” Soul Fire put a claw on his brother's shoulder.

“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” Soul Fire felt his heart crush at seeing the shimmering tears in his brother's eyes but he still feared the rage that was slowing consuming him.

“I told you: fear... Golden DragonHeart your rage condition is worsening and the last time…” Now Soul Fire was struggling to not fall apart completely. He had lost Spike he was not going to lose Golden DragonHeart.

“Soul Fire, I am the Dragon Keeper of Harmony I need to know these things… What else about the choosing that may be relevant are you holding back?”

“Nothing, at least none that I can think of off claw. A lot about my choosing was abnormal to begin with. He was alicorn, then alicorn, and dragon now I’m fully dragon…”

“Yeah… I know…” Golden DragonHeart whispered his reluctant agreement. “...Is this pronoun soup going to get worse?”

“‘Pronoun soup!?’ Soul Fire snorted. “That I’m not sure given that I’m the first since the curse to go through memory reintegration. And again, ten thousand years vs less than thirty and being an alicorn…”

“Then I think you should inform the entire clan. They are your brothers and sisters. They need to know considering you are bound to slip up.”

“Not a problem, Firstclaw.”

“Now… I need to know what got you so fearful the other day... it didn’t seem like you at all… It had to be more than just the name…. wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was more than him telling me his name…”

...we are alike… you and I. We are the same on the inside.

“Soul Fire tell me everything.”

Soul Fire gulped but did as he was told and slowly but surely he relayed everything about the ‘conversation’ between ‘Quartz’ and himself. By the end of the retelling Soul Fire was curled into a tight ball shivering. Golden DragonHeart struggled to contain his rage but for the sake of his friend, his brother, and secondclaw he managed to hold it down.

“He, the dragon, is right…”

“I know you more then that Soul Fire…”

“YOU DON’T KNOW…” Soul Fire roared angrily nearly letting out a plume of flame before he swallowed, hard. “You… you don’t know me…”

“I have watched you hunt, Soul Fire.” Soul Fire paled and he attempted to escape but found that he couldn’t. Golden DragonHeart sighed as he figure his secondclaw would try to escape. “I blocked teleportation temporarily...”

6 days since the fall of Traxti City

Evening, Hourglass City

Golden DragonHeart saw a shadow of a dragon cross the street. when he had looked up to see that it the source of the shadow was Soul Fire. Looks like he is heading to the forest. This was a perfect opportunity to check up on him. He wanted to make sure everything was fine after the panic the other day. He wasn’t too worry about Soul Fire becoming a meat eater, but, nonetheless, he wanted to watch just encase whatever panicked him came back.

Golden DragonHeart had been with other clan members when they went hunting. Each dragon had a particular way of hunting. Due to Metal Claws and his mates size they tended to dive bomb from above to take out their prey. Twixt’d liked to stalk his prey before ambushing them. Legacy Chaser seemed to have no preference at all.

Soul Fire seemed to be like Twixt’d though but it was too soon to say for sure as this probably being only her third or forth hunt. It was a clean kill the deer did not suffer much as Soul Fire quickly snapped the neck of the animal with a violent shake of his head. What happened next caused all the blood from Golden DragonHeart’s face to drain away.

Golden DragonHeart swallowed his bile as he saw Soul Fire take the heart from the deer and squeezed it until it oozed between his claws. Soul Fire then proceeded to lick up the mashed up heart. It was getting too much for him. This was not just eating he was playing with his food and being quite dark about it too. I need to get out of here. He could hear the dragon purred in contentment as he hear the sound of Soul Fire digging through the corpse again.

Golden DragonHeart glanced back once more. “Soul Fire… please tell me I’m wrong…”

Present

“I… I… Why… I don’t understand…”

“You don’t think I would check up on you Soul Fire? And.Get. Up.” Golden DragonHeart growled at Soul Fire who was trying to flatten himself on the floor of the library. “I won’t lie when it sicken me a bit, but… I decided to withhold judgment as I thought it might be you struggling over your feral side and you were too embarrassed to tell me.”

“There is no struggle... The ‘feral side’ is in harmony with my sentient side...”

Golden DragonHeart visibly flinched. He still cared for Soul Fire even if he was beginning to really worry. “What?! How is that possible?”

“It has to do with what Harmonious Knight did prior to our choosing. He put himself at the mercy the feral side. And trust me, the feral side was ticked at Harmonious Knight. When Harmonious Knight realized that he had a dragon’s inner fire and that there was a dragon without a name he immediately went looking for that dragon, at the time, the feral side. When he looked at me or actually the feral side...”

Pronoun soup more like pronoun puree… Golden DragonHeart thought as Soul Fire struggled to explain what happened just prior to his choosing. Though if I was split into two then put back together I suppose I would struggle to find the right way to explain it without being confused.

“He laid down in the dishonored position. In that moment all the rage and hatred left him. Here was the source of all his suffering, pain, and loneliness willing to give up his life… no fighting, no struggle, just acceptance… Do you know what would have happened if I uh he had killed him? A choosing during rage… and we both know what that would have meant…”

“So that is why you, uh, him, uh, the feral side, was so trusting of you, of him, I uuhhh!” Golden DragonHeart grumbled, rubbing his head hard trying to ease the now raging headache from the pronoun confusion. “I’m going to need a bottle of aspirin after this…”

“Yes…” Soul Fire agreed. “the feral dragon then showed the sentient alicorn that they were the same being… this is important... When I went on my first hunt my feral side took over because my sentient side was unsure… I resisted at first because I was confused… something that as you know happens to any dragon when the feral side takes over for the first time, usually during a growth or mating etc. If I had realized the feeling the first time I would have not resisted. The feral side of me is still me as such will not be treated as an animal or relegated to a corner of my mind. If my feral side wants to come out it will come out without any hindrance...”

“Just like Harmonious Knight treated the nameless dragon that was him… even before he found out the truth... that the dragon was a part of him...”

“Exactly. When I went hunting a second time right afterwards, trying to figure out my feelings, it happened again. After that I meditated on it… and it clicked both sides liked it. I like the killing, the savagery of it, the thoughts of blood and entrails caught in my teeth…” Soul Fire licked his teeth, drooling hard. He fought hard to keep his focus… as much as he looked forward to fantasizing about the hunt, right now he needed to explain himself and await any punishment he may receive. “Blood to me tastes better than rainbow gems and you know how most dragons go crazy over rainbow gems… On my third hunt, the one you saw, I let ourself go on purpose. My feral side immediately knew what we were doing and took over except now the sentient side didn’t disappear temporarily like normal. It was strange to say the least two minds becoming as one…”

Golden DragonHeart was about to speak up when Soul Fire put up a claw. “Please, let me finish…”

“Asas cktuses viethojas cktar šo: The thought of killing for the sake of killing or the thought of killing sentient beings for food is appalling and disgusting… which is exactly what Quartz thinks remember?: ’The screams those should be music to our ears… That should be what drives a dragon... the blood… the gore... the fear, the delicious fear…’ What drives me to hunt is ētiens ēst nothing more, nothing less… though, like I said before, blood tastes better than gems…”

The moment that Soul Fire spoke in Draconian it sealed it for the Dragon Keeper. Soul Fire was perfectly fine and perfectly in harmony, and there was nothing to fear from his secondclaw’s feral side. What upset him was that his secondclaw as so defensive. “Do you think nothing of me Soul Fire? I am the Dragon Keeper of Harmony. My job is to bring dragons back into harmony… not that I seemed to be doing much... It just seems to happen on it’s own…”

Soul Fire knew exactly how that must feel as he spent more time defending ponies harmony then creating it… or at least that what he could gather there was still large patches of memories he was blurry on. There just wasn’t enough time to get to memory walk anything that wasn’t extremely major.

Golden DragonHeart pinched the bridge of his brow. “Two of my traits are wisdom and empathy or understanding. Not only that, I am your friend, and furthermore, I am your Firstclaw… When I said I was withholding judgement I was not even thinking about dishonoring you, removing you from my hoard, killing you, or anything bad I was concerned as a friend, a brother, a firstclaw… I see now that there was nothing to fear.” He sighed. “Soul Fire, you are my secondclaw I can’t have you hiding things like this from me… We are a team not just as First and Second Claws but as Keepers.”

Soul Fire opened and shut his mouth having nothing to say as his Keeper was right. As a fellow Keeper he should have known better. “But if you were concerned why didn’t you bring this up earlier?”

“I wasn’t sure how to bring it up… this wasn’t like telling Legacy Chaser to chill it when her teasing was a bit much for non dragons...”

“It’s seems we both…”

“Have a lot to learn?”

“Yeah…”

Both were silent for a while lost in their thoughts. Those thoughts soon went to what it meant to be in the roles that they were in the clan:

I need to stop being so worry in coming to him... how can he do his duty or I mine if I don’t? He is a warrior and we are at war. I need to give him the space he needs to be the warrior he needs to be… I should never doubt or check on him any longer... I shouldn’t have had it before… Sure if he was injured, but he wasn’t. I let fear control me and not wisdom…and a firstclaw needs that to lead his clan well. And a firstclaw can not be as wise without the full trust of his secondclaw… I must be trusting... I must be that to be Firstclaw because our strengths and weaknesses complement each other perfectly now all we need is to be...

I should be respectful of his position not only has my Keeper but my Firstclaw. I can no longer be the loner like I was for so many years. I need to keep him in the loop... to be his advisor… to be his secondclaw and confident. He’s my Firstclaw and I am his Secondclaw and we need to be…

Synchronized. Both thought at the same time.

Soul Fire felt his heart change. He now saw that addressing his firstclaw as anything but Golden DragonHeart (in private of course) and depending on the situation Dragon Keeper or Firstclaw to be nauseating. His other titles like brother, hatchmate(not that he even used that one) or He of Hourglass just no longer seemed right to use… His Firstclaw deserved the highest respect from him and he WILL give it to him no matter what.

At the same time as Soul Fire Golden DragonHeart was going through the same thoughts for his secondclaw. He could feel a huge surge in the bond between them. For a moment he was tempted to check Harmonious Knight’s bond but decided against it he just wanted to bask in the warmth of his increasing hoard for a while. There would be time for that later.

“Golden DragonHeart, Firstclaw, did we both just mature…”

“...in the same code?” Golden DragonHeart finished the Soul Fire’s question. “That we did Soul Fire.”

“This is so going to annoy…” Soul Fire started.

“Metal Claws?” Golden DragonHeart finished.

“Yeah…” Soul Fire facepalmed.

For a while neither dragon spoke. Golden DragonHeart idly grabbed a sapphire and sucked on it like a jawbreaker. For the first time ever Soul Fire climbed onto Golden DragonHeart hoard bed and laid down. He was tired and needed to rest but the his mind was still reeling from what he had held back. Shouldn’t be a problem anymore except for the issue of Spike’s memories and his own memories that he was waiting for the right moment as he had promised. He was also aware of at least some of the messed up code but he knew until the curse was lifted that those codes would basically be useless...

“Let’s go annoy him.” Golden DragonHeart smirked.

“I knew you were going to say that.” Soul Fire groaned but he couldn't help but smile.

“Gee, I wonder why…” Golden DragonHeart rolled his eyes.

A Frantic Search Leads to Desperate Measures

Author's Note

If you get lost this chapter parallels the followings chapters
To the Edge of the World
A Warm Welcome Unwanted
From Wendigos to South Crystal City

A Frantic Search Leads to Desperate Measures

42 days since the Nameless One’s escape

16 days since the fall of Traxti City

Early evening, Hourglass

Sentinel peered through the shadows of the now thinner orchard. He watched a squad of earth ponies as they struggled, in unison, with a plow. It was clear this group had yet to overcome the leyonic interference disrupting their earth magic. Judging from the sweat and heavily
breathing they had been at it for several hours.

“How’s the Guard coming along Secondclaw?”

“Quite well Firstclaw.” Sentinel responded to He of Hourglass, still looking at the ponies. “Better than expected, actually. A little over two thirds have managed to regain their magic… The orchards near Twixt’d silo are almost thinned out to healthy amounts. The exception is my bird nest, I had them keep the trees around it the same.”

“The ground for the wheat fields are still a ways off… as you can see. Twilight is planning on administering a dragon code test tomorrow to check the progress on that front. From what I have been able to ascertain and from what Quartermaster has told me, the ponies seem to know the codes that they need to understand, but there are some that are choosing to ignore some of them.”

He of Hourglass sighed. He wasn’t too surprised as he would probably have issues too if he was forced far from home to defend a country he knew nothing about and for creatures that are out of scary campfire stories. “What would you recommend?”

“As much as I hate it, a demonstration on the fact that we will defend them with our lives… that we will do for them what they are here for: to protect and defend to the point of death if necessary...”

A scroll interrupted their discussion. He of Hourglass read the contents of the scroll. Whatever was on the scroll caused him to frown. This got Sentinel’s attention.

“What is it, Firstclaw?”

“Not sure, but we need to head to the library to consult the charts…”

Sometime after sunset, Hourglass

“Soul Fire you have been staring at those charts for hours…”

“Sorry Golden DragonHeart… I zoned out…” Soul Fire yawned. “I’m just exhausted… I…” A scroll interrupted Soul Fire. He was not happy to see it as it surely meant more trouble.

Secondclaw

We were just attacked in the same area as before from a herd of at least nine wendigos… Wendigos are no more. Going to rest and warm up. Please advise.

“Well…” Soul Fire sighed. “It seems that I was right… I hate that…”

Golden DragonHeart had to agree, of all the times for his secondclaw to be right it had to be over something as dangerous as wendigos. “Are they in danger? The Keeper Memories on wendigos is... limited…”

“Not likely, though the number of wendigos is odd… I have no idea if he ever encountered such a large herd before. Usually wendigo herds only contain three to five.” Soul Fire messaged his head in an attempt to end the headache forming. “I’m going to memory walk on this… this is a long shot, but is there any books on wendigos here?”

“There are are some books on magic creatures and constructs. Nothing specific to wendigos that I can recall. Unfortunately, I have yet to get into the restrictive archives. Heck, I only managed to finished cataloging and restoring the public part of the library just before you Chose.”

“The wards giving you trouble?” He knew about the restrictive section as that was one of the areas that was looked into for information on the malfunctioning defenses. Unfortunately, the library was still in a state of disarray and the tunnels to the restrictive section were blocked.

“Yeah, I’m being careful as I don’t know the nature of the wards. I don’t want to set off one by accident.”

“Understandable… when we have time let’s see if some alicorn magic will help…”

17 days since the fall of Traxti City

Before sunrise, Hourglass

“Brah? Wha?” Soul Fire groggily awoke. He let out some of his white flame and it coalesced into scroll. He groaned as it could only mean one thing: more wendigos. Golden DragonHeart had ordered him to bed after he noticed that he was struggling to memory walk. He didn’t argue as his firstclaw was right… He would be liable to miss an important clue if he couldn’t keep his focus due to exhaustion.

He carefully opened the scroll and was immediately awake. Whatever it was was bad, very bad. The missive was written in secret code...

Secondclaw

It appears that an ice dragon has been tracking the same herd that we just eliminated. He of the Barren South has pearl white primary scales, pale blue almost colorless stomach scales, minotaur like horns, needle spines on the head, and no tail weapon but scales curled upward along tail.

I know that ice dragons tend to be ‘colder’ but something about him is off… He has made it very clear that the wendigo problem was his alone but he did concede to let us render assistance to South Crystal City. He is acting like his territory is the entire south arctic. No idea if it’s a bluff or not I can’t get an accurate enough ‘read’ on his song to tell one way or another…

He of Music

“He of the Barren South? Name does not sound familiar at all…” Soul Fire muttered, yawned, then stretched. He groaned with pleasure as his spine popped several times. The tension of watching hoards while the owner was gone and the stress of getting the ponies into a fighting force when an attack could occur at any moment was affecting his sleep. “This is going to be another long day…” He pulled out a fountain pen and a scroll that he kept stashed in each of his hoard beds.

Its wasn’t enough to talk with Golden DragonHeart just yet… so he felt no need to wake him… Right now, though, he needed to send a letter off to Eternal Beats. Then while he waited for his firstclaw to awaken for the day, he would memory walk to see what, if anything, he could find on this dragon. The dragon could just be benign, but he also could be trouble. Too soon to say.

Soul Fire knew he had tons of memories to go through and it would take way too long to go through it properly. He wondered if he had a spell to help with finding memories. He was sure he had one. Finding something like that would be easier. He recalled a moment where Starswirl was helping Harmonious Knight with his Magic Wasting Disease. At the time Starswirl was quite old and while his mind was sharp there was times when he needed some help to remember something from his distant past. Soul Fire would start there and if he didn’t find anything soon that would help he would move back to looking for more on the ice dragon.

He had been deep in his memories for a while when he felt another letter coming through his fire mail.

He of the Barren South’s hoard contains Wendigos! His ward is strange too, familiar somehow but I can’t place it.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Soul Fire was in his hoard bed he would have started to pace.
How in the Voice would any sensible dragon would ever do such a thing! This is bad, very bad I need to find out about this dragon and fast. But my clanmates have to be cautious with this dragon… what is this dragons agenda? If he wanted to kill them he would have killed them already unless he is like Quartz… but it would have been clear in his song unless he keeps his sadistic tendencies hidden which is possible as he is an ice dragon... Argh!!!

I need to get help from Golden DragonHeart and Twilight for this. I need to figure out this dragon and fast… Think! How can I get them to help me without revealing anything that could compromise the secret I am holding until the right time and I know it’s still not the right time. Maybe if I limit Golden DragonHeart to memories prior to his egg… and Bearer of Magic could search Starswirl's old journals though it's unlikely there is a possibility of a clue about this specific dragon there… as long as I can keep her focused...

Soul Fire scrambled out of his nest and rushed towards the library. He didn’t even glance back when he could hear the sounds of gems slipping out onto the ground.

“Dragon Keeper!” Golden DragonHeart snapped awake from Soul Fire’s yell. “Find bearer.. Magic…her to Northern… Oasis. Starswirl journals... You, me... Harmony Plane… wendigos… wendigos part of a dragon's hoard!”

If he wasn’t already awake from Soul Fire barging into his hoard bubbling like a mad dragon the part about wendigos being a part of a hoard really got him awake. His secondclaw wasn’t one to panic unless there was a huge and dangerous problem so he ran out of the library to do exactly what his secondclaw needed him to do. He would get more answers in a bit.

Soul Fire was in the Harmony Plane surrounded by dozens of screens playing memories when Golden DragonHeart returned. He had no idea what they were about about except one that was right in front of Soul Fire. That one showed Twilight heading at high speed to the Northern Oasis. Why the plane would allow such a live and narrow focus was curious. Nothing in the Keeper Memories indicated that one could do that without express permission, and he knew that Soul Fire had not gotten it from her. However, for now, the more pressing matter was the phrase ‘wendigos part of a dragon's hoard.’ “Soul Fire what is going on? And please tell me I heard wrong earlier.”

In answer, Soul Fire handed the most recent scroll from Eternal Beats to him. The contents of the scroll was very disturbing. No wonder he was in a state of panic…

“I see…” Golden DragonHeart gave the scroll back. This was going to be tricky. His Keeper Memories indicated that wendigos were technically a universal Keeper issue but given that wendigos seemed to prefer ponies over any other races it became the Alicorn Keeper’s responsibility. He was glad that Soul Fire resigned from his leadership position. Soul Fire seemed comfortable being merely second in command, but now he would have to take the lead. “Okay I’m giving you the lead on this Soul Fire... What can I do?”

Soul Fire handed over another scroll this one with the detail description of the ice dragon.
“The thing is, a dragon of this caliber would be well known… I have already figured out all the dragons that were apart my firemail network before I choose. He is not one of them. Without He of the Flight we now have to do this the hard way as neither one of us as a dragon in our network that far south yet…”

“Using an alicorn memory hunting spell I have gathered all instances where I have a memory dealing with ice dragons, south arctic, barren south, wendigos, and snow demons. I have also included Migration memories given how gossipy that could get it is possible he may have overheard a small tidbit that may prove helpful.”

“Bearer of Magic is checking Starswirl the Bearded personal journals. He traveled the world when he was young and adventurous… there was things he saw and people he met that may give me a clue.”

“Okay, so we are looking for any information on our ice dragon? This could take a while.”

“Yeah… we are going in chronological order I’m going from the present back you are going the opposite.”

Golden DragonHeart groaned before he dragged himself over to a series of memories that Soul Fire directed him to and began to slow process of looking for anything on He of the Barren South.

Hours went by and neither dragon could find anything. Twilight was, with help from Soul Fire and Scorpan, going through the journals. Given how extensive and analytical the unicorn was even in his earlier writings it was slow. Not only that Twilight had to interpret his shorthand and sometimes rambling notes.

Soul Fire watched with the corner of his eye as Twilight read an journal entry dated Marevemeber 17, 876. What got his attention was the rough sketch of an ice dragon. It was either a whelp or a young adult. Below that was information on the ice dragon, wendigos, and Harmonious Knight. This was an interesting lead. As he suspected, Starswirl the Bearded did have an encounter with wendigos in the south arctic what he did know was he also encountered an ice dragon. Now that he had a date to work with in which to narrow his focus. He closed his eyes so he could memory walk without distractions.

Harmony watched a young, bearded, pale blue grey unicorn walk up the street. This was a surprise. Of course given that the unicorn wearing the strangest clock and hat he had ever seen. I guess I shouldn’t too surprised as why would anyone adorn their hat with bells unless they are crazy... The fashion of the unicorns! Give me a simple brown cloak any day.

Wait...bells, bearded? In a flash he remembered who this unicorn was, a young brilliant if a somewhat eccentric unicorn with an adventurous spirit.

“Starswirl the Bearded I presume?” He called out.

“Starswirl. Just Starswirl.” The young unicorn grumbled.

“Hmm my intel seems to be wrong… o well.” Harmony shrugged. He didn’t really care if the unicorn like being called ‘the bearded’ or not what got him curious was what a pony was doing in the south arctic. The south arctic was not exactly a safe place for most creatures other than golems and dragons. Too cold and desolate, never mind the wendigos that wandered about. Harmony would love to be able to do something about them but tracking down coldness incarnate in a just as cold of an environment was an exercise in futility. Damn that ‘Dark One’ and his ‘brilliance’...

“Just who in Tartarus are you?”

“I’ve gone by many names over the years, but the one you might be familiar with is the ‘Warrior King.’”

“You have got to be kidding!” Starswirl scoffed. “That garish armor in the Castle of the Two Sisters!? That is yours?”

“Yeah… never liked that armor but it kept ponies from seeing my fur.”

Okay I need information on the dragon not Starswirl… Time to speed through this...

“You met up with an ice dragon?” Harmony raised an eyebrow. This was an interesting development ice dragons were extremely solitary mainly due their cold disposition and the location that they lived. He found it hard to believe that a pony managed to meet up with an ice dragon much less on friendly terms. At least if he was to believe Starswirl, which he did not. Harmony had been an acolyte for several millennia and he struggled to get any dragon to talk to him much less an ice dragon.

“Yeah I did… We parted ways north of the city in the place the locals call the Barrens… right after a short battle with some wendigos.”

“A battle?!” Now Harmony was really curious. “Okay, stay here I’m going to go check this out then I want the full details… Wendigos are not to be trifled with… Nether are ice dragons... I want to make sure the dragon is fine… When I get back I will know everything about this dragon.”

With that Harmony took off in full gallop to the north. He stopped several minutes later in the area that Starswirl indicated. Harmony looked around and could see nothing. He then scanned around using his magic. All he could sense was the dark magic of the wendigos… but found nothing else. It was possible there was a battle but the dark magic of the wendigos could have overpowered it or the battle was more one sided then implied. He followed the trail of dark magic for a while until it just stopped. It was as if the wendigos has just disappeared… which made no sense… even if a dragon had ended them he would have seen or felt something, anything but what he found was nothing…

Odd… why did I miss this important of memory during my initiation memory walks into major pony harmony issues… which begs the question: how many other important memories did I miss… At least now I’m positive who this dragon is. But how to reach out to him...The sounds of sobbing stirred him from his thoughts. Soul Fire looked over to see that Golden DragonHeart was crying.

“Firstclaw?” Soul Fire walked towards him.

“I hardly knew him…” Golden DragonHeart finally spoke, staring at the memories still playing in front of him.

“Very few did Golden DragonHeart…” Soul Fire put claw on his shoulder. “It’s something that every Keeper but one has had to deal with... the burden of being alone.”

“Every Keeper but one?” Golden DragonHeart finally looked at his secondclaw.

“You Golden DragonHeart... you were never alone…”

“You don’t know that, Soul Fire. All I know is from my Choosing onward… everything else was taken from me from every dragon but you… When I first chose, like I’m sure every dragon before, I didn’t care for my past. I was dragon... and… then... I found out…”

Soul Fire put a wing around his firstclaw. He so badly wanted to help him but he knew it wasn’t time yet… He hated that it wasn’t time… the suffering that his hatchmate was going through was harsh…

“One last thing…” Spike raised a claw as Harmony and the white dragon started to turn away from the hatchling.

“Yeah, Spike?”

“Not for you, Harmony, for him.” Spike shook his head and pointed at the dragon. “Remember to wait until the time is right don’t let your emotions dictate when. Timing is critical if it is to work and not be rejected. You will understand what I mean when the time is right…”

“Taking a page from my playbook, Spike?”

“I learned from the best. Now, go on.” Spike smirked as he shooed them. “He won’t be able to hold it for very long.”

Soul Fire headache spiked. He really should not flashback with both perspectives at the same time. “Yes, I alone have managed to escaped most of the curses and by escaping them I have become even more alone Golden DragonHeart...” Soul Fire sniffed. “To be the only dragon to have memories, and to know that the one’s I care about can’t… Look at Eternal Beats he has his mother's ocarina… and the guitar I gave him… the one that inspired his name… and I can’t tell him because it risks setting off a rage growth… You know this, every dragon knows this…”

“I will relish the moment that the ‘Nameless One’ is dead and the curse can be lifted…” Golden DragonHeart growled darkly.

“Get in line…” Soul Fire weakly chuckled. His smile faded a bit as his thought went back to what he was about to do. “Dragon Keeper…” Golden DragonHeart looked at him at the mention of his title over his name. “I’m about to do something very stupid…”

“Do I want to know?”

“Uh… no.”

“So you are going to do something very stupid… and you used my Keeper title…” which means that he must having a feeling similar to when he took notice of Twixt’d though that could have also been his secondclaw instincts coming out… either way... Secondclaw’s has yet to be wrong… “Okay go for it.”

Soul Fire wrote a short letter then set it off.

He of the Barren South

I know who you really are, and why you chose to have wendigos in your hoard. I know what you sacrificed. You stripped yourself of lust, of love, of any and all warmth. You willing and forever froze your heart to save others didn't you, He of the Barren South? I am life debted to you for what you have done. You, He of the Barren South, to me, are a dragon of the highest honor.

Alicorn Keeper of Harmony

Tvēsele Uzuthszrēüs

Multiple Personalities or How to Induce Migraines

44 days since the Nameless One’s escape

18 days since the fall of Traxti City

Afternoon, Hourglass

“Good afternoon Quartermaster.” Sentinel called out from the entrance of the forge.

A grunt of greeting was the only reply he got. Sentinel wasn’t surprised about the lack of a proper response. Quartermaster had be quite busy of late and probably was in a crucial spot that require his complete attention. He could tell though from the response that he got that he had permission to enter. Not that he need much given that not only was he secondclaw he was also Quartermaster’s hatchmate. He wasn’t at the point of a hoard gem… That may come into play if ever She of Hourglass and himself became hatchmates.

She of Hourglass soon came out from the back where the nest was to greet Sentinel who was currently watching Quartermaster.

“Welcome Secondclaw… As you can see Quartermaster is busy with a very delicate part of the Captain's armor. Is there a reason for your visit besides checking up on the progress of the Guard’s armor?”

“Firstclaw wants to hold a meeting.”

“Where and when?”

“The hunting grounds... If it is alright with you two here. Twixt’d will guard his clutchmates until the meeting is over… I know how leery you are about leaving your eggs unattended.”

“And when?”

“As soon as Firstclaw pulls Twixt’d way from the sparring grounds… The ponies and him have been taking a shining to each other…”

Quartermaster smirked as he finally finished the smelting the alloy he was working on. “Showing those namby pamby ponies what’s for?”

“You could say that…” Sentinel rolled his eyes. “I’m thinking of having him be in charge of non magic combat.”

“So, what is the meeting about?” Metal Claws asked, trying to resist the urge to return to the forge. He was willing to give the ponies the benefit of the doubt not only because of Soul Fire and Golden DragonHeart but also because they were to wield his hoard. But even then it was difficult…

“Me.” Soul Fire answered. Metal Claws raised an eyebrow at this. “Remember when I revealed that I retained the alicorn’s memories?”

23 Days after Soul Fire’s Choosing

Afternoon, Hourglass City

“Firstclaw why has the sky become dark and grey?” Legacy Chaser shivered a bit as she asked. The other clan members nodded in agreement.

“‘The Nameless One’ has escaped his prison.” Soul Fire responded as he entered the council chambers.

“Soul Fire!” Golden DragonHeart exclaimed in shock he could handle this without him so why was he here? “It’s not been thirty days yet…”

“As long as we keep this meeting short I should be okay.” Soul Fire was finding it easier to maintain his balance more and more, even with the escape of the ‘Nameless One’ causing him rage and unease. He knew it would happen but why so long after Golden DragonHeart’s Choosing and why right after his?

“If you say so Soul Fire.” Golden DragonHeart shrugged knowing better than to push.

“So… Metal Claws started, wanting to get back to what was angering him, “what are we going to do about that vile ‘dragon?’”

“For now?” The purple spark dragon remarked. “Not much more than what we are doing…”

“Nothing? NOTHING!” The red dragon screamed, smoke pouring out of his maw. “The scourge of dragon kind has escape and you want us to effectively do nothing!?”

“Did you really think the ‘Nameless One’ would come waltzing into Hourglass and lie down to die just like that?!?” Soul Fire slammed Metals Claws jaw shut. “Even though he has had hundreds of thousands of years to plan his revenge the world has changed enough that he will probably not reveal himself until he has had enough time to figure out all the changes and plan accordingly… until he makes a move we won’t know how to counter him.”

“And how would you figure that?” Metal Claws growled, flexing his claws in a menacing manner.

“I didn’t... ‘he’ did.”

“He? Who’s this ‘he’ you speak of?” Eternal Beats joked. A smack from Metal Claws’ tail made him yelp. Clearly the red dragon wasn’t in the mood for Eternal Beats’s lightheartedness

“He as in Harmonious Knight.” Soul Fire answered, breaking up the coming fight between Eternal Beats and Metal Claws.

Everydragon there but Golden DragonHeart went into various forms of shock from slackjawed to incoherent blabbering. Soul Fire and Golden DragonHeart waited for a while why the dragons pulled themselves together.

“A normal Choosing the memories should not be lost. ‘Detached’ but not lost...” Soul Fire noticed the lost looks on the clan’s faces. “I have all of his memories, but they are like the Dragon Heritage memories. I don’t have instant recall. If I wish to know what he knew I have to memory walk.”

Present

“Yeah... What about it?”

“I didn’t explain everything about the detached memories... they don’t remain detached. Over time the memories will become reattached...”

“And you couldn’t have told us then?” Soul Fire stared at Metal Claws. “Oh right…” Metal Claws blushed when he realized the reason why and that he had asked a stupid question with an obvious answer.

“The second reason for not telling you was I wasn't even sure it would happen. The memories were from an alicorn soul not a dragon soul I wasn’t going to raise anydragons hopes much less mine. I didn’t escape all of the curses on our race just some. For one I’m still subject to codes that are corrupted.”

“Is it possible to talk to your feral side?” Golden DragonHeart asked, moving the conversation to the other point he wanted to address. He raised a claw to stop the question forming on Metal Claws’ maw.

That surprised Soul Fire and given his powers of deduction and his recent maturation of the Clan leading code. “If that didn’t come from you I would be insulted, Dragon Keeper…”

“I’m, sorry Soul Fire,” Golden DragonHeart apologized, “but I need to understand the dynamic between your sides, and they should know as well.”

“You think it might help with your role of getting dragons back into harmony?” Soul Fire already knew the answer but asked it for his clanmates benefit. His keeper nodded. “Okay… I was going to wait until tomorrow to hunt… you are lucky that I am getting hungry… What I need you all to understand is that my feral side isn't caged. That means that he may not want to come out nor will he be forced out just because you want him to come out. For now, only Firstclaw may speak to him. He is the only one here that he trusts… sorry Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws.”

After he got nods of agreement from his clan he took off. A few minutes later, he returned with a dead deer in his claws. He dropped the deer then landed. Sentient Soul Fire rubbed his paws excitedly as he eyed the deer. He felt like a colt in a candy store. Finally he decided on how to proceed and feral Soul Fire purred in agreement. With that both went to work smashing, cutting, and churning the innards into mush.

Golden DragonHeart struggled to not become nauseated from watching the dragon. This was worst than the last time, especially now that he knew about his sadistic tendencies with his food. His secondclaw wasn’t just squeezing the heart to mash but the entire insides of the deer. And what made it worse was the glint of satisfaction in the eyes of Soul Fire. Even Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws, who were meat eaters, found the display unnerving.

“Speak.” came a guttural deep voice from Soul Fire. Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws shuddered slightly at the sound of Soul Fire’s voice. Golden DragonHeart paled and in fear he took a step back. Soul Fire sounded almost like him whenever he slipped into rage.

Maybe this was a bad idea…

Soul Fire patience ran out as his growled angrily. “TALK!”

“Right… Sorry uh… how should I address you?”

At this Soul Fire stop his gleeful pureeing to look up at Golden DragonHeart. The eyes had darkened clearly they had become completely feral… slitted, fierce, and almost emotionless. The last time he had seen this was just before Soul Fire’s Choosing.

Golden DragonHeart gulped but manage to push through his fear to explain. “Not to offend either one but I need something way to speak to you in way that allows others to know which one I am talking to…”

“Have name. Remember?”

“Yes, I know that, but about non dragons? I can’t have them become confused. I and any dragon can understand the difference between Soul Fire and Soul Fire, but someone like our Captain of the Hourglass Guard can not.”

“Don’t care.”

“Ugh, this is migrace inducing…” Golden DragonHeart grumbled, rubbing his head.

“And now you see why I meditate as much as I do…” Soul Fire spoke in his normal voice and chuckled as he understood Golden DragonHeart’s dilemma. “If I don’t I tend to lose my identity and or slip from sentient to feral when neither us want… Never mind to try and reclaim as much of his memories as possible…”

“Soul Fire?” Golden DragonHeart questioned. He was sure that it was the sentient half talking again and he was sure what that meant but needed to double check.

“Yeah?”

“I take it your feral half is done talking…”

“As you should recall, he is short tempered… He has gone into the recess of our mind… for now…”

“Fero…” MetalEtched Claws muttered, whispered almost.

“Fero?” Soul Fire raised an eyebrow in question.

“As in ferocious…” MetalEtched Claws explained. “No too close to feral..”

Metal Claws eyed his mate unsure of exactly what her train of thought was. He figured she would reveal it in time. In the mean time, now that feral Soul Fire was done talking he could ask a question that had been playing in his mind since the revelation that Soul Fire allowed his feral side free reign. “So exactly how is your feral side able to come out without being in one of the growths or in the middle of becoming a rage dragon?”

“Special circumstances Metal Claws.”

“Let me guess, once being an alicorn?” Metal Claws crossed his forelegs.

“It did help, yes… Remember the ash illness?” Metal Claws nodded. “Prior or shortly after those instances and right after each cutiemark’s reappearance he would be pulled into his inner fire…”

“What? How? The only way to even observe an inner fire is through another's eyes and never your own..”

“True… My guess is the fact I had two types of soul at the same time… Now that I only possess one I can’t reenter it… trust me, I’ve tried…. Just prior to choosing when he found out his soul was alicorn and dragon he also discovered that the dragon had no name… the alicorn, he laid down without any provocation or persuasion of any kind, he was willing to have his life ended like that of a dishonored dragon. That is how he became to trust me or him or ugh whatever…”

“I got it! Vorac!” MetalEtched Claws shouted, startling everydragon.

Soul Fire started to uncontrollably purr and rumble in contentment. A feeling just like during his first hunt pulled on his mind… to become completely feral. Unlike that time, his time he mentally stepped down encouraging his feral half to go all out. The feral side surge forward so much that the sentinel side was temporarily gone. Just like during mating and growths.

Must make her hatchmate now. Vorac thought as blew his white fire onto his tail and held it out toward MetalEtched Claws.

MetalEtched Claws was caught off guard. She wasn’t expecting a move like that especially from the now titled Vorac.

“Go on…” Metal Claws grinned as nudged his frozen mate forward. He shivered in excitement at her becoming a fellow hatchmate of Soul Fire.

MetalEtched Claws shock induced hesitation lifted and she followed Vorac’s lead before blowing her orange flame on her own tail and touching her tail to his.

The white fire and orange flame danced between the two dragons’ tails. MetalEtched Claws and Vorac could feel the fire beginning to burn painfully but neither one dared to let go less they would have to start again. Just when it was getting to be unbearable the flames died out leaving both of their tails charred. To finish each dragon carefully cleaned the ash from their tails with their tongues leaving behind fresh and clean scales. The acrid ash in their mouths sealed their fates as hatchmates. Vorac could feel that the link between MetalEtched Claws and ‘Sentinel’ strengthen.

“I’m sorry…” Vorac growled out in apology. Vorac then faded back to the background of the mind and Soul Fire felt his mind return to normal… That was... unexpected...

“What just happen!?” Golden DragonHeart was clueless as to what just happened. He understood the Fire Tail Ceremony but why would the feral half initiate it?

“Why did he say I’m sorry?” Metal Claws added.

“Vorac felt it was time... As I said before I will not caged a part of myself, but that doesn't mean I understand what he is thinking all of the time… And as for him saying he's sorry I would assume that it would that is had to do with when MetalEtched Claws was laying… it was a struggle on my part to keep Vorac from trying to smash your eggs…”

“We knew the risks…” MetalEtched Claws shrugged. “There was no reason for the apology…”

“I uh…” Soul Fire stammered. Wait why did Vorac apologize? That’s something I would do as it’s a sentient thing, not feral...

“Why don’t we let Soul Fire finish his meal…” Golden DragonHeart suppressed a knowing laugh. “I know you two still have work to do, and I’m sure Twixt’d will want to get back to the sparring grounds.”

Soul Fire dived right back into the deer getting gore all over his snout causing a shudder of pleasure to flow along his spine. He really loved blood, guts, and gore. He sat on his haunches and cracked open the skull like a coconut on his knee…

Evening, Hourglass

“You wanted to see me?” Soul Fire asked as he walked into the forge.

Metal Claws put the sword he was working on in a barrel of oil to cool it until he could get back to it and turned to face his hatchmate, waving his claw. The door to the forge shut behind Soul Fire. Soul Fire looked back at the sound. He had never seen Metal Claws do that before… the doors had always remained open… of course now there was ponies inside the city so whatever they wanted to talk about they must have wanted privacy for it. “We felt that it was time…”

“Time for what?” Soul Fire wondered as he watched MetalEtched Claws come from the back expertly avoiding the piles of items that were stacked about the forge.

MetalEtched Claws walked up to Soul Fire, grinning from ear to ear. She opened her claw to reveal that she was holding a dark red gem and gave it to him.

A Hoard Gem!?? Soul Fire starred in shock at the gem. Sure, he wanted a hoard gem from every dragon in the clan, and have them as hatchmates, but he would never push… He figured they would give him a hoard gem eventually he just never expected it so soon.

A purring rumble could be heard in his heart… It confused him for a moment before he realized his body also really purring. Both sides were now in tandem and why not the purring felt so good… like a long stretch after napping. It was just like when he realized the joys of the hunt. We really have the best hoard don't we?

*Agreed.* Came a gruff thought in Soul Fire’s mind.

The shock of Vorac speaking to him temporarily stopped his purring before it returned even louder than before. His feral half never talked to him like that since before his choosing… of course, the feral half never talked before then, period, and he was Harmonious Knight then but then he wasn’t… Harmonious Knight he was Soul Fire his soul was Harmonious Knight but he was Soul Fire. Soul Fire mentally shook his head before the spiraling and confusing who and what he was and is line of thinking made him lose his euphoria.

He popped the Hoard Gem into his mouth and crunched on it. He was better prepared for what was to come. So he relaxed as in his mind he became Metal Claws and not Soul Fire. As he looked around he knew exactly what each piece of metal in the forge was for and how to create new ones. Drool dripped from his open maw as his gaze landed on his mate MetalEtched Claws lustfully. A red dragon suddenly blocked his path from his mate. He would deal with him in a short manner.

Suddenly, he realized he wasn’t supposed to be Metal Claws he was supposed to be Soul Fire and he shook off those feelings and memories as he fully became Soul Fire again… The memories of how the forge and such left him but the memories of how two mates felt for each other strangely didn’t. So that was what is was like to have a mate...

*Need mate...* Vorac spoke again.

He never had a strong urge to find a mate given that the dragon part of him was still trapped within his inner fire when he went through the first growth. Now his loins and heart ached for one. His purring became a loud rumble as he began to daydream of the perfect mate.

“Brother?” Metal Claws worriedly questioned. He was aware of the effects of a hoard gem but knowing the effects and seeing them were two different things, and he was sure the rumbling purr was not one them.

“Hm??” Soul Fire dreamily wondered before he suddenly realized he was still in his hatchmates’ hoard and they still had a lot of work to do. “Oh, right, I should let you get back to your hoard.”

“Wait… It’s not that…” Metal Claws reached out as Soul Fire started to head out.

Soul Fire gave a gruff, feral laugh. “I know.” Before Metal Claws or MetalEtched Claws could further object Soul Fire had left the forge.

Metal Claws remembered that laugh, it sounded just like the Vorac’s laugh, assuming that it was Vorac, from just before Soul Fire’s choosing. Metal Claws rubbed his head as he tried to ward off a headache. The purring rumble and gruntal laugh did make him wonder was feral Vorac and sentient Soul Fire blending together? Was this what rage growth was before it was rage growth?

Life Through Letters, Missives, and Journals

39 days since the Nameless One’s escape

13 days since the fall of Traxti City

Celestia,

We have made it safely to Hourglass.

Sentinel

Please keep them safe.

Celestia

Having second thoughts Celestia? I promise to keep them safe as I can that includes from QM. Tell Luna that I’ll guard their sleep as well.

43 days since the Nameless One’s escape

17 days since the fall of Traxti City

~~You Wyh~~ Why the voice would you do something so stupid? If it wasn’t for the fact you wrote it in Draconic I would have disbelieved you.

He of the Barren South

He of the Barren South,

I admit it was an extremely dangerous move...and I would do it again… I did it because what you have done, the sacrifice you made, the honor you carry for it.

It is getting quite late in Hourglass and I have guests that are tempting me to anger. I will send a letter in the morning as I have a proposal for you.

Until then may you claws remain sharp and your breath cold.

Sentinel

44 days since the Nameless One’s escape

18 days since the fall of Traxti City

He of the Barren South,

Are the wendigos tied to your life force?

Sentinel

You try my patience Alicorn Keeper. Why would you ask such a question?

He of the Barren South,

My apologies He of the Barren South. Many attempts have been made in the past to rid the world of the wendigo pest and failed. I think this is the first time ever that I think it’s possible to neutralize it… at least for the south arctic. Given your complete control of wendigos that are bonded to you without dark magic without effecting you negatively per say. I would rather you have control of ever wendigo possible then to ever let them run wild or be in control of someone evil. And if you ever were to fall in glorious battle I know that the wendigos will die with you instead of wreaking havoc...

What I’m saying is I have a plan to allow you to get all of the wendigos in the south arctic at one time for your hoard.

Sentinel

What is the catch?

None. I will help you because I want to. If anything you are doing me a favor...

You are a strange dragon.

One I am a Keeper. Two I’m a clan dragon… Both of those instill qualities that most dragons would deem strange much less an ice dragon with wendigos as a hoard.

He of the Barren South,

Here is the plan: Starting from the edge of the south arctic corral the wendigos toward the South Crystal City. (I’m sure that you can get enough ice dragons to help you.) There with the help of He of Music and the magic amplifying abilities of the crystal tower he should be able to keep them still and weaken them enough for you to add them to your hoard in one fell swoop. With any luck the only wendigos left in the south will be in your hoard.

How will the musician be of any use?

He of Music is a natural at Soul Songs and should be able to use that ability to draw them together and to weaken them enough for you to bind them to yourself.

Then I shall do as you suggested as I will not pass up an opportunity like this. Have your dragons be ready in 72 hours exactly. I need the wendigos to be still and weakened in order to bond. I want as many as possible... tell your dragons to avoid killing any more.

I will leave a lesser wendigo so that your soul song user can find the best way to make them still and weak. I will require recompense if that wendigo is destroyed or permanently harmed it will come out of his hide so warn him to be careful.

I shall

He of Music,

I have a change in your assignment. The crystals that comprise the city and more specially the tower in the center can amplify your soul song magic and should increase its strength and range enough to attract, weaken and freeze the wendigos. He of the Barren South will be corralling every wendigo toward the city. You are to use your abilities to to help him capture them for his hoard. A lesser wendigo should be there shortly for you to CAREFULLY practice non lethal soul song magic. You have 72 hours before he arrives and given the size of the South arctic it could mean a hundred or more.

Secondclaw,

Forgive me… but are you CRAZY!!!!!!???

He of Music

I can understand your trepidation… but if this works the south arctic will never have to deal with wendigos ever again as every wendigo there will be under the control of He of the Barren South.

And before you have a conniption fit I have discovered who He of the Barren South is and why he has done what he has done. I will explain completely when you two return. Just know that he is a dragon worthy of honor at the same level as a Keeper... In my opinion his name could very well be worthy to be added to the Memories.

45 days since the Nameless One’s escape

19 days since the fall of Traxti City

From the Journals of Golden DragonHeart, He of Hourglass, Firstclaw of the Clan of Hourglass, Dragon Keeper of Harmony.

Entry # 487

Things with Sentinel/Vorac are really getting strange and in a hurry. Last night he came into to guard sleep with me and he curled up in the gem bed and starting rumbling. When I asked why he was purring like Vorac he chuckled and it also sounded feral… it was as if the two are becoming as one or at least influencing each other. Either one is possible... I would not expect the feral Vorac to apologize for something that comes natural to him. I’m mean it’s like a wolf killing prey... he needs to eat too…

Of course the whole thing confuses me to no end… I’m getting a headache trying to keep the two(?) of them straight. Add in the pronoun confusion with Harmony’s memories becoming Sentinel’s memories… I think I need to exchange by gem bed for an ice pack one.

I’m worried though if his hoard gets to be much larger it will induce a growth. Actually, he should have reached the second one already, but I’m wondering if he having a similar block to that like I am… Though to be fair he was in his alicorn form during the last attack… You know the more I learn about Secondclaw then more I find I don’t know...

I plan on going into the Council and see if I can find out if there anything to be concerned about. As Dragon Keeper I need to explore everything about this. Not just because I have some concerns (not that I don’t trust Secondclaw I do but I can’t risk him being deceived.. not by Vorac but by the curses of the Nameless One.) but to see if this may be another key or step in bringing back harmony to dragons. Though I suspect until the Nameless One’ is defeated and his curses lifted the dragons will be hampered from fully regaining Harmony.

I would have him help me but he needs to focus on the Guard and the Wendigo problem. Plus I’m sure the white and yellow dark magic dragon is also on his mind.

So much to do, so little time. How does Secondclaw manage to do as much as he does?!? How does he handle this kind of pressure? I know he’s taking the brunt of the pressure off of me. I would tell him to let me help but I know it would be useless I know less about wendigos and He of the Barren South. As for the situation with the guard, Secondclaw is a warrior and the Alicorn Keeper it’s better that he handles it over me. The only one of the three that I’m helping him with is the dark magic dragon… I just hope that is enough.

46 days since the Nameless One’s escape

20 days since the fall of Traxti City

Princess Celestia,

Princess Twilight Sparkle will be disembarking this afternoon for Equestria. Given recent attacks on Hourglass and Equestria I have made arrangements for an armed escort. Two squads of my best pegasi will escort them to the borders and He of Everfree will escort them from there to Ponyville. Expect arrival in Ponyville between 36-48 hours.

Captain Phoenix Wave of the Hourglass Guard

From the Journals of Golden DragonHeart, He of Hourglass, Firstclaw of the Clan of Hourglass, Dragon Keeper of Harmony.

Entry # 488

So I went into the council yesterday to try and get some leads on Sentinel/Vorac’s ‘condition.’ The exercise didn’t bear much fruit… I figured it would be a long shot anyway. Looks like I will need to start to memory walking the deep parts of the Dragon Heritage Memories.

I attached the list of questions and their answers for future reference. I put ‘none’ whenever the ‘The answer you seek must come from a dragon’ stock phrase was spoken which was way too often. (I wonder if I can get away with going all Saddle Rager on the thrones.)

Ascended One is leaving today. I wish I could have managed more time with her but circumstances barred much other than a shared meal here or there. I believe she once said that she has the same problem with her sister in law. At least we still have the our weekly chats.

I saw She of Hourglass out of the forge for the first time in a long time(minus our meeting the other day). She was lounging on a building roof not far from the forge. I took advantage to chat with her. It was nice to be able to just talk with her. Everydragon has been all business for so long that we are missing out being a family. That is what this clan is about not just about bringing the dragons back into harmony. I fear that this war is going to ruin this clan… I just hope that between Secondclaw and myself we can keep it from falling apart. I think we can or at least Secondclaw can… He doing great as a secondclaw but myself I feel so useless right now… It seems I have a lot to think about it... and I need to lie down.

Intermission VII: Never Forget What They did here

I stopped as the last part of Storyteller’s story caused me a massive headache. “Okay, I think I believe you about not being Sentinel... I think Discord may be a better choice.”

“Him!?!” Storyteller laughed hard and long. It got so bad that I was tempted to smack him. Luckily for him he finally managed to stop. “Well... I suppose I could see you thinking that, but he’s not the type to drag a joke out this long…”

Back to square one it seems… the revelation that Sentinel is housing another personality eliminated him as being Storyteller unless he just added Vorac to the story to throw me off… My head started really pounding. You know what… Forget this I’m only worsening my headache.

As I looked back up I saw in the distance a grove of trees. It was a bit odd as I had yet to see any signs of trees since the oasis… I may not be a earth pony but even I know that the area around here was too dry for trees. Maybe there was a lake, or, spring, or oasis in the middle of the trees. Or maybe it was because we were getting closer to Hourglass which was probably the tallest mountain I had ever seen and some of the mountains to the north of Equus was quite large and Hourglass made those look a bit small.

An half hour later I could see that it was more than a grove of trees it appeared be a fence around the area. The area was quite large no way that this was watered by an oasis or spring. Storyteller was heading right towards it.

“I thought we were heading to Hourglass.”

“We are…”

“Then why are we headed towards that? Wouldn’t it be prudent to go around this... grove?”

“No, because you need to see what is here.” Storyteller replied as walked along the rod iron fence which was covered by ivy and some sort of flowering vine I can’t identify. He stopped right into of a simple gate. The gate squeaked as Storyteller opened it. “Hmm... needs oiling again.”

“I take it this place doesn’t get many visitors.” I remarked.

I started to walk towards the gate when Storyteller stopped me. “The ground you are about to walk on is sacred so please be respectful.”

I looked past Storyteller to see that beyond the ivy covered fence was an expansive area of green, lush grass. A stone path started at the gate and crisscrossed through the long grass. Intermixed was the large oak and willows I had seen earlier.

“What is this place?” I asked as I got a glimpse at a few markers and statues. This place reminded me of a cemetery except there wasn’t row after row of tombstones. This oddly looked more like a memorial garden but it was expansive… more like park.

“A memorial to those that fell. To those who lost their lives saving our world.” Storyteller sadly answered before he turned to walk down one of the stone paths. “Come, I want to show you something.”

We walk through the park for a few minutes before I saw a black triangle obelisk rising into the sky. As we walked along the spiral path that lead to the obelisk I saw that three statues stood guard around it an alicorn, a griffon, and a dragon.

Once we got closer I noticed that there was writing on each side. Each in a different script. The side that had the dragons had a lot less script. Was this what Storyteller meant when he said ’twice dragons failed to do what was right until it was too late.’

I walked right up to get a closer look. As an archaeologist I was familiar with several ancient scripts and languages but I had no clue what language this writing was… for that matter I don’t think I have ever seen it before either. I would take a rubbing but somehow I think that would get me in hot water with Storyteller. That is if this is what I think it is I would rather sketch I’m an archaeologist not a tomb raider.

“Remember the stain glass window that started this all? This is a list of all the known names of those killed during the Final Battle of Hourglass. Those that are unknown are memorialized in a different spot of the park a place where none but the caretakers may enter and only to keep it maintained.”

I frowned as I realized that the death toll from just this battle was extreme… if the height of the tower and the amount of writing on each side was any indication. “How long ago… was this war... everything here looks like it was put here yesterday. And this war had to occur a very long time ago if it was as deadly as you implied and not to be the history books.”

“The grounds are carefully maintained and the statues and structures are magically kept pristine. How each race reckons time is different plus the calendar used by ponies has changed several times since then but if I recall correctly almost two thousand years.”

“Ta... t-two thousand years!” No wonder there was no record! Historically things got very murky once one goes back six hundred years ago and no pony has managed to find anything more than a fifteen hundred. The crystal tree castle does date from that time period but there was nothing in there to substantiate anything beyond that. No manuscripts, writings, etchings, or artifacts... The only thing that could be authenticated from that time period was some of the surviving stain glass windows from what I now know as Canterlot Castle. Sadly the windows were stylized in such a way that not much could be figured out from the windows themselves hence my reason for my journey.

“Still you struggle to believe…”

“I’m sorry this is so much to take in…” He was right I was struggling and I was losing the battle as more and more I was seeing physical evidence to the story that Storyteller was telling of the Keeper War. I’m starting to see why those at the university scoffed at my theories.

“It’s real, real as the obelisk. The war was won but at great cost. It’s only in the last few decades that your race as recovered… Others are still recovering… some... some may never recover.”

Author's Note

Extra points for those who figure out the title...

The Music Gets Them to the Top

47 days since the Nameless One’s escape

21 days since the fall of Traxti City

Afternoon, South Crystal City

“Have I mentioned I don’t like this?” Medallion was getting more and more apprehensive and nervous as the seventy-two hour deadline approached.

“For the last time, yes!” He of Music growled in his lyrical voice. He had let his voice return to normal as he knew he needed all of his power and abilities at peak if he was going to succeed. “And I don't like it anymore the you do… I’m just surprised that the golems would allow it.”

“He of the Barren South as a pull with them…” Medallion waved to a grey stone golem with white and pink dots as it passed by them. Once the golem went by she continued, “Apparently, he has been keeping the wendigos at bay for over a millennia… I think. The sense of time for the golems is a bit wonky.”

“Been busy with the locals?” He of Music teased. He had watched her talk with the golems for the past three days. That was, at least. when he was able to see her. Which wasn’t much as he devoted his every waking moment the past three days in getting himself ready. The lesser wendigo that He of the Barren South was quite helpful and he was sure he could do what he needed to do at least on a small scale… On the scale that it could potentially get to? He had no clue.

“You be quiet,” Medallion pointed an accusatory claw at her clanmate, ”you got to do something unique with your hoard…”

“True..” He of Music admitted. “I take it you were working on your own?”

“A bit…” Medallion shrugged.

“You were looking for anything to give you an edge in wooing Sentinel aren’t you?”

“Yes…” Medallion went from pink to maroon in a flash. “Sentinel has been down here before. The golems are even aware of the ponies guarding their legacy…” Medallion scowled at the smirk from her brother. “Their Keeper’s artifact: The Crystal Heart. Apparently it’s what gave him the idea for his elements…”

“You are really into chasing… ow!” He of Music wrapped his stinging tail to the other side of his body, “What was that for?!”

“You know exactly why.” Medallion growled, accenting each word with a poke to his white side.

“You started it…” He of Music whined. “Less than an hour to… are the golems ready?”

“Yes…” Medallion sighed. “I don’t think I am, but they are…”

As time approached the a snowstorm formed signalling the impending arrival of the wendigos.

He of Music nearly lost his footing at the sheer number of wendigos in the sky. There must be at least three hundred of them! A clawed hand grabbed and stabilized him.

“Thanks Medallion,” He of Music took a few breaths to calm himself, “but you should be helping the golems.”

“You are my brother and clanmate we look out for each other remember? Besides every dragon adds to the legacy of our clan.” Medallion winked at him before taking off.

He smirked as pulled his guitar off his back and started playing. He made sure to keep his playing just like during practice. The crystal tower glowed in reaction to his playing. Tendrils of light shot out from the top of the tower and reached out across the sky.

*It’s working He of Music.* Came Medallion’s thought through a mind link she had established.

He of Music didn’t respond back as he had to be very careful to keep his concentration. He learned that real fast when he had practice on that wendigo...

The wendigo just stood there. He of Music gulped he didn’t think he could do this. The wendigo didn’t seemed to care one way or another as it just stood there with the same icy stare that He of the Barren South sported.

“Well...” Medallion mused before quickly taking off back towards the city. “I’ll leave this to you then.”

“Hey! Get back here!” He of Music called out but Medallion was long gone. “Ah, lava rocks…”

He of Music grumbled, rubbing his forehead as he turned to face the wendigo. This is going to be a long couple of days...

He of Music shook his head breaking the memory before it continued any longer. He went right back to playing. As he did time slowed. All there was was him and his music, him and his hoard.

*Your fading He of Music...*

He of Music was immediately brought out of his musical world. He looked around to see that the tendrils of light were flickering and he suddenly felt very sluggish. He had gotten so focused that he didn’t realize he was getting tired.

He of Music grunted as he pushed past his exhaustion. They may not get another try for this and he was not going to fail his secondclaw nor himself. The problem was that he could end up tapping into his life force if he wasn’t careful and both Firstclaw and Secondclaw told them to stay safe and killing himself by magic overexertion would not be doing that as basically since he was not in a life or death situation.

*Keep going only thirty more to go.*

I have to think of something! I know I don’t have enough for one more much less thirty… “No.” He of Music growled. “I will not give up.” He drove deep into himself. He was not going to be denied this not when they were so close… then he realized how to get the necessary power without harming himself. My inner fire! Of course! He took grab of it and poured it into his music. The borealis stopped flickering.

Finally… He of Music thought as he heard the signal roar moments later from He of the Barren South. He tirely tried to get down from the tower when he passed out.

“He of Music!” Medallion yelled out as she saw her clanmate tumble down from the tower.

“He of Music?” She whispered in worry as she ran up to him. He appeared to be breathing but unresponsive. She couldn’t see any visible injuries.

Medallion gasped as He of Music’s eyes snapped wide open with no warning as he got up. Damn it! He’s hitting his third growth… Medallion cursed as she backed away, motioning some golems to do the same. She steeled herself for what would come… She hoped she wouldn’t have defend herself from a sex crazed clanmate.

His hair spines unlike last time quickly became long but still managed to stay spiky and airy. Medallion wasn’t sure but his spines look similar to one of the band posters that graced the walls of the band shell. The band holding his headphones tore from the strain. Oddly the cups remained on him as the band completely disintegrated.

Hot saliva dripped from his now open jaw and his teeth lengthen. He closed it in a hiss as his neck stretch out. His forked tongue swung out of his larger mouth as thoughts of prey and dragoness flooded his mind.

The scorpion ocarina double in size and become life like. Medallion had seen a depiction of sand scorpion on the wall of He of Music’s hoard. Except for the fact it was made out of medal it could pass for a real one. The ocarina, to her shock, latched onto He of Music’s neck, the segmented legs loosely wrapped completely around the neck. The tail mouthpiece relaxed, flush to the back.

The guitar also double in size the straps remained snug against his body. He of Music grunted and his torso swelled in size and muscle the straps snapped and fell off of him in tatters. He growled in pleasure to finally be rid of those damned straps. He took in a deep wonderful breath as his lungs swelled to a larger than normal size. More air for his hoard and more power to woo the dragoness that he noticed watching him. The mating roar will definitely let any dragon nearby that she was his.

The scorpion tail of guitar softened and conformed down on his left front shoulder before it reharden. It was now positioned in just right spot for him to grab with his right front claw. Just like the beauty of a pink dragoness standing near by. He knew with his size she would be tight. He took a step forward and nearly stumbled as the final changes washed over He of Music.

His neck and tail thicken with powerful muscles. He purred as the ocarina now felt snug against his neck scales. The feeling of the metal on his scale during the purr nearly making him forget the foreplay and going straight to the main course of dragoness in front of him but his mind returning to normal stopped that.

Medallion breathed a sigh of relief as the glint of lust left her brother. She wanted a mate but she knew what would happened if it happened during a growth. Sentinel was not here to stand between them like last time. At least this time she didn’t get hit by one as well so she was able hold her own against him.

Are you alright Medallion? He of Music sang in a deep bass. He frowned in worry when he saw Medallion gulp. What? Please talk to me...

“He of Music you’re singing…” Medallion swallowed. His singing voice was driving her to the breaking point. Is this how the others feel with I tease? She really hoped that Sentinel would agree to go through the Cktrieüs šüitruls ezustācija Ceremony. The power of He of Music voice just jumped and until he figured out how to control it she was sure he would trigger all sorts of emotions from her and the ones she would struggle with the most was anything romantic or lustful.

I am? ...I am... I… He stopped crooning as he realize that his voice change the last time he grew and that means… His eyes went wide as the ocarina detached itself from his neck and skittered down and into his waiting claw. It looked just like the sketches of giant sand scorpions. He had a large reproduction on his hoard wall.

“Did your ocarina move on its own and into your claw?”

Yes… He of Music greedily looked at his hoard. He didn’t care how exactly it happened but he would care for these two pieces more than the rest because they changed with him. They were precious and he loved them both. The ocarina moved back to his neck with barely a thought on his part.

He was about to check out his guitar when he saw that He of the Barren South was lumbering towards them. He of Music blinked when he realized that he didn’t have to look up are far as he did before. He knew he grew he just didn’t realize how much until then. He glanced down at Medallion and noticed that how much lower she was to him.

Something was off about He of the Barren South. His eyes were glowing red just like his wendigos, but his body was what really got his attention. It was hard to tell in the blizzard, but it almost looked like it was becoming transparent.

He of the Barren South walked up to He of Music and whispered. “You tell your Secondclaw: Frost Claw gives his thanks.”

He of Music eyes went wide but he managed to have enough sense to nod. He was not expecting the dragon to give out his name. With that He of the Barren South walked past the still shocked dragon and out into the blizzard and disappeared along with the storm.

Long Overdue ‘Justice’

“You are not useless Firstclaw…” A voice echoed.

“Secondclaw?” Golden DragonHeart looked around the street and all he could see was dragons at various stages of growth mingling.

A white dragon with rainbow horns appeared in the street of hourglass near Golden DragonHeart. He immediately recognized his friend, clanmate, and secondclaw, Soul Fire.

“Reading my journals?” Golden DragonHeart crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow in a fake accusatory way. He knew that nothing in his hoard was beyond the scope of Soul Fire.

“No…” Soul Fire looked at his friend with mock anger. “I may have blanket permission because of your hoard gem but I still respect you enough to leave your private thoughts alone. Having said that your dreams on the other claw…” The white dragon looked at the restored city of Hourglass. The dream dragons were still roaming the city, ignoring both of them.

“Wait, are you saying I’m dreaming?”

Soul Fire watched as a pair of dragons started rolling around, clearly having sex, if the musk was any indication. The white dragon smiled. Hourglass full of dragons… a dream that he had and wasn’t surprised that his firstclaw had. Though anything beyond twenty may be pushing the limits of the area… not that Hourglass couldn’t house more it could the city could easily house hundreds fully grown dragons…. But he wasn't sure there was enough gems or prey in the area to feed that many. “Yep.”

“Well…” Golden DragonHeart looked over himself noting the blue gloves and boots he was wearing, “that would explain why I’m wearing a Hum Drum costume.”

“I never understood the need for flashy impractical ‘uniforms.’”

“Don’t knock til you try it…” Golden DragonHeart smirked, “though to be fair I would have rather have been dressed as anyone other then sidekick…”

Soul Fire snorted.

“So... tell me, why do you think you're useless?” Soul Fire casually asked.

Golden DragonHeart mind froze he wanted to tell him but he was at a complete lost as to how to do it without hurting his secondclaw’s feelings. His secondclaw was merely doing what was best for his hoard. It made him extremely proud as he was making the dragons, his family, into better dragons, into a closer knit family. It wasn’t for lack of trying on his part he spent time with his clan hanging or helping with their hoards but he had yet to become hatchmates with anyone them and Soul Fire had three, if one still counted Twixt’d. He also managed to get Quartermaster to mature in hoarding and was responsible for every potential dragon in the clan besides MetalEtched Claws and himself. although to be fair that was one of the roles of the secondclaw...

Sentinel breathed deep. He knew the problem that his firstclaw was having but until he admitted it freely there was not much he could do. “Take if from a dream walker, if you don’t resolve the why you feel useless these dreams will continue, and I can’t guard sleep with you every nigh…” The rest of what Soul Fire said was lost as the dream shattered into white.

Golden DragonHeart awoke in rage. Something was about to attack Hourglass! He lept to his feet, nearly losing his footing on his gem bed as it shifted from the sudden movement. He stumbled out of his hoard chamber in the Reference Section of the library and ran down the hall.

He blinked from the sudden bright light of the outside. He must have fallen asleep reading again. He had just managed to get his sight back when a flash of light blinded him again. This time when he got his vision back he saw Secondclaw in his alicorn form. His mane and tail was shifting about wildly, a scowl on his muzzle.

“What is going on?” He of Hourglass growled in anger.

“A changeling hive is approaching.” Sentinel didn’t growl but he did look just as livid.

“Another one?!” He of Hourglass grumbled in exasperation. It was like a vicious pattern over and over...

“Yeah, another one… Apparently one of the lookouts had noticed them a while back originally moving parallel to Hourglass. I suspect they sensed the clan wards… given that Hourglass has been abandoned for so long it must of tweaked their interest.”

“How are you able to know all of this so fast?”

“Thought link spell. Captain Phoenix Wave is filling me in as we speak. Quartermaster, Twixt’d, and She of Hourglass should be here shortly.”

The sounds of loud wingbeats confirmed the soon arrival of Quartermaster. He of Hourglass and Sentinel looked up to see Quartermaster and She of Hourglass were coming in for an landing.

“So what is it this time?” Quartermaster grumbled as soon as his claws hit the ground.

“Changelings.” Sentinel deadpanned.

“Again?!” Quartermaster snapped, rubbing his head.

“Yes…” Sentinel droned, “again.”

“Any idea which hive?” He of Hourglass questioned, thinking that maybe Sentinel might have some knowledge of the hive that could help them.

Sentinel flew upwards, changed to his dragon form and stared off to the north for a moment before changing back to his alicorn form. He noted Twixt’d was closing in fast on him from the direction of his silo.

Sentinel landed just as Twixt’d himself touched down. “I was able to enhance my dragon vision using an alicorn spell. This hive has been a pain in Equestria's flank for some time… and it’s high time to end Chrissy life and hive once and for all.”

“Chrissy?!” He of Hourglass suppressed a snort. This was a serious situation and not the time for laughter. That didn’t stop Twixt’d from it which got him a smack from She of Hourglass.

“It’s an insult…” Sentinel growled his sharp teeth grinding slightly, “the queen’s name is Chrysalis and has escape his wrath numerous times over the centuries. More recently she has invaded Equestria several times in the past fifteen years… I don’t know why she is in the area…”

“Doesn’t matter she now has to deal with dragons and she will BuRn…”

Sentinel smacked He of Hourglass head with his hoof, hard. “Control your rage Firstclaw… She is mine… It’s high time I end her.”

“How long until they are in range?” Quartermaster secretly hoped it was soon. He so wanted a chance to burn them as the last time he was unable to defend Hourglass when it came under changeling attack. Not that He of Music and He of Hourglass didn’t do a good job in defense they did he just was frustrated that he wasn't there.

Sentinel closed his eyes and concentrated on the chatter from the guard. “Estimated at about 15 minutes at the swarm‘s current speed.”

“You know her best… any plan to take her down?” He of Hourglass crossed his arms.

Sentinel sighed. “We need to separate the queen from the swarm. She has a habit of using them as both canon fodder and a shield. The last time he tangled with her she used her drones to mask her escape.”

“Okay, so how?”

“A fake out. We drop the shield in a way that looks like it shattered from the strain and as soon as she gets in we bring it up again. With any luck we will cut her forces to a more manageable amount and trap her with no escape.” Sentinel looked up at the pink shield protecting Hourglass. “Firstclaw we need precision on this…”

“Got it. I’ll be in the defense control room.” He of Hourglass spun around and headed into the council building. If he was going to be able to get the shield down and back up like Sentinel needed he would need to get to the controls to calibrate the shields and quickly.

“Twixt’d you are with me. Quartermaster and She of Hourglass defend the area around here. Don’t let any drone get inside the council building. Try not to make it too obvious.”

“For Hourglass.” Sentinel stated.

“For Hourglass!” The clan agreed.

With that Twixt’d and Sentinel took off toward the north side of Hourglass in the direction of the approaching hive. Quartermaster and his mate flew up to hover.

*Captain Phoenix Wave, I have identified the hive approaching. It is Chrysalis’ hive.*

*Buck. What is the plan, Secondclaw?*

*We are going to trick Chrysalis with the shield into splitting her forces. Your guards are to focus on the drones inside the shield; the obelisks will take care of those outside. There will be no quarter, no mercy, none are to be left alive. Leave Chrysalis to me.*

*But...* Phoenix Wave protested.

*Captain! She’s a sadistic monster that will kill if provoked, and I doubt she will show mercy once she discovers our duplicity.*

*Yes, Secondclaw.*

Sentinel pushed the guard chatter back to the back of his mind. “Twixt’d support the guard in anyway they need you. I will be going after the queen.”

“Got it Secondclaw.” Twixt’d banked away in search of Captain Phoenix Wave.

Sentinel hovered as he watched the shield start to ‘crack’ from the assault from the drones. Now was the time to reveal himself. He teleported closer making sure the flash from his teleport was bigger and brighter then normal. He could hear the chittering increasing in volume and speed. Good they noticed me which means… A section of the swarm nearby parted… there we go… The changeling that he was hoping to draw out appeared in the gap.

He watched as she charged up for a magic missile attack. Let’s hope he got those calibrations done on time… At the moment of impact he yelled out “Satricithāt.” The hive surged forward as the shield shattered. Sentinel fire a shot at Chrysalis to entice her to move inside the shield perimeter. She took the bait and as soon as she was inside he yelled out a second time. “Lielzasalus usuths!” The obelisks started to fire and the shield reclosed.

He attempted to fly at her but her drones immediately swarmed around him. Damnit! She’s using the swarm to block me. She knows that these ponies are greenhooves... Which means I need to get through this swarm fast.

A blood curdling scream got him going as he conjured his rainbow swords and hacked his way through. Luckily, the majority of the swarm was trapped on the other side of the city shield. This limited the number of drones that were being used to shield Chrysalis so that less than a minute later he was through.

There on the ground bleeding profusely was one of the guards, an earth pony Chrysalis laughing and stalking closer to the down guards. Drones had formed a ring around them preventing escape. What did those ponies do to get her to personally attack them!? He couldn't tell any more from that because like the Royal Guard of Canterlot the armor he was wearing was enchanted to mask his identity. Sentinel could see past the enchantment but he hadn’t learned every guardpony’s names just yet. The pony was being looked after by a unicorn clearly a medic and guarded by a pegasi. No way they had a chance against the changeling queen.

Sentinel slammed down between the guard ponies and Chrysalis. The ring of drones took off into the air around them. “Stay behind me, take cover, and tend to your injured comrade. I’ll handle her.” He ordered the guards.

The two guard ponies nodded and carefully dragged the moaning earth pony to a nearby boulder. For now, that was all they could do until the hostiles were cleared. Hopefully the strange alicorn would be able to get rid of the changelings before their fellow guardpony died from his injuries.

Once Sentinel saw that he no longer had to worry about them he immediately sent of a wave of magic missiles at the bug queen which were blocked by a shield. He then started to jab and slice with his swords one after another.

“No foreplay? No witty remarks? No insults?” Chrysalis pouted as she dodge the alicorn's attacks.

“He has had enough of you and quite frankly I agree.” Sentinel charged at her with his swords.

Chrysalis clearly expected as she slid to the side, easily avoiding the swords. “You’re slipping yah old…”

“On the contrary, Chrissy…” Sentinel countered as he came to an abrupt stop, still facing away from her. “You are slipping. Tell me… what do you see above you?”

Chrysalis glanced upwards to see that a vast majority of her hive and forces were stuck on the other side of the shield, the shield that had supposed collapsed from strain. The bug queen muzzle contorted into rage. “You… You…” She shook in rage.

“Yeah,” Sentinel began, “you really never did learn to wait on counting your nymphs until after they hatch.”

A few of her remaining nearby drones, the ones that had earlier ringed around the down guard, dived bombed at Sentinel. The alicorn yawned as he expertly sliced the drones into strips. Pieces of drones rained down on the two combatants.

“I’m going to snap your horn off!” She hissed shooting numerous magic missiles at Sentinel who stood still as most of shots missed him. The few that would have hit him he casually deflected with one his swords. This only infuriated her more. “When I get out of here I am going to kill everyone of your precious ponies! Then…” She grimaced, “and only then will I end your life.”

Sentinel laughed, confusing the queen. “One: get in line. Two: you are not getting out of here alive. You made the fatal error of attacking a dragon clan.” He shot two of his swords at her directly, two at her flanks, one at her back, and the final sword from above.

The swords sparked and hissed violently at the shield she managed to produced. Sentinel grunted as he kept up the pressure up on the shield in an attempt to break the shield. The changeling grunted, increasing her power on her horn to the point that the shield exploded violently, knocking Sentinel back. He spat out some blood. He look around to see that his swords were scattered around blades down into the ground.

“Then I guess I should prove you wrong, yet again... Don’t you like it Harmony?” Chrysalis stuck a pose, an amulet glinting in the sunlight. “A girl is nothing without the proper accessories don’t you think?”

Sentinel looked at the amulet and if he was any color other than white he was sure his face would be bone white. The amulet was red and black with gold offsets depicting a eagles head or more accurately a roc’s head. Another of the Elder amulets! Where are these changelings getting them!?

*Captain notify Firstclaw right now: We have an Elder Amulet in play; I repeat Elder Amulet in play.* Sentinel yelled though the thought link spell. He didn’t wait for a response as he moved the chatter back to whispering. Now more than ever he couldn’t afford any distractions. This battle was going to get very difficult very fast.

*Let me help.* Vorac called out, growling in extreme anger. Sentinel was sure it was over the bug queen.

You never need to ask Vorac. Sentinel responded.

The ponies watched in shock from the rock they were using as cover as the alicorn was enveloped in light. Everyone around was blinded temporarily from the sudden glare. It even got the attention of Twixt’d before he took advantage of the distraction to take out more drones. Once their vision cleared their shock only doubled. It looked as if somepony had drawn a glowing outline of the dragon they all knew as Secondclaw around the alicorn. Rainbow horns made of the same glowing light adorned the alicorn head and the end of his tail had a purple, white, and green trident.

“I see you have learned a new trick Harmony…” The bug queen sneered.

“I. AM. NOT. HARMONY!” Sentinel roared at the Changeling Queen. He pulled his six swords out of the ground and in rage he charged at the queen.

Chrysalis teleported out of the way at the last second. Thanks to Vorac he could smell her behind him. Sentinel pulled up a shield. The shield took the brunt of the attack but he was still knocked head over hooves into the rock where the injury guard and his comrades were using as cover.

*I hate bugs.* Vorac growled.

Agreed. Sentinel grunted in pain as he pulled himself back onto his hooves.

Chrysalis giggled evilly. “Still all brawn and no…”

Chrysalis mocking retort died on her lips as a seventh sword of white flame formed right in front of her catching the bug queen off guard. Before she was able to make a move the flame sword came down searing her left ear off and burning the side of her muzzle.

*DAMN IT!* Vorac cursed.

It’s okay Vorac once this is over I’ll help you practice sword fighting.

“You infuriating pony!” The changeling screamed. “Forget breaking off your horn! I’m will end you once and for all, right here and right now.”

“I am not a pony, you insect! I am Dragon.” With that, Sentinel changed into his dragon form. The rainbow swords disappeared as the alicorn magic keeping them materialized was suppressed. The flame sword remained.

“A trick!” The queen laughed. “You always had a way of mimicking other race’s magic!”

“NO TRICK. I AM DRAGON!” Sentinel roared before he repeated in draconic, “Thē triüs es eslu Cktüis!”

The voice of the magical, truth telling language of draconic stunned her. Sentinel knew that Chrysalis knew that he was telling the truth. What's more, it gave him the opening he needed. He quickly forced her to the ground with such a strong gravity well that he could see her chitin crack. He followed that with conjured magic rods which he wrapped through her holes and staked them into the ground. He then snapped the Roc Amulet off of her. Not an easy task with only dragon magic.

Sentinel licked his fangs as he circled the now clearly terrified changeling queen. “We have waiting a long time for this day Chrissy… and now I hope enjoy your permanent vacation in the void. I know I will.”

The last thing she ever saw was the light of a dragon preparing to spew fire.

The Price We Pay Sometimes is...

51 days since the Nameless One’s escape

25 days since the fall of Traxti City

Afternoon, Hourglass City

“...and now I hope enjoy your permanent vacation in the void. I know I will.” Sentinel smirked showing off all of his sharp teeth for dramatic effect before he roared as much white fire as he could at the changeling queen. He didn’t want her to just be dead but to be nothing but ash, a black faceless spot on the ground. His fire streamed out for well over a minute. He panted hard once he stop the stream of flame.

*Pony hurt.* Vorac spoke.

Oh, right. Sentinel switched back to his alicorn form. If he was going to have much of chance to being able to heal the pony he needed the precision of alicorn magic. He looked up to see that the changeling hive was dying at a rapid rate. However, he couldn’t see any nearby ponies and Twixt’d was also nowhere in sight. How did these ponies get so far separated from the rest?

*PONIES HURT!* Vorac roared.

Sentinel snapped to attention and walked over to the boulder that they had been using as shelter. The guard pegasus backuped a touch at the imposing alicorn. The unicorn was too busy keeping the earth pony alive to do much. Sentinel frowned at this. He kneeled down and spoke as softly as possible. “Please relax, I mean you no harm. Chrysalis is dead and the danger from changelings has past.”

“Who.. who are you?” The pegasus guard stammered out, failing miserably at being intimidating.

“I am Sentinel, Secondclaw of the Dragon clan of Hourglass.” Sentinel stated simply. They must have been cowering behind the rock when his switched to his dragon form and they were not aware of his alicorn form yet… and he had not yet told them about the fact that he could switch forms yet. He was focusing on getting their magic back and be self sufficient food wise. The only one that knew was Captain Phoenix Wave. The plan was for him to reveal it at the next war game in two days time. It was clear, however, that waiting was an error on his part.

The pegasus’ eyes went wide in recognition of the name. “Secondclaw? But he’s a dragon and.. you are an alicorn!”

“No time to explain… Go find Quartermaster tell him to go get Scorpan from the Northern Oasis and step on it!” The pegasus guard hesitated before Secondclaw yelled out. “GO!”

Sentinel sighed as the pegasus took off toward the forge. A moan brought his attention back to the injured pony. “Hang in there you hear me?” He ordered before he started to scan the pony. He needed to access the ponies full condition before moving him or else he may end up hurting the pony more or worse killing him. The unicorn attending him had some medic training as most of the cuts and laceration were sealed and wrapping in field dressing. There was still some minor bleeding but nothing too serious. His concern was internal injuries and with the crack ribs that he noted in his scans that was very possible.

“What have you done with him so far?”

“Stopped the visible bleeding dressed some of worse wounds. I also casted a minor pain relieving spell but I don’t think it helped.”

“Doubtful, all four of his legs are shattered, and he has three cracked ribs… nevermind all of the cuts and bruises. Okay…” Sentinel conjured two poles and ropes which he created a crude stretcher. “Help me keep him stable until we get him to the makeshift infirmary. On the count of three… One, two, and three.”

The blue aura of the unicorn combined with Sentinel’s purple and green and slowly lifted the earth pony onto the stretcher. Carefully they lifted the stretcher up and was about to walk away to the makeshift infirmary being set up when Sentinel put up a hoof. He could see the telltale signs of He of Hourglass’ teleportation. An explosion of sparks alighted nearby and He of Hourglass appeared in the midst of the sparks.

“Where is it Secondclaw?” He of Hourglass growled.

Sentinel gestured to the ground a few feet from the charred remains, more like ash, of Chrysalis. He of Hourglass saw what appeared to be an amulet laying on the ground, facedown. He flipped it over to see that it was the Roc Amulet. He threw it in the air then destroyed it with his harmony magic. If Seconclaw was right, this mean only one to go...

Now that the amulet was no more He of Hourglass could focus on the other thing he noticed when he teleported, the seriously injured pony in Secondclaw and the unicorn’s combined aura. “Do you need help?” Sentinel shook his head. “Okay, I’m going to check for other injured ponies.”

“Okay, easy... easy…” Sentinel soothed as they slowly slid the unconscious pony onto a bed. “Do we have fresh clean cloths and sanitized water?”

“Here are the cloths and water…” A different unicorn medic brought over a stack of white cloths and a metal bowl with water in it.

“Hmm…” Sentinel lit his horn and quickly sanitize the water just to be sure. He dipped the end of one of the cloths into the bowl of water and slowly began to clean the blood off of the injured pony.

A commotion caught the alicorn’s attention and his head came up just in time to see the pegasus guard from before. He was attempting to push through but several medics were attempting to keep him back.

“Let him through.” Sentinel called out. The pegasus was let go and he ruffled his feathers before he rushed over.

“Is he okay?” The pegasus begged. “Please tell me…”

“He’s badly injured…” Sentinel began.

“Is he okay?” The pegasus begged. “Please tell me…”

“He’s badly injured…” Sentinel began.

“It’s all my fault!” The pegasus interrupted and started to hyperventilate, “when the changelings broke through I...I...I...I... panicked... and I…”

“Enough. No more.” Sentinel whispered with force as he took his wings and wrapped them around the pegasus. It made him feel very uncomfortable but the pony needed the instinctual calming that came with it. After a while he finally pulled away. The pony had thankfully stopped shaking as his discomfort was getting too much. “You are here to assist. We are suppose to protect you not the other way around. As guests here in Hourglass, our territory and hoard, by the code of dragons we are responsible for your safety. Your friends injuries reflects badly on us… it’s almost dishonorable... If I could go back in time and change what happened I would…”

“Secondclaw.”

“Yes, Captain?” Sentinel turned to see Captain Phoenix Wave standing at attention, his helmet off.

“Quartermaster is on approach.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Sentinel walked out of the infirmary just as Quartermaster touched down.

“Thank you for that flight Quartermaster.” Scorpan jumped down from the red dragon. “Oof…” Scorpan stumbled. “I’m getting too old to do that.”

“Harmony!” Scorpan smiled when he took the helping hoof of the alicorn. He wonder why the change in coloration. Harmony was not one to mask his shifting colors though it was possible it had something to do with the cutiemark on his flank. The last time he had seem him he had all but the one in the middle, the part that looked to him like the crest of Hourglass. “I see that your cutiemark…”

“It’s no longer Harmony, Scorpan, it’s Sentinel…” Sentinel shot a look at Quartermaster who was growling at the ‘slight.’ “I’ll explain later. Right now we have a critically injured earth pony inside.”

Scorpan followed Sentinel inside and to the bedside of the mentioned pony. Scorpan sat down and put his satchel next to the bed as Sentinel explained the situation. “I got all of his bones set and I think I got all of the bleeding stopped… but there may be deep, soft tissue damage...”

Scorpan went right to work using his claws to carefully check the injuries using his magic. “Vitals?”

“Heart rate 30, shallow breathing, blood pressure, 70 over 50 and steady..” Sentinel stated.

“Low heart rate and blood pressure…” Scorpan closed his eyes in thought, absentmindedly pulling on his mane, “means he lost a lot of blood but the steady blood pressure indicates currently no bleeding… let’s hope that doesn’t change.”

“We need to clean with more than just water.” Scorpan dug through his satchel and pulled out a jar with containing a reddish brown substance. He dumped some of the powder into a bowl and added some water. He took a clean cloth and dipped it into the mixture and began to rub it on each wound.

“What have you discovered?” Sentinel questioned as soon as Scorpan was finished.

“Besides the obvious cuts and bruises he has a bruised kidney and spleen coupled with numerous broken bones, but…” Scorpan paused. “I think he will make a full recovery. You managed to do quite well...”

“Good. I…” Soul Fire was interrupted by a letter. Immediately he could tell something was wrong. He could smell blood and not just any old blood. As a carnivore and even in his alicorn form he could distinguish types of blood and this was not pony blood. He opened the scroll to read its contents and as he did he began to shake violently.

“Sentinel? What is wrong?” Scorpan noted the shaking alicorn. Very few things ever shook the Alicorn Keeper. If something got him this shook up things were about to get very sticky very fast.

‘I…I…I… got to go…” Sentinel rushed out of the building so fast that no one had a chance to complain about the wind that he created.

“What just happened?” Captain Phoenix Wave wondered. Whatever it was he was sure it wasn’t good. He didn’t think it was possible for a white alicorn to get any paler but somehow Sentinel did.

“I have never seen him that shook up but twice… All I can say is nothing good, Captain, nothing good at all.” Scorpan stated as he looked off in the direction that Sentinel went.

“Damn it.” Phoenix Wave cursed.

As soon as he got out of the makeshift clinic Sentinel rainboomed into the sky nearly knocking over Quartermaster and his mate who were just outside. Quartermaster used to think that the ponies were weak but was now finding that he actually cared about them. His Secondclaw was once one of them and his son Twixt’d had taken a shining to them and as they were here to help guard the city every injury was a mark against them.

“Secondclaw!” Quartermaster called out in vain.

He suddenly noticed a particular smell, a smell that tweaked his interested. He looked down to see a missive half opened on the ground. He picked it up and could smell something that chilled him to the bone. He paled as he read it.

“What is it?” She of Hourglass questioned. She in turn flushed when Quartermaster showed her the letter. “No…” She whispered as she read the missive written in blood, dragon’s blood.

Hello Alicorn Keeper

I have something of yours... I’m sure you’ll want it back... now that I’m done with her.

...The Ultimate Price

51 days since the Nameless One’s escape

25 days since the fall of Traxti City

Evening, Near Chimney Arch Desert

Eternal Beats had some difficulty but was finally able to read the letter from Golden DragonHeart. We need to pick up the pace Legacy Chaser, Hourglass was attacked.

“Is everyone okay?” Legacy Chaser questioned as she picked up her speed to match her brother’s. The sense of urgency from her not only came from what he revealed but from the power of his voice. It was getting better but he was still able to pull on her if now only subtly.

No… twenty guard ponies were injured one critically.

An uneasy silence came over them. Both were anxious to get back to Hourglass. Medallion was hoping that Sentinel would do as He of Music assured her: go through the very difficult steps to become mates. He of Music hoped that the ponies, more so then Medallion, would be okay… a lot of things in his hoard were created by ponies not to mentioned he had one as a friend and fellow Soul Song natural Pinkie Pie.

The ground ahead was starting to redden signalling to Medallion they were approaching a dangerous spot. “Aren’t we getting close to the Chimney Arch Desert?”

Yeah... we are... We should bank to the west then to avoid it.

They had just managed to put the desert behind them when a shiver went up Medallion's spine. “Something feels wrong…”

The cap on He of Music’s headphone ears opened so he could hear more. Something was off about the song in the area… then it hit him what it was. Dark magic! FLY!

They surged forward. He of Music kept listening, trying to get a gauge of the type of dark magic, it’s direction and distance. The wind rushing past made it difficult but he was still getting fleeting hints. He just needed to keep at it and hope for the best.
Keep your eyes open for anything!

“Will…” Medallion’s eyes widened as he saw a drake approaching from the ground at a high rate. A dragon that the entire clan knew of. A sickly looking white and yellow young dragon with scars all over. “It’s him!”

FLY FLY FLY
WE WILL FLY

WE SHALL LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!

FLY FLY FLY
WE WILL FLY

“He’s still gaining!” Medallion called out.

Damn it… He of Music cursed as even the influence of the Soul Song wasn’t enough. Then we fight.

Both turned and hovered to face the evil dragon.

“Well, well, well,” the dark drake grinned as get got close, “if it isn't the lap dogs of the Dragon Keeper.”

Medallion and He of Music growled angrily. They were no lap dogs and He of Hourglass considered them as equals, not to be lorded over in some sick and twisted master pet relationship. It was clear this dragon was trying to bait them. It would be harder after they had to deal with wendigos given that they had to control their negative emotions else strengthen them.

“I wish he wasn’t part of your little herd...” The drake suddenly looked upset, “I like the Alicorn Keeper.”

He of Music shot off a warning shot at the creature. No dragon slighted their clan much less either claw and to say that this… this creature would like his secondclaw was infuriating.

“Hoo, hoo, testy much?” The drake chuckled. “With those instruments on your neck and back I wouldn’t take you for a feisty one… Maybe in the nest… but not where it really counts... in battle.”

That was too much for He of Music. I am going to enjoy killing you! He roared as he lunged at the drake who used his superior agility to spin out of the way.

“Ah I never forgot my first kill it was…Nah!” The dark dragon waved a claw dismissively.
“You don’t want to hear that...”

All I want to hear is your dying breath!

“Ah, come now! We both know you don’t have the stomach for such a messy affair you’d end up losing your lunch of oats and hay!” The dark dragon roared in laughter even as he blocked, redirected, or avoided the blasts of flames from He of Music. Medallion, this time, added her own.

From there the battle got chaotic and hard to follow.

* * *

He of Music dodge a plume of dark flame before retaliating with his own neon blue flame. Medallion added her own pink flame as she flew over him.

* * *

The dark dragon laughed as he casually rolled to the side of another attack.

* * *

“Come on the Alicorn Keeper fights better then you! And he’s half prey!” The drake’s expression became dark. “Pathetic.”

* * *

Medallion! He of Music screamed as a dark tendril hit her from the sky. He of Music dove after her ignoring the hits he was taking hits from the dark dragon. Suddenly, something hit his head hard and he black out.

Pain racked his body so he knew he was still alive. He of Music eyes fluttered open. His sight momentary focused so he could see where he was. Medallion was on the ground nearby and so was the dark dragon walking towards her. He tilted his head and peered over at him, smirking.

“Oh, don’t worry…” The dark magic dragon turned his attention back to the dragoness. He slowly stalked closer to Medallion knowing that doing so would be torturing for He of Music. “this won’t take long my dear, not long at all…”

He of Music tried to reach out but couldn’t get the strength to move more than a single claw. Medallion! He of Music thought as everything went to black.

52 days since the Nameless One’s escape

26 days since the fall of Traxti City

Just before sunrise , Somewhere north of the Chimney Arch Desert

Secondclaw… A distant voice echoed.

Secondclaw! The voice roared, no longer sounding like it was echoing or distant.

Sentinel finally looked up to see an extremely worried Twixt’d. “She… She’s gone…” That was all he said before he went back to staring at her.

Of course, Twixt’d looked worried to his best friend. It took him nearly ten minutes to get a response out of him. He was horrified when he finally caught up to Sentinel and saw what he thought could be Medallion violently murdered and He of Music injured and battered to the point unconsciousness nearby.

Twixt’d caught sight of two large bodies on the ground. He could also smell smoke, ash, and blood in the air. This was a scene of a vicious battle. A good spot as any to hopefully find Sentinel.

As he got closer he could see something that he was sure that would haunt him the rest of his days. Even his time on the streets couldn’t prepare Twixt’d for what he saw. Twixt’d’s stomach violently protested and he dry retched. Thankfully, it had been a while since he last eat or drank. Medallion’s body was mutilated beyond recognition the only thing that clued him in to her identity was the pink scales and the close proximity to He of Music who was nearby by. He could not tell just yet if He of Music was still alive.

He landed next to He of Music and walked up to Medallion. There he finally saw Sentinel who was next to her. He hadn’t see him before as his normally white scales were pink from smeared blood. “Sentinel?” Twixt’d called out as he approached. “ Secondclaw?”

Sentinel gave no indication that he heard Twixt’d at all. He had become dead to the world. Twixt’d stood near him for a moment before turning to check on He of Music. It became clear as he moved closer to the much larger dragon, larger then he remembered, that the drake was still alive. His chest was slowly moving up and down, but he had no idea what to do as he had zero medical training. He, like Medallion and Sentinel, was covered in blood, but it was impossible to tell if the blood on him was his, Medallion’s, or whoever did this.

Now that he saw that He of Music was alive, if unconscious, he went back to Sentinel who had yet to move. He was still staring at the mess that was Medallion body. His stomach churned for a second time as he gazed on the mutilation of Medallion.

“Sentinel…” Twixt’d wasn’t as close to Medallion as Sentinel was but even he couldn’t deny she was family. Twixt’d life on the street,however, made him a bit more immune to the sadness of death even for those he was only marginally close to. One couldn’t survive long if they didn’t pick up the pieces immediately and move one. The problem was this wasn't the streets and Sentinel was way more than marginally close. He was his best friend, a big brother in ways. He also knew that Sentinel considered the entire clan his hoard, dragons to keep close and to protect. He had to try and comfort him as best he could. “I… I’m sorry…”

“He... IT KiLled HeR!” Sentinel and Vorac roared in unison.

Twixt’d fell back shaking in terror. He could feel the mana pressure in the area skyrocket. It was so bad that he struggled to breath. He knew of He of Hourglass’ rage condition as he was briefed on what to do when that happened. He was also told what would happen if He of Hourglass was allowed to remain in rage. No way he would allow that to happen to his best friend. But what could he do against Sentinel!? He knew there was no way he could smack it out of him. Sentinel was way too strong in the fighting department.

Ja es üātreiz atrast vithal es cktieviethot vithu vitha uzürāt tat vithu thozalithāt! YoUHEar ME! Sentinel and Vorac vowed, screaming at the top of their lungs. Ja es üātreiz atrast juls es sūs cktieviethot juls jūsu uzürāt tat tevi thozalithāt!

At that Sentinel collapsed back onto Medallion, sobbing. Twixt’d remained where he was, still shaking violently. What the buck just happened?! He slowly tried to get to his feet. It took several attempts as his legs felt like jelly.

“Sentinel… We need to get help or something…”

“Not, yet…” Sentinel shook his head negatively. “I need… your… help…”

“With what?” Twixt’d would do anything to help Sentinel and He of Music.

“We can’t leave her body like this…”

He couldn't see how they could dig a large enough of a hole. A mace and trident are not exactly useful in digging and the ground around here appeared to be quite hard. Sentinel could use magic but as he was a whelp he couldn’t so why would he need his help. “Uh…”

“Dragons don’t bury their dead…” Sentinel answered Twixt’d’s unspoken question.

That meant that they must cremate their dead. He wondered how. Dragon scale was quite fire resistant even to dragon’s fire. It would take a lot of effort to get a pyre going.

Sentinel tried to start a flame but he couldn’t as he started to sob again.

Twixt’d put a wing over his secondclaw ignoring the blood. “Look... I may not have know Medallion all that well but she clearly was special to you. Then you must for her sake and yours make sure she gets the uh… ‘proper send off.’”

Sentinel nodded his thanks and understanding. He took a few cleansing breaths and prepared once again to light his flame. This time he managed to produce a roaring flame. Twixt’d joined in and a stream of white mixed a grayish blue fire fell over the body. The usually magic resistant scales had become brittle in death and lapped up the magic fire like it was dry and brittle grass.

“May your voice be added to the honor of The Voice.” Sentinel whispered as he watch the white and grey blue flame consume the body of Medallion. A warmth rose along his back scales. He knew that it meant that the sun was rising. Ironic considering everything that happened.

Sentinel continued to watch long after Medallion’s body was nothing but ash. A wind picked up momentarily picking up the ash and carried it on the wind. Goodbye, Medallion, sister.

“Secondclaw, Sentinel…?” Twixt’d slowly put a claw on Sentinel's shoulder. “I know you may need more time but He of Music really needs help…”

Sentinel finally took notice of He of Music. He could see that he was bruised and battered badly but would most likely survive. A glint in the moonlight made him eye the instruments, instruments that looked way different than before. The scorpion ocarina had now become like its namesake and the chain that once was used to hold it on his neck was gone as the legs were doing that job by being interlocked on the back of his neck . He also noticed that the guitar which was hard for him to see was no longer attached by straps. Suddenly something occurred to him. Wait he is covered in injuries and blood and yet I don’t see a drop of blood or a dent on either one! How The Voice is that possible!?

Sentinel finished his cursory examination and judging from the injuries He of Music would be out cold for days… Though one injury really concerned him. He of Music’s upper neck and near his vocal cords was severely bruised. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem for any dragon the problem here was the fact that he was a natural at soul song magic and if his voice was damaged...

He was going to need Scorpan and his tonics to have any chance of a full voice recovery… the rest would take care of itself in time. He grabbed Medallion and He of Music’s satchels and searched them. Damn it! The ink bottles are missing! Further rummaging got him the tokens that he had them take. Four he found in Medallion’s satchel and two in He of Music’s. One was missing… clearly the one that it took to contact him. The only other thing he found was Medallion's journal. A flip through indicated that any blank pages were ripped out. It had taken everything else of value.

Sentinel sighed stifling a choking sob. With only himself and Twixt’d it was going to take a lot of magic to get He of Music back.

*I help.* Vorac whispered.

Sentinel changed into his alicorn form and his dragon from ‘light armor’ appeared. Twixt’d blinked at the look of Sentinel. He had never seen him like this before… maybe it was a way for him to use both forms of magic he wasn’t sure. Sentinel ignored the curious look on Twixt’d’s face as he conjured a series of ropes which he slid halfway under various parts of the down drake then tied the ends of the ropes in a way so that the ropes could be used to hold the drake up. He gave one to Twixt’d, the one to hold up He of Music’s head.

“Stay with me Secondclaw!” Twixt’d yelled as he struggled to remain in flight from sudden increase in weight. “We have to get He of Music back to Hourglass and I can’t do it alone.”

Twixt’d frowned even as Sentinel increased his flapping thus easing the strain of the increased weight. This wasn’t the dragon he knew. In the year and half that he knew him he was a dragon/ alicorn of strength. Even in the face of numerous health scares and battles never once did he question that. But after today...

It was sunset as Sentinel and Twixt’d managed to get He of Music back to Hourglass. Twixt’d collapsed from exhaustion as soon as he touched the ground near the museum. Why Sentinel wanted him to land here was clear. Sentinel said nothing as he landed. He switched slowly back to his dragon form.

Twixt’d managed to get back onto his feet just as He of Hourglass came bounding around a corner. He stumbled in shock at the prone figure that was He of Music. Both He of Music Sentinel was covered in smeared and dried blood but He of Hourglass couldn’t see any visible cuts or abrasions. Twixt’d seemed fine if only out of breath. He couldn’t see Medallion anywhere.

“Secondclaw what hap…” He of Hourglass voice died in his throat as his eyes locked with Sentinel’s. The eyes of Sentinel were glazed over, dead and lifeless. Sentinel only kept up the gaze for a moment before he broke it and began to walk slowly down the street.

“What happened?” Twixt’d said nothing as he was unsure himself how to explain the horror that he saw. He of Hourglass shook Twixt’d trying to get him to respond. He needed to know what happened that got Secondclaw in such a state. “Twixt’d! Tell me what happened!”

“Medallion is…” Twixt’d gulped. He knew the condition that He of Hourglass had. And the rage that Sentinel poured out was terrifying he did not want see one coming from his firstclaw. “Medallion has been killed and all I know is that ‘he’ killed her…”

The world slowed down as He of Hourglass fell to his knees and the bond he had with Medallion shattered. He watched through blurring eyes Sentinel slowly opening the doors to the museum and entering.

Intermission VIII: Tomb of the Unknown Combatant

“I’m so sorry I…” I wiped my mouth of the bile. What happened to Medallion was just too much for me. No creature should ever had to go through what she did I just hope that she was unconscious as that thing destroyed her body.

Storyteller calmly used his magic to clean the platform and the dragon statue. “It’s okay History Seeker.”

“But I spewed all over the memorial!” I shouted, gesturing to the platform and the dragon statue.

“Well, that is how a diamond dog shows grief…” Storyteller countered, which didn’t make me feel better for destroying the sacredness of this place. Him and his encyclopedia of knowledge of other races be damned! The dead should be afforded dignity not debauchery.

“That is sick… you’re sick... this whole story is sick!” I ranted. I swallowed hard as I could feel bile trying to come up again.

“Its all a matter of perspective… one person's culture is another person’s revulsion. Though to be fair, there were things that happened in the Keeper War that even the more warrior like minotaurs and dragons couldn’t stomach. For example, what happened to Medallion. Even the most seasoned minotaur warrior would find it revolting. And a dragon would fly into a rage...”

“Just like Sentinel…” I whispered. I don’t blame Sentinel’s reaction… If someone I love was killed… butchered in that matter I probably would vow bloody vengeance.

“Well... yes…” Storyteller conceded.

“Does she have a monument? I mean she did die in battle at the claws of that dark dragon…”

“Dragons generally don't do memorials…”

“And yet,” I smirked as I gazed towards Terra Hourglass, “I have the impression that the Hourglass Clan is not filled with typical dragons.”

“True…” Storyteller admitted, matching my gaze. “Medallion’s memorial is in Hourglass…”

A silence came over us for a while before Storyteller began to walk down the steps and off of the platform. “Come…” Storyteller gestured with a jerk of his head.

As we were about to go around a bend in the path and lose sight of the obelisk I took one glance back. So many lives lost… how bad will it get before the end? I mused before I slowly turned back to continue down the path with Storyteller.

Ahead I could see a high, shiny, black wall. It wasn’t the exit as the wall that surrounded the park was low to the ground and made of sandstone and covered in ivy. This wall was made from the same type of stone as the obelisk from before so it had to be a memorial of sorts. as we got up to it I noticed that it appeared to be made of one piece of stone. That meant that the stone had to been cut with extreme precision. Everything thing so far had been like that.

“So what is beyond here?” I asked, wondering what was beyond the polished black stone wall. It went up at least twenty hooves and without my flight magic I couldn’t fly up to peer over. I could make out a majestic oak tree just on the other side of the wall.

“The Tomb of the Unknown Combatant. Three ponies, twenty griffons, and one dragon are buried here. And no, the dragon is not the ‘Nameless One’ that, that creature…” The rest of what Storyteller said faded into sputtering angry nonsense.

We walked on a path next the wall for a while before he stopped at a white shimmering gate. I couldn’t be sure but it looked like it was made of opal or pearl. I went to the gate and saw a sign on it as I got closer I saw the script shifted to read in Equus.

The Tomb of the Unknown Combatant

We vow that those interred here will never be forgotten

Magic. I mentally groaned. I looked through the gate. I knew not to open it from Storyteller's easier warning but something about the tree caught my attention. “That oak tree looks weird.”

“That is because it’s not a real tree. It’s carved from a single piece of a very rare granite by a team of stone golem and diamond dog master carvers. The leaves are individually crafted from a special metal alloy that when it oxidizes that from a distance makes it look like leaves. The leaves have to be replaced regularly because of that…” Storyteller hummed for a second before adding, “The Caretaker of the Tomb must have been here earlier…”

“How can you tell?” I squinted as tried to get a better look.

“No leaves on the ground…” I looked about which was a bit difficult with the wall blocking most of my sight along with the opal/pearl gate. I couldn't see any ‘leaves’ on the ground. “The caretaker takes great pride in keeping this spot perfect. The grass is cut daily to a precise length. Any leaves that fall from the tree are picked up and new ones placed onto the tree. The outer wall kept washed and polished. The caretaker also guards it with a fierce zeal that would impress a dragon from any and all intrusion. You would only manage to barely crack open that gate before you would be caught and escorted off the grounds and given your only warning.”

I resisted the urge to look for the caretaker as I stood there staring for a while longer. The whole thing roared honor, sacrifice, courage, and solemness. A place guarded and cared at this level for so those here even though they would never be known so that they would never be forgotten. I started to be overcome by emotion by the idyllic sight before me. So much that I started to cry.

“If this alone does it for you then it has done its job… I would have us stay here longer…” Storyteller sighed. “But… We should keep moving… Without your wings we are going to have to climb the stairs to the top of Terra Hourglass.”

“SSSSSttairs!?” I stuttered as I turned to face him in disbelief, sobbing a bit as I regained control of my emotions. How could stairs be built to be climbable on an upside down mountain? My brain racked but the only thing I could think of was a weird rope bridge of some kind and even then I struggled to visualize it.

“Yes and a lot of them…”

I sighed as I turned back to the tomb. “It’s going to get worse isn’t it? Please... I need to know…”

“Yes… It will get worse…in a way... I’m only focusing on Hourglass… The eastern continents so far have shouldered the brunt of the war… That is about to change as the pieces for the final stage of the war are placed.”

Grief

52 days since the Nameless One’s escape

26 days since the fall of Traxti City

Just after sunset, Hourglass City

“He of Hourglass…”

He of Hourglass ignored the annoying voice. He didn’t care for talking right now. In his hands was the shimmering cord that represented his bond to Medallion shattered forever with her death. He wished he could have one more moment with her. He wished he hadn’t sent her and He of Music to the south arctic. But he knew that he had to send them down. They, as a clan, had a job to do and besides they were all in danger with both the Nameless One and that butchering creature on the loose no matter where they were. And he wouldn’t feel right leaving the rest of the world to suffer under them when they could try and do something about it.

“Firstclaw!”

A different voice echoed in his ears which he ignored. Medallion… I’m so sorry I wished I… could have done more… I...

Harmony’s voice called out to him from a distant memory. “For the hearts one treasures are like the flowers of the field. For they grow for a while, bloom, then wilt away. All that remains is the memories. But in that fleeting moment in time those flowers outshine any treasure that lasts forever.”

Memories are the legacy of the flowers... Just like your name… I will not tar your legacy my sister, my clanmate by remaining sad… you were always full of life and brighten our days even when you frustrated us drakes.

“Please snap out of it Firstclaw we need to know what happened.”

He of Hourglass finally managed to come out of his grief induced stupor to respond. He looked about to see a very concerned Quartermaster and She of Hourglass nearby. “I… She… Medallion is dead.”

“Please tell me its not true…” She of Hourglass sounded desperate. She knew something terrible had happened when she read the letter written in dragon’s blood but she didn’t want to jump to the worse possible scenario.

The silence and the downward gaze of their firstclaw told both of them that he was not lying. Medallion their clanmate and sister had been killed. Quartermaster flexed his claws as his shook in rage. She of Hourglass was more subdued but even she was contemplating murder.

Twixt’d landed nearby. “I have notified the gargoyle… he is on his way now.”

“Thank… you… Twixt’d.” He of Hourglass stifled a sob. I’m sorry about that Medallion I’ll… I’ll work on it...

An uneasy silence fell over the gathered dragons while they waited for the gargoyle. Luckily it wasn’t long as Quartermaster was not in the mood for much waiting. He just lost a clanmate and another was seriously wounded.

Scorpan took a look at the down dragon and knew he had his work cut out for him. “He of Hourglass I’ll need your help. I want to move He of Music to just outside the infirmary so I can treat him and monitor the guardpony’s condition.”

“Okay.” He of Hourglass nodded. He still felt like breaking down again but for He of Music he would remain strong, for now.

“No no, not you two.” Scorpan held up a paw as soon as he saw Quartermaster and She of Hourglass make a move towards the He of Music. “I can’t focus on healing with a pair of dragons breathing murder down my back. I will do everything in my power to help him but you need to back off.” He didn’t even blink at mated dragons’ angry growls. If he was going to be able to help he knew that he would need to stand his ground.

“Do as he says.” He of Hourglass ordered. He had gone through the same thing when Harmony was ill so he understood the need for the gargoyle to have the freedom and space to do what he needed to do.

“But Firstclaw…” Quartermaster started to protest before he was stopped by He of Hourglass glittering aura clamping his jaw shut.

“The Hermit of the Oasis needs space to do his job… Go… go…” He of Hourglass waved for them to leave, “and be with your eggs and take Twixt’d with you. I’m sure he will need to be with family more then ever right now... I’ll let you know if He of Music awakens…”

“And what of Sentinel?” Twixt’d questioned eyeing the museum doors in worry.

He of Hourglass put a claw on Twixt’d’s shoulder. “I know you are concerned for him… so am I. But for now, leave him be…”

He of Hourglass eyed the museum door a moment as the dragon family walked away and towards the forge. He knew there was something very wrong with Secondclaw but he needed to tend to He of Music first.

Scorpan began to slowly feel He of Music’s body with his magic starting with the drake’s head. He took it slow as he knew a dragon’s body was resistant to other magics. He slowly opened the drake’s mouth checking for any loose cracked or missing teeth. Surprising he found none. He took note of a gash above the left eye. It didn’t appear deep and would probably not scar.

When he got to the ears he did a double take. Where the dragon's ear frills were suppose to be was a headphone cup. He scratched his mane in thought he was sure that the last time he saw the drake he was wearing a headphones over his ear frills. Now those ear frills seems to be missing all together as well as the strap that held the headphones to his head. He would ask He of Music later… if the drake was willing. For now he had to complete his examination.

He moved down to the neck and noticed a nasty bruise along the front of his neck right where the vocal cords would be. It took a bit of work but he did manage to feel that the vocal cords were bruised as well. He would come back to that spot later to do a deeper scan.

As he got to the instrument on the He of Music’s neck he frowned. “This is odd…”

“Hermit of the Oasis?”

“The metal giant sand scorpion ocarina … it’s not covered in blood nor do I see any dents… which should be impossible with He of Music extensive in…” Scorpan stopped mid word. Something about the instrument seemed weird in the magical sense. It wasn’t just a simple enchantment to keep it clean and self repaired. Matter of fact, there was not a single enchantment on it. It was still possible given the nature of dragon magic that he just couldn’t sense it.

“Dragon Keeper I’m not totally familiar with dragon magic but this item is flowing in... in a type of dragon magic… but I can’t identify it.”

He of Hourglass knew that the instruments were apart of He of Music hoard… though he had no idea why they changed unless it was something He of Music subconsciously did. “Most likely hoard magic… leave them alone...”

“I wasn’t suggesting doing anything to it. The craftsmanship in the creation of this ocarina is astounding. I have no idea how to even get it off.” Scorpan gestured to the interlocking leg mechanisms wrapped around He of Music’s neck. “Besides I don’t think it will interfere with my ability to heal nor interrupt his own healing process. At least I hope so, it’s hard to feel using my magic…”

“I could help you with that.” He of Hourglass extended his glittering aura towards Scorpan.

“You think you can concentrate enough to augment my magic without causing magic burns?”

If this was anyone else at any other time He of Hourglass would have growl his irritation but this was a friend of the clan and he was struggling not to burst into tears to be angry. “For my hoard I will.”

Scorpan would see the pain on the dragon features. It was not just because of He of Music’s injuries. Something terrible has happened to the clan or to his hoard. He was merely a friend of the clan and didn’t know the Dragon Keeper that well so he wasn’t sure how to help. Scorpan nodded in understanding though and took grasp of the shimmering aura that was held out for him.

Scorpan quickly took advantage of the dragon magic from He of hourglass to to scan the dragon deeply and quickly. Other than a few cracked ribs, some deep bruises, a few gashes, and the bruised vocal cords the drake was fine. He could find no vital organ damage and all of his injuries minus the his vocal cords would easily heal with rest. Now that he had a better idea of the damage to the vocal cords he could now treat it properly.

“Hermit of the Oasis?” He of Hourglass hesitantly questioned. It was getting harder for him to remain calm.

Scorpan turned to face He of Hourglass fully and saw that the dragon was beginning to falter. He walked up to the dragon and slowly put a claw on his shoulder. “I got this Dragon Keeper… Go… Get some rest. He of Music will be here in the morning.”

He of Hourglass wanted to protest but he knew that Scorpan would take good care of his clanmate. “You let me know the moment he wakes up.”

“Of course, Dragon Keeper.”

He of Hourglass quickly made his way back to the library. He slammed the door behind him and collapsed onto his hoard bed. Now that he was alone he let himself fully grieve knowing that for the moment he didn’t have to be strong for anyone. His emotions poured out as his body shook from his sobbing.

Twixt’d clambered into the nest and curled protectively around his clutchmates. A single tear joined others. For so long he had to be tough to survive; one had to be to live on the streets of Traxti. And now with the one dragon he thought he would never see break broken…

She of Hourglass and Quartermaster looked down at their son crying and nuzzling his siblings and it broke them. The pain their son was like a knife stabbed and twisted in their hearts and even though they were missing Medallion Twixt’d needed them right now. She of Hourglass stepped to the nest slowly and tightly surrounded Twixt’d. She knew that doing this would comfort the whelp.

Twixt’d could feel the warmth from his mother's scales slide across his body. The feel of her scales and the sound of her heart drowned out everything else. The tenseness in his body melted away. He was safe now as nothing could get to him.

Quartermaster watched as his son instinctively relax. She of Hourglass motioned for him to join her and he climbed up and curled up next to her twirling his tail into hers. Lastly he wrapped his wing over She of Hourglass wrapping them all in like a tent.

Soul Fire walked into the museum. All around him was was exhibits and displays of objects of everyday life of ancient Hourglass. The museum was coming along nicely… Sentinel stifled a sob. He moved on towards the back of the warehouse turned museum. The further back he got the less the exhibits there was. A wall partition soon greeted him and he slid the curtain aside and stepped inside.

He just stood there staring at Legacy Chaser's workshop. Her paint equipment was still out which was odd for her. A half finished illustration was on the easel. And from the looks of it she was also in the middle of creating a model of the city. In the corner he could see her hoard bed.

He put down Legacy Chaser's satchel and pulled out her journal. He slowly opened it and began reading.

Dear Journal,

26 days since the fall of Traxti City
Several hours before sunrise, Unknown Location

Discord snapped wide awake. Something was very, very wrong. The last time he had felt a ripple like he just had of a was when Sentinel or was it Harmony...Sentony! Yes, Sentony chose… of course he just figured he had found his final piece of his cutiemark when that happened. That and it felt right. This one didn’t have that kind of feel it felt as bad… as bad as when Harmony’s parents died.

Discord paled when he realize it was just like with Harmony lost his parents… which meant something terrible had happened. He snapped his tail and was in the Harmony Council chambers in the Plane of Harmony.

“Is the Alicorn Keeper in harmony?” He called out.

The Alicorn Keeper is not in harmony. Came the response that he dreaded but knew would come.

“What the deuce happened!” Discord exclaimed. He snapped a claw and in flash he was back on the island.

“I have got to get to Hourglass and fast! But how?” Discord tapped his chin in thought before he looked up to see the jet stream far above. It would be extremely dangerous for him to use it but whatever caused the disharmony with Sentinel needed to be fix asap. It would only be a matter of time before the ‘Chaos Bringer’ moved his sights to the western continent and more specifically to Equestria and Hourglass.

“Hang in there my fellow Keeper I am coming!” Discord struck a match and lit a fuse on his tail. as soon as the fuse burned to his tail he shot off like a firework.

Song of Closure

28 days since the fall of Traxti City

2 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Hourglass City

“He’s... waken... Dra... Keep…”

“He of Mu... hear ...?”

“No, don’t ... talk…”

He of Music eyes finally opened. He blinked a few times to get his vision back. He could see He of Hourglass, his sparks were unusually slow and blueish, and the Hermit of the Oasis standing nearby. On either side was the familiar buildings of Hourglass. Apparently, he had been rescued...

Medallion! He try screaming but found that he couldn’t open his mouth. He started thrashing about trying to break free. He had to find Medallion before it was too late. That bastard of a monster...

“Whoa, He of Music calm down… you're safely back in Hourglass.” He of Music stopped as soon as he realized that the reason that he couldn’t speak was that his firstclaw had his mouth clamped shut with his glittering aura. He relaxed, if only slightly.

“Your firstclaw has shut your mouth due to an injury you have to your vocal cords. You need to remain silent.” Scorpan added.

“I will teach you the spell so you can project your thoughts.” He of Hourglass put his claw on the tip of He of Music’s snout. The knowledge of how to project his thoughts soon entered his head.

*Medallion?* He of Music hesitantly questioned. He tried looking around but his vision was obscured by the fact he was between two buildings and that the gargoyle and spark dragon were standing right in front of him.

He of Hourglass mouth was suddenly dry as he tried speaking but found himself unable to from anything. He had a day and a half to prepare for this and yet when the time came he had no idea what to say. How could he tell He of Music that Medallion was gone?

*MEDALLION! WHERE IS SHE!?* He of Music roared with his thoughts.

Scorpan winced from the mana pressure produced from the mental roar. He of Hourglass put his arm out and motioned for him to get behind him. He could tell that He fo Musics rage was escalating to dangerous levels. His wings shimmering into existence as he readied himself for whatever He of Music might do.

*No no no no…* He of Music panicked, trying to deny the truth that was slowly creeped into his heart. *She has to be alive no she can’t be dead I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT.*

With renewed strength and adrenaline He of Music surged forward trying to slash at anything he could reach. He just didn’t want to believe that she was dead. He should have done more he should have been more careful! Why did he survive but not her? It wasn’t fair.

He of Hourglass grabbed He of Music snout roughly anger pouring off of him. “HE OF MUSIC!” He roared, shocking He of Music to silence. “It is not your fault. NEVER. You did everything possible. Don’t tarnish her legacy. I don’t ever want to hear you bemoaning that you could have done more. You hear me? Or I will kill you myself.”

He of Music nodded He would expected this reaction from Sentinel not from He of Hourglass. That was until his firstclaw wrapped his wings around his head or as much as he could given his size. “However, it’s okay to grieve.”

Even though he ached all over he needed to do something. He started to rise but the stiffness and pain in his body worked against it. He need to grieve in the only way he could through music through his hoard so that a part of her would always remain with him.

“Whoa, whoa… Easy, He of Music…” He of Hourglass gently helped the dragon up and on to his haunches.

He of Music nodded his thanks to his firstclaw. He slowly pulled his guitar off his back. The adrenaline from before was wearing off and he was starting to feel pain from his injuries especially the ones that he aggravated from the thrashing he just did.

He of Hourglass took note of the guitar. When he first received the guitar on the night of his choosing the guitar was more cartoonish, smooth in its shape now it looked more like a deadly scorpion now. The edges had a strange burnt look to them. Strange...

He of Music slowly began to play. As he did He of Hourglass’ grief fell upon him anew. Even Scorpan was effected. He had to betray his brother for the wrong he was doing and it still hurt him as he still and always would love his brother.

A rumble could be heard and both He of Hourglass and Scorpan look up to see that the sky was rapidly becoming gray. A pouring rain started to drench Hourglass. He of Hourglass grief was momentarily replaced by confusion. It never rained in Hourglass on occasion mist would form but never any rain.

He of Music continued playing as if it wasn’t raining. The sadness in his playing only enhanced the dreariness of the rain. And yet there in the midst of the sadness was a theme of hopefulness that the rain would end and the sun would return. That the rain would wash away the grime and the sun to dry and bring back warmth that was lost.

The heaviness in his heart that had gripped him since Medallion death lifted. It was as if the rain was washing it all away cleansing him of his pain. As his pain left him the sun peeked through warming his scales. Like the dawn of a new day. He didn’t even realized for a few moments that He of Music had stopped playing.

Whoa his power with soul songs has increased, dramatically. He of Hourglass mused. “He of Music can you do me a favor?” He of Music said nothing but the look in his eyes told him everything. “Write what you just played down as sheet music… I… want to put it up in the library and in… in her hoard, the museum...” Even as he thought on her the pain did not return the song had done its job. He knew he would miss her always but he would always have her in his hoard. She really was a precious flower in the field.

“A worthy piece of music for remembrance that I have ever heard.” Scorpan finally spoke up.

“Yes… I…” A memory from the past overcame He of Hourglass.

“You want me to cure the enamel on this?” Golden Heart eyed the cartoonish scorpion guitar.

“Yes it’s made with Nova’s scales and a dragon's fire will be needed to cure it properly. I have extra metal with enamel for you to practice with.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for Quartermaster to do this?” Golden Heart questioned, not that he wasn’t thrilled to do something like this but given this was metal he had more expertise.

“Normally, yes, but Quartermaster and Nova don’t exactly see eye to eye… That and it may take dragon magic as well to cure it. This guitar will be the most unique guitar in the world when it’s done… who can say that the their guitar is made from not only dragon’s scales but their own...”

Golden Heart smiled as he took the guitar and the metal plates. Harmony was right it would be unique and he wouldn’t be surprised if Nova would cherish it dearly. He slowly put them down on his desk. He would work on it in a bit. A question that had been playing on his mind for a while resurfaced.

“Exactly what did he do?”

“If you think the guitar is for him bringing back my joy, no…” Harmon chuckled. “I planed to get him a guitar before then… The night on the train to Ponyville when he casually initiated a Harmony song…”

“Not that, He of Harmony...” Golden Heart waved dismissively, smiling. He figured that Harmony was already planning to get Nova Blaze something to help his natural talent just not such a custom and unique piece.

“Ah…” Harmony exclaimed, apparently understand what he was implying. “His playing, Golden Heart, his playing… he played the most heart wrenching song possible but at the same time was also…” Harmony’s frown upturned, “hopeful…”

Tears welled up in the spark dragon again. He of Music had inadvertently healed him of his pain over Medallion’s death through song just like he had healed Harmonious Knight of his pain. The last time it secured him a spot as a clanmate this time if he was willing...

“He of Music, again I feel that I owe you more then I can give to you for what you just did… Though I shall always miss her you have washed the pain away and lifted the heavy burden from my heart… Would...would you do me the honor of the Fire Tail Ceremony?”

He of Music blinked hard, not sure if he heard correctly. He opened his ears in hopes that it would allow him to hear better. Of course he would become hatchmates with anyone in the clan including Twixt’d though he was a bit surprise that it was He of Hourglass that first offered and not Sentinel. *Did I hear right?*

“Yes. Will you fire tail with me?”

*Firstclaw, of course I would.*

“I must protest!” Scorpan snapped. The word ‘fire’ in the name of the ceremony indicated something to do with fire and with He of Music’s injury… that posed a serious issue. “His vocal cords are bruised and while they usually wouldn’t be affected by fire right now...”

“It’s okay…” He of Hourglass spoke softly to soothe the angry gargoyle. “I will use a spell to temporarily protect the vocal cords.” He of Hourglass put a paw on He of Music throat and poured a protect spell on the area. “Okay He of Music.”

He of Music quickly spit out a small amount of neon blue fire on his tail. Not that he didn’t trust He of Hourglass skills he also didn’t want to hurt his vocal cords any more than they were. He of Hourglass blew his own green fire on his tail. As one they held their tails together. Scorpan winced as he could smell the acrid smell of charring flesh.

“And I thought chimeras has weird rituals…” Scorpan muttered as he watched the two dragons clean their tails of the char.

The two new hatchmates look at each other then at the gargoyle before bursting into laughter.

“The Fire Tail Ceremony… it’s a ceremony that…” He of Hourglass started to explain.

*Makes two adult dragons hatchmates…* He of Music finished.

Scorpan blinked. What they just said made little sense to him. True, he had very little working knowledge of draconic culture, but even he could see the camaraderie between the dragons that seemed more than just ‘friendship.’

“The ceremony makes us hatchmates before we treated each other as hatchmates. To a dragon that a big difference.”

“Ah…” Scorpan nodded in understanding. There was some aspects that intrigue him or left him confused but that could wait. He approached He of Music with a jar of tonic for him to take now that he was conscious. “He of Music, I have a tonic that you will need to take once a day for at least a week. It will help with the healing process. Until I clear you I need you to avoid talking, growling, roaring, and fire breathing if at all possible as it may aggravate your injury. I know this was a special occasion but please refrain from using magic to protect your cords either.”

He of Music nodded in understanding as he took the jar filled with weird, sickly green stuff. He did not like the looks of it. But if it was to help heal apart of his hoard then so be it.

*Ugh, that is nasty!* He of Music gagged as soon as the glop hit his tongue. He almost spat it out before he forced himself to swallow it. *What is in that?*

Scorpan smirked as he thought How many times have I heard that one before… “Trust me, you do not want to know.”

*I’m going to need gem mouthwash.*

“Nah, just a spoonful of sugar.” He of Hourglass joked. “What?” He smirked when he saw the surprised look on He of Music. “You’re not...”

A letter interrupted him. It had the seal of the Equestria diarchs on it. Odd as they almost never contacted him directly. They usually went through Alicorn Keeper as the ponies were his duty. Not that he didn’t keep in contact as they were allies against the “Nameless One” and that damn dark dragon. But usually it was not sealed. This only meant that something must be going on that needed his immediate attention.He of Hourglass,

What is going on? We have tried the past two days to get a hold of Sentinel but he is not responding. Equestria is in crisis and we could use his advice on the matter.

TwilightHe of Hourglass sighed heavily as he rerolled the scroll. It appeared that Secondclaw was really messed up if he was slacking in his duties as a Keeper. He would look into the matter after dealing with whatever was going on in Equestria.
.
And here I was thinking I was useless… He of Hourglass shook his head in disbelief. The fates are really liking me right now… “Hermit of the Oasis is the guardpony well enough to be watched by one of the medics?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Secondclaw… he… the Alicorn Keeper is in shock and clearly blames himself for what happened to Medallion. It’s clear he is not able to function right now well enough to do his duties as a Keeper. I’m not as skilled as the ways of war…”

“Dragon Keeper neither am!” Scorpan began to protest the implication that He of Hourglass was insinuating. “I more or less tagged along with my brother Tirek in his ill conceived notions of invading Equestria and stealing pony magic. He was quite charismatic... and persuasive. Manipulative even...”

“War is not won on the back of warriors alone…” He of Hourglass mused.

Scorpan’s ears pricked at He of Hourglass statement. It sounded a bit familiar. “That sounds like something, uh… Sentinel would say.”

“Uh yeah…” He of Hourglass gave a small smile at that. “It’s a quote from the book The Art of War.”

“The Art of War…” Scorpan nodded, “that book sounds familiar…”

He of Hourglass looked up to Captain Phoenix Wave walking by in his full captain gear. Most likely heading to the infirmary to visit the hurt pony. The captain was taking the fact that one of his ponies was hurt hard. According to Alicorn Keeper the Captain was an orphan and felt that those under his command were family so that an attack on one of them was a personal attack on him. Got him into trouble with the command of the Equestrian Military because he was very vocal if he felt somepony even those in command put his ponies into unnecessary danger.

“Captain! Good timing!” He of Hourglass called out motioning for the captain to join them. “I need you go get Quartermaster and report to the council chambers in one hour.”

“Right away Firstclaw.”

Ascended One,

Gather the Bearers and the princesses for a meeting in one hour.

He of Hourglass

An Equestrian Crisis Rises

28 days since the fall of Traxti City

2 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Hourglass

Scorpan went wide eyed as he walked into the Hourglass Council chambers. He could see a spell matrix embedded into the floor. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a spell matrix this complex…”

“My hatchmate, Sentinel, took six months to create the design and assemble it.” Quartermaster explained as he entered.

“I can believe it…” Scorpan looked over his shoulder at the fully grown dragon grinning in pride. “Though you should see the matrixes for the Elements of Harmony. I believe it took nearly Har-Sentinel twenty years just to get the base matrix for the Elements. Then nearly ten years for the specifics for each one. That, of course, doesn't include all of the research the before hand. The Tree of Harmony took about the same amount of time if I recall.”

“How do you know all that?” He of Hourglass wondered. He was aware only because of his Keeper Memories. He also knew that it was long before the gargoyle was alive.

“It’s was one of the things we looked into when he suffered from his magic wasting disease and we were looking at causes and ways to possibly treat or cure it...” Scorpan explained. “Tell me, how is his ash illness doing? I know he has been busy as of late...”

“Cured.” He of Hourglass answered flatly.

“C-Cured?” Scorpan stuttered he almost couldn’t believe it. If it had been anyone else besides He of Hourglass he would probably scoffed it away without a second's thought. “I’m intrigued… and a bit disappointed. I would have expected him to come down to go over the details… and to double check.”

“The… uh…” He of Hourglass nervously rubbed the back of his head. “‘details’ are a bit complex…”

“A bit!?” Quartermaster scoffed before laughing. “Firstclaw please. Sentinel is almost as migraine inducing as that infuriating miserable excuse of mismatched parts of a draconequus. At least my hatchmate doesn’t do it on purpose for some sick, twisted joke.”

“That ‘draconequus’,” Scorpan snapped pointing an accusatory claw at the larger dragon, “is a Keeper of Harmony and if you had even a slight understanding of how his magic…”

“I don’t care… and if…” Quartermaster growled at the gargoyle. He was not in the mood for the gargoyle’s love of the draconequus. Especially not right now.

“Enough!” He of Hourglass roared to stop the soon to be fight. “Quartermaster I know He of Laughter infuriates you but keep it to yourself.”

“So…” Scorpan was glad for the opportunity to return to his original curiosity: the spell matrix in the floor. “Tell me, what does this one do?”

“It allows visual and audio conversation between here and the Friendship Council room in Ponyville.”

“That has to take a lot of power…”

“Yes, it does… but this method is less taxing than the other way...”

“Which is?”

The council doors opened again, interrupting them before Scorpan could get his answer. The Captain of the Hourglass Guard walked in then closed the door behind him. He of Hourglass quickly sealed the room for privacy. He didn’t need the guard getting into a huff if the crisis in Equestria was as bad as he assumed it was. The guard needed to be focused on Hourglass right now and not worrying about home. Not that he didn’t understand the concern for family and friends… but a divided focus could get them hurt and he didn’t want another pony hurt. Not again.

“Captain! Everything squared away with the guard? This may take several hours.” He of Hourglass questioned.

“Yes, Firstclaw.” Captain Phoenix Wave saluted before he took off his helmet.

“Good timing, too. Equestria is calling.” He of Hourglass noted.

“Let me guess a doorbell function?” Scorpan pointed to a pulsating and glowing section of the matrix.

“Yep.” He of Hourglass chuckled as he leaned down and tapped on the glowing section of the matrix.

“Whoa…” Captain Phoenix Wave slack jawed as the famous Friendship Council room overlaid the Hourglass Council. He was too busy looking around to see that Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and a griffon where standing in midst of the thrones that were currently occupied by the Bearers of Harmony.

“Indeed.” Scorpan agreed. He noticed the ponies and griffon but he was more interested in the spell matrix. From the flow of magic he could tell that it was drawing power from something below but not anyone in the room… maybe there was power crystals underneath but he didn’t see anything that would indicate how to recharge them. Maybe he would get a chance to ask later.

“Greetings Hourglass Clan.” Celestia spoke. She noted that Scorpan and the Captain of the Hourglass Guard was in attendance but not Sentinel. She nearly frowned before she returned to a more neutral, serious expression. This did not bode well.

“The same to you Equestria and…?” He of Hourglass responded. He left his question opened ended hoping to find out why there was a griffon in attendance. He assumed the griffon was involved in dealing with whatever crisis that was going on.

“Ah!” Celestia realized that He of Hourglass was wondering about the griffon. “This is Ambassador Grizzle of Griffonstone Eyrie.”

The ambassador bowed. He of Hourglass noted that the various scars that marked the griffons owlish face. Several streaks of grey graced the griffon’s otherwise fully light brown feathered body. Not what he would expect from an ambassador but given the griffon’s militaristic culture he shouldn’t be too surprised.

“I take it Moon Princess then that you were successful in recovering the Idol of Boreas.”

“Yes,” The griffon spoke up happily before Luna could even open her mouth to respond, “and I hear that the Alicorn Keeper was instrumental in motivating Equestria into retrieving it for us. I would like to thank him on behalf of the Equestrian Eyries the Alicorn Keeper has always been a friend to us griffons.”

“I’m afraid he is indisposed at the moment.” He of Hourglass spoke quickly, not wanting his irritation to leak through. He had noted the annoyed look on the dark alicorn's face. Clearly she was not happy and quite frankly neither was he for the rude interruption by the griffon. Not to mention the insulation that Alicorn Keeper was that involved in the recovery. It was clear why Alicorn Keeper would have the Moon Princess do the recovery. He was aware that she was still reeling from guilt and rejection even after fifteen plus years after her redemption.

“That’s too bad I had wished to speak my thanks personally… or as personally as this fascinating spell allows.” Grizzle gestured around. “The Alicorn Keeper is a well known and loved by our people… ever since our own Keeper was killed protecting him.”

“A life debt?” Quartermaster questioned. He knew a little about Keepers and even less about griffons but from he recalled it would seem strange that an alicorn would be so well known and loved by the griffons unless there was a life debt involved. He made a note to find more information later.

“Yes…” The griffon smiled at Quartermaster. “I take it that dragons also have those.”

“We do.” Quartermaster grinned. He was already liking this griffon.

“Ahem.” He of Hourglass fake coughed to get their attention. Social time was over; time for business. “Your letter, Ascended One, indicated that Equestria was in some sort of crisis…”

Twilight motioned to the map table, several red dots glowed on the map. “There have been multiple bombings over several days in Manehatten and Fillydelphia and two more this morning in Las Pegasus.”

“Preliminary findings says it’s the Cult of the Moon…” Luna growled darkly.

“Alicorn Keeper did say that this cult would turn violent…” He of Hourglass examined the map of Equestria. Manehatten and Fillydelphia were east coast cities and Las Pegasus was near the west coast. All three were major cities. As he studied the map he made note of several other major cities that could be potential targets. “Any particular reason you suspect them?”

“They all happened at sunrise and the bomb sites were located at or near charities sponsored by Celestia.” Twilight answered, bringing up images of the charities.

He of Hourglass looked up from the map. “Is that all?”

“For the cult, yes, as we don’t know the endgame for them just yet… It was just one of the things we were hoping for a consultation from Sentinel on.” Celestia admitted. ”But, I’m afraid there is more going on…” She nodded for Luna to speak.

“We have lost all communication from the the Crystal Empire.” Luna’s horn glowed and the map zoomed in to show the Crystal Empire. “We have sent several teams to find out what happened but no word has been heard from them either.”

“How long ago was the last communication from the Crystal Empire received?” Captain Phoenix Wave spoke up. He was familiar with the Crystal Empire as a former member of Equestria’s military. The loss of communication normally would be benign as it happened from time to time particularly in the winter. Benign except that teams sent to check on the issue have also stop communicating. He knew that was not protocol in this situation. Because of rouge winter storms that could surround the empire staying in constant contact was not only protocol it was a matter of life or death.

“Four days ago…” Twilight answered. Phoenix Wave cringed as that was an extreme amount of time without any communique. “Because of how far north it is and the time of the year, this is worrisome. We would go ourselves but the bombings have caused mass hysteria amongst the population and it’s taking all of our efforts to calm them and try to track down the perpetrators before more ponies are killed...”

“Could it be an incursion of Wendigos?” Captain Phoenix Wave questioned. It was the logical explanation and he didn’t to bring up the other possibility… yet.

“Possible, though unlikely.” Celestia shook her head. “The Crystal Heart is quite effective against them… Another, and more likely, possibility is dark magic and given the amount of dark magic in the area over the years specifically from Sombra... It is possible a fail safe of his has been activated. At this point we really don't have any helpful information.”

“Send over any and all intel about the Crystal Empire and Sombra you got.” Celestia and Luna nodded their consent. “I’ll see what we can do to assist on the Crystal Empire. You focus on the bombings.”

“Firstclaw… A word please.” Captain Phoenix Wave motioned for He of Hourglass to follow him.
He of Hourglass nodded, leaving the others, particularly Scorpan and the Princesses, as they discussed methods of magic tracking.

“Yes, Captain?” He of Hourglass grouch downed and whispered once they were away from the rest.

“The Guard should be informed of these attacks. They have the right to know if their friends or family are alright.”

“I shall consider your request Captain. However, my concern is that some in the guard may try to leave in an ill attempt at trying to help or to get revenge… For now you are not to let them know.”

“I understand, Firstclaw. I am a soldier and as are the rest of the guard.”

“Wrong,” He of Hourglass shook his head, “you are a pony with feelings and a valued guest of this clan just as all of the guard are…” He sighed as he looked back at the Princesses and Scorpan getting into an argument. “We should get back…”

“If I may be bold, He of Hourglass, why has Sentinel not returned our firemail?” Twilight asked once He of Hourglass and Phoenix Wave returned. She was thankful as the argument was getting quite heated.

“I may… be able… to answer… that…” Came a familiar out of breath voice. A flash latter and Discord appeared. He stood only for a moment before collapsing.

He of Hourglass was taken aback. He had sealed the room. Though to be fair, he didn’t put that strong of a seal on the chambers. Not that he would complain that the draconequus managed to break through the seal anyway as he was really badly needed. Though judging from the way he looked though he may need help himself. Wait... how did he get in without setting off the clan wards? He of Hourglass thought. Uh… Save that for later.

“Oh, dear…” Fluttershy rushed to Discord, forgetting that she was merely an image to him. She never seen him in such a state. Various cuts covered his fur, where he had fur, was matted in both blood and sweat. “Are you okay?!”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine Flutters…” Discord reassured Fluttershy as he slowly got to his feet. “What happened two days ago?”

He of Hourglass faced a dilemma. He of Laughter, the Diarchs, and Bearers he had no issue letting them know and Scorpan was already aware that Sentinel was not well. He wasn’t sure he should reveal the problem in front of the griffin.

“Dragon Keeper…” Discord was not going to let the dragon remain silent. Too much was at stake right now to worry about revealing ‘weakness.’ “What happened two days ago?”

He of Hourglass sighed. He could see that his claws were tied. “Medallion was killed by the young dark dragon… the same one responsible for the recent Wendigo incursion into Equestria...”

Discord slowly put his hands to his face before he muttered. “Not again…”

That instantly got He of Hourglass to hyper focus on the draconequus. “He of Laughter what do you mean by ‘not again?’”

For the Love of Family

28 days since the fall of Traxti City

2 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Hourglass

Discord slowly put his hands to his face before he muttered. “Not again…”

That instantly got He of Hourglass to hyper focus on the draconequus. “He of Laughter what do you mean by ‘not again?’”

Discord stood there debating on what to say and how to say it. He now knew what triggered Sentinel’s loss of harmony. What made this bad was the ‘Chaos Bringer’ was on the loose. Worse still, he had no idea how to fix this. Sentinel's choosing was responsible for his harmony last time… but that was out of the question this time...

“He of Laughter,” He of Hourglass walked right up to Discord, lifted his head, and looked straight into his eyes. “Secondclaw’s past is murky, even to him, whatever you know that may been similar to what is affecting him now you need to tell us.”

Discord saw the concern and brotherly love that He of Hourglass had for Sentinel. As much as he loathe revealing what he knew he knew he had to tell them, at least a censored version. No way was he going to reveal that He of Hourglass’ egg was one in the same as the one Sentinel supposedly ‘hatched’ a long time ago. He would need to tailor his words carefully. Luckily, he knew that the Bearers and Princesses would not reveal that either. “Very well, but Scorpan, the pony guard, and our griffon friend will need to leave. This is something only family should know.”

He of Hourglass eyebrow raised at the ‘only family’ line. The Bearers and the Princesses were not family unless Discord was including Keeper business as well in that line. In that case the Bearers would need to know as well as the Princesses. Either that, or they may have something to add. He would find out soon enough.

Scorpan could see in his expression and hear in his voice that Discord was very serious. “I… I will go check on the guardpony and He of Music… If you need me...”

Scorpan quietly left the council room. Captain Phoenix Wave saluted and followed right behind. He of Hourglass resealed the room after the two left. That left the griffon ambassador who was looking like he was going to dig in his claws so to speak.

“Fine.” Grizzle finally relented from all of the stares. “But I expect something in return Princess Celestia. A bottle of vintage cognac will suffice.”

“Very well, Ambassador Grizzle I’ll shall have one sent to your chambers a soon as possible along with a nice... slice... of MMMM.” She leaned in on the last few words drawing them out for maximum effect.

The griffon face turn just a bit pink. “Um.. right.” He quickly left the Friendship Council room looking back over his shoulder several times as he did.

“What?!” Celestia exclaimed in mock wonderment at the various looks she was getting.

He of Hourglass facepalmed and shook his head. “Please refrain from anymore of that innuendo with Quartermaster around or you all will get to see some real ‘MMMM.’”

At that, everypony blushed red and individually tried to find something interesting with the architecture of the either council room. Quartermaster suppressed the urges that were beginning to build. He would deal with it later. His hatchmate, according to the draconequus, was in trouble, more trouble than just the fact that he was grieving Medallion’s death. If it wasn’t for that fact and his son detailing that Sentinel was taking her death hard he would have scoffed. But if the draconequus had some clue to what could be going on with Sentinel or a clue to how to help him he would listen.

Discord twiddled with his claw/paw as he worked to order his thoughts correctly. Everyone even, Quartermaster, who had on an earlier occasion has been extremely short with the draconequus waited with baited breaths. Finally, Discord felt he had what he needed to say figured out.

“Have anyone of you heard of The Charred Bowl Crater?” Discord questioned.

“A crater four miles wide and nearly a mile deep and like its name the rock inside the crater is charred. Supposedly its magically charred as nothing grows there...” Twilight fell into a scholarly rhythm as she explained about the crater. “It’s a famous landmark to the south of the Zebra Confederation. Zecora once told me about it. Apparently there is some sort of mythical story associated with it.”

“You are correct Twilight... Though whole the mythical story is whole bunches of mumbo jumbo hocus pocus made up story thingy... Sentinel or Harmony… Uh…” Discord grumbled at the coming headache. “Which one should I use? I mean at the time he was Harmony…”

He of Hourglass understood the confusion that Discord was suffering from. He put a comforting claw on Discord’s shoulder. “Use Harmony, He of Laughter, if it helps you from getting mixed up…”

“Right…” Discord nodded. “Harmony was there the night when a mountain became a crater. The night that Harmony gained and lost his family. The night that a kind pony became the distant and harsh pony that you girls are familiar with.”

“He never seemed that distant or harsh to me… except in battle.” Quartermaster countered.

“Quartermaster” He of Hourglass facepalmed. “That probably has to do with him considering dragons to be his adopted people… though technically he was or is or ugh…”

“Oh, I got this!” Discord piped up as he snapped a blender and a box labeled ‘Pronoun Mix’. “My special cure for migraines!” He dug into the box and started pulling out pronouns. “Let’s see... a dash of ‘HE’s, a splash of ‘HIS’, a nice helping of ‘HER’s, and just a hint ‘SHE’… oh what the heck, we only live once!” Discord dumped the rest of the contents of the box into the blender and with a flair hit the button called puree.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie tried to hide the fact that they were giggling. Twilight and Rarity both were trying not to groan. Applejack adopted an annoyed look and the rest seemed to keep more neutral expression.

“More like a cure for lack of migraines…” He of Hourglass grumbled. How did Seconclaw ever learn to handle him?

“Well, more for me then!” Discord shrugged before he chugged the concoction. “Bleck. I think I should have added some lemon.”

“Anyway…” Discord took some sparkling dust from a pouch that suddenly appeared on his neck and blew it away. Around both the ponies and dragons a vision of a lonely mountain midst a forest rose up.

“Long before Equestria’s settlement during the time of the great pony herds… When Harmony wondered the world trying to find his place, his purpose… What it meant to be a Keeper of Harmony. In his journey of self discovery he was caught in a terrible rainstorm…”

A flash of lightning and the sound of thunder echoed in the councils and rain began to fall.

“DISCORD!” Rarity yelled at her mane being messed up by the rain.

“Oops, too realistic…” Discord snapped his paw and the rain continued to fall but was no longer real. “A mated, fully grown dragons lived there… They of Glowstone Mountain… Or They of Glowgem Mountain… either one was apparently acceptable…”

“Glowgems?” Rarity asked a sparkle could bee seen in her eyes at the possibility of glowing stones on her dresses.

“Glowstones?” Twilight added. She had never heard of a gem called that before.

Discord tail snapped and a small shard of a gem appeared before them, slowly spinning. A strange morphing colored light emitted from it.

“That looks strangely like a rainbow crystal.” He of Hourglass noted about the image of the color shifting gem. “Except rainbow crystals do not emit light…”

“You wish…” Discord smirked before his expression darken.

“Where was I?” Discord tapped his chin for a moment. “ Oh I remember now! The downpour… Harmony looked for a cave to ride out the storm and to dry out his now soaking fur. When he found a cave a strange glow from further into the cave caught his eye.

“Out of curiosity he went further. What he saw amazed him. The cave opened up into a cavern that was made of the glowgems.’ the image shifted to to a crystal cave system similar to the one beneath Canterlot. “The interesting thing about glowgems is they drown out all of color so everything had the same shifting color properties as Harmony’s coat… Before he had more than a moment’s time to drink in the sight as the saying goes he found himself face to face with a pair of angry dragons…”

Fluttershy eeped and fainted from the suddenness of two unfamiliar, angry dragons appearing in the councils. She had to be revived by a bucket of water that Twilight quickly conjured.

Discord waited for a moment for Fluttershy to fully awaken before he continued. “The odd thing about these dragons is not only did they spare him but took care of him. Harmony never did figure out why they spare him… Though I’m sure he does now… probably some dragon thing… anyway… Harmony lost track of time inside those caves… In time the trust built enough between Harmony and the dragons built to a point that they allowed him to leave…”

“Stockmare Syndrome…” Twilight whispered as she realized what happened.

“No, not possible…” He of Hourglass shook his head. He realized exactly what happened. Discord had surmised correctly, Sentinel would now know why...

“And how would you know?” Twilight questioned, her left eye twitched slightly. ”Stockmare Syndrome is a recently discovered and named psychological illness!”

“...in which hostages, captives, or prisoners express empathy and sympathy sometimes so strongly to defend and or identify with their captors.” He of Hourglass casually spoke as if he was quoting straight from a dictionary.

“Wha…” Twilight was shocked that He of Hourglass would know about that. She never remember sending anything remotely related to psychology, “How?”

“One of the Power Pony comics had a storyline dealing with Stockmare Syndrome.” He of Hourglass shrugged. “He of Laughter, is this his memories or a depiction of it?”

“A bit of both.” Discord admitted. “He only show me stills and I have no idea what the mated dragons looked like... I have done my best to fill in the rest with what likely happened…”

“Okay, but that doesn’t explain how…” Twilight started.

“For starters, Harmony’s coat…”

“What about it?” Rarity posed the question this time. She really never liked the coat all that well and could understand why Harmony always hid it when he was around… Though she would admit, if questioned, that his coat now looked dashing even with the fiery rainbow mane he sported.

“If what He of Laughter is showing is even close to the real thing then what the dragons did is atypical behavior for a dragon. Harmony should have died or been driven out, not held captive… I would suspect from the moment those dragons got a good look at him they fell in love with him… I also suspect over the time Harmony was under their ‘care’ started to love the pony underneath. I would take a step further in my assumptions to say that given the self discovery Harmony was on Harmony probably tried to take this opportunity to learn about them and dragons…”

“Meaning!?” Twilight was getting irritated at the non answer answers.

“Harmony became a part of their hoard… It’s the only explanation for him becoming Acolyte and passing the Rite of Guardianship…” He of Hourglass exclaimed. “While I don’t know all of the details of the Rite as only someone who has passed would know... He would have assuredly failed if he had ever suffered Stockmare Syndrome by his parents claws. One has to have true, pure motives to even have a chance… Tiüai tie, ar tīru uzuthszrēüiel var ievatīt. That is the warning for any dragon wanting to pass the Rite. Harmony and They of Glowstone Mountain truly loved each other as parents and son… a pure love…”

An contemplative silence came over the gathering as each processed the story so far. After a while He of Hourglass stirred from his thoughts. He needed, as well as the rest, to have the story finished.

“He of Laughter, go on…” He of Hourglass urged Discord to continue the tale of Harmony and his parents.

“Harmony would from time to time return to his parents. Harmony once told me the hardest times for him was when he needed to leave as his duty compelled him to return to the pony lands among others to continue to work and nurture harmony between not only the ponies but the griffons(given the life debt). He would also from time to time seek out dragons to learn from them. He knew that the final Keeper would come from them and he wanted to make it easier for the dragon when he or she appeared... to help the Keeper just as he received help from the Roc Keeper…”

“On a night about four thousand five hundred years ago, after struggling to acquire a rainbow crystal, he made his way back to his parent’s mountain. He was never allowed before to study or use magic while in the mountain, and he hoped he could bargain for that chance with the crystal.”

“Why, not?”

“Glowgems are extremely dangerous and unstable... makes Twilight’s four alicorn powered laser attack against Tirek seem like a laser toy for that furball of claws of a cat of yours Rarity.”

The alicorns looked uneasy at the explanation. Fluttershy once again eeped and nearly fainted. Rarity gulped. No way would she want those gems anywhere near any of her creations.

“On that night the glow gems for whatever reason began to detonate in cascade… Harmony was not far and rushed in when he heard the beginnings of the explosion. He teleported in to see his father in the midst of dieing to protect his mother… Harmony knew what was happening and tried to get him to leave but they wouldn’t... For as you all know…”

“Dragons don’t abandon their hoards…” He of Hourglass finished for Discord.

“Harmony tried again with the mother but she too refused to leave… As he begged her she directed his attention to a single egg...”

He of Hourglass wondered at that. It’s almost unheard of for a dragon pair to only have one egg… Though it was possible that the others had already been destroyed by that point or the egg laying was interrupted by the gems explosions… Maybe the dragons had already raised the other dragons before had and had never told Harmony about their eggs. Too many possibilities came and went that He of Hourglass decided to shelf that train of thought as unfortunately, it was highly likely no one would ever know...

“He watched as the light went out in their eyes. The last thing his mother did was tell Harmony the egg’s name… As it was, Harmony barely escaped with the egg and his life… the power the was expended was… massive... as Celestia and Luna can attest…”

“We were near where Las Pegasus is now when this happened…’ Celestia explained. “We could feel the blast wave through the magic currents… it messed up the weather here for weeks afterwards…”

“I myself was near present day Traxti City at the time… I knew something bad had happened and rushed in the direction of the disaster…”

“All Harmony ever wanted, needed actually, was family… Celestia and Luna were unable to when he was ‘born.’ Luna herself was just recently born and Celestia had just lost her entire family minus her sister in the span of a few weeks. She was so young… she just didn’t know how to cope… Anyway… long story short, his parents were the first to accept him… no one else would with his coat… I know how he felt… I’m not a typical looking draconequus… normally six or seven not twelve animals...” The light darkened as Discord spoke about his own pain before it brighten. “And now you gave it back to him He of Hourglass... and yet, now... history is repeating itself…”

It had been an unremarkable mountain nothing to pretweek his interest. And now there was nothing there but a smoking crater. What the heck happened here? Discord wondered as he floated about trying to gauge for anything that could give him a hint as to what occurred, now, four nights ago. He needed to find out as something that powerful to affect him like that would not be good. The last time… Discord shivered at the thought and pushed it down as he continued his search.

Discord searched for another hour and found nothing… the area was still in magic backlash and he was getting no where. I might need to get Harmony here to see if he can see something with his order magic… As he looked around for a place to set camp he saw the alicorn. Harmony was on a hill overlooking the damage. He was just standing there gazing out over the destruction.

“Hey, Harmony good to see you here…” Discord eased down next to his friend and fellow keeper. Harmony didn’t respond to either Discord’s inquiry or approach. That is odd. Discord thought. “How long have you been here?” No answer. “What happened?”

After a long time Harmony finally spoke, flatly. “They are gone…”

“They are gone?!” Discord repeated in confusion. “I don’t understand… and that is saying a-”

“Those BUCKING GEMS KILLED THEM!” Discord stumbled back from the sheer force of the rage that pour out in the scream, more like a roar, that came from Harmony.

“Killed who?”

“...my parents…” Harmony whispered so softly that Discord almost didn’t hear what he had said.

‘My parents?’ What he is jabbering on about? His ‘parents’ were long gone already and what does he mean by ‘gems killing them’? How could gems do this?

He eyed the alicorn further and noticed a purple and green egg carefully lying in a
‘nest’ of rags between Harmony’s hooves. Why would he have a dragon’s egg? Unless... Discord looked back at the crater in horror.

“Harmony are you saying that a dragon pair adopted you?” Discord slowly questioned, fearing the answer he would get.

He never got a verbal response as Harmony started balling, hard. Discord looked back at the Alicorn Keeper in concern. Harmony was no longer standing but lying on the ground, clutching to his chest, protectively, the dragon's egg. He laid there sobbing and nuzzling the egg long into the night and the next day.

Discord shook as he pulled himself away from the memory. Everyone was staring at him in concern. “Harmony blamed himself for not being able to do something... anything sooner… It was after this incident that he discovered how dangerous those gems are… As I already mentioned, the night he lost his parents he was returning with a rainbow crystal in hopes that he could trade it for a sliver of a glowgem. He wanted to study the gem and its unique properties.”

“As far as he and I know there are no more glowgems but a single shard left in the world. In a grief induced rage he destroyed any and all glowgems that he could come across.”

“Where is this shard at?” Twilight asked. Part of her wanted to study it another part was terrified. An ability to vaporize a mountain like that would mean that even that shard would be dangerously deadly.

“Deep underground… in a location only he knows… in a stasis chamber specifically designed to nullify it.”

“Why does he keep it?” Twilight wondered. “I mean if they’re are as unstable and dangerous enough to cause a mountain to vaporize…”

“Glowgems have a unique magical signature… He told me that he kept it as the standard if ever he needs it to track down any more that may survive or if anything similar it shows up… But I think he kept it mostly as a reminder of his failure, a reminder of what he lost, a reminder that he…”

“Enough, He of Laughter… no more… I’ve heard enough.” He of Hourglass had heard enough as Sentinel and Harmony shared personality because they were the same being. It was clear that he blamed himself for her death in the same way as he did for his dragon parents. The problem was that in both cases there was nothing he could have done to change the outcome.

A memory resurfaced, one that had been coming to mind a lot lately...

“Promise me something…” Harmony whispered.

“Huh?” Golden Heart was confused. Where did this come from?

“Treasure those whose heart you share.” Harmony stared at Golden Heart, his eyes glassy. “But not as other dragons do. Hearts are not like gold, silver, and gems that can be stored away in the tight grasp of a dragon’s hoard. For hearts to truly shine they must be free. Entrapped hearts tarnish and die. No dragon wants tarnished treasure.”

“But there is something else.” Harmony looked back down. “Your hoard is not a lasting one.”

“For the hearts one treasures are like the flowers of the field. For they grow for a while, bloom, then wilt away. All that remains is the memories. But in that fleeting moment in that time those flowers outshine any treasure that lasts forever.”

Golden Heart remembered asking him what he hoarded. Unfortunately before he could answer he fell into a fainting spell from the Magic Wasting Disease. Could it be that He of Harmony was speaking from experience? That his hoard, his treasure was one that has passed on? But what started him speaking in metaphors? And why?

He was right Harmony was speaking from experience. The advice was not only to try and help him mature but so that he would not go through the pain he had gone through for thousands of years. Advice that Harmony and now Sentinel was struggling to live.

Medallion just could have easily been killed in Hourglass. His parents could have easily died even if Harmony had a chance to study the gems… If anything it would have spurred the dragons, his parents, to hoard harder if only to protect others from the dangers of the glow gems. Either from the explosion that did eventually claim their lives or from someone taking the glow gems to use as a weapon.

“What can we do Firstclaw?” Quartermaster whispered and from the tone it was clear to He of Hourglass that he was struggling not to fall apart.

“Family was what brought back his cutiemark and allowed him to Choose. Family, cleary, from the beginning have been his hoard… family will be our answer… I doubt He of Music alone can do it like before… just like the return of his cutiemark it it will take all of us…”

Author's Note

Shameless sidestory insert in 3

2

1

To read Harmony's perspective on this see Spike, about your parents...

The Prodigal Crystal Savior Returns

28 days since the fall of Traxti City

2 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Hourglass

“Secondclaw?” Golden DragonHeart hesitantly called out as he entered the museum. Soul Fire had entered the museum shortly after Eternal Beats’ rescue and had not been seen since. As far as anyone knew he had not even left the museum since.

He worked his way to the back of the building where Legacy Chaser had her hoard bed and workshop. There was where he found Soul Fire, staring blankly at nothing and everything. Soul Fire gave no indication that he noticed Golden DragonHeart approach. He fought tears as he looked over the dragon. Blood was still on him to the point that it would stain his scales pink before long.

Thanks to his hoard maturity he could tell that if he wanted to help and not make it worse all he should was just be there. He of Hourglass sat down and took a cue from him and meditated. He ended up falling asleep as the afternoon faded to evening.

Golden DragonHeart awoke and saw that according to Legacy Chaser’s clock that it was very early morning… Several hours before sunrise to more precise. He slowly got up from his sitting position. He looked over to see that Soul Fire had not moved and didn’t even appear have even gotten any sleep either. “Come back to us... Your family needs you more than ever…” Golden DragonHeart whispered as he slowly turned away and headed out. As much as he just wanted to sit there and continue to just be with him circumstances prevented him from doing so.

30 days since the fall of Traxti City

4 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Above Everfree Forest

He of Hourglass felt so alone. For the first time ever he was not with his hoard… He pulled up Harmony’s and Sentinel’s cords. He could see no difference in the Harmony’s cord. Sentinel’s cord, however, had dulled a bit… Mostly like lt from the fact he was is a state of disharmony. He was sure it would take the entire clan to bring him back… how else to bring a dragon back to harmony then with his hoard… especially when said hoard was family. He just hoped that the others would get through to him soon. For now all he could do is press on.

Far below him was the vastness of the Everfree forest. By his own estimates (if he read the map right) he should be able to see the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters any moment. A mass of green suddenly arose from the forest below. He of Hourglass stopped to hover, knowing who the green mass belonged to.

“Greetings, He of Everfree.” He of Hourglass greeted the green dragon.

“Same to you He of Hourglass.” He of Everfree smiled. “Though I am a bit surprised that I didn’t get a letter from Sentinel that you would be passing through.”

“Secondclaw is…” He of Hourglass sighed. “Not feeling well.”

He of Everfree raised an eyebrow at that. ‘Not feeling well’ sounded off. It indicated that it wasn’t a physical condition like a neck injury or unconsciousness that would prevent firemail. What could possible cause Sentinel to fall apart… unless…

“Has there been any activity in the forest that is unusual lately?” The Dragon Keeper motioned for He of Everfree to follow him. He of Hourglass needed to know what was going on in the forest but also needed to remain moving as time was not exactly on his side.

“Now that you mentioned that… Recently I’ve had to avoid groups of ponies several times deep within the forest. Outside of the zebra shaman and the path from Ponyville and the Castle of the Two Sisters it’s unusual to have ponies deep within the forest much less numerous gatherings.”

“Did you by chance get a go look at any of them?”

“Not really… the ponies that I did see remained cloaked the whole time…”

“Were any of these ponies wearing any jewelry? Brooches, clasps, pins?”

“Jewelry? Why would that be important?” He of Everfree blinked in confusion. He mentally shrugged as he looked back at the instances. “Nothing remarkable that I recall, although all of jewelry seemed to have a common theme: the moon.”

“The Cult of the Moon…” He of Hourglass growled out.

“That names sounds familiar… but where and when…”

“The Cult of the Moon first cropped up during and after Nightmare Moon they sided with the nightmare demon’s vindictive against Celestia…”

“Them!?” He of Everfree stopped midair. He of Hourglass turned to face and hovered as the bigger dragon raged. “THEY DARE USE MY FOREST!!?”

“It’s more than that…” He of Hourglass hovered to the side not sure the upcoming reaction once he told the dragon the rest. “This cult has been suspected in bombing and killing their fellow ponies the past week now. So far seventy five dead, hundreds injured.”

Flame leaked heavily out of He of Everfree’s maw before he managed to reign it in. “You go tell the pony princesses that anyone caught in my forest will be put to death by my claws or flame. I will not tolerate them using my forest as a place to spread pain and suffering.”

“And the zebra shaman or the Bearers of Harmony?” He of Hourglass questioned. There was still the issue of the castle which may still contain artifacts or books needed for the war that and the fact that the shaman lived in the forest.

“For her own protection the shaman should relocate to Ponyville, but... I will not force her. As for the Bearers if they need to enter the forest they already know how to contact me. That said, if you see them have then send an anchor for me to use as I will now be upping my patrols and the current method may not be adequate in an emergency. As for you...” He of Everfree handed over a pine cone carved out of stone. He of Everfree began to descend as they were a bit close to Ponyville for his liking.

“And one more thing, Dragon Keeper…” He of Everfree darkly added as he paused his descent. “Utterly destroy whomever hurt Sentinel.”

“He of Everfree, I can assure you if it’s the last thing myself or anyone in the clan will do is make the one responsible will wish he had never been born…” At that He of Hourglass return his attention back to his first stop over: Ponyville.

He of Hourglass managed to find his way into the Friendship Council room. He was surprised he wasn’t accosted when he landed. Though it may have helped that the palace was on the far edge of town and he made it a point to land on the other side as to not cause unnecessary panic. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and a unicorn mare his was not familiar with were inside gathered around the map. He wondered where her assistant could be at the moment. Not that it mattered right now. As he entered the mares conversations ended. “Ascended One… Anything new?” He of Hourglass questioned as he walked up to them across from the table.

“More bombings I’m afraid.” Twilight gestured to the crystal table map. “This time in Applewood and Baltimare along with a double bombing in Manehatten… They are getting extremely bold… it’s only a matter of time before Canterlot gets attacked.”

“How are they managing this?!” He of Hourglass exclaimed, frustrated that despite the full might of Equestria rulers the Cult was still running amuck causing pain and suffering.

“The bombs are nearly untraceable… the bombs aren’t being made by chemical means such as black powder so no way to trace them that way. Instead all of the bombs use magic as the explosive agent. Normally easily traced, however, they used a mixture of magic from several different ponies as the explosive. It will take time to isolate a single signature if we can even do that and by that time…”

“They would have gone ‘underground.’” He of Hourglass grumbled.

“More Power Pony comics?” Twilight smirked.

“No detective novels…” He of Hourglass shook his head. He breathed deep knowing that what he need to discuss next would not be ‘easy’ for them. “He of Everfree has requested an anchor be sent to him. Also a warning, He of Everfree will no longer allow any pony entry into his forest. He of Everfree will show no mercy. To enter the forest for any reason is to invite death. Make sure that the other Princesses are informed as well as the rest Equestria.”

“May I ask why the change?”

“The Cult of the Moon has been using the forest as a place for clandestine meetings which has angered He of Everfree. He is dragon of honor and bombing of innocents is not honorable.”

“I would agree, but blankly killing any ponies in Everfree?! That’s a bit of an extreme...”

“The time for mercy is OVER Ascended One.” He of Hourglass growled angrily, cutting off Twilight. “How many more must die before enough is enough? The Cult of the Moon is meeting in the Everfree which is not exactly the safest place. One does not meet in dangerous places for innocent reasons... Clearly no one enters that forest to plan tea parties…”

“Ooh I love parties!” Pinkie jumped up throwing some confetti into the air.

“Pink One please…” He of Hourglass along with everyone else put their hooves or claw to their faces. “Try and control your outbursts.”

“Oops, sorry.” Pinkie sheepishly apologized. “I just get all excited about parties… and-and I…

Pinkie Pie teary rant was interrupted by He of Hourglass who went over to her and lifted her up into a hug with his wings, wrapping them around her like a cocoon. “I know Pink One. I’m not mad…” He whispered in her ear. “At least not at you… your excitable behavior is endearing… and infectious I’m sure. Don’t let anyone or anything take that from you. Whether you know it or not you and your element is life itself… For anyone to truly live they must have joy in their hearts… all I ask he you to guard your tongue a bit. Can you try?”

“Hmm mmm...” Pinkie nodded, sniffing lightly.

He of Hourglass smiled brightly as he leaned in further and whispered even softer in her ear. “That’s all I, Golden DragonHeart, can ask of you.” He pulled back and put a finger to his mouth. He blinked when she literally zipped her mouth shut.

“Any word from the Empire?” He of Hourglass questioned as he put the grinning Pinkie Pie down.

“No.” Twilight shook her head. She hoped that He of Hourglass found that everything was alright in the Empire. She was worried for her sister-in-law Candace and her BBBFF Shining Armor. They could handle themselves, but with the bombings it prevented her from going herself. The Princesses needed her to help coordinating the response to the bombing crisis by using the map in the Crystal Tree Palace as it had proven to been most helpful in indicating areas that needed the most help in easing panic. Unfortunately, it was not helping in finding those responsible, so far...

“Then I shall tally no further. Stay safe.” He of Hourglass lifted off and began to fly to the north towards the Crystal Empire.

“Do you think that one day…” Rarity wondered as looked towards the the corridor where the sounds of the retreating dragon could be hear .

“I hope so… Rarity… I hope so…” Twilight answered as she looked up at the Golden Oak Library roots, smiling at a warm memory.

“You're more than friends. You're my family.”

31 days since the fall of Traxti City

5 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Before Sunrise, Near Crystal Empire

He of Hourglass yawned as he awoke. He was glad he was a dragon and had an internal flame but still he was chilled. It got a bit cold during the night. Though to be fair he was quite a bit north. He had never been in this kind of cold before…or at least he assumed that given he had no idea what his hatchling/whelp self lived or did. Hourglass was always a nice warm temperature even though its location near the equator made the land below the city hot.

He stretched a few times getting to wake himself further before he took off. He had stopped the night before as the sun was setting. He knew the city was close but he didn’t want to approach during the night. He could feel the keeper artifact, The Crystal Heart, in the distance and changed his flight to head towards it.

A few minutes later he could make out the telltale signs of the empire. Green in a sea of white and a curious warming. Interesting… nothing seems out of place or different from the image from the map. He of Hourglass reduced his altitude to get a better lay of the land. The area around the empire was quite lush for the time of year and location… it would have been more indicative of Equestria then the subarctic. Well the only way to find out more is to land…I don’t want to scare them by flying into the city. This should be fun… He of Hourglass touched down near a interesting gateway not too far from the city proper. He walked towards the city and through a gateway comprising of two dark reddish crystal spires that rose out of the ground with two purple and teal diamond shape crystals hovering in mid air between them.

“That is a large crystal.” The spark dragon muttered when he gazed towards the city and saw the Crystal Spire castle at its center. He of Hourglass knew from the intel that the spire in the center of the city rose very high into the sky. A dragon's paradise with all this crystal around… He wondered if dragons had been troublesome in the past...

“Good Morning!” He of Hourglass nearly jumped out of his scales. He had gotten so entranced by the all the crystal that he lost awareness of his surroundings. He looked down to see a overly happy crystaly stallion looking up at him. He was a bit surprised as he expected some sort of negative reaction screaming, running, fainting not a friendly greeting.

“I’m sorry for startling you Mr Dragon... Welcome to the Crystal Empire! Is there anything I can do for you?” The stallion grinned very wide. Okay, I’m not overly familiar with pony expressions but that smile seems a bit… odd.

He looked over the crystal pony but saw nothing remarkable. The only thing of note was his cutiemark which was an equal sign. He hadn’t seen a cutiemark quite like that before in any of his books on cutiemarks. And yet, why did it seem familiar? It would have to wait as he needed to find out why the Crystal Empire stopped communication.

“Uh… Can you take me to whomever is in charge?” He knew from the intel that the rulers were an alicorn mare named Candace and her mate, an unicorn called Shining Armor, but if some sort of coup occurred he didn’t want to to let on his true reason for being here.

Looking for Love...

31 days since the fall of Traxti City

5 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Morning, Crystal Empire

He of Hourglass followed the crystal stallion through the streets of the Crystal City. He didn’t say much and most of what the stallion said was lost on him. The Empire just was way overwhelming for the spark dragon. Just the cast amount of crystals and the fact that nearly everything had a shiny crystal like sheen to it. He only finally snapped out of his when he was lead into the throne room. No one was on the throne but there was a simple cushion in front of it with a pink and normal looking unicorn mare sitting on it. There was some ponies mingling about.

She moved just enough as she was chatting with another pony for him to see her cutiemark. At that he knew immediately who the mare was: Starlight Glimmer. This would explain the equal sign cutiemarks, the creepy smiles he saw on his way through the city, and the loss of communication. He would have to tread carefully if he had a chance fixing whatever the idiot of a pony did to the Empire and free the crystal ponies.

“Well this is a surprise. I was told that dragons avoided the Crystal Empire and yet you came walking right into the city… Why?” She called out sweetly as the spark dragon approached.

“Your reputation precedes you and I wanted to see it for myself.” He of Hourglass explained. “Though I think the reports were a bit exaggerated.”

“I apologize for that. It’s never a good thing to exaggerate in any way… it leads to resentment…” He of Hourglass noticed that there was a slight edge to her voice at the last word.

“I have to ask... why is every...pony so happy? I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a happy filled place before…”

“Thank you, but we try to remain as modest as possible here bragging leads to jealousy you know…”

“I suppose so…” He of Hourglass slowly admitted. Out of the corner of his eye he could see ponies beginning to gather. This can’t be good… “but I can’t help but wonder if it is too good to be true…”

“I see… you need some help understanding… Everypony why don’t we let our guest know. From the top!”

Life is so grand in Crystal City
Dont look at us with pity
We're always filled with cheer
‘Cause we know that we're all here

He of Hourglass cringed at the awfulness of the lyrics and music… He of Music would probably roast them alive for calling it music… He growled as he covering his ear frills.

In our city, in our city
We don't have to wait
To find out that our destiny…

“Stop!” He of Hourglass roared. The ponies stopped, several screamed in fright. “Quit perverting Soul Songs with your song and dance routine.”

The dragon noticed a nearly imperceptible frown on the mare’s face before she reign in it for a smile. “I’m sorry… I supposed one such as yourself is not used to music… and what did you mean by soul songs?”

“Harmony Songs is what I believe you ponies call them. As for the music part... music fills my home’s air every night… that isn't cringe worthy…”

“Oh, I see…” Starlight Glimmer started to paced around him. “You think you're better than everyone else. Don’t you?”

“Actually, no… I…” He of Hourglass tried to protest.

“True happiness and harmony, “She interrupted him, “comes from when we are all of the same... where pride can’t get in the way because we have ‘special talents.’’”

“Sameness does not equal harmony.” He of Hourglass countered, crossing his arms.

“I don’t want to come off as rude, but seriously, “ She barely concealed her sneer, “how can a beast know anything about harmony!?”

“More than you do or should I bring up that lovely town of yours…” He of Hourglass smirked as he mocked her previous failure.

The mare’s anger was clearly getting harder for her to control but she managed to hold it it to the spark dragon amazement. “I think you are just jealous and need to be enlightened.” With that her horn lit up. He of Hourglass growled as the pony sucked up his sparks and placed them in a jar. He struggled for a moment then roared before weakness came over him and he fell to his knees.

“Take him to the reeducation for troublemakers room with the other two.” She ordered to some guards. “Watch his claws and fangs, but don’t worry about his flame. Without his magic he can’t produce any.”

Guards surrounded He of Hourglass and he made it a point to show his irritation by keeping his fangs visible. He didn't resist, however, as he was escorted into the bowels of the palace. He lost track of all of the halls, stairs, and doorways they went through.

Finally, after a while, they stopped in front of a locked door. He of Hourglass could make out the faint sounds of a mare droning from the other side. He could fully hear who it was once one of the guards unlocked and opened the door. The palace prison. What a surprise. He of Hourglass noted as he was rudely shoved in. He also took note that at least two of the cells where occupied. He was quickly herded into a open cell and locked in. The guards hastily left, leaving him and the other prisoners along with Starlight Glimmer’s voice.

Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail. Be your best by never being your best. Conformity will set you…

He of Hourglass looked past his cell and into the other two cells across the hall. One contained a white unicorn stallion with a three tone blue mane and tail. the one next to his had a pink alicorn mare. Both looks frazzled, like they had been down here for a while. The stallion had eyed him darkly when he was led down here. “Love Princess and her mate?”

“Who are you dragon?” The stallion narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“Shining, please.” The mare admonished. “Do we know you?”

“No. But I do know you.”

“Clearly.” Shining rolled his eyes.

“Shining!” The mare face hooved.

“How can we trust this dragon Candace!” Shining paced in his cell. “He could be working for Starlight Glimmer for all we know!?”

“I AM NOT WITH OR FOR HER!” He of Hourglass roared spooking the mare and causing the stallion flich for a millisecond before Shining growled in anger back at him. He sighed as he realized he let his own anger get to him. The stallion reminded him of Quartermaster. He gazed at the alicorn he now had confirmed to be ‘Candace.’ “Sorry... It’s been a trying few months for me… Your mate reminds me of Quartermaster.”

“Quartermaster?”

“A clan mate… it doesn't matter…” He of Hourglass waved his claw dismissively. “What matters is I have found you.”

“Found us?” Shining questioned as he narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t sure about this dragon’s supposed story.

“By chance do you know how long have we been down here?” Candace asked.

“Too long! I’ve been sick of listening to her slow monotone voice spouting cultist one liners since HOUR ONE!” Shining ended his rant yelling towards the prison doors.

“Not sure, to be honest with you, communication from here stopped seven days ago.”

“Seven days!” Shining exclaimed in disbelief.

“Yes...”

“Wait... how do you know that?”

“Easy. I am He of Hourglass, Firstclaw of the Hourglass Clan. My clan is currently allied with the Kingdom of Equestria. I hope you got the details before communication collapsed.”

“We are allied with a dragon clan?! Since when?”

The dragon groaned. “Clearly communication was intercepted before sometime before it was lost… this is a major security breach…”

“You think?!”

“Calm down dear…”

“Don’t tell me to calm down! I personally vetted every one of the ponies responsible to courier messages from Equestria and the Crystal Empire.”

“Don’t blame yourself… Starlight Glimmer is very charismatic... she's got all the crystal ponies thinking backwards about love and friendship. That love would bring pain on them… that loved scorned was the reason for Sombra enslaving the crystal ponies… and they are so afraid of him returning…”

Well that might explain why the Crystal Heart power seemed to be waning… He of Hourglass thought.

“He’s not going to return... Twi and her friends along with the Crystal Heart made sure of that…”

The rest of what Shining said was lost on the dragon. He was having issues concentrating since being so far from home… maybe it was homesickness and not being near his hoard that was getting him so melancholy as he did technically carry it with him always…

”So... we need to turn that frown uuuuuupside down!” Pinkie giggled as she did an owl impression. EB got any ideas?”

Uh oh... He of Hourglass inwardly groaned. He was not in the mood for singing and he was about to have two naturals initiate a Soul Song. He was doomed… doooooomed...

“I ended up flustered for no reason! You should have seen the ponies going after that doll… Never did figure out where it went…”

“This want it need it spell... any idea who wrote it?”

“None… Twilight answered. “Though... something tells me you might know…”

“I want it therefore I need it…” Golden Heart mused. “Sounds like dragon greed…”

“So you think Harmony created it as a way to study how dragon’s hoard?” Twilight wondered.

“Maaaybe…” Golden Heart drawn out his answer. His mind was already finding a way to get back at He of Music and He of Harmony’s little prank from the day before.

“What are you up to?” Twilight accused while she narrowed her eyes.

“Nothing…” Golden Heart tried to make himself appear innocent.

“Uh huh… Twilight crossed her forelegs. “Spill.”

“...those ponies they... they are wonderful…” He of Hourglass chuckled at the memories. He needed it especially with the the annoying voice calmly voicing that ‘You're no better than your friends.’

“You love them don’t you? I can see the lust…”

“You’re mistaken…” He of Hourglass automatically responded, still looked upwards, a sparkle in his eyes. Apparently the two ponies had stop arguing during his trip down memory lane. “I don’t lust after them but the bond of friendship we have. I’m always looking for ways to strengthen our friendship… for those bonds are my hoard.”

“Ha!” Shining mock laughed. “Dragons are known for hoarding treasures like gold and gems not friendship.”

Candace face hooved. “Honey, I am the love princess I think I know what I see. He is in love with those ponies and not an unhealthy manner either.”

“How can you tell?” Shining pointed a hoof at the dragon for emphasis. “He is a dragon not a pony and you are without your magic!”

“The eyes... his eyes tell me everything…” Candace's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the dragon. “Though I will admit that his eyes are a bit difficult to read. He is the first dragon I’ve seen up this close…”

“Yes, but that is your talent and she took that from you… or are you holding back things from me again?”

“I trained myself to do it without my talent magic after her third invasion for just such as occasion as this… though to be fair I expected Tirek again…”

“Third invasion?” This really got He of Hourglass’ attention. He was vaguely aware of Equestria’s recent history but he could not figure out what ‘third invasion’ meant.

“Changelings. More specifically the vile Chrysalis” Shining spat.

“I wouldn’t worry about her anymore. She’s dead.”

“That bucking bitch is dead?” Shining’s head snapped towards the dragon.

“Shining! Where did you learn such language!”

“Diamond dogs.” He of Hourglass answered. It was thanks to Twixt’d he knew that one.

“Thank you.” Candace thanked the dragon warmly before her expression chilled. “When we have a moment, dear you and I are going to have a little chat.” She glared at Shining for a moment longer before putting back if somewhat forced smile. She really wanted to hear the juicy details of the dragon’s love affair with the two ponies. “I find it romantic that a dragon would fall in love with a pair of ponies. Tell me when…”

“Whoa.” He of Hourglass went bright red as he stopped the alicorn mare. “Whoa. I said friendship… not love... From what I understand of pony culture, one usually finds their mates through friendship and that their mates are in essence their best friend. But in our culture (not to mention biology) finding and having a mate is… different… anyway enough of me…” He of Hourglass turned to walk to the back of the cell. “You two need some heart to heart.”

He of Hourglass sat down and did his best to ignore the heated argument that started up between the two ponies. He had some things to figure out first. Mainly how to turn this whole situation around...

He of Hourglass awoke sometime later. He didn’t remember falling asleep. A look around told him that the two ponies had at least stopped arguing. A plus in his book, for now. He put that aside though because as much as the rest was helpful he had to come up with a plan. If he didn’t the crystal ponies may lose the Crystal Heart and the power that protected them. The evil unicorn couldn’t come back and even then… there was the issue of wendigos and any changeling hives remaining.

I GOT IT! He of Hourglass fist pumped as he suddenly got a working plan. He now knew how to free the Crystal Empire and hopefully with no blood loss.

...Accept your limitations, and happiness will follow. To love is to hate. Hate is to say you are better than others...

“I can’t stand another minute of her incessant chatter!” Shining Armor suddenly snapped, getting he of Hourglass attention. He looked over to see the pony trying to melt the loudspeaker with his eyeballs.

“Then…. I’d say it’s a good thing I came to rescue you.” He of Hourglass casually looked at his claws like he was bored.

“You got captured!” Shining Armor laughed at the absurdity of the dragon’s assertion. “I’m sure she took your magic like she did us. Soon she will take our sanity though I guess you got lucky as you have none!”

He of Hourglass leaned towards them, grasping the bars lightly. “Who says I was captured?” He questioned lightly with a slight smirk on his snout.

A confused frown graced both of the ponies faces until a wicked understanding grin creeped onto Shining Armor’s. He realized exactly what the dragon had done. A clever move if he said so himself. As a dragon he, like his wife and himself, would be considered dangerous and would be ‘housed’ in a secure place. If he was truly here to rescue them this was a brilliant way of finding out where they were being held captive. Aside from his initial trepidation with the dragon he was really beginning to like the way this dragon thought.

Be your best by never being your best. Free yourself from your cutie mark. Exceptionalism is a lie...

Fear Leads to Anger, Hate, Suffering

29 days since the fall of Traxti City

3 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Before Sunrise, Hourglass

“Come back to us... Your family needs you more than ever…”

Soul Fire barely registered the sound of his firstclaw. All of his senses had numbed to the point that he wasn’t aware that his body ached from standing like he was for so long nor the hunger pains beginning nor the burning thirst.

He of Hourglass walked out of the museum to see that the Hermit of the Oasis was pacing while deep in thought. “Hermit of the Oasis…What are you doing up and here so early in the morning?” The gargoyle looked up and stopped pacing.

“Sentinel…” Scorpan gestured toward the museum.

“Yeah…” He of Hourglass sighed. “I doubt there is much you can do…”

“Maybe… but he’s a friend…”

“I know, and I thank you Hermit…” He of Hourglass place a claw on Scorpan’s shoulder. “Can you do both of us a favor.”

“If it is within my power.”

“Stay in Hourglass until this crisis is over.”

Scorpan really didn’t want to leave his home. He had lived there for so long now. But he also could see the wisdom in what the dragon was wanting him to do. He was a healer and if the fighting were to get worse the ponies here would need his help. Plus, it was a small thing to repay them for their friendship all those years ago. For the respect he saw in there eyes even though his brother was the cause of so much pain for them. “Very well Dragon Keeper. I shall. Though I will need to retrieve some items from my home…”

“Of course, I’ll have Quartermaster help you.” He of Hourglass nodded his thanks, “I must go... The Crystal Empire needs me.”

hE tOOk OUt A drAgOn thAt cOULd UsE hArmOny mAgIc...

yOUr swEEt rEvEngE...

yOU wILL nEEd mE tO gEt yOUr rEvEngE…

Vorac growled. *Shut up demon!*

*Let the demon talk…* Sentinel finally spoke.

*Sentinel!* Vorac growled in annoyance and concern.

The demon manic laughter echoed. Vorac responded with growl. Sentinel may not care but he did. That demon was trying to take out Sentinel and he was not going to let anything or anyone touch what was his.

34 days since the fall of Traxti City

8 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Ponyville

He of Hourglass touched down near the Crystal Tree Palace. He had some things to gather and he wanted to get a debriefing on Equestria before he headed back to Hourglass. Hopefully his family had been successful in helping Secondclaw.

A diamond dog was standing outside of the council chambers when he walked into the palace. He didn’t appear to be a guard. His attire was more like a servant, a butler even. He was not sure but this could be Ascended One’s diamond dog assistant. He had never seen him before and it was a bit surprising that he wasn’t around the last time he was in Ponyville.

“Where is the pony known as Twilight Sparkle?” He of Hourglass politely asked. The diamond dog remained stoic. The dragon raised an eyebrow at this. While he commended his resolve to not tell him (probably under orders from the Ascended One) he didn’t have the time for this.

He of Hourglass stepped forward frowning he let some of his green fire leak through for effect. “Where. Is. She?”

“Mangy not scared. He don’t talk.” He of Hourglass grinned as he noticed a slight movement downward in the dog’s eyes. It was a start. He could send a scroll but all of his writing tools were taken by that mare and he didn’t take the time to get more.

“Mangy, eh? You are her assistant. She’s told me about you… good things too. Keep up the good work.” He of Hourglass praised the assistant. Though he was being truthful he hoped it would throw the diamond dog enough of his game to get a clue on the alicorn's whereabouts.

As predicted it did throw him off as the dog gulped and tried not to look in the direction of the hall to the dragon’s right. So she’s down that way...

“Dragon can’t go there.”

“Well, dragon can… dragon will.” He of Hourglass lightly mocked the speech pattern of Mangy as he walked down the corridor with the diamond dog tailing him, trying to get in front of him to stop him. As much as he didn’t want to fluster the diamond dog, he didn’t want to invade the diamond dog’s mind either. He didn’t have time for games… and this was the fastest way that he could think of to get the info he needed.

Mangy finally managed to catch up and stood in front of a door. “Dragon must leave.”

“Dragon will not.” He of Hourglass growled as he carefully pushed the dog to the side and opened the door. There had to be a reason for the diamond dogs insistence in guarding this door and abandoning the council chambers… The door led to stairs which he quickly went down.

At the bottom of the stairs was a laboratory. Twilight Sparkle was in the middle of something as she didn’t immediately notice her visitor until Mangy burst past the dragon, panting. “Mistress forgive Mangy…”

“He of Hourglass!” Twilight looked ran to the spark dragon and embraced him in a hug. “Is everything alright in the Crystal Empire… was it a return of Sombra? wendigos, dark magic an attack by that foul dragon, or some other inconceivable villain from our murky past? another changeling hive? the cult?”

“Whoa… slow down…” He of Hourglass soothed the ever increasing panicking alicorn. “The Crystal Empire is fine and the offending party is in Tartarus for her crimes.”

“Who?”

“The mare known as Starlight Glimmer.”

“You didn’t kill her!?” Twilight had a horrified look on her face. She hoped that he didn’t kill her. Starlight may be sadistic but she didn’t deserve death but she knew how He of Hourglass felt after the indicted in Our Town. “I mean I would have thought after what she did…”

“Equestria has no death sentence. Besides what I did to her…” The dragon’s expression darkened. “She will wish I had been merciful… and did that.”

“Cadance and Shiny!” Twilight exclaimed suddenly.

“Relax you brother and mate are fine.”

Twilight breathing finally relaxed as she realized that nothing bad had happened to her brother... that they were safe… for now… And she really didn’t want to know exactly what Starlight Glimmer punishment was if death would have been preferable. “I wish I had something good to report as well but I don’t… More bombings but we are still at a standstill... Discord has attempted to used his expertise in chaos magic to untangle the untieable knot, as it were, but to no success...”

“Keep at it… something has to give...” He of Hourglass sighed. He had figured the impasse would have continued as the Cult had been meticulous so far… Hopefully his clan had made some progress on Secondclaw. He may have some insights on recent events as well as the bombs themselves. For now, though, he wanted to steer the conversation to something a bit more light hearted. “Does the Bearer of Generosity have He of Music’s jacket done yet?”

“Special delivery!” Twilight didn’t even flinch as the party pony appeared out of nowhere with an oversized package. He of Hourglass on the other hand fell flat on his tail. “Oops.” Pinkie giggled as she helped the dragon up.

He of Hourglass rolled his eyes. Pink One was just like He of Music... Those two were almost twins with the way they were. Though, thankfully, He of Music didn’t inconceivably pop out of items like she did… According to He of Music some of her abilities was harmony magic but others things was not. He of Hourglass just subscribed to the it’s just Pink One being Pink One theory. He had enough headaches he didn’t need another one.

He of Hourglass grabbed the package and saw a note was attached to it. His eyes widened in surprise. The writing was not that of the Bearer of Generosity. It was of the Pink One. That alone didn’t surprise him as the package was for He of Music and Pink One and him were friends. “Pink One, this is addressed to Scorpion… Don’t you mean Scorpan?”

“No silly.” Pinkie looked around like to make sure no one was around, even though they were in Twilight’s lab and Twilight was currently snickering, before she motioned him forward. Twilight rolled her eyes and went back to writing whatever notes she had working on. He of Hourglass shook his head in exasperation but decided to indulge her anyway.

He of Hourglass frown turned to a massive grin as Pinkie Pie spoke something into his ear. “Pink One you are one special pony.” He kissed her cheek and pulled away. “Don’t ever change.”

35 days since the fall of Traxti City

9 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Hourglass

EAt hIs bEAtIng hEArt…

“Sentinel?” Twixt’d questioned as he entered the museum workshop.

As with the every time when he came in during the last week Sentinel was standing in the same spot, still with blood on his scales, and with the same blank expression in eyes. It was as if he was a statue.

skIn hIm ALIvE… SlOOoOoowly...

“Sentinel… I’m sorry… Sentinel… I…” Twixt’d stammered out. Even after a week he had no idea how to talk to him, to help him, to do anything to get him back. ”Please, I want my best friend back...”

Vorac anger was boiling over he was getting tired of the whinny whelp. He was tired of the nightmare demon. He was tired of of dealing with everything right now. Normally Sentinel took care of everything but he wasn’t.

hE's An AnImAL… tEAr hIm ApArt...

“Say something, Sentinel, anything!” Twixt’d yelled in desperation.

“GET OUT!” Vorac roared. He had enough with all of the chatter. He was going to deal with getting Sentinel out of his funk not Twixt’d not He of Hourglass nobody but him. He was not whole until he had Sentinel back. Who was Soul Fire without both Sentinel and himself, Vorac?

pLUck hIs scALEs LIkE A chIckEn...

yOU knOw hOw mUch thAt wILL hUrt...

hUrt hIm LIkE hE hUrt yOU...

mAkE hIm scrEAm...

Twixt’d stumbled out of the museum. He brushed off his scales and then roared angrily at the doors. Once again his best friend would not allow him to help. All he wanted to do was to help him.

Quartermaster watched from a nearby rooftop along with Scorpan as his son took off towards the sparring grounds. There was going to be more broken equipment for him to repair and an angry pony to calm down before the day was over with. He hoped Firstclaw would return soon. Something had to be done and soon.

“Everyday he goes in and tries to get him to say something, do something, eat something…” Quartermaster sighed, clenching his claws in frustration. “and everyday he comes out like that. It’s hurting Twixt’d... He’s hurting Twixt’d. It doesn't’ make any sense!”

“Sentinel is grieving… and sometimes when you are in such a state… you end up hurting the one’s you love…” Scorpan reasoned.

“The problem is he shouldn’t! A mature dragon in hoarding wouldn’t, couldn’t actually, hurt his hoard. Twixt’d is apart of his hoard and Twixt’d is being hurt by Sentinel.”

“A mature dragon?” Scorpan blinked. Sentinel was an alicorn not a dragon. If he recalled what Sentinel had told him on how the codes work, or at least as well as he himself understood. When a dragon matures in a code that code literally becomes a part of the dragon. The code was something that he no longer followed but lived. He was an alicorn and couldn't mature in any of the codes… Of course there was something strange going on with the way that the dragons referred to him. Sentinel, Secondclaw, and the strange phrase ‘his past is murky, even to him…’ “He is an acolyte. He may live by your code but he is still an alicorn and prone to fail the code…”

“He is not an alicorn, Hermit,” Quartermaster snapped. “hasn’t been for months…”

“I’m confused…”

“I would have thought he would have told you.” Now Quartermaster was feeling confused. He would have expected Sentinel to notify the Hermit. Though it would explain his use of the title Harmony… which meant he now needed to explain this to the gargoyle and in a way that minimized any annoying questions. “Uh... what’s the word… she used…” He had only heard it once when the alicorn princess was in Hourglass a few weeks back helping with the ease of transition for the pony guard. He was curious given her age that she was an alicorn. He knew how Keepers came into being given that there was two in the clan. What was that word?! “She explained that she was once just an unicorn then something and now she is an alicorn…”

“Ascension?” Scorpan guessed. He knew she was ascended because of one of Starswirl unfinished ‘masterpieces.’

“Yeah! That’s the word. Sentinel was ascended by Firstclaw a while back… though it didn’t fully take… Until he Chose a few months back.”

“Well, okay then, that would explain the dragon magic, the ash illness, and how it was cured… I see now why he didn’t want to be called Harmony… Sentinel... is a very subtle and suitable… title, I believe is what you call your public ‘names.’”

Quartermaster nodded. “There is, however, something that you are missing…” Scorpan sighed. “When he was an acolyte, because of his fractured understanding of your code and being an alicorn, he had to improvise and find loopholes in order to follow them to the best that he could. Sentinel would be just as brilliant with his understanding of your code. He, of anyone, would know how to work around codes.”

“HE WOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING SO DISHONORABLE AS TO MANIPULATE OUR CODES LIKE THAT!” Quartermaster roared. He nearly let loose his flame on the infuriating gargoyle. No way would his hatchmate do something so despicable.

“WILL YOU HEAR ME OUT!?” Scorpan snapped. He understood that Quartermaster was short tempered and doubly so with his worry over his son and Sentinel but he needed to let him explain without jumping to conclusion every fifth word. Quartermaster was again taken aback by the forcefulness and the fearlessness of the gargoyle. “When we were looking into the ash illness and his dragon magic we discussed the code to see if there was a clue in the code that could explain why the illness would flare up and if volitaling could set it off. One of the things we went over was some of the… conflicting codes… is it possible that there is a code could override the inability to harm his hoard?”

Quartermaster nearly went slack jawed at the hermit’s insight. He was right! There was codes that depending on how the dragon prioritized them could override other codes… it was know as the Override Principle… If, for example, a dragon was pursuing two thieves that had stolen from his hoard that went in two totally different directions… The dragon would have to choose which thief to pursue with the likely cost of abandoning a part of his hoard to the other thief… even though a dragon would never abandon his hoard. “You may be on to something Hermit… There are codes that could override it… but I have no idea what code it could be! I should! I mean I am his hatchmate… But, I am not as skilled at memory walking as either First or Second Claw…”

“A swordsperson that loses his cool only cuts himself…” Scorpan mused as he watched the dragon fall into incoherent angry mumblings.

The red dragon stopped suddenly and slowly turned to face the gargoyle. “What?”

“‘A swordsperson that loses his cool only cuts himself.’ It’s a quote from The Art of War. Written by the Warrior King aka Sentinel.” Scorpan explained, slightly amused at the shocked face on the dragon. He himself had just reread the book after He of Hourglass referenced it a week ago. He would have figured that the dragon, by not only being a smith and metal worker but having the book written by his hatchmate, would have read the book front and back .

The dragon shocked face morphed to a serious one. “Do you have a extra copy.”

“Uh, yeah I do… Why…”

“Name your price.”

Scorpan blinked in confusion. That was not what he would had expected from a dragon wanting something… He of Hourglass or Sentinel, maybe, but from what he understood and seen of Quartermaster he was more of a ‘typical’ dragon, personality wise.

“I need that book. I must have it… I will do anything for it. Anything.”

That is more like it. Scorpan thought. “Free.”

“Free?” Now Quartermaster was the one to be confused. He knew that normally speaking that one traded something for something else. Even Sentinel and He of Hourglass did it just not in material things, it had more nuanced than a straight ten bits for an book… or whatever the going was for a book. He really had no idea what the typical exchange rate was… not that he cared he could find practically anything he needed on metallurgy from the library.

“I’m giving it to you for free because one I want to and two Sentinel gave me extras just for such occasions as this.”

...

brEAk hIm.

…

kILL

...

kILL

...

sUffEr

Healing Tears

36 days since the fall of Traxti City

10 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Noon, Hourglass

Golden DragonHeart did not like what he saw. Metal Claws, MetalEtched Claws and Eternal Beats were standing on a roof top not too far from the museum. That in of itself would be benign but all three of them looked like they were trying to watch the museum but not be seen told him that Soul Fire was still messed up. Though a quick check of his cord this morning had already made that clear this just confirmed it.

“Welcome home.” Metal Claws greeted Golden DragonHeart before he went back to his gazing.

*Was Pinkie’s friend able to complete my jacket?* Eternal Beats excitedly questioned before Golden DragonHeart was able respond to Metal Claws’ greeting. Metal Claws’ showed his irritation at Eternal Beats’ usual self by smacking him with his tail. Eternal Beats nearly growled before he remembered he was still under orders to avoid doing that. He was going to get Metal Claws later for that.

Golden DragonHeart chuckled and shook his head before he handed over the package. Eternal Beats took the package and opened it. Eternal Beats struggled not to squeal in delight. It was a modified version of the jacket that he once wore on occasion before his first growth. Eternal Beats carefully examined it front and back noting the scorpion embroidered on the left chest of the jacket before he carefully put it on. It fit perfectly.

“Pinkie also wrote you a note.” Golden DragonHeart handed over the note.

*Um…* Eternal Beats flipped the card front to back and back to front in confusion. *Golden DragonHeart this is probably for Scorpan not me.*

“Oh, it’s for you.” Golden DragonHeart knowling grinned.

Eternal Beats raised an eyebrow. He knew that Pinkie was a practical joker and the look on his firstclaw made him think that this could be a prank. Nonetheless, he slowly opened the card to read it. As he read it his expression went from mild amusement, to shock, and finally to a grin that could rival the party pony herself.

“What’s it say?” MetalEtched Claws nearly giggled at her mate’s poor attempt at hiding his own curiosity.

*She thinks that Scorpion would be better title for me then He of Music.*

“Okay…” Metal Claws growled irritably. “So?”

*Lots of bands or artists have stage names…* Eternal Beats explained with a slight edge to his mental voice, *and it just makes sense as I got a theme already going with my guitar, ocarina, and jacket with the scorpion emblem on the left chest area…* Eternal Beats smiled as he reread the note. *Yeah… I’m dropping He of Music as my title and switching to Scorpion I don’t kno..*

Eternal Beats stopped mid word as he noticed that his line of sight was rising up towards Metal Claws… A minor growth? He looked down towards Golden DragonHeart and confirmed that he had grown a bit though he wasn’t a large as Metal Claws but he didn’t care. He could feel the power that was causing his growth suddenly strengthened at end of his tail.

He looked back at his tail and his eyes widen. Right before his eyes his tail weapon was bugling and morphing into the stringer of a scorpion. The rush of power that was flowing through his body faded. In his heart he could feel pleasure at the look of his body. It was like his body was complete and right. *I…I think I’m a fully grown dragon now.*

“And yet I still look down at you.” Metal Claws puffed up his chest in pride before Eternal Beats new tail nicked him in the back. “Yeowch! That new tail of yours stings!”

“Metal Claws I think it’s time I tell you the tale of ‘The Scorpion and the Frog.’ Two guesses on who you are…” Golden DragonHeart crossed his arms while smirking. MetalEtched Claws roared in laughter at the expense of her mate while Eternal Beats sported a smug grin. Metal Claws grumbled before he turned back to look towards the museum again.

“Okay…” Golden DragonHeart curiosity was getting too much for him. “So why exactly are you three up here to begin with?”

“Twixt’d…” Metal Claws sighed. “Every day he goes into the museum and every…”

The slamming of the museum doors interrupted him. All four dragons looked down to see Twixt’d being expelled once again from the museum. Golden DragonHeart’s concern soon morphed to outrage and anger when Twixt’d roared angrily and took off in tears. His vision redden as he could see that Soul Fire, his secondclaw, was hurting not only his own hoard but his…

“Enough is enough.” Golden DragonHeart growled angrily, his claws clenching and his wings twitching from the intense emotion. “NO ONE HURTS MY HOARD MUCH LESS MY SECONDCLAW!”

“What are you going to do Firstclaw?” MetalEtched Claws softly questioned, hoping that asking quietly would keep him from saying or doing anything stupid. She knew that there was something wrong with Soul Fire but it didn’t warrant the type of anger now visible on Firstclaw.

Golden DragonHeart closed his eyes took a deep breath and exhaled before he eyes snapped open, glowing in power. “Kill him.”

All three dragons’ jaws opened in shock. Soul Fire needed help, not death. Golden DragonHeart sparks started to move in the telltale sign that they all knew was him beginning to teleport.

“Wait!” Was all Metal Claws was able to shout out before Golden DragonHeart teleported away.

“Was he being serious?” MetalEtched Claws questioned Eternal Beats. She knew that he would have been able to get at least something from Firstclaw’s song.

*Yes.*

“Damn it.” Metal Claws cursed. “We need to stop this!”

“How? Eternal Beats is the only one of us to have a chance and he is still injured!” MetalEtched Claws countered.

*Right here you know.* Eternal Beats grumbled a bit from the slight.

A massive explosion of light and mana galvanized them. All three looked up and to the north to see said explosion fading away. Right now, they need to keep everyone away from what was most likely the cause of the explosion: dueling dragons.

“I’m going to make sure the ponies stay away along with Twixt’d... the power those two possess…” MetalEtched Claws shivered.

“Go my love we shall try and stop this madness.”

With that Metal Claws and Eternal Beats rushed off to the north side of Hourglass and MetalEtched Claws flew off in the direction of the silo and the pony guard barracks.

As Metal Claws and Eternal Beats made their way to the north they could make out the sounds of a fierce battle. Occasionally the sounds of roaring and shouting could be heard over the din of explosions.

They came to a screeching stop at the edge of the city. There was Soul Fire in his alicorn form along with his rainbow swords floating in his purple and green shifting aura about fifty feet away was Golden DragonHeart. Both were panting and in fighting stances. Ash, smoke, and dust drifted in the air.

“You know nothing of my pain!” Soul Fire yelled out sending all six of his swords at very high speeds towards Golden DragonHeart. Golden DragonHeart spun in a circle deflecting the all six with timed claw swipes.

Metal Claws and Eternal Beats gulped if Soul Fire had brought out all six swords already the may not be able to stop the fight before one of them got seriously hurt or worse.

“AND THE PAIN YOU’VE BEEN INFLICTING ON TWIXT’D!?” Golden DragonHeart roared as he came to a stop. “WHAT OF HIS PAIN?”

“Don’t care.” Soul Fire stated coldly.

Metal Claws gasped at what Soul Fire was saying about his son. That definitely didn’t sound like Soul Fire at all. Soul Fire cared way too much about that whelp. Hell, his sentient title Sentinel was given to him by Twixt’d. Unfortunately Golden DragonHeart was too far gone into rage to think clearly enough to know that Soul Fire was not acting even remotely like he usually did even taking grief into consideration.

Golden DragonHeart had to fling up a shield as Soul Fire’s famous rainbow swords again came at him from all sides. Sparks flew at the swords ground to a halt. Golden DragonHeart grabbed the green and purple one and charged at the white dragon.

He swings were parred by a red and blue sword.

“When you came home from your trip to the eastern continents you brought back more than two clanmates and Twixt’d you brought back the return of your honest cutiemark.” Golden DragonHeart grunted as he shattered the red and blue swords. Soul Fire switched to his natural dragon form dismissing the remaining swords besides the two that Golden DragonHeart and commandeered from him earlier.

“And you dared to tarnish her legacy by not living up to that lesson!?”

He got no response but another attack from Soul Fire. MetalEtched Claws finally showed up as both dragons started to clash claws to swords. Even though Golden DragonHeart was not as skilled with swords he managed to stay up with Soul Fire and even get in some blows. The three dragons nervously watched as the fight escalated and went on for nearly an hour before Golden DragonHeart managed to land a devastating blow, knocking Soul Fire flat on his back. Golden DragonHeart then roared as he pinned the downed dragon.

Both dragons were panting hard from the fight with blood dripped down from numerous cuts and lacerations on both of them. Golden DragonHeart had one paw keeping Soul Fire down, his claws stabbing deep into Soul Fire’s chest and the second holding what was once Soul Fire’s green sword at a downward angle, the tip inches from the neck.

“Do it.” Soul Fire growled out, egging the Dragon Keeper to kill him.

Even though Golden DragonHeart had been on the cusp of another rage incident he hesitated. If he was going to do this is would need to sever the bond. Soul Fire was clearly too deranged to do it on his end so that left it up to him to end their friendship to end his life. After everything Soul Fire had done he knew that was the only recourse now… He had no desire to dishonor Soul Fire but he still had to suffer the consequence of the numerous and grievous infractions of code violations including attempted murder of his firstclaw and maliciously damaging said firstclaw’s hoard.

“DO IT! FINISH THE JOB!” Soul Fire roared at him, rage and hate pouring from his entire being. “OR DO I HAVE TO KILL HIM TO GET YOU TO DO YOUR DUTY!!”

Golden DragonHeart rage temporarily evaporated as confusion took its place. He could not understand why Soul Fire would want this. It was not like him at all... Thinking back everything about the fight had been meant to provoke him to killing him. At first he thought it was just stiffness or grief but now he could see that the dragon was still sharp in his fighting and magic skills. He could now recall several times where Soul Fire deliberately held back with either in his attacks or defense. This was not making any sense and he was going to find out what he was pulling. After that he would end his miserable life.

“What do you mean by that?”

Soul Fire said nothing he only stared back at the Dragon Keeper with the same venom as he had since the whole fight began. This only brought Golden DragonHeart anger back to the forefront. What Soul Fire was doing was the equivalent of spitting at someone or saying ‘screw you.’

“TELL ME OR I WILL TEAR IT OUT OF YOU!” Golden DragonHeart roared pressing the green sword onto the throat of Soul Fire so hard that he began to bleed. For a moment Golden DragonHeart was worried he would have to carry out his threat. As the two dragons bored into each others inner fire Golden DragonHeart could finally see the blaze of Soul Fire’s inner fire die down to that of a flickering candle. Golden DragonHeart didn’t relent as he growled and pressed down just a touch further. He was going to get his answer.

“Fine.” Soul Fire finally relented.

Golden DragonHeart lifted off just enough Soul Fire to give him better maneuverability to speak. But instead of speaking a tiny flame came out and coalesced into a small journal. A journal that he was familiar with. Familiar because he was the one that gave it to her. Legacy Chaser’s journal? Golden DragonHeart looked down at the journal then back to Soul Fire whose gaze stayed on the journal.

“Last entry.” Came a defeated whisper.

Golden DragonHeart quickly flipped through her journal until he came upon the last journal entry.

Dear Journal,

With the Wendigos of the south arctic dealt with we are now heading back to Hourglass. As much as I’m excited to head home to my family and hoard I’m also feel like panicking. I wish to ask Sentinel to become my mate through the Cktrieüs Šüitruls Ezustācija Ceremony. He of Music has assured me that he would accept… and I know too but still… I have so many doubts and I’m not even sure how to bring it up.

Maybe I should ask She of Hourglass how she decided on Quartermaster… I think… Does she even remember from then? When does the dragoness whelp become the adult during mating… maybe I should memory walk it…

I’m so nervous… I would have had He of Music help me but his voice(?) is so powerful that it’s hard not to be lost in it… something about that seems familiar…

Everything was starting to make sense to Golden DragonHeart. He was also wrong. While part of Soul Fire’s recent behavior could have been influenced by some guilt over not doing more to prevent Legacy Chaser’s death the issue was more of a Dragon Code issue. The paradox of some of the codes was that on a rare occasion some had to be broke in order for others to be followed. Soul Fire was faced with the impossible choice. Soul Fire had to chose and because of the type of hoard he had it only made it worse. In the end Soul Fire chose to die. But in order to die he had to break even more codes… No wonder why intangible hoards are so taboo…

Golden DragonHeart recalled numerous dragon chants on the subject of a surviving dragon mate committing suicide to join their other half. While Legacy Chaser technically was not his mate it was clear he had accepted the offer post mortem. Plus being a part of his hoard the loss of her would be similar as if they truly had become mates.

Golden DragonHeart eyes watered as he slowly put down the journal. All of his anger and rage vanished to be replaced fully by an overwhelming empathy and understanding. One of his harmony traits. He almost groaned as he realized if he hadn’t let his emotions control him he could have gotten to this point without resorting to a challenge. I guess sometimes wisdom comes from making mistakes like this… He made a note to remember this for next time.

Soul Fire didn’t even flinched as Golden DragonHeart slowly wrapped himself around him. “Oh, Soul Fire… I… I’m so sorry...” Golden DragonHeart whispered as he started to cry. “You had an impossible choice.”

Soul Fire could hold back no more and the emotional dam burst. “I miss her!” He wailed as he could do nothing else as Golden DragonHeart had him in a tight hug.

“I know Soul Fire… we all do…” With subtle nod from Golden DragonHeart towards them and Eternal Beats, Metal Claws, and MetalEtched Claws didn’t even hesitate as they encircled the two dragons and curled tightly around them.

*I’m sorry for what I put you through Vorac... I just…*

*Never apologize Sentinel. Losing hoard never easy.* Vorac growled. *Quit crying, you dragon not prey...*

*I can’t help it...* Sentinel chuckled as he heard Vorac continued grumbling.

Vorac surged forward in Soul Fire’s mind and Sentinel backed away. Apparently Vorac needed or wanted to do something. Sentinel could feel his tears drying up and having an overwhelming urge to for lack of a better word cough. But instead of a cough he ending up taking a sharp intake while also almost fake hiccuping. It felt more liberating than crying alone so he continued the strange action even as feral Vorac faded back.

None of them even noted the gasping hiccup like sobs coming from Soul Fire. All they cared about was that the healing process had finally started for their friend, brother, and secondclaw. Golden DragonHeart even felt his bond with Soul Fire surge to heights he didn't think was possible. How is this possible? He questioned. “...Like gold purified by heartfire,” came his answer. If he could face slap himself he would. It was so obvious, every crisis, every test they went through only strengthen their bond and reminded him of the meaning behind his name.

Thanks to the thinning that was done on the trees Soul Fire could see that Twixt’d was standing and watching him as he laid in the orchard bird’s nest. He had watched as the whelp snuck out of his silo once night had fallen and slowly made his way to him. It also most reminded him of a certain night months ago. That night was almost as special as the day he chose. He forced his emotions down as he didn’t want the whelp to be aware that he was not only awake but watching him.

He continued to watch as Twixt’d cautiously stepped into his nest. Normally he would have objected for his blatant violation but given the way he had been treating him lately he was not going to say anything. Twixt’d curled up at the opposite edge of the nest facing away from him.

Before long Soul Fire could hear the gentle sounds of sleep. Soul Fire slowly got up, making sure not to shift the gems in a way as to wake the dragon, and slowly inched over towards his friend. The friend he had hurt when he was hurting.

*May I?*

*Go ahead Vorac.* Sentinel didn’t even feel like teasing himself for asking permission. Vorac knew he never needed it. Admittedly, it was strange as Vorac seemed to be mellowing out over time.

Sentinel blinked as he returned. He was ‘hugging’ Twixt’d tightly with one of his wings over the whelp like a blanket. This was not a typical sleeping/lying position for two unrelated dragons to be in. Twixt’d was not his hatchmate nor his son. Normally two or more, sleeping dragons would be side to side. Was Vorac teaching him how to be feral while he was imparting his personality onto Vorac? He didn’t dwell on it as he hugged his former hatchmate tighter and began to purr.

Intermission IX: Dragons Make for Draconic Sized Headaches

“Who needs enemies…” I shook my head at the whole Sentinel and He of Hourglass fight.

“Yeah…” Storyteller chuckled in amusement. “Sometimes the ones that hurt you the most are those that are closest to you.”

I nodded as I understood exactly what he meant. I shoved down some bad memories that threatened to surfaced and fouled up my mood. There was a question on my mind though. “He of Hourglass kept referring to the impossible choice and then in your narration during the exchange between Quartermaster and Scorpan he mentioned something called the something Principle… Quite frankly the whole issue with Sentinel hurting his hoard is confusing. I thought it was an impossibility...”

“Is it?” Storyteller slyly asked. I blinked at that before my eyes narrowed. I had the feeling that I would need some pain medicine very soon. “Quartermaster was referring to the Override Principle or more commonly know as the Impossible Choice… It’s has to do when a dragon is faced with a choice between two or more conflicting codes. Which actually happens a lot… Adult dragons instinctively know how to handle code conflicts to the point that most don’t even think of anything of it which is one of the reasons why Quartermaster didn’t immediately realize that was what was going on with Sentinel. Of course, when those codes are of equal weight...things can get a bit dicey.”

“But I would think maturity in a code would make that code have priority over a code that he or she is not mature in. Which doesn’t explain Sentinel’s behavior … Unless you are saying he’s mature in other codes other than the two mentioned: hoarding and clan leadership respect thingy… I don’t see how he could be able to… uh hurt… his hoard...”

“You are correct normally matured codes have priority. But what if in order to live or follow a code you have to break the same code?”

‘In order to follow a code you have to break the same code’ what kind of nonsense is that!? I blinked hard trying to wrap my head around it but the more I tried to make sense of it the less it did until I just couldn't take it anymore. I was right; I would need some pain pills… “What!? That makes no sense!”

“Two friends(who don’t know each other) send you letters with exciting news…” Storyteller calmly began a story. I silently prayed that wherever this story was going it would clear it up. I was really getting tired of all of the headaches this guy has caused me and I would really like my current one to not get any worse. ”They are getting married and they really, I mean really, want you to be their best colt. The problem? The ceremonies are at the same time on the same date but are on opposite ends of the world...”

“So…” I slowly began as I tried to followed the stories logic in relation to Sentinel hurting his hoard. “You’re saying that in order to hoard correctly he would have to hurt his hoard even though that should be an impossibility as he’s mature in hoarding?!”

“There you go… the conflict was in this case a conflict between the same code. Sentinel was going to end up hurting his hoard no matter what he did… because his hoard was filled with sentient creatures that had feelings and emotions. A murder by a sadistic psycho killer would really hurt… He of Hourglass was only partially right Sentinel did want to die but not only for the reason he thought.”

“Of course, my first story is not one that would cause suicidal tendencies the next one might: Two great inseparable friends are plummeting to their deaths only one can be saved… Difficult for anyone much more so for a dragon… being mature in the code helps but if can only go so far...” Storyteller shivered violently. “Sentinel was lucky to be immuned to rage growth otherwise…”

Storyteller went silent after that. Clearly we had touched on a difficult subject for him but I needed to know what that last line meant. That line had more weight than everything else and he just stopped mid sentence. I guess it would mean that I would need to push. “Okay, I keep hearing about this rage growth what in Tartarus is it?”

Storyteller stopped and looked back at me or in my general direction. For a moment he said nothing before he then turned back towards the mountain and resumed his walk. “There are two corrupted growths a dragon can have,” He began, “greed and beast slash rage. Greed growth only occurs to dragons before their Choosing, hatchlings or whelps… and is reversible. Basically it occurs when a dragon ends up become greedy and start a hoard. The problem is that they are incapable of using hoard magic correctly and they end up hoarding anything and everything… because they haven't chosen a hoard name, the what they are to hoard, yet…”

“Mention rage growth and the blood of the most fearless dragon will run frigidly cold. Outside of the very early stages it’s irreversible. Remember the dragon formally known as ‘Quartz’? Imagine that but the dragon having not a single sentient thought… no rhyme no reason nothing to hold back the carnage… A nice dragon like Scorpion… magically becoming something he’s not...”

“Uh, Storyteller?” I slowly asked. I could sense that there was more he wanted to say on the subject. He was most likely struggling to find a way to say it if the way he dropped off was any indication.

“Rage growths have multiple triggers… For example... remember when Sentinel was trying to explain to Twixt’d about normal growths right after Medallion’s first and Scorpion’s (then He of Music’s) second growths? You probably don’t remember this part but he was just about to explain about ‘He of Hourglass’ having some sort of growth problem he was interrupted by Scorpion’s, uh… ‘demands.’” Storyteller chuckled. I, myself, rolled my eyes at that. From what I recall ‘demands’ would be a light word…

“The problem is that if those growths are interrupted in any way it can cause... complications. He of Hourglass first rage episode occurred shortly after what should have been his first growth. He had another one right after he should have hit his second… Once a dragon has a episode it becomes infinitely easier to get another and another and another... He of Hourglass, at this point, has had several… Rage and anger as you’ve heard are the the typical catalyst hence the name.. With the escalation of the war… it, uh… yeah...”

I shivered a bit. It wouldn’t take a literary genius to put two and two together… He of Hourglass would not survive the war… He would be brought down not by a sword or claw but by becoming a rage fueled monster.

Wait, he said ‘corrupted growths’… does that mean that those two growths were once something other than what they are now or are they growths that were added that are a mockery of the true growths? I vaguely recall that right after Sentinel received the hoard gem from Quartermaster and his mate where he wondered about the way Sentinel and Vorac influenced each other and if that was what rage growth was like before it was rage growth. Either way it’s a lot for me to take in and I’m still confused on many dragon aspects… Not only that, it’s clear that I was missing too many pieces to get an accurate picture. Still, it's something to think about...

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn’t even realize the passage of time nor the rapidly closing in mountain face, the shadow produced by the mountain, nor the fact that Storyteller had stopped near the ‘peak’ of the mountain. It was only when he spoke that I finally snapped out of it.

“You may want to stop glazing over in thought or daydreaming, whichever one has you clueless to your surroundings, from here on out…”

I nearly jumped out of my hooves from the suddenness of hearing Storyteller voice. He had (and myself) and been silent for sometime. I looked around to see that we were standing on a circular stone slab which was definitely not natural. I looked over to see the ‘top’ of the mountain was only a short distance away. I looked up to see the mountain taking up want seemed to be the whole sky. For a split second I felt dizzy. I swallowed hard and forced my gaze back down(?).

“Yeah... try not to look up it can be very disorientating.” No, duh… I thought as I rolled my eyes at the obvious.

“Okay, how are we getting up or down or whatever this mountain?” I looked around but not up. I could see no sign of the supposed stairs that Storyteller mentioned in the memorial garden. The only thing remotely stair like was the stone platform we were currently standing on. It was, however, possible that they could be on the other side of the peak.

“As I said before… We take the stairs.”

“What stairs?!?” I snapped, gesturing around.

“These.” Was Storyteller’s answer. He stepped off of the platform and as his foot, hoof, whatever came down it stopped. But not in mid air. Where once there was air now there was a stone slab hovering slightly above the platform. Just like a stair. Several more stone slabs appeared, each hovering in the air creating more stairs.

I blubbered out a few incoherent syllables before my vision faded to black. The last thing I heard was, “Really!? Of all the things…”

Author's Note

What happened to my commentators the past 3 chapters (4 if no one comments on this one) Did Trixie make them disappeared in a feat beyond imagination? :trixieshiftright::trixieshiftleft:

Okay kidding aside thanks for reading:pinkiehappy:

Legacies

37 days since the fall of Traxti City

11 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Morning, Hourglass

Twixt’d slowly woke. He blinked as he could feel someone holding him tight. He looked down to see that it was a dragon with pink scales. Medallion? But she died! I helped Sentinel cremate her! He looked harder at the scaled paw to see that the scales wasn’t pink it was white scales stained pink by blood. He let out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding. It was Sentinel holding him in a hug. His eyes snapped completely open. Why is Sentinel holding me in a hug?!

Now that he was fully awake he could see that he was still in Sentinel’s orchard birdsnest. “Sentinel?” Twixt’d quietly questioned.

“No, Vorac.”

“Vorac?” Twixt’d was confused. The sound of ‘Vorac’s’ voice was rough and gravelly not the usual airy baritone he was use to. It did sound, however, just like his voice when he kept getting kicked out of the museum but he just figured his voice was affected by yelling and grief. Now he wasn’t so sure. “When did your change your title?”

“No… I’m still Sentinel.” Now his voice was the voice Twixt’d was use to. Which now irritated him. After all he went through the past week he was in no mood for riddles.

“Quit playing games and bucking let go.” Twixt’d growled. “You know how much I don’t like the mushy stuff.”

“I’m not playing a game.” Sentinel let go of Twixt’d who got up, yawned, then stretched. He raised an eyebrow as the pink dyed dragon backed up to the edge of of the nest and sat on his haunches with a defeated sigh. “I was supposed to tell you this earlier but I never could find time and then Medallion was killed…”

Twixt’d waited patiently as he didn’t want to be kicked out of the nest… Soul Fire’s hoard as it were. He was finally talking to him after way too long of not saying anything but ‘get out’ or a variation on it.

“You see there are, uh, two sides to me a sentient side and a feral side and unlike probably every dragon out there my feral side isn’t locked up in the dark recesses of my mind. He has free reign to come and go as he wishes… most dragons don’t ever ‘see’ their feral side except in special circumstances...”

“You are making even less sense…” Twixt’d crossed his arms. Sentient and feral sides!? It made no sense.

Sentinel sighed. He knew this was going to be tricky because of the confusing aspects of his mind that he himself was still trying to figure out. It would have helped a bit if Twixt’d was an adult as he had to leave out huge sections of his explanation. For example, the whole process of his ascension from the moment that Golden DragonHeart had started it, through the return of the cutiemarks, and finally his choosing… Maybe if he used an example that Twixt’d could personally relate to... “Remember when your mind sifted when you were guarding your clutchmates when they were being laid?”

“Please don’t remind me.” Twixt’d shivered at the memory. It was one of the worst moments of his life. Nothing he witnessed on the streets murder, rape, beatings, and so on were as bad as that day. Well, he never did see any murders in progress just the end result...

“That was your feral half. Vorac is my feral side.”

“Are… are you saying that you KNOWINGLY TRIED TO SMASH MY SIBLINGS!” Twixt’d roared smoke pouring out of his maw. He couldn't believe that his friend do such a thing!

Sentinel did nothing but look down in shame. He did what he could to stop Vorac. It wasn’t Vorac’s fault just as it wasn’t Twixt’d’s fault about wanting to kill him in turn. He just went mad from the overwhelming effects of the pheromones. Still...

“Sorry friend hard to control self.” Vorac whispered.

That’s the second time he’s done that. Sentinel wondered if Vorac was finally warming up the clan. “Vorac is right… Vorac would never do anything to violate the trust we have for each other… normally he is control of himself just as you are… the pheromones that are expelled at the laying… were too much for him... Your parents knew the risk… I knew the risk, but your parents… they were persistent…”

“How…!” Twixt’d yelled out, his eyes glistening with tears. “Why… Why would they do that?”

“Love.” Sentinel let a small smile form as he thought of his hoard. “Your parents are my hatchmates…”

“Oh…” Twixt’d anger deflated. He was still a bit upset about the whole situation, but he could also see why his parents would want him to be there. Hell, if he were to think about he probably would want his best friend to be there when he himself was about to become a father… He look up to see that Soul Fire was still gazing downwards.

“I was in so much pain from Medallion death… that I hurt my best friend...”

“Stop!” Twixt’d put up a claw and turned to face away from Soul Fire who just shrunk in shame. “Just. Stop. I was angry and truthfully I'm still mad at you… I just need some time...”

Sentinel wanted to say something but held back. He could tell that Twixt’d needed time to sort out his own feelings about it. Twixt’d felt tired and yawned so he laid back down. He figured it was from being up most of the night. A few seconds later and he was fast asleep.

“Spying on me?” Sentinel gave Firstclaw a sly grin as he strolled past the dragon’s hiding spot. He was not surprised when he sensed him nearby just before dawn. Firstclaw was probably just making sure he was doing better and to check up on Twixt’d at the same time.

“Just a little.” He of Hourglass shrugged with a hint of a smile as he got into step with Sentinel.

“Uh huh... suurre. Whatever you say Firstclaw.” Sentinel smirked, his voice heavy with sarcasm. He of Hourglass merely grinned.

For a bit neither spoke. A lot was on both of their minds. As they entered the city proper Sentinel was the one to end the silence. “You know… I would say we both had Impossible Choices yesterday…”

“We did, didn’t we?” He of Hourglass nervously rubbed his head spines. He didn’t want to admit it but his secondclaw was, as usual, right. He waved a hello to a passing pony guard.

“Well, we were dealing with the problem of hurting our hoards…” Sentinel continued once the guard was out of sight. “which we can’t do, but because our hoards are…”

“Sentient no matter how we dealt with the cold blooded murder of Medallion…” He of Hourglass continued.

“Our hoard was going to be hurt by us…”

“Damned if we do damned if we don’t…” He of Hourglass finished at a near whisper.

“We did it again.” Sentinel and He of Hourglass spoke in unison. They stared at each other for a moment in silence before bursting into laughter.

The two dragons finally stop laughing and returned to walking towards the city center. Sentinel’s mood soured as his mind went back to Medallion. The pain of her loss was no longer stopping him in his tracks but it still hurt like a hot knife to the gut.

Did you do everything possible?

Sentinel head snapped up and looked around. He was not sure but it almost seem like someone was trying to talk to him.

“Secondclaw? Do you sense something?”

Sentinel didn’t immediately respond. After a moment of nothing he shook his head. “No… It was nothing…”

He of Hourglass raised an eyebrow but said nothing else. He could tell that it would be best not to push right now. Sentinel was beginning to recover and he was not going to do anything to set that recovering back if he could avoid it.

Well did you? Came the voice again.

Sentinel stopped and look around. He of Hourglass was beginning to think that it was more than ‘nothing.’ Maybe he needs more time to rest… I can handle the alliance meeting without him if push comes to shove.

Yes… A different voice answered this time, one that Sentinel recognized... it was his own.

Then quit lying to yourself thinking you could done more and beat yourself up over that lie.

Sentinel gasped before a smile returned. He remembered that conversation fondly. Her words had such deep meaning... when she spoke then she was merely referring to his guilt. That he was somehow responsible for Sombra actions even though he did exhaust all his available resources in trying to make sure Sombra was truly gone. But now that he thought on it one could apply that with the Override Principle at least when it comes to hoarding…

No… ‘could apply’ didn’t feel right… Sentinel frowned. One should apply that with the Override Principle when it came to hoarding… Now that felt right to him. He almost felt like purring when a warmth came over him like that of a fire in a fireplace. He finally felt at peace about his hoard and his greed for it felt clearer somehow. It was a strange but wonderful feeling.

Medallion you would be giddy that your legacy is so powerful and meaningful...

*ALICORN FORM NOW!* Vorac roared in Sentinel’s mind.

Sentinel complied and quickly shifted his form. He felt light headed all of a sudden, but he wasn’t sure if it was from the maturing in a new code, switching his form immediately afterwards, or both.

“Are you okay?” He of Hourglass grabbed Sentinel before he collapsed.

“Yeah I just matured in a dozy of a code. Well actually only a part of the Override Principle... Vorac must have thought it would have started a growth and I would not be surprised as it’s thanks to Medallion...”

That lost He of Hourglass. He spent some time working on trying to figured out how Medallion helped Secondclaw but before long he finally gave up. “Okay you lost me Secondclaw. How could Medallion help you mature in a code?”

Sentinel chuckled as he started to walk again, feeling good enough to do so. “‘All we can do in our lives is the best we can. If the truth is that you did everything you could within your power and knowledge then quit lying to yourself thinking you could done more and beat yourself up over that lie.’” That is word for word what she said when I was beating myself up over the Dragon Migration Massacre… That lesson is more than about coulda, shoulda, woulda about circumstances beyond our control. Sometimes…”

“That includes the dragon code.” He of Hourglass finished. Secondclaw was right what Medallion said or actually Teirra said would definitely apply to the Impossible Choice… As long as he did his best to mitigate the pain if he was ever forced by an Impossible Choice to hurt his hoard again then he did all he could… He felt a warmth in his heart blossom as another he matured in a code once again.

“Let me guess…” Sentinel smirked as saw a familiar look on his firstclaw. “You matured on a part of the Override Principle specifically when dealing with hoarding.”

He of Hourglass snorted in amusement. “That’s twice now.”

“Well... let’s see we are both Keepers and the First and Second Claws of a clan…” Sentinel counted on hoof like he was still a dragon with a claw must to the amusement of He of Hourglass. We are also clutchmates via the Rite of Guardianship… Sentinel added to himself.

“Kinda of makes me wonder why you have not been chosen for the Path of the Dragonwyrm.”

“No idea and I don’t mind…” Sentinel blushed in embarrassment. He was also tempted to shake his head in amusement at his firstclaw’s poorly veiled attempt at getting The Voice to choose him for the path as well. All he really wanted was his family… not that he would shirk away from responsibility if chosen… He just was sort of tired of having so much on his shoulders… especially right now. Sometimes I wonder how He of Laughter managed as long as he did… though the way he acts maybe he never did… “Really I don’t… Oh, look, we are here.”

He of Hourglass rolled his eyes as he followed Sentinel into the council building. It was clear that Sentinel really didn’t want to talk about the Path of the Dragonwyrm… He didn’t understand why Sentinel would find the prospect so… unsettling. To be fair though, he sometimes felt that he was unworthy of the honor… that the Voice should have picked Sentinel over himself.

“Feeling better?” Scorpan greeted Sentinel as soon as he entered the council chambers.

“Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking Scorpan.” Sentinel warmly smiled at his gargoyle friend. He gazed about the room to see that along with Scorpan Phoenix Wave and the other members of the clan minus Twixt’d (whom he left sleeping in his birds nest) were all gathered. He took special note of He of Music. He was wearing a jacket just like the one he wore when his was a whelp.

“I see you got a new jacket there He of Music.”

*It’s Scorpion now.*

“It’s about time…” Sentinel smiled which broke into a grin as he watched Scorpion expression became befuddled by his statement. “Have you taken off your jacket yet?”

*Yeah,* Scorpion looked at Sentinel funny. It was not one of the questions he expected. The ‘it’s about time’ line did sound like something Sentinel would say. Though to be fair even he was surprised he hadn’t thought of using his new title instead of He of Music, *last night…*

“Take it off.”

*What?* Scorpion exclaimed in shock. Everyone else showed expression of confusion and bewilderment. None of them could figure out why Sentinel would want Scorpion to take his jacket off. After another minute of indecision he finally and reluctantly took it off.

As he did Sentinel grin only widen. The other clanmates, however, jaws opened in shock. This further confused the drake musician.

“I know for a fact you have not been in her hoard yet since you left for the south arctic so tell me how did you get that paint onto your chest?” Sentinel slyly pointed to Scorpion’s chest. Scorpion look down at his chest and in the same spot as the embroidered scorpion on his jacket was a yellow mark in the shape of scorpion. From the looks of the mark it was under his scales.

*It’s not paint and I…* Scorpion paused for a second to ponder. How The Voice did he figure that out? I wasn’t even aware of it and he has not seen me without my jacket on since I got it… He looked at Sentinel who was staring right back at him. Scorpion opened his ears to hear his song. What he heard caused him tear up with joy. *You’re back!* Scorpion scooped up his secondclaw and hugged him.

“Scorpion! Cant... breeeathe!” Sentinel wheezed as he struggled breath from the over eager dragon hug.

*Oops, sorry…* Scorpion blushed hard as he forgot how much strength he now had in comparison to his secondclaw especially when he was in his alicorn form.

Quartermaster smacked Scorpion, growling angrily. Scorpion’s tail was about to sting Quartermaster’s back in retaliation before it was roughly grabbed causing Scorpion to yelp. Quartermaster leaned towards Scorpion headphone ears and whispered. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

Sentinel just laughed as he shifted to his dragon form. It was good to see that even with the clan’s recent loss and his own grief and code induced madness that those two still play fought like hatchlings. “Okay lovebirds, enough. Kiss and makeup.”

She of Hourglass burst into laughter at the two drakes mortified looks. She then grinned wildly as she found a way to make this work in her favor too. “No… I think I need a bit more love… bird.” She accented the last word with a light bop on her mate’s snout.

Quartermaster could hold out no longer and pushed his mate down roughly. “Only if you kiss and make out.”

Scorpan, who had been silently reclining on against the wall near the Captain of the Hourglass Guard, nearly lost his balance. He could feel the blood rushed to his face. Fortunately, Scorpion was currently blocking some of his view but there was no mistaking the musk that was invading his nostrils and the less than subtle movements on the part of Quartermaster and his mate.

“By the Sands of Twarizsj please tell me they aren’t.” Scorpan mumbled.

“Welcome to my world…” Phoenix deadpanned as he tuned out as best as he could the love making between the two dragons. He too was lucky as given his smaller stature Sentinel was easily able to hide most of his view.

“I’m going to have some words with Sentinel…”

“Forget it Scorpan… it a dragon thing...”

“A warning would have been nice.”

“Again… welcome to my world…”

Sentinel felt a bit sad while he watched his hatchmates’ copulation but at the same time hopeful that one day he would know what it was like to become one with his mate. He also knew that he was going to most likely get a tongue lashing from Scorpan and maybe Firstclaw but right now he didn't care.

He of Hourglass facepalmed at what Secondclaw did. He didn’t mind the show, he, like all dragons, had no issue with it. The problem was the Hermit of the Oasis. Given the recent events he would let it go just this once. Hopefully the gargoyle would be understanding.

Scorpion tail twitched as he watched. His desire, or really need, for a mate was really getting to him. How do most dragons that aren’t mated deal with this? He wondered as the dragon mates reach their climax. At least now that they were over he could plot his revenge against Sentinel for embarrassing him like he did without the distraction of two dragons getting it on.

Scorpan and Phoenix Wave breathed sigh of relief as the dragons finally finished. Both were happy that it was a fairly short session. Though both would have been more happy if it never happened. Scorpan wave a spell and the smell was removed.

“Firstclaw?” Sentinel nearly yelped as he was roughly grabbed by He of Hourglass and put into a tight hug. ”You too?”

“Oh shut it.” He of Hourglass struggled not to chuckled as he could feel the white dragon rumble. He was so happy to have Secondclaw feeling better. “I can tell from your purring that you're enjoying this.”

Sentinel grumbled which got the entire clan laughing uproariously at the his ‘discomfort.’ Even Captain Phoenix Wave and Scorpan joined in.

The Beginning on the End

37 days since the fall of Traxti City

11 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Noon, Hourglass

Sentinel was glad when the pulsating ‘doorbell’ on the matrix interrupted the merriment. He of Hourglass let go of Sentinel and tapped the matrix. A moment later and the Friendship Council overlaid the Hourglass Council room like always. Sentinel made note of all of the attendees paying special attention to the fact that there was a griffon in the mix.

“Greetings Hourglass Clan.” Celestia greeted with her usual smile.

“Same to You Equestria and Allied Griffon Eyries.” He of Hourglass responded back, bobbing his head towards Celestia and Ambassador Grizzle respectively.

Allied Griffon Eyries? Sentinel raised an eye at the griffon. I see I missed some interesting developments during my grief madness. One that Firstclaw neglected to tell me... This was what he had hoped would happen when he had Luna retrieve the Idol. The griffons finding something to live for again. Hopefully this time the griffons wouldn’t fall apart if the Idol was stolen/disappeared again. I wonder if this is just for the purpose of the war or if this going to be a more permanent thing. I hope permanent...

“Sentinel!” Celestia finally noticed the off pink dragon, pulling the dragon away from his thoughts. She had to stifle a giggle at the fact that the drake was pink. “It’s good to see you!”

“Same to you Celestia.” Sentinel smiled as he bobbed his head in greeting. He saw the glint in her eye but he was not going to tell her that it was no prank that he now sported pink scales.

Medallion...

Celestia eyed Sentinel for a moment more. She could see a note of sadness in the way the dragon held himself. Understandable to her with the recent loss. She filed it for a later more private conversation before she turned to He of Hourglass. “He of Hourglass, you sure made an impression in the Crystal Empire...”

Sentinel head snapped to his firstclaw at that. He of Hourglass was rubbing the back of his head sheepishly at Celestia’s praise. This is not good. Sentinel shook his head. Of all the places Dragon Keeper could have gone to he had to go there. The crystal ponies had been known to break free of memory spells and the spell he had constructed wasn’t a true memory wipe. Doing a true memory wipe over the entirety of Equestria would have not been possible. At least not without damaging the psyche of countless ponies to the point possibly killing them, especially those in Ponyville and the Crystal Empire. A safe, true memory wipe requires much more precision than what could have been done.

“...I do have one note on your actions.” Celestia noted as she ended her report on the Crystal Empire. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Twilight and Sentinel snorted then fell into laughter at Celestia’s knowing light jab. He of Hourglass only groaned as his facepalmed. He knew why those two would find that so funny… but the mirth that the solar alicorn princess had in her eyes as she said it was confusing. He knew she was practiced in teasing but the way she said it betrayed a knowing of him far beyond what he would think she would know. Maybe she just was really good at reading people… if the length of her reign was any indication that was most likely the reason.

As Sentinel started to regain control he suddenly noticed that Luna seemed off. He took a hard look and wasn’t fooled by what he saw. Her expertly stylized fur and mane was meant to draw attention away from a glaring problem: her red shot eyes which betrayed a haggard, worn out pony. Given the fact that Luna was the only dreamwalker of any power in Equestria during a crisis this was of no surprise. The bombings must have gotten really bad to get her to such a state. Sentinel noted as he could see her struggling to maintain a regal pose.That would explain why she was standing in comparison to everyone else in the Friendship Council. She was worried that she would fall asleep if she sat down.

“Luna?” Luna didn't’ immediately respond. “Luna.” Sentinel repeated.

“Huh?” Luna blinked hard as her eyes refocused. “Yes, Sentinel?”

“It’s clear to me that you are over exerting yourself.” Sentinel gently admonished the lunar alicorn. “Understandable…” He sighed as he prepared for resistance for what needed to be done. “I will be taking over your dream walking duties the next few nights so you can get some much needed rest. After that I shall assist where and when I can.”

“Sentinel no offense but you are a dragon and you may end up only making nightmares worse.” Twilight countered. She knew what would happen if the dragon entered ponies dreams. She also felt that she needed to defend the lunar princess as she was struggling at the moment to stay conscious much less be able to defend herself.

“Bearer of Magic have you so little faith in me?” Sentinel shook his head. He knew that Twilight would defend Luna. Twilight had always been one to defend Luna fiercely. Sometimes too much and too quickly. “Though you are right, and even if I were in enter a ponies dream in my alicorn form it would cause panic and may cause many to lose faith in Luna at a crucial time. All I will be doing is ending any nightmare I come across...”

“But…” Twilight began to object again.

“Twilight.” Luna put up a hoof to silence Twilight. “Thy defense is commendable… but not necessary. We thank you for thy help.” Luna spoke in old Equestrian, further proving Sentinel’s point.

“On a related note,” He of Hourglass took the opportunity to segway into the next order of business. “has there been any progress to find the mastermind behind the bombings since we last spoke?”

“Other than the original suspicion of the Cult of the Moon? No.” Twilight shook her head.

“And the magic mixture of the bombs?”

“Discord has tried to crack it without success.” Twilight sadly again shook her head.

Sentinel was not surprised at hearing that, though he would commend them and the draconequus for trying. Sometimes hail mary’s worked. The problem was that while Discord excelled at making puzzles he sometimes struggled in solving them. Not to slight the draconequus as it was merely a chaos vs order thing. His magic was affected negatively if he let his mind become one tracked just like his own alicorn magic would be become less effectively if he didn’t keep his thoughts ordered.

“Send over all data you have on the bomb’s magic composition.” Sentinel ordered. “Maybe Scorpan or I can find something.”

Sentinel raised an eyebrow as Twilight nodded and immediately sent a packet to him. If she had a prepared packet ready for him she had either already expected this or the situation was becoming critical. Though to be fair having a dossier for law enforcement was a smart move. The more information in an easy form to understand was important in times like this.

“As you can see from the charts I have provided the bombs have been progressively been getting stronger. Even with the use special shield like spells on a lot of the buildings...”

“It’s common for bombs to become more sophisticated as the bomber becomes more skilled at creating them...” Sentinel spoke like he was recalling straight from memory. He merely blinked in confusion when he realized it was from memory. He shook that off as he continued to quickly read. As he continued to scan the documents something just seemed off about what he was seeing. The problem was it was merely a feeling like a buzzing in the back of his mind of something that he should know. “There is something about this that seems off…” I’m missing something, I know it. What is it!? Damn this memory issue of mine! “Do you have photos of the bombs sites? I just need a shot of the overall scenes.”

Twilight quickly sent the requested photos. “Do you think that maybe the answer is in the photos?”

“Maybe... It’s just a feeling like something I should know but I can’t figure out what…” Sentinel answered, waving his claw to allow the meeting to continue as he studied the photos and charts more. Scorpan moved closer so he could begin to look at the charts himself.

“Ambassador Grizzle…” Celestria motioned for the griffon to speak.

“Right. We are starting to get refugees from the eyries to the east. For the moment we are handling it but the stories that some of them are telling are… unsettling.”

“How so?” He of Hourglass questioned.

“Not much, but for seasoned griffon warriors especially those of our sister eyries to the east…” The griffon shivered, his plumage puffing up, “The only consistency is a dark, ashen cloud or fog rolling in the night, unearthly screams, fire and blood raining from the sky.”

Everydragon paled and began to shiver in fear. Even Sentinel, who was barely listening, shook. Grizzle noticed this curiosity. “Somehow I get the feeling you have heard of this..”

“Of course,” He of Hourglass gulped, “everydragon has ‘heard.’”

“How!?”

“Because…” The Dragon Keeper again shivered, “that is how the ‘Nameless One’ is described in the Dragon Heritage Memories: a dark cloud of ash and fire that rains blood.”

Silence fell over the meeting for a while. The only sound was the occasion shuffle of paper from Sentinel as he continued to examine the data from the bombings. For everyone the reports of the ‘Nameless One’s’ attacks were becoming more open was disturbing. All of them were thinking that it was only a matter of time before they may be facing off with the dragon himself.

“Quartermaster,” He of Hourglass finally broken the silence, “if the clan switches to a pure gem diets how many griffons do you think Hourglass can handle?”

“What!?” Quartermaster and Grizzle shouted in unison at the absurdity of what the Dragon Keeper insinuating.

“Quartermaster, Ambassador, please, swallow your pride.” He of Hourglass pinched his eyebrows. “I’m only interested in having those who wish and are able to fight. Recent events have only served to highlight Hourglass’ weaknesses. With the leyonic interference and remote location getting reinforcements from either Equestria or the Allied Griffon Eyries in a timely manner is next to impossible.”

“Typical…” Grizzle grumbled under his breath.

He of Hourglass clenched his claws so hard that he drew blood. He knew growling or coming off as angry would only fuel the griffon’s stereotypical view of dragons. Unfortunately, Quartermaster had heard as well and was less in control and growled angrily before He of Hourglass motioned him to be silent.

“Ambassador I would like to remind you that dragons have excellent hearing.” The griffon flinched in embarrassment. “As for your lack of faith in our reciprocation of help, both Alicorn Keeper and Twixt’d can reach Equestria in less than twelve to sixteen hours. And everyone else could reach in less than twenty-four. Unless one has on a prior occasion been to the Untamed Wilds and recovered their magic then it could take well over a week to reach Hourglass from the border of Equestria.”

“Ambassador, I’m not suggesting that you force any griffon to Hourglass! I’m merely giving you a way to help ease the social and economic pressure that will build as more refugees pour in. On top of that you probably don’t want to have deal with griffons with itchy talons.”

“So you think that we should Firstclaw!?” Quartermaster was completely taken aback. Sure he liked the griffon ambassador, even with the slight, and he was getting more comfortable with the ponies he just didn’t want to have to deal with warriors with a chip on their shoulders.

“You have yourself a deal.” Grizzle seemed to see what the Dragon Keeper was saying had merit. “But an issue still stands how many can your city handle. I will not send griffons to merely starve to death before they can get their revenge.”

“Quartermaster?” He of Hourglass verbally nudged the dragon. He would ask Secondclaw but he was not as familiar with the forest to the south as the metalworker.

Quartermaster sighed. “I’d say no more than two hundred. But if we are sieged… I can’t say.”

“That can be fixed.” He of Hourglass waved off the concern. “We are already working on building our stores for a possible siege in relation to our pony population. Earth pony magic has proven to be quite helpful in getting food to grow at a rapid pace. Luckily the grasslands to the north of Hourglass has proven to be a viable source of hay. It would not be hard to store up for a griffon population.”

“Celestia,” Sentinel suddenly spoke, “has there been any activity in the area surrounding the gates of Tartarus?”

“No…” Celestia blinked. She could not immediately place why the Alicorn Keeper would bring up the Gates. “Why?”

Sentinel floated a series of photos that he magically increased in size. “What do you see?”

Celestia eyed the photos trying to see how the photos could be connected in anyway to what he was insinuating. “Notice the damage to the stone?” Sentinel then laid out some photos. “You can see a progression in damage in particular to the stone. Most would contribute it to the increase in overall power. Except that several in the later bombings the buildings had their structural integrity enhanced by spells. The spell clearly did work to a degree but not when it comes to stone.”

“What so important about that?” Twilight asked as she took some notes. If Sentinel was correct she had a lot of work ahead.

“Let’s say you are a prisoner in Tartarus. And let’s say you want to escape. First you would have to break the chains binding you. Then you have to get past the guards and traps. If you managed that you would have to navigate a maze of tunnels to the surface. The rock, where solid, surrounding this prison is enchanted with a series of ancient spells to prevent one from digging their way out… or in.”

“Celestia, I believe that the cult is trying to break into Tartarus to free Nightmare Moon.” Celestia and Luna had paled. They both knew what was down in Tartarus. Tirek was just the tip of those housed there that could spell the end of Equestria nevermind the world at large.

“That’s impossible!” Twilight managed to spout out. “The elements destroyed the nightmare that had possessed Luna!”

“I know that but clearly they don’t. The escape and subsequent rampage of Tirek probably only only fueled the wrongful belief that the demon is there…” Sentinel humphed. “It’s actually a sound supposition given that the first time the Nightmare went against the Elements of Harmony the demon along with the host was imprisoned.”

“So they are preparing to assault the Gates of Tartarus in an ill conceived attempt to retrieve a nightmare that isn't there?!”

“No,” Sentinel shook his head. “I doubt they would go after the Gates of Tartarus, one of three open ways into the prison. I would wager that the bombs are an attempt to find a way to overcome the enchanted stone surrounding the prison.”

“Okay then…” Twilight rubbed her head trying to quench the headache building. “Did he or you know of any entrances in or near Equestria besides that Gates of Tartarus?”

“Not sure…” Sentinel answered, “but it will take too long for me to memory walk… and even then there may be ones that he wasn’t aware of… I will check the tomes in the Harmony Council, but somehow I doubt there will be much on sealed entrances. Having said that...”

Sentinel stopped when he noticed that He of Hourglass was receiving a scroll. Whatever it was was probably important as he knew that most dragons didn’t generally ‘shoot the breeze’ via firemail. Most would wait until the dragon migration or personally visit the dragon. Though it was possible that changed with the loss of the Migration. Even then, he knew that He of Hourglass’ network rarely talked to him much outside of ‘business’.

He of Hourglass opened the scroll and paled visibly before he began to shake, not in fear but in fury. “Damn it…” He cursed as he nearly crumbled the scroll in his anger.

“What is it Dragon Keeper?” Sentinel questioned. He had already guessed who the missive was most likely about but he was not going to jump to conclusion as to exactly what it could be about. There was just too many possibilities.

In response He of Hourglass laid open the scroll onto the floor for all to see. Unfortunately no one but the dragons could read the letter given that it was written in dragon script. The letter was very short but it was enough to make every dragon pale to near white.

He has found me.

“Fuck.” Quartermaster cursed.

Sentinel was never one to use minotaur curses, too coarse in his opinion, but in this case he agreed with his hatchmatch. “Fuck, indeed.”

“What in Celestia is going on?” Twilight snapped. She recognize that the letter was written in dragon script but she had not been taught it yet. He of Hourglass had told her that he would teach her after the war as he would only teach it in person and given the time required to learn it it would leave her away from Equestria for up to a year. Not something that could be done during war. Still being left in the dark was… infuriating.

“The beginning of the end Bearer of Magic.” Sentinel explained. “The ‘Nameless One’ has found a dragon that is in Dragon Keeper’s firemail network.”

Author's Note

Seven days... sorry about that this was not an easy chapter to write hopefully I will try to get the next one a bit faster then that.

Reconciliation

Author's Note

Just as a reminder
Golden DragonHeart: Dragon Keeper, He of Hourglass, Firstclaw
Soul Fire: Alicorn Keeper, Sentinel, Vorac, Secondclaw

Reconciliation

37 days since the fall of Traxti City
11 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder
Early Afternoon, Hourglass

“The ‘Nameless One’ has found a dragon that is in Dragon Keeper’s firemail network.”

“Any suggestions on what should we do?” Twilight questioned.

No one answered. Sentinel sighed as he saw that his firstclaw was giving him the floor to answer as he attempted to collect his thoughts on the matter. “I have no idea… only the same as before: prepare for war…”

“That’s it?” Ambassador Grizzle squawked. “Where is the Alicorn Keeper!? He would…”

Sentinel blinked for a moment in confusion as the griffon ranted. I thought we dropped enough hints… though he may be dismissing them as I am in my dragon form as slip of the tongues...

“... I demand an explanation! What have you liz…”

Sentinel walked right up to Grizzle in a threatening manner. For brief moment he shrunk back in fear before he remembered that Sentinel, to him, was merely an image. “Your display would be more intimidating if you were actually here.” Ambassador Grizzle smug grin disappeared to be replaced by absolute shock, his beak dropping nearly to the floor, as Sentinel changed form.

“Al… Alicorn Keeper! You're… the…”

“Alicorn Keeper, yes.” Sentinel resisted the urge to rolled his eyes but he did give at least a smug grin. He was glad that most griffons only knew him to be merely an alicorn stallion and were not aware of his previous kaleidoscope fur. Though he was surprised the the griffon didn’t go into a rant that it was a trick.

“H...how!?” Grizzle exclaimed. “No… No… this is some sort of trick!”

Aaaaand I ‘spoke’ too soon… Sentinel moaned. “Es eslu scktārthotais viethratzis sarzs. As for the details…” Sentinel paused as he tried to find a less blunt way of saying buck off. “They are unimportant right now…”

“But…”

“Ambassador, please.” Celestia lightly pleaded with the griffon before the meeting got further off track. “Sentinel is right, we have more important things to discuss. Dragon Keeper, He of Hourglass, do you have an suggestions for what we should do?”

“None at the moment,” He of Hourglass answered. He had hoped that Secondclaw would be able have something as he needed time to figure out the best way to combat this revelation. Sadly that wasn’t the case, leaving him to basically give out information he was not ready to give out. “But given the reports of the griffons and the location of the dragon the east coast may be first hit… I won’t know for sure without checking with others.”

“Then there is not much more we can do for the moment…” Celestia rubbed her temple trying to ease her frustration. A large MMMM cake would be in her future. “Sentinel, Scorpan if you find anything relevant…

“...To the bombings I will send as soon as we get anything.” Sentinel promised as he interrupted Celestia.

“Any information on the movements of the Nameless One that I can get from my dragonmail network will be sent over as soon as I get any…” He of Hourglass added. “Celestia, Grizzle given the the rapidly deteriorating conditions I would like to propose a daily meeting if nothing more then to make sure that communication lines remain open.”

“Agreed.” Celestia nodded as she agreed.

“I concur.” Grizzle nodded.

12 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder
Early Morning, Hourglass

Soul Fire yawned then stretched, knocking some of the gems that comprised Golden DragonHeart’s bed. The night had been busy for him. He was glad all he did was end bad dreams as it meant he could guard sleep and dreamwalk concurrently. Anything more and he would have had to remain awake. He looked around to see that Golden DragonHeart was resting his head against his desk. “Any word from the dragon that contacted you yesterday?”

“No…” Golden DragonHeart whispered sadly. He lifted his head off of the desk. “And I fear the worse, but I dare not send a letter less the ‘Nameless One’ could use it against us.”

“What of the other dragons in your network?”

“I managed to get a hold of all of them but six… those six I fear are dead as I couldn’t even get the letter to go as none were near the time for the Slumber...”

“So then there is a chance that he was not discovered where or who you are…”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better!?!?” Golden DragonHeart snapped. “Wow! Look! Take my token and all you need to do for me in return is be a piece of meat that I can use as a LIVING SHIELD!”

“DRAGON KEEPER!” Soul Fire roared not backing down from the angry spark dragon, “Calm down. Think of your hoard and breathe.”

Golden DragonHeart growled angrily but did as his secondclaw instructed. He took deep breaths and thought of all of those who he promise to protect and that if he didn’t keep a clear head he would fail. The anger and anxiousness slowly bled out.

Soul Fire breathed a sigh of relief as Golden DragonHeart calmed down. “The longer those dragons hold off the Nameless One the longer we can have to prepare for his arrival and the higher chance we might be able to win. It took one hundred and twenty master spellcasters, twenty of those were spark dragons, just to weaken and seal him. There are only three Keepers alive and there should be twelve… Golden DragonHeart we can’t save everyone…”

“I know that Soul Fire… but it’s still doesn’t make me feel better…”

“No, it doesn’t,” Soul Fire whispered, “and that is a good thing… To become numb to death is to not live at all… and you loose what it means to be sentient, to be merely an animal. We are Keepers. The weight of the elder races’ sin is on us until we absolve that sin by sending the Nameless One to the Void...”

Golden DragonHeart sighed. It was going to be a long day and it had barely even started. He handed over a scroll. “I have a task for you when you go get the supplies from Port Klippfisk.”

Soul Fire opened the scroll and read the contents. According to the scroll he had been tasked to trading for items that could been stored for a possible siege and preferably meat items. Also given the turmoil of the eastern continent trade would have been disrupted. How it disrupted and how bad was unknown. It was before the fall of Traxti City the last time the clan traded with either trade port. There was a slight concern that It had been attacking the trade caravans along the trade route even though it was north of Hourglass and hugged the southern end of the Salt Flats. The clan had previously ignored the caravans in order to not spook them but apparently Golden DragonHeart thought that maybe it was time to offer then armed escorts.

Soul Fire nodded as he rerolled the scroll and without another word he left the library.

For the second time he could sense someone following him. He knew it wasn’t that vile dragon that he promised to shred to a pulp. Whomever it was was doing a good job at staying out of sight which would be quite difficult but not impossible on a partly cloudy day like today. He also couldn’t defect any illusion magic or teleportation magic so either the person wasn’t using them or was really good at hiding his or hers magic signature even from a dragon such as himself. He didn’t want to switch forms unless he had no choice. As much as he knew he would have had better luck tracking down where this person was with alicorn magic he didn’t want to tip the person off to either his other form or the fact that he was actively looking for him.

There it is again… I’m sure of it… Sentinel kept flying as he carefully search the sky behind him. hopefully this time whatever was following would not notice his wandering gaze. He finally caught a glimpse of a very familiar black and greyish blue figure as he zipped from a cloud to another cloud closer.

Twixt’d?! Why am I not surprised. Soul Fire rolled his eyes and slightly shook his head. This wasn’t the first time Twixt’d had followed him. Twixt’d, while he loved his parents, was drawn to Soul Fire. Probably due to what both he and Golden DragonHeart thought could become his hoard. Luckily it never bothered They of Hourglass at all. In fact they felt that Soul Fire was a good influence on the whelp. It did help that they were hatchmates.

“Twixt’d? Why are you following me?” Soul Fire accused as he teleported to where Twixt’d was hovering behind a small cloud.

“I… uh…” Twixt’d flustered for a few words from the shock of Soul Fire’s suddenly teleporting in front of him before his expression darkened. “None of your business!”

Soul Fire tilted his head in confusion as he watched Twixt’d. Why would he revert to his old patterns? The only thing he could think of was Twixt’d was struggling to sort out his feelings. “Twixt’d, it is my business… why don’t we land?”

“Fine.” Twixt’d grumbled.

After they landed Soul Fire looked into Twixt’d eyes to get an idea of his internal turmoil. There, hidden in the whelp’s inner fire, was confusion, anger, frustration, and rage along with love, friendship, and admiration. All of these emotions were directed at him. Uh huh I see… I think I know how to deal with it.

“Hit me.” Soul Fire ordered.

“What!?” Twixt’d head snapped back in shock. He was upset, mad even, at the dragon but not really to the point of hitting him. He just needed time… but then he wasn’t even sure why he followed Soul Fire.

“HIT ME!” Soul Fire roared. Smoke and ash pour out of his maw as he took a predatory step forward. “Hit me you miserable excuse for a drake!”

Twixt’d’s rage finally snapped and in a swift motion he clawed at Soul Fire who merely closed his eyes as the claw came down. Soul Fire could feel the sharp claws of Twixt’d slashing deep across his head. Luckily the slash missed his eyes. Once he could feel the claw lift off of his face he poured a bit of power into his paw and closed the claw marks on his face. Unlike any other times he didn’t heal it fully. He knew it would scar healing it the way he did, but it felt right.

Twixt’d shook as the rage poured out with each breath. The more he breathed the less rage he felt. When he finally felt no more rage he finally looked up. Soul Fire now sported three linear marks that went from above his left, green eye and down to the left ending just short of his right, purple eye. He look at his own claw as saw that it was dripping with blood. He shrunk back in fear of what Soul Fire might do.

Why did Soul Fire egg him to attack him? Sure he was upset at Soul Fire but he truely didn’t want to hurt him even though he did think about doing it when he smashed up the training grounds. That was why he took his rage out on the training equipment and not Soul Fire. He cared for his best friend he was just so frustrated that he would allow him to help and that he had been hiding something as important as he did.

Soul Fire relaxed as he saw in the whelp’s eyes and more importantly his inner fire no longer held hurt and resentment towards him. He did see the panic rising but he was just happy the Twixt’d was back to his old self. “Feeling better?”

“No!” Twixt’d screamed. “I just slashed you face to the point of scarring… I could have taken out an eye! I… I… could have...”

“Are you mad at me any more?” Soul Fire interrupted Twixt’d before his blubbering got worse.

“I… No…” Twixt’d reluctantly answered.

“Good.”

“Good!?” Twixt’d angrily repeated. “I… oh whatever!”

Soul Fire watched Twixt’d’s expressions for a moment longer to make sure he didn’t make a mistake in his assessment. He was soon satisfied that Twixt’d was perfectly fine he was most likely just was not wanting to deal with the situation at the moment.

“Can I hang with Vorac?” Twixt’d suddenly asked.

That caught Sentinel off guard. After all that Twixt’d went through with Vorac he wants to hang with him!?! It made little sense. “Why!?”

“I dunno…” Twixt’d shrugged.

“You are going to have to do better Twixt’d… Vorac… is…” Sentinel wasn’t exactly sure how to describe Vorac especially since he was changing… but so was he… It was headache inducing for sure.

“Don’t get me wrong I like dad and all but I have always admired you… you always had this... aura around you… and with a ‘name’ like Vorac and a voice that sounds like ‘you fucking mess with me or my friends bitch and I’ll fuck your ass so hard that you’ll have shit out of your mouth…’” Twixt’d chuckled for a moment before it died in sorrow. “I wish I knew you on the streets… Hell, nothing would have bucking messed with us... life would have been different…”

*I like him.* Vorac spoke up for the first time during the exchange.

Sentinel inwardly groaned. Of course his feral half had to be like Quartermaster and find his ability to curse to be a plus. Though he also suspected that it was more to do with Twixt’d’s praise of Vorac’s voice more then that he had been so ‘eloquent’ with his description. “Yeah, but that’s not you… you're no gangsta wannabe…”

“True…” Twixt’d admitted, “but it would have made life a lot easier…”

“Easier and right rarely work together… sadly usually it’s right and hard…” Soul Fire sadly explained. “Having said that, I wish I had found you on the streets of Traxti sooner…”

“Gah!” Twixt’d shouted, throwing his arms into the air. “Enough with the bucking doom and gloom I had my fill the past week…”

Pirates and Familiar Faces

38 days since the fall of Traxti City

12 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Early Afternoon, Nearing Port Klippfisk

“How do you laugh like that?” Twixt’d snapped in frustration.

Vorac couldn’t stop laughing long enough to answer. Twixt’d had tried and failed miserably in replicating his feral laugh. At one point he had choked on foam that was created from his numerous attempts.

Vorac suddenly stopped laughing when he smelt something burning. Sentinel, who had faded almost completely away, came roaring back to the forefront.

“Twixt’d… something is wrong.” Sentinel spoke taking note of the plume of smoke in the distance and in the area and direction of Port Klippfisk.

“Sentinel?” Twixt’d questioned wondering why Sentinel was back and what was going on.

“Rainboom speed.” Was all that Soul Fire said before increasing his speed.

Twixt’d quickly recovered from his confusion and caught up with Soul Fire. “What is going on?”

“Can’t say for sure, but there is a massive plume of smoke in the direction of Port Klippfisk.”

Sentinel and Twixt’d landed heavily on top of the lighthouse/battlement/lookout at the edge of the harbor. Sentinel chose to land here instead of the port proper because the lookout at the top of the tower would know what was going on in the water of the harbor and bay which was where most of plumes of smoke were coming from. Standing on the lookout was a young gargoyle with sea bleached blond fur. As soon as the two dragons landed the gargoyle turned and shook in fright.

“DRAGONS! THEY HAVE DRAG... nmpth mammph...” The remaining of the young gargoyle lookout’s alarm was muffled by Sentinel clawed paw.

“Relax.” Sentinel spoke softly trying to soothe the frightened gargoyle. “We are here to help. Now I’m going to release you. Can you not sound the alarm while I explain why I am here?”

“Hey what about me!” Twixt’d protested. He was here to to help too.

“Twixt’d!” Sentinel admonished the whelp before facing the gargoyle again. “Can you tell me your name?”

“Bbbb Barus, Sir.” Barus stammered out nervously once his mouth was free.

“Don’t sir me, Barus I’m just Sentinel, okay?” Barus nodded in understanding. “I and my friend, Twixt’d, were sent here to trade for food items particularly klippfisk. When we saw the plume of smoke we rushed here so we can assist.” Sentinel smiled when Barus seemed to believe him. “Well Barus, what can you tell me about what is going on in the bay and harbor?”

“Uh, well, an armada of pirates are bombarding the harbor. We were successful in closing the harbor wall but... we won’t last long with the amount of firepower they are using against us.”

“Got it. I’ll see what I can do about the warships. Twixt’d help the port defenders in whatever they need.”

“But Sentinel, I can easily help out in taking out the warships and can easily fly out of range of cannon fire!” Twixt’d growled in frustration. “This is just like the last changeling attack! You still don’t trust me in battle.”

“On the contrary, I trust you more in battle than any other drake in our clan.” Sentinel raised a claw to stop Twixt’d’s coming protest. “A good commander knows the strengths and weakness of those under his command. You are not yet ready for a battle like this just yet. The water can seem like the sky and the sky like water during an aerial battle...”

“But I can fly circles around someone of the best flyers in the world!” Twixt’d protested.

“Yes, I know you are a natural flyer! The best flyer that I have probably ever seen! With enough time you will far outstrip my ability.” Sentinel snapped in exasperation. “That still doesn’t make you ready…”

“Fine.” Twixt’d finally relented. “But I want more Vorac time for this!”

“Twixt’d I can’t force him to come ou…”

*Tell whelp yes.* Vorac purred happily.

“Uh,” Sentinel blinked, “okay, he has agreed.” I know Vorac is me but I am becoming more and more confused with him… or me… ugh headache...

“Stay safe.”

Sentinel nodded and he took off towards the harbor. As he flew he began to figure out what he had to deal with. From what he could see through the smoke and the little knowledge he had on seafaring boats it appeared the port was under attack from six galleons and what he thought might be two frigates along with several smaller ships. He had no idea what they were. Actually as he thought on it, it was possible it was six frigates and two galleons…

Sentinel dunked under a cannon ball that came real close to taking off his head. He flew a bit higher to get out of range so he could fully assess what was going on. What he saw bothered him. This was a very organized attack, atypical for most pirate attacks especially this size. They not only had noticed him but were able to keep him engaged while maintaining the attack on the port even amongst the chaos. There had to a good reason for this large of a fleet of pirates to be working so well together...

A roar of a dragon and stream of green fire caught his attention. He knew for a fact it wasn’t He of Hourglass, his firstclaw, the fire not only was a darker shade of green but also didn’t have the correct magic signature. He could not see the dragon from all of the smoke in the air which only further concerned him. Why was there a dragon here and why is the dragon attacking? The port defenders had said nothing about dragons...

He tried to peer through the smoke with magic but because the smoke was more than just normal smoke he was having troubles. Suddenly he caught the movement of what he sure was a dragon. He nearly missed getting a glimpse of the dragon as he zipped between clouds of smoke and ash.

The dragon was black and appeared spineless, typical for that coloration. The dragon was moving too fast, however, to get a clear look of the tail weapon but it look like some sort of stinger. If this was the same dragon as before then his belly scales would be a dark green.

Wait… that coloration and the tail... could it be Reward Seeker!? Sentinel shook his head and blinked hard thinking that maybe he just thought he saw him through the shifting smoke. Further speculation had to wait as he dived under another cannon ball. The pirates had managed to either increase their range or where getting better with their shots. The dragon issue would have to wait, he had a warship to deal with.

He sent his flaming sword spinning at a pirate warship below him, cutting down the masts, disabling it, and causing confusion on the deck. Some on deck had even been knocked into the water. He took advantage of this distraction to dive down to roughly land on the deck. He wanted to know exactly who and where these pirates came from. Once on deck he slammed his claws onto the deck sending out tendrils of magic to grab the cannons below deck. As soon as he got all fifteen canons in his magical grasp he waved his paw and roughly smashed them through the hull and into the ocean below. He could hear at least two screams as he did.

“Dragon on Deck!”

“Get him!”

“Dumb lizard, die!”

Sentinel tensed as the few remaining above deck finally took note of his presence. A diamond dog tried to charge him from the side. Sentinel stabbed him right through the heart with his trident tail and flung the now dead dog overboard. He then slashed down a minotaur that was running straight at him with a large hammer. A chimera of some type, who was the helmsman or captain, he wasn’t sure, then tried to drop down from above and stab in him the back but his flame sword cut him in half. He quickly levitated the bodies into the sea. He was not taking any risk.

A massive explosion rocked the ship sending splinters in all directions. Sentinel flung his wings outward in an attempt to steady himself. He winced as some of the splinters cut up his more vulnerable wings. He looked around once the ship stop rocking to see that there was no one else alive above deck. And from what he did below the chances of anyone being alive below deck was slim. Another explosion hit the bow, hard, tipping the ship bow first into the water momentarily. Sentinel almost thought that the ship would sink right then, bow first. After a moment the ship groaned hard and slammed back down, level to the water.

The ship was falling apart from the cannon and magic bombardment and was most likely taking on water. Sentinel knew he had to work fast before the ship was blasted apart, sank, or both. If he was going to be able to get any information now would be the time. He rushed into the captain's quarters, the reinforced walls around them would give him time as he rummaged for any evidence on the pirates, their hideouts, maps, charts, missives.

Anything that looked remotely helpful he snatched. Several times he slashed open locked drawers and just dumped the entire contents into his satchel. There would be time to sort it out all later. He was about to leave when he noticed a concealed floor safe. He examined it for any magic traps or locks and finding none he blasted the door off.

All that he could find inside was an amulet of a howling wolf. “The Wolven Amulet!?!” He exclaimed outloud in his shock. He examined a moment longer and realized that he could sense no dark magic coming from it. Matter of fact, he could sense zero magic coming from it. No, only a replica… Seeing that there was nothing else of investigative value in sight he roared. A shock wave imploded outward from the roar caused everything in the room and the room itself to explode into millions of pieces. Sentinel shook himself off as splinters of wood rained down on him. He quickly leaped up and flew away from the sinking vessel, avoiding an errant magic blast.

“Merc! We have a flyer coming from one of the ships!” A gruff voice yelled out from above him.

Sentinel looked around in an attempt to figure out where he heard the shout. He was sure he heard the voice before but he wasn’t sure from where. A stream of orange fire rained down in front of him which was would have been easy to avoid it it wasn’t for the fact that a green flame tried to cut off his escape. Great I don’t need this. Two dragon attackers… and me unable to use my alicorn form with all of this smoke… Looks like I will need a Soul Song.

They sing a lovely tune
‘Yo ho yo ho a pirate’s life for me.’
What they don’t know, nor see
A life of crime never pays.

Fire the cannons,
Unsheathe your swords!

Davy Jones is a comin’ for ya
for those that plunder an’ pillage
Time to dig another grave
An’ hang another noose

WHAT THE! Sentinel nearly lost the Soul Song as he realize that the two dragons that were in the battle where singing along with him. They’re are singing WITH ME!?!! How!?

Fire the cannons,
Unsheathe your swords!

Rain Landlubbers an’ Sky Crows
Rain fire an’ blood on cross an’ bones.
Death swoons an’ calls for those
Who call Jolly Roger friend!

He could taste and smell the terror now upon the pirates thanks to the Soul Song. Not wanting to waste another second, and while he had his two dragon pursuers busy recovering from the Soul Song, he zoomed at a nearby pirate ship that had the least battle damage. He slammed into it just as he reach rainboom speed.

An immense explosion of rainbow light followed by the sound of the crack of lightening completely engulfed the ship. A massive concussion wave picked up water in a huge wave and rushed out and blasted all the smoke and flames away. A few of the smaller ships capsized from the fierce and sudden wind. As the light faded and the wind and water calmed the battle eerily went quiet. All eyes were on the the pink dragon who alone hovered in the middle of where the ship once floated as millions of pieces of wood no bigger than a toothpick rained down on the harbor.

Sentinel looked around at the remaining ships as he could see frantic white flag waving from each one. I guess they prefer the hangman's’ noose over obliteration… Sentinel smirked. Nothing stops a fight faster than a display of unimaginable power. He looked up to see the two dragons hovering in the air. One was completely orange with a double line of sharp spines and no tail weapon and the black dragon that he saw earlier, which, as he predicted, had dark green belly scales and a stinger for a tail weapon.

So it was Reward Seeker! Sentinel’s eyes widened when he recognized the dragons. Merc must be his title… Merc.... as in mercenary… and of course his friend Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines. I wonder why they are here. Merc and his orange dragon friend struggled to remain airborne, their jaws dropped in a comical fashion. Sentinel chuckled at the familiar sight. Those two seemed to only know that expression during their stay in Hourglass. I wonder if Dragon of Orange Scales and Spikes was successful in finding a Hoard Name...

Sentinel headed off to the port before the dragons could properly recover from their shock. He was tired and ached all over and was not in the mood to deal with them at the moment. The spell he used on the last ship took a lot out of him. I have got to learn better control of my dragon magic without the use of my alicorn magic. Especially if I plan to use more of his spells while only a dragon… Hopefully next time I will be able to use them while an alicorn...

“Hey wait!” Merc called out.

Not wanting to talk at the moment Sentinel sped off at near Rainboom speeds. He needed to check on Twixt’d, report to Firstclaw, and find a place to rest for the night. The sun was nearing the horizon and he needed to dreamwalk.

Golden DragonHeart couldn’t decide whether to snicker or daw at the sight of Twixt’d sleeping upside down on one of the thrones. He was drooling and snoring hard. He was glad that He of Laughter and Scorpion were here otherwise he was sure that Twixt’d would wake up with a moustache, monocle, or some other drawings or writings.

“Thanks for coming Golden DragonHeart.” Soul Fire whispered.

“Of course. What is going on?” Golden Dragon Heart questioned Soul Fire. He noted the scar on his face that looked like claw marks so he had already figured there had been a fight.” I expected a letter at most not a summons.”

“Port Klippfisk was attacked by a fleet of pirate ships. They were soundly defeated and those that survived are being interrogated thoroughly before the ‘final, long drop.’ But that wasn’t why I summoned you.”

“THE WOLVEN AMULET!” Golden DragonHeart shouted once he saw what Soul Fire had pulled out of the satchel.

“Shhh!” Soul Fire admonished, whacking Golden DragonHeart with the side of his trident. “It’s merely a benign replica that I found it on one of the pirate ships.”

“Why did the did this pirate have a Wolven Amulet reproduction?”

“Not sure… There is a small sliver of a gem embedded inside the amulet.” Soul Fire waved a claw and an image of a white opaque gem with something painted on the outside appeared.

“Can it be traced back?” Golden DragonHeart asked as he took a close look at the gem. The painted pattern didn’t look like a pony spell matrix.

“Unless someone ‘calls’? No…” Soul Fire shook his head negatively. “And even then it would be difficult. It’s merely a simple receiver, and not a true receiver at that as this can only glow. All someone would need is to know this pattern and the correct spell that is attuned to this pattern. My guess it’s a very basic communication spell or something similar. With exception of the Dragon Firemail (including the pony spell) communication spells use exponentially more magic the further one tries to communicate. Add sound or visual it only gets worse.”

“The question is why would a pirate have a replica of the Wolven Amulet that can be set to glow…”

“I hope that I will get those answers soon… I also took documents and trinkets from the same ship that I got the amulet from but other then to check for magic I have yet to go through them. Hopefully, we can get answer from them… Something tells me that the pirates will be less than talkative about the amulet...”

“Anything else?” Golden DragonHeart questioned when Soul Fire fell into silence.

“What can you tell me about the Dragon of Black and Green Scales and Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines?”

“Nothing much.” Golden DragonHeart was taken aback that was totally unexpected. “They are alive and well but they are mum on what they are doing and where they are…Why?”

“Well I can answer part of it… They are in Port Klippfisk… and at least for the moment are looking for me.”

“Hmm... Think that maybe they are headed our way? I did send out warnings about the ‘Nameless One.’ Though it could mean that Dragon Orange Scales and Spines has found a name.”

“Possible… Not sure yet… When I check on the Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines he seemed to gaze out into sea thoughtfully at the salvage and cleanup efforts after the battle.”

“You think his hoard name is related in some way?”

“Maybe… I will get a better idea tomor… What?” Soul Fire wondered at the look he was receiving.

“You are up to something,” Golden DragonHeart’s eyes narrowed further, “and I’m sure I’m not going to like it either.”

“I’m not up to anything.”

“I know that look Soul Fire.” The spark dragon gestured to the the face of the stained dragon. “Just promise me that whatever seemingly idiotic, stupid, gembrain for a lava belly flopper idea you have that it won’t come back to kick us both in balls.”

“I just follow my gut…” Soul Fire shrugged.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Golden DragonHeart pinched his eyebrow. “Your gut has been right… so far…”

Soul Fire was about to retort when someone’s stomach took that exact moment to growl. Golden DragonHeart chuckled nervously before pulled out a gem and promptly started to lick and suck on the gem like a jawbreaker.

“You’re evil, you know that.” Soul Fire poked Golden DragonHeart in the stomach.

Golden DragonHeart only grinned wider before he swallowed the gem and smacking his lips loudly. “So... may I ask why Twixt’d is here? He clearly wasn’t needed for this gem of a meeting.” He half teased.

“Golden DragonHeart I am so going to get you for this…” Soul Fire threatened under his breath.

“I’m shaking in my dainty little claws…” Golden DragonHeart mocked.

Oh your claws will be dainty when I’m done with you… Soul Fire vowed darkly to himself before he turned his gaze to the sleeping whelp. “Twixt’d and I shall sleep here in the Harmony chambers…”

“Alicorn Keeper!” Golden DragonHeart cringed when he realized he spoke too loudly. He looked over at Twixt’d and sighed in relief when he saw that his outburst had not waken him. He turned back to address Soul Fire again. “Alicorn Keeper, he is not a Keeper. It’s not safe for a non Keeper to physically be in the Plane of Harmony for long…”

“Yes, I know Dragon Keeper.” Soul Fire smiled as he watched Twixt’d mumble and scratch himself in his sleep. “It’s only for the night. I’m exhausted from the battle and I still need to give Luna at least another night of rest.”

“Okay. But, Soul Fire… I hope you know what you are doing…”

You and me both… Soul Fire thought as Golden DragonHeart left.

The Dragons of the Seas

Author's Note

There is a song during this chapter so there will be colors for each of the singers:
Golden DragonHeart/He of Hourglass
Soul Fire/Sentinel
Quartermaster/Metal Claws
She of Hourglass/MetalEtched Claws
And of course black bold italics is all.

The Dragons of the Seas

39 days since the fall of Traxti City

13 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Late morning, Port Klippfisk

Twixt’d…

Twixt’d ear frill twitched for a second before the sounds of sleep returned fully.

Twixt’d…

“Five more minutes dad…” Twixt’d grumbled as he shifted himself away from the intrusive voice.

Soul Fire had to suppress the urge to gaffaw at the absurdity. As it was he ended up snorting into his paw… Twixt’d did on occasion sleep in his parents hoard nest he had basically from the beginning slept alone first in a home next to Harmonious Knight’s house and then more recently in his own hoard that he built with his dad in the silo next to the orange tree orchard. Never once in that time did Twixt’d ever call him dad… father, gramps, maybe, but those instances it was done sarcastically. This was just being sleepy...

Soul Fire grinned widely as he thought of a way to wake the sleeping whelp. “Then I guess you’re not in the mood for fresh salted cod with just a sprinkling of gem powder? I guess I’m going to have to eat it,” He leaned into whisper in Twixt’d’s ear frill, “all… by... myself…”

Twixt’d’s eyes snapped open. “You wouldn’t dare!” He growled out as he extracted himself quickly from his odd sleeping position on the throne.

Never fails the stomach wins. Soul Fire mused as he chuckled. “Well, it seems Sleeping Beauty needed only a meal not a kiss... pity.”

Twixt’d punched Soul Fire, hard. “Sometimes I bucking hate you.”

Soul Fire shrugged, knowing that not only was Twixt’d was teasing him but that his indifference would only frustrate him. “Okay!” Soul Fire switched gears suddenly and handed a scroll to Twixt’d who grabbed it reflexively as he stood there dumbfounded. “Here is a list of the items we need from the trade market. And the payment for them.” Soul Fire put a satchel on Twixt’d shoulder. “The harbor will need wood and stone to rebuild… you can use a promise of those to help in your negotiations.”

“Bu… I… wha?” Twixt’d rubbed his face then shook himself hard. The threat of no food had stirred him up but his brain had yet to fully awaken. He pinched his brow as he went over exactly what was he was told to do. “You sure about this? I mean I…”

“You will do fine.” Soul Fire grinned as he pulled in the whelp into a hug and gave him a good natured noogie. Twixt’d grumbled but smiled as he pulled away from it. “Now, while you are doing that I need to talk to the leaders about the possibility of having Hourglass provide armed escorts for the trade caravans between Port Klippfisk and Hell’s Gate.”

“Um, okay, but why am I doing this...” Twixt’d held up the scroll questionably and shifted the satchel uncomfortably.

Soul Fire gestured to a portal behind Twixt’d that he had created. “You need the practice and I have a feeling that you will do far better than myself… and be more fair. I want the trading we do to be mutually beneficial not one sided… And my actions yesterday might have put the civilians on edge…”

“But…”

“Salted cod with a dusting of gem powder…”

Late morning, Just outside Port Klippfisk

Soul Fire looked off at the fading dust cloud. Twixt’d had finish the negotiations and was leading a trade caravan back towards Hourglass. The need for building supplies was so great that a caravan as set up within minutes of Twixt’d suggestion of Hourglass trading wood and stone for dried, salted, and or pickled meats. Luckily for everyone most of port’s food supply (both for trading and for the populus’ use) had not been damaged at all thanks to the timely closure of the harbor defense wall. All that was needed was rebuilding supplies. The harbor wall was severely damaged along with a good chunk of the boats in the harbor.

He himself had just offered the use of the Hourglass Guard in armed escorts between the two ports. Which was met with resistance when he first offered. Not the least bit surprising given most people’s skewed, if mostly right, assumption about dragon greed. While the two sister trade ports Hell’s Gate and Port Klippfisk were by no means poor the strain of the conflicts of the eastern continents after the Fall of Traxti City and the increase in piracy in the years before had strained them to breaking point which would have definitely happened without the timely intervention of himself. He could not say for sure about the dragons Merc and Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines. None of the leaders of knew about them or why they were in the area leaving more questions that he hoped he would get answers for. Which is why he remained behind and in the open. It was very likely that they would look for him.

“You need a lot more practice to hide from me using magic.” Sentinel spoke after waiting or nearly an hour.

“Who are you?”

“You must be Merc.” Sentinel smiled and he turned around to face the black and green dragon. the orange dragon was standing behind him and to the side. “I heard your companion call out that title during the battle over the bay. What can I do for you?”

“You owe me an explanation Dragon of Rainbow Horns.”

Sentinel let his grin widen. “By your own words, Merc, I owe you nothing.”

“We have never met before yesterday!” Merc snapped. He frown as he continued to examine the strange dragon, something about this dragon was off.

“That is only half true…” Sentinel causally noted as he walked past the now flabbergasted Merc.

“I think I would remember a pink dragon such as yourself. Though,” Merc barked a short mocking laugh, “from what I can see it’s stained and is not your natural color… Come brother, this dragon is plain looney and anything he could give me would not be worth it.”

“I’m disappointed Merc…” Sentinel called out to the now retreating dragon pair. “A Hoard Name was worth it.”

“Not interested in your name Dragon of Stained Scales.” Merc sneered before he prepared to take off.

*Let me at him!* Vorac snarled at the insult.

OooO hOO OOoo dELIcIOUs!

*Shut it, demon!* Sentinel snapped. He didn’t have time for this. *Vorac could you?*

*Yesssss.* Vorac hissed in pleasure for what he was about to do. He was going to get to finally get to smack the Nightmare for all the taunts.

No… NO! nooOOOOOooo!!! The Nightmare screamed as Vorac once again imprisoned the Nightmare into the deep recess of their shared mind.

“I was talking about yours Reward Seeker not mine…”

Merc stop dead in his tracks and slowly turned around. Sentinel could see the rage pouring out of his eyes, his maw slightly opening and glowing. Merc, to the surprise of both Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines and Sentinel, was on top of Sentinel before either could do anything to react. With an equally swift motion he knocked the much smaller dragon onto his back and pressed down hard on his throat.

“Any last words Dishonored?” Merc snarled as he choked Sentinel.

“There was four that witnessed your rechoosing…” Sentinel grinned even as he struggled to get enough breath. “Your secondclaw, Golden DragonHeart, Eternal Beats, and finally… an alicorn by the name of Harmonious Knight…”

“MERC!” The orange dragon suddenly yelled out. Something had been bothering him ever since they saw this dragon. His voice, the rainbow colors in the horns, the rainbow explosion, and now the intimate knowledge of something that only five would know about. Two of those being the dragon in question, Merc, and himself, The other two dragons, He of Hourglass and He of Hourglass would not give out that information nor could they be this dragon in disguise. For one He of Hourglass was a musician and was never seen without his ocarina and guitar and two while the Dragon Keeper was skilled enough in magic to disguise himself but at this level seemed doubtful, especially after the amount of magic that was expelled during the battle. Neither of them seemed the type to risk dishonorment by blurting out a Hoard Name. That left only one...

“WHAT!?” Merc roared angrily at his subordinate.

“Stop.” The orange dragon put a claw on the shoulder of Merc who after a tense moment lifted off of the pink dragon. The dragon then lean down to get a good look at the much smaller dragon. “He of Harmony?”

Sentinel smiled in pride at the orange dragon’s ‘correct’ guess. He shifted to his alicorn form shocking both dragons. Again a familiar expression coming from them. He got up and turned so the two dragons could see his cuitemark.

“You really are He of Harmony! But… How? Did you learn a new trick from those bug demons!?”

“No,” Sentinel shook his head. “I was He of Harmony… I was Harmonious Knight... I am Soul Fire, Secondclaw of the Hourglass Clan, known as either Sentinel or Vorac... depending on the situation.”

Merc blinked trying to wrap his head around everything. “But why trick us like you did?”

“I wanted to do a little test.”

“A test!?”

Soul Fire nodded. “I remember what you were like when you first were freed… filled with uncertainty and shame… even when you left... Now… Now you both hold yourself with such confidence and you have also fully embrace your positions as First and Second claws. Also...” He turned to face the orange dragon. “Did I see correctly yesterday that you have found a Hoard Name?”

“Brother?” Merc looked back at his companion in shock then back to Soul Fire. His brother had said nothing to him about finding a Hoard Name yet.

The orange dragon opened and shut his mouth repeatedly as he tried to form words. “If there was any doubt, Merc, that cements it. You are the Alicorn Keeper… Yes, I have, but I have to ask How? I only figured it out yesterday.”

Where once was broken hearts
With darkness surroun’
Now see the fire blaze strong
See that is how it starts!

Merc and the orange dragon looked about wondering why Soul Fire started singing a soul song.

Hourglass

He of Hourglass came out the morning meeting with both Equestria and the Griffon Eyries in a sour mood. The meeting was not very productive. It ended up devolving into an argument on the best way to defend the coast from the eventual invasion of the ‘Nameless One.’ He would have like to have had Alicorn Keeper in the meeting to spur Celestia into action and to temper the more ‘suicidal charge’ that came from both Luna and Grizzle. Except he had him go to Port Klippfisk and would be busy dealing with the aftermath of the pirate attack.

He originally was going to have Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws go to Hell’s Gate, trade, then head to Port Klippfisk after dropping off whatever they managed to get. It was a good thing he changed his mind as Port Klippfisk came under attack and they now had a lead, however thin it was, to finding the final and last Elder Amulet. Plus he ran into the the previous thralled dragons Reward Seeker and Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines.

There was one thing that concerned him with those two dragons: Soul Fire. He was up to something. He trusted his Secondclaw completely but sometimes… Nothing he could do now about it but wait and hope.

He had just managed to make it to just right in front of Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws’ forge when he could feel a pull that he was familiar with. Why not? He shrugged as he let it flow through him.

A friend’s hand reaches out
Shows you salvation
No more fog, confusion
Because you found out...

He was curious about why the soul song lyrics were so strange. He wonder if Eternal Beats was playing again and he was just out of hearing but not out of its magical range. Metal Claws and MetalEtched Claws walked out of the forge. They were preparing to sing with him on the chorus which he knew, somehow, was next.

You are the dragons of the seas
Who seize the day!
Who light the world ablaze
An’ send all into a daze!

Merc and the Dragon Of Orange Scale and Spines blinked as the world around them return from the white that had enveloped them. Except they were no longer near Port Klippfisk but in the Plane of Harmony. Having been there before they resisted the urge to look downwards. Though the they did look around to try and find Soul Fire.

The song song continued as one by one the clan of Hourglass appear around them. Sentinel was back in his dragon form to the confusion of the two dragons. Sentinel had already tested them and no longer needed to disguise himself.

So though you lost the past
You were ne’er afraid
Now you’re whole again
Because you held on fast

You are the dragons of the seas
Who seize the day!
Who light the world ablaze
An’ send all into a daze!

A soft melody kept playing from Scorpion via his ocarina.

Merc looked at his brother and secondclaw began to roar remembering the way He of Hourglass had helped him rechoose. As he did He of Hourglass added his normal Harmony magic to help it work. Dragon of Orange Scales and Spines added his own roar until the two became synchronized. Then they stopped.

“Atlītzīsa Leülētājs!” Merc roared out.

“Es izvēlēties Üzu Sūvētājs Jūrthieüs!”

Scorpion quickly switched back to his guitar and in a cresdo the song soul came back in full force.

You are the dragons of seas…
And you seized the day (the day)
The glory of your light (the blazing light)
Sent the world ablaze!

Sent them ablaze! (Dragons of the seas…)

What a daze it was… (Seized the day!)

That sent all into a daze… (Lit the world ablaze)

Oh you dragons of the seas! (Sent all into a daze!)

“Whoa…” The two, hopefully newly clanned, dragons breathed out at the conclusion of the song.

“Well that was fun... Same time tomorrow?” Sentinel joked. He felt very drunk from the song. It was a very strong Soul Song. Actually, he never been been a part of, or heard for that matter, a Soul Song this strong.

*May I?* Scorpion asked tapping his headphone ears.

“Uh…” Reward Seeker rubbed his ear frill making sure he heard what he didn’t hear. “I have no issue. What about you Shipwright Sailor?”

“I’m okay with it.” Shipwright Sailor answered as Scorpion was busying listening to Reward Seeker’s song. “I would love to know if we managed to really become clan…”

Scorpion finished with the new firstclaw and went to the newly rechosen orange dragon. *Tie ir ülaths!!!* He ‘shouted out’ in shock. *They have a clan melody…*

“Scorpion?” He of Hourglass questioned the now bawling dragon. “Then what’s the matter? Why are you crying?”

*The Soul Song we just sang… it's their clan melody!*

“Clan melody?” Reward Seeker scratching the top of his head.

*Just as each dragon has a soul song that is similar to the inner fire...* Scorpion began his explanation, *dragons from the same clan will a shared melody within their soul songs.*

“Again I find myself feeling that I have a debt to you dragons of Hourglass and , um, Sentinel... or is it Vorac? You never explained which to use... that I can never repay.”

“Right now? Sentinel… Trust me, you’ll know when to use Vorac… As for your ‘debt’ your clan song is probably already apart of Scorpion’s hoard so I think we can can say that is cov…” Sentinel stopped mid sentence to gaze at Quartermaster. He was growling angrily and threateningly at Reward Seeker. “Quartermaster…” Sentinel warned. He wondered when or if Quartermaster would stop jumping to his defense or anyone’s defense without getting all of the facts first.

“But to put you separate from the clan…”

Sentinel clamped Quartermaster’s mouth with his magic. “Probably because they still assume that I’m an alicorn… I did mention I was the Secondclaw but that was in the midst of several other big reveals and from their current slack jaw expressions I’d say their brains glossed right over that. I also never outright told them that I had been ascended from alicorn to spark dragon.”

Quartermaster had nothing to say but his mouth did open slightly like he was silently ohing.

*Wow! I know you have had to forgo meat but I didn’t think you’d get that desperate that you’d resort to flies.*

Quartermaster snapped his jaw shut then kicked Scorpion in the side. This of course got the musician to retaliate and it devolved from there. He of Hourglass facepalmed as the two dragons began to fight. He looked over at the new clan and was a bit shocked that both had laid down and looked to be watching in amusement.

They are okay with this… No. It’s more then that… He of Hourglass’ eyes widen. He used his magic to pull apart the two ‘fighting’ drakes. “I want to try something with permission of my clan and yours.”

“You want to have the Hourglass clan as a whole be ‘hatchmates’ to the ‘Dragons of the Seas’ clan?”

He of Hourglass deflated visibly as again Sentinel was able to figure out what he was thinking and he was sure it had nothing to do with the maturity in code. “Yes…”

“Than I think I speak for all here when I say ‘What the fuck are you waiting for?’”

“Quartermaster!” Sentinel shook his head while trying not to laugh. Quartermaster merely shrugged and grinned knowing full well he was right.

“How are you proposing we do this?” Reward Seeker questioned.

“By combining Fire Tail Ceremony with clan magic. All of us will put fire on our tails like for the ceremony but Reward Seeker and I will pulled the fires and combine them in our hands using our clan magic. Then just like the during the Fire Tail Ceremony we hold the combined clan fire to each other by grabbing each other's fiery hands.”

That could work. Sentinel thought as he spat his white fire onto his tail. He was using the same principle will with how clans collectively hoard and ward their territory. This could get exciting but I will need to remained grounded as I’m sure this could set off a growth...

Once everydragon had fire on their tails He of Hourglass expertly grabbed fire from each tail then turned to face Reward Seeker who was so nervous that he was struggling in grabbing Shipwright Sailors fire. “Relax.” He of Hourglass smiled warmly at Reward Seeker. “Just let it flow.”

Reward Seeker did as he was encouraged and his green flames and Shipwright Sailors orange flames was smoothly pulled through the air and into his front paws.

He of Hourglass looked on with pride and understanding as he saw the awe in the eyes of his counterpart. He had went through the same thing when he first set up the clans wards and hoards. To hold the magic of others that willing gave it to him, he was overwhelmed with emotions of love, awe, and care, among others… The only other time he saw it was with They of Hourglass as they slowly showed him each of their three eggs.

“Ready?” Reward Seeker barely nodded his readiness. He of Hourglass grabbed his front paws quickly before his nerves got the better of him.

Sentinel was nearly overwhelm as he could feel bonds forming between himself and and the other clan. Vorac started to show signs of wanting to grow. Vorac having had some prior experience fought hard. He cared for his sentient half too much now that he wanted to do everything as one with his sentient half.

“Thanks Vorac…” Sentinel whispered. He knew it was going to affect him but not as severely as it did. When he learned that his bond with Medallion could actually grow even after death nearly sent him rushing into a growth he figured that his could be similar but this... this was a tidal wave to the ripple in the pond. He could feel Vorac struggling to hold back his instincts. *I will help you with this Vorac...* Sentinel encouraged his feral side as he gave all his metal power in help. *Just hang on as long as you can.*

Finally the Firstclaws pulled their charred paws apart and Reward Seeker held out one of his charred paws for Shipwright Sailor so they each had a paw to clean. After licking each paw a touch He of Hourglass let the mated pair They of Hourglass to clean one with Sentinel and Scorpion taking the other.

As the Ceremony finished Sentinel quickly switched forms. He couldn’t even sense his feral side as the strain had most likely rendered him catatonic. *Vorac I’m so sorry. I will make this up to you.*

A column of light suddenly surrounded He of Hourglass to the shock of everyone. Something about it was familiar to Sentinel but he couldn’t immediately place it.

“What is happening to me?!?” He of Hourglass screamed in fear, his eyes white in arcanic power.

“I… I don’t know!” Sentinel was confused. The only thing remotely similar to what was happening when his Bearers were able to break the friendship barrier. But everything he could recall about friendship magic was that an elder race couldn’t unless… He looked around to see that every dragon but himself was enveloped in a beam of light and transforming. It can’t be!

The light finally faded so that Sentinel could fully see and his jaw dropped. “Dragon Keeper? Firstclaw?!” Sentinel cautiously approached as he looked over He of Hourglass. His sparks had disappeared, however, his scales gave off a lightly glowing, rainbow, sheen and his spines had become hair like and shifted in a non existent wind. Similar yet different then when the Bearers went through friendship transformations. It was clear this was a friendship magic from the massive and friendly mana pressure he was feeling.

Sentinel realized too late that just as the friendship transformation was unexpected and uncontrollable so too was the magic. As soon has his claw had touched He of Hourglass a wave of prismatic light rushed out from the dragons and slammed right into him knocking him backwards and into the far wall.

“Secondclaw!” He of Hourglass shouted.

De Ex Machina

“What am I supposed to do?!” Harmonious Knight really began to panic. He was no hero. He was reviled by them so how could he even have a hope to help the ponies? And what in Faust did the roc mean by the ponies weren’t in harmony!? As far as he could see the ponies seemed to be in ‘harmony.’ “I’m just an unwanted pony! How am I supposed to bring them back to harmony? I mean what does that even mean?!?”

“I’m sorry,” The roc hen coughed up a glob of blood. “My time has come to an end. You must find that on your own...”

“But I…”

“If you need advice,” The roc gulped and gasped, “ask the Council… of... Harm… ony...”

“The Council of Harmony?!” Harmonious Knight asked. He was still trying to save the roc but he knew very little medical magic much less how to deal with an injured roc. “Where is this council?”

“You’ve... al… already… been… there…”

* * *

“You will die if you don’t leave! Please!” Harmony begged. He didn’t know how much longer before the mountain exploded all together.

She of Glowgem Mountain reached out and lightly clamped Harmony’s muzzle. “Son, Please listen, your clutchmate has manifested.” She gently tilted the alicorn’s head downward so he could see a small purple egg.

An egg?! When… Son!? Harmony started to tear up as he realized exactly what she said and was asking. He looked up and nodded.

The dragoness smiled warmly at him. Then she lovingly lifted the egg.

Lirtzošs Tzirüsteles Tulsā Üas tot Cerīsu

After she was done singing she slowly laid down the egg at Harmony’s hooves.

* * *

“What are you doing with a dragon egg Acolyte?!” The yellow dragon questioned as he walked into his cave.

“He or She is my clutchmate.”

“That can’t be! I can get you being an acolyte but a clutchmate?! I know you know the dragon code on abandoned or orphaned eggs!” He of Flight started to pace. “Now I know you are a prey animal and may have an aversion to smashing the egg but it’s an act of mercy...”

“The same mated pair that made me an acolyte,’ Harmony interrupted and growled out in his anger, “adopted me when they sang the egg name:”

Lirtzošs Tzirüsteles Tulsā Üas tot Cerīsu.

“Oh…” The dragon ‘ohed,’ clearly stunned by Harmony managing to speak the draconic language, “but you realize that the same dragon code still applies about the egg.”

“Not if a clutchmate who knows the egg name and goes through the Rite of Guardianship. I made sure to surreptitiously find out a way to avoid that egg smashing code before I came to you as you are probably the only dragon I know that will initiate the rite for me.”

“Are you crazy?!” He of the Flight ranted as soon as he recovered from the shock of Harmony’s revelation. “That rite is extremely deadly! Very few have even a chance. Once you start you either pass or you die.”

“I. Don’t. Care!” Harmony snapped at the yellow dragon. “The egg is my clutchmate, my family, and he or she is the Dragon Keeper!”

* * *

“Luna this is not going to be helpful in keeping the ponies from losing their bowls around me.”

“But Harmony, having a commanding presence is better than a nauseating presence.” Luna countered holding imposing helmet in her telekinetic grip.

Somehow I don’t think she is getting the point… Harmony facehooved. “Oh, I’m sure that it will work wonders!” Harmony gushed with snarky roll of his eyes. “Hide the scary looking stallion with just as scary looking armor!”

“Come on cousin!” Luna gave the best filly pout she could muster. “Pppppplease for meeeee?”

“Fine!” Harmony whined. “And I’m not your cousin...”

* * *

"DON'T YOU 'KNIGHT’' ME! YOU SHATTERED HARMONY!"

“Your brother stole from my hoard!”

“Discord I have a special task for you…”

“Secondclaw?”

Harmony sighed. He wondered how the Bearers of his Elements will handle him. Here goes nothing. He thought as he prepared to teleport.

“Secondclaw?”

Sentinel snapped awake, panting. He was in complete shock from what just happened it was as if...

“Secondclaw are you okay?” He of Hourglass questioned when he noticed that Sentinel had finally regained enough consciousness to be able to hold a conversation. He was worried about the odd magic occurrence that had transformed everydragon and had knocked the Alicorn Keeper into the wall of the Council of Harmony. The transformation was luckily, he hoped, was temporary.

Sentinel stop panting and slowly and deliberately looked up at He of Hourglass. He of Hourglass was taken aback by the intensity of Sentinel inner fire as their gazes locked. The level of joy and pride slammed into his fire at such intensity that all his concern and worry was swept away. He didn’t think it was possible to have such an intense fire that wasn’t one of rage or lust or greed. He tried pulling away but he couldn’t.

Suddenly before him he could see three beings. Harmonious Knight and his constantly colour sifting fur was standing on his left. Next to him was Soul Fire in his alicorn from and beside him was also Soul Fire but in his dragon form and not stained pink by the blood of Legacy Chaser. He figured that one of the two Soul Fire forms was Sentinel and the other was Vorac.

He looked down to see that Sentinel’s glittering rope bond with him was pulsating so strongly and with so much power that it overpowered every emotion he had. A secondary cord appeared from seemingly nowhere and began to wrapped itself around Sentinel’s cord. He finally tracked it down to the dragon form which meant it had to represent Vorac. Harmonious Knight’s formally broken bond restored itself and twisted between the two bonds.

A THREE STRAND CORD IS HARD TO BREAK

Did… Did… I see correctly?! And who or what spoke?!

The vision faded away and He of Hourglass found that he was no longer in an eye lock with Sentinel. He looked down at Sentinel who was still beaming with joy and pride. The dragon was struggling to contain it all as his rumbling purr was very loud and his tail was flicking from side to side. Even with his gaze no longer direct on his eyes his inner fire was still shining through strongly.

“Secondclaw?” He of Hourglass nearly fell under the spell of the inner fire a second time as Sentinel looked up to him. “Do you have any clue as to what happened?”

“I’m glad whatever it the fuck it was had only been temporary...”

“Quartermaster...” He of Hourglass facepalmed causing all of the dragons to chuckle.

“Friendship magic…” Sentinel finally answered, “when our clans became hatchmates it broke the friendship barrier. When the… Uh, when did we get into the Harmony Council chambers?” He looked about in confusion for a second before he shook his head. Ask later, explain now. “When the wave hit me it caused my memories to finished its reinte…”

Sentinel explanation was cut of by a tight hug from He of Hourglass. “Secondclaw… When you Chose… and I ‘lost’ Harmonious Knight… And I…”

He of Hourglass stop talking as Sentinel rumbling purr calmed him. My hatchmate I know the feeling more then you know… Ugh… I wish it was the right time… but to have my memory fully integrated so quickly... and all those memories seem so strange... maybe because I’m dragon not alicorn… or maybe because of the fast reintegration… either way I’m glad I was a Dragon Acolyte for so long as I’m sure it would be really jarring otherwise.

“Firstclaw… You are one special dragon you know that?”

He of Hourglass blushed a bit but he also felt like strutting like a peacock at the same time. “Yeah I know… but I also know that I would not be as special without those around me.”

Sentinel rolled his eyes and was about to say something else when he realized something was wrong. Ever since his choosing he was never without his feral half. Maybe far in the background but never completely suppressed. When he found Vorac within him and saw what he had done even though it was inadvertently…

“Secondclaw?” He of Hourglass asked when he noticed that the joy had inexplicably been replaced by fear.

“I can’t sense him!” Sentinel nearly shouted in his rising panic.

“Who?”

“Vorac!” Sentinel growled through his gritting teeth.

Sentinel nearly yelped as He of Hourglass grabbed his face and bored his concerned eyes into his inner fire. He of Hourglass was going to attempt to try and find Vorac. He had not done this before as he knew that Vorac had trust issues just like at his and Sentinel’s choosing and the lack of the need to do so. Now though he didn’t care he was going to find Vorac, he had to!

He of Hourglass couldn't see anything but the swirling of the inner fire until he recalled the vision he had. A three strand cord... He wondered if he could look for Vorac’s somewhere around. Vorac please be here…

After sometime of searching he didn’t find any cord-like bonds but he did noticed a strange section of the fire. It didn’t seem to be like the rest. He wasn’t sure but it seemed weaker but also wilder at the same time. A strange combo but it was a lead none the less.

As he dive deeper into that section of fire he came upon what he hoped was Vorac. A curled up white dragon with rainbow horns and a tricolored trident tail weapon. He could tell for sure if the dragon was alive or not as he could see no signs of life. Do mental projections even ‘breathe’?

He shook the dragon softly. *Vorac?* At first he got no response so in a panic he shook much harder and roared.

*Enough!* Vorac roared in annoyance. Even though he was just within the mind at the moment he felt like he had been slammed by a mountain from all sides and being disturbed only made it worse. *Wait… you… you not Sentinel.*

*No… Sentinel thought he lost you. It looks like you must have gone comatose from the stress between what I assume is your holding of your own instincts back and the friendship wave hitting you both.*

Vorac nodded. *We grow?*

*No.*

*Good.*

*But you are the feral half…* Golden DragonHeart wondered. *You have every right and are suppose to push us to grow…*

*Course, but one. Only grow when both ready.*

*You are a strange feral drake…* Golden DragonHeart mentally shook his head. *Before I go, if you are one with your other half… why is my bond always only been with Sentinel?*

Vorac tilted his head as he looked at Golden DragonHeart. *Look again.* He spoke as he faded away into the inner fire.

He of Hourglass pulled out of Sentinel’s inner fire now that he was done. He broke his gaze, smiling. Vorac was just comatose from stress and with him waking him it should be any moment now that he was awake enough for Sentinel to notice.

“Vorac! Thank the Voice!” Sentinel shouted for joy as he sensed his feral half slowly stir.

An overbearing silence that came after the yell got Sentinel’s attention. He looked around to see the confused looks on Reward Seeker and Shipwright Sailor then the amused looks on his clanmates faces before he facepalmed and grumbled. “I yelled that out loud didn’t I?”

“Yes.” He of Hourglass snorted then fell into laughter at the reddening Sentinel.

Sentinel embarrassment only increased when Vorac began laughing which only made his laughter more boisterous along with causing the entire Hourglass clan to either snicker or roar in full blown laughter. Without any prompt from Vorac Sentinel curled into a ball, placed his forelegs over his snout, and used his tail to hide his face.

“Can some dragon please explain what is going on?” Reward Seeker grumbled in exasperation.

Author's Note

Where are my comments? I live on comments! I'm a... what would you call a comment vampire:pinkiecrazy:?

The Great Dragon Purge

45 days since the fall of Traxti City
19 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder
Early afternoon, Hourglass

Soul Fire lazily supervised the construction of the barracks for the soon to arrive griffons. He really didn’t need to be here but the ponies seemed to expect to have at least one of them watching them. He understood why, having once been a pony, but even then it still amused him.

The barracks was being constructed on the other side of Hourglass from the Hourglass Guard for two reasons. One it allowed the other side of Hourglass to have protection. Two it would keep the more volatile griffons from not only clashing with the ponies but give them some space as griffons were used to being a bit more spread out over than ponies who as herd animals preferred being fairly close together.

He suddenly sensed a surge of mana that felt way too familiar. Not again. He teleported to just outside the library and rushed in. The mana was starting to darkened to the point of no return as he made his way into the research rooms that were in the back behind Golden DragonHeart’s Hoard Chamber.

“Golden DragonHeart!” Soul Fire roared hitting Golden DragonHeart hard across the face with his trident. “Control. Your. Rage!”

Golden DragonHeart growled angrily and slowly turned to face Soul Fire. “I will KiLl yOu.”

Soul Fire summoned his fire sword and slash the raging dragon around the chest. This only angered the spark dragon even more. Soul Fire growled in frustration before he rushed right at Golden DragonHeart and rammed him with his horns into his stomach. The air violently escaped Golden DragonHeart lungs and his eyes iris widen as his rage vanished.

Golden DragonHeart collapsed on to the ground coughing and wheezing as he attempted to get his breath back. Soul Fire glared at him. He had seen his eyes return to normal but he remained cautious.

“Do you think…” Golden DragonHeart coughed and wheezed one final time before he slowly pulled himself back onto his feet. “Do you think you can get my feral side to calm down a bit like when I awaken yours… I…” He teared up, shaking violently. “I don’t know… please… to…”

Soul Fire knew why Golden DragonHeart was so scared. His rage condition was worsening and it was taking more and more to keep him from crossing the point of no return. The sad thing was the there was not much that could be done… at least while the ‘Nameless One’s’ curses were still in effect and even then... “Doubtful…” you outright rejected your feral side several times already... He added in his thoughts. “But I suppose I could give it a try.”

*No don’t* Vorac countered. *He not want feral. Feral not listen.*

*Well I can’t do nothing...* Sentinel grumbled as he quickly thought through various options. *Could we shore up the ‘wall’?*

*...Mabye...*

*You instill such confidence.* Sentinel mentally rolled his eyes at the delayed and drawn out response from Vorac. “Yeouch!”

“Soul Fire?” Golden DragonHeart eyed Soul Fire with a raised eyebrow. He did not do anything to him to facilitate such a response.

“Um…” Soul Fire blushed. He was caught off guard by Vorac’s playfully mental nipping him which had somehow translated to a physical sensation. “Sorry Vorac is, um…” He eyed his tail carefully. “acting like a playful hatchling…”

Golden DragonHeart blinked then opened his mouth then closed it before he finally just shook his head in defeat. “No. No… not going there with you two... one, ugh! This is becoming as ‘bad’ as Pink One.”

“Well,” Soul Fire smirked he knew how to get his firstclaw at least in a better mood. “I already got the pink scales so all I would need is a pink wig… like this one!” Soul Fire pulled a pink fluffy wig out from a hidden compartment in the desk that Golden DragonHeart had failed to proper close.

Golden DragonHeart entire body gave off a pink hue. Soul Fire grinned evilly as he saw the embarrassment that his firstclaw was showing. This was going to be easier than he thought. He jumped back to avoid Golden DragonHeart claws as he attempted to swipe the wig away. The stain pink dragon put the wig on haphazardly.

“My Goldie sense is tingling!” Soul Fire had to hold back his laughter as he made that declaration in a high voice. As he suspected Golden DragonHeart eyes slitted a bit as he angrily lunged himself at him claws out. There we go...

Soul Fire maintain a defensive stance as they fought. One he needed to make sure that he kept his firstclaw’s hoard safe and two it gave him the chance to really see Golden DragonHeart mood. He could see a sparkle in his eyes and the lust for his hoard through his inner fire even through the anger.

“This is mine!” Golden DragonHeart growled has he managed to finally grabbed the wig which he quickly but carefully placed into the bottom drawer. He couldn’t believe Soul Fire’s guile in his abuse of the his hoard. He let the corner of his mouth curl into a slight smile. He would find a way to get back at his secondclaw.

“Life even in war must go on Dragon Keeper besides if you don’t learn to loosen up… your rage will consume you.” Soul Fire smacked the side of his trident on the side of Golden DragonHeart lightly. “And I saw that glint in your eye when when you were fighting me and when you put the wig away. You loved every second of it.”

Golden DragonHeart jaw opened a bit in mild shock before his close it smiling. He was getting better at not being stunned by anything Soul Fire did. What’s more he was right he did love the fight he just had, but he wasn’t going to let him know that just yet. “What would I do without you as my Secondclaw…What would I do without my hoard?”

“You would be sporting a lot more cuts and bruises.” Soul Fire gestured to some scratches from their play fight on Golden DragonHeart’s scales. “Metal Claws still would make an excellent secondclaw.”

“Now, Dragon Keeper will you let me know what set off this most recent episode?”

Golden DragonHeart sighed and gestured to the map on the wall. “After the attacks on the eastern eyries and the lost of seven dragons in my network I had those that were willing carefully search for any more graveyards and the send out letter to everydragon in their firemail network…”

Soul Fire gazed at the map of the two eastern continents and frowned. There was a number of red tacks that were scattered all over next to each was a series of numbers. The number of red tacks on the map alone was disturbing. Then to have the numbers next to them only made it worse.. a small post-it on the bottom corner carried the totals.

40 known graveyards
2970 fully grown
214 whelps/hatchlings
136 eggs

Soul Fire found himself struggling with his own rage over what the Nameless One had done. No race deserved this. The question he now had was how many dragon graveyards had not been found and how many dragons were killed but not dumped into the them.

“The problem is the age of some of these graveyards… You would think that it would give us an idea on his movements. But…” Golden DragonHeart pulled a red string out of the a drawer Soul Fire was confused at first until the meaning clicked. He was showing the order of the age of the graveyards. Golden DragonHeart even went back to several tacks. By the time Golden DragonHeart had finished wrapping the string around the last tack the map looked like a drunk spider had spun a really bad web.

“Damn it…” Soul Fire rubbed his head trying to ease his headache, “he is using guerrilla tactics to mask his movements.”

“Guerrilla tactics?”

“Hit and run… very effective when you are a small force trying to take down or wear down a larger force… mainly because it’s next to impossible to know when the next strike will be… it can be quite moral booster for the smaller force and while making it very hard to maintain a good moral on the part of the larger force.”

“I understand hit and run professor.” Golden DragonHeart grinned while crossing his arms. He wasn’t stupid but sometimes it seemed like his secondclaw was on autofly explain mode. Reminded him of the Ascended One from time to time. “It’s just with my small brain I didn’t know that guerilla tactics was biggie words for hit and run.”

“I went into lecture mood again.” Soul Fire facepalmed. He couldn't believe he did it again!

Golden DragonHeart chuckled and grabbed Soul Fire into a rough hug. He would have given him a noogie but his horn helmet prevented it. “Well... at least you're not as bad as Ascended One…”

“Exactly...” Soul Fire rolled his eyes as he extracted himself. “I never understood the need to know that the ‘square root of five hundred and forty-six is twenty-three point three six six six four two eight nine one zero nine,’ but then again I have always been much more of a push the pretty button, pratical type then her…”

A letter for him interrupted him mid sentence. He wasn’t expecting anything as to the most part they used the daily meeting to address anything which meant…

‘The Dark One’ is approaching the eastern shores of Equestria north of Manehattan. Please advise.

“Well…” Soul Fire sighed as he passed over the scroll, “it appears that your prediction was right… eastern coast.” He took a scroll and began to write a response. “Go find Twixt’d and keep him here I…”

Celestia and Luna,

No one knows Equestria and the ponies as you do. Have faith in your abilities. You will know what to do. I shall be there soon. As for advice avoid engaging him if you can until I get there.

Alicorn Keeper

Soul Fire sent the missive with a quick burst of fire. “I… don’t… I can’t…”

“Soul Fire…” Golden DragonHeart warned Soul Fire. He knew why Soul Fire was requesting this but he wanted to make sure that Soul Fire knew for sure this was the route he was willing to take consequences and all. “I don’t think I need to tell you he won’t like this. He was so hurt and yet he tried so hard to help…”

“Why do you think I have this?” Soul Fire pointed to the scars on his face.

Golden DragonHeart sighed. He knew the meaning behind the scars and he knew that Soul Fire knew that he knew. Still, he felt that would be wrong to make any point about it. To do so would make light of the relationship the two had always shared. “You do realize this could potentially hurt him worse than your grief after Legacy Chaser’s death?”

“Yes, I’m sure it will…” Soul Fire sighed. “...I know it will. But I not put the son of my hatchmates in that kind of danger... NOT it front of him! I can’t…”

“It may come to that in the end.” Golden DragonHeart gently put a claw on Soul Fire shoulder.

“I know, Dragon Keeper, I know… I just...” Soul Fire looked away no longer able to hold any resemblance of a gaze at his firstclaw.

Golden DragonHeart pulled Soul Fire head gently so that he could speak eye to eye. “You promise me one thing Alicorn Keeper. You come home for him… If not for any other dragon here, for him.”

“I will.”

At that, Soul Fire made his way out of the library. He looked back one more time just before he left to see Golden DragonHeart slumping against his desk. The pressure of the coming days were beginning to weigh once again upon him. Soul Fire wished he do more, but now was the time to meet his fate whatever it may be.

I promise I’m coming home for you too… Spike.

Utter Destruction

46 days since the fall of Traxti City

20 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Sunrise, Near Manehattan

Sentinel had expected to see a large plume of smoke or fire or destruction or something. What he was seeing instead was a typical Equestrian winter wonderland. He was coming in at an angle so it may be possible that the city which was rising above the horizon was blocking it along with the gloomy clouds. According to the most recent missive from Luna the army had gathered about six clinks to the north of Manehattan. Celestia would remain in the Ponyville area along with the Elements until more could be ascertained. If the Nameless One found the elements too early... As for Discord, he was to...

Sentinel lazily spun as a bolt from a crossbolt came screaming at him. He shook his head. Both at allowing his inner dialogue to distract him and the clearly panicked shot. I really hope that was a skittish greenhoof because if the ponies are starting to panic that bad already this is going to be a bloodbath… He glanced downwards as he prepared to make his approach. Though it’s strange... as from the ground I should appear as Celestia.

Sentinel flew back up and out of range as he looked for the command tent. It wasn’t a particularly large encampment so it wasn’t long before he found it. There. He noted a tent with the insignia of the Royal Sisters emblazoned on it.Sentinel cloaked himself and teleported to just outside the tent in question.

“THOU ART A FOALISH FOOL!” Luna’s famous Royal Canterlot voice came out from tent. The tent threatened to explode outward from the force of her yell. “WHAT DID THOU SEE… CORRECT! A WHITE ALICORN! ... IF THAT HAD BEEN OUR SISTER!”

It appears that Luna is personally taking charge in punishing the pony responsible. As much as the one responsible needs to be reprimanded this is not the way to go as it’s scaring the ponies more than they already are. Sentinel noted as walked through the tent door and dropped his cloak.

“Luna, chill.” Luna spun around to face Sentinel. The pony she had been shouting at collapsed now that the force of her anger was no longer upon him. “Your angry berating, though justified, is making the moral worse…” Sentinel glanced behind him and back towards the storm clouds forming around the ash and violent mana that surrounded the Nameless One. Something is off… but how and why?

“I don’t like this.” Luna grumbled as her gaze followed Sentinel’s. The pony behind her momentarily forgotten. “He’s just hovering there like a bat in the sun.”

“But why?” Sentinel muttered.

“We knoweth not.”

“Sadly, neither do I.” Sentinel shook his head. The Nameless One had proven so far to be unpred…

“Damn it…” Soul Fire rubbed his head trying to ease his headache, “he is using guerrilla tactics to mask his movements.”

“Buck.”

“Sentinel!?” Luna could see from the familiar look on his face that he just realized something important and from the curse it was not going to be good.

“Send out an emergency broadcast over the entire east coast…” Sentinel began.

“What!? Are you crazy?” Sentinel looked over to see that there were other ponies in the tent besides that pony that Luna had been screaming at. From the looks of the cutiemark on the stallion's flank that spoke up he was communications officer. “To do something like that would cause widespread panic!”

Panic is the least of my concerns right now… Sentinel resisted the urge to smack the pony silly for being so dense… Equestria was under siege by a being that would think nothing of outright blasting Equestria to ash and the stallion was worried about ‘panic.’ Panic is a guarantee at this point.

“Correct me if I’m wrong... there is a secured military channel?” The communications officer nodded. “Well then… Send out an order that all military posts are to broadcast their call sign every ten minutes. And to notify us if there any similar to the ash cloud that hovers to the east.”

Luna nodded and the stallion was off in a flash already beginning to relay the message judging from the glowing horn. Barely a moment later another communication pony, this time a young mare, burst through the tent door.

“Your Highness! A urgent mess…” The mare stopped when she noticed the alicorn stallion next to Luna.

That was fast…. too fast… Sentinel eyed the messenger pony. “Well what is it? Speak.”

The mare in question eyed Sentinel for a moment before turning to face Luna. “Your Highness... something described as a demon of ash, smoke, and fire is attacking Baltimare!”

“Send word back. Have the guards focus on evacuating civilians. NO PONY is to engage the demon under any circumstances! Sentinel and I alone will handle the ‘ash demon.’”

“But princess! It’s too dangerous!”

“Are thou saying that we art some dainty flower?” Luna lashed out slipping fully back into Old Equish. “Thy tongue speaketh before thy brain thinketh. We fought raging abominations of thy worst nightmares long before thy ancestors settled into towns and cities.”

Sentinel facehooved. Now was not the time for this. “Luna dispense with the chatter!!”

Luna sighed in defeat. Sentinel was right, they needed to go. “Rainbow Teleport?” She wondered. It was the only spell that could get them to Baltimare in seconds. She could not hope to reach the speeds necessary to reach the city quickly and teleportation alone would use too much mana.

“Yes.”

Luna and Sentinel teleported far above the encampment. And with a quick burst of magic from Sentinel as they rocketed off at near Rainboom speeds. Luna stumbled momentarily in her flight as she was out of practice flying at such high speeds. She prepared to teleport them as Sentinel magically connected himself to her and approached a Rainboom. If this combo spell was to work Luna had to activate a teleport spell at the same time that Sentinel broke the barrier. Neither one had done this is nearly three millennia. She just hoped she was able to still do it.

At the exact moment that Sentinel broke the barrier Luna cast the teleport spell. The air around them swirl into a tunnel of brilliant colors before faded into white. A second later it reversed and a tunnel of colors slowing over took the white. A crack of thunder and a flash of white and the two alicorns were now flying above the city of Baltimare. With practiced easy Sentinel slowed them down to a hover.

“By the heavens…” Luna whispered in shock and dismay.

Sentinel had seen a lot more war and devastation then Luna and even he had to agree this was bad. Long, deep trenchers of destruction crisscrossed the city like a plow through soft earth. Plumes of ash and smoke rose from many fires that ravaged what remained of the buildings. He could smell the stench of burning flesh. A quick scan confirmed that the death toll was going to be extreme.

The sounds of a demonic roar got both of their attentions. The smoke and ash rising through the city would make it hard to see where the Nameless One was located so until they heard another roar they would have to wait. Both hovered their ears twitched preparing to pinpoint the dragon when he roared again.

“So much death…” Luna sniffed struggling with tears both from all of the death around her and the ashy smoke irritating her eyes.

“It’s only going to get worse Luna...” Sentinel lamented. “But you must remain strong and resolute if you wish to save as many as possible…”

Another roar echoed alerting both. Without another word they took off in the direction of the roar. Luna struggled to not answer the scattered cries of pain and desperation. Sentinel, however ignored it as his rage had begun to build.

Without warning a dark stream of black flame came rushing at Sentinel. He conjured one of his swords and split the black flame in half. The flame was infused with so much dark magic that as it passed either side of Sentinel he could feel the scorching heat even through a hastily conjured shield.

Damn it. I knew he was going to be strong… Sentinel didn’t have anymore time to conjecture as a second stream came out of a cloud of ash to his left.

“Luna!”

“I see him!” Luna fired a series of magic missiles at an ash cloud that had a pair of glowing red eyes.

Sentinel added a series of his own. He knew that it would hardly hurt the dragon but it could draw out the dragon in a way to get a better view of him. Which is exactly what happened.

PAthEtIc! A demonic voice growled from within the cloud. The glowing red eyes narrowed. InsIgnIfICAnt pReY! SO my IncOrpOrEAL fOrm dOESn’t scArE yOU? fInE thEn... fEAst yOUr Eyes On thE rEAL mE! It wILL BE ThE LAst tHing yOU wILL EvEr seE!! A blast of air buffeted then two ponies a moment later dispelling the ash and smoke that surrounded the Nameless One allowing him to be seen.

Sentinel could see that the descriptions of the Nameless One’s size was truly an understatement as he an unusually massive dragon at least twice the size of Quartermaster. He was covered in black scales which ‘glowed’ with a dark aura. The eyes didn’t just glow red they were completely red even his pupil. He had blood red spines that looked like nail spikes and went from the back of his head to the end of his tail in clusters. At the end of his tail was the strangest tail weapon Sentinel had ever seen. It looked like an ancient torture device. The tail end split into two harden half circles with red spikes that pointed inward. There was no sign of any sparks typical of a spark dragon but given his size, color, and aura it was quite likely impossible.

The aura that surrounds him is… Sentinel didn’t want to finish that statement. It was too shocking and disturbing. It appeared to be a much stronger form of the aura that typically accompanied dragons when they were enraged.

“For thy crimes this day ‘Dark One’ thy life is forfeit.” Luna angrily shouted. She then summoned a long sickle and chain and raised it in a threatening manner with her magic. Sentinel raised his own sword along with her.

He is fast! Sentinel commented as he dived hard under a flame attack. He looked over to see that Luna was barely able to dodge a second stream of fire. She retaliated with a slice of her sickle, sending a compressed and sharpened band of magic back at the dragon who casually swiped it to ribbons, dispelling it.

Luna spun her sickle in front of her which acted like a shield from the flames. Sentinel took this opportunity to attack with a combination of his sword and a magic spear. The Nameless One quickly stopped his assault on Luna and swung his tail at Sentinel who had to put his sword up to parry the blow. The tail slam had immense strength behind it as he just manage to parry the blow. He gritted his teeth in frustration at the dragons battle prowess. Come on! His eyes widen as a stream of flame came at him. Luna suddenly was in front of him and managed to use her sickle to split it on either side of them.

“Thanks.”

Luna nodded before she barely dodged another stream of fire by diving under it.

Sentinel sent of a series of magic missiles as distraction then brought his sword around in hopes of slashing at the wings the weakest point of a dragon. A powerful flap of the dragons wings, however, dispelled the magic missiles and set the sword careening away. The air disruption also buffeted Sentinel and Luna.

As the air calmed down and he was able to steady his hovering he saw something that concerned him. Many of her feathers were charred and because of that she was struggling to remain airborne. Normally it would be an easy fix but the amount of concentration and precision needed for the spell to heal her would require her to land. “Luna fall back.” Sentinel ordered. “Those dark flames are too fast…”

“But Sentinel!” Luna protested. She knew that if he stayed behind to give her time to escape that would mean his death.

“Just go Luna.” Sentinel snapped. “Thanks to that last attack you can barely fly! You are more important than I for if you die today all of Equestria will lose hope!”

“And what of your clan, your hoard?”

“Luna don’t argue with me! Just go!”

Luna and Sentinel had to resist the urge to shudder as demonic laughter came from the Nameless One. For Luna it was a cold reminder of when she was Nightmare Moon but worse. Sentinel couldn’t help but worry about He of Hourglass’ condition as this is what could be the end result if something didn’t change.

yOur foALIsh whInInG Is AmUsIng.

Very punny. Sentinel deadpanned. “Luna!” He commanded once again. “Go!”

Luna finally managed to agree with a nod. “You stay alive you hear me!”

I will try… Sentinel promised as Luna teleported away

hOw dIsgUstiNg… The Nameless One sneered before he set a stream of flame at Sentinel.

Sentinel quickly dodged. He was about to retaliate when the stream continue to come out and follow him. This attack is even faster than before! Sentinel frantically increased his speed past the rainboom barrier. “Damn. This is not good.” Sentinel cursed as the black flame continued to follow him. If he didn’t find a way to push the Nameless One back he could die… and Equestria would fall. He also had to give Luna to flee and the ponies time to evacuate those that remained in Baltimare and the surrounding areas. As the Alicorn Keeper he would not fail.

If I can’t outrun it then I shall have to meet it head on. Sentinel gritted his teeth that meant he would need the use of dragon magic. He had hoped to not have to used his dragon magic just yet… Gah! It’s just like with ‘Quartz’! In a flash his dragon light armor appeared around him.

The Nameless One’s eyes widen before they narrowed in clear anger. yOU dArE mAkE A mOckEry And pOLLUtE thE pUrIty Of spArk drAgOn mAgIc by mIMickIng…

“Do I look like one of your changeling abominations!?” Sentinel growled out sending out all seven of his swords in a wide arc towards the Nameless One.

The dragon easily parried all of them to the immense shock and annoyance of Sentinel. Okay time to be more serious. He tightened his control over his swords and pressed his attack. The Nameless One met all of his slashes and cuts before he set off several small bursts of flame momentary putting Sentinel on the defense before he recovered and tried again and again.

Time to try that new attack… Sentinel resolved as he avoided another flame attack. He grabbed four of his swords one for each of his paws allowing the other three to keep the Nameless one busy. He began to spin just like he would with his bullet attack. He didn’t want to use such a mana waster but if he didn’t breakthrough the Nameless One’s defense now he may not be able to at all. Like all the times before he was soon enveloped in a vortex of light. But unlike all the times before the colors red, blue, purple, and green, the four colors of the swords in his paws, intermixed in the white. The Nameless One stopped his attacks for a moment. Perfect. Sentinel thought just as he released his spell and surged forward at the rainboom speed.

The multicolored light bullet slammed right into the Nameless One before he could react. And explosion of mana and light envelope a wide area of the sky.

He managed to block that!? Sentinel jaw dropped as he hovered and panted after the effects of the spell wore off. Damn!With a roar of frustration he sent wave after wave of lightning towards the dragon using the ash clouds ions to enhance the lightning. Some of the lightning managed to hit the Nameless One knocking him backwards.

After nearly a dozen waves Sentinel let up Damn it… I’m too low on alicorn mana to be effective in this form anymore… Sentinel switched back to his spark dragon form.

My TURn.

Sentinel eyes widen in shock and fear as a wall of black flame came rushing right at him. He slashed the flame with Vorac’s fire sword followed by some of his own flame. This was just enough to create a hole in the wave for it to pass him by without bringing him harm. He had no time to breath though as another wave of flame came at him. He repeated the process but he could tell that his mana was beginning to fade rapidly. A third wave followed right behind that and for the third time he managed to make a safe hole. Damn it… He cursed. I have to find a way to escape this!

A fourth wave of black fire again too large for him to escape came roaring at him. And with his mana reserves so low he knew he would not be able to avoid it via teleportation or split with the flame sword. Suddenly Vorac surged forward and took control moving the trident tail in front of them. The flame hit the trident tail. Sentinel roared in pain as the tail burned from the onslaught of the dark fire. It made the Fire Tail Ceremony seemed like the warmth of the sun...

My tail of course… Idiot! Sentinel berated himself for forgetting that. Rule one of battle is to know oneself. If one didn’t know one's strength and weakness fully… Damn that hurts... though at least I’m alive… for now...

The Nameless One eyes widen in apparent surprise that Sentinel had taken on the flame. stILL yOU fIght On… The Nameless One mused, letting up his attacks as he did. I mUst sAy I wAs ExpEctIng A LOt LEss… fInALLy A drAgOn Of wOrth. fInALLy A drAgOn whO dOEsn't fIght LIkE A cOwArd. fInALLy A drAgOn wOrthy tO dIE hOnOrAbLy by my cLAw And fLAmE!

Ugh, monologuing… Sentinel grumbled as he panted hard. He needed to find some weakness anything that could help him now or help Dragon Keeper… Normally monologuing would give him time to figure out a way to defeat an enemy but this was the Nameless One. The beginning and the end of dark magic…

“TALK LESS! MORE FIGHT!” Vorac roared. He had enough of chatterers. Words were meaningless to him actions held true meaning.

Sentinel grinned. *Vorac you took my words right from my mouth.*

The red glowing eyes widen for a moment before narrowing. VerY WeLl.

*If we are going to have a chance…* Sentinel started as the Nameless One again sent a stream of flame at him.

*We work as one.* Vorac finished.

At that Sentinel left eye became slitted while the right remained normal. With reknew speed he managed to avoid the flame by diving under and spinning upside down and disrupting it with a flap of his wings. He retaliated with a stream on his own white fire. The Nameless One met the onslaught with his own.

Sentinel and Vorac growled as they banked to the left. Suddenly the Nameless One disappeared only to appear behind Sentinel and smack him with the back of his paw. What?! Sentinel grunted in shock. How did he get behind me!? The Nameless One then slammed his tail down on the smaller dragon sending him careening to the ground hundreds of feet below. A massive crater formed from the impact.

Sentinel gasped as he awoke in the middle of the crater. I can’t even move! Sentinel gritted his teeth in frustration and pain as he saw the Nameless One slammed to the ground above him. The shock wave from the rough and hard landing rippled through the ground and into him causing massive spike in pain. Damn it!

aNd NOw… The Nameless One whispered as he grabbed Sentinel and squeezed, hard causing him to cough up a mass of blood violently. YoU dIE.

The black dragon flung the battered dragon into the air and again slammed him with his tail this time sending him flying to the south. A condensed ball of black flame so dense that light seemed to be sucked into its vortex spurt forth from the Nameless One’s maw towards Sentinel. Within seconds it slammed into Sentinel.

Golden DragonHeart… Spike… Sentinel felt his world fade to black. For...give… me...

Author's Note

Yes I just did the whole Red and Black alicorn thing except as a villainous OP Spark dragon.

Oh and RadicalDishonesty I haven't forgotten this:

What is GDH doing at home when SF is out fighting the war? I don't think I have a good concept of why GDH stays back.

I will get to it just have patience please.

The High Griff

45 days since the fall of Traxti City

19 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Late afternoon, Hourglass

He of Hourglass peered from around a building. He was watching a young griffon that was looking about. The griffon had entered the city about ten minutes ago and was currently peaking into a semi ruined building.

This is the third griffon in the past hour. He of Hourglass grumbled. What part of remain in your barracks did they not understand?! I get that they are itching to do something and being cooped up on an airship without the ability to fly the past two days didn’t help but come on!

He of Hourglass sighed as the griffon went inside. I know they know of the dangers of entering a dragon’s hoard uninvited… maybe they didn’t believe that a dragon's hoard doesn't’ necessarily have to be in a cave...

“NOTHING!” The griffon squawked angrily from inside.

Really?! He of Hourglass facepalmed at the griffon… they must think we can’t effectively guard a city of this size… not only that, they aren’t going to get what they want by doing what they are doing… Sentinel, Medallion and myself made sure there wasn’t anything dangerous left behind. We didn’t want any wards going off accidentally and any weapons we found were gathered for safekeeping either at They of Hourglass’ hoard… or in the armory that was in back the council building... well it was possible that there was stuff still left behind but it was not going to be found by a cursory glance... Secondclaw was right… they did do something stupid…

“A warning: expect the unexpected, expect them to so something stupid, and you may need some of Scorpan’s special calming tea and pain pills.”

“Are you saying this is was a big mistake?” He of Hourglass facepalmed. “Why did…”

“Actually you're coming into your own as a keeper.” Sentinel interrupted him. “You made a wise decision. Which if I recall is a harmony trait you have. I'm just giving you information on griffons so that you aren’t taken off guard… to a degree...”

Well first things first. He of Hourglass waved a claw and teleported the griffon away. With another griffon teleported away it was time to see the griffons personally. He first, however, needed to get some ideas on how to deal with this problem. At least the griffons had enough sense to stay on the edges of the city but he was sure they would soon be bold enough to try to look further in. With Soul Fire gone he was left with Twixt’d or the Hourglass Guard who could give him some insight. But given that the griffons near Equestria were much more moderate he felt it best to try Twixt’d. Besides he didn’t want to involve the Hourglass Guard in this any further as it was clear that the griffons were not paying attention to them.

Golden DragonHeart sighed at that. Soul Fire had warned him of the prejudice griffons had towards anything perceived as weak and given the pony’s tendency for peaceful solutions tended to perceived as a weakness to them… maybe he should have greeted them but he had to run interference with Twixt’d. Still… He rubbed his head as a headache began to form. Ugh, how did he ever manage to be on friendly terms with so many peoples of such wide range of beliefs!?

Twixt’d groaned as he popped a few joints in his wings and back as he ready to settle in for a nap. After a morning of training with the ponies and last minute preparations for the arrival of the first wave griffons he was tired. He didn’t even get a chance for some flying. He sighed as he lazily laid down.

A rap on the side of the silo woke him. He didn’t even remember falling asleep. The rapping could only mean He of Hourglass was outside as Sentinel/Vorac and his parents would call out. No one else came to see him at his silo unless it was an emergency. Then it wouldn’t be a soft rap it would be nonstop banging… He so wanted to kill the pony who did that… but he liked them too much.

Twixt’d got up, stretched, and yawned. He grabbed a random gem and chopped on it as he popped his head out of his silo to confirm that it was He of Hourglass. With a flourish he flew down.

He of Hourglass chuckled at Twixt’d’s showing off. “I need your help, Twixt’d.”

“Sure Firstclaw. What is it?” Twixt’d wondered what his firstclaw would need his help for.

“Well the griffons have been a bit unruly. In the past hour three…” He of Hourglass facepalmed when he sense another intrusion, “make that four have entered the city. I’m trying not to let my instincts take over but…” His voice faded out as he knew Twixt’d knew where his thoughts were going and he didn’t really want to talk about it anyway. He gestured Twixt’d to follow him as he turned to walk towards the city. It would be faster to fly but he felt it would give them all the time they need to hammer out what to do.

He of Hourglass watched from the shadows at the griffons as they milled about. He could make out several lines of conversations on the supposed weakness of the city's defenses as well as the lack of anything of value in a ruined city. He even picked up on at least one on the fact that the Alicorn Keeper had not greeted them yet.

“What part of stay in your barracks until you have been fully debriefed was too hard for you bird brains to get?” He of Hourglass dropped his cloak and stepped out from the shadow of the tree he had been under.

Several griffons ruffled their feathers in anger. It was clear to He of Hourglass that they did not like the insult at all. “You dare.” One of them growled out.

“I DARE!” He of Hourglass roared. He was slightly impressed that none of the griffons back down from his angry roar but his patience running out nonetheless. “I would understand a young chick to wander into a dragon hoard but FOUR battle harden, life weary griffons?!”

He of Hourglass used his magic to clamp shut a beak of a griffon about to squawk out a protest. “When you arrived you were greeted by the Captain of the Hourglass Guard. He specifically told you not to enter the city except for emergencies until you were given a fully debriefing which is scheduled for tomorrow morning. This was to give you time to rest and settle in…”

“Weak!?” He of Hourglass roared in laughter after he heard one mutter something about him being weak for having a pony guard among other things. “Tell you what... If you can beat the weakest dragon here in claw to claw combat then you can have free reign of the city.”

He of Hourglass waited as the griffons conversed amongst themselves. He couldn’t catch what they were saying as they decided to speak in Griffonese. Not that it bothered him as from their body language he could tell that they were seriously considering his proposal. After a minute it was clear that they had come to an agreement. He grinned. Perfect.

“Come on out Twixt’d.” He of Hourglass called out. Twixt’d came out from amongst the trees wearing a metal muzzle around his snout and ropes binding his wings. Quartermaster made quick work on the muzzle. He remarked. I’m still surprised on how well he took to the request.

“This is Twixt’d he is merely a whelp… not even five years old.”

“Thessss Alicorn Keeper and the ssstreetsss of Traxti Ccccity taughtsss me everything I know.” Twixt’d lisped under the muzzle. The muzzle allowed him to speak but it prevented him from using his firebreath. Not that he minded as he was looking forward to this challenge. He did wonder why his best friend was not here. His firstclaw, though a friend as well, was not into fighting all that much. “Sssso letsss sssee what you gotss...“

“RAHH!!!!!” A griffon rushed Twixt’d who casually side stepped. He elbowed the griffon in the back, knocking him to the ground.

“That is enough Twixt’d.” He of Hourglass called out. After a hour of fighting he could see that all fifty eight griffons were exhausted. Twixt’d himself was showing signs of fatigue. He jumped down from the tree where he was hiding. He was quite proud of his friend. He managed to do quite well. Though he was worried that this could go to the young dragon’s head. He had only fought them one on one… Of course, if they had worked a bit better together they might have actually won against him.

But from what Alicorn Keeper had told him, griffons, even from the same eyries, tended to be a bit competitive much less from other eyries and there was six different eyries represented here. So he had gambled correctly. Hopefully Quartermaster would not find out that he made such a deal even though everything turned out well. Forget beating the rage out of me he would beat me with rage...

“Now… are we done being stupid? I get that you antsy and emotional over the lost of your homes which is why I have been lenient with you so far… But enough is enough. I expect you to do as I require...”

“We will only answer to our High Griff Twixt’d.” A griffon in the back cried out.

Huh? He of Hourglass mouth opened slightly in surprise. He was not expecting the griffons to still be belligerent. Though the High Griff remark intrigued him. “Twixt’d is your ‘High Griff’?”

“What?!” Twixt’d sputtered out in shock. He recognized the arcanic term from his days as a street urchin. He was okay teaching the ponies nonmagic combat but even he thought he wasn’t quite ready for this. Not only that but it could mean stepping on the boundaries of the clan.

“What is a High Griff?” He of Hourglass questioned as he noticed that Twixt’d had become frozen.

He of Hourglass facepalmed as he continued to get looks of defiance. They went claw to claw with Twixt’d, lost, and still!? He raised a claw and picked up the all fifty eight of the gathered griffons and spun them in a tornado like vortex. After a few minutes he stopped, sending them in all directions. Several of the griffons rushed to nearby bushes to have their lunches a second time.

“Well am I going to get an answer or not?” He of Hourglass eyed the griffons looking for one willing to give him an answer.

“When several eyries were to combine forces for battle or war...” The griffon who answered paused for a moment to heave, “a fight was organized to find who was the strongest griffon the winner would be the High Griff, the commander of griffons for the coming war or battle.”

“Sort of like the top dog…” He of Hourglass offhandedly commented.

“Do not compare us to those mangy mongrels!” A random griffon spouted. Several others nodded in agreement.

“THEN STAY OUT OF THE CITY!!” He of Hourglass roared as he lifted up the four offending griffons from earlier. “The city is the combined hoard of five dragons! The Captain of the Hourglass Guard warned you so you can’t claim you just accidentally stumbled into our hoard. You blatantly walked in. Not only that I watched all four were looking for items to steal! By dragon code these four have forfeited their lives! We don't take kindly to intruders much less thieves!”

The four griffons gulped hard as they realized that they were caught. They had just been figured that it was an automatic defense system that had teleported them out of the city.

“Your gulping only confirms your guilt.” He of Hourglass growled.

“Enough Firstclaw.” Twixt’d walked into front of the griffons, his muzzle off and wings free of their bindings. “No more. If you want them you come through me.”

“Hmph.” He of Hourglass crossed his arms. He eyed Twixt’d, sizing up his resolve. After a moment he could see that Twixt’d would be able to handle it. “Very well,” He of Hourglass turned to leave. He had other things to do and this issue had taken too much of his time already. “I leave it up to you High Griff Twixt’d to keep them in line.”

This turned out better than we planned. He of Hourglass glanced back to see that the griffons were standing at attention with Twixt’d speaking to them on the regulations of the city. He smiled as he continued back into the city. Though I definitely wasn’t expecting the Twixt’d becoming the commander of the griffons. Damn it Secondclaw and your accurate predictions! I just hope this doesn’t go to Twixt’d’s head… Forget that! This is so going to go to Quartermaster’s head… He of Hourglass grumbled. This is getting more and more complicated! How did Secondclaw ever manage to rule Equestria? What did I do to deserve this torture? I hope the Hermit’s calming tea is as good as reported.

Author's Note

Sorry for the long delay but I ended up breaking up this chapter into two when i realized the length would allow me to do so. The next chapter after this should be up in a few hours...

A Torture Shield

46 days since the fall of Traxti City

20 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Morning, Hourglass

Golden DragonHeart snapped awake and into a sitting position. Someone had breached the clan’s wards. He wasted no time in running out of the library. He came to a complete stop as he noticed something was really off. Everything had a strange tint to it. A look up only confused him further.

Green sky? He of Hourglass scratched his head in thought. Could this be a function of the shield that is unknown? He could drop the shield and reboot it but with an invader that would be rash.

He ran across the street and made his way into the bowels of the council building and into the defense array control room. Once there he went about trying to figure out what could be causing the shield to turn green. So far the obelisks had not activated so for the moment it whomever had breached the wards had not yet entered firing range.

Okay let’s see. He of Hourglass wondered as he went through diagnostics and also flipped through the manual that Sentinel and He of Laughter created though he knew that it didn’t contain all of the functions. The real manuel had not been found yet and until it was he knew there was going to be times where he would in the dark. Still, I see no reason for it to be green… which means it wasn’t the shield.

*Firstclaw!* Came the voice of the guard captain through his mind.

*Yes, what is it Captain?* He of Hourglass responded in kind. He was about himself to contact him or Quartermaster to find out what was going on.

*Whatever is making the sky green is coming from outside Hourglass. It is not the shield itself.*

Thinking the same thing I was… He of Hourglass smiled as he put the controls on standby mode. He definitely is an excellent commander. *Stay where you are. No one is to leave the Hourglass City shield limits.*

*Yes, Firstclaw.*

Sentinel had developed the emergency thought spell to include a scrying ability which meant he knew exactly where his Captain was. So He of Hourglass quickly made his way to to where the Captain was stationed.

As he approached the location he noticed that Quartermaster and She of Hourglass were also there. From his shaking Quartermaster was clearly struggling to contain himself. He, however, had enough sense to wait on his firstclaw and even managed to wait with baited breath as He of Hourglass landed next to him.

He of Hourglass slowly reached out to examine the shield itself. He wanted to check the flow before he ventured out to find out what was causing the sky to turn green. Given what his captain said and the timing it was likely related to the breach so he wanted to proceed with caution. As his claw moved partially out of the shield he was suddenly racked by pain.

Pain!? He of Hourglass was confused. It made no sense. Why would he suddenly experienced such pain? He looked at the green sky and back to his claw in confusion until he gasped in realization. A green barrier and pain! That means that this is the same type of shield that was used against Traxti City. Which means HE is here!

“Firstclaw!” Quartermaster shouted at the raging dragon that took off so fast and with so much power he thought that he had broken the rainboom barrier like his son Twixt’d had done.

StAY bAcK! He IS miNe!

“Damn it!” Quartermaster cursed. His firstclaw was falling into rage again. He tried to follow but as soon as his head popped out of Hourglass’ shield he was racked by pain that was nearly overwhelming. He roared as he fell backwards.

“QUARTERMASTER!” She of Hourglass went over to check out her mate. She did not understand why he had fallen backwards like he had been punched with a surprised uppercut.

“I’m okay my love…” Quartermaster struggled to get up. “It’s this damn green barrier! It painfully drains mana!”

“What are you saying?!” Captain Phoenix Wave looked up at Quartermaster for a moment before returning his gaze outward. No, it can’t be! “This has to be that same barrier that covered Traxti City! But if it is then why aren’t we being effected?”

“The Hourglass shield is probably protecting us from the effects… but why or for how long I don’t know… there is so much about it that is still unknown to both Claws… Even with all the info that the infernal draconequus provided.”

“Discord helped?” Phoenix Wave blinked in surprise. ”That is a miracle… still what are we going to do?”

“At this point I have no clue. I have to stop Firstclaw’s rage before it progresses too far, but this fucking green shield has to come down first!” Quartermaster clawed the ground deeply in his frustration.

Phoenix Wave gasped as he saw a what looked like lightning coursing over a section of the green ‘shield’ and that section flickered for a second before returning to normal.

“What is it?” Quartermaster looked down at the captain.

“The green shield… something disrupted it for a moment.”

“Hmm?” Quartermaster looked along the entire shield that was visible. He had not noticed anything but he trusted the captain. It was his job to observe and help guard after all. If this was the same shield that was around Traxti then it would stand that there would be those metal contraptions generating the shield and presumably storing the stolen mana… Maybe what the captain saw was his firstclaw taking out one of those generators.

“There!” Phoenix Wave suddenly called out pointing to the south east.

“I see it.” Quartermaster noted the lightening discharging along the green shell and the flickering. He carefully put out a paw past the Hourglass shield. The pain is still there but at a much more manageable level. “Notify the Hermit for possible injuries.”

“What are you planning?” Phoenix Wave questioned as Quartermaster stepped out of the Hourglass shield.

“Going after my firstclaw.” Quartermaster took off towards the edge of the green barrier.

“Captain,” She of Hourglass put her tail in front of Phoenix Wave who was about to follow Quartermaster. “My mate knows what he’s doing. Plus, as you heard, Firstclaw is undergoing a rage episode and with Secondclaw currently making his way to Equestria Quartermaster is the only one that can stop Firstclaw before it’s too late.”

He of Hourglass had only one to go. He was sure of it. The pain had gone way down but his rage only increased. He knew that It would come out of hiding as soon as he was done. It was too bad that It would die so quick he was beginning to like the feeling of the rage he was feeling. The power it gave him. Maybe he could just let the rage take over it made him feel so alive.

He of Hourglass sped towards the direction of the highest amount of mana. With so few generators it was easy to look for where the greatest pull was. This whelp was an idiot. He found the final generator to the north of Hourglass. This would cut off his escape as he knew with the final generator smashed he would make an appearance. He of Hourglass smiled as he would soon have blood on his claws.

“Well, well, well, someone smashed my mana collectors.” A voice called out that was very familiar to He of Hourglass as soon as he managed to smashed the generator. “You are lucky that I have more of them and that I prefer to cause pain personally otherwise I would have an issue with such poor treatment of my hoard by another dragon.”

sHow YouRsELf yOu cOwARd! He of Hourglass roared his sparks turning nearly fully black.

“I was hoping for a rematch with the Alicorn Keeper. O well,” A scarred yellow and white dragon shrugged as he appeared, “looks like I’ll have to settle for the Dragon Keeper instead.”

A roar of dragon surprised both. Before anything more could be done by either a mass of red slammed down upon He of Hourglass kicking up a bellowing cloud of dust and obscuring everything for a moment.

As the cloud dissipated the form of Quartermaster appeared. He of Hourglass was angrily looking up from underneath a paw of Quartermaster. Quartermaster roared and then picked up the smaller dragon and brought him up and slammed him to the ground. “I vowed I was going to beat the rage out of you!” He lifted up his firstclaw a second time and slammed him down again. “AND I WILL BEAT IT OUT OF YOU!”

The scarred dragon jumped back, his eyes betraying his shock at Quartermaster’s attack on a clan mate. “What interesting ‘friends’ Alicorn Keeper has! To have have one beat the flame out of another in front of a known enemy… especially one such as I!”

Quartermaster and He of Hourglass growled angrily at the dragon. He of Hourglass’ rage increased again. i wILl ENjoY kilLInG you!

Quartermaster lifted a fist high and then came down on the spark dragon.

“Heh… Who needs enemies? Indeed.” The scarred dragon laughed hard as he faded away.

He of Hourglass struggled to get out of the larger red dragon's grip. “Firstclaw, please, we can get him another day.”

He of Hourglass for a moment angrily wanted to force his way out of Quartermaster grip and go after the retreating dragon before he relented and relaxed. “You are starting to sound like Secondclaw…”

“Trust me,” Quartermaster growled, clenching his claws and dropping his hold on He of Hourglass who lightly dropped to the ground. He of Hourglass noticed that Quartermaster was clenching his paws so tightly as to draw blood, “If it wasn’t for your rage I would be ripping that… that THING into thin strips! But… I have lost one clanmate I will not lose my Firstclaw!”

Quartermaster eyed He of Hourglass carefully as the smaller dragon slammed a fist into the ground and a few tears fell to the ground. He of Hourglass stayed in that position shaking and crying for what seemed like hours before he received a firemail scroll. Quartermaster looked away as He of Hourglass sat up and read the contents.

“Sun Princess wants a word with the entire clan and Captain of the Hourglass Guard.”

“Would that include my son, Twixt’d?”

He of Hourglass sighed. There was still so much confusion on exactly what Twixt’d was in the clan. Sure, he was going to be the commander of the griffons but he wasn’t under clan protection like They of Hourglass’ eggs or a full member either as he had not chosen and only knew two out of now five members hoard names. Though he knew that it may change very quickly... “Of course, he may only merely be a whelp and not officially a fully member but…”

I don’t like this one bit… He of Hourglass look off to the north and towards Equestria. Secondclaw should have sent the firemail not Sun Princess…

“I understand Firstclaw. I shall gather them as quickly as I can.” Quartermaster nodded before he took off leaving He of Hourglass alone.

He of Hourglass, Firstclaw of the Hourglass Clan, Dragon Keeper, Leader of the Keeper of Harmony,

Your Clan’s and the Captain of the Hourglass Guard Captain Phoenix Wave presence is requested in one hours time through the communication matrix to the Friendship Council Chambers in Ponyville, Equestria. If you are unable to make this meeting please respond with post haste.

Celestia Solaris Princess of the United Kingdom of the Trivium Equine Tribes

Such formal words… He of Hourglass gazed at the scroll once more before destroying it with a quick burst of flame. Please let me be wrong… Secondclaw you promised after all…

The Broadsword or the Scalpel

??? days since the fall of Traxti City

??? days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

???, Council of Harmony

“So…” Discord casually spoke as he absentmindedly filed his claw. “What are we going to do about the ‘Chaos Bringer?’”

“I don’t know…”

“You don’t know!?” Discord exclaimed as he facepalm. “Isn’t this what this meeting is about?!”

Sentinel sighed. “Exactly.”

Discord was about to retort when he suddenly fully got what Sentinel said and was dumbfounded. He managed to recover quickly, however. “Damn it Sentinel! Must you play word games!?”

Sentinel facepalmed. He thought he had been clear. “We can’t do anything about the ‘Nameless One’ until we have a better understanding of his abilities. With that in mind if, he does what Dragon Keeper thinks he will... when he approaches Eastern Equestria I will, with the support of Luna and or Celestia, hopefully both, will engage him…”

“WHHAT?! ARE YOU CRAZY!!!?” Discord and He of Hourglass shouted as one. Both could not believe what Sentinel was saying.

“What!? Alicorn Keeper that is suicide!”

“Enough Dragon Keeper!” Sentinel snapped. “My life is of less importance than yours or He of Laughter's. You still have your Harmony magics flowing within you I do not. It’s Harmony magic that will defeat him not normal magic which is all I possess. Council? Am I correct?”

The Alicorn Keeper is correct.

“If we have a chance…” Sentinel continued once he was sure the words of the council had sunk in. “We need to know how he fights and how strong he is currently… Remember my words to Quartermaster?”

He of Hourglass slumped a bit in his throne. He remembered alright. “‘Going in blind, claws swiping and maw ablazing may be exactly what whomever is doing this wants… unknown dark magic rarely responds to direct approaches.’”

Sentinel nodded as he faced Discord. “He of Laughter, your magic is not suited for direct confrontation with an unknown enemy… You do best when you know your enemies weaknesses…” Sentinel looked at He of Hourglass next. “Dragon Keeper you have battle experience and could probably hold your own but we can’t risk our strongest Harmony magic user on something like this.”

“Why can’t you use the elements you created?” He of Hourglass countered. He knew that if the Alicorn Keeper used them then his chances of survival would increase tremendously. Not to mention it could injure the dragon giving them more time to find a way to defeat him completely and to evacuate any innocents in the area.

“What?!” Sentinel nearly choked from the suggestion, confusing both Keepers. There was no way he could do something like that but he understand why they would think he should. He never did tell them what would happen if he wielded the elements alone again. “No… that it too risky… For one, when I created them they were made to be used by more than one pony. Due to the events of Nightmare Moon Luna and Celestia can no longer bear them. They are the only two that are battle experienced enough to be able to back me up. Second, if I were to take them back I may not be able to wield them again.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I use all six at the same time I may never be able to wield them again.”

“You made them so that even you can’t use them all at once?!” He of Hourglass shot up and roared at Sentinel for being, to him, such a stupid idiot for blocking even himself from using his own harmony magic. He could get keeping others from doing it but himself!? “You are a lava belly flopper of a fool!”

Discord lost all color and started literally falling apart. He knew that Sentinel had put special conditions on the wielding of the Elements of Harmony but even this was extreme. His eyes narrowed in anger as his shock faded. Of all the things this was the most idiotic thing that the Alicorn Keeper had ever done.

“Then I am a proud lava belly flopper!”

“If I had known you were going to do that I would have called judgment on you back then.”

Sentinel slowly shook his head. “It would have failed.”

“Huh!?” Discord was beginning to think he was slipping in his old age. Sentinel was starting to confuse him more and more…

“As I have had to explained over and over…” Sentinel grumbled. “Harmony, true harmony, comes from not just one pony, one person but a group. There can never be a harmony of one… A group effort is where it lies. Why do you think the power of Harmony magic was broken and distributed amongst twelve?!”

20 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Afternoon, Hourglass

He of Hourglass could see that the news was as he feared, bad. With exceptions of his friend Pink One and the primsicatic pony, the Bearer of Loyalty the meetings usually had an air of somberity. This meeting that was not the case. The normally fluffy and curly mane of Pink One was dull and flat. The Bearer of Loyalty usual smirk or air of extreme boredom was gone with a tired look. If that wasn’t enough it was clear that Celestia was barely able to control her emotions. Luna, not surprisingly, was absent as she would still be on the front lines.

“Sentinel... the Alicorn Keeper...” Celestia’s voice shook hard with barely contained emotion, “has fallen in battle…”

The rest of what Celestia said faded away as the world swirled around He of Hourglass before he fell to his knees, the words ‘Sentinel, the Alicorn Keeper, has fallen in battle’ echoing over and over in his mind. No… how… could he die!?

Quartermaster roared in anguish. Both of his fists came slamming down on the council floor causing the image of the Friendship Council to flicker for a moment. He couldn’t decide between raging or letting his sadness take over. He wasn’t sure if he could ever live up to the skill of his hatchmate as a secondclaw as he was sure that He of Hourglass would have him as the new secondclaw. He didn’t want to be secondclaw. He wanted his hatchmate.

She of Hourglass collapsed onto the side of her mate. Quartermaster instinctively wrapped his wings around her though it was of no comfort, no warmth. To her the flame of their clan was gone and with it the fire that kept them pushing forward. She glanced down at her son who just stood there with clenched fists, shaking.

Scorpion shivered and curled into a tight ball. He choked as he had to hold back a wail due to his recovering voice box. But even if it was completely healed he found that for the first time since he chose that he lost all desire for music. He didn’t think it was possible but this was worse than with the lost of Medallion. The bass on his back was like a heavy weight and the ocarina felt like it would choke him.

“It can’t be… please…” Twixt’d begged.

Celestia walked up to Twixt’d. She wanted to put a hoof on his shoulder but she was but an image to him. The most she could do was let him see her understanding eyes. “I’m sorry, Twixt’d but he has past on from this world…”

Twilight felt like her heart would burst and die at watching her brother and his family grieve. Her friends gathered around her as they noticed her tearing up. Even the comforting group hug did nothing to ease her hurt. what made it worse she could go up and physically be with He of Hourglass to help him through this.

“Truly no one can say dragons are uncaring beasts.” Grizzle noted the pain and suffering on all of the dragons’ faces.

He of Hourglass lamented. I know you had to go and do your duty but...

“I know, Dragon Keeper, I know… I just...” Soul Fire looked away no longer able to hold any resemblance of a gaze to him.

So the promised time has come… He of Hourglass sadly thought as he gently lifted his secondclaw face “...You come home for him… If not for any other dragon here, for him.”

“I will.”

You promised Secondclaw… my brother...my hatchmate… He of Hourglass bitterly thought.

A THREE STRAND CORD IS HARD TO BREAK Came the voice from his vision again.

He of Hourglass looked back down on Secondclaw’s bond to see that it was still strong. Unlike with the ‘loss’ of Harmonious Knight and the death of Medallion the bond was neither shattered like in the case of the latter or disconnected like in the former.

“No.” He of Hourglass whispered.

“He of Hourglass?” Celestia questioned as she noticed the Dragon Keeper finally was out of his initial shock and had said something. Whatever he said, however, she didn’t quite catch.

“Firstclaw?” She of Hourglass added. She had heard the no even over the low growl from her mate. What she didn’t know was why he said no.

“He is not dead!” He of Hourglass roared. His eyes shone with fire as he stared everyone down, daring them to saw otherwise and invite his fury to come upon them.

“But He of Hourglass,” Discord calmly countered even though he struggling to remain composed. As much he wanted for his first friend to still be alive he knew it was not so. Sentinel was his first true friend and the pain he was going through was worse than… worse than when he went mad. “Dragon Keeper, his throne… has sparks...”

“I don’t care what you think you saw! HE IS ALIVE!” He of Hourglass yelled. He clenched his fist in anger. He was not going to waiver and he was not going to let anyone tell him otherwise.

Twixt’d looked over at his firstclaw. He struggled himself to see through the tears clouding his vision. Firstclaw was shaking hard, tears flowing from his eyes, and blood dripping from his fists. Even though he was hurting himself the pain that He of Hourglass was under hurt him even worse. A memory came forth as he watched the dragon.

“You may be my best friend Twixt’d but He of Hourglass… he… hmph…” Sentinel laughed and eyed Twixt’d. “I get it! You’re jealous!”

Twixt’d was secretly glad for his black scales as he could feel his face heat up. He really had to learn to be more careful shielding his thoughts around his friend. He was suddenly grabbed and given a noogie. “Hey!”

“Twixt’d…” Sentinel look off towards the city before looking back at Twixt’d who was looking up at him from the headlock. “Can you do something for me?”

“Hmm?”

“Whenever I need to leave Hourglass and can’t bring you along can you be Firstclaw’s best friend and watch over him for me?”

Twixt’d continued to gaze at his firstclaw in thought. He of Hourglass meant something to Sentinel something far beyond best friend. He had noticed from time to time the way he looked at him. It was the same look that he saw with his own parents when they looked at him or his clutchmates’ eggs. I promise then I will be whatever Firstclaw needs just for you my best friend...

Twilight looked down in thought. This is just like Rainbow Dash just before Tank’s first winter… or myself right after Spike Chose. As much as she wanted to let go completely for herself and for him, to grief the loss they could not. Right now there was no time for this.

“Discord…” Twilight whispered to Discord, putting up a sound bubble to prevent the dragons especially He of Hourglass from hearing.

“Yes Twilight?” Discord leaned down to whisper back.

“Shouldn’t we use the Draconic ability to… we can’t have him be delusional… Lives could be lost if he doesn’t keep his emotions in control... I mean I know he’s hurting bad but…”

Discord eyes widen at what Twilight was saying. He knew that the Draconic language could only speak truths. Not just any truth but absolute truth. But… there was a risk... “No… with his rage it could send him over the edge… let him come to acceptance that he is gone in his own time…”

“Are you sure Discord?” Twilight whispered back. She knew that denial could become unhealthy as she herself had been before Harmony had forced her to see the truth so she could finally begin to truly heal and live again.

“Not really,” Discord admitted, “but if He of Hourglass falls into rage growth…”

Twilight gulped as he looked over to the dragon in question. He of Hourglass said nothing else as he angrily walked out of the Hourglass Council. Captain Phoenix Wave which had stood at guard at the door had to scramble out of the way. Twixt’d followed right behind him.

“I’m sorry,” Celestia sighed as she looked over at the door that He of Hourglass and Twixt’d left the council through, “but as much as we all need time to grieve, myself included, the Dark One is assaulting Equestria as we speak.”

Quartermaster signed heavily as much as could tell that Twixt’d and Firstclaw needed more time to get over the shock the pony was right. He never thought he would have to resume as acting secondclaw. “Tell us what you know.”

“Twilight?” Discord handed a stack of parchment to Twilight. “Can you send this information to them?”

“Uh, not really as the only one currently with an anchor here is Scorpion and he is still recovering. To send all of your information may redamage his voice box.”

“Ugh…” Discord groaned as he strapped an ice pack onto his head. He was still feeling the effects of all of the dark magic he was subject to and the meeting so far was only making it worse. “Then I will summarize… and send the details later…”

Discord snapped a film projector on to the root chandler pointing down at the the currently inactive table. “Lights!” The Friendship Council darkened a bit

“When Luna and Sentinel engaged the Chaos Bringer over Baltimare I monitored the entire fight from a safe distance…”

“YOU COWARD! You let him die!” Quartermaster roared. In his fury he forgot that the draconequus in front of him was merely an image and sent a stream of flame at Discord in an attempt to kill him.

The Friendship Council suddenly went pitch black, darkening the Hourglass Council considerably. The only thing that could be seen was the furious stare coming from Discord’s glowing eyes. A coldness overcame the Hourglass Council causing the remaining dragons and Phoenix Wave to shiver. “Don’t ever say that I am a coward by staying back! We are in constant danger so that those under our charge is protected. The greatest thing any keeper can do is to die in the line of duty to protect their charge. Nine… Ten keepers have done so… Sentinel gave his live for ponykind… When the time comes I guarantee your firstclaw will lay down his life for dragon kind… Just as I would for chimera kind… I was under his orders to stay back so that if something happened the knowledge gained would not be lost...”

“HE WAS MY FIRST, TRUE FRIEND!” Discord suddenly roared. The light returned to the Friendship Council to revealed a sad and defeated Discord and very frighten Friendship Council. “Even amongst the keepers I was only merely tolerated…” Discord’s voice drop to a near whisper, “he never once just tolerated me… he encouraged me not only as a Keeper but as a person… he understood that my chaotic ways was a necessity...”

“Discord… you poor thing...” Fluttershy started to cry again. She went up to the now silently crying draconequus and hugged him gently.

“Sorry…” Discord apologized when he finally snapped out of his grief. He slid out of Fluttershy’s embrace who went back to her throne. “Uh… right. The Chaos Bringer… His flame speed is extreme.” Several slides of the fight clicked by until he stopped on one showing Sentinel rushing from a stream of flame. A rainbow could be seen coming off of the alicorn. “One would have to have the speed of Rainbow Dash or Twixt’d to dodge.”

“Furthermore…” Discord snapped a claw and a new picture of a weird black circle. Not only that the photo look dark as if there wasn’t enough light when it was taken.

“Is that a black sun!?” Celestia gasped. When Discord had appeared in Ponyville he had been shaken. When she was told of Sentinel’s death she thought the shaking was from that now she was sure it was from whatever this was.

“Uh… Yeah, I guess so… this is… is an extremely condensed ball of flame… but unlike the sun it absorbs light. The power from this makes all the other attacks seem like a meow from a kitty over a roar from a lion… it’s the attack that… that...” Discord couldn't finish his statement. It was too painful to do so but luckily everyone there knew exactly what he was about to say.

“How are we are going possible win against all that?”

“Grizzle don’t lose faith…”

“If I may interrupt?” Captain Phoenix Wave moved forward from his previous position of next to the council doors. Celestia nodded her okay. “Grizzle it is true that in the lands around Equestria have not had much issues with dragons given the low population of dragons. Matter of fact, the procedure was to evacuate the area and notify the princesses. I’m assuming that Sentinel was to take care of the problem dragon.”

“That is essentially correct.”

“But the races away from Equestria assuredly do not have that luxury… the population is much larger. Dragons generally make their homes in caves and because of that could come into conflict with griffons in particular. I bet the griffon eryies there have contingency plans or experience with dragons.”

“Celestia, Grizzle I suggest that any griffons that have had battle experience with dragons be in embedded in both Equestrian and Allied Griffon Eryies military forces. Have them train, fight or lead groups of them on dragon killing.”

“But this isn’t typical rage dragon!” Grizzle countered. “Can’t we lure him to the chaos lands and have the Hourglass Clan and Keepers take him out while the dragon is weakened by the effects.”

“No, that won’t work.” Discord now answered. “To begin with, the Chaos Bringer was imprisoned in the Hydro Hourglass which is the sister to Terra Hourglass. He would be immune to the effects of the untamed wilds… And even if that wasn’t the case because dragons have such powerful magic coursing through them it hardly affects them as they just power on through…”

“DO DRAGONS EVEN HAVE WEAKNESSES!?” Grizzle snapped in frustration.

“For one pride.” Quartermaster calmly answered. Scorpion jaw dropped comically. It was a rarity for Quartermaster to admit a weakness it’s was nigh on never for him to admit so quickly.

“Great.” Grizzle drawed out the r in mock thankfulness “We can can embarrass him into submission.”

“Dragons are physically very powerful and to add to that so is our magic. Our magic is so powerful that most races incorrectly assume we are magically immune… Not so… Tell me, Ambassador, if a vagabond comes at you with a broadsword are you going to defend yourself with more vigor than if he came at you with a puny scalpel?”

“Are you kidding me!?” Grizzle squeaked at the absurdity of the question. “Broadsword.”

“The scalpel user…” Captain Phoenix Wave countered. “Those with pride would drop their guard with a scalpel because they wrongly think ‘what can a puny knife like that do to me?’ Well that puny little knife is extremely sharp and light and that allows the attacker to throw it with easy and can very easily get between armor joints which is the weakest spot in armor. Also because of its essentially weightlessness one can hone their agility and speed and can catch someone off guard. Furthermore, if one is armored, especially with plate or chainmail as it makes them slower, it leaves them vulnerable to any attack that uses speed and agility…”

“You got it Captain.” Quartermaster smiled down at the pony captain. This pony was constantly proving to him his worth and the worth of ponies. To think he ever had a problem with them.

“Who are you and what did you do with Quartermaster?” Quartermaster growled and smacked Scorpion's head with his tail.

“Our power is our weakness because power can corrupt... make one prideful. Dragon magic is about power not precision and outside our flame is very wasteful. Let's use the broadsword and a scalpel in another example. Say you want to assassinate someone cleanly. With a single slash one can slice or hack and kill but the sword takes more strength not to mention you tend to mutilate the body. Not clean… messy much like the way we fight and use magic. On the other hand the scalpel required basically no strength but does require precision. This is like the way pony magic tends to work.”

“Okay, enough.” Quartermaster whispered before anyone could continue the meeting. He was at his limit and needed a rest before continuing and he still need more details anyway. “He of Laughter make as many copies as possible about the information you gathered and get it to the griffons and the commanders of the pony military so that they can have at least something to work with while we figure out a way to really use what was found against the ‘Nameless One’… I will see to either Twixt’d or Firstclaw so you can send it to us as well.”

“Very well. Equestria out” Celestia ended the meeting before Grizzle could speak up in protest. She could see that the dragons needed to regroup before continuing and Quartermaster was right the information needed to be looked through before any resemblance of a plan could be hashed out.

Author's Note

Ugh these latter chapters are taking longer then usual... I'm hoping to have the story finished by Turkey Day but if the average time on chapters continue to be this long...

But Your Nightmare is in Another Dungeon

46 days since the fall of Traxti City

20 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Early evening, Ponyville

“Mangy! I said I wasn’t taking any visitors right now! I… oh it’s you Luna...” Twilight put her head back down to go back to sleep. She had passed out earlier from a combination of grief and lack of sleep since the approach of the Nameless One on Equestria's shores a few days ago. Her head snapped up when her brain caught up to the fact that Luna was standing there and she had basically yelled and dismissed her. “Luna! You should be resting!”

“No.” Luna shook her head as she made her way to one of the windows and gazed outwards. She remained that way for a moment before she turned to face Twilight. “I am going to end this cult here and now. To that end I need help in finding the breach.”

“Breach? What breach?” Twilight was momentarily confused.

“The breach in Tartarus.”

“...” Twilight blinked in continued confusion. The confusion only lasted a moment longer before she jumped up and all vestiges of tiredness left her. “TARTARUS HAS BEEN BREACHED!? MANGY!”

Luna was nearly blown back by the force of Twilight’s yell. It had been a while since she had been subject to the Royal Canterlot voice at the level that Twilight had just used. She shuddered a bit at that memory. Twilight ears flatten when she realized that she used the Royal Canterlot voice on Luna.

“Mangy!” Twilight yelled out again, this time much softer. A moment later the sounds of claws scraping on the crystal floors could be heard followed by the appearance of Mangy skidding into the council room. “Set up the magic enhancer!”

“Right away Mistress.” Mangy quickly exited the council chambers to head to the lab in the basement.

Twilight motioned for Luna to follow her. “In light of the revelation that the Cult was possibly trying to break into Tartarus I have been working out a way to detect a breach of Tartarus. During my research I found that that diamond dogs can feel the stone and earth at a much more primal level then even Earth Ponies. Mangy and I have been working on a way to enhance or adapt Diamond Dog magic to find it. But one of the issues was the vast area that needed to be scanned. So I had to create special equipment to increase Mangy’s abilities as he is the only diamond dog I know trustworthy enough for the job...” Twilight gestured to the equipment that now graced the back garden of the palace.

“You think this will find the breach?“ Luna questioned as she looked at the hodgepodge of magi-equipment. She marveled on how fast Mangy was able to set it all up so quickly.

“About 81.345% sure… it really depends on how far away the breach is in relation to the Narrow Band Diamond Dog Stone Magic Enhancer or the N.B.D.D.S.M.E…. This equipment is still experimental and there may be unknown variables that I am unaware of... I would have preferred more time but given the circumstances…” Twilight trailed off momentarily as she began to calibrate the machines as Mangy was kneeling on the ground feeling the ground. He was wearing a metal helmet with flashing lights and a set of metal paws. Both the helmet and gloves had wires that were wired into the equipment that Twilight was still fiddling with.

“Mistress, Mangy found a fresh ‘hole.’”

“Are they any others?” Twilight called out and stop fiddling with the dials. Everything appeared to be calibrated correctly if the readouts she was looking at were any indication.

“Mangy don’t see any… Will keep looking.”

Now that Twilight was finished with the calibration she had to wait until Mangy finished. As she found out from Mangy earlier a ‘fresh’ hole in rock even in places like Equestria that had a very small diamond dog population was more common than she liked. She wasn’t too worried at first as the granite that encompassed Tartarus was quite rare. Then she found out that the granite was much more common in Equestria then she figured. It just was rare because most was far underground. The problem was that if there was a breach they needed to deal with it fast. She but she knew that Mangy would not hesitate to smack her if she let herself pace while he was doing this. She absentmindedly rubbed the back of her head as she remember when Mangy repeatedly smacked her to stop her pacing as it was interrupting his ability to concentrate when they were developing and testing the N.B.D.D.S.M.

“Mistress?” Mangy lightly tapped on Twilight who awoke after having passed out from exhaustion again. Her eyes slowly opened. “Mangy done. Only one new fresh hole found.”

“Good, thanks Mangy…” Twilight yawned and stretched then made her way back into the castle with Luna right behind her, leaving Mangy behind to put away the equipment. “I tied the results to the map in the Council Room. So if all goes well then we should be able to see the location on it.”

Luna and Twilight gazed down at the table map once they returned to the council room. A glowing blue arrow could be seen floating above it facing downward. As Twilight got closer she could see where it was indicating. Her smile and excitement that the results from N.B.D.D.S.M. had properly appeared faded once she saw where the breach was located. “The Everfree…” She grumbled. She had really hoped that it would not be there. But somehow it also didn’t surprise her. It was such an unexplored and (rightfully) feared location that the cult could operate with impudence and without interference from Equestria even with He of Everfree patrolling the forest heavily. He was but one dragon and it was possible that they were so delusional that they didn’t let the threat of a fiery and bloody death to stop them. “Why must everything monstrous come from there!?”

Luna raised an eyebrow at Twilight’s frustrated declaration. Twilight gasp as she saw Luna staring at her. “Oh Luna! I didn’t mean you! That is I meant... uh…”

“Relax Twilight… tis a valid observation. The Everfree forest is not exactly a hospitable place… Afterall many of the creatures that reside there are quite ‘monstrous’ in more than just appearance... timberwolves and cockatrices to name a few...”

Twilight gulped a bit but managed to pulled herself together afterwards. After a few minutes of silenced Luna coughed. “The breach Twilight?”

“The breach? Oh yeah, right!” Twilight snapped fully at attention as she pull out a scroll. “First I need to send off a letter.”

“Why?” Luna asked calmly to the semi relief of Twilight. She had expected Luna to use the Canterlot Royal Voice on her thinking that she was trying to delay Luna.

“Remember when He of Everfree Forest barred all ponies besides the Bearers of Harmony and Zeccora from the Everfree?”

“Of course.” Luna answered and resisted the urge to hoof her face. “It caused all sorts of headaches from the nobles for allowing ‘a beast’ free reign in the Everfree… How my sister handle them for so long is nothing short of amazing. To think she had to weather them alone for so long… I fear I may never...”

Twilight put a comforting wing over Luna. Luna was getting better and better but every so often she would slip into crushing guilt over her actions that caused so much pain. It was moments like this that reminded her of a price of immortality… to know the full effect of your mistakes, to see that ripple long beyond many lifetimes… And to think she still at times would panic and overreact over very small things… things that were in hindsight far, far, far less impactfull than what Luna did.

“The question is how we are going to bypass the guards. It was a struggle to get them to stay out of sight and quiet…” Twilight mumbled as she started going over ways to get around them. They would not allow them to enter the forest alone normally and now with the country in active war even more so. He of Everfree made it very clear that all ponies besides herself and the girls would be killed on sight...

Luna looked in concern at the slowly panicking Twilight as she attempted to find a foolproof way of getting away from the guards. “Twilight can you help me? My injuries need to be checked and the bandages redone.”

Twilight was a bit taken aback as she was not that skilled in medicine and it might be wiser for her to go to a doctor given the nature of her injuries. The pleading look on Luna, however, broke her resolve. “Uh, sure… I have a medical kit in the bathroom…”

“Lead the way.”

Twilight figured she was wanting some privacy so instead of going to the public bathroom which was closer she lead Luna to her private quarters located in the upper castle. As soon as they had entered the bathroom and the door closed behind her she lit her horn and wrapped Twilight and herself in a bubble of magic and teleported them just inside the Everfree.

“Well that should keep them away for now…” Luna commented happily before she noticed that Twilight was a bit dazed over the sudden change of location. Her smile faded as she realized she should have said something before teleporting them away. “Celestia and I are quite good at slipping away from our guards… I have an illusion of us set to come out of your bathroom soon which should buy us some time… However given that the table map shows our destination…”

“Oh, no worries,” Twilight shook herself to get herself functioning from the jarring and unexpected change of location. She understood why Luna would have done what she did. She herself had done something similar in the past. “I blocked the table map from being visible to anypony that I don’t give express permission to see. If there was someone gazing at the table it would have been blank when we checked. Also as Mangy considers me his ‘alpha’ of his pack and he will not be swayed that easily... He of Hourglass is the only one so far to get information out of him…and that was only inferred information… through subtle body language.”

“No doubt because of Sentinel…” Luna chuckled a bit before her mood darkened.

“Possible…” Twilight mused sadly. She looked up and off towards where she thought Hourglass was located in relation of her location. He of Hourglass was not responding to her letters. She was sure that he was still to grief stricken to answer back just yet so she decided after three to not push any further. At least she was able to send off Discord’s report on the ‘Dark One’ to Twixt’d. Thankfully there was still a few guards in Canterlot that had form a camaraderie with him and as such had been given the necessary anchor. She lightly sighed before getting her mind back on track on what needed to be done right now. “He of Everfree will meet us at Zeccora’s hut.”

Twilight and Luna had been waiting patiently at the Zeccora’s darken hut for about an hour now. Zeccora had taken He of Everfree’s advice and moved into Ponyville, or more specifically the guest room at Fluttershy’s home. This allowed the zerba to still have easy access to the medicinal herbs only available in the Everfree while be also remaining safe. Twilight was still very tired and if it wasn’t for the approaching darkness and being in the Everfree she would have let herself sleep as it could be a while longer before the dragon came as the forest was quite large and he could have been anywhere inside at the time she sent the letter.

“Huzzah!” Luna suddenly exclaimed in happiness before her expression sobered. The events of earlier crashing down on her again. Her shout had been more subdued as well.

“Your skills have not faded from your long banishment and overly peaceful Equestria… good.” Out of the shadows lengthening shadows and in that same area that Luna had shot off a light beam into came a large green dragon. He of Everfree smiled at the night princess and nodded his greeting to Twilight who was at the moment a bit taken back. She had the impression from the few times she had dealt with him and from what others, like Harmony, had said that He of Everfree was very much like Cranky Donkey. “And for the record, that makes it three hundred and five to six hundred twenty-six in my favor.”

“A game of sorts between He of Everfree Forest and myself.” Luna leaned down and half whispered an exclamation to a befuddled Twilight. “It does serve a purpose. It helps hone camouflage skills in both in defecting it and using it.”

“Enough.” He of Everfree growled out impatiently. “What brings you two to my forest this evening?”

“Twilight has informed me that something may have created a breach to Tartarus inside the forest.”

“Yes,” He of Everfree rumbled in thought, “I noticed a odd rumbling a bit earlier… if it is a breach of Tartarus then it needs to be sealed up and quickly. I assume you have a way to seal it up?”

“It depends on the breach… if it is small if enough it will seal itself up without any intervention if it is larger it may even require the elements…” Luna explained. She really hoped it was not that large.

“Very well… show me where we need to go.”

Twilight quickly conjured a map of the Everfree with the location marked on it. He of Everfree peered at the vague map. The boundaries were clearly marked, accurate, and to scale but outside of a few very very well know landmarks within the forest it was bare. There was a single red mark that he assumed was the possible location. He knew where to go. There was a couple of caves in the area near the dot if the dot was in the right location.

“I see where we need to go. Come, follow me.” He of Everfree began to lumber through the trees.

Luna calmly followed closely to the dragon. Twilight on the other hand felt a sense of panic rising again. “Um, wouldn’t it be faster to fly?”

“The location would be difficult to spot in the air in darkness…” He of Everfree grumbled. “And nothing will come near me as the predators here know to give me a wide berth. Or do you wish to question my ability to guard you?”

Twilight gulped. She remembered what He of Everfree had done to then Harmony when the dragon had thought that Harmony was insinuating he was unable to protect his hoard. “No He of Everfree… I’m just worried about any delay in getting to the spot before any prisoners have escaped...”

He of Everfree eyed Twilight for a moment before his gaze return to the front. Silence reigned for a while until the dragon looked over to Luna. “Night Princess you seem a bit down and I noticed bandages that are covering your barrel has the cult made their move?”

“Against me? No… The Dark One has entered Equestria via the eastern coast and in a surprise attack utterly annihilated the city of Baltimare… and…” Luna found herself struggling to tell He of Everfree about Sentinel, “and Sentinel fell in battle with the Dark One…”

“Hmph same as always…” He of Everfree cryptically mused. “I was wondering why your ‘huzzah’ was so subdued. Have you notified his clan yet?”

Twilight answered this time. “Yes.”

“Good.” He of Everfree growled in approval. He knew from his exchange with He of Hourglass nearly three weeks ago that Sentinel’s clan would stop at nothing to utterly destroy the ‘Nameless One.’ “I’ll leave it them to bring retribution to that foul beast.”

Again the oppressive silence overcame the group. Only the sounds of their movement through the snowy underbrush and the dragons loud breathing broke it up.

“So tell me,” He of Everfree spoke again after a while. “how do you know that it’s a breach of Tartarus?”

“Sentinel believed the cult was trying to break Nightmare Moon out from Tartarus. Apparently the bombs used by the cult have a particularly devastating effect on certain rock types. The rock barrier that surrounds the prison is one of the types of rock that is particularly susceptible.”

He of Everfree growled and a string of words came out of his mouth that she was unfamiliar with. She didn’t think it was draconic and it definitely wasn’t any of the common languages and judging from Luna’s reaction whatever the dragon was saying was quite crude.

“...those blasted animals!” He of Everfree finally finished his line of cursing and fell into mere angry growling. His movements then quicken and became more pronounced. Twilight had to use her wings to help steady herself from. Luna seemed to not be affected as much though several time she had to use her magic to keep the pathway clear as she was slightly in front of Twilight.

A few minutes later the dragon stopped and growled issued from him. “Those lava shitting ponies!”

Both Twilight and Luna back up slightly from He of Everfree, unsure of what the clearly ticked off dragon would do. He had become more and more rage filled as they went and something must have set it higher.

Luna frowned at the fuming dragon. If the dragon’s rage didn’t come down soon he could become a serious problem and they had way too many right now to add more to it. In her inner musings on what could have set him off Luna remembered that just before his most recent outburst that he had been glancing at the ground. A look downwards at the ground and she saw tracks. Now tracks in a forest wouldn't be unusual but these were pony tracks.

“Your quarry is most likely in the cave in the clearing ahead.” The dragon finally spoke. Both ponies could feel the palpable fury in each word. It was clear to both that the dragon was reaching his limit.

Luna and Twilight entered the cave indicated and was followed by the dragon who immediately turned to face the forest and laid down grumbling. The very front of the cave was large enough for He of Everfree to enter but it sloped downwards to a small tunnel at the back too small for the dragon.

“Okay…” Twilight conjured a book titled An Expert's Guide to Charting Unexplored Caves. “We should look for other entrances and wards them before we carefully map out the tunnels and the most likely route that they took…”

“No, don’t,” Luna ordered, “while there may be another exit that they could use we don’t have time. Stay here for now… For the moment I shall deal with this personally. If I have need of assistance in sealing the rupture I shall return and ask for it.”

“But Luna!” Twilight protested. “You are still recovering from your injuries you received over Baltimare. Nevermind the fact you could get lost!”

“Bah.” Luna waved off Twilight’s concerns, “wings in tunnels can be a liability. And I know how to navigate caves.”

Luna had a reputation of being a bit gruff and blunt with her opinions at times but that even with that in mind Twilight was a bit surprised over Luna’s nonchalant dismissal of wings. Though as she thought on it usually the only time Rainbow Dash wouldn’t hover was in narrow hallways or places with low ceilings. Even though she was an alicorn and had been one for about half of her life she still went about like a non winged unicorn she used to be. For example she still used her horn over flying when reshelving and getting a book.

“Okay Luna, but please be careful…” Twilight relented.

“I will.”

Luna lit her horn and made her way into the darkness of the tunnel in the back of the cave. The tunnel widen and split off into a system of caves, caverns, and tunnels which were a mixture of natural formation and diamond dog tunnels. As she went along she marked the direction she went with an invisible mark. Deeper she went down all the while checking for signs of recent movement in the cave floor. Luckily none of the caves and caverns were formed by underwater springs. Sections had signs that at one point there was diamond dog activity but she could see that it had been a long time ago. Either the caves never produced gems in the quantity wanted or the forest above became too dangerous…or both.

After some time she suddenly found herself in a very roughly hewn section, even for diamond dogs. This section was also the oldest she had come across. Several pathways branched off. However, only the one on the far right had been recently traversed. She also could tell from the stifling air that there was no connecting tunnel to the surface further down that path.

She had been in the stifling shaft for only a short while when she started to make out the sounds of arguing further on. Luna slowed her movements to to a crawl. The arguing, for the moment, would cover any sounds of her approach but that could end. She also changed the type of spell she was using for light so that only she could see the light being produced by her horn. There was no way to know if the voices were coming her way or if where looking in her direction and she didn’t want to reveal her presence prematurely.

As she walked slowly forward the voices became more distinctive. So far she could hear at least three ponies engaged in the argument. Two stallions and a mare if she was not mistaken. Soon a light not from her horn could be seen coming around a bend ahead. She drop the light spell she was using and drop to a creep. A peek around the corner told her that there was more than three. There was a group of six robed ponies nervously gathered around a magical smokeless fire in small cavity. A hole had been recently blasted into the far wall. She could see a rocks and debris from the hole around the small cavity. A sickly red glow came through the hole.

“Because we don’t want any prisoners escaping!” A robed cultist was screaming to another who was cowering on the ground near the hole that clearly went into Tartarus.

“How true that beith…” Luna spoke as she revealed herself to the gathered cultists. All six of them stumbled back in shock and fear from the sudden and very unexpected appearance of Luna. “NO prisoners will be escaping this night. Thy foolishness is unbecoming. The Nightmare was destroyed not removed and imprisoned in Tartarus.”

One of the ponies seemed to be speaking through a soft whimper. Luna could not tell who said it but she didn’t care.

“Mercy? Thou want mercy!?” Luna voice and anger started to spike higher at the audacity of what one of the ponies was asking of her. “Thou art idiots! Eternal night means a frozen death worse than a wendigo winter or a death from a heat worse than dragon flame! Furthermore, where was thy mercy of those innocents thou blew up in thy bombings?”

Luna could hear another one of the ponies mumble something and her rage exploded from the admission. “SHE IS OUR BELOVED SISTER WHOM DIED INSIDE THE NIGHT SHE BANISHED US. TO THIS DAY SHE FEELS GUILT…” She turned’’ away from the ponies her guilt so great to preventing her from looking even at them. “In my madness I hurt those who cared for me… she always cared for me even if she struggled to show it… Celestia cared… she just was unable to see the darkness consuming me until it was too late…” Luna suddenly spun around scaring the gathered ponies even further. “THOU ON THE OTHER HOOF! Care not for me but my power! I wanted love for ME! AS A PONY! NOT… not my power my abilities… The lies of that nightmare…”

Luna began to take deep breath to calm herself from the rising bloodlust. She was Luna, Princess of the Night, not a vile nightmare that relished in misery and carnage… Still justice had to be served and to do that she had to be collected and calm not raged and bloodthirsty for that was vengeance. The cultists who had been quacking calmed down. That was until Luna opened her eyes once again.

“Well no more!” Luna vowed. ”You want a Nightmare then you got it! WE SHALL BE A NIGHTMARE TO THOSE OF EVIL HEARTS! WE SHALL HIDE INNOCENCE IN SHADOWS! AND HIDE THEM FROM THOSE THAT WOULD DOTH THEM HARM!”

Luna brought up her sickle and steeled herself from the the screams she knew were to come.

“Bearer of Magic stop your incessant pacing!” He of Everfree grumbled. The thoughts of his coming Slumber and the quiet it would bring him and his affection for Sentinel were the only the reasons he didn’t skewered the pony. Though he had to admit that some of her scenarios of what could have happened were amusing.

“I’m sorry He of Everfree!” Twilight quickly apologized as she struggled and fought herself to not pace. He of Everfree rolled his eyes at the display as he laid his head back down on his forepaws. Unfortunately, she was unable to stop her non stop chattering. “It’s just she has been down there all night! Celestia will be rising the sun any moment now! I should have gone down with her!”

He of Everfree’s ears suddenly detected the sounds of something approaching from within the tunnel. He was glad for it as it meant ridding himself of a pony that was driving him crazy. Or it could mean BBQ’d evil pony which would allow him to vent on it instead of the Bearer. Either way he was going to be a happier dragon.

“It is done.” Twilight spun towards the tunnel to see Luna appearing.

“Are you okay Luna?” Twilight ran up to Luna. She looked over Luna who was dirty and dusty which would be expected but what worried her was that there was splotches of dried blood all over her.

“Come Twilight…” Luna ordered walking past her with purpose, ignoring the concerns of the younger alicorn. “We have work to do.”

“But Luna!” Twilight exclaimed as her brain caught up. She had to trot to catch up to Luna who was not even looking back to check to see if she was coming or not. What happened down in those caves? I have never seen her like this. “What happened?!”

Author's Note

I know I know... its been way too long. I just got a new computer and was busy with that... Hopefully the coming chapters will be much much faster from here on out.

A Call to Claws

Author's Note

Just a reminder of the names/titles of the Hourglass Clan:

Golden DragonHeart / He of Hourglass / Firstclaw / Dragon Keeper
Soul Fire / Vorac / Sentinel / Secondclaw / Alicorn Keeper
Metal Claws / Quartermaster
MetalEtched Claws / She of Hourglass
Eternal Beats / Scorpion

A Call to Claws

46 days since the fall of Traxti City

20 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Nearing midnight, Hourglass

He of Hourglass gazed down at the closed birdsnest in front of Medallion’s hoard lost in thought. He had been staring at it since he left the Council room that afternoon. A part of him wanted to curl up, another wanted to rage, but the largest part just felt dead...

“Firstclaw?” A voice called out in the darkness.

“What is it Twixt’d?” He of Hourglass voiced after a moment of silence. He kept his gaze down at the birdsnest as he just didn’t want to face the the grief of his clan, more so with Twixt’d. Twixt’d attachment to Sentinel was in ways stronger than his own. That only made it more difficult.

“Equestria has sent information… Information… um…” Twixt’d couldn't go on. The complete cold reaction and eyes from He of Hourglass caused him to pause. It absolutely spooked him to see the spark dragon having no warmth in his eyes. It wasn’t the first time he saw eyes like that, but this was the first time he saw it coming from what he could consider a good friend. On the streets that was the look of danger; the look of cold murder. For to see it would meant a promise of a painful death and on the streets that was a promise. His only real consolation was he knew for whom the look was for: the one that caused this.

He of Hourglass soften his gaze as he looked over the whelp who was now next to him looking down at the birdsnest sadly, a stack of parchment press against his side. He sighed. What was that saying? ‘No rest for the weary.’ “Relax my friend.“ He reassured his friend. “Let's go back to the library and go over the information that Secondclaw and He of Laughter managed to get on the Nameless One.”

“Okay…” Twixt’d whispered. He really didn’t want to look at the cold analytical details surrounding the death of his friend. Sentinel was more then that. However, he had made a promise to Sentinel's memory to be and do whatever his firstclaw needed.

The two dragons found their way to the room that He of Hourglass used as an office and workshop. He of Hourglass took the stack of parchment and place them on the desk. He concentrated for a moment and several identical stacks appeared next to the first one. With that done the two went about reading the report.

After only a few minutes He of Hourglass put the stack down. This is going to require more detail thought and I’m going to need the clan to look at it to cover all of our bases… His skill in magic was strong but it was more of a jack of all trades. For example, Scorpion was stronger at Soul Song magic then himself by a long mile and though Metal Claws was more into construction of physical combat weapons with a bit of encouragement he should be able to see flaws in the combat spells used more than himself.

“I don't think there is much you can get out of this report directly Twixt’d…” He of Hourglass sighed. “Neither one used much in the way of physical attacks…”

“I’m going to believe you. I don’t understand magic all that much.” Twixt’d shrugged. The only dragon magic that he had much of an understanding was his fire mail and outside of the speed of the attacks, which frighten him, he had no idea what to do with the information. He now was more understanding on why Sentinel had kept him back in Hourglass when he left for Equestria.

He of Hourglass chuckled much to Twixt’d’s irritation. “Twixt’d increase the training of your griffons. Take a copy and consult them for how to best prepare to fight the Nameless One. Notify the Captain of the Guard to increase their training as well… Though I suspect that the guard is already doing that… Before you do that go tell your parents to met me right away in the council room.”

“Shouldn’t I be there for this meeting?” Twixt’d questioned as he followed He of Hourglass out. Even though he had no magical skills he still wanted to be helpful.

“No, not this time…”

“What!?” Twixt’d snapped, fighting to keep his anger in check. He wanted to kill the dragon responsible with his own claws but he knew that was impossible. So barring that he wanted in on the planning for how the clan was going to go by doing that. “You think I don’t have nothing to contribute to this?!”

“Twixt’d.” He of Hourglass shook his head.“If I thought that I would have had an issue with you being the ‘High Griff’ of the griffons here. For by being that you have a way to help by working with the griffons.” He thought of something else and leaned in to whisper into Twixt’d’s ear. “Thank you…”

Twixt’d stopped, confused at the thank you. ‘Thank you’ for what? He wondered. It made no sense. “For what?” He finally spoke up.

“One day Twixt’d…” He of Hourglass look back over his shoulder with a smile on his face. “You will be a Claw in this clan…”

That completely broke Twixt’d. A Claw… Me?! He had vowed to stop being so negative about things but there were times where he would slip. Now was on of those times. For Twixt’d, he just couldn’t believe what his firstclaw had said. He could see being a High Griff as that was determined by combat not by station. As for a Claw… he felt his past should preclude him…

“Your parents please.” He of Hourglass reminded the shocked whelp.

Twixt’d finally snapped to attention and rush off towards the forge. Two thoughts playing in his mind the whole time why and what for did his firstclaw thank him and why the claw remark. It was confusing. The feelings that had plagued him for months returned and a question played in his mind: Who am I?

He of Hourglass watched for a moment longer and once he was satisfied he headed off towards the park. Scorpion would most likely be there right now. While he was usually up at this time he usually didn’t move away from the park.

As he suspected Scorpion was in the park, but he was not in his hoard. Less expected, though not surprisingly, the dragon in question was curled around Sentinel’s birdnest. His birds were gathered around or on the dragon. He of Hourglass walked to the sleeping dragon. A mixture of pain and rage bubbled at the look of sorrow the could be seen upon the sleeping Scorpion.

He of Hourglass nearly broke again. He really was what kept us together… the fire that burned with passion…. and without...

*What is it Firstclaw?* A single blood shot eye peeked out to gaze at the spark dragon.

“I have looked at the information that was supplied from He of Laughter…”

*Say no more.* Scorpion spoke. He yawned long and hard before he slowly got up, scattering the birds into the trees. *Sorry, my hoard…*

For the first time He of Hourglass noted that he could fit easily into the mouth of Scorpion. He rubbed the back of his neck from the reminder of how he had to constantly look up to talk. If only he could figure out what was blocking his ability to enter any growths. He continued to watch as Scorpion stretched showing off rippling muscles underneath his scales. He of Hourglass sighed as he realized that he also was not as physically strong either… though with what Sentinel discovered agility and speed was going to a plus… at least for now...

*Firstclaw?*

“Yes, right.” He of Hourglass snapped out of his musings and turned to walk back to the council room, Scorpion falling right behind him.

“What did you tell him?” Metal Claws accused Golden DragonHeart as soon as he entered the council room. Golden DragonHeart had to resist the urge to facepalm. “He came into the forge confused and stammering nonsense. Something about becoming a Claw and questioning his place and who he is.”

Golden DragonHeart blinked in slight disbelief You can’t see it? You son is… ah nevermind… He mentally shook his head. Sometimes Metal Claws was a bit dense. As for his mate, MetalEtched Claws, he couldn't tell as she usually kept a lot to herself, even more so than Soul Fire, but she never seemed to be one to be that oblivious. Though to be fair this could be the first time that the signs were this noticeable… “Isn't it clear?”

“Wait… are you saying that…” Metal Claws stammered out as he started to make connections.

“Twixt’d will be a Claw in the clan. His ability to get along with ponies and griffons the way he does proves it. Not only that, he managed to break through your stubbornness without resorting to dangerous tactics…” Golden DragonHeart waved a claw dismissively.“ Enough of this, we have work to deal with.”

The sounds of shuffling parchment could be heard as the clan began to look at material that had been gathered. One dragon, however, was struggled to examine the intelligence. Metal Claws kept thinking back to what his firstclaw had said about his son. He tried over and over to stay on task but he couldn't.

“Okay.” Golden DragonHeart put down the report he was reading. He was annoyed that Metal Claws had been eyeing him and trying to hide that fact, poorly, like usual. “What is on your mind?”

“The Fire Tail Ceremony…” Golden DragonHeart narrowed his eyes. Metal Claws sighed at this. “Golden DragonHeart even in war life must go on…”

That shocked the firstclaw. He was not expecting the blacksmith dragon to outright quote Soul Fire. “What did you say?”

“Uh…” Metal Claws was thrown back a bit though he recovered quickly. “Even in war life must go on... Golden DragonHeart doing this honors his hoard…”

Golden DragonHeart turned to face away from his clan as his found himself tearing up. “Would you have asked even if…” He didn't want to finish the sentence... it was too painful.

“Jā.”

“Why?”

“Because…” Metal Claws grumbled in embarrassment. He was not expected such pointed questions.

*Because Twixt’d gives us hope…* Eternal Beats unexpectedly answered, to the semi relief of Metal Claws. *How can one not feel hope to see the joy he has in flight? And we need that now… more than ever…*

“I don’t know if you fully realize this or not yet Firstclaw,” MetalEtched Claws continued the explanation, “but we look to our Claws for direction. Soul Fire... was our passion and with him gone… You are our… heart... the who we are as a whole. Eternal Beats is right. Twixt’d would give us hope…”

“Forget fierce fire breathing dragons I’m surrounded by cute puppies.” Golden DragonHeart shook his head in amusement. Metal Claws flustered angrily at being called ‘cute.’ Eternal Beats was torn between being embarrassed and laughing at Metal Claws’ discomfort.

“You know the Fire Tail Ceremony kinda needs a bit of flame don’t ya think?” Golden DragonHeart smirked as he casually inspecting his free claw while holding the tail of Metal Claws causally as it it was nothing.

Metal Claws blinked, his jaw slightly ajar. He knew his firstclaw had some skills but he didn’t think he was that good. He halted the attack without the need to use magic to augment his skills and to just nonchalantly stop his attack like it was nothing more than a mosquito was something he expected from Soul Fire not Firstclaw. A burst of greed came over him and he now needednot wanted like before his firstclaw as a hatchmate. “Fuck Firstclaw you have been holding out on us, haven't you?

“Just a bit.” Golden DragonHeart smirked as he gave a half confession. What his clan didn’t fully realize was when Soul Fire and himself fought they were so clouded in rage that they couldn't fight at their true potential. “Did you really think that all that Soul Fire did was teach me magic?”

“Hmph.” Metal Claws grumbled hotly which caused a snort from Eternal Beats. “If I had known this sooner I would have requested the ceremony long before now.”

Golden DragonHeart blinked once, twice then he burst to uproarious laughter. This infuriated Metal Claws and his tail again came down again in an attempt to smack the now laughing dragon. It lurched to a stop before it could reach the spark dragon. This time it wasn’t from Golden DragonHeart grabbing it but from the sight of Golden DragonHeart holding out his tail lit with his green fire. The spark dragon had managed to put fire to his tail and turn to face Metal Claws in the less than a sec that it took for the his tail to move in for the attack.

Metal Claws was stunned for a nanosecond before he rushed to get his tail inflamed and pressed against Golden DragonHeart’s tail. The speed that Metal Claws did this surprised Golden DragonHeart. But he didn’t care. He, himself, was excited for a new hatchmate. The ceremony soon ended with without a hitch.

“Now,” Golden DragonHeart let go of his tail, allowing it to fall back behind him, “is there anything else?”

“Yeah,” Metal Claws crossed his forearms, a claw uplifted, “please tell me this meeting is about how we are going to skin that fucking lava shit of an excuse for scales ‘dragon’ alive. Preferably as slowly and painfully as possible.”

“Skinning him alive is too good for him…” Golden DragonHeart growled angrily. “Think a bit more viciously... more bloody... more pIAnFUl.”

For the first time they all felt his blood lust, his rage and they relished in it… none of them cared that Golden DragonHeart had slipped again. If anything they almost wished that he would fall into it fully to avenge Soul Fire. They now knew how he felt and for that split moment they craved it for themselves. Fortunately, the need to pour over the intel smothered the rage before it went any further and the memory faded.

For the next few hours the clan poured over all the information. Golden DragonHeart had only did a cursory glance over the information before so he already had an inkling of content. Now he poured over the details trying to find any flaws and weakness in not only the battle strategy but spell casting of the Nameless One. Anything to give them the edge.

Golden DragonHeart pinched his brow as he finished pouring over the intle for the third time. I see now that Soul Fire’s assertion to wait was both correct and a mistake… and Equestria, the eyries of the east, and he himself paid for it...

“Enough… no more… ” He loudly whispered, getting the attention of the entire clan as it was the first sounds heard from anyone in over an hour. “ I don’t want to read anymore... or look at anymore charts... or pictures from the battle...”

Silence once again fell over the gathered dragons. The mention of the battle coupled with everything that they had been discovering about the battle that claimed their clanmate had dragged them back into a state of depression. At least for the ones that believed he was dead. For Golden DragonHeart, the only one that still believed him alive, if only by a thread, it only filled him with rage not at Soul Fire but at the Nameless One. He would find a way to strike back and kill him and hopefully without anymore loss to his clan and hoard.

Now after a more thorough look at the intel a plan began to form in his mind. Metal Claws would be able to shore up anything gaps he may have. His skills in combats and stratagem was not as strong as Soul Fire but he still was very capable. A smile formed on his maw as he realized that the plan forming was crazy, Soul Fire crazy, which made it just perfect.

“It’s high time we take the fight to him.”

“How?” Metal Claws questioned. He had gone over all of the information on the battle over Baltimare with a finetoothed comb. If the information was accurate Soul Fire had no chance of survival the moment that he engaged the Nameless One. “If Soul Fire was defeated so easily how are we going to take him on? There is only four of us with magic capacities! Eternal Beats is still unable to use his full and most powerful abilities and... and if the speed of the attacks are to be believed only Twixt’d has the speed to be able avoid his attacks…”

Golden DragonHeart flew up the council bench and pulled out a scroll and began to carefully write out a message. After a moment he grumbled and crumbled and pull out another sheet of parchment. Again after a minute he crumbled that one and the next one and the next one. This went on for nearly an hour.

The three grown dragons, who were big enough to just glance over, watched as Golden DragonHeart reread his most recent attempt. The spark dragon eyed the missive for several more tense moments before he nodded in an apparent approval. He spun the message around so the others could read it easily. “This is how we take him on. This is how we end him. This is how vengeance and justice will be brought to the Nameless One.”

A call to all Dragons:

For too long we have hid from the world. We have become weak, lethargic giving rise the Nameless One's ability to ravage the world, to pick us off one by one, smashing our eggs, and butchering our whelps and hatchlings uncontested.

Where is our pride? Where is our boasting of invincibility? Where is our Honor? ARE WE NOT DRAGONS!? Since when have we been the ones cowering in fear?

Why do we allow a dragon striped of his name for all time more prestige, more respect then the Alicorn Keeper who resolved to live as an acolyte… as one of us? The Nameless One should have nothing and we dare give him that?

As this letter goes out the Nameless One is attacking the west continent. Besieging my allies injuring my clanmates, hurting my hoard. If you wish to show this thing the error of his ways and show him the true might of dragon make your way to Terra Hourglass with all do haste.

The Dragon Keeper of Harmony, Cktüis Sarzs
He of Hourglass, Firstclaw of Hourglass Dragon Clan

As Blood Runs Cold

47 days since the fall of Traxti City

21 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Morning, Hourglass

“THAT MAKES SEVEN MORE!” Golden DragonHeart roared as another missive burnt to ash and failed to be sent. As more and more of his missives started to merely burn, indicating that the dragon was either dead or incapacitated, his rage only increased. At the same time, he was not surprised. He looked off towards the library and, in his mind’s eye, he could almost see his map of dragon graveyards, and the most recent tally.

59 known graveyards
20,183 fully grown
915 whelps/hatchlings
336 eggs

He did not know the reason behind the odd and extreme spike in the numbers of deaths. It could be that they were just unreported, that they were undiscovered, or that the Nameless One had accelerated his purging. No matter the reason for it, he didn’t care anymore, even for the dragons in his network. They were merely a means to an end. The world could burn for all he cared, just so long as he got his revenge. The only sign that he had any feelings of sorrow for them was that their deaths would make it all the more difficult. He wasn’t stupid; he would need help to take him down.

“No matter.” He calmly stated after a few tense moments, a grin forming. “I still shall drink his blood soon enough.”

The gathered dragons shivered at the sound of his calm, chilling voice, but its was not from fear or disgust, but from pleasure. It was like the sweetest of gems or the tangiest of prey. An excitement came over them as rage filled them. If one could see, the eyes of all four dragons changed from normal to narrow, feral silts.

Golden DragonHeart licked the drool off his teeth as he noticed the time. “It appears it is almost time for the daily meeting with Equestria and the Griffon Eyries. You know your roles; get to them.”

MetalEtched Claws and Eternal Beats nodded and left the council room, leaving Golden DragonHeart and Metal Claws behind. The spark dragon sealed the room, then touched the knocker on the spell matrix.

Meanwhile, Ponyville

Celestia tried to quell the uneasiness that she felt. This was going to be the first meeting since the clan had been informed of Sentinel’s death. The actions of He of Hourglass after he was told were not completely unexpected, but were understandable. Her concern, however, was that it would affect his judgement, with how dangerous the situation was. Now was not the time for impaired judgment, not while the Dark One was still rampaging in Equestria. From the most recent report, the dragon was approaching Fillydelphia, and Equestria really could use the assistance of the clan right now, if only for moral support.

Celestia sighed heavily. Her own experience after the banishment of Luna came to the forefront of her mind. She just hoped that he could hold it together, unlike her. The decades after Luna’s banishment were dark times for Equestria. A look up at a nearby clock told her that the meeting would start any moment now. She would know soon enough what He of Hourglass’ mental state was.

“You have to have hope Celestia.”

Celestia mentally chuckled. It was scary when Discord was the one to be encouraging. She glanced over at Discord and gave a small smile. It was easier said than done, but she would try nonetheless. She looked over to see Twilight fidgeting nervously.

She didn’t have anymore time to dwell on the past as the Hourglass ‘knocker’ on Spike’s old throne began to pulsate. The meeting was upon them. Twilight noticed this, and, after gulping and giving a yawn, as she was still tired from the night’s events, she answered by tapping it with some of her magic. Soon, the image of the of the Hourglass Council chambers overlaid itself over the Friendship Council room, like always.

Celestia prided herself in being a good judge of character. She had many years, too many years sometimes, of practice dealing with ponies, notably nobles and rich businessponies, who spoke in a way that to the uninitiated would seem innocent, but a look in their eyes told otherwise. The few times she would struggle reading the intents of a pony were those ponies who were mentally impaired, when they were extreme sociopaths, or when she was.... distracted.

Being distracted… if only the nobles knew of that weakness. The wedding invasion and Luna’s transformation to Nightmare Moon being prime examples of her distraction leading to great pain. One would have thought she would have learned her lesson from the latter, so that the former would have never occurred. To be fair, she had been around more ponies than she could count that would make a run for or outdo Fluttershy’s kindness, but then turned into outright bridezillas when it came to their weddings... still...

Even with all she had been through in her life, she was surprised that she not only remained seated but not quaking. The two dragons Quartermaster and He of Hourglass were the only ones from Hourglass for the meeting. Quartermaster had always been a grouchy dragon, but his heart was in the right place so his… demeanor was not too unsettling. He of Hourglass, on the other hoof, was. He of Hourglass’ eyes usually were ones of light, of playfulness and kindness. Now, neither of them showed any signs of that light in them... their eyes had become feral…. slitted... angry… dark...cold and unforgiving. It was the eyes of dragons consumed by rage.

“Morning, Hourglass…”

“Can the bucking pleasantries, pony,” He of Hourglass growled coldly, his eyes narrowing. “We have business to conduct, and I have a city to prepare for war.”

Celestia was taken a bit back by the insults and cursing coming from the spark dragon. He of Hourglass only occasionally cursed, usually when under extreme stress, but he was always respectful. “Very well,” Celestia dropped her usual warm demeanor. “What is the business you wish to discuss?”

“You and the griffons are immediately to push the Nameless One south, towards Hourglass, so that we can end him once and for all.”

Celestia blinked. That was one of the plans discussed earlier. Did this mean he had figured out a way to defeat the Dark One? “Do you have any suggestions? Have you discovered a weakness we can…”

“I don’t fucking care how you drive him towards us. Use dark magic! Living pony sacrifices! Make a false alliance with him! Become his bitch! You just get that lava shitting dragon here and NOW! Hourglass out.” The image of the Hourglass Council faded out as the Dragon Keeper was walking out.

Twilight wavered from shock to primal fear over the absolute coldness pouring off of He of Hourglass. This wasn’t the dragon she knew, and the final words from He of Hourglass broke the final thread keeping her bladder in control, and it emptied itself. She was too out of it to immediately realise that it happened or to be embarrassed by it. Once she did, she blushed hard, and quickly magicked her pee away.

“To think that I would see that look again after so long…” Celestia muttered once she had a moment to recover. She felt something was off the moment the meeting started, and now she was sure of it. He of Hourglass was never like this, and his ‘suggestions’ only confirmed it.

Silence fell upon the council. That was until both Celestia and Twilight were stirred into alertness by a strange chattering sound. They both looked around to figure out where the odd sound was coming from. It was not long before they both found the source.

Discord was violently shivering, his body a pale blue, and his shaky breath visible. Icicles clung to patches of his fur. He pulled a blanket out of nowhere and wrapped it around him. Both could understand why Discord would be like that, as they too had felt chilled to the bone over what had transpired. Twilight blushed again as she was reminded of her own reaction.

“Discord? Are you alright?” Twilight pushed past her own fear and trepidation to ask the draconequus if he was alright, even though she knew he wasn’t. She just wanted him to know that she cared about him, like a good friend should.

“Nnnnononooo…” Discord chattered the expected response. He pulled the blanket tighter around him, but it seemed to do nothing to warm him; if anything, he was looking worse. “The entire clan is falling into rage…”

“What?” Twilight gaped. She was at a loss. As bad as it sounded, she could get He of Hourglass falling into rage, given that he had been struggling against the rage growth for nearly two years, but the entire clan? She just didn’t want to believe that possibility... “But he was not speaking…. ‘demonically’ much less than Quartermaster! Though he didn’t speak at all...”

“YOU THINK THAT SPEAKING WITH AN ECHO IS THE ONLY INDICATION OF RAGE!?” Discord suddenly screamed, to the shock of Twilight and Celestia.

“I… I… don’t understand.” Twilight stammered out.

“No you DON’T understand.” Discord agreed as he rubbed his forehead. He suddenly felt bad for yelling at Twilight, as there were a great many things she still didn’t know. This war was really getting to him and now, with the prospect of possibly losing another Keeper... “As you know, the very early stages are the only time that the rage growth is reversible. The demonic voice is when a dragon first slips into the rage growth… it happens because the dragon is fighting himself. The very next step, that voice disappears… because he is no longer fighting…”

Discord didn’t even blink as Twilight lost what little was in her stomach. As much as he would rather leave her in blissful ignorance, he could not. She needed to know that if she didn’t fight to pull him back… if it was even possible at this point… If she failed, then all would be lost… He of Hourglass was the only one, after all, that would have the power to end the Chaos Bringers rampage. And then there was the chance that He of Hourglass would… join the Chaos Bringer…

“It is very easy to miss this final warning.” Discord continued as is if he was merely giving a dispassionate lecture. “Part of that is because dragons can angry or enraged (which can be often) and yet never be in any danger of Rage Growth. If one is not paying attention, or is not aware of this stage, one will think that the dragon is normal even when in actuality one should fight harder. The ‘loss’ of that voice can fool one into thinking that all is well when... when in actuality things are on the precipice… If his rage but increases just a smidgen it will become irreversible.”

“You should be afraid not only for him, but for the world…”

Twilight began to panic as everything that Discord had revealed and from what she had witnessed began to sink in. “But why aren’t the others in his clan helping him?” She flashed back to when Quartermaster viciously attacked He of Hourglass to end an episode that occurred after they first found out about the dragon graveyards.

Discord sighed. “Rage growth can be... ‘contagious’… I’ve seen dragons…. I’ve seen mated dragons were one falls to a rage growth only for the other to soon follow, just because one was becoming a rage dragon…”

“He of Hourglass slips into rage… The clan on the other hand... If what I’m sure is happening, the other members of the clan... They tasted his rage and they WANT this… they know the consequences… and they want those consequences…”

Twilight paled and nearly fainted. She couldn't believe that they would want the rage growth. From what she understood, no dragon wanted it. In fact, if what Sentinel told her was true, even the toughest dragon quaked in fear over it. Discord was not making any sense! “No. That can’t be true...Please tell me this is some sick joke of yours.”

“THEY WILL LOOK FOR WAYS TO ACTIVATE THE RAGE GROWTH THEMSELVES!!!!” Discord rose up as he roared those words, the light around them dimming sharply. He then snapped back to the way he was before. “And when that happens... they will not fight against it but fight to MAKE it happen.”

“How… how can you know this? You are not well liked by dragons.”

“True… but you forget my age… I know, not because I have been told, but because I have seen this happen before… I can’t say for certain, but the death of Sentinel by the Chaos Bringer may have crushed them so much…. no… “ Discord shook his head casting off a few icicles. “I’m now certain that was what it was… Grief, Twilight, grief can send the best, even the strongest, into madness…. and when one is in a state of vulnerability, it makes doing evil... easier to rationalize…”

Twilight came to a sudden realization as she listened to the draconequus’ explanation. The only remaining question was to see if she was correct. “You are speaking from your own experience, aren't you?”

“Yes.” Discord head dipped in shame as he choked back a sob, the memories of long ago welling up in him. The memories that led to his imprisonment… It was too much and Discord curled up tighter, pulling the blanket even closer around himself. All the while, shivering in fear and muttering tales of doom.

“What are we going to do?” Twilight wondered as the draconequus continued to mutter incoherently.

“I don’t know, Twilight.” Celestia sadly lowered her head. “I don’t know…”

Fear Grows

47 days since the fall of Traxti City

21 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Early Afternoon, Hourglass

Captain Phoenix Wave slumped tiredly onto his chair behind his desk. He of Hourglass just left, and the less said about the ‘meeting’ the better. He rubbed his forehead, trying to ease his building headache. He felt his men would not be able to last long at the pace that He of Hourglass wanted, demanded really. And as much as he wanted to protest to him, something told him that now was not the best time to confront the dragon. Hopefully that would change soon, before it become more than just a concern.

But that wasn’t the only thing that was plaguing his mind. Morale among the guard was low. The destruction of Baltimare had hit them hard, some more then others, as several had family that lived there. Not knowing if their family was alive or not and/or guilt over not being there to help was eating some of them alive. Low morale and being pushed beyond their limits could mean desertion, insubordination, or outright insurrection. He did not want to have to deal with any of those.

Phoenix sighed as he began the process of figuring out how to coordinate the uptick in training. He couldn't just go and have them up their training willy nilly because, not only did Hourglass lack many of the facilities that were standard in Equestria, but what they did have was sub par in comparison. This was because it took time to build everything he wanted or needed from scratch. Time which they were now out of. As he shuffled around some parchments, a single black scale fell to the floor. He picked it up and sighed again.

When Twixt’d had come by in the depths of the night with the guard’s newest orders, he could tell something was deeply troubling the young whelp. He was certain it wasn’t grief as Twixt’d looked like he was going to jump of out his scales in terror. Something had clearly frightened him but he would not speak of it and even went as far as denying anything was wrong. As much as he was tempted to press, he felt it was, at that moment, best not to. Sadly, doing that left him to speculate what or whom caused the fright… but now, he was sure it was He of Hourglass that spooked him.

At that time, he had no issue with the orders he was given. He figured that the Clan was wanting to ramp up the training because they preparing to march out. Now, however, he wasn’t so sure. He was beginning to think that the clan, or at least He of Hourglass, was falling victim to what those in the royal guard called simply the ‘Madness.’ A state where a pony’s mental state was consumed by vengeance. As a ‘former’ officer of Equestria, he was trained to spot the signs and He of Hourglass was displaying them… assuming that the symptoms would be the same for dragons as they were for ponies.

As he thought about it, he realized that the ‘Madness’ did bear striking similarity to the rage growth that he was told to be aware of, but He of Hourglass didn’t seem to be under its effects as his voice was ‘normal.’ It didn’t seem to have an echoing quality to it.

Maybe he was overthinking it, as the effects of having lost two of their own in less then a month would understandably be very hard, and left little time to grieve. He could empathize, as he had lost a few of his own before. It was one of the dangers of serving in the military, even for a country as relatively peaceful as Equestria. For now, he would continue to give the clan time and space to vent, or whatever they needed to do to start the healing process. He was sure that they would come around before too long. But even as he thought that, he found himself wondering if, perhaps, he was being too optimistic.

Twixt’d stumbled out of his parent’s forge. He had no idea how he managed to get out of there unscathed. What he witnessed inside shook him to his core. The entire clan now sported the same cold, murderous, evil eyes that He of Hourglass had late last night. He quickly made his way east towards the griffon camp, not wanting to return to his silo.

Twixt’d didn’t pay attention as he ran. He just knew that he needed to get out of there, and fast. His focus was so strong on that task that he hardly noticed when he entered the griffon encampment. He even ignored the varying degrees of alarms and squawks as he made his way towards the barracks.

“What is wrong High Griff?” Twixt’d did not know who had questioned him other then it was a griffon. He made no attempt to answer. He just rushed inside the barracks and into the ‘officer's’ office. In his haste and panic, he didn’t even close the door behind him. All he could do was lean hard against the desk, with both of his claws digging into the wood.

“What in Tartarus has your feathers ruffled so badly?” Twixt’d could tell it was the same griffon from before, but again, he didn’t respond. He didn’t even turn to face the griffon. He didn’t want to speak, for he knew that if he started, it could come out in waves… As it was, tears were already beginning to form. A smack across the back of his head startled him out of his rapidly darkening mood. “Pull yourself together, or you will spook your griffs further!”

“Well?” The griffon asked irritably after waiting a few moments and getting no answer. He was getting tired of the silence and lack of response from his High Griff. ”What is wrong?”

“My family… the clan, is being consumed by bloodlust…” Twixt’d whispered, desperately trying to forget the look in his parents’ eyes. Those cold, evil filled eyes.

The griff looked down in understanding. Being a warrior himself, he understood bloodlust. It was a dangerous thing for a warrior to have, as it almost always destroyed those under its effect. That is, unless someone pulled them out of it, which, in and of itself, was dangerous and difficult. A griffon under the effects of bloodlust would bring awe and fear to ally and enemy alike. A double-edged sword that could turn the tide of battle for or against the one consumed. A blessing and a curse.

It did give explanation as to why the griffons were given the odd order to train even harder. But there were several problems that were interfering with their ability to do that. One, only half had managed to shake off the effects of this strange land so far, and another group of forty was to arrive sometime in the next five to six hours. Second, his High Griff was suffering, among other things, from an acute case of self doubt. These facts made the griffon ruffle his feathers angrily. His High Griff could not afford to be in this state right now.

“So? You are the High Griff of the Hourglass Eyrie!” The griffon snapped. “A commander! You can not afford to appear to be weak…”

“But that’s just it! I AM!” Twixt’d shouted, his claws digging even deeper into the desk. “I am not Sentinel. He was a warrior and a king. He faced down abominations from the deepest pit of Tartarus without flinching, and ruled Equestria for many, many years… He went thousands years under the burden of rejection from from pony and dragon alike...”

“No, you are not the Alicorn Keeper…” The griffon agreed.

“And I sure am not the firstclaw, He of Hourglass. When he spun you all around, that was merely the tip of his power, and not only that, but he has been learning from Sentinel, the Alicorn Keeper, for several years. According to Sentinel, He of Hourglass has the potential to be far more powerful than he was at the height of his power…“

“Me? I have virtually no magical power as I’m merely a whelp… When He of Hourglass said I was the weakest in the clan he wasn’t kidding. When he said I was five… in actuality I’m not quite five yet… HELL, I AM NOT EVEN A MEMBER OF THE CLAN YET… High Griff Twixt’d HA! Who am I kidding!? All I‘ve ever been is a street urchin… a low life… useless… worthless…”

Twixt’d spun around at the sound of laughter. He attempted to claw the griffon, who expertly grabbed his claw and stopped the attack like it was nothing. The griffon, whose name eluded him still, then carefully and slowly pushed down his claw.

“I have battled my share of dragons in my long life… In battle they are a massive vortex of slashing claws and intense flame. An angry dragon is a sight to behold that can bring seasoned griffons pause... And yet…” the griffon stepped closer to the whelp, “you fearlessly stood up to He of Hourglass, the most powerful dragon and opponent I have ever faced, when his anger burned against us because of four griffons’ trespasses. You are not the Alicron Keeper nor He of Hourglass. You are Twixt’d, High Griff of this Eyrie.”

“I…” Twixt’d was at a lost for words to counter the wise words. They reminded him of Sentinel. The griffon may have stopped his downward spiral about his own worth, but there still was the issue of the bloodlust. “But what am I going to do? What should I do? If things continue down the way they are headed, then… I will… I will have to kill them...”

“High Griff Twixt’d, only you can choose what to do... and you must do so soon, or you will have blood on your claws. Don’t be a fool. Choose correctly.” The griffon stated before he left.

Twixt’d quickly closed the door and collapsed against it, his mind in turmoil like never before. The clan, his family, was being consumed by a bloodlust that would end them... This was worse then when he was a street urchin... then he had nothing to lose, and now, now he had everything to lose.

All I ever wanted in life was to fly, to escape the troubles that surrounded me, and now, now that I have that ability, I feel more trapped the ever...Why did you have to die Sentinel? We… I need you... Twixt’d felt his grief well up once again as he curled up and cried himself to sleep.

Early Afternoon, Edge of Everfree Forest

“What do you want Bearer of Magic?” He of Everfree growled angrily. He was too tired to even feel like smirking over the now trembling pony. “I do not appreciate being awoken like this. Last night was long and tiring and I need to rest up… So this had better be as serious and urgent as your letter claims.”

Twilight’s breath hitched before she began to tell the dragon everything that had transpired earlier that morning. As she managed to finally do so, the words came pouring out. He of Everfree paled at Twilight’s explanation of the situation with He of Hourglass and the Hourglass Clan. By the end of her tale, the green dragon was shaking violently and desperately trying to shrink his bulky frame down as much as possible.

“Please tell me Discord was wrong…” Twilight pleaded, hoping against hope that the draconequus’ knowledge was wrong. She had yet to see the state the dragon was in. “Please tell me that… that…”

“The draconequus is correct about the final initial, and reversible, stage…” The green dragon confirmed. “And as much as even I don’t want to say it, I must. It sounds as if He of Hourglass has hit that stage…”

“What do we do? What can we do to pull him away from… away from...” Twilight failed to finish her question as she struggled to keep herself composed. She had finally noticed the state the dragon was in, and this made her rapidly lose what little hope she had left.

He of Everfree took in an uneasy breath of air. The answer was not exactly going to be a comfortable one, nor one easily accepted. “Not much we can do other than to do as he said.... Give him what he wants: the Nameless One… If all goes well, with his death, his rage should hopefully dissipate… If not, I hope you understand what you must do.”

Twilight gulped and nodded even as tears began to flow. She knew and fought to not dwell on that possibility. “But we can’t figure out how… how to do that... He is so powerful… his attacks so fast… I know there has to be a weakness that we can exploit… but our knowledge of dragon magic vs pony magic mechanics is not as strong as Sentinel’s… and even then… I’m sorry if I’m rambling, it’s just that I’m at a loss.”

He of Everfree sighed and rubbed his face as he tried to figure out how to assist. Normally, he would not even think about giving out secrets to an outsider, but this was not the time for that. The problem, he noted as he thought on this, was that he had a similar problem as the ponies, except for him, it was pony magic mechanics. He started to get frustrated the more he tried to figure out this conundrum. It was days like this that he wished he had taken more time to figure out how pony magic worked. “I, too, am at a loss…” He finally spoke and admitted. “As much as I’d rather not, we have no time to waste. Follow me to my cave, and we shall work on this together.”

Inner Thoughts

47 days since the fall of Traxti City

21 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Evening, Near Fillydelphia

At least this time, we were able to evacuate the city. Celestia sighed as she looked over to the north at the plumes of smoke and flame coming from Fillydelphia.

After the destruction of Baltimare, the Dark One made his way north, and for the past hour had been smashing through the city of Fillydelphia unabated. Occasionally a roar could be heard carried on in the wind. Luckily, they had managed to fully finish evacuating the city several hours before. Though that was of little comfort for her. It would be months before the final death toll from Baltimare could be tallied, and even then, she was sure there were going to be some that would remain missing forever. Those whose fate would be a question of were they even in the city when it was attacked… or did they escape to only fall victim to something else, like the weather or wild creatures or, the heavens forbid, another pony.

That foul Cult… For a moment Celestia found herself contemplating outright genocide. I just hope that the only place they found as a possible spot to breach Tartarus’ barrier was the one found in Everfree.

She turned away from the sight about ten miles to the north. For the moment, there was nothing she or her ponies could do about it. Even with most of the rest of the military making their way to the east coast, it would not be enough. She had no idea how, even with Discord, all four alicorns, and the Bearers of Harmony, they would be able to attack the demon dragon, much less drive him south.

Celestia slowly made her way back to the command tent. It had been quite some time since Equestria’s entire military had been completely mobilized. So long, in fact, that very few had the experience or knowledge to be able to coordinate the efforts. This left it to her and Luna to deal with most of it. Luckily, Celestia was very good at delegation, so it did ease it to a point. Still, it was chaotic. Case in point, it took her some time to return to her command tent because of the chaos of the command area of the encampment, as ponies rushed around with reports and orders.

Celestia’s ears flicked as she thought she heard her name being called out. She ignored it as just an effect of all the noise. If it really was a pony calling for her, they could talk with her at her command tent.

She breathed a sigh of happiness when she finally made it to her command tent. It was very simple, small, and open faced. Normally she would have a larger tent to allow some privacy, but, between the constant movement of the camp and the need for her to to be actively in command, this was best. She didn’t mind too much as long as she had some calming tea.

A unicorn pony, a radio operator, from the the looks of her uniform, ran up to her just as she got to her thermos. “Princess… Celestia!” The unicorn, breathless, tried to speak .

“Tea first.” Celestia held up a hoof to silence the pony. Obviously, whatever the pony needed to tell her was urgent, but she badly needed something to calm herself. Watching the ongoing destruction was probably not a good idea, and she needed to be calm to deal with whatever bad news she was about to get. Why can’t it ever be good news?

“Okay what is it?”

“Princess Twilight Sparkle has disappeared from Ponyville. No one knows where she may have gone, and she had been missing for several hours now.”

In that single moment, every possible scenario flashed through Celestia’s mind from foalnapping to even murder. She took another swig of her tea, swallowed, then took a deep, cleansing breath. She was sure it was benign. If it was murder, like from the Cult, her body would have been found by now… same with foalnapping, but instead, a ransom note would have been given.

Celestia rubbed her forehead, trying to stimulate her mind into figuring out where she may have gone. She was sure the reason for why should narrow it down a bit. Twilight, sometimes, when deep into researching or experiments, would, in the heat of the moment, disappear to test the hypothesis she was working on, especially if the testing was particularly ‘dangerous’ or needed more space than her lab. If she had gotten caught up in an experiment of some sort, then it most likely had to do with dragons and and more specifically the Dark One. This meant she was most likely with He of Everfree and in the vast Everfree Forest.

This presented a slew of problems, beginning with the fact that she did not have the necessary anchor to contact him. Because she could not contact him, she could not quickly find out if she was correct, that she was with him, and there was no guarantee that they were at his cave. That left her with the slower option of search parties, but even that left her with issues. To begin with, she couldn't use any ponies other than the Bearers, as they would be killed by He of Everfree. And even if she used the Bearers, it could potentially take too long, never mind the dangers of the Everfree at night. That left her having to use Discord, and he brought with him a whole different set of problems. Celestia quickly weighed it all and then settled onto the “best” option.

She leaned down to a pot of Poison Joke that was oddly sitting in the corner of the tent. “Discord, could you be a dear and go find her?”

The plant shook violently for a moment, then one of the flowers that had been facing the corner turned to face her. The blue flower looked very suspiciously like Discord’s head. “How did you find me?” The flower Discord pouted in a high, squeaky voice before pointing a leaf accusingly at her. “And don’t think that just because you found me, that I will teach you a new recipe.”

Celesia couldn’t help but giggle at the cuteness that was the flower Discord. His ‘threat’ might have been more effective from anything other than a dainty flower. “First of all, you decided to disguise yourself as a live plant, outside, and in winter no less. Secondly, Poison Joke is a bit obvious.”

The Discord flower gave a strange smile. “Touché.” He then gave a snappy salute, which looked ridiculous, as his arms were leaves, and then teleported away in a flash.

There was nothing more Celestia could do about Twilight at the moment. She sighed before she settled back into her cushion to continue to deal with all the logistics. She tried to drink some more tea from her thermos to calm herself down, but oddly, no tea poured into her mouth. Again she sighed as she eyed her now empty thermos. I’m going to need more tea...

Midnight, Everfree Forest

Twilight wiped some sweat off her brow. Pony knowledge was at least right about about dragons’ caves, dragons’ caves never were cold. Even in winter, they were always relatively warm, given the roaring furnace inside a fully grown dragon. What amazed her was that, although they remained towards the front of the cave, near the chilly night air, as He of Everfree did not want to do anything too close to his hoard, that over the hours they had been working, the temperature had risen dramatically. Her winter jacket and boots had long since been forgotten on a random stalagmite.

“Found her!” A voice called out, startling both the dragon and the pony.

Twilight and He of Everfree turned to see a doggish looking Discord sitting happily while panting heavily and wagging his tail just outside the cave entrance. Twilight couldn’t decide whether to gape or facehoof or both, while He of Everfree was irritated at the draconequus. To think the Chimera Keeper would blatantly appear so close to his hoard, and that he didn’t notice his approach. A more critical glance and he could see that the draconequus dog was sitting just outside his hoard wards. Either he was really lucky, or he was pushing his luck.

Another Discord, normal looking this time, suddenly flashed next to the dog-like Discord. “Good boy! Here’s a Discord snack.”

Twilight facehoofed at the antics of the draconequus. She understood that Discord had to be chaotic in order for his magic to work at its peak, but did he have to be so irritating while he did it? Also she knew that he knew to keep it toned down around dragons, particularly He of Everfree and Quartermaster. A low growl from behind her told her that the dragon was in agreement.

“You have been a very naughty Princess, Princess Twilight.” The second Discord admonished. He snapped a claw and the first Discord disappeared. He started to lazily spin a pair of pink, fuzzy hoof cuffs with an extended claw.

“You incessant, annoying, nuisance of a…” He of Everfree had began to rage and was even about to move forward to attack the draconequus, when a thought entered his mind. A delicious thought, and not only did it make him happy, it would be very helpful…. very helpful indeed.

Twilight appeared to have a similar thought at the same moment as the dragon, as a grin began to form on the corners of her mouth. She looked up towards him to see that he had a similar smile forming. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Twilight was looking up at him with a knowing look. Their eyes locked for a moment, then their grins widened before they turned to face Discord fully.

“Uh….What did I do?” Discord nervously asked, sweat starting to bead on his forehead even in the cold. He knew he had overdone it, but the smiles on Twilight’s and He of Everfree’s faces were really unnerving. It was the smile he used when he ‘tried’ to look innocent when he was about do something that may not be well liked. It was never good when someone imitated him.

“Twilight? He of Everfree?” He gulped as the gazes of the two continued without them answering him at all. He just knew that he was not going to like whatever they were thinking. He started to become smaller in a vain attempt to hide from those eyes. This was payback for everything he had ever done, he was sure of it.

“Please don’t hurt me…” Discord squeaked as he continued to shrink under the sustained smirking glare of the alicorn and dragon.

The Push South

(48 days since the fall of Traxti City)

22 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

2 days since Baltimare’s destruction

Late morning, Ponyville

“Finally! A bucking use for that mix-matched monstrosity!” Quartermaster mocked.

He of Hourglass smirked, showing off his fangs. Twilight suppressed a shudder at the toothy grin coming from He of Hourglass. Normally Twilight wouldn’t notice, as she grew up with a dragon, so fangs usually didn’t bother her, but He of Hourglass’s current expression did. She supposed it was because the dragon had lost all the warmth that he once had.

“Now.” He of Hourglass turned serious again. “How long will this take?”

“Uh…” Twilight was momentarily caught off guard, but managed to quickly get back on track before the dragons could become irritated. “At minimum, several days to well over a week… It depends on how ‘cooperative’ the Dark One will be. However, if you want the Equestrian military to back you up, it will take a good week longer, or more.”

“Figures…” He of Hourglass grumbled. He wanted the dragon dead in his claws now, but it still would take time for the dragons to gather, given the vast distances many would have to traverse. “Keep me informed of your progress every six to eight hours. Now, is there anything else? This will be the last face to face for some time, afterall.”

“Yes… I… that is…” Twilight inwardly groaned; she had practiced this conversation over and over, and yet, when it was time to speak, she found she she couldn't remember anything she had planned to say. What was worse, she knew from experience that speaking from the heart is required for these types of moments, so she couldn’t fall back to her trusty flash cards to help her.

“What is it, Ascended One?” He of Hourglass didn’t even attempt to hide his irritation.

“You're my friend, He of Hourglass… and... and…” Twilight starting to choke up as her tears began to overpower her. “I can’t stand seeing you… hurting like this... Is there anything, anything I can do, besides what we are doing, that will help ease your pain?”

He of Hourglass blinked for a moment, then walked up to Twilight and knelt down so they could see eye to eye. For just a flash, the old He of Hourglass was back. “Turn back time…” He sadly stated, before the new He of Hourglass returned. He then got back up and turned away from Twilight. “Hourglass out.”

The Hourglass Council disappeared from the Friendship Council. Twilight was silent for a few moments as she contemplated what she saw, and He of Hourglass’ final statement.

“What do you think Cadance?” She finally asked.

The air shimmered near the edge of the room. Soon, the form of Princess Cadance appeared. She then shook herself and sat next to Twilight. She never liked using that spell, as it always made her feel like some sick voyeur, even though it was helpful when it came to her duties as the Princess of Love.

With the Crystal Empire now restabilized after Starlight’s insurrection, Cadance was able to return to Equestria proper to ease some of Celestia’s and Luna’s burdens, so they could focus more fully on military matters. Plus, the Princess of Love would be able to keep the morale up amongst the civilian population in this, the worst crisis ever faced by the pony nation. Twilight had heard she would be dealing with the more mundane, but just as important, civilian matters for the foreseeable future. She took advantage of this and requested that Cadance come down for the final face-to-face meeting of Equestria and Hourglass, before the plan that He of Everfree, Discord, and herself had developed earlier was enacted.

“I’m at somewhat of a loss with him…” Cadance admitted, after taking a moment to finish collecting herself. “After all, there are some aspects of love that are universal, but there are others that aren’t. Without magically being able to see his aura, and knowing more about dragon biology and culture, I am left with only generalities...”

Twilight deflated at hearing this. When she had requested Cadance come to this meeting to assess He of Hourglass, she was hoping for something, anything actually, that could help rescue the clan. She didn’t want to lose He of Hourglass as he was, even if only in spirit, the only reminder she had of Spike.

Cadance was saddened to see Twilight clearly lose hope when she gave her opinion. She wished she could give more help, but she couldn’t. It frustrated her, as He of Hourglass had saved her empire, and she felt that she should be able to do more to repay that debt. “Will the death of the Dark One ease his pain? No. The most he will get is closure. The biggest hindrance to that, however, is blind vengeance, which never brings closure, but only more pain. And I can’t be entirely sure, but from what I was able to see...”

“Is there anything I can do?”

Cadance gave Twilight an encouraging hug. “You are already doing it… However, don’t push, just be whatever he needs… Without personally meeting with him, that is the only advice and help I can give.”

“Is there anything else?” Twilight pleaded again, hoping to pry something more out of her.

Cadance sighed, lowering her gaze in sadness. “No…”

Early Afternoon, North of Fillydelphia

“Are your ponies ready, Celestia? There is no telling the reaction of the Chaos Bringer…” Discord trailed off as a flood of all of the scenarios of what could go wrong invaded his mind once again.

“I wish we had the griffons here to help us…” Celestia grumbled, avoiding answering Discord’s question. She didn’t want to say yes. That meant sending her ponies into battle, and there was no such thing as a casualty free battle. To her, this was a living nightmare that she had not wanted to have again. To think that not long ago, the only danger she ran into was when she was happily sneaking a slice of cake from the palace kitchen, while trying to not be caught by the kitchen staff, Discord, or worse, Luna.

“It can’t be helped, sister, they need more time to mobilize.” Luna countered. “They are not as unified as we are, afterall.”

“How much longer?” Celestia knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it again, in hopes that it would somehow lessen since she asked last.

“A few days... But, if memory serves, it will most likely be twice that.”

Celestia let out a puff of breath in irritation. “It is to be expected, I suppose. Now, before we do this, let’s go over the plan one more time…”

“Geez, Sunbutt, you need to pay better attention,” Discord teased. He understood her reluctance. What they were about to do was essentially kicking the hornet's nest and running away while screaming like a little filly. He, himself, was not too thrilled about the plan, but, if they didn’t at least attempt something, the Chaos Bringer would soon bore of the west coast cities and make his way towards the heartland of Equestria. They just didn’t have time for anything other than a stupid, crazy plan, worthy of Sentinel.

Celestia growled at the ‘nickname’, then sighed heavily. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood as best he could. The tension was almost thick enough to be tangible. What they were about to do would either work, or fall apart in a massive massacre, and Equestria would be doomed to the same fate as Traxti City, or worse.

“Okay, so what we have figured out is that we will utilize my special talent of annoying dragons… wonder if I should get a cutiemark for this…” Discord gazed down at his own flank as he flashed several cutiemarks, each one more bizarre than the last, before he pulled off the last one like a bandaid or sticker. “Nah... Anyway… The amount of time to get him south to Hourglass, I can’t manage by myself, so we will use guerilla tactics when I need to rest, to mimic my charm. The griffons, once they join us, will act as support. The Elements of Harmony will be in the back, just incase I need help pushing him away from the army, if, for whatever the reason, he shifts his focus away from me, or whoever is currently poking the Goozim with a stick.”

“As for what we will do once we get to Hourglass, that has not yet been hashed out. The Dragon Keeper is being mum to me about the plans. It’s possible that he told Twilight more, but I doubt it. I’m sure he has a plan… I hope…”

“Okay, one final thing. How is the evacuation of everypony to the south going?”

“Nearly done. The last town to be evacuated is Appleloosa, and that is only as a precaution, as the plan is to march a good distance to the east of the town and through the Tacksworn Valley, given it will be the easiest place to enter the Badlands without going by sea.

“What of the buffalo tribes in the area?”

“That’s the biggest snag we have encountered. According to a local by the name of... “ The communication pony flipped through some pages of the report she was holding before landing on the page that had the information she needed. “Braeburn Apple, they have not been seen or heard from in two days. The afternoon of the destruction of Baltimare, to more exact. Normally, this is not out of the ordinary; however, according to the same local, this is highly unusual during winter.”

“That is odd…” Celestia muttered. She did understand the nomadic ways of the buffalo tribes, including the fact that they usually sheltered down to a single location during the winter months. She wondered what could have caused their disappearance. Maybe their Visionwalker had seen the Dark One during a vision quest, and they made haste to safer ground… but that was contrary to their warrior ways. That left a more probable, but still unlikely, scenario. The buffalo tribes had always been friendly to dragons, ever since a certain dragon with a smoking problem. Could it be that they were already making their way towards Hourglass? Nothing else made sense, but she knew that until they were found, she would be left with nothing but speculation.

“Have a squad of the fastest Pegasi continue to search for them. If they find them, let them know what is going on. If they wish to stand and fight, try to persuade them to reconsider, but don’t force them. They must choose their own fate. Above all though, the pegasi are to avoid the Dark One at all costs. I want to minimize casualties as much as possible.”

“Yes, Princess.” The pony saluted before heading off to relay her orders.

“Are the supply lines ready?”

“Yes.”

Celestia took a deep breath to steady her nerves. There was no point in delaying any longer. She looked over at her sister, Luna, and saw that she was ready. With a final glance, she steeled herself fully, and looked off towards the mass of ash and fire that was the Dark One. She then gave a slight nod to let Discord know it was time.

26 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Noon, Tacksworn Valley

The march south (and a bit to the west) had been surprisingly brisk. The Dark One had done exactly what they hoped. As soon as Discord had begun his usual ‘pestering’, the dragon had locked onto him, and went after him for a while, before stopping after sundown, apparently to rest. It made for long days for Discord, even with Luna and Celestia lending assistance in the afternoons and evenings, or whenever he needed help or rest. Both Luna and Celestia had strictly forbidden their ponies from interfering or assisting until ordered to do so, and so far, they followed those orders.

Celestia sighed, waiting for the dragon to begin to stir. These moments were the most tense. A less experienced pony would have attacked, thinking that the dragon would be vulnerable at that moment; however, she knew that was the worst time to attack a dragon, and the dragon was already in a fury because of Discord.

The past four days had been like that. With the rise of the sun, the pestering would begin, and would continue until evening, when it would stop. Then a night of watchful sleep. Right now, they were making their way through Tacksworn Valley.

“Princess Celestia?”

“Yes, I’m listening.” Celestia lied. She had lost focus as the communication pony relayed his report. If she hadn’t missed too much of it, then he was once again going on about the disappearance of the buffalo tribes.

“As I was explaining, even our best trackers can’t find a trace them. No tracks, no dust clouds, no smoke from a fire, no witnesses, no residue magic from a possible spell… Nothing! If it wasn’t for evidence of their winter encampments, it would be as if there never were any buffalo in the area.”

Where could they have gone? Celestia wondered.

I need a little help here.Discord magically called out.

I’m on my way. Celestia quickly lifted off and made her way to help Discord. That makes six times already, today! Only four days in and he’s beginning to tire!? I fear for when we pass beyond Equestria and into the Badlands...

29 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Early morning, At the border of Equestria and the Badlands

Celestia carefully lifted several of the boulders that comprised the border, giving the army standing behind her better passage. Suddenly, a noise behind her caught her attention. She turned around to see a disturbance in the ranks of the assembled ponies. Soon a unicorn stallion communication pony burst through, making his way to her. She sighed as she waited for the pony to get to her.

“Princess Celestia, the griffons have been spotted!”

“How many?”

“It's a bit difficult to say at this distance, but estimates from the spotters hold the number at between eight hundred and twelve hundred.”

That was a bit lower then she liked but, given that it was winter, the population size of the griffon eyries, and the continued influx of refugees, they were strained. She knew that to muster more would take more time… time that they did not have.

Of course, now that she thought about it, she wished her own forces were larger, but twelve thousand large, fairly evenly distributed between the three main pony tribes, would have to do. After such a long time of peace, the need for a large army did not make sense, and was counter productive. Though she could have brought more ponies, she faced similar issues to those of the griffons. Again, along with it being winter, there was the chaos caused by the destruction of Baltimare and the mass evacuation of the two largest cities in Equestria, namely Fillydelphia and Manehattan. She knew that Princess Cadance would have her work cut out for her. At least she had experience dealing with a panicky population.

Celestia looked longingly at her homeland; a small part of her felt that this would be the last time she would ever see it. For now, she had a task, and that was to get the Dark One to Hourglass. She ordered the march to continue. As she watched them march past her, she just hoped that they would make it there. Her ponies were doing their best to hide it, but she could see the effects on their bodies and worse, on their spirits, as they crossed from Equestria and into the Badlands.

I hope this wasn’t a mistake. Celesta thought as she turned south to march with her ponies. A roar of pain from the Dark One echoed, darkening her mood further.

33 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Early morning, Salt Flats

HALT. Came the magically projected orders. The bearers knew that they must have reached the most dangerous and difficult section of the Untamed Wilds.

“How are we going to cross the Salt Flats? It’s not like all of us can fly over.” Rainbow voiced the question that was on nearly all of the bearers minds.

“The Princess and I, along with several others, are going to use an earth hardening spell.” Twilight explained as she started the prep work for the spell that was about to be cast.

“Uh... Ah am no magic expert buh there are several thous’ earth and unicorn ponies here…” Applejack countered.

“Four thousand, three hundred and fourteen earth ponies and three thousand, six hundred and seven unicorns, to be more precise. Though you are right, to a degree… I think harmony song magic should help… not only to get morale up but...”

“OOOH I got one!” Pinkie bounced happily, inadvertently interrupting Twilight.

“Pinkie, you have a song that can help?!” Twilight blinked in disbelief. She knew that Pinkie was extremely good at them, but she could not see her being able to get it to work here. Most of her songs dealt with some aspect of her element or friendship, not war. She was about to protest, when she realized it was probably best to just leave it alone and chalk it up to Pinkie being Pinkie.

“Yep-a-dep-a-rooni!” Pinkie exclaimed in excitement as she pulled a drum out of her mane.

The drums of war have soun-ded (hoo-)

Pinkie began to chant, with the army stomping in time. The rest of the bearers, even being around Pinkie and her antics for many years, still found their jaws dropping in shock.

The carrion birds are cir-cling (-rah)
Let clash of swords be-gin (hoo)
As the rivers turn to crimson blood (-rah)

“How ghastly.” Rarity whispered. She was appalled at the graphic nature of the song. To sing about blood and gore was just beastly.

“It’s typical for a war march song.” Twilight hissed back. “Now hush! We need all the magical power we have available to safely traverse the Salt Flats. Plus, we need to be careful to not let the Dark One know how vulnerable we are right now.”

Rarity huffed her indignity at a lady being subjected to the song, but complied. The Equestrian army slowly began to march into the Salt Flat unabated. A roar from the Dark One, from whatever Discord was doing, didn’t even phase them. The one problem was the fact that, even with the help of the Harmony Song, the three alicorn’s could feel the strain. They would need to get the other side, and quickly.

Hoorah! We march!
Hoorah! We fight!
Hoorah! We die!

For the glory of the Sun and Moon!

We hear our mistress cal-ling(hoo)
To the sweet embrace of bat-tle (-rah)
Iron on iron, steel on ste-el (hoo)
Let our lives, our fates be seal-ed (-rah)

Let us fly

And now, the griffons had started to join in, and the power of the harmony song gained more strength, easing some of the strain on those powering the hardening spell.

Let us march
Let us fight
Let us die

For tonight we shall dine in Tartarus!

Life pours...

35 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Early morning, Nearing Hourglass

“Something is troubling you, Luna… What is it?” Celestia questioned Luna, as they began that morning's march. Discord had already begun his now daily annoy the demon eldritch routine.

“This has been too easy…”

Celestia took a moment to try and figure out what that she could mean, before it dawned on her and her blood started to run cold, her white fur somehow paling. “You don’t mean...”

“He has been fooling us this whole time.” Luna kept staring towards the Dark One as she spoke, betraying no emotion, only pure logic. “Playing with us, like a mouse in the paws of a manticore. Amusing himself, and tiring us out at the same time, and we fell for it.”

“Buck.” Celestia muttered a curse. Luna was right. What was worse was that she let her fear of He of Hourglass’ rage cloud her judgement. Yes, He of Hourglass was on the edge of a rage growth, and would have most likely been more powerful than... “Damn it!” Celestia cursed again. “We were bucked no matter what we did…”

A demonic laugh boomed over the army. As one, every pony and griffon looked to see the Dark One’s glowing red eyes staring them down through his shroud of ash.

LIke MoTHs TO a flAME…

Author's Note

You may have not noticed with the last chapter but I now have an editor who has been very very helpful (especially in the comma department) So a big round of hood stomps to Ryunaker!:moustache:

Not Since the Dragon Migration

22 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

2 days since Baltimare’s destruction

Late morning, Hourglass

“You're my friend He of Hourglass… and... and… I can’t stand seeing you… hurting like this... Is there anything, anything I can do, besides what we are doing, that will help ease your pain?”

“Turn back time.”

Turn back time… ha! He of Hourglass darkly thought as he left. Still, to think that she really does care, to be willing to do anything...

“Firstclaw!” A pegasus pony guard ran up to him and saluted.

“Yes, what is it?” He of Hourglass growled, not scaring the guard at all, as they were trained to handle the sounds of angry roaring dragons so they didn’t freeze in combat.

“Five dragons are on approach from the west.”

That was fast… “What are the description of the dragons?”

The guard pony took a glass orb from his hidden satchel and smashed it to the ground, shattering it. He of Hourglass raised an eyebrow at the action but said nothing. He knew that the ponies had some strange spells that, more often than not, were homemade, and related to cutiemarks, and, if he had to hazard a guess, this was just such a spell.

Wisps of smoke rose from the shattered orb and collapsed into an image of five flying dragons. He of Hourglass recognized the fully orange dragon and the black and green scaled dragon. The other three were sea serpents, however, he had never seen before… A given that he had only seen five non clan dragons before, and only one of those was a sea serpent. “Two of those dragons belong to the Southern Isles Clan… As for the other three, my guess is, they are dragons they recruited to come. I’m surprised they managed to not only get here so fast, but bring with them three sea serpents.”

“Notify the guard to implement Dragon Gathering procedures.” The guard pony saluted and ran off towards the guard barracks. He of Hourglass smirked. To think that dragons don’t see a use for them other than food! “Quartermaster, go tell your son about the arrivals. I’m sure he remembers, but make sure that the High Griff reminds the griffons to avoid the city for the foreseeable future. I want our energy on him, not each other.”

Quartermaster grin widen. “Of course, Firstclaw. We need every drop to purée him.”

“Hmmm, Nameless One smoothies…” He of Hourglass smacked his lips. “I like. Now go on, while I think of a gem garnish to go with that.”

“Save me some…” Quartermaster smirked as he went off towards the griffon encampment.

He of Hourglass flew up to the top of Spiral Spire and sent up a stream of green flame to let the approaching dragons where to land. The dragons arrived about twenty minutes later. While he was waiting, Scorpion joined him, and Quartermaster returned from letting his son know of the arrivals.

As he figured, it was Merc and He of the Southern Isles, now known as Windjammer, along with the three unknown sea serpents. The first two were mirrors of each other. One had pale blue primary scales and white belly scales, the other, of course, had the opposite. The final one was two-tone light green with a small navy blue goatee. He was small for a sea serpent, but as he had never seen a sea serpent at different growth stages, he had no idea which stage he was in.

Merc narrowed his eyes as he looked over the Hourglass Clan. Something was off about them. After a moment, he just dismissed it as steeling themselves for the retribution that was coming.

“Welcome to Hourglass, Home of the Hourglass Clan. I am He of Hourglass, Firstclaw, and these are Quartermaster and Scorpion.” He of Hourglass motioned to each dragon in turn. “There are ponies and griffons inside the city. Do not harm them, as they are here by our request, and are not thieves. We have set up an area for you to stay while you are here. Scorpion will guide you there momentarily. I do have one question before then: how did you get here so fast?”

“We were in the area of Port Klippfisk, trying to track down a lead concerning the Wolven Amulet.” Merc answered.

“Let me guess, it's still being elusive…” He of Hourglass’ claw clenched harder.

“Yes.” Merc growled. “That is the only reason for only our three friends/allies; otherwise, you would have the full might of the Southern Isles Clan and Alliance. Though I’m afraid that its might in recent times has been… diminishing...”

“Diminishing?”

“Sea serpents are dying by the dozen…” Answered one of the serpents.

He of Hourglass growled out through clenched teeth. “It seems no dragon has been able to avoid his purging, barring the ice dragons…”

“What do you mean?” Merc was a bit shocked at what He of Hourglass was saying… Purging? What is he talking about?

“Not out here. In my library.” He of Hourglass waved for Merc and Windjammer to follow. He nodded for Scorpion to take the others to the designated dragon nesting ground in the stadium.

25 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder, Noon

*Enough!* Scorpion mentally roared at Scorpan. *Or did you forget I can hear your song, and by extension, see if you are being truthful!*

Scorpan had not forgotten, he had just wanted to wait a bit longer, to be doubly sure of his recovery, which, by his estimate, was complete two days prior. The damage to his vocal cords was severe, but, by letting them rest fully, they would not be stressed, and it would allow them to not only heal faster, but fully. The tonic that he had given him that first week was not only designed to strengthen but also speed up the healing process as well. The tone and words from Scorpion, however, indicated that the dragon was not going to take no for an answer, and to push back would end up with him being hurt or worse.

“Okay, slowly and softly,” Scorpan conceded, motioning the dragon to lower his neck to allow him easy access to feel the voice box with his magic. “Start with humming.”

Scorpion complied and, for the first time in six weeks, the sound of his music, not from one of his instruments, could be heard in Hourglass. Scorpan smiled as he felt its effects, but that wasn’t the only thing that made him smile. So far, there was no indication that the humming was putting any undue stress on the vocal cords. His assessment of the dragon being fully healed was so far correct.

Scorpan’s smile faded as he suddenly realized that something was wrong. The rumble from it was like a massage that entered his hands and spread out through his body. This had made his arms and hands numb. He pulled away to remove himself from the effects, but the damage was done. He groaned when he heard the mental chuckling coming from Scorpion, while frantically dancing around, trying to get his body to wake up.

“Okay, now,” Scorpan returned to feeling around the voice box of the dragon, now that he had feeling again, “‘Ooo’ starting from the lowest pitch, and slowly go to the highest pitch that you can comfortably go.”

Well, so far so good. Scorpan noted as Scorpion slowly raised his pitch. “Okay, drop an octave, then hold it steady until you run out of breath.”

Scorpion grumbled but complied.

Scorpan was shocked when the dragon managed to hold a note for a good five minutes. He knew dragons had excellent lung capacity, but even then, he was not expecting a note to be held out that long. “You are cleared for everthing, as far as I'm concerned. Just try not to strain yourself by roaring or firebreathing too quickly…”

“I know that, Hermit!” Scorpion roared, not even realizing that he was not ‘speaking’ via Soul Song. His voice had returned to being lyrical, like it was before South Crystal City. “I got that with your examination. Plus, Firstclaw‘s library may be old, like this city, but the city was so advanced at the time of its ‘abandonment’ that much of its knowledge is either current or ahead by several centuries!” Scorpan wanted to facepalm in frustration, as reading was never the same as actually practicing it, but the anger pouring off of Scorpion, on the whole, was climbing. Still, thanks to your skill, I have my voice back, and for that I thank you.

Scorpan eased to a sitting position as Scorpion left the medical tent. Even with all his anger and rage! I guess I should be glad that those of evil or dark hearts can’t access Harmony Song magic. Something else bothered him: from what he was told, Scorpion was only able speak via singing. The only explanation he had was it was from the prolonged silence and his voice needed a bit to fully come back, given that the last line had been sung.

He had also noticed that the clan had not been in the best of moods since Sentinel’s death. He had wondered what had been different about Sentinel’s death over Medallion's. After Medallion’s death, with exception of Sentinel, life in the clan resumed very quickly; however, this time, it did not. Scorpion had not played any of his instruments since word came back, while He of Hourglass had been uninterested in his library, with the exception of that damn map in the back room. He was never allowed in the forge, so he had no idea on the mated pair, but their son Twixt’d had only flown when necessary. He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in his heart of what all of this meant…

30 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder, Sunset

Twixt’d sat on a rooftop near the stadium, thinking, as the sky started to change color, indicating that the sun was setting. There was no way to tell until then, as the sun spent a good time below the horizon of Terra Hourglass. The sunsets of late were a melancholy time for him, and not just because of the loss of his friend, but of his own life… it was as if a chapter of his life was ending just as it had begun.

“Amazing, isn’t it, young whelp.” A voice remarked.

“I guess so.” Twixt’d shrugged, but didn’t look back at the voice. He had seen better sunsets during his time in Hourglass; hell, he’d seen a few in Traxti City that could rival this one.

“You guess so?!” The voice questioned incredulously.

“I’ve seen better sunsets…” Twixt’d waved a claw towards the west.

The voice started to laugh uproariously before a bad cough replaced it. Twixt’d waved off the thick smoke that wafted past him. It wasn’t a good smelling smoke, and that was saying a lot as a dragon. He turned to face the dragon and he saw a golden dragon with a brown belly. One of his dull and cracked horns that adorned his head was broken, and he had scars across his entire body.

“I wasn’t talking about the sunset.” The golden dragon shook his head in amusement. “I was talking about them.”

Twixt’d looked down in the direction that the dragon indicated. He saw some of the dragons that had been coming into the city over the past few days. The numbers were only a few dozen, but, in a way, he could see what the golden dragon had been implying. Some were gathered around a bonfire, snacking on gems, laughing, and telling stories, while some were lazily lounging half off of some nearby rooftops, and, even at the late hour, there were some in flight around the city. The ones in flight interested him, and he wondered why he never noticed them.

“I remember my first time… I was, I admit, a skeptic, but the sight was…awe inspiring… Then there was one time… To see the ponies scurrying away from our might like the little ants they were.”

“The ponies are no ants!”

“On that day, they were…” The dragon laughed, oblivious to the increasingly angry whelp. “But...I remember when there was news of a pony at the migration. It spread like a dragon flamed wildfire. I had to see for myself. He may have been born of the weak, furry kind but he had the strength and heart of a true dragon… An alicorn, I believe, is what he called himself...”

“Yes, the Alicorn Keeper... but we don’t talk much about the migration here… It is a sore spot for our clan.”

“Fascinating… Tell me why the migration is a sore spot.”

Twixt’d signed and contemplated not to, but, in the end, decided to indulge the old dragon. The tales of the dragons in flight intrigued him. “Only if you tell me more of the migration in flight.”

32 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder, Evening

“I can’t wait to make him scream like a hatchling. He is so pathetic and cowardly that he had to resort to his damn Magic Wasting Disease to kill me…” The elderly and scarred golden dragon coughed a bit, spewing some ash, and nearly blowing out the fire that he was gathered around, along with some other dragons. “So here I am, and I figured that, if the Nameless One is going to kill me, I might as well go down kicking the lava shit out of him.”

The gathered dragons roared in laughter and in agreement. The elderly dragon had to stop early and drink some water he had in a large barrel. It was not much, but it helped. He looked over and found that there were only a few barrels left that had water still in them. He would have to go refill them soon. He sighed at that; he was enjoying the conversations… It was like the Dragon Migration… pity that that was no more. Tales of battle were always a joy.

“How much longer before we can get our ton of flesh?” A second growth yellow dragon growled in irritation. He wanted to fight now.

“The Dragon Keeper says in the next few days. And get this: the Nameless One is being driven towards us by ponies!” A white and pink dragon had laughed so hard that he had to wipe a tear away.

“Well if it isn’t the young whelp who is what was it called? High Griff?” The blue dragon chuckled as he greeted the approaching Twixt’d.

“My name is Twixt’d.” Twixt’d growled angrily. He had wanted hear more stories about the Dragon Migration, but the comment from the white and pink dragon soured his mood for it. “And I suggest that you keep your unkind opinions about ponies down… The Alicorn Keeper was a part of the Dragon Keeper’s Hoard, a member of the Hourglass Clan, and was my best friend.”

“You know, I was meaning to ask you the other night… And you comment just now reminded me. Why is the Alicorn Keeper not… here...” The elderly dragon’s question faded out as he saw Twixt’d’s gaze drop and tears, glistening from the firelight, drip down his snout.

“Sentinel was killed by the Nameless One two weeks ago…” Twixt’d whispered as he turned and faded away into the darkness.

“To think that ponies could have such an effect on dragons…” The elderly dragon muttered. The other dragons nodded in agreement.

35 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder, Morning

“Something troubling you, Firstclaw?” She of Hourglass had watched him sit there all morning, without moving an inch. He was always staring off to the north.

“The aura coming from him is strange.” He of Hourglass commented. He had been watching the Nameless One as soon as he was visible. He wanted to savor every moment of it, as it meant he could count down the moments until he could do everything he had been dreaming about doing to him. But that aura gave him pause.

“Well, he is the propagator of Dark Magic…” She of Hourglass lamely added. She winced as soon as she said it, as she knew that she was the least familiar with dark magic of all of the clan.

Sentinel had lived for ten thousand years, and was a Keeper, so he had dealt with dark magic over and over during that time. Even He of Hourglass had tasted that in his young life, fighting both Sombra and the dark dragon golem construct. Quartermaster had fought a rage dragon and Scorpion had tamed Wendigos. Her? She was merely support during the invasions and, while, in those cases, there was dark magic, it felt… weak... and they, the ‘lings, could be taken out by physical prowess alone. No way would that be the case with the Nameless One. It frustrated her to be unable to be more helpful or do more for the clan. She had been ordered to stay behind to guard Hourglass during the coming battle. The one consolation, that she really hoped would happen, was that the vile ‘white’ and yellow dragon might try to attack Hourglass while its defenders were concentrating on the Nameless One. She was really wanting to pay back that dragon for Medallion

“Maybe…” The spark dragon muttered. He thought back to when he fought Sombra with his secondclaw, and when he fought the the dark dragon’s construct. He even dwelled on what the Roc Amulet felt like. Those all did have slight differences to them… but at the core, it was still the same: heavy, cold darkness. He supposed it was possible that the source of dark magic would feel different just by virtue of being not only the origin of all dark magic, but also the strongest.

“What the!?” He of Hourglass exclaimed as the world suddenly darkened. He looked up to see the sky a dark blue, like at twilight. As he looked for the cause, he saw that the sun had suddenly shifted downward, and was half set in the west. He of Hourglass’ gaze then shifted to the east, and what he saw was the moon, half risen. Why is the sky in an odd state of twilight, caught between night and day?

The answer came when he went back to the Nameless One. He could not make out any finer details, but what he saw told him everything: flashes of light and flame, and the sound of a rumble like thunder.

“Damn it!” He of Hourglass cursed. “Sound the call: the Nameless One has gone on the attack!”

Author's Note

There. Are you happy now!?:flutterrage: Scorpion has his voice back so you can quit asking me will EB get his voice back like you did with 'will Quartz return?' I swear you guys are worse then these two:

Okay Rarity inspired rant over.

In seriousness I don't mind you asking me those questions it just makes me laugh and do my Mr. Burns impression

I originally was not going to have his voice return but... without Sentinel I needed to give them a little bit of a chance... just a smidgen... maybe...

At the Twilight of Harmony

35 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

15 days since Baltimare’s destruction

Early morning, Near Hourglass

LIke MoTHs TO a flAME…

“Yeah, says the guy who is going down in flames!” Rainbow Dash retorted.

“Rainbow!” The Bearers, minus Pinkie, groaned as one.

“Big meanie pants is going down!” Pinkie Pie growled, punching a hoof. “Oh look! A mini-me-Discord!”

“Why don’t you focus on magic rainbow thingy, like, NOW!” The mini Discord roared before disappearing in a flash.

Luna and Celestia only had a second to react and erect a shield to redirect the now familiar black flame attack from the Dark One. Celestia grunted from the force of the attack on her. She knew from what Luna had said and from the report from Discord that the Dark One’s power was nearly off the charts, but to experience it was was different than reading about it. It was clear that they were still being played with.

“Luna! Twilight Protocol!” Celestia yelled out.

“On it!” Luna immediately lit her horn and raised the moon just enough to peek over the horizon. Celestia, meanwhile, lowered the sun so that it too was half under the horizon.

The sky suddenly changed to having a strange half day and night twilight quality that had not seen since the plunderseed incident. Celestia and Luna had only a moment of guilt, knowing that Princess Cadance would have to deal with panic caused by sky. It left as soon as the sound of a dragon roar fell over the grasslands. Both alicorns could feel their magic respond to the change. It wasn’t much, but they would need it.

“You know, even with our powers heightened by this, we won’t last long!” Luna hissed just before she had to quickly bank away from another flame attack. She conjured up her scythe and spun around, cutting the stream of fire that was currently bearing down on Celestia. ”Sentinel didn’t..”

“Our only hope is that the Hourglass Clan has seen our signal, knows what it means, and are able to get to us in time…” Celestia answered as she summoned her morning star.

YeS lOSe HopE… DESpAiR... FOr THis is ThE tWIligHT of haRmOnY! The dragon laughed, sending chills through the gathered army.

“For the love of chaos, the villain gets the say the book’s title too!?” Discord complained as he tore out all the pages of a large tome before he turned them into paper airplanes, which promptly exploded as they reached the Chaos Bringer. He then ducked under a counter attack.

A battalion of unicorns sent off a large burst of magic missiles to pull the dragon’s attention away from Discord, letting him get himself ready for another attack of his own. Celestia, however, was the next one to dive into the fray, and set off flashes of light to blind the dragon.

Discord took advantage of this and began shooting off metal Discord-shaped wind vanes with a crossbow. As the dragon turned to face the draconequus, he was attacked from the other side.

That was how it went for some time. Discord would strike, and then, as the dragon would either counterattack or attempt to counter attack, eIther the alicorn sisters or a squad of ponies or griffons would attack from another angle to turn the dragon's attention away. The dragon would not have much of a chance to do anything before being attacked once again by the draconequus. The element bearers sometimes would attack at the same time as the others and, at other times, would shield whomever was under attack.

Occasionally, the dragon would just attack with his sphere attack, as either a wave of dark energy or flame. Sometimes, the dragon would completely shrug off an attack, or block it without effort, much to the chagrin of the griffons and ponies.

“You know, I have had just about enough of you!” Discord sneered after a particularly devastating attack, in which his tail was scorched.

Discord clenched his fists. It was time to show off the power of Harmony Magic. But he needed a moment to build it up. He sent streams of ribbons and streamers in an attempt to temporarily bind up the dragon. The ribbons and streamers did quickly bind up the dragon, to his surprise. He was not really expecting to be able to pull it off. He smirked until another sphere of blackened mana exploded out from the dragon, knocking back the draconequus and alicorns and shredding the bindings.

“Thanks.” Discord thanked a pegasus that had managed to grab him, stopping his out of control spinning.

“Sir.” The pegasus saluted as they hovered.

Discord rubbed his beard. He knew his magic, even his harmony magic, was not the best in combat, so he needed an edge. A squad of pegasi nearby flapped as one, and a stream of flame was buffeted back by the wind created. A squadron of griffons then sent a volley of arrows through the wind, increasing the velocity of the projectiles, as well as lighting them.

Normally, something like that would pierce through armor like paper; however, the dragon casually flicked away the arrows. Luna sent off a concentrated laser-like magic missile to turn the dragon away from them.

Hmmm… Discord strummed his hands. The griffons used the wind from the pegasi to aid their arrows… Unfortunately, pony magic is too orderly, and can be difficult to mesh well with my magic… unless...

“Wait.” Discord stopped the pegasus with a extra long reach. “Find the best weather pegasi and create me a tornado.”

“Are you crazy!? A tornado is very dangerous and hard to control. We are just as likely to hurt our own as the dragon.”

“Just a bit…” Discord shrugged. “But I need one nonetheless.”

Just do has he requests. Celestia magically ordered.

Thanks Celly.

Don’t call me…

Focus! Luna shouted as she cut a stream of flame in half.

During this, a small team of a few pegasi began to spin in the air to form the requested tornado. Discord, meanwhile, closed his eyes and dived into the same well as when he found that dragon graveyard.

His eyes suddenly snapped open, glowing gold in harmony power. Multicolor glitter started pouring off of him, just like the sparks on He of Hourglass, making the draconequus groan. The glitter then streamed into the tornado and, as it entered the tornado, he could make out objects appearing in his signature flash. Objects like a bicycle with a basket on the back, a broom, a rocking chair, and a rowboat. The more he watched this, the more he had a feeling he had seen this before. He was sure once he heard a cow mooing over the roar of the rushing wind.

“Huh, The Alicorn of Oz. Go figure.” Discord rolled his eyes as he then lassoed the tornado before flinging it at the dragon.

The dragon roared in pain. His glowing red eyes locked onto Discord.

I WilL ENjOy makING yOU SufFeR!

“Eep.” Discord meeped out as he ducked under the retaliatory flame attack. He pulled a cape around him and disappeared just as the flames caught up to him.

The dragon roared again as a beam of rainbow light slammed into him from behind. He turned to face the Bearers, rage pouring out of his glowing red eyes.

ENouGH!

Suddenly, a storm formed above them, one that was all too familiar to some.

“Ponies, Griffons, defend yourself, inklings and shadowlings are on approach!” Celestia yelled out.

“Like they weren’t already on the defense!” Discord commented as he raised his arms into the sky, in exasperation of the obvious but to also to ready himself to attack. His arms immediately came rushing down. A large, pink rock with two black curved lines that almost looked like closed eyes smashed into the dragon, slamming him violently into the ground and kicking up a cloud of debris.

“DISCORD!” Celestia and Luna snapped at the draconequus over his attack. The cloud of dust was already dropping visibility on the ground, and potentially put anyone on the ground at higher risk of friendly fire, also making them more vulnerable to attacks from the ‘lings, who would not be affected by the visibility at minimum, and, for the shadowlings, would be strengthened.

Discord grumbled at the reprimand. This is one of the reasons why he rarely fought, and, when he did, he did it alone. The only exception had been Sentinel, who never scolded him; teased him, yes, but never scolded for his unpredictable magic in battle. Furthermore, Sentinel went out of his way to fight with him as one, incorporating his chaos into his own attacks or strengthening them with his order magic. Celestia and Luna could never quite do that, and usually, they would tag team together when possible, just as he would tag team with Sentinel, though Sentinel was able to work with them when needed.

Celestia and Luna were irritated at Discord, but they did give him free rein to attack the dragon. The one good thing they saw out of the mess was that their opponent was currently dazed. And with the dragon down, if only temporarily, it would give them a chance to attack him all-out, without any concern for blocking or retaliatory attacks slowing them down. They went right at it, sending wave after wave of every offensive spell that they could easily cast.

yOu daRE TO tRY anD BUrY ME?! The dragon slowly got up, the now shattered rock sliding off of him and squashing some unfortunate ‘lings that were currently swarming around the dragon. With no regard to his summons, he shook the few remaining boulders off, squashing more of them. THe OnlY OneS To bE BuriED aRe YOU!

The dragon's glowing red eyes somehow glowed even stronger, and the aura that had been surrounding him dimmed to almost nothing, to the point that his black scales could be seen. Whatever he was about to do, even the earth ponies, who had little practical experience with magic, and the griffon warriors, who rarely used magic, much less in battle, could tell something big and bad was about to happen.

A claw hand went up and then fell down. The eyes dimmed back to their normal glow, and then the dragon just hovered there with a smirk on his face.

WhY Don’T YOu loOk Up? He spoke with a chuckle.

That, out of everything that the dragon spoke, was the most unnerving. Some did look up, and those that did, screamed.

“By the stars!” Luna whispered in shock. There above them was a meteorite that was, by her guess, the size of Canterlot. Not the castle, but the city itself.

It was clear to the alicorn sisters and Discord that the massive meteorite was so large that it would kill everyone. There wasn’t enough time to escape, and it was too big to be destroyed in the time they had, especially with it being saturated with dark magic. Even if Shining Armor was here, his strongest shield would shatter without even slowing down the flaming rock.

With barely a thought to their own safety, the alicorn sisters flew up towards the the meteorite. Discord put a stange tube with a dragon head on his shoulder. Suddenly, with an explosion of sparks, something shot out of the end of the tube, and, a few seconds later, exploded onto the meteorite, breaking it into several large chunks before the sisters got there and started blasting away with their own magic.

Discord, during this, had forgotten about the Chaos Bringer, whose tail came around and slammed him hard into the ground. He would have been torn apart by the ‘lings if he hadn’t conveniently fallen near some ponies, who dragged him towards them so they could defend him while he tried to recover.

The chunks are speeding up! Twilight yelled magically to the Princesses.

WHAT!?! Both Celestia and Luna exclaimed, even as they fought to smash, deflect, or cut the pieces of meteorite into debris small enough to be either avoided or easily shielded by most unicorns. The problem was they were not making much headway, as they themselves were being either battered by small pieces or scorched by the intense heat.

“Scatter!” Twilight yelled as she herself scrambled to avoid the mass of molten rock that managed to get past the alicorn sisters and Discord, and was careening right towards her and the other bearers.

Twilight started running away like a mad mare. Suddenly, she tripped over something or someone and went flying. She tumbled around before coming into a stop in a pile of legs and feathers. Whose they were, she never did find out as the rock hit the ground. The last thing Twilight remembered was seeing the whiteness from the explosion, followed by a deafening sound, then quiet blackness.

“Fl ...shy!”

She ached all over, and her ears were ringing. She was sure she could hear someone calling her name, but couldn’t tell all that well, and her vision was so out of focus that she couldn’t tell exactly where she was or what was going on.

“Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy could finally see that her friend Rainbow was the one calling out for her. She looked worried, but she still was not sure what happened or where she was. “Are you alright? Nothing broken or sprained?”

“I... I think so…” Fluttershy slowly got up with help from Rainbow. She paled as she now saw the half charred and broken bodies of ponies around them. She now remembered the sky in flames and a single word screamed from Twilight. Tears began to from and fall as she realized that, as far as she could tell, none of the ponies around were alive. “He is ssss-soo strong...” Fluttershy gulped.

“He destroyed an entire city like Pinkie, when she had a single sip of espresso and went after those horse-durs thingies at that brunch party Rarity hosted. So yeah...” Rainbow and Fluttershy shuddered at the memory of that day. “Okay, come on, Flutters, *cough* we need *cough* to find the others…”

Rainbow started to walk away, but then turned to see that Fluttershy was frozen in place, staring at the bodies that littered the area. She felt a pang of sympathy, but she had already checked them, and it was clear to even her that none of the ponies (and a griffon) were alive. the only consolation was that it seemed that none of them suffered for long.

“They are dead, Flutters, and we will be, too, if we don’t start moving! Plus, there is going to be more, Flutters, if we don’t kick this dragon’s flank so hard that his ancestors can feel it!”

Fluttershy whimpered, but managed to start moving. Rainbow was right. She just wished she’d never had to witness such horrors. A small part of her was thankful for the field medical training Sentinel had had her complete; otherwise, she was sure she would have had to be carried. Though, with how bad it was, she was tempted to just faint so she didn’t have to see any more.

“That’s it, Fluttershy.” Rainbow softly encouraged her best friend. “One hoof in front of the other.” Once she was sure she would follow without any more encouragement, she turned around to properly walk forward. The last thing she wanted to do was fall backwards over a corpse. If she did, she might scream like Rarity before fainting, and not only would that be damaging to her reputation, but Fluttershy needed her to be strong for her right now. There are times when being loyal bites...

“Damn it, I can’t see crap, and to fly above could make us targets!” Rainbow complained as she nearly ran into a corpse in the dim light from the combination of the twilight and all the dust and dirt in the air. What was worse was the mana in the area, which was much too thick or chaotic for her to use her weather magic, or something. She had heard of this phenomena happening in battle, but never actually experienced it… it also reminded her of when she first entered the Untamed Wilds and was unable to fly. Her REPG training included how to deal with this, but her mind had blanked out. “Where is that egghead when you need her…” She muttered out loud in her frustration.

“Rainbow…”

“RAINBOW!”

“WHAT!?” Rainbow cringed as Fluttershy shunk back. “Sorry.. what is it?”

“Our elements…”

Rainbow looked down to see that her element was glowing. As she picked it up off her neck to examine the phenomena, it stopped glowing, adding to her building confusion. She let it drop, and it started glowing again. Her eyebrows raised at the strangeness of it.

“Maybe Twilight cast a spell to help us find each other?” Fluttershy questioned.

Rainbow shrugged as she held out the element and walked in the direction of the glow, while avoiding the dead bodies. She tried to ignore the large number of bodies, but it was getting difficult. She was about to break down completely when she saw movement ahead.

“Hello?” Rainbow called out. She really hoped it was a pony and not one of the ‘lings that was summoned just before the meteorite.

“Rainbow!?” Came a confused reply.

At that, both Rainbow and Fluttershy quickly rushed forward to see that it was Twilight that Rainbow saw. Standing near her were the remaining bearers. They were disheveled, but alive and well.

“Thank Celestia you two are alright.” Twilight grabbed the two mares in a magical grip and pulled them towards her, and into a hug. “When that last attack came… the dead ponies… so much death… I… we thought…”

“It’s alright, Twilight... we are all here.” Fluttershy cooed, trying to calm Twilight down, even though she herself needed encouragement. The others gathered around and joined in the hugging for a moment.

“I hope you didn’t have to be alone in this… place for long…” Fluttershy muttered as the hug broke up.

“Luckily, no... Rarity, Applejack, and myself managed to find each other very quickly. As for Pinkie…”

“Oh, I just followed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.”

“But you… I mean… You. Here. Before…” Twilight sputtered as a few strands from her mane popped out of alignment.

“Let it go, Twi.” Applejack put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “All tha’ madders is tha’ we’re together again.”

“Agreed.” Rarity concurred. “Now that we are all here, let us find that bucking dragon and kick his bucking plot hole.”

Five pairs of eyes and five jaws dropped at the very unusually harsh words from the ‘lady’-like Rarity. Rainbow was especially shocked, as she tended to get an earful anytime she used any word remotely brash and colorful around her, which was often.

Rarity noticed the looks she was getting and merely huffed and, out of habit, flicked her hair with her hoof. “A lady can take only so much.”

“And I though fiery Twi was scary.” Pinkie whispered conspiratorially to Applejack, who nodded in agreement.

“First thing we need to do is get rid of this dust…”

“How? The air won’t bend to weather magic anymore, as the battle has now made mana resistance stronger than normal, even for this area.”

Twilight blinked as Rainbow knew what was going on, even though she was using the wrong terminology. First Pinkie and now Rainbow?! Am I still knocked out from that last attack and merely dreaming all of this craziness?!

“Yes… that is correct,” Rainbow puffed up at the praise she received for being correct, “even though your wording was a bit clunky.”

“Meh.” Rainbow shrugged; she was just happy that she was right. Who cared if her words were not eggheady enough?

Twilight began to concentrate on her element and, with a nod to each of them in an unspoken signal, they, too, began to use their elements and send that power to Twilight. As she felt the power of Harmony envelop her, Twilight was taken aback at how balanced the power was. Usually in practice, they had to work at it a bit to get it just so for the most effective spell casting.

Twilight then used a basic levitation spell to lift and move the dust away, so they could see better. As soon as she did, she nearly lost it at the sight of the sea of bodies that was revealed. It reminded her of those visions that Sentinel had shown her when they first came to these lands. But now, it was worse, because she was experiencing it, not just seeing it through other beings' perspectives. She was glad the others were so deep in concentration as to not see anything. She was sure they would have lost it. She knew it was going to be bad. That last attack was just so powerful and widespread that she knew that there were going to be a lot of casualties from it. She herself was a bit surprised for a moment that they survived, but then, she remembered what Sentinel had said about the Elements automatically protecting their bearers.

As the sky was further cleared, she could see that they had managed to be flung quite a distance from the fighting, or the fighting had moved away during the time they had been out, struggled to find each other, and cleared the air. The dragon was some distance away and was currently facing away from them. Terra Hourglass could just barely be seen in the distance.

Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Twilight coalesced some of the dust into tendrils of dense dust clouds infused with the Elements of Harmony’s magic. She then ran towards the battle so she could attack. The rest of the Bearers were quick to run with her. Once they had cut the distance in half, and Twilight felt they were close enough to attack, but still had room to defend themselves, she sent the dust slamming into the Dark One.

The dragon roared in clear pain as he was knocked back. Twilight grinned and doubled her efforts. She was going not going to let the dragon have a chance to kill more ponies, not if she could help it.

Twilight went wide eyed as she could see that the energized stream of dust was suddenly being pushed back. Once again she pushed hard, beads of sweat now dripping down from the mental exertion. She knew that she would not be able to hold out much longer, and there was no sign of anyone that could assist. If she didn’t keep it up and push him back, then they would be open for an attack.

BAH! wEAK! prEY! YoU CaN’t StaND KilLiNG! You lACK A PrEdatOR’S ThiNKing!

The black and red dragon whipped his tail around, and a condensed line of dark magic sliced through the Bearers’ attack like a knife through hot butter. The sudden and violent cutting of the tendril caused a magic backlash which flung all six ponies hard into the ground.

“I think... we overdid that…” Twilight commented as she gasped for air. All of her energy was gone. It was almost like the first time they had used the Elements, all those years ago.

“No duh, egghead!” Rainbow snapped as she herself panted. She felt almost as tired as when she had flown non-stop at high speeds (near or at rainboom speeds) when the wendigos had invaded Equestria.

The Bearers were so exhausted that they struggled to move when the Dark One angrily bellowed at them and prepared to attack them. There was only a small group of living unicorns nearby to help, and no way they could stop the dragon. And what was worse, Celestia, Luna, and Discord were still trying to recover from a previous attack, which knocked them hard into the ground.

Twilight wasn’t sure about the others, but she closed her eyes, not wanting to witness the attack that she knew would end her life.

“The dragons! They have arrived!” Someone shouted.

Twilight snapped her eyes open. She looked up to see that not only had the Dark One stopped his attack, but he was starting to roar in anger and pain as a rainbow of dragon flame poured out from the skies above.

Rage Boils Over

Captain Phoenix Wave was struggling to hold on to the elderly dragon’s broken horn. He couldn't remember why he had thought that riding on a dragon’s head was a smart move. He should have known something was wrong when the dragon had smirked evilly upon his request. Scales were quite slick, and, coupled with the wind and the constant movement of the dragon head, it was amazing that he had not fallen off to his doom over a dozen times during the frantic flight from Hourglass to the battle they were about to enter.

Half of the dragons, who were not transporting unicorns and earth ponies, broke off and bathed the Nameless in a rainbow of dragon flame. The other dragons circled around to find a safe place to drop the Hourglass Guard off, while also getting closer to the remaining members of the army from Equestria.

DraGoNS HelPinG PrEY!!! tHen You shALl ShaRE THeiR FATe! The black and red dragon roared in anger.

Captain Phoenix Wave ignored the Dark One’s rant. What he couldn't ignore was what he saw. It looked like the Equestrian and Allied Griffon forces had suffered from a particularly devastating rout. He could even make out some ponies fleeing from the battlefield. Normally, that would be considered desertion and those caught could find themselves working the ‘rock quarry’ for a long time for doing that. However, he had seen the meteorite that fell from the sky. The shock of the sight of the meteorite caused one of the dragon’s wings to lock up, almost losing more ponies; if this was enough to shock a dragon this much, he could hardly blame the others for running.

After not even a full minute of being bathed in dragon's fire, the Nameless One roared again, and a sphere of black flame pushed back the other flames. A golden flame pierced through the black orb and hit the Nameless One hard in the side.

YOU! The black and red dragon eyes locked onto the Dragon Keeper once he recovered from the unexpected attack.

“Yeah, me!” He of Hourglass snapped. He shot out another stream of flame laced with golden harmony at the Nameless One. While he was doing that, he summoned a magical sword and shield. There was retribution to be had, and he was going to let out all of his rage at this monstrosity that claimed to be a dragon.

Phoenix Wave finally pulled his gaze away from the dueling dragons. He needed to focus on finding Celestia or Luna, as only they had a chance at bringing order, and quelling the fears of the remaining ponies on the battlefield. He finally found Celestia in the middle of a group of ponies. He had missed her several times, as her usually easily identifiable features - namely white, almost glowing white, fur, and rainbow flowing mane and tail - were gone. Her fur had become so dirty and matted that, if it wasn’t for the fact that everypony alive knew she was white furred, he would have thought she was a light tan pony. Her mane and tail, which were normally described as flowing in an invisible wind, were limp and lifeless.

With a silent signal, the dragon Phoenix Wave was riding dropped low to the ground. As soon as they reached a low enough altitude, he took a running jump off the dragon. As he hit the ground, he rolled before continuing to run at a full-on gallop. The dragon kicked up dust and ash as he flapped hard, quickly regaining height.

A random pony praised the Hourglass Guard captain’s appearance, saying, “Thank Celestia you made it; we would not have lasted much longer…”

Phoenix Wave ignored the pony as made his way to Celestia to address her. “Take a moment and regroup your remaining forces. The Hourglass Clan will take the lead until then....”

A series of roars interrupted him. Both Celestia and Phoenix looked up to watch the dragons, still deep in battle.

As he watched He of Hourglass hammer the Dark One with an onslaught of spells and fire, he noted, “Or maybe just He of Hourglass…” He knew He of Hourglass was pissed, but even he was shocked at what he was seeing. It would have shocked him even more if it wasn’t for that meteorite earlier.

“Wait, captain.” Phoenix Wave, who was already moving away, stopped, turning to face the solar alicorn. “Please, go help the Bearers.”

Phoenix took a second to go over what Celestia was requesting. He originally planned to directly attack the dragon himself, given that his flame powers were actually able to hurt dragons. The more people that could cause injuries, the higher the chance that they could incapacitate the dragon, opening him to being destroyed by Harmony magic. He knew He of Hourglass would not be able to push the attack for too long.

Celestia had a point in that the Bearers needed protection, as the Elements took time to work, and none of them had true battle experience, not to mention that only two of them were capable of using spells. With the massive drop in ponies available (alive and not injured) it left them vulnerable, and prone to fall under attack. At least, it still left him able to attack the Dark One.

“On it.” Phoenix agreed before quickly teleporting near the Bearers. He had seen them earlier, while he was searching for Luna and Celestia, and had been hoping that maybe one of the elder alicorns would be near them. Unfortunately, they were not.

It was a good thing he did that, as the Bearers were, at that moment, surrounded by a horde of ‘lings. They were doing alright, for the moment, but it was clear that it wouldn’t stay that way for long, as he could see that their movements were sluggish. Furthermore, as long as their attention was on the ‘lings, it wasn’t on the Dark One. He knew that all three harmony magics would be needed to take out the dragon. Everyone, with the exception of the Bearers, Discord, and He of Harmony, were really only there as support or distractions…

He of Hourglass was finding harmony magic harder and harder to work with. He was going to need to back up and let others press the attack while he rested a moment. He backed up, the silent signal for the other dragons to rush forward again.

Instead of rushing forward, Quartermaster suddenly fell out of the sky as if he had been hit. Scorpion, who was assigned to fly and attack with Quartermaster, angrily followed. He was ticked that he had to follow what he was now assuming was a coward of a dragon. Quartermaster managed to adjust himself just before he crashed to the ground.

Scorpion landed heavily behind Quartermaster. His rage was so high, and he was about to let Quartermaster know this, when Quartermaster started roaring in pain and anguish, tears flowing down his snout.

Quartermaster, brother, what is wrong!? Scorpion temporally shook off his rage, it being replaced with concern. He had seen his clanmate fall from the sky for no apparent reason. It made no sense for the dragon to be roaring in pain and anguish as he was. He would check Quartermaster's song, but the battle field was was too noisy to allow him to check.

Quartermaster did not answer. All he did was scream and slam his fists to the ground, fire leaking out of his maw. Unfortunately, this caught the attention of the Nameless One.

YOu sEe His PAin DON’t YOu?

He of Hourglass glanced down at his clanmates. He didn’t know why he listened to the Nameless One, but he did. What he saw confused him.

PaiN IS fOr THe WeAK.

Yes, weak… He of Hourglass growled in anger at the actions of Quartermaster and Scorpion. They are suppose to be fighting, not cowering like pon...prey.

He didn’t dwell on it much more than that, as he needed to focus on his task. From that moment, as far as he was concerned, he had no clan. No clan mate of his would abandon the revenge of the death of Alicorn Keeper before they even attacked once.

The battle then proceeded, and, as before, the gathered army took turns attacking, with the now added benefit of the Dragon Keeper and his dragon allies. Quartermaster never recovered from whatever had knocked him from the sky, and Scorpion could do nothing but panic over what was going on. He tried a couple of times to get his soul song magic going, but he struggled to get it to even start, much less stay going.

Luna was preparing to attack the Dark One’s back when, in a flash, the dragon had not only turned around to face her, but also spewed a condensed blob of black flame at her. She only had enough time to gasp in surprise before she was hit squarely in the chest.

“LUNA!!!” Celestia screamed. She dived after the falling form of Luna, black flames still licking her body as she fell. She knew that if she didn’t catch her, Luna would not live, as all of her feathers had been burned off, so she couldn’t slow her decent, even if she was conscious.

Celestia managed to grab Luna in her magic, just feet from the ground. Unfortunately, she was going too fast to make a clean landing. She hit the ground hard and blacked out for a few moments. When she awoke, Luna was lying crumpled nearby. Celestia slowly made her way to her sister. She knew she had cracked a few of her ribs during her rough landing, so she had to be careful or risk passing out. Still, she needed to get to her sister and tend to her injuries.

Panic began to rise in her as she got to Luna. Now that Celestia wasn’t so focused on catching her, Luna’s injuries looked life threatening. Her wings were more badly burnt then she had initially thought. Not only were the feathers burnt off, but she could see spots that were burnt to the wing bones. Besides her wings, there were large patches of the fur on her body that had been burnt completely off. Various cuts that oozed blood adorned her stomach and side. One of her legs was bent back, clearly shattered.

“Luna?” Celestia whispered while lightly shaking Luna. She got no response. “LUNA!”

Celestia’s panic began to rise as she proceeded to try and get Luna to awaken. She leaned in and tried to hear a heartbeat. When she found none, she started to do CPR.

“COME ON! LUNA!” She screamed, tears already falling down her muzzle.

Discord flashed nearby and put his lion claw on Celestia's shoulder. He had seen Luna fall, and the subsequent rescue by Celestia. The moment that Luna was hit, he knew that she was dead. The attack was very similar to the one that hit Sentinel, a spark dragon, and, as such, if he didn’t survive, there was no way Luna would. A simple scan told him that, sadly, he was right. “Celestia… She’s gone…”

“Luna… sister…” Celestia whispered sadly as a single tear fell from her muzzle and onto the muzzle of the blue alicorn. She knew that Discord was right, as much as she didn’t want to believe it. Discord always had a limit, a line he would never cross, and, even in the midst of his madness, would never joke about death, nor mock the dead.

She slowly got up and, as she did so, Discord backed up in fear. At first, he was just going to give her some space, but he soon backed up further. Celestia's mane and tail had become a literal inferno and her irises had darkened to a blood red. Discord gulped; he had not seen her this angry since he initially fell to madness.

you THiNk YOu cAn USe FiRe agAInsT a dRaGon!? I aM FiRe. i AM deATH. The Dark One snarled at the now fiery alicorn.

I am thief… Discord thought darkly. He was ticked that the dragon had killed Luna, but he knew better than to get in the way of an enraged Celestia. He also knew that even an enraged Celestia would not be able to kill the dragon, but he hoped that whatever Celestia did would hurt, and hurt bad. With that in mind, he readied himself, as Celestia flew like a rocket at the Chaos Bringer. He was going to add his Harmony magic to her attack.

She was so focused on the Dark One that Twixt’d and his griffons had to bank away from her to avoid being caught in her fury. The dragons stopped and hovered in shock at seeing an alicorn with a mane and tail made of actual fire. When Celestia slammed into the Dark One, it released a massive explosion, followed by a shockwave that nearly knocked any fliers still in the air to the ground.

Ooh tHe RAge! ToO BaD YOu ARen’t A DraGoN, oR YOu miGHT havE GotteN The poWEr boOsT NeedED to TruLY HuRT ME! The Dark One laughed, angering Celestia even more. The flames of her mane and tail flared up even more, and the light from them became so brilliant as to be like the sun itself.

Celestia roared her rage at the dragon and came at him a second time. This time, Discord could not help, as he could not even see anything. The brightness was too much, and he had to shield his eyes. But, as she slammed into the dragon a second time, the target of her rage was suddenly nowhere in sight.

Celestia looked around, trying to figure out where the dragon went. There no way that her attack had vaporised the demon dragon. The one place she had not had a chance to look was directly behind her. The sound of movement behind her caught her attention, but, before Celestia could react further, she found herself caught inside the tail weapon of the dragon. The inward facing spikes stabbed her all over her barrel, and she screamed in pain.

In a mirror to the duel between Sentinel and the Nameless One over Baltimare, the Nameless One had, in the middle of Celestia’s onslaught, managed to slip away without anyone noticing, and had reappeared behind her.

LiKE I saId… AnD NoW, LikE aLL PREy… With that, the tail and Celestia went up, causing more shrieks of agony before he flung his tail downward, releasing Celestia as he did.
“CELESTIA!” Twilight screamed and tried to rush forward even as Applejack and Rarity tried in vain to hold her back.

Twilight broke through them like they were not even there and ran with all her might to get to Celestia, completely forgetting that she could just as easily teleport to her, and that she was running towards the dragon. All she could think of and dwell on was her mentor, her idol, falling from the sky in a streak of red.

He of Hourglass hovered in a mixture of shock and rage. The Nameless One had just used the same move that brought down his secondclaw. All he could see was the recording of the final moments of the Alicorn Keeper’s life, and all he could hear was Nameless One claiming that the only way to hurt him was to be filled with rage. He of Hourglass was beginning to believe him, as, even with his strongest harmony-induced attacks, it seemed that all he was managing to do was merely scratch him.

By this point, Twilight had made it to Celestia, who was now at the bottom of a shallow crater. Still oblivious to the danger she was now in, she made her way down. What she saw was devastating. Celestia was ripped to shreds, but what really captured her attention were Celestia’s eyes. Those wonderfully motherly eyes were now dull and sightless, starting up at nothing.

“Celestia…” Twilight sobbed as she collapsed next to Celestia’s body.

The other bearers, who had, against their own better judgement, followed her, could do nothing but add their own tears. The battle was completely lost to them as they grieved. At first, they didn't even notice that Phoenix was yelling at them. Suddenly, all of them felt something hot and sharp digging into their sides.

“WAKE UP!” Phoenix hissed at the Bearers, some of whom were now rubbing their flanks. “If you don’t keep moving and fighting, you will join her in the Pasturelands!”

YeS, FIght And joIn Her! The Nameless One laughed from above them. He was about to spew fire down at them when something slammed into him, redirecting the flame away from the Bearers and Phoenix.

The Dark One recovered quickly, turning to face what had attacked him at the moment of his triumph. It was a familiar dragon to both Twixt’d and Phoenix Wave. The same dragon that had befriended Twixt’d with his stories of the Migration, and had transported Phoenix Wave on his head.

Before anyone could react in any way other than surprise, the golden dragon was slashed, and his wings were ripped off violently. The falling dragon was further ‘helped’ to the ground by the Nameless One’s tail.

WEaK!

Yes, they are weak… He of Hourglass agreed. They are FAILURES! ALL OF THEM! They are supposed to be helping me kill the Nameless One! HARMONY? HA! There is no power in it. He began to dive into the well of rage he had, and found it felt more powerful and comforting than harmony magic ever felt. “Yessss… thisss issss power.” He of Hourglass purred in ecstasy.

NOw You seE ThE TRuTh! The Nameless One laughed as the Dragon Keeper grunted in pain from the coming transformation. REvel IN The PaIn! USe it TO INCrEasE yOuR RagE And PoWER!

Quartermaster and Scorpion looked up, quivering in fear. They watched as their firstclaw began growing, his scales darkening. They knew that the Nameless One had won, for he had convinced their firstclaw that rage would win the day. They also knew that the Nameless One had enough power that a rage dragon, even a transformed one, would no longer be a danger, at least to one as strong as he was.

“What have we done?” Quartermaster whispered, his head falling in shame. He had given his word that he would beat the rage out of He of Hourglass and, in his grief over Sentinel’s death, he welcomed the rage, going against both his word, and what his hatchmate would have wanted him to do. He was the worst hatchmate a dragon could have.

I knEw You WOuLd sEe mY WAy…The Nameless One grinned wickedly as he turned away from the changing dragon. ‘hARmoNy’ Is FOr thE WEaK! HARmony, BuH! LooK WhERE IT goT yOU! bEfORE YoUR DEatHS, i’LL LET YOU in ON a SeCrET: iT cOUldn't eVEN sTop ME the lASt TIme! tO THINK THAT THAT FOolisH CounCil wouLd thiNk it WoULd woRk THis tiMe iS laUGHaBle!

The Nameless One was about to dive down to take out the Bearers when he suddenly stopped, his mouth opened in shock. He looked down to see He of Hourglass’ much larger and sharper spade tail weapon poking out of his chest. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a faint gurgle. His glowing red eyes then dimmed and died out. The Nameless One’s body, now lifeless, went limp and slid off the tail, crashing onto the ground loudly.

He or Hourglass lifted his head to the sky and roared triumph. The flame that accompanied the roar darkened from green to black, his scales further darkening, along with his sparks. He was becoming a carbon copy of the Nameless One.

No one else cheered. True, the Nameless One was finally dead, but at a massive cost, and now, there was a spark rage dragon. A dragon that clearly was just as strong as, if not stronger than, the Nameless One. A dear friend and brother, now lost forever in rage and anger.

For Twilight, it was worse than the pain when Spike chose. Then, there was still a hope for something to remain, if only a glimmer of what once was. This time, there was no salvation, and there was no hope. He of Hourglass had told her as much. She suddenly mentally recalled that conversation.

“What is wrong?” Twilight questioned as she saw the almost depressed way Golden DragonHeart carried himself. “You seemed more troubled today than normal.”

Golden DragonHeart was silent for a while, clearly debating whether or not to tell her. Twilight had an inkling of several things that could be going on, but she wouldn’t know for sure unless he told her. Out of respect, she wasn’t going to push any further than that simple question. She knew that if Golden DragonHeart followed how Spike would answer this kind of question, pushing hard would only result in him lying and deflecting. Neither would allow her to be able to help him.

“I’m scared.” He finally admitted.

“Yeah…” Twilight sighed. “The prospect of having to fight dark magic incarnate would put anyone at…”

“NO… YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND…” Golden DragonHeart shouted, scaring Twilight. He flinched before his expression softened. “You don’t understand… Part of me wants to become a rage dragon… I like the rush, the feeling of power…”

Golden DragonHeart’s admission shocked and horrified Twilight. To think that he would ever even contemplate wanting that to happen. Then to go farther and say that he was wanting it… She felt sick. Golden DragonHeart did nothing but look down in shame.

“Do you know the final stage? What it does?” Golden DragonHeart finally asked, not looking up.

Twilight said nothing, only dumbly shaking her head. She, of course, did not know. How could she know? Of course, whatever it was, it was… well, it had to make everything before it seem mild. How else would he speak on the final stage of rage growth?

“All memories are destroyed... just like at a Choosing…” He whispered as he slowly turned around, and the image of the Hourglass Council faded out.

Twilight needed to do something, anything… even if that meant killing him, so that Spike’s and He of Hourglass’ memory would not be tarnished by what he was becoming. She knew that neither would truly want this, no matter what He of Hourglass had said about it.

“If it ever comes to that, will you be able to do what needs to be done?” Sentinel asked again.

“I… I don’t know… I mean I...” Twilight finally stammered out. She didn’t want to think about, much less say aloud, what she knew might happen, and what she would have to do if… if He of Hourglass… She couldn't keep thinking on it, as it was too painful.

“If he ever falls to rage you must kill him.” Sentinel stated with no emotion, like he was merely ordering lunch.

“I… I… I…”

“Pray…” Sentinel whispered sadly. “Pray that we will never have to do the unthinkable…”

Twilight now understood the pain that Celestia went through, just prior to her banishing Luna to the moon. Except this time, there would be no banishment, only a death sentence… for them both. For him, a physical death; for her, it would be her heart that would die.

The biggest problem now was that the Bearers and Discord were the only ones left on the side of Harmony that had any real power. The strongest Keeper was now on the side of darkness, and everyone was losing all hope. Most of all, Twilight, who knew that now she would have no choice but to kill her brother, didn’t think she could do that, especially not now, as all she had left to support her were her friends. Celestia, who she looked at as not only a mentor, but, if she was honest with herself, she also saw her as a second mother, was gone. While Luna was not as influential on her life as Celestia, Luna was still important, and she, too, was no more. Discord and her were friends, but not very close, given Discord’s immaturity. Finally, she could not look to Sentinel, her counterpart as He of Hourglass’ clutchmate and brother, as his death had been the trigger for He of Hourglass’ final descent.

He of Hourglass roared again as his features continued to became more sinister.

Spicy Buffalo Dragonwings

???

Both the sun and the moon were oddly high in the sky over the desert. This alone was cause for concern. The last time this had happened, the wardens for the sun and the moon had been foalnapped. The sound of ruffling feathers caught her attention.

There, on a lone fence post, sat a black bird, most likely a crow, its glowing red eyes staring at her. The bird cawed and then flew straight at her. She ducked down, and the bird flew over her, then up high into the sky.

She watched as the bird flew in the sky, gobbling up both the moon and the sun, much to her horror. As expected, with the moon and the sun gone, the desert fell into instant darkness. The only light came from two large orbs, glowing red, that now replaced the sun and moon. The eyes slowly lowered to the horizon, angrily staring down at her.

She cowered down as an unearthly growl echoed. It was the sound of impending death. Something grabbed her roughly, knocking her to the side. She could hear the sounds of chanting, but could not make out what was being said. Again, she was attacked. This time, she began to run like her life depended on it. The chanting became louder and louder as she ran. She stole a glance behind her and saw that the red eyes were coming at her.

Suddenly, the chanting came to a crescendo, and a glowing white mist surrounded her. She came to a screeching halt, and, out of the mist, the ghostly form of a buffalo warrior with odd leathery wings rose. The buffalo had six different-colored feathers sticking up from his ears and had slitted eyes, like those of the desert lizards.

The buffalo looked down at her warmly, before turning to face the red eyes. With a snort and a bellow, he charged at them. The ghost warrior buffalo clashed with the red eyes, and an explosion of sound and light filled her sight. Finally, a roar filled with rage assaulted her ears as her sight faded to black.

Little Strongheart gasped as her vision ended, finding herself back in the tepee, which she had been in before the vision. Everything she saw was as it had been before, as if no time had passed at all. The tent was still filled with smoke, and the fire was still crackling away. Across from her was an old, grey, and wrinkled buffalo, casually puffing away at a pipe.

So old was he that no one could recall his name correctly, so everyone just called him Vison Walker. Little Strongheart suspected that even he had forgotten his name, as she had been his apprentice for the past fourteen years, ever since just shortly after the fight against the ponies of Appleloosa, and she didn’t know his real name.

“What did you see?” The buffalo asked with a soft and raspy voice, before taking another puff from his pipe.

Little Strongheart stared into the fire as she considered everything she saw in her vision, and whether or not she should tell him. She knew that sometimes, visions were not meant to be spoken; that sometimes, the spirits were trying to speak to her, and her alone. She learned that the hard way when she was first being trained as a visionwalker. She could sometimes still feel pain from where the walking stick hit her hard over her head, and hear his angry rant. From then on, she always considered the vision before speaking.

This vision didn’t seem to be something just for her. The chanting, and the oddity of the sun and moon, was just too impersonal, for lack of a better word. With that in mind, she told everything she saw and heard, leaving nothing out.

After she had finished telling him the entirety of her vision, he sat there and took a particularly long drag from his pipe, slowly exhaled the smoke, then, once again, dragged long. Then, he slowly got up and went over to a basket that contained various herb-filled pouches, including the tobacco that Vision Walker used for his pipe. After rummaging for a bit, he pulled out a pouch and threw it, and its contents, into the fire.

This didn’t surprise Little Strongheart a bit, as Vision Walker had done this before. A lot of the herb concoctions were used to help in peering into the spiritual realm, as well as starting vision quests. What was new was that the contents (whatever they were) had caused the fire to flare up, with tons of purple smoke.

“Come,” Vision Walker pulled the pouch over his shoulder, grabbing his walking stick, which was next to the tent entrance. “We have much to do, and little time.”

Chief Thunderhooves had been chief of what was sometimes referred to as the Appleloosa tribe for quite a few seasons. He had seen many things in that time, and seen many changes. This was probably the oddest thing he had ever had to deal with. When Vision Walker… the visionwalker... had called a council of the tribes, it surprised and concerned him. One did not call one lightly. For that matter, the last time one was called was the same year a rainbow rippled across the sky. One usually called it when a grave danger was on the horizon, one that would either threaten their way of life, or their lives. He, himself, had almost called one, and would have called one if they had not been able to compromise with the settler ponies over their stampede grounds.

Now, he was out in the desert, along with all of his warriors, looking for ‘a ghost.’ The only two descriptors that Vision Walker could give was that whomever they were looking for was either multicolored, or was wearing something that was multicolored, and was a flier. This was not particularly helpful in his search.

The sun was high in the sky when he came across a body. The body was so battered, dirty, and burnt that he was not even sure what manner of creature he was seeing. However, he could see a multitude of colors on the head, and that it was winged. He wasn’t sure that this was the one whom Vision Walker was wanting, but he knew better to error on the side of caution, as the Spirits sometimes were vague, and only a visionwalker had a chance in understanding them fully. He gave out a great bellow to signal he found something. A faint bellow echoed out from the desert in response.

In a short time, Vision Walker, with help from another buffalo, approached to examine the creature. Vision Walker carefully climbed off the back of the buffalo warrior and eyed the creature.

“Vision Walker, is this the one? The one from the vision quest?” Chief Thunderhooves questioned.

“Yes, and he must live.”

“How? It’s a miracle of the Spirits that he’s not already dead!”

“There is but one place…” Vision Walker muttered, ignoring Chief Thunderhooves’ protest. He was fully aware how bad this was… the burns about the body where so bad that he was blackened in places. To add to that, he could see deep bruises and gashes on the few unburnt spots. He was sure that there would be cracked or broken bones.

Chief Thunderhooves waited patiently for Vision Walker to finish his mutterings. It was a well-known fact that the visionwalker would mumble out loud when he was deep in thought over a difficult subject. After a minute of this, Vision Walker signalled to Thunderhooves that whatever he had been thinking on had formed into a plan. “We must take him to the Caves of the Spirits.”

“He is not one of us!” Chief Thunderhooves was shocked. Perhaps those whispered rumors from the younger generation, that Vision Walker was becoming senile in his old age, had some merit. “The Spirits would not allow an outsider in their sanctuary!”

“Don’t question the Spirits!” Vision Walker snapped. “They want him… I think it’s a he… healed, and, if he has any hope to be healed, that is where we all must go.”

“All?”

“Every buffalo, warrior, woman, elder and calf…”

“Easy… easy… EASY!” Vision Walker barked as several buffalo eased the now bandaged dragon into one of the special warm water pools deep in the Caves of the Spirits. They had discovered that he was a dragon after his injuries were initially washed and tended to, before their march to the caves.

Once the dragon was in the pools, Vision Walker directed Little Strongheart to crush some of the turquoise that he had told every buffalo to bring, most of whom were currently in other areas of the caves, preparing for what could be a long stay. Once the gems were crushed to his satisfaction, he added it to the same pool as the dragon. Meanwhile, some of the medicine buffalo tied herbs to rocks, and placed them into the pool as well.

“Why are we crushing turquoise and putting it in the water?” Gathering the turquoise and crushing it didn’t bother Little Strongheart, as it made sense, given that they were treating a dragon. What confused her was the fact that they were crushing it and putting it in the water, along with the herbs that the medicine buffalo had gathered in hopes of further instilling the healing waters with more healing power.

“Always the inquisitive one, Little Strongheart.” Vision Walker smiled. “In simple terms, do you know why we stampede along the same routes seasonally, yearly, and generationally?”

“The stampedes mimic the spiritual currents of this world. By stampeding along them, we can draw closer to the spirits, and their ability to guide us increases.”

“Very good, Little Strongheart. As you know, the land always reflects the actions of those that steward it. Because of this, the gems, particularly our turquoise, carry much spiritual essence in them, unlike gems, even turqoise, of other lands. If what the Spirits say is right, and he is the only one that can fight the crow turned darkness, then we must do everything we can to heal him. Now, remind my senile head, what is the one thing that most healers unknowingly neglect when healing an injury?”

Little Strongheart chuckled at the joke, as she knew that, while Vision Walker was old, his mind was still very sharp. She also knew that he still wanted her to answer. “That the injury may have a spiritual aspect to it?”

“Yes.” Vision Walker smiled. “Didn’t you sense or see the darkness that oozes around him, and threatens to choke him?”

Little Strongheart did. She saw how many of the medicine buffalo noted that his scales were so burnt to be black, but she could see that something was coming off of them that one could mistake as a black smoke or mist. But she knew better; whatever had caused the burn was still there, wafted off him, and clearly would interfere with his healing. “Yes, there is darkness that is coming from the black burns… and it’s the same as the darkness from my vision!”

Vision Walker’s smile grew at this. The training time for each visionwalker was different, but he was beginning to think that maybe it was time for Little Strongheart’s Lone Walk, and for her to become a visionwalker.

“Ah, he awakens!” Vision Walker smiled at movement from the dragon, followed by the slow opening of two eyes. This was a good sign, as it meant his recovery was speeding along nicely, though those first few days were hard. After they stabilized the dragon as best they could, and the buffalo were completely gathered, he took a cue from Little Strongheart’s vision, and he had the entire gathered buffalo chant. For some time, he wasn’t sure it would work. Only after the third day, with the buffalo taking turns chanting, did the darkness finally begin to fade away. By the sixth day, it was nearly gone, and, on the evening of the eighth day, when he could not find any more darkness, he went ahead and dismissed all but a single medicine buffalo, whose name escaped him for the moment, Little Strongheart, and himself.

Currently, both of the others were out getting more healing herbs, and were not likely to be back for a while. This gave Vision Walker an opportunity to find out more about this dragon that had the Spirits’ attention. But first, he wanted to see how the dragon was doing, from the dragon’s mouth.

“Here, drink this.” Vision Walker hoofed over a small bowl of green liquid. “It will help with your dry mouth and throat.”

The dragon took the bowl and tipped the contents into his mouth in one gulp. “Where... where am I?” He spoke in a raspy whisper, then coughed a bit.

Vision Walker debated exactly how truthful he should be. However, as there was really no harm in letting him know, as, if the Spirits were okay with him, he should be, as well. “Our people call this place the Caves of the Spirits.”

“Okay.”

Vision Walker was a bit surprised that he was content with that answer. He didn’t have any time to contemplate before he noticed that the dragon was trying to get up.

“No.. don’t try and get up. You are still severely injured. As it is, it’s a miracle that you survived.”

“How long?”

Vision Walker scratched his chin; he was not completely sure, as he had not left the caves since their arrival, nearly two weeks ago. “It will be twelve days in a few hours, I think… In truth, I have not left this cave, or your side, since we found you near death in the... Appleloosa Badlands, I believe, is what most call it… and we are not sure how long you laid there before we found you.”

The dragon nodded his understanding, but said nothing. Vision Walker suddenly had to shield his eyes from brightness of whatever spell was being cast. He made a mental note that maybe he really should have at least gone out a bit more, as he was sure the light would not have been so painfully bright otherwise. When he finally was able to see, the dragon was making his way out of the caves.

“Visonwalker of the Stampeding People, the stars have cried out, and you have answered. The Spirits of the stampeding grounds are surely grateful for your service.” The dragon dipped his head in respect before disappearing.

One of the advantages of not only being a visonwalker, but ‘older than the dirt’ as one young pony filly once (much to his amusement) described Vision Walker, was that very, very few things came as a surprise or shock to him. His people had always been friendly to dragons, but for a dragon to say what he said was a shocker. The phrase spoken to him was very similar to a greeting that was only used by the Spirits, and only if the Spirits wished to speak in a direct manner. Furthermore, that was a rarity, for a vision quest. He himself had only heard it four times in his long life, and the elder visionwalker before him had also only heard it four times… Out of the two other vision walkers currently alive, excluding Little Strongheart (whom he decided was ready for the Lone Walk) had only heard it once each.

“Who is this dragon that knows of our Spirits like he does?” Vision Walker muttered as he continued to watch the exit, long after the dragon had left. He then remembered the description that Little Strongheart had given. “Were we just graced by one of the Spirits themselves?”

His Tortured Screams

Author's Note

There will be some scenes of torture(I, hopefully, kept it at the teen level) in the latter half of this chapter If you think you will not be able to handle it skip the rest of the chapter after you see this warning:

****Warning***

Scenes of torture follow skip the remaining of the chapter if you think you won't be able to handle it...

****Warning***

His Tortured Screams

35 days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

15 days since Baltimare’s destruction

???, Hourglass

A scarred yellow and white dragon, with blood slowly dripping down his scales, edged further into the nest. Two smashed eggs, one orange and blue speckled, the other, robin’s egg blue, were lying behind him, with a final egg before him, a bright red one. He was about to smash it when a growl echoed through the forge. He head snapped up in surprise and shock. He was about to turn around when he was slammed face first into the far wall, and away from the final egg.

The downed dragon grunted and tried to get up. He couldn't even get to his knees before he collapsed. A growl of frustration came from him as he tried a second time.

“I waited long for this moment.” A gravely voice snarled in the darkness. The sounds of claws scraping the floor could be heard, as whomever attacked approached in the darkness.

“Well, hello!” Another voice spoke happily, and a half pinkish and half black dragon came into view.

“Alicorn Keeper?” The white and yellow dragon questioned in surprise. “But… you…they said that you...”

“Died? Almost, but it’s good that you can still recognize me, even with my injuries, courtesy of your hero.” Sentinel spat the last word. He had had enough of that dragon, and of this dragon’s hero worship. “Will make this process… less irritating… for one of us, Tortured Screams.”

Sentinel eyed the now-struggling dragon. He had placed a strong gravity well over the dragon, and he knew that, between taking out both the shield and a dragoness Tartarus-bent on protecting her eggs at all costs, Tortured Screams would have most likely expended a decent amount of energy. Being caught off guard didn’t help either.

Sentinel sighed. He was on his way to the battlefield when he could feel that not only had the clan wards been breached, but the wards that covered his hatchmate’s hoard… his hoard… had been breached. He knew that there could only be one that would try and attack Hourglass whilst the clan was away fighting the Nameless One. While Sentinel knew his clan needed his help to take on the Nameless One, his hatchmate’s eggs were likewise defenseless, especially if he was right and he was the one that breached the ward. Hopefully, he made make the right decision, even though he was too late for She of Hourglass and two of the eggs. Why couldn't Tortured Screams wait to attack Hourglass until after the battle? It would leave him more time for what was to come.

“Maybe I should have killed you…” Tortured Screams growled. “But then again, I like you…”

Sentinel angrily roared as he smacked the white and yellow dragon across the forge again. “You and I have unfinished business.”

“I see that you are angry.” Tortured Screams grinned. Sentinel snarled at this and rushed at him, slamming a paw down hard enough on the dragon’s chest that he lost his breath.

“AngRY DoeSn’t Even BegiN to dEScribE WhAt I feEl AbouT YOu.” Both Sentinel and Vorac roared as one. “YOU KILLED FOUR THAT BELONG TO MY HOARD!!!”

Tortured Screams only smirked in response. Sentinel didn’t respond to this, as he knew that soon, he would have his revenge. Sentinel shifted to his alicorn form. He needed to restrain the dragon, and the method he found required him to use his alicorn magic, or risk getting drained, and he was still recovering from nearly dying. The trip to Hourglass took longer then he wanted, as he tired out easily.

“Still using your prey form, I see.” Tortured Screams sneered.

“It has it uses… for example.” Sentinel floated several bands of etched metal over and slammed them on Tortured Screams’ arms, legs, tail, and chest.

“Like them?” Sentinel gestured to the bands that now held Tortured Screams down completely, leaving only his head able to move. “I made these especially for you, just in case you ever showed up, or I discovered where you have your hoard. They are based on magic suppressors for unicorn prisoners, but for dragon magic. With them, you are at my mercy. AnD FOr YOu, I haVE NoNe.”

If this was affecting Tortured Screams, he didn’t show it. Sentinel was fine with this. He knew that soon enough, he would get emotions coming from the dragon, and he knew it was going to be pain, fear, terror, and more pain. Now to begin that process.

“Enough talking about me, let’s talk about you…” Sentinel casually changed gears, before his expression turned sinister, and he began to circle around Tortured Screams, like a predator circling prey.

“You know, I wondered for some time how you survived the Razorback Expanse the way you did. Then, I thought back to that moment when you cut yourself open. There was no pain, was there?” Sentinel thrusted himself closer to Tortured Screams, who was showing signs of confusion, before stepping back and returning to circling. “Only pleasure. Your brain doesn’t register pain as pain, but as pleasure. It explains your name, doesn’t it, Tortured Screams?”

Tortured Screams’ eyes widened in shock. Sentinel thought for a second that he saw the glint of fear. If this was true, then his suspicions were correct, and all he needed to do was cast the spell he developed for this. His dragon form appeared as light, once again overlaid on his alicorn form, allowing him access to both magics. Sentinel saw that his prisoner’s demeanor was changing from shock and confusion to belligerent again, but he ignored it. He needed to concentrate to get the spell to work in the manner he wanted, and to override the dragon’s natural resistance to the alicorn spell he was preparing to cast. The brightness coming from his glowing horn increased to the point of drowning out everything.

Sentinel then touched his horn to Tortured Screams’ forehead. He could feel Tortured Screams trying to move away, but, between the mana suppressors and the massive amount of mana pressure from the spell, it prevented him from moving. After a few moments, Sentinel lifted off, and the spell, along with the brightness, faded away.

“A light show?” Tortured Screams snarked. “I’m soooo impressed…”

Sentinel switched to his dragon form and casually took a single claw, scratching Tortured Screams just enough to make him bleed.

“WHAT DID YOU DO!?” Tortured Screams screamed out in pain, tears already beginning to form.

“Oh, you can dish it out, but can’t take it?” Sentinel put a paw to his chest in mock concern. “Good. That makes my vow all the easier, and SwEEter.”

A look of bewilderment again crossed Tortured Screams’ face for a moment, before the pain from the scratch overrode it.

“You didn’t hear it? Pity…” Sentinel drooped a bit before his demeanor suddenly lightened. He looked around conspiratorially, like he was about to say something he shouldn’t, then leaned in to whisper into Tortured Screams’ ears. “Tell you what, I’ll repeat it just for you. ‘Ja es üātreiz atrast juls es sūs cktieviethot juls jūsu uzürāt tat tevi thozalithāt.’”

“Consider it my gift to you.” Sentinel finally pulled away from Tortured Screams’ ear so he could see Tortured Screams’ reaction properly. He was not disappointed. Terror poured out of his eyes and inner fire.

*Pathetic.* Vorac snorted in disgust.

“Now I have a problem… I have eliminated your ability to breath fire, to slash, or to bash, but I still have to be careful with your fangs...” Sentinel levitated a pair of special pliers from Quartermaster’s stash of forge tools into the dragon’s face. “Shall we fix that?”

****Warning***

Scenes of torture follow. Skip the remaining of the chapter if you think you won't be able to handle it...

****Warning***

Sentinel proceeded to pull each tooth, one by one. He waited a few seconds after each pull, to allow the spike of pain to drop, to make sure that the pain level that would be experienced would remain roughly the same. During this, Tortured Screams was screaming in pain. After he nearly passed out from the pain several times, Sentinel cast a spell to keep the dragon conscious. He wanted him to suffer. No way would he give the dragon any chance to escape the pain until his death.

Towards the end of the teeth pulling, Tortured Screams was starting to choke on his own blood. Sentinel cast another quick healing spell, stopping the bleeding and removing the blood, allowing Tortured Screams to cough and start breathing semi-normally.

“Sorry about that... not sorry.” Vorac interrupted Sentinel’s fake apology.” True... but I can’t have you dying already from choking on your blood from your now toothless mouth… I WaNt tO SaVor tHis FoR AS Long as PossiBLE.”

With the teeth gone, Sentinel moved down and smashed each claw, one by one. The further he went, the more disappointed he got. He was expecting a bit more of a dragon with a hoard of screams...

“Come now…” Sentinel shook his head at the most recent scream, which sounded more like a whimper. “I think you can do better! It’s your name, after all. Don’t dragons want to become their very name? You should be able to put a banshee to shame!”

Sentinel tried a different tactic, and proceeded to pull off the scales on Tortured Screams’ snout, one by one. This got the results he wanted.

“BEtTer…” Sentinel and Vorac noted. “Now, I wonder if I can get you screaming like a little female hatchling?”

*Manly dragon squealing like girl...* Vorac laughed as Sentinel started up again. *Or mouse.*

Sentinel joined in Vorac’s laughter as he twisted a conjured knife that he had stabbed between a pair of scales near a very special part for a male, making Tortured Screams scream just like he wanted. He would never tire of hearing it, even though he knew that it would soon have to end. His clan would need him, soon.

The sound of a distant roar caught Sentinel’s attention. It was faint but, even then, he could tell that something about it was wrong. After a moment, Sentinel turned his attention back to Tortured Screams. Sentinel could tell that Vorac was dwelling on that roar, and, until he figured it out, he could continue.

Tortured Screams whimpered as Sentinel ‘lovingly’ traced a claw along his cheek. “Oh, it seems that the dragon has lost his fierceness…”

*Firstclaw, rage! We need to go!* Vorac snapped.

Sentinel growled in frustration. He was hoping for a bit more time, but he had a duty, both as Secondclaw, and as a Keeper. He smiled as he eased himself right into Tortured Screams’ mangled face.

“Aren’t you the lucky one? You get to have ‘mercy’ a bit early, as I have a clanmate to see to. But before I go...” Sentinel sneered. “One. Last. Scream. PLeaSE.”

Sentinel plunged his claw into Tortured Screams’ chest, eliciting a final, garbled scream. Sentinel pulled his claw out, and with that, Sentinel quickly cut off every limb, followed by the head, killing Tortured Screams. He breathed deeply, feeling happy for his work on the now dead dragon. He only had a slight tinge of guilt over not being able to lengthen the torture. The screams were a soothing balm. He kicked the now lifeless body out of the forge before he took off to the north.

I’m coming, Golden DragonHeart!

Sentinel’s Return

Author's Note

Colors for upcoming singing/talking.
Magic (tzirüstele atülāja)
Generosity
Kindness
Honesty
Joy
Scorpion
Sentinel

Sentinel’s Return

Twilight tried to make herself as small as possible. She was torn between complete terror and heartbreak over losing He of Hourglass. Tears were flowing down, and her body was shivering.

Losing hope I see? A voice called out. Twilight couldn't tell if she was hearing it out loud or in her head, but she knew that voice. It was Sentinel’s voice. She ignored it, as she knew that he was dead. It seemed her head wanted to mock her, to add insult to injury.

Suddenly, a light caught her attention. She looked down and towards the source: her necklace, containing the Element of Magic. Confused over its glowing, she looked over at the other Bearers, who were struggling with their own fear and grief. The other elements were also glowing. She was sure she had seen this happen before, years ago.

Twilight gasped as a rainbow came down from the sky and swirled around them. By this point, the bearers and Phoenix Wave had noticed that something was going on. Phoenix Wave, having not seen it before, turned and readied a spell. He knew it would probably do next to nothing, but he figured, if he was going to die today, he was going to go out fighting like a rabid timberwolf.

The light faded away to reveal a dragon. The dragon was hard to see, as half of the dragon was black and the other half a very light pinkish white. By coincidence or design, the side facing the moon was the side with the black scales, and the other side was facing the sun.

As the dragon lifted his head, there was no mistaking who it was. The blackened scales may have masked his identity, but those purple and green eyes left no doubt.

“How!?” Twilight whispered in shock and disbelief. It was Sentinel! It was impossible! Discord had said that the sparks had been around his throne. Discord would not have lied about that, especially after He of Hourglass’ rage over said death. That, and she knew that Sentinel would not have told Discord to lie about his death, as she knew Sentinel was mature in hoarding and would not have done something that would have clearly hurt He of Hourglass. Furthermore, it was clear that He of Hourglass was not fake grieving. Even though she was not able to sense lies like Applejack, she could still tell that the rage was too real, and too raw.

Sentinel looked down warmly at Twilight, before his expression became neutral. “Later, my Bearer of Magic. We have to deal with Firstclaw, He of Hourglass, first.”

With that, Sentinel looked up at He of Hourglass and roared. He of Hourglass eyed the much smaller dragon, becoming more enraged at the recognition of who dared challenge him. He roared back. He did nothing more, as he would deal with the interloper soon enough, but first, he wanted more power; the rage was all he cared about, anyway. With the challenge accepted, the remaining dragons in the area moved some distance away to watch.

“Bearers, may I have your Elements?”

“But how then are ‘we’ going to help with He of Hourglass? Without the Elements, we are basically unable to do much.” “Unless the ‘we’ you meant was the clan…”

“We need friendship magic, if we are to have any hope.” Sentinel countered. “He of Hourglass is a spark dragon, remember? Dragon magic is of a higher order than pony magic. Harmony magic is of a lower order than friendship magic. As such, your friendship magic should be strong enough to counter his magic completely, even though you are technically still using pony magic.”

“You said yourself that you had not intended for us to break the friendship barrier that day with Tirek!” Twilight began to counter. “We don’t have time to figure out how to replicate what happened that day!”

“I know!” Sentinel nearly roared at Twilight. He winced when he saw Twilight’s reaction. “I know…”

Sentinel opened his eyes and found himself in the same plane as before, when he wielded Loyalty. This time, however, the other elements joined the loyalty element.

Why you try wielding us as one? You know consequences...

“Yes I am aware, Tzirüstele atülāja…” Sentinel answered. He was fully aware of the consequences. “But once we deal with the Dragon Keeper, my role as a keeper will end. After today, you will no longer be my elements… as I always wanted. I was always planning to wield you all as one, one last time, anyway, to seal you away from me, as the mark of the end of my keeper duty. I just didn’t plan to have to use you in a fight…”

“Between your current Bearers and myself, we both know I can utilize you better in a fight. Plus, in order to end this threat once and for all, we need friendship magic, and time is not on our side… True, your Bearers should be able to utilize friendship magic, even while bearing you… That was proven when the dragons did it, with the Dragon Keeper still possessing his harmony magic...”

Then let them. You said you wanted ponies to find and maintain harmony, remember?

“Yes, I did say that, Honesty.” Sentinel turned to face Honesty. “The issue at hand isn’t that, but friendship magic… I have a theory…”

THEORY!?

“Yes, theory.” Sentinel resisted the urge to facepalm. He needed to Elements on his side, to not make it more likely for them to deny him usage. “As I said, we don’t have time to figure out how exactly it was done the first time, when they fought Tirek, so I’m trying to replicate as many of the variables from the last time and hope for the best... Remember, we are dealing with a raging spark dragon, and without dragon harmony magic...”

You too angry… though correct, you too harsh with Generosity’s bearer. Kindness interrupted this time.

Exactly. Generosity agreed.

“Yeah…” Sentinel admitted. He could have handled Rarity a bit better… And Kindness was right, he had a anger issue… especially when it came to Firstclaw/Spike. “I probably was a bit too harsh on her…”

Apologize.

“I will.”

You better…

Sentinel shook his head at Honesty's uncertainty. “Es zrisu.”

“Joy, you have been quiet.” Sentinel questioned Joy. He ignored Loyalty for the moment, as he had spoken to that aspect not too long ago, and knew that he would not need to defend his loyalty. Or at least, he hoped so.

Nothing to say… grief not controlling, anymore...

Then I have your okay to wield you one last time?

Yes.

“And what say the rest of you?” Sentinel questioned.

Sentinel then sat down and waited. For some time, the elements spun lazily. Sentinel was okay with them taking time to decide, as time ran differently than outside, and mere few heartbeats would have passed when he left.

Quartermaster and Scorpion, who were away from the Bearers, and had not seen the arrival of Sentinel, did, however, hear his roar of challenge. They looked at each other in confusion before Scorpion flapped up to get a better look.

What he saw both shocked him and brought him to tears. Standing in the midst of the bearers was a dragon he thought two weeks gone: Sentinel.

It can’t be… Was all Scorpion could sing.

Before Quartermaster could ask what Scorpion meant, Sentinel had risen into the air and into his sight. This, of course, shocked Quartermaster. He looked for the draconequus, his anger rising for what he saw as a cruel deception on the part of the draconequus, one that he was going to kill him for. When he caught sight of the draconequus, however, he could see that the draconequus was blubbering in disbelief.

Sentinel soon landed next to both dragons, Scorpion having landed moments before.

“Secondclaw… how…” Quartermaster tried to come up with the proper words, but found himself mostly speechless.

“Later, my clan.” Sentinel smiled warmly at the sight of his clan. “We have to deal with Firstclaw first.”

*Time has come.* Vorac noted, to the confusion of Sentinel.

*It’s time for that!?* Sentinel mentally shouted at him, when he figured out what Vorac was saying.

“Of all the times.” Sentinel muttered out loud, shaking his head in disbelief, while Vorac chuckled

Quartermaster and Scorpion looked at each other with a sense of confusion and concern. Both were glad to see the Secondclaw alive and semi-well, but they both wondered if, along with the clearly burnt scales covering half of his body, he also had become a bit addled in the head. They were aware that their secondclaw was a combination of the feral Vorac and the sentient Sentinel, so it did cross their minds that it could just be that. All in all, everything was becoming too much for them.

*Okay, listen up!* Sentinel projected to the clan, Bearers, Phoenix Wave, and Discord. *We may only have moments before the Dragon Keeper tires of watching us and makes his move. Bearers, we are only going to get one shot at this, so don’t release the friendship magic until I give the word.*

*Got it.* Twilight nodded her understanding.

*He of Laughter! Use any remaining Harmony magic you have to hold Dragon Keeper down. I will assist.*

Discord saluted and readied himself by preparing lassos of chains, rope, even one that looked suspiciously like licorice. That last one made it hard for everyone to not facepalm or facehoof.

*Scorpion, I need you to use soul song magic…*

I… I don’t know if I can anymore… Scorpion started to tear up. He was so ashamed of his actions that he felt like he shouldn’t use soul song magic anymore, as it was.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get us going,” Sentinel put a comforting wing, or as much as he could, around Scorpion. “And it’s good to hear your voice again.”

*Phoenix Wave, guard the Bearers; it may take a bit for them to achieve the friendship transformation. The remaining guard is to help in getting anyone still alive away, to safer ground, and get them treatment; this fight is the clan’s, only. Twixt’d, help in that endeavor. Your speed will be vital, and can be the difference between life and death.*

*Yes, Secondclaw.* Phoenix Wave responded with a salute.

*On it, Secondclaw.* Twixt’d answered before he started directing the remaining Griffons in the task he was given.

Sentinel blinked in momentary surprise at the fact that there was not a shred of disappointment in his orders; if anything, there was pride in it. Usually, he would have a bit of resistance, if Twixt’d was given a ‘support’ function in a fight. This is why he explained to Twixt’d why he was assigned to his role, to minimize that resistance.

He of Hourglass apparently had had enough, as he roared, then flew right at Sentinel, preparing to use his claws and flame to kill him. Sentinel didn’t have much of a chance to do anything other than summon his fire sword. As He of Hourglass was about to hit Sentinel, Quartermaster suddenly flew into his side.

“I may have forgotten my promise before…” Quartermaster growled angrily at his firstclaw. ”But I will beat the rage out of you!”

Sentinel teleported into the sky above Quartermaster and He of Hourglass. He needed to get He of Hourglass to focus completely on him, so that he and Discord could bind him up while also keeping everyone safe from errant attacks.

Rah. Sentinel began to chant. Everydragon there, minus the clan, focused on Sentinel. Sentinel had initiated what was known to be a Dragon Chant, a sub set of Soul Songs.

Rah.

Rah.

Rah.

Rah, rah, rah, rah!

Scorpion began playing a low bass note on his guitar, over and over, at the same rate and cadence as Sentinel’s initial ‘rah’s.’

When a dragon fights, how does a dragon tend to fight?

Claw (Claw) The surrounding dragons echoed Sentinel's own response.
Fang (Fang)
Flame (Flame)
Tail (Tail)

Sentinel then roared loudly. He of Hourglass sent off a stream of black flame at Sentinel, who easily dodged it. He doesn’t have the speed of the Nameless One… good.

Thazs, zoss, uzuths, size! Everydragon then roared.

Suddenly, Quartermaster got caught in one of He of Hourglass’ errant swings meant for Sentinel. Quartermaster went flying into the ground, and He of Hourglass slammed down on him, hard. Sentinel roared in anger and slammed He of Hourglass with a particularly strong harmony magic attack, getting him to ignore Quartermaster and come after him again.

Oh, the blood and gore! Sentinel began the chant once again.

The blood and gore, what does it paint?

Scales (Scales)
Horns (Horns)
Wings (Wings)
Spines (Spines)

Sentinel roared alone again. This time, Discord finally managed to lasso He of Hourglass around his tail with his licorice lasso. This enticed the spark dragon to try and attack the draconequus, to make him release his tail. However, Sentinel used the Elements to smack He of Hourglass, allowing Discord to lasso his back leg. He was not going to let his firstclaw hurt anyone else.

Liza, razi ūsas, thlathzs, scktalva! Once again, the gathered dragons roared.

Rah.(Rah!)

Rah. (Rah!)

Rah. (Rah!)

Rah. (Rah!)

Rah, rah, rah , rah!

By this point, He of Hourglass was bound tightly, and, even with his ferocious attempts at getting out of the bindings, he could barely move. Sentinel gazed behind him to see that the Bearers had managed to initiate the friendship transformation, and Twilight was holding the magic, ready for release.

*Ready Vorac?*

*Yes.*

*NOW!* Sentinel mentally shouted to Twilight.

As the friendship beam shot towards He of Hourglass, Sentinel pulled back the harmony magic that he was using to hold the spark dragon in place and added it to the stream of friendship magic. The rainbow colored beam then hit He of Hourglass square in the chest. The world then went white.

The Magic of Friendship

A/N: Trying to to get a ahold of Frostbite4 over character permissions... Please respond to this issue Frostbite4 on your user page(not mine)...

As History Seeker came out of the library, there was a noticeable bulge in his saddle bag. Storyteller sighed in relief; he had finally found the destined caretaker of They of Hourglass’ child. “You may want this.” Storyteller held out a book, bound in real leather.

History Seeker eyed the book for a second before he took it. Luckily, he had seen a few of these; otherwise, he might have been repulsed. However, he was a bit surprised that he would be getting a book, as Storyteller seemed more interested in oral storytelling.

“How to Raise Your Dragon: A guide to raising a dragon from hatching to Choosing. Approved by the Dragonwyrm Clan.” History Seeker read out the title. “Dragonwyrm Clan?”

“A dragon clan.” Storyteller shrugged. He knew it would annoy the pegasus, but he wanted to finish explaining the ending of the Keeper War, first, and he only had until just before sunset.

Nooooo duh. History Seeker deadpanned in his head as he rolled his eyes. “The word dragon kind of gave that away...”

Storyteller laughed as he laid down to watch, as History Seeker cracked open the book and started to skim through its contents. There wasn’t too much time, but there was enough to let History Seeker skim the book. He shifted a bit to get himself comfortable, or as comfortable as possible. The cobblestone streets of the city were not the most comfortable to lay on, as they were designed for the ease of clawed dragons, after all.

“Sanitized version no doubt...” History Seeker mumbled as he closed the book and put it in his saddlebag; there would be time for reading it later. He wanted to know the ending of the Keeper War. Something told him that he would soon find out why they needed a caretaker for this egg.

Storyteller smiled, thinking that it looks like he’s ready. “Ready for the rest?”

Since that infernal beam of light hit him, Golden DragonHeart had been stuck in darkness. He raged around for a while, using flame, claws and teeth until he tired out. That was when he found his ears and eyes assaulted by prey daring to ‘talk’ to him. Prey should be screaming in fright from him; that smell was empowering. Nothing disgusted him more than happiness... and he had so far dealt with five different ‘conversations’ of happiness. Making him more angry was that, no matter what he did in retaliation, the ponies seemed to be unfazed.

“Spike…” A sixth pony appeared; this time it was purple, with wings and a horn.

Golden DragonHeart growled angrily. Damn PREY! He had had enough of them; when he got out of this place, they would taste his flame. He drooled, knowing that their blood would taste so sweet...

“I… BUCK THIS! Listen to me, Golden DragonHeart…”

That got Golden DragonHeart’s attention.

“I don’t know if you are still in there… I pray that you are…”

“You know, I don’t know why Sentinel is having us talk to you like you are Spike, and not He of Hourglass... I guess it’s to help activate the friendship magic in us, like that time with Tirek… But I want you back, both of you… You are my friend, He of Hourglass… just as Spike was… do you know why I cried… why I was broken at your choosing? It was because when you chose, I lost Spike… you (as Spike) and I were practically inseparable since the day that I hatched you…”

Golden DragonHeart felt something dripping down his face. A wipe from a claw revealed that it was tears. Why is he crying for prey? Crying was for the weak…

“I knew I picked right with you…” A new, very young sounding voice called out. Golden DragonHeart looked over to see, standing not too far from him, a purple and green hatchling. The hatchling smiled and waved.

Golden DragonHeart roared at the newcomer before charging at it. Whoever this was, he would rue the day he approached him like this. He was already enraged by the six prey things he couldn't seem to hurt, but whoever this dragon was, he appeared to really be there. Which meant that he finally had a target for his wrath.

All the hatchling did in response was to raise a single claw. In that moment, Golden DragonHeart stumbled and crashed over himself, as an immense pain came over him. He screamed from the pain, as he felt himself being both filled and torn into pieces at the same time. A dark, tar-like ooze poured out of every orifice. Soon, Golden DragonHeart collapsed in exhaustion.

The dark substance then congealed into a dragon. This dragon looked deformed, his eyes glowing a sinister red. This dragon roared, and attempted to charge the hatchling.

“ENOUGH!”

Golden DragonHeart blinked at the shear strength of the roar that came from the hatchling. He didn’t think that would be possible. Who is this hatchling? The hatchling then crossed his arms, not fazed by the furious dragon, further confusing the spark dragon.

“Begone to the void!”

The Bearers of Harmony rushed forward, and began to circle around the dragon. The dragon attempted to burn and slash at them, but found them to be unfazed by it. Furthermore, when the dragon slashed at the ponies, the dragon roared in pain. Faster and faster did they spin around, until all that could be seen was a blur of color. The dragon gave out one last roar of defiance before the light became too much for Golden DragonHeart, and he found his vision turning white.

As everything faded away, the voice of the hatchling called out. “You did well… my child.”

Sentinel blinked as his vision slowly returned. He just hoped the friendship magic worked.

What he saw was encouraging. There, on the ground, was the curled up form of what He of Hourglass used to look like before his transformation into a rage dragon. Sentinel breathed a sigh of relief. So far, so good, but the real question was, did they manage to save Firstclaw?

Sentinel quickly made his way to Firstclaw, with Scorpion not far behind. Sentinel could see in the corner of his eye that Twixt’d had stopped looking for the injured, and was hovering nearby. Sentinel landed near He of Hourglass, who was trying to back away, unsuccessfully. He motioned for Scorpion and Twixt’d to stay back.

Fear and terror was etched on He of Hourglass’ face. This pained Sentinel, but he understood why Firstclaw would be like this. Technically, becoming a Rage Dragon was dishonoring, which is why, whenever a rage dragon was killed, the dragon was to be skinned, quartered, and the head mutilated(more like pureed). Sentinel looked up towards his home of Hourglass. Speaking of that, I still need to do that to that one’s body… Sadly, we can’t risk that with the Nameless One; his body will have to be vaporized by Harmony or Friendship magic...

“Firstclaw…” Sentinel looked back at He of Hourglass.

“I’m a failure as a dragon… as a Keeper… and as a Firstclaw.”

“You are no failure. You fought valiantly against the rage, and against pressure that would have made most crack long ago…”

“You should have killed me… I wanted to be a rage dragon. The power… it was intoxicating and… I am Dishonored...”

“Firstclaw…” He of Hourglass flinched away from Sentinel’s paw that was reaching out. Sentinel sighed as he put down his paw and moved closer. “Come now, my hatchmate, stop this.”

“I… I’m not your hatchmate and… and I don’t deserve to be your hatchmate...” He of Hourglass curled into a tight ball when he could no longer scoot away, due to finding his back against some debris. “Who would want a dragon worthy of the Dishonored Mark as a hatchmate?”

Sentinel chuckled, confusing He of Hourglass. He leaned down and wrapped the shaking dragon in a hug and whispered into his ear. “Want has nothing to do with it Lirtzošs Tzirüsteles Tulsā Üas tot Cerīsu…”

He of Hourglass gasped. He instinctively knew that the name just whispered to him was his egg name… which meant that his secondclaw… Suddenly, he could feel the bond between himself and his secondclaw change again. His love and care for his now hatchmate increased… but it also made what he did worse. Now, he didn’t want to get away and run away; now, an overwhelming urge to lay down in the position of a dishonored and await his punishment from his elder sibling came over him...

All this time?...Why didn’t I make the connection!? True, I had forgotten everything before my choosing, but still! My egg was the one he went through the Rite of Guardianship for! I should have made those connections! My first Journal entry, three days after my Choosing… The day I inadvertently began the clan, when Secondclaw referenced the night of my choosing… And those were the obvious ones!

Sentinel could see that He of Hourglass’ turmoil was increasing. He knew that some of it was over He of Hourglass’ failure at seeing the signs of being his hatchmate. That he could handle, but his body was still still trying to get into a position that he would NOT allow his firstclaw to get into. “May I suggest memorywalking my memories… It will help you understand my love for you.”

He of Hourglass blinked when Sentinel said this. When he come out of the darkness, several things about him had been changed. One of those changes was a new set of memories, of a similar type as his Keeper Memories. He didn’t think they where clan memories, as those would not manifest until he slumbered the first time. He quickly dove into those new memories, but, as soon as he began to walk them, he got out. He now fully understood why it was difficult for his secondclaw, from being able to find the right memories. He groaned from the headache he got from just a second of being in Secondclaw’s memories.

Why would he do that? “You gave me your memories!? A Dishonored dragon!?”

“I would gladly take the Dishonored Mark just to be with you.“ Sentinel whispered as he licked his hatchmate’s head, knowing it would calm him down. And soon, just as he knew would happen, the shaking dragon calmed down and became semi-relaxed. He then cupped He of Hourglass’ head and lifted it up, so that they could see eye to eye. “Can you please stop pulling a Luna?”

He of Hourglass blinked, temporarily confused. Pulling a Luna? He then inwardly groaned as the answer came to him: the Tantabus.

Sentinel’s concern began to fade as he saw the guilt start to fade away. He knew it would take some time for it to fade completely, but at least, it was a start. Sadly, what happened to He of Hourglass was unprecedented… There was no code on this that he knew of, as nodragon before He of Hourglass had ever managed to come out of Rage Growth.... so there was no using Medallion’s legacy to incite maturity in any code to rid He of Hourglass of it completely.

“You really gave me your memories?”

“From the very first to the very last, just before my arrival to the battle… minus a few things I can’t tell you because of the code, mostly hoard names and the Rite of Guardianship…”

“But really, why?”

“I suggest you meditate before trying to dive into my memories again.”

“You are not going to tell me are you?”

Sentinel smirked, giving He of Hourglass his silent answer. Before He of Hourglass did anything further, Sentinel moved to the side, allowing Twilight and the Bearers, who had made their way next to Scorpion during this, to surge forward. Sentinel looked around to see that Scorpion was not too far off, and looking unsure. He motioned for him to approach. He did not see Twixt’d anywhere. He was not too concerned, yet, so he turned back to He of Hourglass, and nearly lost it.

The Bearers had piled around He of Hourglass. All of them were hugging and crying. What really got to Sentinel was the reaction of his hatchmate. He of Hourglass was caressing Twilight and trying to soothe her, while also falling apart, himself. Sentinel struggled to not burst into tears himself. The sight was bringing him such joy. This was truly his hoard, at its best.

“I’m so sorry Twi… that I caused you so much pain again… I’m such a terrible brother...” He of Hourglass was bawling by this point, nuzzling Twilight’s head.

At first, Twilight didn’t respond to He of Hourglass’ apology; she just kept hugging, nuzzling and crying into the dragon. She was glad to have He of Hourglass back. She didn't know how he managed to reverse the transformation, as she remembered that, according to everyone in the know, there was no coming back from a rage dragon transformation. Suddenly, two of the words the He of Hourglass had said finally clicked in her mind. Twi? Brother? Why would he say that?

Twilight looked up to see that He of Hourglass was looking down at her in a way that she had not seen in several years. It was a look that He of Hourglass never gave her, and the few times she saw him interact with the other clan members, she never saw it either. It was a look that only Spike and her brother, Shining Armor, gave her. “Spike?”

“The one and only… sis.” He of Hourglass managed a small smirking grin. He couldn’t help but tease the sister he had been forced to forget when he Chose. He found himself missing doing that. “But you should know better then to call me by that name anymore…”

“Bu-but... H-How?” Twilight stammered out. Sentinel had shown her Spike’s choosing, and how his memories shattered and faded away. She knew that there was no way to fix that; even the elements lacked that power. You can’t restore something that isn’t there anymore. Was it that maybe friendship magic had that power?

“I don’t know how… yet.” He of Hourglass admitted as he looked over at Sentinel. He was sure Sentinel had some idea of what had happened. Sentinel didn’t react to his gaze, other then to smile joyously. So much joy was radiating off him that his inner fire was shining through his eyes, just like that day in the Plane of Harmony. He of Hourglass shook his head slightly to pull himself away from those eyes, however tempting it was to get lost in them. “All I know is that, before I was consumed, I saw all six of you talking to me like I was Spike and telling me about what you thought of him…as a friend…”

“But silly, you are him…”

He of Hourglass chuckled as Twilight cringed and the other Bearers groaned. He wasn’t mad at Pinkie’s outburst. “Technically, true, but, at the time, I did not have any memories of when I was Spike. But now… now I remember everything… like I never lost anything at my Choosing…”

“As should be.” Vorac finally spoke up.

*Hey!* Sentinel laughed. *You stole my line.*

*Can’t steal, already ours.* Vorac growled out.

“Yeah...” He of Hourglass agreed, smiling initially, before it faltered a bit. “Twi, I am so sorry you had to go through all that pain the night of my Choosing, but I knew if I didn’t then… I always wanted to protect you… all of you. You are the ones I considered family, as I was growing up… and, in a way, still do…”

“I have put up a sound bubble.” Sentinel piped up, knowing where He of Hourglass was planning to go with this.

He of Hourglass snorted in amusement. Of course his clutchmate, as always, seemed to be one step ahead of him. His ability to know exactly what anyone was thinking was spooky… almost Pinkie Pie spooky.

“Girls…” He of Hourglass began, his face turning a bit red as he did.”That is I.... I want to add you into my hoard.”

“Twilight, I think you messed up the friendship beam...” Rainbow smirked. “Our dragon has turned into a Fluttershy…”

He of Hourglass went bright red; meanwhile, Fluttershy eeped and hid in her mane.

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity admonished the giggling mare. “Go on darling…”

“I want to add you as… uh… treasures-for-my-hoard.” He of Hourglass closed his eyes after he quickly spouted out what he wanted for the first time, embarrassed to have to ask to hoard something.

For a while, nothing was spoken. Suddenly a hoof lovingly caressed He of Hourglass’ snout, prompting him to slowly open to his eyes. What he saw made his heart soar. Twilight and the Bearers were looking up, with their eyes shimmering in tears and love.

“Sugarcube,” Applejack put her hat on her heart. “Shucks, Ah think Ah can speak for us all when Ah say yah nevah had tah ask.” The other Bearers nodded their agreement. “Buh ah bettah not see yah counting mah grass… again.”

“On my honor as a dragon, I won’t… However, I may still count how many leaves are in your trees.”

“Bwhaahaha!” Rainbow Dash burst into laughter as Applejack facehoofed

He of Hourglass smiled at each of his precious treasures, his first, true treasures. “My Hoard name is Golden DragonHeart. By giving you my hoard name, I have marked you as ones I will protect and love... Not as gold and gems, but as one would with a wild flower in the field.”

The girls, even Rainbow Dash, awwed. Rarity went one step further and kissed He of Hourglass’ check.

He of Hourglass gasped, then touched his check. “I will never wash this check.”

That elicited a laugh from the ponies.

During this, He of Hourglass found himself taken a bit aback, due to the amount of love he was feeling through the bonds he had with his hatchling family. He knew that they loved him, but he never could feel it like he did right then. The guilt he had over the years of forgetting about them, the events of the past few weeks, and especially that day, was quickly being drained away.

He looked around to see Scorpion and Twixt’d a little ways away. They. like Sentinel and the girls. had only beaming faces. He of Hourglass’ gaze locked onto the whelp. There was something that seemed different about Twixt’d. Did he just figure out what I think he did?

“Where is Quartermaster?” Twixt’d suddenly and frantically questioned before taking off.

Sentinel gasped as, in his concern over Firstclaw, he had forgotten about his hatchmate. He had no idea where Quartermaster was; he had lost track of him after he was… Sentinel shot up into the air along with Twixt’d, and began scanning the battlefield for any signs of Quartermaster. “I found him!” Sentinel called out, and was nearly knocked out of the sky by Twixt’d as he zoomed past him, and in the direction where he had indicated that he saw Quartermaster.

“What is going on?” Twilight wondered at the sudden change in the demeanor of the clan. She had not seen Quartermaster since the girls and her began to concentrate on bringing forth the friendship magic transformation like before. “Is Quartermaster okay?”

He of Hourglass did not answer Twilight. He knew that his attack on Quartermaster was severe. He slowly got up. “Stay here.”

“But…”

“Twi,” He of Hourglass gently cupped Twilight's muzzle so that she could see him eye to eye. “This is a clan matter... I need… I need…”

Twilight could see the pain and the fear in his eyes. She remembered watching in horror as He of Hourglass savagely attacked his own clan. She hoped that Quartermaster was merely injured and nothing more. She could not bear to see her brother carry so much guilt.

History Seeker could guess what happened next; it was too obvious, by the fact that the egg was in the library, and not in the forge… Unless, in the years following the war, a different dragon pair had laid eggs… He really hoped it was the latter over the former, no matter how much his heart wailed the first.

“Do you need a moment?” Storyteller noted the crying and sniffing coming from History Seeker. It was a sad tale, and it wasn’t over.

“No, I think I can handle it…” History Seeker sniffed, wiping away the tears. He wanted to hear the rest, and it was no longer just for himself, but the child he was soon going to be taking care of. He made a mental note to ask more about the clan, as he knew that the Clan began a few years before the war, and he wanted to be able to tell the child as much as possible about his or her parents. “What happened next? I need to know... for the child.”

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t a pair of trespassers…” A voice echoed out.

History Seeker tensed up at the sound of the voice that he was sure had come from behind him. He knew it had been too good to be true. He slowly turned to see who spoke.

Author's Note

I think writing AJ's accent is harder then Zeccora's rhyming. I guess I should be glad there hasn't been a AJ Zeccora ship yet with a child Zeccorajack and accent and rhyming...*shutter*

Cue the wild speculation on the purple and green hatchling:trixieshiftright::moustache:

Dawn of a New Era

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t a pair of trespassers…” A voice echoed out.

History Seeker tensed up at the sound of the voice that he was sure had come from behind him. He knew it had been too good to be true. He slowly turned to see who spoke.

* * *

When History Seeker looked behind himself, he expected to see a dragon, but what he saw was nothing. Just the library. History Seeker chuckled at his reaction. I think this city is causing me to hear voices...

“Firstclaw, I expected you to take a bit more time to wake up…” History Seeker started to panic as Storyteller spoke. “How long have you been there?”

“Long enough, Storyteller.” Came the bodiless voice again, known only as Firstclaw. History Seeker was sure, though, that this ‘Firstclaw’ was He of Hourglass.

By this point, History Seeker was amazed he had not lost his bowels. Or at least, he would have been, if the terror that was coursing through his body would allow him to think of anything other than death and doom. Suddenly, something hit the back of the pony’s head. History Seeker yelped and spun around to see Storyteller standing behind him.

“Will you relax already!” Storyteller inwardly groaned. “Firstclaw, maybe you could stop scaring the poor pony and show yourself.”

Purple and green sparks started to appear right in front of History Seeker, causing him to back up. He didn’t get too far, as Storyteller blocked his escape. Soon, he could see a familiar purple and green dragon appear from the sparks. Except it looked almost like a dragon had stepped in glittery gold hoof paint, then stamped his or her paw onto He of Hourglass’ face. History Seeker was too terrified to question why though.

“I’m not going to hurt you…” He of Hourglass crouched down to make himself appear smaller, in hopes that it would help ease the pony’s fear. He knew that the pony had taken his clanmate’s egg, as he had smelled the pony when he had awoken. He knew that there was no way that Storyteller would have let anyone into Hourglass, much less his library, unless they were trustworthy enough. Maybe I went a touch too far...

“H-h-how c-ca-can I t-t-trust you?” History Seeker was shaking so hard that he chattered out his question.

“Well, for one thing, Juls ir viesis thav zazlis, and second, your compass…”

“WHAT THE BUCK IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT MY COMPASS!?” The complete turnaround of History Seeker surprised He of Hourglass; even with his use of Draconian to state he was a guest and not a thief, he didn’t expect a pony going from out right fright, to screaming in anger. “I KNOW! MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE IT’S THE MAGICAL COMPASS OF VAGUENESS!”

“Well, no…” He of Hourglass grinned, finding he was really liking this pony. Magical compass of vagueness indeed. “It’s more along the lines of One compass to rule them all, One compass to find them, One compass to bring them all and in the darkness bind them…”

“Ugh, Firstclaw, that is not how it works and…” Storyteller started to object before He of Hourglass crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Uh... good point...”

“What are… No...” History Seeker raised one forehoof while the other slapped his face. “I don’t want to know. Mr I-hide-in-a-cloak will only confuse and annoy me with non-answer answers, and Mr Dragon Snarkfest will probably tell me using remarks that would require inside knowledge, which I don’t have.”

“Your loss.” He of Hourglass shrugged. He would be more than happy to tell him, but if Storyteller had not told him yet, maybe he was waiting to tell, as to not spoil the story. At least the pony had lost his fear of him.

“Do you wish to tell this next part, Firstclaw?”

“No, go right ahead, Storyteller.”

In a rush, the clan made their way to Quartermaster. Due to Twixt’d’s and Sentinel’s speed, they got to him first. What they saw was hard to swallow. For Scorpion and He of Hourglass, it was a shocking sight; in contrast for Twixt’d and Sentinel, who had seen Medallion, this was not quite as bad… but it was close. He of Hourglass struggled to remain upright, as the guilt crashed down on him again. Quartermaster was on his back. His wings were torn and broken, which was to be expected, given how hard He of Hourglass had not only slammed him into the ground, but then slammed into him. His chest sported a half-dozen deep puncture marks from where He of Hourglass’ claws had dug into his chest. It was clear that all of his ribs were broken, as well as his chest being visibly caved inward.

Sentinel quickly changed to being an alicorn, and, as he did, his dragon form, as light, formed around him. He was going to need both types of magic to have a chance at saving Quartermaster, if he was even alive. I really could use Scorpan right now… but no time...

Sentinel went about sending as much healing magic as he could into Quartermaster. While he did that, he attempted to get a better feel for the extent of the injuries he was dealing with. Thanks to that, he could see that Quartermaster was alive, if barely. But, as he continued, his expression turned from one of concentration to one of grimness. Both lungs were punctured. The liver, spleen, and one kidney had several lacerations from the broken ribs. Quartermaster’s back had several fractures, and, as was already visible, the wings were shattered.

Sentinel let his horn fade, along with the healing spell. There is nothing he could do, the internal bleeding from all of that was massive. Even Scorpan’s skill would be for naught. How Quartermaster managed to live this long was a shocker to him. He switched back to his dragon form, knowing that he could do nothing more…

“I’m sorry…” Sentinel sighed, as he shed a single tear. “Quartermaster is dying, and there is nothing that can be done…”

“What?” He of Hourglass grabbed Sentinel and shook him hard, much to the dragon's annoyance. “There must be something!”

“FIRSTCLAW, ENOUGH!” Sentinel roared, shocking He of Hourglass out of his guilt trip. He removed himself from his firstclaw’s grip, and turned back to his hatchmate. “Quartermaster, Scorpion, or even I would have gladly laid down our lives, if that is what it took to get you back…even by your own claw or flame...”

“I... buh... I.. Really?” He of Hourglass asked as soon as he could form the single word question.

“Jā.” The clan as one spoke.

Quartermaster groaned painfully as he opened his eyes, catching everydragon’s attention.

“Quartermaster?” Sentinel whispered in surprise. He was not expecting Quartermaster to regain consciousness.

“Hatchmate, did… did we… beat the rage out of him?” Quartermaster painfully asked.

Sentinel moved to the side, so that Quartermaster could see He of Hourglass.

Quartermaster manage to crack a smile, upon seeing his firstclaw back to normal, though he didn't like seeing the shame on He of Hourglass’ face. He should be filled with shame, not his firstclaw. Now that he knew that his firstclaw was back to normal, he could find out about how his hatchmate survived.

“Secondclaw... how… did...” Quartermaster stopped talking, as the buildup of blood in his lungs and maw suddenly made it too difficult to talk.

“Short answer?” Sentinel answered as he cast a spell to help ease Quartermaster‘s breathing by removing the blood in his lungs. He knew that all it did was delay the inevitable, but right now, his hatchmate deserve to have an answer. “By the grace of the Voice and the Spirits of the buffalo.”

“My mate…”

“Don’t worry, I killed the fucker and HiS SCrEAms WeRe delicIOUS.” Sentinel and Vorac drooled at the memory.

“Good.”

“What are you talking about?” He of Hourglass questioned, confused. “Who are you referring to?”

“She of Hourglass was killed, and two of their eggs were smashed…by the white and yellow dragon...” Sentinel growled out. He was still a bit annoyed that it couldn’t have lasted a bit longer, but, in the end, the dragon got exactly what was coming to him.

The clan reacted in a mix of rage and grief over the news. Sentinel put up a claw to get their attention. There would be time for grieving/raging over that later, as first, they had a very pressing matter to deal with first. “Right now, all you need to know is that the dragon responsible is dead… We, however, have a pressing manner to deal with right now. Twixt’d’s Choosing is upon us.”

“How!? He’s not even five!” Quartermaster weakly protested, coughing.

“Yet, Twixt’d ready… right?” Vorac spoke up, to which Twixt’d nodded in response.

*You did it again!* Sentinel fake pouted, to the sounds of Vorac’s laughter.

“Dad, thank you for everything,” Twixt’d walked up to gaze into his father's eyes. To see his dad dying was killing him inside, but he needed to do this… and he wanted his dad to be proud of him one last time... “but I know who I am. I can hear it calling me. I need to answer it.”

“Quartermaster, when it’s time, it’s time…” Sentinel added. “Firstclaw and I had been noticing the signs for months… Personally, I was a bit surprised it didn’t happen when Twixt’d broke the Rainboom barrier the first time… The question that needs answering right now is, if Twixt’d still wishes join the clan, or to go out on his own.”

“Secondclaw I…” He of Hourglass began to object, before he was stopped by Sentinel clamping his mouth shut with magic. He of Hourglass would have protested him doing that, but his shame was still too strong. He wanted Twixt’d to join, but after what he did to Quartermaster… He was soon to be a Kinslayer… A dragon that killed a clanmate in a dishonorable fashion...

Twixt’d went silent for a moment. He looked at his fading father, then at the remaining dragons of Hourglass. Each one had lost so much in the war, but somehow, they still pulled through because they had each other...

Earlier

Twixt’d held his breath, wondering if whatever happened meant that Sentinel had found a way to bring back Firstclaw. He watched as Secondclaw, Sentinel, landed near Firstclaw and the initial back and forth between them. It was clear that Firstclaw was terrified of Secondclaw. But it was clear that, while He of Hourglass was terrified, Secondclaw only seemed to have joy and concern.

Secondclaw’s eyes were glowing! Not from power, but with joy! It was joy the likes of which he had never seen, before. It drew him in, and he could feel that same joy. It surpassed all joy, even when he first broke the Rainboom barrier. He felt like he could Rainboom the Rainboom while staying perfectly still.

He finally broke free of the contact … He didn’t want to, but Sentinel had returned his attention to the girls and Firstclaw. Having nothing else to do, and some things to think about, he decided to land next to Scorpion.

All my life I wanted to escape… Escape the misery of the streets of Traxti City… to fly away like the seagulls…

...He didn’t want to die that day on the cliffs overlooking Traxti City… he knew dragons were supposed to fly…. and, in his young mind and desperation… he thought...

...Sentinel, or Harmony, as he was back when he was Harmony, always wanted him to soar differently… quit thinking so negative, he would always say. He never seemed to fly much, but he always seemed to soar in his heart… Thinking about it, Twixt’d had only one thought on all of this...

...That was true flying, true soaring… for, if one soared in their heart… one could fly, even on the ground… and that joy was the joy he had for his family, for me, for Firstclaw…

From deep within Twixt’d, he could feel what he truly was, what he wanted to hoard, his name… He felt such an urgency to open his metaphorical wings in a soaring roar! Only one thing held him back now, and he wanted to let his parents...

DAD!

“I’m joining.”

“But...” He of Hourglass began to protest. “I...I’m the reason… that...”

“Enough!” Twixt’d snapped, angrily staring down the spark dragon. “I will not have my firstclaw be apologetic one moment further. You are still family to my dad, and soon, my clan will be all that I have left to remind me of him… I refuse to let bitterness, pain, and rage cage me. I will be free from the chains that bind me, but I don’t want to be free and alone. I want to see that same freedom come alive in others as they see me… soar...”

“Let’s do this,” Sentinel spoke, before they could get any further off track. He cast another healing spell on Quartermaster, hoping that it would keep him alive long enough for the completion of Twixt’d’s Choosing. “Quartermaster has mere moments left.”

The gathered dragons began to roar, almost in sync, right away. Even Quartermaster, who was fast fading, was able to roar with the rest, though his roar was much weaker. Quartermaster began to tear up as he heard his son join in.

Slozszelts CktüisSirts Golden DragonHeart roared his name.

Tvēsele Uzuthszrēüs Soul Fire added after his firstclaw.

Letāls Thazs Metal Claws managed to roar his name, but he started to cough up massive amounts of blood. Pain began to course through him even more than it already had. He fought to remain conscious; he was not going to miss this.

Lūžīzs Ritls Eternal Beats, as usual, sang his name.

Cktlathējošs Tesesis Twixt’d roared out the name he had chosen.

As Twixt’d roared his name, he could feel a strange but warm power rush through him. He could feel a change going on in his inner fire, and in his mind. Something from within his inner fire was torn out, and whatever it was caused his inner fire to become wild and free, and the desire to hoard to fuel that fire came upon him. At the same time, a rush of new memories, instincts, new ways of thinking, and of being an adult, flooded his mind. For a second, he tensed up at the changes going on in his mind. He relaxed, as he suddenly realized that he knew that his memories would return fully later… there was hoarding to do, first, after all.

The roaring faded away, leaving only the sound of the raspy breathing coming from Metal Claws. The blood, for the moment, had stopped pouring out of his maw, now that the stress of roaring was gone.

“Father!” The dragon went to his father and brother in concern. He knew that Metal Claws was dying, but still...

Metal Claws looked at his clanmate, Soaring Skies, confused. “How?”

“With the Nameless One’s death, the curse should have lifted… Remember when I said that dragons were not supposed to lose their memories?” Soul Fire reminded Metal Claws. “Though, in this case, I would say clan memories told him, over Soaring Skies’ whelp and hatchling memories… as those should be currently ‘detached”

“Soul Fire is correct…” Soaring skies nodded in agreement. “I know that you are my adoptive father from the clan memories… my ‘detached’ memories, as Soul Fire put it, aside from the ‘adoptive’ part, also say that you are my father… it’s a weird disconnect...”

“Imagine having ten thousand years of alicorn memories…”

That elicited a chuckle from the entire clan, except Metal Claws, who more gurgled than laughed. The blood was rushing back in. Soul Fire refrained from doing anything this time, as he didn’t want to prolong his hatchmate’s suffering any longer, now that Soaring Skies had chosen. Soaring Skies also looked at his father and brother, and could see that Metal Claws was trying to speak his last words to him, but he was too weak to speak up, so he walked up closer.

Metal Claws smiled and slowly reached out with a claw, caressing Soaring Skies’ cheek. “Soaring Skies... you are not... my son any… anymore but…with pride... I... call you... my... bro… ther...” At that, the light faded from Metal Claws’ eyes, as he joined the Voice.

“And yet…” Soaring Skies began to truly tear up. “A son I shall remain to you… brother.”

At that, Soaring Skies raised his head and roared in anguish. The remaining members of the clan joined in. They let the entire grasslands of the Untamed Wilds hear their mourning for the loss of not only Metal Claws, but also MetalEtched Claws, and their two unhatched eggs.

Now that Quartermaster’s body was cremated, and he had a moment to collect himself, Sentinel had one more thing to do before he took care of anything else; namely, the mess at the forge. The sun and moon needed to be set back on course before the panic that he knew would be worldwide by now got any worse. Nevermind the damage that a standing still sun and moon would do.

Sentinel wandered the battlefield, trying to find where Celestia’s and Luna’s bodies could be. He needed to find them, to get the sun and moon moving on their own. The problem was that the battlefield was spread out over a large area, and the mana concentration was making using scanning or a want-it need-it spells next to impossible. Also, he basically had to do this alone; the ponies had been exceptionally on edge around the dragons, right now. Not surprising, given what happened. He might have had it a bit easier as an alicorn, but he no longer wished to use his alicorn form. At least he had the Bearers helping him.

*Found them.*

Sentinel looked up to see a stream of purple light signaling Twilight’s location.

Sentinel sighed. What he needed to do next was not going to endear the ponies to him… Not that they ever really were all that endeared to him to begin with. Oh well… at least I have my clan...

In a flash of teleportation, he found himself next to Twilight, and in front of a small group of unicorns and a single earth pony. They tensed up and blocked Sentinel's path as he attempted to walk towards the bodies of Celestia and Luna, both of which had been covered by sheets. “Please stand aside.” Sentinel asked. The ponies made no indication that they would, until Twilight nodded her consent.

“Celestia, Luna, my cousins…” Sentinel teared up as he nuzzled each body affectionately. For the first time, he was genuine in calling them cousins. He didn’t know why, but he just felt that it was right. “May the crisp grass and refreshing waters of the Pasturelands be forever yours.”

At that, Sentinel raised the bodies with his magic, making sure the sheets remained wrapped around them. He then, in a similar fashion to when he sent Celestia’s anchor for Spike back, he shot them at their respective heavenly charges.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?” Twilight roared, once the shock of what happened wore off. The unicorns that had been guarding the bodies readied to blast Sentinel. The earth pony looked like he was preparing to charge at him.

“Then I guess you wanted it to remain at twilight?” Sentinel calmly stated. “You already know that the history of Equestria is no where near what is recorded… Tell me, who besides the princesses can move the sun or the moon?”

“Discord?”

Sentinel looked at Twilight and raised an eyebrow.

Twilight tittered when she realized that it would not be a good idea… “You?”

“I can…but I refuse to be saddled with that responsibility…”

“But how...”

“He of Laughter can tell you that there were times when no one controlled the sun or moon. The sun and moon should have started to moved on their own already, but Celestia and Luna... in desperation... they tied the sun and moon a bit too much to themselves… Their bodies are going to be needed as a catalyst for their movement. Never mind the fact that this is how they always wanted to be ‘interned’, as a way to let their ponies know that they are still watching over them...”

“Besides,” Sentinel leaned in to whisper, “Bearer of Magic, ponies are going to look for someone to blame for their deaths, and they will... I would rather they blame the clan then you.”

“What!?” Twilight knew it wasn’t the clan’s fault, and how would doing what he did make sure the clan received the blame… “How would doing…?”

A brilliant flash interrupted Twilight, and everyone looked over to see that the moon was rising into the sky, and that something that had been absent for nearly twenty years was back.

“Interesting...” Sentinel muttered in wonder as the shadow of a mare on the moon returned. Maybe it’s a good thing, as it will help the ponies in this time… Losing Celestia and Luna is going to be tough… I wonder if Luna planned this?

The moon was moving a bit faster than normal, which was a bit disconcerting for Sentinel, but he waited to see if it was just rushing to get itself back into correct position. His assumption seemed to be correct, as the moon suddenly slowed down near the horizon. At that point, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the sky went as dark as it would be normally be for night.

“And so begins the dawn of a new era…” Sentinel noted as the sun began to rise. It was the first day of his freedom from being a Keeper. His duty was over. Now, he just needed to pass the torch, as it were... “For the era of the Keepers has set…”

Sentinel pulled the Elements of Harmony off of him, that he had earlier chained together in a crude necklace. “These I give back to you to bear, until time comes such that they are passed to new bearers.“ Sentinel levitated the Elements of Harmony back to the necks of their respective bearers. As he did, he added. “Thank you, Elements.”

“Ah shucks, ‘twere nothin’.” Applejack blushed as her element was put back on her neck.

Sentinel chuckled. “I wasn’t talking to you, though you have my thanks as well…”

“Then darling, who were you talking to?” Rarity asked as hers was put on her neck, much to her relief. At least she would have a nice accessory to offset the awful state she knew her coiffure was in.

“The Elements, of course.” Sentinel stated as if they should already know. ”They are semi-sentient, after all.”

History Seeker had to groan at that. Of course, Sentinel has to speak as if they should have already known that… History Seeker again found himself wondering if Storyteller was really Sentinel, because Storyteller did the same thing sometimes… Though he remembered from his cheat-cheat sheet of Hourglass dragon ‘names’ and titles that He of Hourglass only used Secondclaw or Alicorn Keeper to address him… Unless that has changed in the last two thousands years.

History Seeker began to rub his forehead, trying to ease the headache he gave himself.

He was glad, though, that Storyteller had stopped; as it was, he only barely made it through the death of Quartermaster. Over the past weeks, he had gotten emotionally invested in the lives of the dragons of the Hourglass Clan. That, and he was now the caretaker of the surviving egg of Quartermaster and She of Hourglass... that is, if they didn’t take it back...

He looked over to see that the dragon seemed to be looking off towards the distance, clearly lost in memories. Maybe the forge was in that direction; he wasn't sure, as he had not yet been shown, much less told, where the forge was in relation to the library. Though Storyteller did say that Medallion had a memorial in the city, it would make sense that so would Quartermaster, She of Hourglass and the two eggs would be included in that. Maybe it was that which he was looking at. It could also have just been that he was looking off in the distance…

“Firstclaw?” Storyteller questioned He of Hourglass. He had stopped the story when he noticed that the dragon had zoned out.

“I do have a question.” Storyteller nodded his okay for History Seeker to ask his question. “You said that a shadow of a mare appeared on the moon after Luna’s body, I guess, reached it?… But I have never seen nor heard of that before… and I don’t think that there is any recording of something similar, myth or historical…”

Damn it… Storyteller cringed when he heard that question. He had thought about leaving out that detail, but he was telling the story from a position of truth, and he could not leave that out, as it would tie into the eventual fall of Equestria… Hopefully Firstclaw will remain too lost in memories to notice… I’m not ready to tell him that his Slumber was much longer than normal...

Storyteller sighed, as he knew that he had no choice at this point. “That is because it faded over time… It has been… you know... I don’t remember when it was last visible by the naked eye, or through a telescope… obviously, it has been a long while…”

“Wait,” He of Hourglass snapped out of his reprieve. “You have never heard of the Mare in the Moon?”

Storyteller could feel a sense of panic rising within him. This was exactly what he was afraid of.

History Seeker shook his head negatively.

“Nightmare Night?”

“No…” History Seeker answered. He was beginning to become uncomfortable, as he could see panic on the features of the dragon.

“Costumes, and going door to door, getting candy?”

Again History Seeker shook his head.

“Huh. Maybe you are from one of those towns that never celebrated it; it had not spread completely across Equestria before the war…that’s it.” He of Hourglass smiled as he convinced himself that that was why the pony knew nothing of the Mare in the Moon. “So, where are you from?”

“Uh, well, I’m from a place called Castle Town…” Storyteller now really regretted keeping his appearance masked underneath his cloak, as he couldn't surreptitiously warn History Seeker to stop. ”It’s between the Everfree and Canterhorn Mountain.”

“Sounds like it’s near Ponyville...” He of Hourglass tapped his chin in thought.

“Uh… Ponyville doesn’t exist... At least, I don’t think there is a town called Ponyville...”

“What?” He of Hourglass nearly yelled in his shock over what the pony was saying. “It’s like the most famous little town in Equestria!”

It was at this point that History Seeker knew he was in trouble, and began to sweat. Pony kabobs here I come...

He of Hourglass frowned at what he saw. The pony suddenly was very nervous and sweating hard. The stallion looked like Applejack when she lied. Something was going on and, as he thought about it, he had an inkling already.

Storyteller tensed up even more as He of Hourglass walked up to him and kneeled down to look him in the eyes. He knew the question that was about to be asked was the one question he was not ready for.

“Storyteller, how long have I Slumbered?”

Elements, Weapons, and Compasses

Storyteller struggled to not shake in fear. Not so much out of fear for himself, but fear for History Seeker. He of Hourglass could end up lashing out, once he heard the truth. Why are the other clan members playing hide and seek right now? He of Hourglass really could use them right now...

“Storyteller, please. I need to know.”

Storyteller’s resolve broke at the begging eyes of his firstclaw. “A little over two thousand years…”

“Two… Two… TWO THOUSAND YEARS!” He of Hourglass backed up, his snout contorting in a mixture of emotions.

Storyteller could sense the mana in the area spiking to dangerous levels. He of Hourglass’ emotional state was causing his magic to build out of control. “Quickly, behind me.” He gestured frantically to History Seeker.

History Seeker didn’t need to be told twice, and scrambled to get behind him. As he did, Storyteller summoned two whips made of fire. Just in time, too, as, at that exact moment, He of Hourglass roared, and a shell of his sparks exploded outwards.

History Seeker cowered in fright. He had seen some magic duels in his time, and had heard of the feats of He of Hourglass and the rest of the clan from Storyteller, but what he was witnessing was enough to finally cause his bowels to empty. A stream of burning raw magic passed to either side of him. The only things keeping them alive were the two flame whips that were slammed up and down, almost like a double jump rope.

Soon, the raw magic reversed itself and then faded away. Seeing that the danger was probably past, Storyteller let the whips of flames dissipate into nothing. And I thought Twilight's angry magic surges were scary...

For a while, all that History Seeker could hear was the pounding of his heart. When he finally was calm enough, he could hear the sniffing and crying of He of Hourglass.

“A slumber is normally close to one hundred years…” Storyteller whispered to History Seeker, answering his unasked question. “He of Hourglass’ Slumber was unprecedented…”

Even though History Seeker was icky from sweat and other unmentionables, he could not stand to see the dragon the way he was, so he went up and wrapped his wings around the now quivering dragon.

“Let it all out...“ History Seeker cooed.

“I knew that I would lose five of my best friends from childhood…” He of Hourglass whispered. “But to miss out on two thousand years of the lives of my clanmates… How… Why...”

“Firstclaw, it doesn't matter because, for your clan, it was merely a moment’s breath.”

“Never took you as a romantic…” He of Hourglass couldn’t help making a snarky remark. Storyteller made it too easy.

“I’m not known as Storyteller for nothing…”

He of Hourglass chuckled. “True..”

Day 2 of the new era
Early Morning, Grasslands near Hourglass.

“When are you going to tell them?” Soul Fire finally got to the question that brought him here, to the tent that was set up for Golden DragonHeart to work in, and work is something he had plenty of. When Soul Fire first entered, the place was a disaster zone, with papers and scrolls scattered all over. Barely visible under a stack of papers, he could see a corner of a map of the Untamed Wilds, with various pins sticking in it to mark who knows what. During the short time he had been in the tent, the mess had only gotten worse.

“Tell who what, Secondclaw?” Golden DragonHeart made a notation on the list he had in his claws. The list was one of Twilight’s. This one in particular was a master list that he was constructing for her on those that survived, were missing, or dead. Twilight did not want any pony or griffon to be unaccounted for before they left for home. According to several accounts of the battle, including one from Phoenix Wave, after the meteor attack, many had fled in terror. If this was Equestria, it would not be of much immediate concern; however, this was the Untamed Wilds.

Golden DragonHeart picked up a different scroll and began to compare its contents to the master scroll he had in his other paw. It was nice being her assistant again, if only for a bit. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone alive, but he squealed like a little girl at the chance to do so one more time.

“Firstclaw, we both know that what happened to you did a lot of damage to your psyche...”

Golden DragonHeart nearly ruined the scroll he was reading, but he managed to control himself before it was crumpled and torn up too much. For a moment, he did nothing, before he went back to compiling the data that he was tasked to do. He didn’t have time for this.

“FIRSTCLAW!” Soul Fire grabbed Golden DragonHeart and spun him around. “Your feral half was destroyed, and you are entering Slumber early. If what I’m seeing of your inner fire is right, in a week at most…”

“I know that Secondclaw!” Golden DragonHeart snapped as he carefully put the scroll he had been holding on the crates that he was using as a makeshift desk. The last thing he wanted was an angry Twilight, because he had destroyed the scroll and caused a needless delay… “I’m just not sure yet how to tell them… I can’t just walk up and exclaim: Hey Girls! The good news is, you have me back, but the bad news is, it’s only for the next week!”

Golden DragonHeart began to cry. He didn’t want to lose them like this, so soon after remembering them. He knew Twilight would still be around after he awoke, but the rest, unless he got really lucky, would be long gone. Soul Fire started to lick Golden DragonHeart, and almost instantly, Golden DragonHeart felt better. Soul Fire knew it was painful, but he also knew it would be better to tell them now, rather than regret later that he had not told them as soon as possible.

“You know…” Golden DragonHeart commented as he relaxed further. “Rainbow would be spouting off a bunch of dirty jokes about us right now, if she knew what you are doing.” Golden DragonHeart put a claw on Soul Fire’s snout. He could already see the words forming. “Before you start needlessly lecturing again… I grew up with ponies, so I know what licking means to a pony…”

Golden DragonHeart’s snarky remark was preemptively cut off by Soul Fire backhanding him.

Day 4 of the new era
Early Evening, Council of Harmony.

The Hourglass Clan, along with the Bearers of Harmony, Discord and Phoenix Wave, stood together in the Council of Harmony. They were all gathered to witness the three remaining Keepers making it official, as it were.

Sentinel noticed He of Hourglass was holding what looked to be a sword and shield wrapped in cloth. “Is that?”

“Yeah,” He of Hourglass slowly unwrapped the shield. The round shield was of a decent size. If Sentinel remembered correctly, Quartermaster was going to enchant it to increase in size, depending on who was wielding it. On the front, She of Hourglass had painted it with a series of geometric designs, with the Spiral Spire in the center. The paint had been the sticking point for her, as she wanted to use a clear paint, with crushed powdered gems as pigment. From the looks of the shield, though, she had figured it out. “Quartermaster's and She of Hourglass’ final shield and sword…. complete with its scabbard.”

“They were able to complete it?” Sentinel knew they were close to finishing when he left for Equestria, but, from what he was told, when news of his ‘death’ got to the clan, it had killed the mood for any hoarding.

“Yes…” He of Hourglass answered as he unwrapped the sword and scabbard.

The scabbard was fairly simple, made from white gold with ‘branches’ of platinum, leading to emeralds that were shaved thin and gently carved to look like leaves on side. He of Hourglass slowly pulled the sword out to allow Sentinel to see it. The sword was made from the same metal alloy as Scorpion’s guitar. Thorny rose vines were etched down the length of the blade, and a ruby carved into a rose was embedded into the hilt. Sentinel was sure that it was one of He of Hourglass’ creations. He was always known to ‘play’ with his food.

“Why did you bring these here?”

“You’ll see.”

“What are you up to, Firstclaw?”

“I call this final meeting of the Council of Harmony to order.” He of Hourglass called out, so that Sentinel could not press him on what he was going to do.

“Second.” Discord and Sentinel spoke as one. Discord then snapped a piece of wood and
knocked on it. He was about to snap it away, when it was floated away.

Sentinel put the hunk of wood to his his ear, whispering, “Who’s there?”

Don't you know it? Sentinel softly sung, hoping that Discord would pick up on the little joke.

Can you see it? Discord grinned as he sung his line.

“What?” Sentinel snapped irritably when he noticed the stares. However no one was fooled, as his eyes were shining with joy.

“Let’s do this before I have to separate the children.” He of Hourglass commented, which elicited some giggles from the bearers.

“I, the Dragon Keeper, have, by my own tail, vanquished the Nameless One. Because of this, I wish to resign as Keeper. To provide help for dragons, should they need harmony magic again,” He of Hourglass then stepped forward and laid the sword the scabbard and the shield down. “I shall place each of the traits of dragon harmony magic into these objects.”

“If we weren’t hatchmates already…” Sentinel sniffed at the profound gesture his firstclaw was doing for They of Hourglass.

He of Hourglass allowed himself a smile as he dug deep within himself. After a moment, he found what he needed, and he began to bring forth his harmony magic, pushing a single trait known as empathy or understanding into the shield and the other two, wisdom and courage, into the sword and scabbard.

After a moment, he could no longer feel his harmony magic within himself, but he could feel its familiar warmth in what he now called the Weapons of Harmony. His attention was suddenly turned away from them, at the sound of a collective gasp.

“What is it?” He asked.

“Darling, your sparks; they are no longer multicolored, but just purple and green.”

“So they are…” He of Hourglass noted, as he looked over himself. He was not terribly surprised, and personally, he thought that the multicolored sparks clashed a bit with his color scheme.

It seems that it is my turn. Sentinel remarked to himself. He stepped forward and pulled out an amulet he had been working on in the few weeks before his ‘death’, and only just finished yesterday. It was made from polished black granite in the shape of a circle, with a horn and wings jutting from the top of it. The horn and wings were comprised of carefully cut rainbow crystals.

“I, the Alicorn Keeper, hereby state that the Dark One is dead; as such, I wish to be released of my duty as the Alicorn Keeper. As a symbol of my resolve, I have already wielded my elements as one, which broke my ability to use them. Furthermore, I shall imbue this amulet with my alicorn magic, so that the pony tribes will have all the help possible, if ever they should need it.”

Sentinel began to cast the same spell that the Equestrian princesses had used to transfer their magic into Twilight. The gathered ponies gasped as the large ball of magic poured out of Sentinel’s horn. Even Twilight gasped, as, even though she had seen this before, she didn’t get any opportunity to do anything but to tense up in preparation for the surge of power that was coming straight at her. As the stream of magic faded out, and the last of his alicorn magic left him, Sentinel could feel his alicorn form melting into his dragon form, his true form, one last time. Finally, with the last of his alicorn magic, he directed it into the amulet, which rushed down in a brilliant flash.

Sentinel was stunned when he recovered from the loss of his alicorn magic. He had no idea that such a huge amount of his spark dragon magic had been constantly used to keep the alicorn magic suppressed and/or to maintain the alicorn form. Though he knew that the trade off was that his magic would never have the precision it once had. However, that was a small price to pay, in order to be what he was meant to be. Vorac seemed to agree, as Sentinel could hear him growl in contentment.

“Secondclaw…”

“Huh, what?” Sentinel shook his head to get out of his drunken stupor.

He could see a single purple spark. He blinked, thinking he might have just been seeing things, or it was just leftover magic sparking. A green spark then appeared. He conjured a mirror, and he could see several sparks flowing down his body; all of them were purple and green.

“Impossible!” Sentinel exclaimed in disbelief. “Sparks can only be on natural-born spark dragons…I’m merely an ascended Spark dragon...”

“Says the dragon that has often been a walking impossibility.” He of Hourglass crossed his arms, smirking. “Impossible: thy name is Secondclaw.”

“True…” Sentinel conceded. He had a feeling that it may never be known why he now sported the sparks indicative of spark dragons.

At last, Discord walked forward. He sighed as he came to a stop. A mixture of emotions warred inside him at what he was about to do. He gazed back at Fluttershy, who gave him an encouraging smile, and a nod to go on. Discord relaxed a bit, as he turned to face the council once again. He was glad that he had explained what he was planning to do with her.

“I, the Chimera Keeper, concur with my fellow Keepers that the Chaos Bringer is dead; as such, I wish to be absolved of my ’dooties’ as the Chimera Keeper.” Everyone there facepalmed or facehooved. “Twelve compasses that I have gathered are to be imbued with my harmony magic, as my symbol of resolve in this matter.”

Discord snapped his fingers, teleporting in the twelve simple compasses that he had acquired. He got lucky that one of the ponies had a talent for making them. The pony had originally complained that he wouldn’t be able to make them as fancy as he felt they should be, in such a short amount of time. But Discord wanted the compasses to be plain and unassuming. A joke was never as funny if one could see the punch line coming… When Discord explained that he only wanted very plain compasses that snapped closed like a pocket watch, the pony stopped complaining and, with his help, the pony was able to complete the compasses late last night.

One by one, Discord spun each compass on its edge like a top, transferring a piece of his harmony magic as the compass spun. When the compass wobbled and fell over, Discord went to the next one. Hopefully, I calculated this correctly… Maybe I should have requested Sentinel’s or Twilight’s help, to make sure twelve would be enough... Discord nervously thought as he went along. He breathed a sigh of relief that, on the twelfth one, he had exactly the right amount of magic left.

“I know this is going to sound strange, coming from me… but not having harmony magic anymore is… strange.” Discord commented as the final compass fell to the floor.

“Hey, didn’t you lose your magic to Tirek?” Rainbow eyed Discord with suspicion.

“That was merely a part of my magic…“

“Then why didn’t you help?!” Rainbow Dash flew right at Discord, poking him roughly with an outstretched hoof.

Discord calmly pushed Rainbow’s hoof down. “I couldn't; I didn’t have time to prevent Tirek from taking all of my magic, outside of blocking all of my magic from being used, which included my harmony magic. And did you forget that if a Keeper loses all their magic, they die?”

Meanwhile, the sparks that floated up each of the thrones began to slow down. By the end of Discord’s explanation, they had frozen to near stillness.

The Council of Harmony accepts your resignation. The council suddenly boomed out, spooking Fluttershy to the point of eeping and fainting backwards, still as a statue. Everyone else was startled, but managed to collect themselves quite quickly. The Keepers of Harmony are no more. This Council is dismissed, until such time that the Younger Races require advice on matters relating to Harmony…

The three former Keepers just stood there, stoic, for some time after the Council's decision. For Sentinel and Discord, it was a relief to be free of a burden that had weighed on them for so long. For He of Hourglass, he was still not sure what to make of it, as he had only been a Keeper for a few short years. After a while, Discord finally shook himself out of his reprieve, and snapped himself and the ponies out of the council. This left only the dragons. Soul Fire, in particular, was staring at what used to be his throne, lost in thought.

[color=#00ddddYou okay? Eternal Beats asked. He could hear his song, but it was no help right now, as the melody was too subdued to understand what exactly was the mood of Soul Fire’s heart.

“Yeah…” Soul Fire sighed. “I’m just nostalgic. This is the place of my choosing, the place where my adoption by the dragons became more than just an adoption…”

“Eh, why not?” Golden DragonHeart shrugged, before he motioned for his clan to follow him out of the Harmony Council chambers, and into the Plane of Harmony.

History Seeker lifted up his compass in wonder. ”So this is one of the compasses that Discord imbued with his harmony magic?”

“Yep, you have in your possession a Compass of Harmony…” He of Hourglass smiled.

“I am a bit surprised that it’s been with you this long…” Storyteller commented. “Discord was not one to drag things out…”

“Unless the payoff was worth it…” He of Hourglass commented as all three looked at the egg that was still in History Seeker’s saddlebag.

Author's Note

Raise your hooves if you saw the Compasses of Harmony coming.

Rise of the DragonWyrms

Golden DragonHeart opened his eyes and blinked. It looked like he was in the Plane of Harmony, but wasn’t he already there? And where did his clan go? The last thing he could recall was talking to Soaring Skies about Soul Fire’s choosing, when suddenly, a bright light enveloped him.

“Hey, my child.”

Golden DragonHeart spun around to see a sight he had not seen in many months. A familiar alicorn stallion with kaleidoscope fur. “Harmonious Knight?”

“In a manner of speaking, you could say that…” Harmonious Knight chuckled.

“A manner of speaking…” Golden DragonHeart began to repeat before realization came over him. His eyes widened in fear, and he started to back away. He knew whom he was seeing: The Voice.

“Must you repeat with me, as you did with Soul Fire? “ Harmonious Knight facehooved.

That got Golden DragonHeart to stiffen up and stop trying to back away from the alicorn.
“I failed you... I failed the path... You made a mistake with me… I was unworthy…”

“Failed!? Made a mistake!? Unworthy!?” Harmonious Knight shook his head. “Did you not hear me before? You did well…”

“How could I have done well? I…” It was making zero sense to Golden DragonHeart. He had wanted the Rage Growth, and fallen to it... He was the one out of all of the clan that knew that Soul Fire had to still be alive, and yet, he still allowed his clan to sway him… “Soul Fire should be the one with the honor, not me…”

The Voice leaned forward to whisper into Golden DragonHeart’s ear. “I had already chosen Soul Fire to become a DragonWyrm but have been unable until now...”

Golden DragonHeart blinked in confusion at the remark.

Soul Fire gasped as his firstclaw grabbed his snout roughly. His firstclaw’s eyes snapped open in power. Golden DragonHeart then said something, which was lost to him.

Sentinel blinked and found himself standing in a forest clearing. A clearing he had not been in since his Choosing.

“Why you here?” Vorac called out from behind him.

“Not sure, Vorac…” Was all Sentinel could say. He looked around to see Vorac behind him, like he heard, the flames of his inner fire causing his scales to glisten. The flames were as bright as always, and between that, and the light reflecting off of Vorac’s scales, the light was a bit much, so, out of habit, Sentinel raised his furry foreleg. “Why am I manifesting in my inner fire and as an alicorn?”

“I can explain that.”

Sentinel spun around to see an alicorn that looked like Harmonious Knight walking out of the forest. Sentinel was fully aware that all of the dragons that were in limbo prior to his Choosing had become one with the Voice. This meant only one thing, that this was the Voice, manifested as his old self, Harmonious Knight.

“It appears that Golden DragonHeart has succeeded in his half.” Sentinel smiled as the Voice approached.

“That he has…” The Voice smiled as he stopped in front of Sentinel and Vorac. “which is why I am here.”

“No, don’t tell me. Let me guess.” Sentinel held up one forehoof while the other rubbed his forehead. “You want him as a DragonWyrm, but he feels that he failed you, that he is not worthy, and that I should be a DragonWyrm and not him?”

“Astute as always, Sentinel.”

“You know I vaguely remember Spike saying that…”

“That’s why I said it.” The Voice smiled before his expression fell a bit. “The truth of the matter is, I wanted both you and Golden DragonHeart as DragonWyrms… But the world needed your alicorn magic… now that it doesn't…”

“Then you know my answer already…” Sentinel interrupted Harmonious Knight. Whatever the Voice was going to say about it didn’t matter to him. If the Voice wanted him to be a DragonWyrm, then a DragonWyrm he would be.

“Yeah… I do...” The Voice as Harmonious Knight smirked. The Voice then turned to Vorac. “And what say you wyrm?”

“We one. Since choosing.”

“Technically, no, though you have been in harmony with each other…”

Harmonious Knight’s comment was cut off as he was slammed down by a furious Vorac. WE ONE! Vorac roared into the Voice’s face.

Sentinel was taken aback by Vorac’s violent reaction. Well not the violent reaction part, but the fact that Vorac had threatened the Voice.

“Of course you are… DRAGON FIREWYRM.”

The wall that mentally separated Sentinel and Vorac shattered, to the shock of both of them. A force came over them, forcing them together. As that was happening, Sentinel could tell that he was forgetting everything from when he was a prey animal. It did not concern him, as he knew he was becoming something more than he ever was before. He was being reborn, like a phoenix. With that, he growled, in feral excitement.

Just like when Golden DragonHeart was first chosen to take the Path of DragonWyrm, power rushed into him like lightning. The pain he was expecting never came, much to his relief. He could feel his old name once again being burned away, and his new name taking its place, and once the power left him, he could feel the urge to yell it out. “Yes, I AM CktüisLežothīzs Sirts. I AM DRAGONWYRM!” He roared, and a stream of green flame accompanied it. He panted as the effects faded away.

“Whoa, cool.” Soaring Skies let go of his held breath. He was excited to watch his firstclaw becoming a DragonWyrm, but to see Secondclaw becoming one as well was overwhelming him. His wings were twitching, as the urge to rainboom tried to overtake him. He suppressed it, though, because, as much as he wanted to do that, he so wanted to not miss Secondclaw’s awakening. When the two became DragonWyrms, something else happened to Secondclaw. Something interesting, and, with Secondclaw now opening his eyes, he was sure.

DragonWyrm Heart looked at Secondclaw and saw that he was stirring awake, and that he was sporting the mark of a DragonWyrm, in the form of golden scales on the face in the shape of a dragon’s paw. He sighed in relief, as he wasn’t sure that the Voice would really listen to his request. “Yeah… I guess having two clanmates as DragonWyrms would be cool...”

“Well yeah, but I’m talking about Secondclaw specifically…”

“What about Secondclaw?” DragonWyrm Heart had noted the strange change in his secondclaw, but did not yet know what to make of it. Secondclaw had always been unusual, so he was not going to panic, yet.

He recalled that, as the power was coursing through them, making them DragonWyrms, that his secondclaw’s eyes shrank a bit, and the pupils became slits instead of the usual elongated oval. Secondclaw’s horns and scales that had not been blackened by the Nameless One’s fire then became dulled and weathered. His fangs that peeked through his closed maw yellowed and lengthened a bit, and the smell of rotten flesh wafted out of his now slightly opened jaw, as Secondclaw breathed out. DragonWyrm Heart would never admit it to Twilight, but the smell was heavenly and why not? He was a predator, himself, even though he would not touch meat.

Just before DragonWyrm Heart pulled away and shouted, he noted that Secondclaw’s features now looked sinister… almost like he had, when he let himself go during the final battle. The exception was the inner fire that was shining through. It looked that same, if a bit raw and unwieldy; almost like a bonfire, over the campfire that it had been before.

“He went through Wyrm Growth.” Soaring Skies stated.

“I don’t understand.” DragonWyrm Heart said as he helped Secondclaw get to his feet, as he was struggling to get up. “Wyrm Growth?!”

“It’s what Rage Growth was before it was corrupted… I think… I… My head…” Soaring Skies clutched his head as pain built up. It had only been four days since he Chose, and he was still dealing with its effects. Digging for the answer in the Memories right now was a bit more than he could handle.

“Soaring Skies, relax, don’t over do it.” It really didn’t surprise DragonWyrm Heart that Rage Growth used to be something else… He suspected that his own Greed Growth was a corrupted form of an early Choosing. That, however, still didn’t explain Wyrm Growth. He was about to ask Seconclaw what it meant, but his secondclaw seemed to be hyper focused on Soaring Skies.

“Secondclaw?” DragonWyrm Heart tried to get Secondclaw to fill him in, but he got no response, as the dragon made his way right to Soaring Skies, not breaking eye contact.

Secondclaw then sat on his haunches and continued his staring contest with Soaring Skies. This went on for several minutes. DragonWyrm Heart was about to ask Eternal Beats to see what he could hear, to see what was going on, when Soaring Skies twitched, which got DragonWyrm Heart to watch carefully, as it seemed that whatever was going on was ending. Suddenly, in a single, swift motion, Soaring Skies slashed Secondclaw’s throat. Blood squirted out of the wound as Secondclaw collapsed.

WHAT THE VOICE DID YOU!!? DragonWyrm Heart roared in fury at the actions of Soaring Skies. He was going to kill Soaring Skies for killing his hatchmate. To think that he allowed Soaring Skies to join the clan!

An angry, feral roar, however, stopped DragonWyrm Heart before he could swipe Soaring Skies’ head off his shoulders. DragonWyrm Heart dropped his claw and let go of his magic as he turned around to see that his Secondclaw was fine, except for a nasty scar that ran across his neck.

DragonWyrm Heart blinked in confusion to see that Secondclaw was angry, not at Soaring Skies, but at him! Now I am really confused. “What the Voice is going on?”

Soaring Skies shook as the realization of what he did washed over him… He could remember that his secondclaw was staring at him, and the longer he stared, the stronger a strange urge came over him. An urge to do something he thought was awful. This only made the gaze, and subsequently the urge, stronger. Before he knew it, he had done what the urge was telling him. He had slashed the throat of his hatchmate. Wait... hatchmate?! Further realization came over him and his panic was replaced with joy and his wings twitched in needed to rainboom again. “Throat slashing is how wyrms become hatchmates… You see…”

Am I the only one seeing Medallion? Eternal Beats interrupted Soaring Skies, pointing to a spot in the distance.

“Well we are in the plane of memories… so it's possible that it’s a manifestation of our memories of Medallion…” DragonWyrm Heart noted as he saw the familiar pink dragoness walking towards them, or as close to walking as one could here.

“Hey boys…” Legacy Chaser swayed her hips seductively once she was in front of them.

The entire clan’s jaws, minus Secondclaw’s, dropped. Secondclaw ran up to the dragoness and began to lovingly nuzzle her, purring happily. The dragoness leaned in and whispered something into the wyrm’s ears. An odd, growling purr could be heard from the dragon, along with a visible shiver that ran down his spine.

“I’m a bit disappointed that you didn’t recognize who I am, DragonWyrm Heart.”

“The Voice…” DragonWyrm Heart muttered in shock. He didn’t think that the Voice could manifest outside of a dragon's mind or inner fire… “How are you here? Why are you here?”

“I’m here to help you with my sexy little wyrm.” Legacy Chaser giggled at the lustful reaction of said wyrm. “Until you get a grasp of how the wyrm ‘language’ works, you may have difficulty getting his name. His name is Dragon FireWyrm.”

Dragon FireWyrm shifted himself into a proud pose, causing Legacy Chaser to giggle again. A whirl of questions buzzed in the heads of the gathered clan. Before they could get the courage to ask any of them, Legacy Chaser spoke up. “Soaring Skies, once you have recovered from your Choosing, please help your fellow clanmates and the Southern Isles clan by explaining to them what a wyrm is... though, for one, understanding will come from Slumber.”

Soaring Skies could only dumbly nod in understanding.

“I have to go. I can only manifest for a short time, even on this plane, and I still need to restore the Code and Memories for those that Chose before The Nameless One’s death…” Legacy Chaser was already fading away as she spoke, “Oh, and before I forget, from this point on the Hourglass Clan is no more; for now and evermore, you are the DragonWyrm Clan. Make me proud.”

The Voice, as Legacy Chaser, fully faded away, leaving the newly renamed clan in shock and amazement.

“You know, the more I learn of dragons, the more I think that I should invest in a pharmaceutical company just so I can get a discount on pain and nausea medication.” History Seeker groaned at more information coming out of left field. At least Storyteller didn’t tell him whatever the Voice as Medallion told Dragon FireWyrm, as he was sure it was sexual in nature… Dragon FireWyrm?! “Wait… why aren’t you angry about Storyteller revealing not only your hoard name but Sentinel’s, as I recall that the only one that could reveal a dragon's hoard name is the dragon himself...”

“Well, he seems to be picking up on our ways and culture decently well…” DragonWyrm Heart had noticed that Storyteller had used his hoard name, but wanted to see if the pony would pick up on it or not. He highly doubted Storyteller would have gotten this far without the pony asking certain questions about dragon culture, particularly about names. He was not disappointed.

“I don’t know whether I should be thrilled or insulted.” History Seeker grumbled.

“Normally, I would be angry, but I am a DragonWyrm… Both my name and Dragon FireWyrm’s are recorded in the Dragon Heritage Memories, so that every adult dragon automatically knows our Hoard Names…which makes keeping it a secret a moot point.”

“Okay… but why is it in the Dragon Heritage Memories?”

“Now that is one of secrets of the Path of DragonWyrm…” DragonWyrm Heart grinned, knowing that it would annoy the pony that this was something that he wasn’t privy to, for now...

“Why couldn't my parents name me Cautious Ninny instead of History Seeker?” The pony silently cursed his yearning to seek out things, which included old secrets...

In the Ensuing Years

Day 6 of the new era
Early morning, Hourglass City

Phoenix Wave knocked on the door to He of Hourglass’ hoard chamber.

“Enter.” Came the voice of He of Hourglass.

Phoenix Wave sighed; what he was about to do was hard, but also easy. It was hard, because he knew that he had to essentially become a traitor to his country and species, but easy, in order to protect those that had been under his command, that were heading back. Having steeled himself as best as he could, he walked in.

He saw that He of Hourglass was not alone, as Sentinel was there as well. Sentinel was curled up on the hoard bed, his tail twitching like a dog that was happy, and not particularly paying attention to anything. He of Hourglass, himself, looked like he had been leaning against Sentinel’s belly and reading a book.

“What do you need, Phoenix Wave? The last airship to Equestria is about to leave…” He of Hourglass’s frown deepened as he saw Phoenix Wave’s reaction to his name, and the reminder that the last airship was about to leave.

“I request asylum.” Phoenix Wave calmly stated, though he could feel his heart racing.

“Why?” He of Hourglass asked, though he already had a feeling why. As much as he wanted the DragonWyrm Clan and Equestria to remain friends, he knew that was unlikely, given all that had happened.

“Because, even though it was not your fault that the Nameless One destroyed Baltimare and killed the princesses, most ponies are unfairly going to equate dragons as vile and evil from the actions of that one dragon... I have been living with this clan for some time, and spent some time with some of the dragons you brought in to help in the fight. While dragons are a bit ‘rough around the edges’, they are not evil or vile…”

Phoenix Wave became frustrated, as he found he was having a hard time speaking what he needed to. He was a battle hardened pony, and yet he couldn't simply explain something like why he needed ‘asylum.’

“Fear makes ponies do things they wouldn't do normally... Anger more so... They are going to think that we were somehow tricked, ‘brainwashed,’ or replaced by changelings who knows…? I’m hoping that by becoming a traitor, that maybe I can direct some of the blame away from them… And to make sure of that, I attacked the last transport personally… It left over an hour ago. I hated doing it, but I will do anything to protect the ponies that were under my command…”

“Enough,” He of Hourglass stopped Phoenix Wave, “Secondclaw.”

Phoenix Wave suddenly found himself face to face with Sentinel. Sentinel’s eyes bored right into him, and he had the distinct impression that Sentinel could see his every intent, motivation, and secret. He wondered if this was a test, just like before, when he was given the command of the now defunct Hourglass Guard. After what seemed like an eternity, Sentinel pulled away and made a series of grunts and growls. Before Phoenix Wave could do anything else, he found himself wrapped in the wings of Sentinel.

He of Hourglass couldn’t understand all of what his secondclaw was saying, but he at least could tell that it was all good things; the hug only made it more clear. “Now, I can’t get as deep as Secondclaw can, but I can see that what you did hurt… hurt you badly… and you are probably right… though I wish you had come to me about this beforehand… but then again, you have been known to be insubordinate before, when it came to anything that might endanger those under your command… you would have probably done it anyway...”

He of Hourglass sighed. This both complicated, and would make things a bit easier. He really wished Phoenix Wave had consulted what he was planning, before he had done it. But what was done was done. The only thing to do was to make the best of the situation. ““I shall grant your request, but I will not put the Bearers in any unnecessary danger… As such, you are not allowed to tell them about this. As far as they will know, you are the ‘traitor’ that you are.”

“I understand.” Phoenix Wave did feel bad about doing what he did without consulting Firstclaw first, but he was not going to risk him saying no.

“Come in, He of Hourglass.” Firstclaw called out, to the confusion of Phoenix Wave. He had not heard anyone approaching or knocking.

Phoenix Wave was given his explanation for this, as He of Hourglass flew into the room. I’m glad I can call He of Hourglass Firstclaw now, as this would get ridiculous trying to not get confused between He of Hourglass the spark dragon and firstclaw of the clan, and He of Hourglass the black and greyish blue dragon formerly known as Twixt’d.

“Firstclaw I… uh...” He of Hourglass started to talk, but floundered when he saw Phoenix Wave. “Okay, what is going on here? I was about to get ahold of you about the transport that just left. When it left early, I investigated to find out that it was attacked, but I see you have the culprit already…”

“Phoenix Wave will be with us on a permanent basis… as a citizen.”

He of Hourglass pinched his brow. He was not expecting that at all. “Clearly I’m missing something…”

“Clearly… now kneel, He of Hourglass.” Firstclaw ordered, to the confusion of Phoenix Wave and He of Hourglass.

For the moment, He of Hourglass felt that it would be best to follow his firstclaw’s orders. He began to panic, however, as his firstclaw started to stalk him. When Secondclaw joined in, growling in clear anger, he had to fight the urge to fly out of there. What the hell did I do?!

During this, Phoenix Wave backed up against one of the bookcases. He was really worried by the way the two dragons were circling He of Hourglass. They looked like a pack of predators circling prey. Aren’t these three clanmates?

Suddenly, Firstclaw and Seconclaw stopped, and Firstclaw calmly leaned down to whisper into He of Hourglass’ ear. “Es tevi iecelt Trešaisüaujathazs jo CktüisLežothīzs Zithts.”

“Uh… what just happened?” Phoenix Wave dumbly asked as soon as Firstclaw stood back up from leaning in to whisper into He of Hourglass’ ear, hoping that whatever had just happened was really done, and that he wouldn’t suddenly see a headless dragon...

“The clan has a new lapdog.” Firstclaw grinned.

“Damn it!” He of Hourglass cursed when he realized he had been pranked. “I can’t believe I fell for it. I never needed to kneel, did I?”

He of Hourglass’ widening grin only confirmed it for He of Hourglass, who only groaned in response. He clapped his hands together, startling both of them. “Phoenix Wave, meet our Thirdclaw.”

“Thirdclaw?”

“It’s a position of leadership, similar to mine or Secondclaw.” He of Hourglass explained to Phoenix Wave. “Thirdclaw here is in the process of restarting the Dragon Migration as his hoard. His migration will, by extension also be the clan’s hoard, as well. By appointing him as a leader in the clan, this will give him some authority that will make his migration a bit more legitimate in the eyes of other dragons.”

Thirdclaw went slack-jawed in amazement and shock. He had not yet told his clan about his plans, as he was not yet sure when or if he could get it going again, if ever. He had only talked to a few of the dragons that remained after the battle, and out of the six he talked to, only four showed any hint of interest. “How…”

“Your speech before you Choose, your name, your ability to get the griffons in line in the way you did…” Firstclaw counted on his claws. “Should I go on?”

Day 10 of the new era
Early Afternoon, Hourglass City

The bearers were near Scorpion’s hoard, enjoying a late lunch. Fluttershy was chatting with some of the birds, excited to hear that the birds had such a wonderful caretaker in the dragon. Scorpion, who had not yet gone back to his normal sleeping schedule, was softly playing his ocarina, enjoying this rare opportunity. A scroll suddenly popped in front of Twilight.

“Girls… it’s time.” Twilight whispered after she read the letter.

“Please tell me you found a way to delay this!” Rainbow Dash begged. She wanted to spend more time with her scaly friend, especially now that he had wings.

Twilight shook her head, sadly. She had gone into a frenzy when she learned of DragonWyrm Heart’s upcoming, extremely early, Slumber. Her dragon brother had forced her to make a Pinkie Promise to stop, and not ruin this time over something that nothing could be done about. “Delaying his Slumber could kill him…”

Scorpion decided to stay behind, as for him, his firstclaw was merely taking a nap, and he would still be a very, very young dragon when he awoke, but for the ponies, it would be the last time most of them would get to see him. Besides, he had to prepare their transportation back to Equestria, as he would be taking them home.

DragonWyrm Heart lifted his head and yawned heavily as he saw the Bearers, his ponies, walk into the library. He was struggling to remain awake long enough to say his goodbyes, but Dragon FireWyrm’s rumbling purr, which was massaging him, wasn’t helping. However, he wasn’t going to tell him to stop, as he was trying to keep tears from welling up, and the soothing purr was helping him remain calm.

“Hello, my ponies…” DragonWyrm Heart weakly smiled as the Bearers gathered around him.

“Sugarcube yah don’ forget us yah hear me?” Applejack sobbed out.

“AJ, to forget such a beautiful gem that is your friendship would be criminal.”

“Ah, shucks.” Applejack blushed.

“Darling, your eventual mate will be the luckiest dragoness, with lines like that.” Rarity pulled out a tissue and tried to dab her tears away.

“I learned only the best from my sweet, beautiful angel.” DragonWyrm Heart gently caressed Rarity’s cheek, and wiped away the tears that were messing up her makeup.

“No frowny faces about us, you hear me? Only happy tears!” Pinkie Pie ordered. Somehow, she was wearing a fake military uniform.

DragonWyrm Heart’s resolve to not cry was breaking, as he had to sniff. “I’ll… I’ll try…”

“No trying!” Pinkie Pie impossibly stretched out, grabbed DragonWyrm Heart’s head, and pulled it forward, so that DragonWyrm Heart could only see a wall of pink in front of him. “Pinkie Promise me that you only smile when thinking about us!”

DragonWyrm Heart struggled to not yawn through the Pinkie Promise, but he did manage to get through it, and, at the end Pinkie Pie, smiled and pulled a sapphire cupcake out of her mane and placed it on DragonWyrm Heart’s snout. DragonWyrm Heart went cross eyed trying to get a good look at the cupcake. In one quick motion, he lapped it up and moaned. It was the special birthday cupcake that he got every year, on his birthday.

“Hey, no snacks before bedtime!” Twilight admonished DragonWyrm Heart.

DragonWyrm Heart could only roll his eyes at his sister trying to scold him like he was still a hatchling. It might have had more effect if he hadn’t seen the twinkle in her eyes as she said it.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that Scorpion gets the recipe.” Pinkie Pie conspiratorially ‘whispered’ to DragonWyrm Heart, a bit too loudly.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy quickly said their goodbyes, leaving just Twilight to go. Twilight knew that she would be around when he woke up, but it was still hard for her. She leaned in and whispered something into DragonWyrm Heart’s ear.

“You promise?” DragonWyrm Heart whispered back.

Twilight backed up and off the hoard bed and nodded “Yes.”

DragonWyrm Heart smiled, looked at each of his lovely ponies, yawned one final time, closed his eyes, curled around his hoard bed, and then finally fell asleep.

“That statue in the library wasn’t a statue…. it was you!” History Seeker exclaimed, jumping away from DragonWyrm Heart and pointing a hoof at him.

“A statue?” DragonWyrm Heart scratched his head in confusion until he understood what History Seeker was talking about. He made a note to speak with his clan later, to find out how he Slumbered for so long, and why, of all days, he awoke today. He did have a suspicion that History Seeker and his clanmates’ egg had something to do with his waking and/or long Slumber. “Oh, I see! Yeah, I suppose a dragon in Slumber could be confused for a statue…”

“I’m afraid that Phoenix Wave’s and Dragon FireWyrm’s predictions were correct.” DragonWyrm Heart became anxious over that statement; he knew that his ponies, besides Twilight, were long dead from, at minimum, old age. He really hoped that their lives were ones that were peaceful, or, at least, as much as possible for Bearers of Harmony, in ‘it must be Tuesday’ prone Ponyville. “The loss of the two Celestial Princesses by a dragon had a massive effect on the kingdom of Equestria… Twilight and the bearers struggled to keep things in check, but, in the end, it was merely a bandaid on a mortal injury. I’m not going to go into too many details, as the fall of Equestria is another story, for a later time… but...”

“Rainbow Dash continued on a Wonderbolt, though there were numerous calls for her removal. In the end, she was relegated to less public roles. That, however, didn’t stop her from being true to herself and loyal to her friends and country. Sadly... she ended up as one of the final victims of what was known as the Bloody Spring… She died rescuing some foals from a burning building that had caught fire during the rioting.”

“Bloody Spring? Rioting?” History Seeker asked.

DragonWyrm Heart was really not liking the sounds of ‘bloody’ spring. He was at least happy that Rainbow Dash died being a hero. Though he was sure she would have have corrected him with a corny epitaph along the lines of ‘died in a blaze of glory’, before going on to say that it sounded twenty percent cooler then ‘died being a hero.’

“A period of unrest and violence in Canterlot and several major cities associated with nobility and the privileged.” Storyteller explained after a moment. He was a bit concerned about DragonWyrm Heart’s reaction, and needed a second to compose the answer in a way that he was hoping wouldn’t involve more soiled fur…

“Let me guess...” DragonWyrm Heart clenched his jaw and claws. He had a very good idea who was the cause.. “Blueblood.”

“Yes...” Storyteller deadpanned.

“I hope Blueblood finally got his comeuppance.” DragonWyrm Heart growled out angrily; he remembered several times when he had been kicked just because he was a ‘beast.’ Blueblood had gotten out of punishment by saying he was merely startled, and merely reacted in fright, and not in a malicious manner.

“He was dragged out in the streets and, in a rare display of gruesome violence by ponies, was tortured and skinned alive.”

History Seeker violently threw up. “That is vile!” He snarled in revulsion as he wiped the bile from his muzzle.

“If only you knew the extent of his crimes...” Storyteller shook his head. He decided to change the subject as History Seeker probably couldn’t handle the horrors of Blueblood. That and it was getting close to time. “Enough of Blueblood… back to the Bearers...”

“Fluttershy struggled with what happened during the final battle for many years afterwards, even with help from her friends and Discord. The Bloody Spring did not help and she was rarely seen outside the area around her cottage at the edge of the Everfree. One day... she was in the Everfree and was…”

“Was mauled by a creature within while trying to help an animal, right?” Storyteller’s awkward silence told DragonWyrm Heart everything. The dragon sighed sadly. “There was always that fear that one day, that would happen... but her kindness drove her to help. It's part of what made her so special...”

Storyteller coughed to get rid of the silence that followed. “Pinkie Pie remained her old hyperactive self. Though, after the Bloody Spring, she kept mostly to Ponyville, not wanting to be around ‘big meanie pants.’ She eventually passed away from an illness. The thing was that no one knew about it… One day she sent out invitations to the entire town, as well as a special one for Scorpion, for a party the next morning. She then died in her sleep that night. When the guests arrived the next day for the party… they arrived to see the place set up for a party. And I quote a ‘Pinkie-Pie’s-Moving-to-Pasturelands-Goodbye-Celebration.’”

DragonWyrm Heart couldn't help but laugh. It was so Pinkie. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me…”

“Rarity… to Rarity’s dying breath, she defended you as her little ‘Spikey-Wikey’ that wouldn’t harm a fly, no matter the personal and financial losses she invited because of her views. And it cost her. To protect her friends and Ponyville, she had to emigrate to the Crystal Empire.”

DragonWyrm Heart turned beet red, and he rubbed his head spines. His hatchling crush always knew how to make him blush. History Seeker and Storyteller chuckled at his lovesick expression.

“I predict your mate... will be a white dragoness with a curly purple head spines…” Storyteller cooed, knowing it would get a reaction out of him.

History Seeker had to hold his sides from the pain. It was too much to see hearts coming out of the dragon’s eyes, and his tail spinning so hard as to lift him a bit off the ground.

“Mmm dragon Rarity…” DragonWyrm Heart murmured, drooling.

That overloaded History Keeper to the point that he fainted from lack of oxygen.

History Seeker awoke to DragonWyrm Heart’s snout right in his face. He scrambled back to get away from the dragon. “Don’t do that!” History Seeker yelled, trying to calm his pounding heart.

“Now, where were we?” Storyteller spoke up before it got out of hand, again. It had been quite a while since he’d seen anyone pass out from laughter, and, as much as it was funny, time was running way too low.

“You only had Applejack and Twilight left, Storyteller.”

“Not much to say about Applejack, she lived a fairly quiet life on Sweet Apple Acres, raising her foals, grand foals, and great grand foals. She passed away of old age at one hundred thirty.”

“You can talk to Twilight about her story yourself… but suffice to say, she left Equestria shortly after Applejack's death. She traveled the world and learned firsthand about nearly every culture imaginable...”

“Now as for Discord,” Storyteller motioned for them to follow him; he wanted to show History Seeker the museum and forge before it got wild, “he has not been seen or heard from for a little over a millennium. He took Fluttershy’s death particularly hard. For a while, he cared for her animals and their descendants…then, when it became too hard for him, he began to travel the world. However, over time, he became more and more distant, even to those who knew him… until one day, he just vanished.”

“Just vanished?” DragonWyrm Heart raised an eyebrow. He highly doubted the draconequus would just ‘disappear.’

“Yeah… we don’t think he’s passed away, he’s just gone reclusive… He might decide to come out of hiding, now that you are awake, or maybe he won’t…”

“So where is Scorpion and Dragon FireWyrm?” And for that matter, Twilight? DragonWyrm Heart added to himself. She promised that she would greet me when I woke, if she managed to be in Hourglass at the time, and barring that, send a letter… Knowing Twilight, she would have put up a spell that would have notified her that I was awake; either that, or have one of my clanmates fire mail her the news...

“I have no idea Firstclaw… Though, if I hazard a guess, Scorpion is going through last minute preparations… As for Secondclaw, who knows…”

The group fell into a reflective silence for a few minutes, until Storyteller stopped and pointed out a building across the wide boulevard they were on.

History Seeker and DragonWyrm Heart could see a metal bird’s nest embedded into the wall above the entrance of the museum. History could tell it was the museum, as there was a sign indicating that this was the ‘Medallion Memorial Museum.’ DragonWyrm Heart could tell it was her hoard, just becuase of the location, though he did note that the nest was the very nest that used to sit across the street. As Storyteller began to explain the bird’s nest to History Seeker, DragonWyrm Heart popped his head inside. The inside looked different then he remembered, as he could see many more displays and artifacts. This made him smile, Medallion would be proud of the work and care done.

“This is a list of every dragon or clan that has contributed to the restoration of Hourglass City.” Storyteller pointed out two plaques that were on either side of the doors, as DragonWyrm Heart pulled his head back out.

History Seeker noticed that the plaques had the same script that was on the dragon side of the memorial obelisk. Not surprising to him, but annoying. DragonWyrm Heart noted that he recognized a few of the titles listed, including Merc and Windjammer. Most, however, he had no idea who they were. He wondered if there was a ledger compiled on what each dragon contributed, and when.

“Anonymous…” Storyteller replied to a question that DragonWyrm Heart missed while he had been too engrossed in his thoughts. “But not a single one went that way. To be associated with Hourglass City and the DragonWyrm Clan was a matter of honor and pride for many of them.”

“So what happened to Phoenix Wave…?” History Seeker asked as they left the museum to head towards the forge.

“You really want to know about him!?” Storyteller was taken aback so much that he momentarily stopped in his tracks. DragonWyrm Heart raised an eyebrow at this, but said nothing.

“Of course.”

“After a few years he became a Dragon Acolyte. Which, basically, is someone that doesn’t just follow the dragon code, but lives it fully, when possible. During the Bloody Spring, and in the months after, Phoenix Wave was tasked by Thirdclaw to keep an eye on the Bearers, and to protect them until things cooled a bit. During that time, Twilight discovered his identity, even though he did his best to mask who he was. Long story short, and many hoof slaps later, she fell in love with him, and the two got married in secret.”

“Phoenix Wave would eventually return to Hourglass, as was his duty, but Twilight would, from time to time, return to Hourglass to visit her mate. He eventually passed away at ninety-eight…”

“Okay, enough!” DragonWyrm Heart pinched his snout in irritation. ”I’m sorry Storyteller, but it’s driving me nuts with you speaking ‘Trixie.’”

“Speaking Trixie?” History Seeker scratched his head in confusion. Trixie was a weird name for a language.

“Trixie was a showmare unicorn that had an annoying habit of speaking in the third person…” Storyteller explained.

“Okay… not really helping…” History Seeker groaned.

“He is the one and only Captain of Hourglass Guard (of one) and Dragon Acolyte, Phoenix Wave.” DragonWyrm Heart answered, a smirk creeping onto his face.

“But you said…” History Seeker began, before he was shocked to silence by Storyteller throwing off his cloak.

What History Seeker saw confused him. Storyteller, or actually Phoenix Wave, if DragonWyrm Heart was to be believed, appeared to be equine in shape, but it clearly wasn’t living in the normal sense of the word. He looked like a strange metal golem automaton. He couldn't tell what kind of metal comprised his body, but, whatever it was, it seemed to have a strange rainbow sheen to it. He had a horn, just like a unicorn would, but it was made from a crystal that he assumed was a rainbow crystal. However, he had no mane or tail.

“Well, at least I now know why you were always wearing that cloak, and never seemed to eat.” History Seeker quipped as soon as the shock faded enough for him to speak coherently.

“Oh I ‘eat.’’ Phoenix Wave corrected. “I just don’t need to eat that often.”

“So what do you eat then?“ History Seeker asked.

DragonWyrm Heart was curious, himself, and decided to pay close attention to Phoenix Wave, in anticipation for what he was sure was going to be an interesting answer. Why would a golem automaton like him need to eat?

“Crushed, almost to the point of powder, gems.”

“Gems?” DragonWyrm Heart and History Seeker exclaimed in shock and wonder.

“Well, gems help keep my magic level up, as without magic… my soul would fade away from this body, and I would die.” Phoenix Wave stopped as they got to They of Hourglass’s forge, which was a blessing for him, as they had only a short amount of time, if he was reading the sky correctly, and if they were still on schedule. “And this is They of Hourglass’ forge...”

DragonWyrm Heart and History Seeker peered in. It was mostly dark, though there were shafts of light from a few skylights, and, of course, the forge itself, in which a small fire blazed away.

“We kept the fire going in the forge.” Phoenix Wave answered the question he knew was coming.

“Can I go in?” History Seeker wanted to see the hoard of the child he was supposed to take care of. That way, he could describe in great detail for him or her, if ever asked.

Phoenix Wave gestured for History Seeker to go in. When History Seeker looked to DragonWyrm Heart, he got the same reaction.

History Seeker slowly made his way inside. Beside the large forge and the expected blacksmithing tools, most of which were almost as large as him, he could see various weapons and armor scattered about. The same metal strip that adorned all of the buildings laid about in neat stacks. As he approached the back, he could make out a very large metal nest.

“Mind if I climb inside? I want to see where this child was laid.”

“Sure,” DragonWyrm Heart motioned his okay. “I don’t want the child to go through what I went though, if possible.”

History Seeker nodded as he climbed into the nest. As expected, there was a layer of gems and coins at the bottom. He nearly flew to the ceiling when a white dragon suddenly appeared out of nowhere, growling. Unfortunately, he lost his footing as he tried to back out of the nest, and became trapped. The white dragon rushed him, and History Seeker shut his eyes, not wanting to see himself being ripped to shreds, nor see the flames that he knew would soon cook him alive.

DragonWyrm Heart himself was startled by Dragon FireWyrm’s sudden appearance. He was sure that his hatchmate had not teleported in, and, even if he had, suppressed his sparks; his white scales should have been noticeable, even in the near darkness.

He did, however, like what he saw. The years had helped Dragon FireWyrm’s scales. The pink staining, from what he could see in the low light of the forge, was gone, and unless one was looking really well, one could not tell that his side had been burnt by that dark flame ball attack. On his neck were two more horizontal scars, to go with the one that Thirdclaw gave him years ago.

History Seeker shook, as he could feel heavy breathing on his back and feathers. Suddenly, the growling changed to a strange purring sound. He tensed up and took a sharp intake of air when he could feel a clawed paw touch his head.

The paw started to stroke him, and he could feel all the tension melt away from his body. He had gone to spas before to help get the tension out of his muscles after exploring many a trap filled tomb or temple. It’s actually where he first saw his marefriend Belle Flower. He wouldn't admit it, but he went on several more ‘expeditions’ just so he could see her. The ponies that worked there were always good at massages, but they had nothing on this dragon’s claws.

“Who is the master and who is the pet?” DragonWyrm Heart quipped over the sight of Dragon FireWyrm stroking History Seeker’s mane, while he was now splayed out on the ground, moaning in contentment.

History Seeker immediately stood up, blushing a deep red from embarrassment. This only ended up causing the two dragons and golem to laugh uproariously.

Author's Note

&#*$^&(#**($ censor, censor, censor! I was trying to end the story and I end up writing the longest chapter so far!!!... At least there is only one chapter and Epilogue to go....

If anypony is interested in writing about The Fall of Equestrian (the generic title edition) or The Bloody End of Blueblood let me know.

The Dragon Migration Returns

2047 Years after Keeper War

2 hours before Sunset, Hourglass City

History Seeker fought to get his blush to fade, but three people laughing at his situation did not make it easy. The sound coming from the white dragon was a bit weird; it almost sounded like two stones grinding against each other.

Unlike DragonWyrm Heart, whose scales almost shone like polished gems, this dragon's scales had a more weathered look to them. As History Seeker looked over the dragon, he noticed a very hard-to-make-out difference in the scales from one side to the other. A purple and green trident-like weapon was at the end of his tail, which was wagging a bit, like a canine.

A purple and green trident tail weapon? Could it be? History Seeker shifted his gaze towards the dragon’s face.

As he did, he saw three horizontal scars on the dragon’s neck. Further up, and on top of the dragon’s head, was a rainbow of horns. A green spark appeared near one of the horns, and dripped down like water. This dragon was almost like what was described in the story... The blackened and stained scales, of course, would have obviously been shed over time, but he was sure this was Dragon FireWyrm.

“Dragon FireWyrm?”

The dragon looked down at him, and History Seeker could see the mismatched pair of eyes looking into his, one purple and one green. Even though the eyes initially looked predatorial, behind that, he could see kindness and joy, and more importantly, zero thought of him being food to be eaten. If he didn’t know better, he could have sworn that the dragon seemed even happier that he was speaking to him. The dragon growled happily, and History Seeker fought not to gag at the smell of decay.

“Yes, that my name.” Phoenix Wave spoke up from the lip of the nest. DragonWyrm Heart was sitting next to him, smirking.

“So, who are your other hatchmates?” History Seeker’s ears twitched in irritation at Phoenix Wave, but he let it go, because he wondered about the scars… Phoenix Wave didn’t indicate that there were any other dragons, other than Thirdclaw and Scorpion, in the clan, and one of those lines was Thirdclaw, so if he assumed that Scorpion was responsible for the second one, who was the third? “If it’s alright in me asking…”

Dragon FireWyrm bent down and nuzzled the pony. History Seeker could hear that same purring sound again, like two rocks being ground together. After a moment, Dragon FireWyrm pulled away, and again spoke in the same way as before.

“Scorpion and Caretaker.” Phoenix Wave translated once again.

“Caretaker?”

“Thirdclaw’s mate.” Dragon FireWyrm explained through Phoenix Wave.

“Okay, what is the deal!?” History Seeker snapped, turning to face the person of his irritation. He was getting annoyed at Phoenix Wave answering for Dragon FireWyrm, and Dragon FireWyrm not speaking. “Why won’t he speak in common?”

“He can’t.” Phoenix Wave began to explain. “When he went through Wyrm Growth, his vocal cords changed, so he can only speak in the grunts and growls that you hear now. And before you ask, Vorac never once spoke in any way other than the way Dragon FireWyrm is now. It just seemed like he was always speaking ‘normally’ because it was automatically and subconsciously being translated by Sentinel.”

“You can really understand him?”

“I’m not as good as Thirdclaw, but yes.” Phoenix Wave shrugged. He was only nominally proficient, even after two millennia. Luckily, the answers had been simple answers, or it would have taken longer, and most likely several tries to get the answers. “Wyrm is a bit raw in comparison to ‘normal’ speech, and is more than just grunts, growls, and other ‘animalistic’ sounds; it also encompasses body language, so there are times where I either mistranslate a word, or have no idea what he’s trying to express.”

“Come…” Phoenix Wave jumped down from the nest lip and out of sight. “We are low on time, and we need to get back to the library, or, more specifically, the library's roof…”

“Why the library’s roof?” History Seeker questioned as he scrambled up and over the nest lip, cantering to catch up to Phoenix Wave.

“I shall answer more questions there, but we need to be there quickly.”

When they got to the library, DragonWyrm Heart carefully took History Seeker in his arms and flew him to the roof. Dragon FireWyrm, of course, flew, and Phoenix Wave teleported.

“So…” History Seeker started as soon as he got comfortable. “I got distracted by the forge and Dragon FireWyrm, but what exactly are you? Some sort of metal golem automaton? Because obviously, you are not the same Phoenix Wave from the story, as he died a long time ago…”

“Technically, I’m considering a ‘living’ artificial golem.” Phoenix Wave corrected. “But I am the same Phoenix Wave from the story…” He held up a hoof to stop the question that was about to be asked by History Seeker, whose mouth was open. “Phoenix Wave, as a pony, died at ninety-eight. And before you ask the next obvious question, because I know you will ask, I will say this. How I came to be like this is very complex, and I struggle to understand it fully, myself, no matter how many times my mate tries to explain it to me... Do you remember the story of DragonWyrm Heart’s and Dragon FireWyrm’s parents?”

“Of course.”

“Well, let’s just say that glowgems or glowstones have some interesting properties…”

“But I thought that the remaining shard was hidden?”

“It was…” Phoenix Wave admitted. As he turned back to face the sun, he saw a shadow moving against it. “Here they come…”

History Seeker could see nothing, even with his pegasus enhanced vision. The sun was just too bright. Suddenly, an explosion of color spread out from the sun, like a ripple in a pond.

DragonWyrm Heart faceplamed. “He just had to show off.”

“You do realize that this is Thirdclaw we are talking about.”

“True...”

History Seeker was too stunned to comment. His jaw hung limply. He had just witnessed a rainbow explosion in the sky. It was the most spectacular thing he had ever seen. Phoenix Wave’s description of the Rainboom just didn’t do it justice.

“Damn it, Dragon FireWyrm…” DragonWyrm Heart cursed as a rainboom went off right next to them.

History Seeker yelped as the shockwave hit him. Thankfully, it wasn’t all that powerful, but the suddenness of it did snap him out of his awe induced stupor. “That is the single most awe inspiring thing I have ever seen.”

They watched as the two rainbows rippled and dissipated, leaving just two rainbow contrails dancing in the sky. Soon, a dark mass could be seen on the horizon. Not long after that, History Seeker could see that it was comprised of individual shapes. Finally, he could make out the dragons themselves. They were of all colors of the rainbow, and of varying sizes too.

“Just like I remember…” DragonWyrm Heart whispered as he saw the mass of dragons begin to circle far above. A few at a time broke formation and made their way, spiraling down and into the city. The two rainbow contrails continued to swirl and spiral around in a dance of complex flight maneuvers that would impress the Wonderbolts. “Well, minus the rainbooms…”

“DragonWyrm Heart?”

“I was quite young when I saw the old migration.” DragonWyrm Heart began to explain. “The sight was almost as awe inspiring as this. The rainboom is something that the old one lacked… Of course, at that time, there was only two capable of the rainboom, namely Rainbow Dash and Dragon FireWyrm, and neither flew with the dragons. Well, Dragon FireWyrm did, but not during the leg that I saw… Thirdclaw has done a good job… I wonder what He of the Flight would have thought of this…”

For a while, the three just continued to watch.

“Come, let’s go mingle.” DragonWyrm Heart suddenly spoke up, startling History Seeker.

“Are you sure…” History Seeker gulped, and absentmindedly ruffled his feathers in preparation to flee at a moment's notice. “I mean, I know the dragons from this clan are okay, but dragons as a whole…”

“They would never think of touching you.” The look that DragonWyrm Heart was giving History Seeker made him gulp again. It was a look of the promise of death. “To do so would risk inviting being dishonored and/or being killed… Did Phoenix Wave tell you what would happen to dragons that are killed when dishonored?”

History Seeker shook his head no. He did know that, whatever the punishment was, it was probably not going to be dinner conversation material…

“Normally, a dragon that dies is cremated in dragon’s fire. But for a dragon that dies dishonored… the body is skinned, quartered, and the head smashed into puree and left out on display. Also dishonored dragon spirits are casted into the Void, and do not join the Voice…”

“Isn't’ that a bit harsh? Nevermind barbaric, just for an injury...”

“You do realize how powerful a dragon is? The Dragon Code is not just a set of arbitrary rules that the Voice came up with willy nilly, just for the lulz. They are written into our very souls, to temper the fiery power a dragon has, so that dragons don’t wipe out all life in a conflagration of flame. Though, to be fair, a dragon has to commit a very serious crime against the code to get the mark of the dishonor and death… and a simple injury would not merit that, unless it was done maliciously.”

“Right… I just… Sorry…” History Seeker shamefully looked at his hooves. Of course, it made sense for the dragon code to be like that.

“Don’t be. It’s a good thing for you, or anyone, to ask these kinds of questions. It means you are trying to gain wisdom and understanding. Even if you may not agree with the answers...” DragonWyrm Heart remarked before he helped Histroy Seeker down from the library and into a sea of congregated dragons, in the square that held the Spiral Spire.

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!A voice suddenly sung-shouted out.

Okay he is not going to be able to handle this, along with They of Hourglass’ egg... DragonWyrm Heart gently guided the already dance drunk pegasus away from the square and away from Scorpion’s powerful voice.

Your body sways... and your voice sings
As you dance down... at party central
Come dragons... lose all control
to sytho drumbeat… of my song!

Thank you, thank you, I’m here all night!The singing voice joked, before moving on to the second verse.

DragonWyrm Heart, by this point, had gotten History Seeker and himself through the crowd, and down a street that was not being used. He quickly put up a sound bubble to block out Scorpion's voice.

“What just happened?” History Seeker shook his head. His whole body felt strange. He had not felt that happy and dancey since his first kiss with Belle Flower…

“Scorpion’s voice...” Phoenix Wave explained, “which is extremely powerful, and he always goes all out during the Migration.”

“No kidding,” History Seeker muttered… Singing like that would be one powerful weapon...

“Don’t worry, it’s effects will fade with time, or you will get used to it enough to know how to counter it… not that most ever want to counter it.” Phoenix Wave added the last part at almost a whisper. “Firstclaw, sir, may I suggest you take History Seeker to Thirdclaw’s silo? I really should remain here and make sure things don’t get out of hand. You may want to hurry, too…”

“Of course. Captain.”

“By your leave, Firstclaw.”

“You have it, Captain.”

Phoenix Wave saltued and walked away.

“Friends talk to each other causally do they not?” DragonWyrm Heart clarified for a confused History Seeker. “When it’s business, then I switch to titles…We are friends are we not?”

“I, uh…” History Seeker stumbled not really sure about the question. The more he thought on it, however, the more he realized that, in a way, he had gotten to know the dragon quite well, through Phoenix Wave. And who says that one can't be friends at first sight? “Yeah, we are.”

“Thirdclaw, Caretaker! I’m awake and have a guest with me.” DragonWyrm Heart called out to the silo not too far from them. History Seeker could see a large opening toward the top of the silo.

A loud thump could be heard, followed by a string of curses. History Seeker had to stifle his laughter. Clearly, the dragons had been caught unawares and at least one of them, Thirdclaw, from the sounds of it, had hit something, possibly the silo, by accident.

Suddenly, a large black dragon head peeked out from that opening. His eyes went wide at the sight of the spark dragon. “FIRSTCLAW!” He yelled before he jumped down so fast that he was a blur.

History Seeker instinctively cringed, preparing for a shock wave from the dragon’s assuredly heavy body hitting the ground, which never came. When he opened his eyes, he noticed that the dragon was closing his wings. And what wings they were! History Seeker had seen the wings of the larger dragons as they walked by, but Thirdclaw’s (obviously him by the twisted horn and black and pale greyish-blue scales) wings were massive, even by those standards.

So engrossed was History Keeper with Thirdclaw’s wings, that he never noticed when Caretaker popped out of the silo, and landed just behind him

“It’s good to finally meet my firstclaw, Firstclaw.” Caretaker greeted her firstclaw.

DragonWyrm Heart blinked. He knew that Thirdclaw had a mate titled Caretaker, but he wasn’t aware what, exactly, she looked like. Her main scales were butter yellow, and her belly scales and spines, a light pink. Her spines looked just like his, when he went through greed growth, except the tops drooped to one side. Her tail weapon, if she had one, was not visible. If DragonWyrm Heart didn’t know better, he would have said that he was looking at a dragon Fluttershy.

Several things dissuaded him from that, besides the fact Fluttershy was long gone. For one, her voice sounded almost like Rainbow’s. Given that she was a normal fire dragon, this was of no surprise… Secondly, the very fact that she was mate to the flyer of the clan, and not to Scorpion. Fluttershy was more into singing and caring for animals then flying… she almost never flew, atypical for a pegasus.

“So, Thirdclaw…” DragonWyrm Heart smirked, “for a dragon that isn't into the mushy stuff, you sure have a very girly flame: pink.”

“And damn proud of it, too.” The Wanderer immediately shouted with conviction, a little of his pink flame leaking out. He could see right through his firstclaw’s teasing. He knew that DragonWyrm Heart was only trying to get him to blush. That may have worked if he wasn’t so extremely proud of his pink flame that he never once had been tempted to change it during the flame contests or challenges that were common occurrences during his migration.

Caretaker and History Seeker doubled over in laughter that DragonWyrm Heart’s wisecrack had literally backfired so spectacularly. DragonWyrm Heart grumbled halfheartedly.

It was at this time that Thirdclaw noticed the pony standing a bit behind DragonWyrm Heart, who had been trying, and failing, to hide from him and his mate. So this is the guest Firstclaw was referring to… it was then that he saw the red egg peeking through the side of the pony’s saddle bags.

“A pony? The irony of it!” Thirdclaw laughed at the fact that his sibling’s destined caretaker was a pony.

“Hey!” History Seeker protested. He didn’t like the way Thirdclaw spoke.

Thirdclaw chuckled heartily. “I mean no offense but if you had known my father when he was young… he had issues with I quote ’namby-pamby’ ponies. It took being dishonored by Dragon FireWyrm, and then saved from a rage dragon, for him to finally turn away from his prejudice. Phoenix Wave and the Hourglass Guard only further proved to him that his previous view was wrong. Though I am considered with you being a pegasus...”

“What is wrong with being a pegasus?!” History Seeker growled out. He was beginning to not like this dragon. Which was a bit weird because the dragon, according to Phoenix Wave, was very skilled at getting along with others.

“Nothing. It’s just that dragon eggs don’t just ‘hatch’... it takes a lot of raw magic… and, no offence to pegasi, but that is something very, very few pegasi are capable of releasing, and, judging from your cutie mark…”

“Emblem.” History Seeker deadpanned. He particularly never liked the use of the words ‘cutie mark’.

“Emblem? Nice, that sounds way fucking better than ‘cutie mark,’ especially for a male… anyways, from your emblem, I don’t think you may be able to… although… it’s possible that you have a larger than normal well of raw mana… Twilight might be able to tell for sure.”

“Speaking of Twi, where is she?” DragonWyrm Heart spoke up at the mention of Twilight.

“Not sure, Firstclaw… I have been too busy making sure there weren't any midair collisions.” Apparently not busy enough, as you were rainbooming with Dragon FireWyrm. Thought DragonWyrm Heart... “Twilight, even after all these years, is not a strong flier. Six hundred twenty-nine dragons flying, even in formation, is a bit much for her.”

History Seeker whistled. “That is a lot of dragons…”

“The migration is usually much smaller, at usually twenty to forty dragons. The reason there are so many now is because this leg of the migration has Hourglass City as a stop.”

Figures; after all, Phoenix Wave did say that ‘to be associated with Hourglass City and the DragonWyrm Clan was a matter of honor and pride’ for dragons...

“He of Hourglass… I…” History Seeker knew the egg was Thirdclaw’s sibling, and he was unsure how to speak to him about it. At least he remembered that the proper way to address the dragon was He of Hourglass.

“I’m known as the Wanderer… you know, I wasn’t told your name…”

“History Seeker.”

“Nice!” Wanderer smiled widely, while giving the pony two thumbs up.

“Now…” The Wanderer’s expression turned a complete one-eighty from the cheery to outright murderous. His head snaked down so that all that HIstory Seeker could see was his eyes and feel his hot breath. “This I promise you: if you hurt my sibling, I will personally kill your entire family in front of you, before I will break every bone in your body, skin you alive, and use your pelt as a stylish ascot.”

History Seeker was glad he lost control of his bowels earlier, because he felt like he was going to lose it again. The Wanderer relented after a moment, as he knew the pony would be good to his sibling; otherwise, he would never have been able to take the egg from DragonWyrm Heart’s hoard. He just wanted to make sure the pony understood what would happen if something ever happened. A big brother’s job was to keep an eye out for his siblings, after all.

History Seeker slowly relaxed. He understood that the threat was the child's big brother being protective, and not being malicious. He looked back to the egg that was in his saddle bag and smiled.

“You know…” History Seeker began. “I came out here originally to find out about a strange stained glass window from the ruins of Canterlot… to finally shut up those mocking professors from the university, and prove that my theories were correct… I wasn’t just some weekend amateur archaeologist who was too ‘unlearned’ to know anything about anything... I had hoped for evidence to make them believe me… to be vindicated...”

“Do you still want to be vindicated?” Caretaker questioned.

“No…” History Seeker shook his head, still looking at the egg in his bag. “The only one that needs to believe is in my saddle bag.”

“FINALLY!” Wanderer roared out, startling History Seeker. “I have been waiting for whatever soul-crushing burden that brought you here to lift off. What I’m about to tell you must never be uttered out loud, unless you are alone with me or my clan…do you understand?” History Seeker nodded. The Wanderer smiled and lean down to whisper. “My name is Soaring Skies.”

History Seeker stared at the dragon, not sure why the dragon would decide to tell him his name now, instead of earlier.

“Storyteller did tell you of the catalyst for my name, didn’t he?”

“He said that you wanted the freedom that Dragon FireWyrm had had, when you all managed to bring DragonWyrm Heart back from being a rage dragon... to have others see that in you when you flew…”

“Exactly, now go, enjoy the Migration. For a pony, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t be nervous to talk with the dragons. Most will be thrilled to talk with a pony. I’ll join y’all later,” Soaring Skies roughly grabbed his mate, waggling his eyes before kissing her. “Caretaker and I have some some intimate lovemaking to do, as our traditional ‘we arrived home’ marathon copulation... In other words, I’m going to buck her.”

“Thirdclaw!” DragonWyrm Heart facepalmed. His clanmate just had to pull a Medallion, though he could tell that it was getting Caretaker horny as all get out.

Epilogue: Bittersweet Memories

DragonWyrm Heart sighed as he reentered his library. He had just waved goodbye to Caretaker who, like always, was the last one to lift off when the Migration moved from any stop. The migration had been in Hourglass for eight days, and it was better than the Migration of old (once you took out the whole phoenix raid part). He even managed to completely forget about Twilight. That was, until he entered his hoard chamber to see Twilight sitting calming by his desk.

“You promised.” DragonWyrm Heart growled angrily, turning around to leave. He could tell Twilight to leave, but he wasn’t really that angry. He was more upset, actually, than mad.

“DragonWyrm Heart, please, don’t go! I can explain!” DragonWyrm Heart, against his better judgement, turned back around. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t here, nor sent a letter like I promised but... When we found out that you would awaken with the return of the Dragon Migration…we all felt to not ruin the migration for you… so we uh...” DragonWyrm Heart narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. I’m going to have a word with my clan about this… This caused Twilight to become more nervous. “We wanted you to enjoy it without… that is we weren’t sure... I… well actually the girls…. that is, if Dragon FireWyrm gets here... have something they wish to give you…”

DragonWyrm Heart blinked. Twilight was not making any sense. He wondered if she had gone on a research bender, and was too out of it because of it. It could explain why she was blabbering, and the fact that she forgot her promise...

A growl behind DragonWyrm Heart caused him to turn to see that it was his hatchmate, Dragon FireWyrm, trying to get in. He was dragging a cart with five chests, using his tail. DragonWyrm Heart moved to the side to allow him in. Dragon FireWyrm moved the cart close to the his hoard bed, then unloaded the five chests.

The chests were fairly basic identical chests, but each one had a different and familiar cutie mark painted on the sides.

“In each one of these chests are gifts for you from each of the girls, along with a book, or books, of bound letters that the girls wrote to you. We all felt that, just because you were asleep, that you shouldn’t be left out of our lives... that and we wanted to.. well that is... uh…”

“You ended up going nuts and ended up writing enough to fill my library?” DragonWyrm Heart gave Twilight a knowing look. He knew that the chests and letters to him were probably Twilight’s doing. A way to cope with losing him, and that the girls must have thought it was a swell idea, and decided that they would do it as well.

“Hey! I am, and was, not that bad…” Twilight protested.

DragonWyrm Heart raised a single eyebrow. He knew what she was like, and she knew that he knew. This meant he would have to wear her down, and he knew exactly how. He would wait her out.

“Ninety-four volumes of about two thousand pages each.” Twilight finally admitted, after being stared down by an unconvinced DragonWyrm Heart.

This time, DragonWyrm Heart crossed his arms and completed the ‘yeah, right’ look. He could wait.

“Okay! Okay!” Twilight broke down from the critical look that was relentless. “One hundred and fourteen, at closer to three thousand pages each. Happy?

“Yes.” DragonWyrm Heart gave her a smug smile. DragonWyrm Heart one, Twilight zip.

“Ugh.” Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes. “Just open your chests.”

He walked up to the nearest one, which happened to be Rainbow Dash’s. Inside was a Rainbow Dash Wonderbolts plushie, along with what he could only assume was Rainbow's Wonderbolts uniform, neatly folded. Underneath that, he could see the entire Daring Doo series, along with a book that was titled ‘Rainbow Dash’s Letters to He of Hourglass’.

“I’m sorry there is not more…”

“It’s alright, Twilight. Rainbow Dash… this is probably what Rainbow Dash would have put in, even if she hadn't died the way she did…”

“So Phoenix Wave told you?”

“Yes… I am so proud of her…”DragonWyrm Heart sniffed once.

DragonWyrm Heart decided to continue with Applejack’s chest so he wouldn't dwell too long on Rainbow's death. Inside AJ’s chest was an old and worn out Stenson, a single scroll, and several ‘Letters from Applejack’ books. He picked up the scroll to see what was written.

Dear DragonWyrm Heart,

You know I’m a simple mare and there was not much I could give to you to remind you of me, so Twilight and I have planted some Zap Apple trees in the orchard. I left instructions on how to maintain the trees, and how to make Zap Apple Jam, with Scorpion.

Love
AppleJack

“There are Zap Apple trees here!?”

“Yep.” Twilight smiled. “Including one that was transplanted straight from Sweet Apple Acres itself. I can’t remember his name off-hoof at the moment… it was a name I should remember… what was... Oh, I remember now! Spike! Spike, that’s the name of the tree!”

DragonWyrm Heart couldn't decide whether to blush or facepalm. Of course, Applejack would name a Zap Apple tree after him, and then have that exact tree transplanted to Hourglass. He wondered if Zap Apple jam from the trees here would be any different than the jam he remembered from his hatchling days.

Fluttershy’s chest was next, and what he found inside was confusing, to say the least.

“A bird perch?” DragonWyrm Heart raised an eyebrow. Why would she leave him a bird perch? That was something Scorpion would want or need. He looked further inside and saw a book on phoenix care. Well, that is not helping...

A musical caw caught his attention, and a phoenix majestically flew into the library. The phoenix hovered near DragonWyrm Heart. DragonWyrm Heart eyed the phoenix; something about the bird seemed familiar.

“Peewee?” DragonWyrm Heart asked, hoping he was right. The phoenix cawed happy and landed on his shoulder. “Peewee! I missed you… you and I are going to have a lot to catch up on, aren’t we?”

Peewee cawed in response, which made DragonWyrm Heart smile even more. He had not seen Peewee since he returned him to his parents. He wondered how many times he had been reborn in the ensuing years. He picked up the bird perch and book, and put the bird perch next to his writing desk, and the book on the desk, before walking back to open the next chest: Pinkie’s.

When he opened it, there was an explosion of confetti and streamers, spooking Peewee, who cawed angrily before flying over and sitting on the perch. A purple and green balloon then floated upwards with a card tied to it that read ‘Happy Waking from 2047 years of Slumber!’

“How…” Both DragonWyrm Heart and Twilight spouted, before they both shook their heads, knowing that it was just Pinkie being Pinkie.

The things Pinkie was able to do… Twilight commented to herself. And all I did was to enchant the chests so that the chests, and anything put inside, would be preserved. Twilight had no idea what was inside any of the chests except Rainbow’s, and she made sure not to open Pinkie’s, knowing correctly that it was probably set to burst open in a shower of confetti, streamers, and balloons. She wouldn’t be surprised if Pinkie had put in some cupcakes.

DragonWyrm Heart looked inside to see a book entitled Dragonified Pony Sweets, along with the usual letters written for him bound up in book form. He was about to close the lid, when he noticed something glinting at the bottom of the chest. He smiled when he saw that it was a rock candy necklace.

Finally, he got to the one he had been saving for last: Rarity. He could see the fire ruby necklace along with the horn rings that he crafted, now modified into earrings, lying on red velvet inside a clear jewelry case. A note was taped to it. What he read on it caused him to truly tear up for the first time since he had opened the memory chests.

For the dragoness that steals my Spikey-Wikey’s heart.

He carefully placed the note and jewelry box back into the chest. Next to the box was a bow tie, just like the one he got from Rarity just before the whole jealousy episode with Owlowiscious. Except this time, it was black, and glittered with small diamonds, and was not comically oversized. With trembling claws, he picked it up and carefully put it on.

The tie felt wonderful, snug on his neck, and, with a mirror that Twilight summoned, he admired his reflection. It really made him look like a charming gentledragon. I’m never taking this off...

“What are you doing, Secondclaw?” DragonWyrm Heart grumbled as Secondclaw suddenly had both forelegs on his shoulders, and was trying to get the rest of the way up.

Dragon FireWyrm didn’t answer, but continued to try and climb onto him. DragonWyrm Heart debated whether to knock him off with telekinesis, or to indulge him.

DragonWyrm Heart ended up not having a choice, as Dragon FireWyrm used his wings to force him down. As soon as DragonWyrm Heart was on all fours, Dragon FireWyrm got off and backed away, watching with a twinkle in his eyes. DragonWyrm Heart rolled his eyes and was about to get up, when he could feel a strange tingling power flow through him, keeping him on the ground.

The sounds of popping could be heard as DragonWyrm Heart’s joints shifted, and his stance forever changed from bipedal to quadrupedal. He couldn’t help but moan in a sensual matter as his muscles bulged and his tail thickened. That morphed to panic, however, when the power shifted and his neck grew. He had put on the bowtie snugly, not loosely. His eyes went cross eyed as he saw his snout stretch out a bit, and a few of his fangs lengthened.

As the power that fueled his growth faded away, the first thing he checked was the bowtie, and, to his relief, the bowtie had grown with him. He wondered momentarily if it had an enchantment placed on it by Rarity, in anticipation of him growing, or if this was similar to Scorpion's ocarina and guitar.

The mirror that Twilight summoned was still around, so DragonWyrm Heart took a look at himself in it. He was a bit larger, as was typical for a first growth. His green spines looked the same, having only grown a bit. His spade tail was different, as it looked more like a turnip now, than the flat heart like spade that it was before. Looking good, DragonWyrm Heart, looking good.

“But how?” DragonWyrm Heart wondered out loud. Without his wyrm half, he shouldn’t be able to grow… right? A memory came to him of the day he became a DragonWyrm.

“You and your hatchmate have always been intertwined… way more than normal for hatchmates via the Rite of Guardianship... Without you, he would never have been adopted, but, without him, you would have never been hatched, and the world would have plunged into darkness… You ascended him to bring him into harmony. By Choosing, he freed all the dragon spirits that had been in limbo because of the Nameless One… And when you fell into rage because of ‘losing him,’ you were finally able to defeat the Nameless One…”

“I don’t see how becoming a Rage dragon would have…” Golden DragonHeart’s protest faded away as guilt consumed him once again.

“He was right, you know…” The Voice sighed. “Harmony Magic would have been useless against him… Friendship Magic might have… might being the key word there...”

I lost my wyrm half during the battle, and that day, Dragon FireWyrm lost his sentient half… and because we are intertwined…

“What the fuck!?” DragonWyrm Heart cursed as his eyes watered. Dragon FireWyrm had just snuck his tongue into one of his snout holes.

“DragonWyrm Heart, language!” Twilight snapped.

“Can it Twi! I’m not a little hat-” Twilight forced a smile down when she saw a particular and familiar twinkle in Dragon FireWyrm’s eyes. He was about to do it again, and she decided to not warn DragonWyrm Heart. “-chling anymore...”

“Damn it Dragon FireWyrm! That…” DragonWyrm Heart stopped as he finally managed to see the glint in his hatchmate’s eyes that Twilight had seen earlier. “Oh it’s so on!” He growled as he jumped on top of Dragon FireWyrm, scratching and biting.

Twilight backed up to give the brothers some space. She chuckled, as she could just imagine the reaction of her friends. Pinkie Pie pulling popcorn out from nowhere and stuffing her face, while Rainbow would be shouting them on. Rarity would be scowling at not only the two fighting brothers, but Rainbow and Pinkie Pie as well. Fluttershy would most likely be trying to hide. And AJ… well AJ would be the only one she would not really know the reaction of, for this display.

She smiled as the two dragon brothers continue to play fight. Both dragons were clearly having fun, from the expressions she could make out. She gazed at the five chests filled with memories, and the voice of Rarity sounded in her mind just as clear as that day, long ago.

“We were hoping that being able to look at your beautiful old memories would inspire you to make new ones.”

Rarity, girls, I’d say that you all inspired new memories today...

Author's Note

And so ends the Keeper Trilogy...

I would like the thank and acknowledge the following:

Ryunaker, my editor the past roughly last 15-20 chapters. Your comma gun has made my story much cleaner...

RadicalDishonesty, who for the last two stories though sharp questions and criticisms made the Dragons of Hourglass and At the Twilight of Harmony better then they would have been otherwise.

Frostbite4, for the use of two of his dragon OCs Nova Blaze aka Eternal Beats aka Scorpion and Tierra aka Legacy Chaser aka Medallion (and didn't kill me for killing her).

Jamesinor, for the use of his dragon OC Quartz aka Tortured Screams and who let me use him as a psycho killer.

Racko, for the use of his dragon OC: Frost Claw aka He of the Barren South.

And finally, you the reader that has put up with 400k words over a year and a half. Thanks!

Prologue: A Stranger in a Strange Land

Expedition Log: Entry #1
I was finally able to get a lead on the stain glass window in the castle ruins on the mountain above Castle Town(see sketching below). A trader pony that came to town today had heard of a strange land to the south of the Equus Nation that might hold the answers I seek. He then sold me an old map. The map was okay, I guess, but the problem was that it would be useless once I got to something called the Boulder Border Wall just to the south of the Everfree. The phrase ’Here be dragons’ was written in the blank area south of it. So I would be without a map after that point... At least it’s a start.

Expedition Log: Entry #11 Day 3

I fell out of the sky as soon as I flew beyond what my map indicated was the Boulder Border Wall. At first I thought it was a fluke, but I soon found out that flying was nigh on impossible. Out of curiousity, I crossed back to the other side I found that I could fly again. So I tried again and again I fell out of the sky. I don’t know much about pegasi magic, but there must be something about the the land marked as ‘Here be dragons’ that is messing with my flight magic. Guess I’m on foot from here on out.

I’m not going to make it…

My mouth was cracked from the lack of moisture. I ran out of water two days ago and the heat of the sun was rapidly sapping what little strength I had left. I can’t remember how long I had been wondering this blasted desert, but I know I’m only hours from death. I gathered what little strength I had so I could write in my journal one last time.

Expedition Log: Final Entry Day??
lost in desert for weeks now… strength is leaving me… I thirst so much… so weak... If someone manages to find this. Tell my marefriend Belle Flower... tell her... that I love her.

I dropped the pen as I lost the strength to hold it and I collapsed completely. As my world faded around me I saw something or someone block out the sun. But I could do nothing as I lost consciousness.

Where am I? I wondered as I blinked to clear my vision from its haze. I was lying on a couch inside what appeared to be a den of a stone house. There was a small bookshelf with a few books and scrolls against a wall and a small coffee table was next to the couch I was on. My saddle bag was leaning next to it while my broken compass sat on top of it.

I looked above my head to see that there was a small fire crackling away in the fireplace. The fire was a bit odd as it was white instead of the usual yellow. Must be a magical fire. I slowly sat up letting the blanket that covered me to fall away.

“I suppose you are wondering where you are?” Came a male voice from behind me and I nearly jumped.

“How…” I managed to croak out. My mouth was still dry, but somehow my lips where no longer cracked. The rest of my question died in my throat as I took a look at the speaker.

Whoever he was, he was he didn’t want to be seen as he was wrapped up in an oversized white cloak. For some reason, I could not see anything inside the hood. I could tell at least he was quadrupedal but other then that I had no idea what he was.

“Standard waking up in a strange place question number one.” The cloaked figure chuckled at his lame joke. “The second one is usually how long was I out? Which is only a day. To answer to the first one, you are in my home at the Northern Oasis.”

“Northern Oasis?”

It was strange to not know what my savior looked like. It was also creepy not being able to see his eyes. And yet I could feel his eyes bore into me. I shifted uncomfortably on the couch as the figure move around to sit down opposite of me at the coffee table staring at me the whole time.

“You may address me as Storyteller.” Came his response.

Address? That is strange, almost formal.

“My name is History Seeker.”

“History Seeker? Interesting name… So what are you seeking? Not many are crazy or stupid to try and cross the Untamed Wilds without a guide. And you don’t seem stupid to me.”

“I was told that I could find information on what inspired a stain glass window in a ruins of a castle near where I live.”

“Let me see.”

I hoofed over my rather crude drawing of the stain glass window. Which he grabbed with magic. Well he’s a magic user… that narrows it down to who knows… and I didn’t see an aura so he's not a unicorn unless he’s very good at magic…

The figure studied the drawing for a while. Then he started to turn the drawing at odd angles. I could feel my face redden in embarrassment when I realized he was trying to read my hoofwriting. My writing was never very good. I just hoped he wouldn’t have to ask me what my notes meant.

“This is an artist's depiction of the three Keepers of Harmony facing off the evil dragon of many titles at the final battle of the Keeper War.”

The Keeper War? I thought, but said nothing as I didn’t want to interrupt him. Somehow I don’t think he would have like it if I did.

“The being at the top is known as a draconequus, the one in the middle is of course a dragon, and lastly what you called a horned pegasus. It’s a good guess, but that is wrong. That is an alicorn.” He handed back my sketching.

“Do you know their names?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t be a good storyteller if I didn’t know the names of my characters would I?”

“Discord, He of Hourglass, and Harmony.”

“Discord, He of Hourglass, and Harmony?” I repeated. “May I ask why the name ‘He of Hourglass?’”

“I forgot how sheltered you ponies have become…”

“Hey!”

“I supposed that would have come of as rude, but it’s still true. As for your question, it’s not proper to call a dragon by his or her name. A title is almost always used.”

“Can you tell me about this Keeper War, then?”

Whoever this person was didn’t answer he just got up and went over the the fireplace and stared at the fire.

Why is the fire so mesmerizing to this guy? I wondered as time went on. I wasn’t sure how long he stared into the fire, but it had to been well over an hour.

“Why don’t we start just before the drums of war were sounded, shall we? At the Twilight of Harmony...”

Intermission II To Escape a Locked Room with Only Magic

“You appear to have a question or two on the tip of your tongue History Seeker.” Storyteller asked.

It was true, I had some questions, but I didn't realize I was being that obvious. The biggest was to do with the adoption of Twixt’d.

“I think it’s terrible… What was done to Twixt’d... I don’t mean being reviled because he was a street urchin...” I cringed when I realized what I just said. “Uh, well, that is terrible too… but the adoption… It seems just cruel to rid the young whelp of what little he had for memories. For that matter, the whole memory loss thing with a dragon choosing.”

“To someone like you, maybe. It’s just the way dragons are, and it never bothers them.”

“It still feels wrong.”

“A dragon is a magical creature unlike ponies…”

“And what of my emblem?” I snapped, not liking Storyteller’s assertion. “It’s magical in nature. So is my ability to fly. A pegasi can’t fly without magic our wings are just not big enough otherwise.”

“You don’t understand.” Storyteller shook his head. “Ponies are weakened without magic, but they can still survive. Pony civilization would probably collapse but as a race you would recover.”

“Everything thing about dragon is magic their births, growth, names, flames, even their bodies. A dragon's scales are tough because of magic. A dragon’s egg can only hatch by magic. A dragon’s sentience is magic without it they’re just a animal ruled by instinct like the animals in the Everfree Forest. “

“Do I need to continue?” Storyteller asked me a clearly rhetorical question so I didn’t answer, but I did look away in shame. “In anycase, the dragons would die out without magic, and that would shatter the harmony of this world irreversibly.”

“Then why couldn’t the adoption been less… destructive?”

“As I said, Quartermaster found out Twixt’d didn’t know his egg name. An egg name has great power as does a hoard name so if he had known the name Quartermaster would been able to adopt Twixt’d merely by changing his egg name.”

“Couldn’t he change it without it?”

“Sadly, no… As I said, the egg name has power. If he had tried giving him a new name without voiding the old one the two names would conflict.”

“How so?”

“The draconic language is a powerful tongue that is magical in nature. A dragon can’t lie when speaking it. A name is a representation of someone or something. Egg and Hoard names represent the possible destiny and true character of the dragon respectively. The egg name is given by the parents. The Hoard name is what the dragon ‘chooses’ but it’s really about the dragon finding out the true nature of his or hers heart. So those must first be given in that language or they have no effect. Most dragons don’t use the draconic language much outside of initial naming... Do you see why Quartermaster had to have known Twixt’d’s egg name?”

“Sort of.”

“Flames can be both helpful and hurtful. The Adoption Flame is not destructive but healing… Being an orphan is painful; being an orphaned street urchin even more. As for the Choosing being destructive that is the fault of the ‘Nameless One’ remember?”

“Oh right.” I had forgotten about that part… “I still don’t understand why couldn't the Adoption Flame, as you called it, help heal without altering memories like it did.”

“Dragon magic is raw and powerful and unlike pony magic which is about control and precision. A skilled dragon could be fairly precise but not as good as a typical unicorn.”

I blinked in confusion. I had only very rudimentary understanding of magic given that I was a pegasus not an unicorn. I could get the language part, that made perfect sense, but normal dragon magic was still was eluding me. Why can’t a dragon be more precise?

“Hmm... you still seem a bit confused. Understandable, as you are not a unicorn….” I sighed in relief that he noticed, and that I didn’t need to make a fool of myself by pretending to understand and risk getting caught that I was lying…” Each race that can do magic are based on different concepts or types of magic… Ponies magic is based on order, dragon magic is based on power, and our third keeper, Discord, a draconequus, is based on chaos.”

I rubbed my head as all of this complex information on magic was giving me a headache.

“Let me think of a visual example…” Storyteller hummed in thought for a few moments before he gasped. Hopefully what ever idea he just got had would make this a bit easier for me to understand. “Let’s pretend that that an unicorn, a dragon, and a draconequus were locked in the windowless room with a locked door blocking their escape.”

“There is no key in the room and the only way to open the door is through magic the door can not be force open by physical means. An unicorn may decide conjure a key to unlock the door or maybe melt off the hinges with a targeted magical blast. For a draconequus he might eat the door with a knife and fork or turn the door into a bead curtain or drink a potion with a label saying ‘drink me’ shirking him down to slip through the lock. A dragon could either roar the door into splinters or blast it with his magical flame. In either case the door would be shattered into toothpicks.”

“Just a second. If that is true, then how did Twist’d weld those metal rods together. I do know that that it takes a concentrated beam or stream of fire or magic.”

“Twixt’d is a whelp so he much smaller. As such, his flame would be comparably smaller… Also a dragons claws are great conduits for a dragon's flame so he could have used a claw to do it.”

“So he could have welded by heating up one of his claws with his flame?”

“Correct.”

“So the dragon in the windowless room could have…”

“Enough of this!” Storyteller growled angrily. The way he growled was really making me think that he was no pony… it sounded almost like what a griffon or a timberwolf. I’m beginning to think that he is a meat eater… “You are missing the point! The example of escaping the windowless room is what a typical dragon, unicorn, or draconequus would do. To get a claw to glow hot enough to do that and to have the precision would be a bit difficult and counterproductive. Especially trying to only get the hinge and nothing else. A full grown dragon’s claw is as big as you are.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“Stop. You were just trying to understand, and I should have been more patient…”

A grumbling from my stomach got his attention, and I chuckled nervously.

“It appears it’s time for supper.” Storyteller chuckled as he left the den.

Well that did answer the question of what time it was. I had been curious since I first woke up, but the room was windowless.

A few moments later, and again, I was served a bowl of herbal broth but this time Storyteller had included a small loaf of bread for me to eat as well.

“Aren't you hungry?” Storyteller asked as I paused, wondering why Storyteller hadn't brought something for himself to eat.

My hunger overwhelmed me so I tore into the food. Before long I had finished my meal I rubbed my stomach in satisfaction. Storyteller then took the dishes away before returning with a medical kit.

“I was wondering…” I inquired as Storyteller started to examine me to make sure I was recovering. “What was Twixt’d’s role in the war?”

“Why would you ask that?”

“The amount of focus on him in your story. I would expect the Keepers like Sentinel, Discord or He of Hourglass to be a focus but a mere whelp?”

“Because it would be nice to complete the hat trick with Spike, then Harmony, and finally Twixt’d...maybe.”

“Huh!?”

“Ignore that... it’s a fourth wall thing…”

‘Fourth wall?!’ Why do all hermits have to get a bit loco in the coconut? I just hope that he doesn’t find out that I think he’s crazy.

“Prepare yourself.” Storyteller put the med kit down and again stared off at the fire. “While life must go on so does the war and where there is war there is death…”

Intermission VI: The Truth is Stranger than Fiction

“Am I right? You are Sentinel, aren't you?”

My resolve temporarily cracked as Storyteller/Sentinel walked right up to me. I managed to repressed a gulp. “I am not Sentinel. I have never been Sentinel…” He stated in the flattest, most emotionless voice possible which took me a bit by surprise as I was expecting anger, fury, laughter, anything… “And if I was, I would think by now you would have known better then to address a dragon incorrectly.”

I smirked as I thought I managed to get the upperhoof. “So you are Sentinel.”

If Sentinel/Storyteller took the bait I couldn’t tell (stupid enchanted cloak). All he did was slowly turn back around and begun to pull the cart again. “I didn’t say that History Seeker. I said IF... I was.”

“Then you are a dragon.”

“Pay attention!” Storyteller was starting to sound irritated. “History Seeker, I’m not saying that either.”

“THEN WHY WON’T YOU SHOW YOURSELF!?” I yelled which got Storyteller to turn to face me again. “Why must you hide behind that cloak?”

I panted from frustration. I probably over did it again but I needed and wanted answers. Clear and unobstructed. Can’t he have the decency to give that to me? But for every clear answer he gives me he muddies three others… Why can’t he trust me? I’m mean it’s not like anypony else would believe me anyways. Tartarus, I hardly believe him.

“We are all allowed to have our secrets, History Seeker. Few know what I look like under this cloak, and I prefer it that way. Please respect my privacy.”

I yawned heavily as we settled around the campfire that Storyteller had lit. He had only let me out of the cart right only an hour earlier. It was nice to finally get out of the cart and to be on grass, even if said grass was a bit dry and brittle. The grass here is so not like grass in Equus or even in the Everfree. Of course, nothing beats clouds, but with my magic still out of whack that was out of the question. Even if I had my magic I had not seen a cloud all day.

“So…” I started before I gave a loud yawn, “besides the Salt Flats are we going to run into any more dangerous dangers? You know quicksand… monstrous beasts with nine heads that spit out acid… Crazed cannibalistic tribal people with pointy spears?

“Somepony has been reading way too many Daring Doo books…” I swear I heard a hint mockery in his tone. For the moment I let that go. I had never heard of any book with a title containing or with a character named Daring Doo.

“Daring Doo?” I asked.

“The History Seeker of the distant past.” Storyteller gave a nonchalant respond.

“GAH!!” I sputtered in anger at the mocking non-answer answer.

Storyteller chuckled before he laid down. “I suggest you get some sleep we still have a ways to go to reach Hourglass.”

“You never answered me… You implied that there was more dangers out here in the Badlands.”

“This close to Hourglass? No. We are safe now. There is still leyonic magic interference but that is more a nuisance than a danger…”

‘This close to Hourglass’, eh? With a smirk on my face I asked. “How much longer to this supposed upside down mountain?

Storyteller looked about for a moment before he responded. “Given our speed and location… I’d say sometime early this afternoon.”

True to his word early that afternoon I saw something... something that defied explanation... that defied the law of physics and I’m sure several laws of magic too… not that I know much of those... I stopped dead in my tracks and in a state of shock I fell back onto my tail, my jaw dropping to the ground.

"I-I-I...uh... ba... ba... It can't be... it's... it's impossible!" I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. In the distance was the visage of a mountain… a mountain with its peak stuck into the ground and its base to the sky. An upside down mountain. Just like the stained glass depiction.

“Like a broken record…” Storyteller chuckled. “Witchdoctor if I recall correctly...”

“This is a trick, an illusion like the images of the dragons.”

“Nope, it’s as real as the wings on your back History Seeker. That is Terra Hourglass, the upside mountain.”

“No it can’t be real… No way is it… I could concede that everything you've told me about the Keeper War could have happened. But there is no way in Tartarus that I would ever believe that that,” I gestured wildly at the ‘mountain.’ “Is real!”

“Sometimes... magic does things we don’t expect. Sometimes…” Storyteller leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Sometimes, History Seeker, the truth is stranger than fiction.”

Author's Note

Well after ever lengthening intermissions I finally I write a short one.

An Ironic Punishment

?? days since the fall of Traxti City

?? days since Legacy Chaser’s murder

Unknown, Crystal Empire

“You got caught on purpose!?” Cadance exclaimed as she finally realized what the dragon meant by ‘who said I was captured.’

“Of course! I needed to find you first and I needed time to figure out how to deal with the thief that is on your throne… figuratively…”

“That’s all well and all but without our magic we are not going to get far and neither are you…”

“She never took my magic… she thinks she knows everything about magic because she spent years studying that she’s some sort of ‘The Voice’s gift to ponykind’…” He of Hourglass mocked. “She doesn’t even know single drop in the ocean of magic…”

“If she did, she would have known that as an adult dragon I’m highly resistant to pony magic and when you add the fact I’m an alicorn equivalent of a dragon known as a spark dragon it makes me more resistant. Plus I possess harmony magic similar to the Elements of Harmony or the Crystal Heart… Now if she had caught me off guard she may have succeeded to an extent… But I was already aware of her magic vampire powers… So three strikes and she’s out...” He of Hourglass explained. Which is a good thing as she could have killed me…

“You know about baseball?” Shining was a bit surprised that the dragon would know about baseball. It was a popular sport but was not well known outside of Equestria.

“I think ponies are cool.” He of Hourglass shrugged as he smirked. “I have been collecting Power Pony comics for a while now and I was just introduced to hoofball trading cards about two months ago…”

Choose equality as your special talent. Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail. Be your best by never being your best. Conformity will set you free. Accept your limitations, and happiness will follow. You're no better than your friends. To love is to hate. Hate is to say you are better than others...

“Gah, you’d think she’d come up with new material…” He of Hourglass grumbled. He was starting to not like that voice.

“What do you mean?”

“Outside of some slight modifications it’s exactly the same blah blah blah that she used in Our Town… She even attempted the same song and dance routine...”

“How do…”

“Well lets go voice our complaints directly shall we?” The dragon suddenly had an impossibly large grin.

“Wait, what…”

He of Hourglass waved his claws and a rush of power poured out. The two ponies and dragon disappeared and then reappeared in the throne room. Apparently his teleportation was invisible and silent as Starlight Glimmer didn’t not immediately notice the teleportation. Guh, that is harder to do than I thought… and Secondclaw makes it look so easy too...

“Ugh… a little warning…” Shining turned a bit green as he ran to a near by plant and hurled.

The sounds of Shining's protest and violent loss of his innards got Starlight’s attention. “How did you escape!?” She exclaimed in shock.

“Gah... and I thought Twi’s teleportation was…” The rest was cut off as the stallion heaved again. Cadance had moved over to help her husband. He of Hourglass flashed a bit of concern over the pony’s discomfort that he caused but time was not on their side. He needed to deal with Starlight then move on to the next crisis.

“Quite easy. You never captured me in the first place.” He of Hourglass grinned and nearly snorted in amusement as he saw a flash of anger. He waved a claw and his sparks began to flow from him again as he canceled the spell masking them. “There that’s better. I really feel naked without my sparks…” Now he couldn’t help but snort from the look of confusion mix with revulsion that the mare was sporting. “You seriously thought that my sparks were somehow my magic? They make my magic aura visible nothing more.” Well its more than that but I ain’t letting you know… “All you took was the sparks and not the magic. I guess you can use it as a nightlight.” He chuckled at the thought of the scared mare using dragon sparks as a nightlight to keep the monsters from under the bed from getting her.

“Why don’t we finish this conversation in a more public setting why don’t we?”

“Don’t you dare!” Shining Armor protested.

He of Hourglass sparks shot out and hit everypony and in a flash of sparks the throne room became empty. A few crystal ponies were mingling down in the plaza by the Crystal Heart when the three ponies and dragon were teleported in a wave of multicolor sparks. Other than being startled by the sudden appearance they made no reaction other than to smile.

“Buck you…” Shining Armor dry heaved. Luckily for him he had expelled everything in his stomach already as there was no planter to hide behind.

“Everything alright Starlight?” One of the crystal ponies called out.

“Yes…” Starlight had finally recovered enough to speak up. “I felt that maybe a lesson on true harmony out here near the Crystal Heart would be enlightening for them.”

Nice save. He of Hourglass rolled his eyes he watched as more ponies started to gather. Good. This should be heard by as many as possible... “Yeah, your version of harmony and happiness is depowering the Crystal Heart. I wonder how long at its current rate will it be able to hold back winter… or wendigos or maybe changelings…”

“Wendigos haven’t been an issue for years! There is no record of changelings attack the Empire! And winter, please!” Starlight Glimmer sneered. “Since the defeat of Sombra winter has never so much as come close to threaten a single crystal berry bush! What do you know about these things!? You are a dragon! Dragons only come to Equestria to raid not learn.”

“Where have you been?! Equestria was attacked by wendigos several weeks ago! Thousands of ponies died!”

“Lies!” She yelled out a flash of concern reflected in her eyes at the increasing crowd.

“Is it? Have you even bothered to keep in contact with Equestria? When was the last time anyone here talked with the ‘outside world’? Huh!?? Anypony!?” He of Hourglass gazed at the gathered ponies. Nopony, however, dared to answer. A few even looked downward in discomfort or shame. “Thought so.”

“This is some sort of trick! And to think we gave you a room.”

“No trick. I came here because given recent events Equestria was concerned about the Empire. And your idea of room is a prison cell.”

“Concern? You dragons only care about gold and gems and treasure! You need help not us.”

“I need help?!” He of Hourglass laughed before it changed to an angry growl. “I shall you show you my treasure!” He was really beginning to want to just burn her to a crisp. He truly liked the ponies. They had such spirit. Something that the dragons could use more of. All he wanted was to help the ponies without coming off as a beast and she was making that difficult. If he could hold out long enough to frustrate her to the point that she revealed that she was the beast and not him then it would be all worth it.

Slowly images appeared of the dragons of Hourglass. He of Hourglass didn’t want to scare the ponies by making visages of dragons suddenly appeared especially of the three larger members. He included Twixt’d in the mix even though he was officially not a member of the clan and he had Sentinel in his dragon form. He left out his the pony side of his hoard as he didn't want the ponies to get the wrong impression.

Cadance could see just a bit of pain and sadness in the dragon's eyes as he walked up to the pink dragoness. She wasn’t sure but it appeared to be grief. If the dragoness was sick, injured, or dead she couldn’t tell, and she felt that it would not be a good idea to find out which one.

“These projections… these images,” He of Hourglass explained as he continued to gaze at the dragoness, “represent the dragons of the dragon clan of Hourglass…”

“None of which have gold or gems or jewelry or any of the ‘traditional’ hoards you have in your amusing fairy tails... stories of knights and damsels in distress and dragons…” He of Hourglass caressed the dragoness’ head a moment before walking back to the center of the plaza. “That’s all they are, stories…”

“This is my treasure! This is my hoard! My friends, my family… they mean everything to me… I would do anything thing for them… He of Hourglass began to tear up. He waved and the dragon images faded away the last to leave was the pink dragoness. “Even take their place…” his voice dropped to a near whisper. “‘cause I love them.”

Cadance burst into tears at that. She knew now that the pink dragon was dead. As she gazed about many of the crystal ponies had ceased their smiling and some had even made the same connection as she did and had started to tear up.

“YOU KNOW NOTHING OF LOVE!” Starlight yelled angrily. She then flinched and calmed herself down. “You are a dragon trying to trick us with your sob story so you can lower our guard down. The Crystal Heart powered up would make for a tasty treat...”

He of Hourglass snorted at her insinuation he would never do such a thing. “True, I do eat gems…”

“See!”

“Fine. Why don’t you try powering it up? Use it to rid the Empire of my ‘evil’ influence? I mean isn’t that what the Crystal Heart is here for? To protect the Empire is it not?”

A few of the gathered ponies nodded. Shining was about to protest before a subtle shake of He of Hourglass’ head stopped him. Starlight Glimmer stammered out nonsense. It was clear to the dragon she was cornered.

“You can’t do it can you…” He of Hourglass grinned. “You want to know why? One, you know it takes the crystal ponies to charge it up but you took their magic didn’t you…”

“No I didn't, they gave it up freely!”

“Tell that to Twilight Sparkle!” He of Hourglass countered. A murmur began to grow amongst the crowd. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, the very same pony that saved these ponies from Sombra when he returned, the same one that came to a place called Our Town about a year ago. She only came to check out the town. What she found is you! A scam artist and a thief!” He of Hourglass roared. “You fooled those ponies in Our Town! When Twilight Sparkle and her friends came close to the truth you stole their magic outright then you attempted to brainwash them.”

“O really? Prove it! But you can’t can you?”

He of Hourglass resisted the urge to smirk. He knew exactly how to prove it in such a way that the mare had no way of denying the truth. “You stole Twilight Sparkle’s magic then tried to brainwash her: Jūs thozaza Twilight Sparkle ir survju tat lēzithāja slatzethu lazzāšatha vithai!”

Everypony’s eyes went wide at what he just revealed about Twilight and Starlight Glimmer and no pony was as wide eyed as the mare in question Starlight Glimmer. Starlight’s eyes rapidly looked about as she saw that everypony now looked at her in anger.

“You-You lie!” Starlight stuttered as she gazed about rapidly.

He of Hourglass laughed and soon clutched his stomach as it started to hurt. He put up a claw to motion for her to wait a second while he composed himself. When he finally did he never stopped grinning. “One can not lie while speaking Draconic. One can only speak truths with it. You can keep try denying it to them and yourself but in the end everyone here knows that I spoke the truth.”

Suddenly the plaza around them exploded in a blinding array of lights. He of Hourglass quickly cast a spell to rid himself of the spots and sudden blindness that came from the light show. He had expected that she would try something like this.

“I blocked teleportation.” He called out seeing the mare trying to teleport in the midst of the flashes of lights. “And your razzle dazzle show is not going to work either… I am aware of…”

A large magic beam came right at him. He merely flicked a single claw. A shield of sparks blocked the attack effortlessly. Her attack was just an overpowered continuous magic missile. If she wanted to have a chance she would need to be less obvious. Of course, she had no idea how to turn a dragon strength into a weakness not like his Secondclaw.

“I lived around an alicorn that has been around for thousands of years. I spent a lot of time learning magic from him… Even if your pathetic attack did hit me what part of dragons are highly resist to pony magic you didn’t get the first time?” He called out. Twi wasn’t kidding she’s powerful… I won’t be able to hold on much long… not without risking injuring the ponies around me…

He of Hourglass could feel the strain and was doing everything to not show it. He had a lot of spells currently in use. He took a risk and lifted the teleportation suppression spell in hopes it would ease the strain. How does he manage six swords! He could sense from the minute fluctuations in her attack that she too was straining. If he could keep only keep up a while longer.

A surge in magic power came at him and he dropped the invisible shield spell that he has cast around the ponies and he increased the shield protecting him. Good she’s focusing too much on me and now… He of Hourglass concentrated and stomped his feet. The force of his stomp was amplified by his magic and was directed straight at her. She was hit fully by the effects of the spell as the ground beneath her quaked violently knocking her to the ground in a daze.

He of Hourglass knew he had her. Now it was time to hang her figuratively though it was really tempting to make it literal. He made his way to the stunned mare. Once he got to her he bent down and his eye glowed bright gold as he put a single claw on her forehead. He stayed that way for a moment before he turned around and walked a few paces away.

“You are worse than Tirek.” He of Hourglass began to stalk around her, the crystal ponies that encircled them watched intently. “From what I was told he didn’t hide the fact he was a slime ball when he stole magic. You knew he was going to take your magic… You on the other hand… hoof... trick ponies into giving up their magic and then trick them into thinking it’s a good thing.”

“What did you do?!” Starlight finally spoke. She tried to get up but fell down as weakness overtook her.

“I did to you what you did to them!” He of Hourglass roared pointed to the surrounding ponies. “How does it feel to no longer have your talent magic?”

“Give it back!” Starlight growled. She tried again to get up but had yet to find her legs without her talent magic.

“I can’t.” He of Hourglass said bluntly. “Your magic is lost forever!“ Starlight’s eyes widened to an impossible size. Gasps could be heard amongst the gather ponies. “Yeah, I know how to remove magic permanently… And before you go thinking you can just trick another into helping you I cursed you as well. You will never again wield any magic either your own, anothers, or from an artifact. You will spead the rest of your days…”

“You... You... bastard of a monster! You are nothing but a lizard. You should be skinned and made into handbags! Your are evil like all dragons! The princesses should banish you to Tartarus just like that centaur!”

“I’d shut up if I were you,” He of Hourglass growled, letting his green fire leak out of his clenched jaw, “or I’ll take your voice as well. Further more, for crimes against harmony, the Crystal Empire, and three members of the Equestrian royalty I hereby sentence you to life in Tartarus…”

“You wouldn't dare…” The mare whispered death at the dragon. “You...

He of Hourglass was done with her and without any further delay he opened a portal and shoved the ranting and raging mare in. As soon as she crossed the threshold the portal closed up. Good riddance to trash. He thought darkly.

“You could have at least interrogate her for the location of our cutiemarks before doing that!” Shining Armor ran up to the dragon angrily.

“Don’t need her help with that.”

“How? I doubt after the last time she would allow anyone to see where she hid them.”

“I figure she would hide my ‘magic’ along with the rest of the talents… Which she did. I had placed a tracking spell on her and her magic. I know everywhere she went and I can tell you where she used her magic. She hid the talent magic in a hidden bunker near by.”

“Tell us where so…”

“No need.”

“What do…”

He of Harmony slammed his right claw onto the ground and suddenly the Crystal Heart reacted, spinning quickly just like whenever the heart was charged and released. A stream of magic shot up and through the Crystal Palace. The borealis shined from the top of the tower. Suddenly a multiple of lights rose from the north and streamed towards the city.

The roar of happy ponies filled the air as they recovered their cutiemarks and fully realized that they had be given back something precious. The crystal heart reacted a second time again and this time a wave of power poured out in a brilliant bright wave. To the dragon it looked like the ponies had become even more crystal like as they sparkle with the harmony magic from the heart.

He of Hourglass jaw dropped when he saw that he had the same crystal look as the crystal ponies. His sparks had nearly tripled in amount and now poured off of him in like a roaring waterfall to the point that it was hard to see that he was a purple and green dragon. “Whoa…” He of Hourglass whispered in awe. “Cool.”

The joys of the crystal ponies regaining their true selves lifted the dragon’s spirits. As much as he wanted to stay and celebrate, though, it would have to wait… Secondclaw needed him, the world needed him and he needed his hoard badly.

“Wait!” He of Hourglass stopped and turned to see that Cadance and Shining Armor were galloping towards him. “You never told us your name…”

“Dragons don’t give out their names… all you need to know is that I am known as He of Hourglass… Think you can handle everything from here?” The two royal ponies nodded. “Good. I’ll let Equestria know what happened here.”

“Wait!” Cadance again called out to the retreating dragon. “How did you know so much about what happened in Our Town?”

He of Hourglass walked to her and knelt down to address the alicorn. “Because Twilight and Pinkie are apart of my hoard. Though I normally never call them by their names because it’s a sign of respect for me to call them by titles.” He of Hourglass rambled. “I only used their names here to avoid confusion. Twilight told me everything after it happened.”

“Now I really must be going…” He of Hourglass rose up.

“Thanks... He of Hourglass.”

He of Hourglass chuckled. “No need to thank me… I am just doing my name…”

“Your name?” Shining questioned, looking at his wife then the dragon.

“My name.” He of Hourglass smirked and took off before anyone could say anything further.

“Doesn’t that dragon remind you of that statue of a dragon holding out the Crystal Heart?”

“Yeah, he does…”

“Whatever happened to that statue anyway?”

“No idea it was there one day then gone the next.”

“We should petition the Crystal Princess to commission a new one except of this dragon… after all he did save us…”

“He of Hourglass the Glorious and Brave has a nice ring don’t you think?”

Intermission X: De Ex Machinas are so OP[Edited]

Author's Note

Edited so if you have read it when I first released it you might want to read it again...

Intermission X: De Ex Machinas are so OP[Edited]

“Do you need a break?”

“Yeah, it’s just… all of these stairs… I mean I knew from… how much further?” I panted hard. Everything hurt including oddly my wings which I have not used since I entered the Untamed Wilds. Stupid leyonic magic interference stopping me from flying...

“We are less than one fourth of the way up.”

“WHAT!? Gah! I despise stairs!” I was too tired for the cliched scream curse you fill-in-the-blank. I suppose I should be glad that the mountain provides shade I would not want to be forced to climb all these stairs under the heat of the sun.

Storyteller sat down near the edge of the stairs while I tried to rest and ease my aching muscles. He seemed to be staring out into the plains below in deep thought. I decided to scoot next to him as the view was, admittedly, quite spectacular. I did see a forest to the south earlier but the mountain, for the moment, blocked it from sight. Right now, though, I can just make out a patch a dark green that I’m sure is the memorial park.

Rising from the plains
Not like other mountains
See a sight like no other
That rises from the ether...

I glanced over to Storyteller who continued humming. I was a bit surprised to hear Storyteller sing but even more so that I could feel that something about it was off about it. I didn't feel a pull with it like with most times when someone sings from the heart… Not that I have experienced too many of these types of songs… what are they called again? I think maybe I should have payed a bit more attention during those lessons... a Soul Song as the dragons in Storyteller’s story would call them… Either way, I could tell that he was pouring his heart into but it didn’t have the magic behind it. Maybe it was because it was so short... or something, I’m not an expert on them.

“I can’t start a Soul Song…”

“May I ask why?” I asked softly. It was clear that it was a sore point for Storyteller so I didn’t want to be more forceful.

Storyteller didn’t immediately answer me. He just continued to stare out at the grasslands for several minutes. “With exception of the diamond dogs ponies have always had the highest occurrence of Harmony Songs as the ponies call them… or called them… The griffons being the lowest…” He explained.

Okay… that didn’t answer my question, but I don’t think he will… unless he’s saying he’s a griffon… which would explain the I don't kill sentient beings line…

Now that I wasn’t, currently at least, marching to what I’m sure will be my death by stairs. (I could see the headlines: Pegasus Dies by Taking Stairs… Everypony would laugh from the absolute absurdity of it… I know I would.) I could finally think straight and the more I thought the more I found myself annoyed. It was something that I noticed as Storyteller was telling his story. With exception of Medallions murder it just seemed too clean too easy. Every time they would get caught in a corner they would usually Sentinel would be like ‘Surprise! I also can do this now…’

“I think you are exaggerating Sentinel abilities I mean it's like nothing can touch him as every time he is ‘outmatched’ you spring a new surprise…” I voiced my complaint. “It just seems like, at least with him, that nothing can touch him… ‘Look at me I have all of the memories and magic of this brilliant alicorn unlike other dragons’ and so on.”

“This is all happening because dragons are returning to harmony…” Storyteller began his, probably perfect, counter to my complaint. “Now being in harmony isn’t about being orderly, cookie cuttered, but a natural balance. For the dragons that would be back to where they would and should be if the curses of the ‘Nameless One’ wasn’t interfering. Usually speaking, the first to return to that state are, again usually, the Keeper, followed by those closest to them, and from there it spreads outward. The curses that the Nameless One put on the dragons in particular force them to become ‘brutes,’ tanks that are nothing but engines of destruction which they are not though their strength is not to be taken lightly..”

Well that would explain the rage growth... but this doesn't really explain Sentinel… It’s not to say this isn’t interesting and helpful but… I surreptitiously took some slow breaths to control myself before I burst again like I did that time I called Sentinel a monster.

“Dragons are about passion… Like the passion Scorpion has for music or the passion Quartermaster as for his metal creations. They never do anything hoard related merely ‘adequately’ more so for a mature hoarder. For example, the birdsnest by the forge may have been done quickly but the exquisite details even on parts that will never been seen would amaze any artist that uses metal as a medium.”

Storyteller shook his head. “Hoarding is such a incorrect term for what dragons are about... ”

But what about Sentinels god like power, that just in the nick of time superheroisms!?

“Remember when I said that everything about dragons is magic? births, growth, names, flames, even their bodies? Bodies being the key here…”

“Yeah…” I admitted, though truthfully it had been a long story and he specifically talked about that several days ago so I only vaguely remembered.

“Remember He of The Barren South and how Scorpion (then He of Music) noticed something strange about him as he departed?”

“Uh…” Now that I didn’t remember. Probably because of what happened right after that. I shivered a bit from the memory of the mere description of Medallion's body. I was glad that with the exception of the images of ‘The Nameless One’ and the dragons of the Hourglass clan that he showed me in the Salt Flats that he had not been using visuals to augment his storytelling.

“It’s okay…” Storyteller mused. “To be fair I kind of glossed over it… After the successful bonding of the wendigos of the south arctic to He of the Barren South and Scorpion’s third major growth. Scorpion remarked that his eyes was glowing red just like wendigos and his body seemed to be transparent.”

“So he became a wendigo…” I shuttered at the implications of what Storyteller was implying and the conclusion I came to.

“Now you got it…” I really shook after that. Storyteller didn’t even notice or didn’t care as he kept going. “The ultimate expression a dragon can have for his or her hoard is to become one with that hoard. He of the Barren South became a wendigo dragon because of all of the wendigo magic that his body was subject to… there actually is an example of this happening in ponies. The crystal ponies were around and imbued with the Crystal Hearts magic for so long that they picked up crystallin properties themselves…”

I wonder what that could mean for a clan of dragons being around the chaotic leyonic magic around here...

“In the same way that is what happened to Scorpion just not to the extreme of He of the Barren South. Scorpion can’t talk unless he projects telepathically like he has been. When he talks it’s only by singing and only Soul Songs…”

If my jaw could dropped any further when Storyteller said that I’m sure I would have fallen of the stairs. Much to my further embarrassment, Storyteller chuckled.

“Yeah, that’s the reaction that most have when they hear that… well either that or complete denial... As for his ocarina and guitar, they kept changing along with him because when he Chose he was wearing them... Which normally would not be affected except that they were in his hoard… A choosing is an extremely powerful magically event somehow those instruments became a part him…”

“What!?” I shook my head in denial. “What is that suppose to mean!? ‘Became a part of him.’”

“That was the exactly what Quartermaster had said… Scorpan, who specialized in biological magic such as emblem magic, hardly believed it himself… It even shocked Scorpion.”

“Okay… but what does this have to do with the fact that Sentinel seems to be ‘the savior,’ the… ‘super dragon?’” I mocked as my anger started to rise again. “I mean I’d expect a self named storyteller such as yourself would go out of your way to not be so nerve rackingly secretive!”

“Are you some foal that can’t read between the lines and make connections!?”

I was about to retort when Storyteller suddenly stood up.

“This isn’t some children's ‘safe’ bedtime story where the heroes never lose and the evil guys never wins” Storyteller began to rant. “I didn’t exaggerate the evilness of the Nameless One and then, of course, make it so my ‘hero’ can’t die or come close even though the ‘hero’s’ do win in the end as it’s clear we aren’t under the claw of him... I can get that you might have troubles believing some elements like an upside down mountain. But after all this time you take me for some charlatan show person!? YOU YOU CAME TO ME FOR ANSWERS! Answers about a stained glass window!! A stain glass window that has a story behind it!”

Even though I was wilting under the pressure of the angry cloaked figure I tried to and failed to stop the onslaught. Storyteller was on a roll and he wasn’t going to be stopped. And I thought the previous rant at the oasis was bad.

“Why MUST EVERYONE think that the only stories that storytellers like myself tell must be some fantastical stories that are one part truth and six parts fluffy goodness!?” Storyteller continued to yell at and around me. “Why can’t there be truthful storytellers! True, I’m not giving you every detail, but then it would be a lecture! I’m trying not to make this too dry! Go take a university class…. Go listen to the professor droned on and on about on the 5th of blah blah in the year blah blah blah… General blah blah had tea and crumpets with Lady so in so! Here is word for word what they said for the next hour before he ‘popped the question.’ Blah blah blah... You can always read the full story later! Better yet, why don’t we just turn around and I give you the the journals of those involved and all of the charts and diagrams and every little piece of data no matter how mundane and let you figure this out on your own! People these days! No wonder the art of storytelling is a lost art…” Storyteller finally stopped but the anger still came off of him in waves.

It was then, now I had a second to recover, that I realized I did it again. Insulting a talent… is like one of the worse social taboos in pony culture and I just did it. I mentally cringed. His name is Storyteller for ponies sake and I just insulted the artform to his face… “I… I’m...”

“No. Don’t.” I shrunk back again as Storyteller rose higher and closer to me in a threatening matter… Which was made all the more effective by me being on a lower step along with his still hooded and unseeable face. “I don’t want to hear your stuttering, spur of the moment, half hearted, non apology, apology…”

He said nothing else as turned around and continued on up the stairs. I grudgingly followed right behind, trying to find a way to apologize in a way that was heartfelt. It was slow going as I was still aching from the climb so far. And now I had the emotional pain to add to it.

“In answer to your earlier ‘comment,’” Storyteller finally said something several hours later after we stopped for the evening, thankfully. “When I went off on a tangent about Scorpion and He of the Barren South it was supposed to make you think. What is happening to Sentinel slash Vorac one could just say that it has to do with his Keeper status as Keepers themselves are in a different class altogether which to a small extent is true. I used the normal examples of Scorpion and He of the Barren South to try and combat that a bit. Even with all of the advantages the clan, including Sentinel, seems to be acquiring at just a fast pace many will die…the victory either way will be no victory… remember the memorial park.” Storyteller countered sadly. “After all, why else would it be tagged tragedy?”

Final Intermission: This was a Bedtime Story?!

Storyteller suddenly went silent. The story had clearly reached a climax with the battle near Hourglass. I had been gripped in excitement from the the moment the sun and moon had been lowered to the horizons, through Luna and Celestia's deaths, to the Nameless One’s own death by the raging He of Hourglass, and finally ending with the friendship wave that hit He of Hourglass, that ended with nothing! All that buildup, just to leave me hanging.

I waited for a while, initially figuring that maybe he was formulating what to say next. I doubted that the moment I thought it, though, as Storyteller clearly knew the story like the inside of his hood. Storyteller was up to something… I may have only known him a short time, but, in that time, I knew that everything he did or said seemed to have some sort of ulterior motive.

“Well?” I asked. I really hoped I managed to hide my curiosity with my poorly ‘concealed’ irritation.

“Well, what?” Storyteller asked calmly, which infuriated me.

I rushed ahead and turned to face Storyteller, who calmly stopped. “You know exactly what!” I snapped. “Aren't you going to finish?! I mean, you get me all hyped up to know how it ends, and you end off at a cliffhanger!”

“Well…” Storyteller shrugged. “I figured that you would be too slack-jawed to pay attention, once we got to the top, which should be any moment now.”

“Finally!” I yelled out in exasperated joy. I was so done with stairs. I then shuddered when I realized that, if I didn’t get my wings back, I would have to go back down the same stairs I've spent several days climbing.

Storyteller merely chuckled, eliciting a growl from me. I immediately turned to continue up the stairs; as much as Storyteller was irritating me, after the days of stairs, my drive to get it over with drove me to keep climbing. The Final Battle of Hourglass played over and over in my mind as I did.

The more I thought about it, the more something about the battle bothered me… well, only a single part, and it was really only the actions of one that bothered me. “May I ask you a question…?”

“Of course.”

“Why did Sentinel… I mean… That is… uh...” I stumbled a few times as I struggled to come up with a way to explain my problem. I remembered the reaction of Storyteller the last time I had an ‘issue’ with Sentinel. “Couldn’t he have held that dragon prisoner, and helped his clan immediately afterward…? I mean, I understand the vow thing, and I get that he wanted the whole eye for an eye thing, and I don’t have a problem per say with that... It’s just that the Nameless One had nearly killed him, and he would have known that everyone fighting him would be in a life and death struggle… they would have needed his help… and he abandoned them, until He of Hourglass’ roar of rage…”

Storyteller sighed and remained silent for a while. I waited patiently this time, as I figured he was probably figuring out what to say. I mean, it wasn’t like I had asked what Sentinel’s favorite colour was… whatever Sentinel’s motive, was it was probably going to be one, complicated, and two, hard to believe.

I didn’t get my answer, and forgot about it as I saw the ‘lip’ of the mountain's... base? Top? Whatever was the right word! I surged ahead, and, when my hooves reached the ground of the mountain, I nearly collapsed in relief. I started laughing incoherently, and nearly went about kissing the dirt and grass that lined the path. Storyteller just stood there, watching.

I don’t know how long I was like that, until finally, I managed to recollect myself. If Storyteller was annoyed by my exuberance, he gave no indication, though, like always, the hood hid a lot. I scowled a bit before I turned to look towards the center of the mountain, and what I saw floored me. Which I admit shouldn’t have, especially after the Salt Flats, and seeing an upside down mountain should have prevented anything else from ever shocking me that way again, but it did. I mean, really, who in their right mind would ever build a city on the bottom of the top of the bottom of the whatever like this?

Storyteller was right. I don’t think I would have been paying any attention to the story. There, rising above the treetops, was what could only be the Spiral Spire. It really did look just like a spring. A huge spring. I could just make out some buildings through the trees as well, but the trees were a bit too thick to get any details.

“‘What fun is there is making sense?’ A favorite quote of Discord, and perfectly describes his people… Draconequuses were of chaos: they lived in a place where the ley lines were chaotic, and where a mountain disobeyed the laws of physics. So, of course, they would build a city in a spot that made zero sense.” Storyteller answered my unspoken question.

I merely nodded.

“Come,” Storyteller motioned for me to follow him down the path that continued on through the forest, “we have to get to the library.”

“The library?” I dumbly repeated before it hit me. “The library!? As in the Library of the Firstclaw of the Hourglass Clan He of Hourglass?!”

“The one and the same.”

I gulped and slowly followed Storyteller.

“Whoa...” I gasped.

Storyteller chuckled at my reaction. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

That was putting it lightly. The city seemed to shimmer in the light. And what a city it was. Beside the many small outlying buildings that, I would assume, would be homes, there were numerous steep pyramid buildings towards the center of the city, along with what appeared to be a domed building near the Spiral Spire.

The beauty only increased as we got closer. Every building was painted in bright colors and geometric designs. A single strip of etched metal went around every outer wall.

Before long, though, I suddenly came to a scary thought. The beauty of the city had distracted me from something that was increasingly glaring. There was no one around. No signs of movement, recent or otherwise.

The more we walked into the city, the more I became jittery. What I was seeing put me on edge. I was expecting the city to be in a state of disrepair, at least… That I can handle. But a place that looked like it was a bustling city yesterday and now is empty? That was another thing entirely.

We continued towards the center of the city and the Spiral Spire; all the while, my nervousness increased. I kept thinking that there was something, or someone, watching me from the shadows.

“Relax.” Storyteller suddenly spoke up, nearly causing me to fall over in fright.

“It’s just that I expected a dragon to greet us, given the state of the city. Unless you withheld that they had managed to restore the city during the war, and not tell me…”

“No, the city was still in a state of semi-ruin at the conclusion of the war... The only thing restored was the Spiral Spire… Look around you.” Storyteller stopped and gestured to everything with his head. “The clan was only a few years old at the Final Battle of Hourglass. Now tell me: even if they had focused only on that, do you think that, even with seven dragons, they would have had the ability to get all of this fixed up in that time?”

“Probably not...” I admitted. The city was just so large… I don’t think that, even with unlimited resources, the entire Equus Nation could get it done, at this level of detail, in that amount of time.

Silence once again reigned until we were in the center of the city. The Spiral Spire, I must say, is larger than it seems from a distance. If I recalled correctly, the building to the north was the council building, and the one that Storyteller was walking towards, the one to the south, had to be the library.

“Now what?” I asked, looking around for any sign of anyone watching but, as always, the feeling was there, but I could see nothing.

“You are going into the library and, in the room at the end of the central hall, you will see a red dragon’s egg… I need you to…”

“WHAT!?” I screamed in a mixture of shock and indignation. I knew exactly where Storyteller was going, and the audacity of the request was even worse than stealing a trinket! This was outright foalnapping, or whatever a dragon would call it… “Do you take me for a THIEF!? You bring me into the center of the very city you describe in your story, and then to the library of…”

“What does your compass say?”

“WHAT?!” I again shout. Things were getting out of hoof fast, and I still didn’t have my wings available to make an escape. I pulled out the compass, however, and noted in a huff that the compass was pointing towards the library. “Come on! This again? You know when you did that demonstration in the Salt…”

“How many times!” Storyteller looked to the sky, then back at me, shaking his head while he did so. “I did not tamper with your compass! I couldn't, even if I tried! No one can… Your compass is a unique object that will only be ‘found’ by those worthy. The compass only works when you are in need, and only shows where you need to go, not where you want to go.”

I blinked as I attempted to process that. The problem I had with Storyteller’s claim was that I had the compass for years, and never once did the compass show where I needed to go. Not until the Northern Oasis and Salt Flats, that is.

“Wait... you think that the compass will tell you your every need?!” Storyteller started roaring in laughter, much to my chagrin. Apparently, what I was thinking was clear to him, though, to be fair, I’m sure that it would have been a very likely train of thought for anyone who was told that... “Like… Like where’s the nearest bathroom when you really need to go??!”

I waited the best I could, which was hard, as his laughter was, as usual, getting on my nerves.

“Okay… hmph...” Storyteller finally managed to calm himself down enough to stop laughing. “Let me clarify: it shows you where you are needed to be…”

“Fine.” I narrowed my eyes to show my displeasure. “But even if that is true, I am not stealing an egg. I am an archaeologist by trade, not a tomb raider…”

“I’m not asking you to steal the egg, but to be its caretaker. A caretaker that would not be intimidated by dragons just because they are dragons… To love and nurture the child inside, as if it was your own… without the need or want for payment...”

I had nothing to say to that. I stood there, contemplating what to do for a while. Storyteller merely stood there, giving no indication of his own mood. The more I dwelled on everything, the more I knew I was screwed either way. Resigning myself to fate, I turned and made my way to the open doors of the library.

As I stepped through the threshold, I could have sworn that I heard Storyteller mumble something,. but I could only make out a single word: Firstclaw. I decided to ignore that for now; any more delay was not going to get me out of this any faster.

The library was surprisingly dim. It was only early afternoon, as the sun was still quite high in the sky, and I could see several skylights above. Like the buildings and streets outside, everything seemed clean; I could not see a speck of dust anywhere. I slowly made my way through the central hallway, the echoes from my hooves making me want to run back to the semi-safety of the outside. Yet, I kept going until I got to the doors at the end of the hall. I slowly opened those doors and stepped inside.

The room reminded me of a much larger version of the main study and research rotunda at the Equus University. Unlike at the university, however, there weren’t a series of study desks. In fact, outside of the books and scrolls that lined the outlining wall, the room was nearly bare, with one glaring exception. In the center, I could see a mass of something; in the dim light. I could see a strange glittering came from that same area. If this is the same library described in the story, then it was possible that it was gems that I was seeing.

As I got closer, I could see that I was right, that it was a pile of gems. The problem was there more than gems though. On top of the pile was something else. I cautiously stepped forward to get a better look in what little light was coming in from the skylight above.

I gasped when I saw what it looked like. It was a dragon! I just knew I was in trouble. I just had to listen to crazy hermit hooded guy! I am so dead! In a panic, I backed up, but misjudged where the doors were, and I ended up slamming into a bookshelf. I yelped as a scroll fell down next to me.

I froze in terror. According to Storyteller, a dragon would suffer neither a thief nor an intruder, and here I was, not only intruding, but being tasked with taking a red dragon’s egg!

For a while, all I could only hear the pounding of my heart and the ragged breaths I was taking. The dragon apparently didn’t hear me or something… nothing was making sense… if I was told correctly, the dragons should have noticed my arrival, not only into town, but into the library.

After a time, and against my better judgment, I slowly made my way back to the center of the room, and towards the dragon. The whole time, I’m screaming in my head I’m so dead over and over again. As I got back to the dragon, I slowly made my way around to get a look at the dragon’s face, now chanting Please let him not be awake and staring at me….

To my immense relief, the dragon appeared to still be sleeping.

“Hello?” I squeaked out.

No response.

“Dragon of Hourglass?” I called out again, still in what I would not admit normally was a very girly voice.

Again, I got no indication that the dragon had heard me. And, as I got closer, I couldn’t even see signs that the dragon was breathing.

I closed my eyes and put my hoof right in front of the dragon’s snout. Please don’t bite off my legs, please don't bite off my legs. After some time of holding out my hoof I never once could feel any heat or air moving. I opened my eyes and put down my hoof. I then put my ear right up to the dragon’s chest, and could hear no heartbeat or shallow breathing. Furthermore, the body was stone cold.

“It’s a statue?” I muttered in disbelief.

I was tempted to hit it to make sure, but I was not sure that would be a could idea, as I didn't know what material the statue was made from. I let out a breath that I wasn’t even aware I was holding. Whoever created this statue was highly skilled. The details were so great that I could see no creases, marks, or cracks. Now, feeling safe-ish, I proceeded on the task Storyteller asked me to do.

I reached out and touched the egg that was in the center of the pile of gems. I gasped as I did, as I could feel a strange energy stirring from within the red egg. I don’t know if that meant life or not, as I had never held a chicken’s egg, much less a dragon’s egg, but, in that moment, I felt compassion for the creature inside.

I think I understand what Storyteller’s motive for bringing me here was, as well as for telling me the story he told me. He was looking for a special type of person. I wondered how many people he told this Keeper War story to, and how many people he looked at to find the right person to be a caretaker for this unborn child.

I carefully repacked my saddle bags, so that I could carefully place the dragon egg inside. Luckily, the egg was fairly small. Once I was satisfied, I slowly and carefully grabbed the egg and placed it in the now-empty pocket of my saddlebag.

I rechecked the straps on my saddlebag. I wanted to assure myself that it was securely strapped, and that the egg was not going to fall out. If this egg did contain a life in it, I wanted to make damn sure that there was no chance for any harm to come to the child. Nodding my approval, I made my way out of the library...

“And that was how I came into possession of your egg.” A now older History Keeper whispered to a yawning female dragon hatchling that was snuggling under some covers. He had aged well, considering all he went through, when he was younger and more adventurous. A few grey strands in his mane and fur, but nothing more.

History Seeker watched the dragon as the hatchling yawned again. Everything about the dragon hatchling was red, with one small exception: a single black numb of a horn at the tip of her snout. The scales that covered most over her body was an ordinary red, but her belly scales were a rich, deep ruby red, just like her namesake, Ruby. Her spines, which were a reddish orange, were hidden out of sight, under her covers.

“What happened next?”

History Seeker chuckled warmly. He was happy that his granddaughter enjoyed the story. His smile faltered for just a flash when he saw a unicorn mare watching them from the hall. “Another night, mayhaps. It’s past your bedtime, as it is.”

“But grandpa! I want to hear what happens next!” Ruby whined.

History Seeker wanted to indulge his granddaughter, but, between the continued yawning, and the look he was getting from his daughter, he knew that she was right, when her mother said to him that it would have to wait. “Don’t grandpa me, young missy, it’s time for you to go to sleep.”

Ruby pouted, but didn’t complain any further as History Seeker tucked the hatchling back in, and kissed her lovingly on her cheek. Ruby yawned again as she curled up under the blankets, closing her eyes.

Before History Seeker got off the bed, he leaned back down. “Don’t worry, Ruby. We’ll finish later…” He whispered.

“You promise?” Ruby whispered out as she began to drift off to sleep.

“Of course.” History Seeker smiled as he turned off the light in Ruby’s bedroom.

“Must you do that!?” The mare hissed as History Seeker turned away from Ruby’s room.

“Do what?” History Seeker had suspicions on what was bothering his daughter, Elegant Prose.

“Give her hope!” Elegant Prose whispered angrily.

“I’m merely telling her the truth, Elle.” History Seeker countered simply.

“Don’t Elle me! I’m not a little filly anymore!”

“And she is nearly three.” History Seeker gestured back to Ruby’s room.

“So?”

“She is nearly a whelp… a teenaged dragon…”

“Yes, dragons magically become teenagers!” Elegant Prose mocked. She had heard these stories in her childhood. While it was something that would ignite the imagination of a child, it was just that: a story a myth, a fairy tale, fake. “Your stories, I admit, are quite imaginative, but that is all they are: the creation of your imagination… You know nothing about dragons!”

History Seeker was taken aback at his daughter’s accusations. The Keeper books where all truthful; the only thing he did was put them into book form, which was why it credited as: As told to History Seeker by the Hermit of the Northern Oasis. The only thing that one could consider ‘untruthful’ is the fact that he changed the names of the dragons and their hoards to help protect them. True, his editor and publisher indulged his insistence that he was merely telling it how he was told it as a great way to market it. But his family, particularly his daughter, had seen things that should clearly prove that there was truth in those books.

“What? You think I just found her egg abandoned in one of those ruins I explored in my youth!?” History Seeker questioned, still in a state of disbelief over his daughter's words.

Elegant Prose didn’t respond, but History Seeker could tell; her silence told him everything.

“Ruby was not abandoned!” History Seeker snapped, straining to keep his anger from causing him to raise his voice too much and wake the kids. “Look, I know that your husband was a cheater, and left you to raise Magic Dowser and Ruby on your own, but that is no excuse to project your hurt onto them! The day will come when she will start questioning her origins, where she came from, and why she is here and not with her own kind.”

“That day will never come.” Elegant Prose narrowed her eyes, thrusting a hoof at History Seeker angrily. History Seeker raised an eyebrow at this, but said nothing, as he waited for his daughter to explain why she thought that. “I am her mother, and Magic Dowser is her brother. Nothing else is important!”

“And I am their grandfather!” History Seeker stated, still straining to keep his anger in check. “And trust me, it may not be now, but soon, it will become important for Ruby!”

“Get. Out.” Elegant Prose growled, her teeth grinding. “You are not to speak to Ruby, Magic Dowser, or me, ever again!”

History Seeker blinked, his jaw slightly ajar in his shock. To think that his daughter would disown him like this was too much for him to fully process. He knew she was struggling, after her whole world, seemed to fall apart around her, but to push him away?

“But Elle...” History Seeker begged, even as he was ushered out of the house.

“Just go.” Elegant Prose tiredly ordered, before she closed the front door.

History Seeker shook his head sadly as he left the home of his only daughter. A single tear fell from his eye. He loved his daughter and his grandchildren dearly, and only wanted the best for them. He just hoped she would realize her folly and relent, before the children were needlessly hurt. He sighed as he made his way to his own home; the night was only going to get longer, as he had some letters to write.