Back Into It

(Several thousand miles above Equestria, Reach’s Redemption, several weeks later)

         “How is the scavenging of the cruisers?” The captain asked one of her communications officers.

          “Well they managed to find a Large UNSC Carrier that was on route to Reach during the invasion but never reached it, they have reported about 30,000 marines in Cryo, 4,000 Pilots, 10,000 Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, 30 Spartan III’s and 2 Spartan II’s” The communication officer replied as the captain sighed.

        “That's the fifth cruiser full of troops on route to Reach we have found… I believe if this ‘Baixao’ and Ranger Station never existed then we may have saved Reach and all those men and women” She sighed before turn in her gaze to another one of her officers. “How are the scanners we launched?” She asked.

       “Good, we are getting plenty of useful data from the planet below, along with some strange readings” The Female Officer reported.

        “Like what for instance?” The Captain (who I may have forgotten her name) asked.

          “Well the Planet isn't rotating, the sun and moon appear to be orbiting the planet and the inhabitants of the world appear to be controlling the weather themselves” She replied as The captain walked over to her and looked at the console.

             “That is really weird” She said before she heard someone clearing their throat behind her causing her to turn. “Ahh Good timing Commander” She said to her replacement.

                “I do try captain” He said with a smile. “How do you this to run while you sleep?” He asked her.

                 “Keep our Spartans and ODST’s searching the ships, if they are fully operable, have them moved to the same Orbit as us, if any hostile appear then I want them eliminated before they have a chance at Ranger Station or the planet as both are our way home” She said as the Commander nodded.

        “And if there is a problem on the planet?” He asked.

         “Deploy ODST’s and get me up” she said as the Commander nodded and saluted, which she returned and grabbed the Datapad by her chair which had a copy of the information they had collect on it, before she took her leave.

(Equestria, Canterlot Arena)

       Tony sighed loudly as he sat in the change rooms that several years ago he fought for the independence of Armonia, now he was fighting for the right to be with Amber, at least this time he had more than a few hours warning so he at least was able to prepare but unlike last time, he was only allowed one weapon, his breath attack and to fly… which was a pain in the ass as he couldn't fly or breathe fire but Inferno did stop by earlier and return something he thought he had lost, his combat knife which would help him even though three of his opponents were Dragons and one was a Griffon.

       “How you holding up?” A voice asked gaining the man's attention as he looked up to see Amber stand in beside him.

         “Alright I guess… not happy that you didn't mention this when we first got together” He sighed.

          “Well this rule was not enforced for several thousand years after the last Dragon Lord decided to deactivate it but Ember has always tried to keep our blood line ‘pure’ so she reactivated it… I am sorry that you have to go through with this” She said gently holding his hand.

       “It's fine I guess, shit is never simple” He said as she kissed his cheek softly.

        “If it makes you feel any better, if you lose, I'll just renounce my claim to the throne” She said causing him to look at her.

          “Really? But why?” he asked curious.

            “Because I Love you, you were my first real friend who didn't treat me like, well a Princess and you have a shit about me” She said leaning against him.

             “And what about Ember?” Tony asked.

               “Well she may be the Dragon Lord but Inferno is still above her seeing as he is the High King, Dragon Lord is in charge of one of the two major Dragon regions, the Other is watched over by the Dragon Master but both are lead by Inferno, The High King” She said as Tony nodded.

          “Okay and what are the two regions?” He asked.

           “Didn't you read this in the book I have you?” She asked.

            “I fell asleep halfway through it” He said making her frown.

              “Dragon Lord watches over and looks after the Land Region and the Dragon Master Watches over and looks after the Ocean Region” she explained as he nodded before there was a knock at the door.

                “It is time” a voice called as Tony rose to his feet only for Amber to push him against the wall and kiss him deeply.

                “Just don't die” She said causing him to nod and kiss her back.

                  “I'll try” He said as she released him before the two exited the room.

(Inferno)

                The arena was filled to the brim with nobles from several nations, most were ponies but that most mostly due to the event happening in Canterlot (cause the writer could think of a name for a Dragon city), in the royal section was Cadance, Twilight, Nightmare Moon, Molestia, Celestia, Luna, Inferno, Ember and another Dragon who had a shark like tail and was a light pale blue belly and a black back.

        “My King, If you don't like this then why are you allowing this?” The Aquatic Dragon asked as he sipped a glass of water.

          “Well Tidal, this is more of a way to show my dear little sister Ember and also the Nobles that Anthony Isn't to be trifled with” He said with a smirk.

           “I don't see why you at so smug, I chose some of your royal Eliot guard to fight him… and a random Griffon who dated Amber a decade ago.

             “Why? Do you know how hard it was to train them?” He asked her.

              “Don't worry, they are skilled warriors” She replied.

               “Against a soldier who has been at war all his life” He replied as a Pony walked in and the Red Dragon before offering a small card. “Hmm alright” He said as he read the card before rising and approaching the edge of the balcony. “Attention!, this is a contest of might to prove who is strong enough to win the right to wed Princess Amber, the battle shall begin once all the challengers have reached the field” He said as several gates opened around the arena and fighters entered the floor moments before they were sealed In and a magical dome formed to stop anyone from escaping. “The Rules are simple, No magic or ranged weapons. The winner will be announced when either his opponents are dead or disabled” He announced.

(Tony)

         Tony looked at his opponents, two were dragon's in spiked golden armour around the size of Amber, another was a Dragon was twice the size of the first Dragon he killed when he first arrived in Sanctuary but this one was Black with spined armour and spikes covering it’s tail, he had a large Mace between his back and he was a black and red Dragon with glowin spines on his back and belly, Lastly was a white Griffon with Bronze plated armour and sword.

       “Should have worn something better” Tony said as he looked down at his ODST armour before shrugging and pulling his helmet on.

        “Begin!” Inferno roared as the two smaller Dragons charged at Tony and the large reptile attacked the Griffon.

           Tony dodged left only to have one of the Guards swipe at him and dig his claws deep into Tony’s left arm, causing Tony to draw his knife, rotate his body towards the Dragon and plunge his knife through the dragon’s eye and into his brain, killing the first guard unfortunately, Tony was still connected when the half a ton Dragon collapsed to the ground dead, pinning Tony’s arm to the ground “Shit” Tony growled as the second Dragon loomed over head before raising his sword and pointing the blade towards him.

       “Nothing personal” The dragon said moments before the spiked tail of the large Dragon slammed into the guard and sent him flying across the arena just as Tony managed to free himself from the corpse before taking a glance at the larger Dragon who simply smirked at Tony before crushing the Griffon under a large spiked mace that he had sheathed between his wings moments earlier.

       “Thanks” Tony said before rolling the corpse over to retrieve his knife but was stopped when the guard flew forward and slamming into him, causing him to fall backwards “Fucker” Tony growled as he got to his feet and turned to see the second guard bleeding heavily from his left side, his left arm and wing hung limp and bloodied, his armour dented and several large wounds bled from his form.

       “I'm going to make you suffer” the Dragon roared before charging forward and tackling Tony moments before biting into the human's shoulder causing him to cry out in pain as his free hand slammed into the throat of the Guard, crushing his windpipe and causing him to recoil just as Tony drew the dragon’s sword and drove it through his neck before jerking it to the side, leaving the guard’s head dangling by a few tendons and skin.

        “Asshole” Tony groaned as he looked to the large Dragon who leant back onto his hindlegs, his horns nearly scrapped against the magical barrier above.

            “I believe my task is complete” He said in a booming deep voice before scrapping one of his talons across it causing glowing black cracks to form on the barrier before it shattered causing the Unicorns who created it to suffer from a magical backlash. “Until we meet again” He said to Tony before flaring his wings which seemed to produced smoke from them before he took off into the sky and vanished from view.

      “Okay then” Tony said as he walked over to the first guard he killed and retreived his knife.

       “Seeing as Tony is the last challenger in the arena, he is the winner” Inferno said as the crowd cheered.

         “Yea… but my shoulder hurts” Tony groaned.

(Several minutes later, locker room)

          “Oww. .. Owww… oww God damn stop it” Tony growled at the Crystal pony attempting to stitch up his shoulder but her hooves kept slipping due to the large amount of blood on his form and the fact she was shaking from the sight didn't help.

              “S-sorry sire” She repeated again as Tony sighed.

               “Its fine just… that Dragon” He said as the nurse finished stitching up his shoulder before she began bandaging it.

                 “What about him sire?” She asked him.

                 “One, he was the biggest damn Dragon I had ever seen, Two he was the only one of his kind of Dragon that I have seen use a weapon and three, what he did to the barrier with a simple talon… I just have a bad feeling” He said as he felt the mare lift his arms with her hooves before she continued bandaging his shoulder.

              “Well it's best not to worry about him, you have won Amber against everything that was put against you sire” She said as she finished.

                “Yes I guess so” He said as she began on his arm where the Dragon clawed him.

(Void)

           “Ahh its so good to be a Dragon again” The Dragon said as he materialised inside a large library moments before transforming a hooded figure. “I should repay the slayer” He said with a chuckle as he picked up a open book on the floor and returned it to the bookshelf before retrieving another only for a watch to go off on his wrist. “Time to get them now” He said before teleporting away.