The Great War

Panic and fear filled the streets as the people of the city ran from their homes with the dragon swooping down to unleash another burst of flame onto the city while the local guards rallied to attack the beast but as the legends told a dragons skin was tougher than the strongest steel for when the arrows and catapults hit their mark the dragon was left unphased but more enraged.

Archer and Iron Forge who were still at the inn heard the commotion and quickly ran out to see the city catching fire and droves of ponies and gryphons running for their lives before spotting the dragon making another pass as the roof of the in was smashed open.

"LOOK OUT!!"

Iron Forge and Archer quickly jumped aside as rubble came crashing down from above as the inn was set ablaze by the dragons breath, taking quick action the two scrambled back to their feet and began leading the people out of the burning building while keeping an eye out for the beast before making it out as the building came crashing down in flames.

Meanwhile Lord Uther accompanied by a group of volunteers lead a full frontal assault on the dragon as it neared the center of the city.

In an attempt to ambush it Uther lead his troops in a dive bomb attack landing right on the back of the beast but as their weapons and claws were swung the only thing they got were shards of shrapnel in their faces before being thrown off into the burning streets.

"My lord what do we do?!?"

"We have to keep that creature occupied while the city is being evacuated!"

Wasting no more time the gryphon leader sprang back to his feet for another attack with his men close behind him.

Back at the castle Charm Caster and Melody could see the destruction from their bedroom window and began to worry for their friends before grabbing their belongings and running out the door until they were stopped by two guards.

"Halt! I'm sorry my ladies but it's too dangerous to go out there!"

"Please! our friends are out there!"

Melody begged but the guards would not budge, not wanting to waste time Charm Caster stepped in front of her looking at one of them straight in the eye looking very angry as she grabbed him by the chestplate.

"Listen pal! I am a unicorn so I can use my magic to help with the evacuation and if you have a shelter which i'm sure you do my friend here can help with the wounded! so either let us through or deal with ME!!"

Her horn instantly flared up with magic before both gryphons quickly stepped aside opening the door as both mares rushed out joining another group of soldiers being deployed into the burning city.

"Thank you."

Melody said in a cheerful manner as the door shut.

Back in the city Storm Wind and Star Swirl joined in the rescue effort and soon met up with Archer and Iron Forge before they spotted the dragon blasting another wave of fireonto the soldiers attacking him, the group watched in horror as scorched bodies of gryphons came crashing down like balls of fire on the frightened citizens of the city until Storm Wind ran to one of the fallen guards grabbing his spear and prepared to take off as Star Swirl grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Storm Wind listen to me! Aim for the scales on the chest they'll be the most vulnerable! Iron Forge come with me! Archer find the tallest point in the city and you'll know what to do from there!"

"Yes sir!!"

"GO! Quick!!"

Following the unicorn mages lead Storm Wind sprang into action taking off with great speed as the dragon made another pass colliding with him in mid air while Archer ran through the burning streets spotting the bell tower still ringing loudly in the night. Meanwhile Charm Caster and Melody were escorting the citizens to the nearest shelters while helping the wounded and clearing fallen debris before Melody heard the sound of an arrow whistling through the air as it hit the dragon on its side before the alarm bell had stopped sounding.

"Charm Caster look!!!"

Melody shouted over the screaming crowd as she pointed to Archer now perched at the top of the tower with a full quiver of arrows and to no surprise Charm Caster was shocked at to what her little brother was doing.

Archer knocked another arrow into his bow while Storm Wind held on tight stabbing the beasts chest trying to peel away the scale before it barrel rolled in the air throwing him off while his friend helplessly watched.

Unable to get his bearings Storm Wind thought for sure he would plummet to his doom when suddenly an eagle cry was heard followed by a pair of talons swooping him out of the air. It was Uther Stormtalon!

"You alright lad?"

"Thanks to you!"

Uther then threw the young pegasus above as he took flight trailing behind the dragon then out of the corner of his eye Storm Wind spotted his master Star Swirl using his magic to signal them with Iron Forge holding a giant grappling hook in his hand and instantly understood the plan.

"I know that look lad. What did ya have in mind?"

"We need to herd that thing to Star Swirl!"

"You heard him lads!! MOVE IT!!!"

The flyers then went full speed moving ahead of the beast, forcing to turn as they unleashed a flurry of arrows while Storm Wind stuck his spear into a scale on the left breast giving him self a congratulatory fist pump while Star Swirls eyes narrowed down at the beast.

"Steady....steady..."

Iron Forge twirled the grappling hook ready for Star Swirls signal until at last the beast began to fly over as the unicorn mage shouted.

"NOW!!"

The hook found its mark as it wrapped around the spear before Iron Forge pulled with all his might forcing it and the scale off the dragon.

The beast roared with great fury as it spotted the unicorn and earth pony holding his scale before they suddenly vanished in a flash of light while back at the bell tower Archer was down to his last arrow and could see no real damage had been done to the dragon, as he was about to fire the arrow suddenly floated on its own as Star Swirl and Iron Forge appeared behind him.

"Star Swirl! Iron Forge!"

"Quickly my boy! we need an arrow head!"

Using the spears head Iron Forge was able to break of a small piece of the scale before fashioning it into an arrow head and replacing it on the arrow Archer was about to use.

"We have only one shot at this my boy."

Star Swirl said with worry in his eyes before Archer readied the arrow as he took aim.

"That's all I need..."

As the unicorn lined up his shot the dragon spotted them from above diving down for an attack with Storm Wind giving chase and at a much faster pace than the gryphons until at last he stood right in its path seeing its chest begin to glow red.

"I'm insane! I'm insane! I'M INSANE!!!!"

Storm Wind shouted to himself as he went in for a head on charge.

As the dragon prepared to fire it suddenly found its jaw forced shut as Storm Wind swooped from below delivering a powerful double heeled kick to the chin giving Archer a perfect shot.

THWACK!!!!

The arrow whizzed through the air faster than anyone could see until a faint flash of light was seen entering the beasts chests as it gave out one ear deafening roar rearing its head.

ROOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

"HE HIT IT!! HE HIT THE DRAGON!!"

One of the citizens called out as the dragon began to struggle staying afloat before coming to a crash landing on the burning ruins below.

As dawn began to all could see the smoking ruins of the once great city as they began to come out of hiding to look for loved ones lost in the attack while atop the bell tower Star Swirl and the young stallions had passed out from all the excitement when suddenly they began to hear cheering.

Archer was the first to step out and upon doing so he was suddenly swarmed by a large mob that began to shake his hand and pat him on the back before being lifted and taken to the lifeless body of the dragon. The beast was large enough to fill a mountain cave, its scales black and talons black as night and the webbing of its wings green as an emerald, as Archer gazed upon his fallen foe the crowd parted ways as the lord of the city; Uther Stormtalon began to make his way towards the unicorn.

Fearing the worst for her brother Charm Caster was ready to leap into action only to be stopped by her three friends who didn't seem worried at all, as Stormtalon gazed upon the dragon himself he turned his gaze back to Archer bowing in respect and needless to say the young unicorn was shocked beyond belief as the crowd, along with his friends began to do the same.

"Archer. You have saved my people as well as my city...we are indebted to you."

"ALL HAIL ARCHER THE DRAGON SLAYER!!!"

Many of the citizens, including his friends cheered at Archers new found fame while the hero of the city stood there in awe at the deed he had just accomplished while back in the wastes a certain chieftan grew immensely furious over the news of his beloved pet.

"RRARRGH!!"

Gor'Zan flipped a large table in a rage before throwing one of his soldiers across the room.

"Those ponies are becoming a thorn in my side!!!"

"A mutual problem we share."

Grabbing his sword the warg turned to face what he thought would be an enemy but instead his scowl turned to a devilish grin as a hooded minotaur stepped out of the shadows revealing himself.

"Lord Minos..."

The End.