Emerald Dragonheart: The beginningby PhoenixDragon44ChaptersI'm Back!!!You are nothing but an insolent fool, Sombra...So, what has happened while I have been absent?That went greater than expectedMeeting adjourned.Awakening and a propositionNight-court and a threat against the immortalTrain HijackI'm Back!!!I stood in the void, still pondering the results of the last Events before I was sent to this blank place. The last thing I remember was activating my last resort spell to win the battle... 'He will pay should he still be alive!!!' I mentally screamed as I endlessly drifted. I returned to the same question I have been thinking for many years... Would I walk this plain of nothingness for all eternity? It's seemed to have been forever since I entered this infernal place. And out of all the questions I've had, this one question keeps coming back to me... at some times, I think I see a red door, but I always chalk that up to my insanity of the Same, exact,THING!!! I saw shadows in those mist in the abyss of a place, they were memories of my life before the war that was waged upon myself, and my people. The door was there, OFF in the distance once again... ' I really thought if you were going insane, you would see a variety of different things...' I deadpanned. I rolled my eyes as I began walking to the door. I only had one thing to say as I finally reached the door which was now green for some reason... "oh well... JERONIMOOOOOoooooo!!!" I hollered as I opened the door, and jumped through. I groaned as I opened my eyes to see, at first just endless white... "It's so cold... it's almost as if I-..."my vision cleared as I started into the endless field of snow and ice. "Oh... This is going to be dreadful..." I said with disdain. My grimace was quickly replaced with a smirk as I returned from my muddled state left from the insanity of the abyss. Smoke started to rise from my nostrils as I opened my mouth to reveal a blue glow from deep within my throat. Meanwhile, in the Crystal Empire, Cadence looked out towards the unforgiving landscape from atop the balcony. With the weather being calm and without the natural snowfall and the wind was still, she was relaxed. 'No blizzards, Windigos, and nopony trying to take over the empire. Finally, just a normal day...' Shining Armor walked onto the platform and rested on the balcony, looking dead tired from training the guards all morning. "I'm glad to finally have a day to rela-" he started to say before they felt a wave of intense heat hit them. They both looked left and saw a glowing blue light on the horizon. "Well, there went the good day."Shining said as he hurried into the castle to prepare to search for the cause of the strange phenomenon out in the snow. "Shining wait! If something is out there, we'll meet it soon enough. We need to to prepare if this is a threat!" Cadence called. He nodded, then continued into the castle. Around a minute later, Shining rounded the corner and collided into a messenger. "Sir!, the scouts spotted a blast of blue fire northeast of the kingdom walls, we don't know what caused it, but it can't be good." He finished with a worried, almost scared face. "What should we do?!" Shining Armor gave indication to follow him, and started to run toward the exit on ground level. (Emerald POV) I walked at a brisk pace toward the castle that loomed in the distance with myself on fire, hoping to get an answer for why the area was frozen as it currently was. As I walked, I started to plan out my reactions according to certain scenarios that could happen. 'I doubt that they would be out here, we hate the cold. That's why I set myself on fire, as I am immune to my own... and I'm cold.' I thought, amused by my own thoughts. I stopped and quickly became somber as I now stood 500 meters from the kingdom wall. My eyes wandered up and I quickly saw ponies in the 2 watch towers that guarded the entrance. ' They don't notice me yet...' I snuffed out the fire that covered me, and smirked dispite the heat leaving my body. I sped up my walk, then started to jog. This continued until I was at my full running speed, then I jumped and opened my wings and gained altitude. From my new perspective of the guards I could see that they were all armed with bows and swords, meaning that they weren't completely passive and could be hostile toward myself . I heard a loud thud and looked down to see the gates opening, and a contact group exiting. I circled around to land, and turned around so I would be facing the group, and I landed with a loud thump. I made sure to make myself known... It worked. After the group whipped around to see me, I was immidatly charged by an earthpony. I dodged in time to only get a shallow cut on the side of my kneck. I jumped away before he could turn around.' They're trying to kill me...' my eyes narrowed as the elite guard charged again. (Shining Armor's POV) As I turned around, I saw the unknown pony dodge the blade of private Lance's sword and only get a small cut on their neck. They jumped away and took a defensive stance. I was about to order the private to stand down but was too late, he was already right next to the unknown pony. As the guard barreled forward, the stranger jumped to the side again, but this time, they extended their wing. The guard slid to a stop behind and to the side of the unknown pony. I was confused, why did Lance stop. The guard looked at his chest, then to the stranger's wing.it had a single claw at its midpoint. The guard fell over into his own pool of blood... Dead. My eyes widened in fear; the stallion's wing talons we're sharp enough to cleanly slice through our guards armor and dig deep enough to inflict a mortal wound. "Who's Next?" He asked coldly as he flicked blood of his claw. We held eye contact and I immediately regretted it. 'I'm dead...' I thought as we held our stare. Nopony made a move as we just stood there... by this point, everypony had drawn there respective weapons, none of us blinked. I gave a nervous chuckle , "Many we can solve this diplomatically???" I slowly put my sword into its sheath in a gesture of good faith, signaling others to do the same. He slowly exhaled and relaxed a bit.' Thank Celestia.' I thought with relief.. ' This is going to be a long day'... Author's Note Hopefully, the edit is better than the original, and remember: constructive criticism. You are nothing but an insolent fool, Sombra...(3rd POV) Shining Armor breathed a sigh of relief and waved the guards off with a little hesitation, having made what seemed to be a truce. He looked at the body of Lance, already beginning to freeze in a pool of icy blood before calling two of the guards back to carry the body away. Shining put his nervousness aside as he reverted his attention to the pony before him. The pony was almost twelve feet tall, they had a midnight black coat and a dark green mane. They also had a ten inch horn and a set of draconic wings with a twenty foot wingspan and a long, draconic tail. He cleared his throat. "Despite our truce of attack, you have committed the crime of murder and-" Shining Armor attempted to say, only for the stallion to interrupt him, "That stallion attacked first in an attempt to kill me. I was only defending myself." He said with an borderline annoyed voice, yet he had a neutral expression on his face. This made Shining Armor realize that the pony was in fact telling the truth, and was therefore... Not guilty. Shining Armor shifted on his hooves in discomfort and prepared to introduce himself. He didn't get the chance as a large, jet black crystal erupted out of the castle in the center of the city, causing multiple screams to ring out. Shining Armor paled and most likely created a new shade of white as he immediately recognized it. "Oh no..." Shining Armor said with dread as he began to run back into the city. Emerald followed suit with a mildly interested expression. As more crystals sprouted inside the castle. Many ponies were sprinting outside the city borders to escape the unknown adversary while the duo ran toward the commotion. As they got closer, the pair could clearly see the guards fighting grey, armored ponies shrouded in shadows. Emerald shot ahead of Shining Armor and tackled the grey pony to the ground while Shining Armor drew his sword on two of the oncoming assailants. A short skirmish occurred between the three before Shining eventually knocked out his adversaries. Shining Armor looked back at the Emerald to see him get dog-piled by about fifteen of the invaders. Shining immediately rushed to the heap of bodies only for the pile to turn to ash, in its center, Emerald stood up with a disinterested look at the surrounding area. "Are we done here, I'm bored already. I thought they would put up a bigger fight." Emerald said as Shining Armor's chin dropped to the ground in shock. He was knocked out of his stupor when another crystal burst from the castle, sending a familiar pink alicorn flying into a nearby building. "CADENCE!!!" Shining yelled as he dashed to the rubble of the building, Emerald, following shortly after with a raised eyebrow at Shining's worry.. Shining removed shattered pieces of crystal in his desperate attempt to find the Alicorn. He brushed more rubble aside to reveal an unconscious Cadence. Shining Armor heard menacing laughter behind him. Emerald just heard a giggling four year old. "Mwahahahahahahahahaaaa. Mwa-" The voice began, only to be cut off by Emerald, "Please stop. You're being a tad bit annoying." Emerald said with deadpan stare. Shining Armor turned around to see a flabbergasted Sombra. Shining Armor could almost see feel the hate being bored into Emerald all the while Emerald looked at Sombra with a disappointed glance. "Can't you see their might be a hurt pony over here?" Emerald pulled Cadence out of the smashed building with his telekinesis and put her in the grass away from the rock shards. "Do you know who you are speaking to?!" Sombra yelled, "I am ki-" "I really don't care who you are... but while you're still listening, can you go get a doctor, I think she might have a concussion." Shining Armor was in utter shock. This pony, as strange as he is, was speaking to the dark tyrant as if he were a normal pony. This seemed to shock Sombra as well. Though, his shock quickly turned into anger. "I AM KING SOMBRA! TRUE RULER OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE! YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME AS A COMMONER!!! Sombra screeched at Emerald. "You're not an Alicorn. The laws of establishment must have changed while I was absent. I apologize if I am not up to date with today's laws and rules." Emerald said kindly. Sombra was confused for a moment. Sombra opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Shining Armor. "King Sombra is nopony to be treated kindly, he ruled the Crystal Empire over a thousand years ago with a tyrannical hoof. He enslaved the Crystal Ponies and forced them to work in the mines." Shining said with venom. While Shining Armor was speaking, Emeralds smile deteriorated into an emotionless stare. Even the icy winds of the north that had picked up with the arrival of Sombra and his minions halted their wrath. Their was not a single sound. Emerald Dragonheart looked around at the grey, shadow ponies who had also halted their attack in shock. "... well then..." Emerald began, he paused. "you are not worth my time, nor praise." He finished. He turned away from Sombra and was immediately blasted through multiple buildings. The building Emerald lay within collapsed on top of him and Sombra laughed. "You shall ignore me, and nopony shall stop me! I shall retake the Crystal Empire, and then, ALL OF EQUESTRIA!!!" Sombra monologued,"then, I shall take over the neighboring countries, and then the-" "Bla-Bla-Bla. Monologues are always boring." Emerald said from behind Sombra. Sombra turned around to see Emerald completely unscathed from the blast of pure, dark magic. https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?list=PL3IUXJYn3UtEb1HEyOTLTH_QORRSJ1gi1¶ms=OAFIAVgO&v=IfwR-mxkuRI&mode=NORMAL "B-but how?!" Sombra stuttered with shock. Emerald just cracked his neck. "Pretty simple, that was a weak blast." Emerald said with disinterest as he looked around. "So you're not angry?" Sombra asked, "No, I'm just a little FURIOUS. You are nothing but an insolent fool, Sombra..." Emerald replied. He then looked to Sombra and adorned an innocent smile, on that whispered kindness and love, one that whispered pacifistic actions and peaceful nature. "On the other hoof, I will enjoy tearing you to shreds." The feelings fled like the water Moses parted and raw, primal fear took hold in the hearts of every living being who could hear the sentence. (Crystal Castle Infirmary) Cadence immediately sent a letter to Celestia after she awoke, pleading that the element bearers come to the Crystal Empire quickly. She also explained that Sombra had somehow returned with an army. Celestia replied saying that Twilight and her friends were on their way to the Crystal Empire and would arrive shortly. "RETREAT!!!" Cadence heard from outside. She managed to look out of a nearby window to see Sombra's army running to the city gates and sighed in relief that the guards managed to repeal the enemy. She looked at the nurse who was tending to the health monitor and coughed. "Yes Princess?" The nurse asked with concern. Can you go tell Shining Armor to go to the train station and bring the element bearers back with him. After that, please bring Flurry Heart here." Cadence requested politely. "Yes Princess." The nurse said before she left the room. Cadence lay down and stared up at the ceiling. She hoped that everypony was okay. 'The paperwork I'll have to fill out...' She thought as she looked out the window and into the sky. (City limits) Shining Armor was practically vibrating with frustration. Pinkie Pie would not. Stop. TALKING!!! 'How is that dragon-pony completely calm?!' Shining asked himself as they walked through town. They had arrived at the train station earlier, Emerald had followed Shining Armor out of 'bordom' as he put it. When the elements had arrived, Shining Armor had cut their panic off by explaining that Sombra was taken care of. The element's anxiety and concern turned into excited curiosity for most of them as they tried to get Emerald to answer their personal questions. Emphasis on the word tried. "Darling, what is that horrid smell?" Rarity asked. Though the question was directed at Shining Armor, Emerald answered first, "I had a bonfire." He said without turning to look at Rarity. He was starting to get on Shining's nerves when Applejack spoke up. "Y'all know that ah can tell if y'all lie. Right?" Applejack asked knowingly. All eyes turned to Emerald with varying expressions. Emerald just snorted and sped up. (Five minutes later) (Crystal palace) The six elements, Emerald, and the two rulers of the Crystal Empire sat at the table in the dining hall and ordered their food separately, Emerald decided to keep his meal a secret and hidden from the sight of the other ponies in the room. Two words, 'Griffin, Menu.' The other ponies started idle chatter until the food arrived. The food arrived a few moments later and Shining Armor coughed loudly to get everypony's attention. Shining looked at Emerald, "So, what is your name?" Shining asked. That was when Celestia walked into the room, "Emerald Dragonheart..." Celestia said as she sat down at the table with Cadence and Shining Armor. She smiled warmly at Emerald, "King of the Draconian Empire." So, what has happened while I have been absent?Everypony present had stopped eating to look incredulously at Emerald who merely looked at each of them in turn. "King?!" Shining Armor yelled incredulously as he began coughing after choking on food in his mouth. "Indeed." Emerald replied with a smile tugging at the corners of his muzzle at Shining's confusion. The room was silent again and Emerald took another bite of food. He looked up at the sound of a quill scribbling on parchment and saw Twilight scribbling frantically while looking up at him every so often. He looked around and saw that all eyes were on him and put his fork down and waited. And waited... And waited... Emerald sighed and cleared his throat, "may I help any of you?" He asked his onlookers. He looked at Celestia for a moment as she looked to the other ponies and looked to Cadence and Shining Armor. Cadence opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Twilight. "So are you a Bat-pony?" Twilight asked with fascination in her eyes. Emerald looked at Twilight and shook his head while smiling, "No, young one, I am not." He replied while gauging her reaction to being called 'young one'. Her smile fell and she looked at him with a hint of anger and pointed at him. "Don't call me young! I'm twenty four years old! Plus, I'm Princess Celestia's pupil." Twilight said with a huff. Emerald chuckled, "Child, I foal-sat Celestia. Also, I thought females didn't want others to think they were old." Emerald said as he regained a neutral expression. Twilight's eyes widened with surprise before blushing and Rarity nodded. "Very true darling, but, how old are you?!" Rarity asked. Emerald looked at rarity. "I am forty four thousand, seven hundred and fifty two years old." Emerald replied. "Wait, that doesn't count my time of absence." Emerald said "how long was I gone for " he then asked Celestia. She smiled sadly, "You were gone for ten thousand years, Emerald." Celestia replied. Emerald slouched back into the chair and looked vacantly at the ceiling with a drawn out combination of a sigh, a groan, and a hiss. He sat back up and looked at Celestia, "So, what has happened while I have been absent?" He asked with a slight frown on his muzzle that betrayed the emotions he felt. "We had to fight a few villains and save Equestria a few times, no biggie." Rainbow Dash said while looking at her hoof in a boasting manner. "What happened to Ruby?" Emerald asked with concern, disregarding Rainbow's comment. various scenarios began running through his mind at the possibilities. "She awoke a few hours after you disappeared and flew off with two Dracorn and two Dragosai guards and disappeared into what is the present day Ever free Forest." Celestia replied with a sympathetic frown. Emerald sighed in relief at the knowledge that Ruby was safe. Remembering the initial question, he turned to Twilight, "I am a Dracorn." Emerald said. It took Twilight a moment to remember what she had asked him and immediately jotted his answer down on the parchment. "So, uh, what is the Draconian Empire?" Twilight asked, her fascination returning. Emerald's smile returned and he cleared his throat, "The Draconian Empire was a massive city-state empire located south of here. Us Dracorns and Dragosai lived there for a few hundred thousand generations, constantly expanding the walls to create farms and buildings." Emerald replied while nostalgia hit him like a tsunami. "I am sorry to cut this short, I believe that we royals aIl need to go to Canterlot for important business or to return home." Celestia said as she stood up, Cadence and Shining Armor doing the same. Twilight and her friends also got up, "And I'll be able to participate this time!" Twilight said with excitement, but Celestia shook her head. "You will be able to go to the peace council next time Twilight." Twilight frowned before nodding in acceptance. "Ah yes, the Peace council," Emerald said as he too stood up after taking one last bite of his meal, "This will be interesting after ten millennia of not participating in one." The group of royals and the five other elements then walked to the train station; accompanied by a squad of the Crystal Empire's guards When they got there though, Emerald stopped, his eyebrow raised. "Am I correct to assume that this is a means of transportation in this age?" Twilight giggled, "It's a train!" Twilight beamed, "It's top speed is thirty miles per hour! And I promise it's perfectly safe." Twilight reassured. Emerald shrugged and got aboard with the others. "NEXT STOP, CANTERLOT!" The conductor yelled from his place at the front of the train. Emerald watched out the window as the train began gaining speed. Applejack sat down next to Emerald. "This must be really strange fer yall. Ain't it?" Applejack asked. "Very much so, all though, it is exhilarating to see so many new things, so many new possibilities." Emerald replied without looking at her. "By tha' way, I'm Applejack." She said, holding out her hoof. He looked at her hoof for a moment with a confused expression before bumping her hoof with his own. "Well met?" He said while Applejack chuckled at his confusion. Applejack then frowned at the memory from when he lied about the stench Rarity had pointed out earlier. "Tell meh the truth. What was tha' smell earlier?" Applejack asked, pleading for a truthful answer. Emerald was silent for a moment before he turned to look at Applejack. "After I was done battling Sombra, I incinerated his corpse." Emerald said with the most emotionless stare she had ever seen. She paled significantly and audibly gulped. Emerald turned to look out the window and saw a city in the distance. "Celestia, is that Canterlot?" Emerald asked while pointing to the mountainside city. Celestia nodded and Emerald's gaze fell back upon the marble city. "You didn't spend too much on that did you?" Emerald asked with a smirk. Celestia groaned, "Yes, I know Luna and I both owe you eight thousand bits each.That's the only reason we slightly hoped you didn't return." The mane six plus the two rulers' eyes widened, not catching what she mumbled. "WHAT!!!!!!" They yelled simultaneously. Emerald chuckled quietly and looked at them. He had ; in fact; heard what she had mumbled, and didn't really take offense to it. "You see, Celestia and Luna both said that they would never become rulers of a country and I said that they would, so we bet that if I won, they would have to pay me eight thousand bits each. If they won, then I would pay them eight thousand bits each, and I won!" Emerald said cheekily. Before the ponies could reply, the doors opened, "CANTERLOT!!!" The conductor hollered at the trains occupants as the group got off of the train, Emerald being beside the three older rulers in the front while Twilight strayed closer to her friends. "Twilight, I really don't trust that pony, he seems very suspicious to me." Rarity said, the rest of the group nodding their heads in agreement to this statement. They then turned their attention to the path they were heading on to the castle. In the front, Emerald was taking the stare of the nobles and merchants as the group walked the streets. Eventually, the group reached the entrance to the castle and were greeted by guards on either side of the doors. They saluted the princesses and Prince as they passed while wearily eying Emerald. The group reached the throne room and the elements of harmony, minus Twilight, were dismissed to their quarters for sleep while Luna joined them to go to the dining hall to wait for the other rulers to arrive. The first ruler arrived around ten minutes later, the Zebrican cheiftess Koros, the others arrived shortly after. The Griphon Duke Ironbeak, The Diamond Dog king Mosaic. The Minotour ambassador Iron Will. The Changeling King Thorax, and the Dragon Lord Ember. Everyone sat down and the doors closed. Smiling, Emerald sat up straighter. With such a diverse group, things were bound to get interesting. Author's Note Here it is, tell me if there are any errors in this chapter! That went greater than expected"This month's peace council is now underway, would those who have something to speak of please decide amongst yourselves who will go first." Celestia said. Immediately after she spoke, several of the rulers began looking at each other. It was the Dragon Lord Ember won the debate of stares as she stood up. "Who is he?" She asked Celestia while pointing to Emerald, " unless you were planning on telling us you were going to turn another pony into an Alicorn, you haven't even hinted at the idea since Twilight's ascension." a few of the rulers began whispering amongst themselves while others were nodding to Ember's statement. Celestia tapped her hoof on the ground to call for silence and Ember sat down in her seat. Celestia motioned for Emerald to rise and he did so without complaint. "I am King Emerald of the Draconian Empire" Emerald said while flashing a look at Ember to silence her as she attempted to interrupt him, "I sincerely apologize for my absence from these meetings as I was still recovering from a magical over-exertion." He concluded while looking at Ember. Ember stood up and crossed her arms, "I am the Dragon Lord, you aren't the Dragon ruler." She said while glaring coldly at Emerald. Emerald calmly looked back at Ember, waiting for her to be done speaking. "DRACONIAN, not dragon." He said, "your race and mine are two different things." Ember sat down temporarily content with his response. Emerald also sat down after Celestia nodded to him. The other rulers whispered around until Iron Beak stood up, "Princess Celestia, I want to inform you of an increased number of caravan raids along the boarder. The raider have been Diamond Dogs, not the dragons like we earlier suspected." Iron Beak said before he sat down. Mosaic stood up and looked to Celestia, "Yes, I understand and I do confirm that Diamond Dogs have been raiding trading caravans. I assure you that we are trying to contain the insurrectionists." Mosaic said calmly as Iron Beak frowned; clearly not believing Mosaics statement. Mosaic sat down and the remaining leaders debated with each other about who would speak next. Koros stood up and cleared her throat, "I have the same problem as Iron Beak, although, our problems present a future quite bleak." Koros said. After hearing her speak, Emerald grinned devilishly. He looked at the centerpiece of the table, a fruit basket. He picked up an orange with his magic and showed it to Koros. "Koros, what is this?" Emerald asked with a knowing grin. She looked at the fruit, "That is an Orange..." Koros said trying to find a rhyme for the fruit. Emerald held back his mirth behind a neutral mask. "Emerald, you know that there is not a word in Equish that rhymes with orange." Celestia scolded, Emerald merely smiled and put the Orange back into the bowl.Iron Will stood up and looked around at the others present, "We as the Minotaurs are in need of assistance, the Harpies in the Badlands are crossing the border and into our lands. We simply ask for supplies to build a means of defence." He said. Iron Will sat down and nodded at Celestia. "I am sorry, but the Gryphons are unable to assist you due to the Diamond Dog 'Insurrectionists'." Iron Beak said, Koros nodding in agreement. Luna stood up, "Equestria will be able to send supplies to your nation." Luna said with a caring smile. "As will the Crystal Empire." Cadence said while looking at Shining Armor. Emerald leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table as he pondered his options. He stood up and looked at Mosaic, "I will be able to assist you in eradicating the insurrectionists," Emerald then looked to Iron Will, "and the Harpies you speak of." Mosaic shook his head, "We need to crush this rebellion on our own to make an example of our ability to take care of ourselves." Mosaic said with a smile, "thank you for offering your assistance though." Iron Will also shook his head, "Thank you for offering, but if we rid the Badlands of Harpies, then other Harpies will go into a frenzy. It would be better to just protect ourselves from them." Iron Will said. Emerald nodded in acceptance and sat down. Thorax stood up and fluttered his insect-like wings nervously, "We would like to ask for some assistance in growing food out in the Badlands so that we don't need to make as many trips into Equestria." Thorax said before he sat down. Celestia smiled, "Equestria will send farmers to your hive to teach Changelings how to grow and maintain crops." Celestia said. Emerald then looked around, and saw no one was standing up, so he then stood up. "I just need help uncovering the snow that covers the Empire I assisted in ruling." Emerald said with a shrug. The others, minus Celestia, looked at him with bewildered expressions adorning their faces. The room was silent as others were in shock. "And that's all I have that I would need help with." Emerald said as he sat down. Everyone was silent and he shifted around until he was comfortable. "What happened?!" Iron Beak asked, "Why is your empire underneath so much snow?!" Emerald shrugged, "Ask Celestia or Luna, I've been trapped... I don't know where I was, but I was there for a little over ten thousand years." Emerald replied, saying it almost like an afterthought. "Windigoes." Luna said with a shiver, Emerald frowned; having never heard of the adversaries. "And what exactly are these Windigoes?" Emerald asked with a raised brow. "Horrid creatures that prey on the emotions of hatred and malice to strengthen themselves." Thorax replied before he too shivered. "They bring about an everlasting winter if they aren't stopped." "Thankfully, they have not been seen since over two thousand years ago." Luna said; neglecting the events of the crystalling. Mosaic stood up and prepared to speak... It was that moment that the windows shattered... And the room was flooded with darkness... Author's Note Two chapters in two days!!! I am very happy that my writers block has been lifted. Also, I will continue to work until I reach a point at which I have no clear objective with the story. Meeting adjourned.(3rd POV) The room fell into a chaos that would make Discord proud; with frantic leaders rushing to get out of harms way and guards rushing in to their charges aid, the room became a blur of movement and noise. Most of the leaders managed to get out of the room when soldiers that served Sombra began launching themselves into the room through the broken windows. There were ten or twelve of them. Emerald was able to quickly guess that they were a group specialized for this task, as after landing inside the room, they immediately ran to cut off the leaders and guards that remained. He was having none of that. He quickly reared up on his hind legs and spread his large wings before sending a powerful gust of wind toward the oncoming assailants and sent them flying into the wall that held the windows they entered from. He landed on all fours and turned his head to the side to address the group of guards and their leaders. "Go, now!" Emerald commanded before turning back to the soldiers who; for the most part; had recovered. "I'll hold them off!" The soldiers at the end of the room drew swords and daggers of various sizes fit for themselves and took fighting stances. Emerald's eyes narrowed and he also took a fighting stance before raising his right hoof into the air at head level to the front left side of himself, before swinging his foreleg to the right at a slight downward angle; a large emerald, blade-like Crystal erupting off his foreknee. The soldiers were taken aback by this action and their composure faltered for a moment. Emerald grinned at their fear, "hopefully you all are better than the last group I faced." They growled at this taunt and his grin grew. All was still in the room as the guards had all managed to escort their leaders out of the room and toward a safe place. Without warning, all but one of the dark soldiers rushed Emerald with war cries and readied blades. The first soldier that reached emerald was a unicorn with an azure colored magic that held two swords the size of the ponies entire leg. The unicorn swung the two swords in an 'X' fashion toward Emerald, and he stepped far to the right with his left hoof before using it to make a full clockwise rotation; effectively knocking the swords to the side and beheading the pony when Emerald brought his blade hoof around. The next pony was also a unicorn and also followed quickly behind the fallen soldier. They were carrying a huge broadsword in their silver colored magic. They swung the broadsword in a slow vertical slice ment to cut Emerald in half, yet he jumped to the side at the last minute and vertically impaled the pony in the throat before lifting them to the right, then tossing them into an earth pony coming from slightly left of himself. He inhaled before releasing a torrent of blue flames at the pony he had knocked over; incinerating them so that not even ash remained. His right ear twitched and he barely had time to dodge as eight daggers flew right where his head and neck had been. He turned to see an earth pony twirl two daggers in their forehooves before throwing them both at Emerald. He weaved around the blades flying through the air before sending pure wind magic into his blade and releasing it by swinging it at the pony. A large arc of wind with the width of a blade was fired from the crystals swing and eviscerated all in its path. The pony was unable to get out of the way well enough and ended up losing most of their back right leg to the unforgiving wind. Flapping his wings once, Emerald catapulted himself over to the downed soldier before curb-stomping the ponies head; his stomp backed up by strong earth magic. He nearly flattened the soldiers helmet with the stomp and used the force of it to flip over another earth pony sprinting at him from in front of him and used his curved wing talons to stab the oncoming pony in the eyes and slam the back of the soldiers head into the ground. A group of five unicorns wielding different weapons in their respectively colored magic surrounded Emerald and attempted to cut him down swiftly, only for Emerald to stand on his hind hooves and sprout another crystal blade on his left forehoof. He then spun two full counter-clockwise rotations; the first one cut their eyes to blind them, while the other rotation slit their throats. The five fell to the floor with a thud and their weapons a clatter. Emerald turned to face the remaining soldier and was surprised to find a pegasai that, while adorning the Umbrums' armor, also had red highlights where there should not have been. 'I assume he's an officer.' Emerald thought while retracting the crystal blade-hooves. Celestia entered the room with two of her vanguard and was not really surprised to see Emerald nigh unscathed and most of the enemies dead. She saw Emerald and the Umbran officer watching each other. Emerald nodded to the officer and the officer nodded back. Then... They were both gone. She put up a shield spell around herself and the two guards just before harsh winds whipped the once calm air, stone shrapnel disconnected and flew from the floor from the points of the two fighters push-off steps, and sparks flew all around the room from points of the two warriors clashes took place. After ten second that felt like forever to Celestia; who was struggling to maintain her shield amidst the destruction; the two fighters appeared back where they had stood before their display of speed, breathing heavily and physically worn out. Unable to speak due to the exhaustion, the Umbran officer pointed wearily to himself before pointing at one of the broken windows. Emerald nodded. The Umbran soldier limped over to the window before jumping out of it, and flying away. Celestia looked at Emerald with a confused expression on her face. "No-Nobody was- going to win that." Emerald managed to make out between breaths. "Creator almighty I'm out of shape." He stood up straight and stretched. He looked at Celestia; legs shaking and an attempted smile on his face; and asked, "do you think you could get me to a room?" Celestia slowly nodded her head. Emerald nodded once before his eyes closed and he crumpled to the ground unconscious; yet, right before unconsciousness took hold, Emerald swore he saw a purple-black wisp disappear from reality... Author's Note Done in minor collaboration with Shadows Of The Light Awakening and a proposition(Emerald's POV) I awoke with a heavy groan as I shifted in discomfort. I felt the fluffy cushion underneath me; not quite registering what it was due to my hazy mind and slow thought process. The creator-forsaken sun is shining right into my eyes. With another groan, I used what strength my exhausted body had left to roll over so my eyes were no longer in the light and gave a content sigh. My ear flicked as the door opened. I cracked an eye open to see an earth pony mare with a peach colored coat and brown mane and tail wearing a maids outfit walk into the room. A unicorn stallion with a dark brown coat and a green mane and tail wearing a white jacket followed the mare into the room with a clipboard. "Mmm uh ulp' you?" I rasped, my sentence muffled by the pillow that covered my muzzle. The stallions eyes widened for a second before he smiled, "Ahh, I'm glad to see you're awake." He said, "are you feeling well?" I groaned before lifting my head enough to be heard clearly, "Yes, but may I have a glass of water." I asked, my voice low and grating from the lack of use. The mare nodded with a small smile before turning and walking out the door. "Would it be alright if I used a scanning spell to check you for any damage?" The stallion asked. I nodded before resting my head back onto the EXTREMELY comfortable pillow. I heard the sound of magic activating and felt a wave of energy pass over me. I managed to open both of my eyes fully and watched as he eyes closed and hummed in thought. "Well, there seems to not be any fractures in your bones and no signs of broken or strained ligaments." He said before another wave passed over me. "What was that?" I asked after shifting my head so my voice was not muffled by the pillow. "That was a spell that views the target's magic levels," he frowned, "all the magic levels are balanced like an Alicorn's is, except a spot right beneath your chin that has a higher level than anywhere else in your body." He raised a brow, "is that normal?" I nod. "Yes, it's a trigger most Dracorn have that allows them to change from." I reply. He looks at me skeptically, "Really, into what?" I grin, showing off my white fanged teeth. "A True Dragon." I reply. He opens his mouth again but is cut off by the maid entering the room with a glass of water. She handed it to me and I thanked her. "I was told to tell you that the princesses will be here soon to check on your condition." She said. I nodded as she left the room. "Since I am in good condition, may I leave?" I asked the stallion. He nodded, "I just need to get the sign out sheet and you'll be free to leave." 'I guess I'll be out before they can get here.' I thought. The stallion left the room and I relaxed be for turning my head to look out the window. I estimated that it was about noon one-ish and relished the feeling of the bed one last time before attempting to sit up. It didn't work... I tried rolling backwards a little bit before throwing myself foreword. That also didn't work... I then used my tail to grab the side of the bed and throw my hind legs off the edge. While it worked, I accidentally used too much energy into the swing, and I flopped onto the floor. Groaning once again, I stood up slowly; sounding out a series of sickening cracks that resounded throughout the room. I exhaled deeply and ruffled my wings. The stallion walked back into the room; carrying the clipboard and a pen this time. Using his magic, he levitated both items over to me which I took with my wing claws. I looked at the document on the clipboard, and filled it out. Name: Emerald Dragonheart Age: 54,752 years Sex: male Race: Dracorn Estimated height: 20 hooves Estimated weight: 189 lbs Oddities: "Form Trigger" Reason for monitoring: Unconsciousness by exhaustion I looked the form over one last time before I handed it to the stallion. He took it "Thank you very much, you are free to go." He said before leaving the room. I too walked toward the door and left the room. I had not in a guest room that I had asked Celestia to put me I; but had been in a hospital room, and was now in the medical ward within the castle. I shook my head with a sigh before walking out of the medical ward, and into the labrynth of a castle. (Celestia POV) The Noble thanked me for my time before walking out of the room. The great doors at the end of the hall closed, yet I could practically hear the nobles huff of frustrated arrogance that I refused his request. He asked for my blessing to take down several orphanages and replace them with taverns and bars for the nobility. I moaned in exhaustion and rubbed my eyes with my hooves. All of the nobles that came to the daycourt must have conspired amongst themselves as all of them proposed the same thing. "No doubt, they will come back during the night court and try to coax Luna into agreeing." I thought with disdain and sympathy toward my sister. The doors opened and one of the guards posted outside of the door came in and said, "Your highness, there is no more business left for the day court." I gave a genuine smile at this and sighed in relief. "Thank you, you are dismissed for the day." I told him before he nodded and left. I stood up from my throne and exited the room from one of the side doors. 'the garden sounds like a serene place to be right now.' I walked the halls for a few minutes, knowing the way by heart. There were times when the day would get too stressful and the garden would be just right to calm me down and allow me to relax. I came to a four-way intersection and turned right to go straight to the garden. (Emerald POV) I had been wandering the halls in a frustrated state for what seemed like hours to me; but was probably only a few minutes. I looked up from the tile floor to see Celestia turn a corner in front of me, and was now facing the same direction as myself. I saw her open the door the hall led to and walk into what I assumed to be a garden from the brief glance I had before the door closed. I grinned before walking down the hall and following her outside and into an expansive garden. It had lots of different types of flowers and trees that blocked my ability to see Celestia. Bounding along the ground for a few paces, I lept up into the trees, and began leaping from Branch to Branch at a fast pace before seeing Celestia through the leaves. I slowed my pace as to not make any sounds that would alert her to my presence. She eventually stopped and lay down, leaning her body against the tree as a content smile adorned her face. I lept into the tree she leaned on and looked at my forehooves as claws made of my name sprouted from my hooves; my back hooves doing the same. I slowly and carefully leaned down from directly above her, and grabbed onto The side of the tree with my forehooves, followed by my back hooves. I wrapped my tail around a tree branch higher up, then silently began to crawl down the side of the tree. I climbed down far enough so that my head was level with her and leaned in so that our muzzles was inches apart. "Boo!" I yelled. She simply opened her eyes and her smile became a smirk of victory. "I knew you were there." Celestia said. I pouted as she continued to give me a smug grin. I have a huff before doing a backflip and one hundred and eighty degree turn; landing in front of her. I gained an expression of curiosity as I rased an eyebrow, "Where are the other rulers?" I asked.'I haven't seen a single one of them since last night.' "They returned to their respective lands." She replied, "though they wanted my sister and I to pass along their gratitude, depending on which one of us is awake at the time." I nodded. Turning around, I walked over to a tree opposite of Celestia and sat down facing her. We sat there for a few minutes with our eyes closed; simply enjoying the nature around us. A slight vibration in my skull made my eyes snap open as I whipped my head to look toward the general direction the southern horizon was. Celestia opened her eyes due to my sudden movement. She opened her mouth to ask me what was wrong and I cut her off by raising a hoof. And waited... We didn't wait long as soon enough, a small wisp of green magical fire flew down and in front of Celestia before becoming a rolled up scroll. (Celestia POV) I looked at the scroll that had appeared in front of me. It was from Twilight. I opened it. "What does it say?" Emerald asked. I cleared my throat before reading, "Dear Princess Celestia, as you know, the Great Dragon Migration is occurring tomorrow and I was wanting to inform you that two dragons flew into Ponyville and invited Spike to join them. I am a little hesitant to let him go after what happened last time he went. What do you think I should do? Your fellow princess and ex pupil, Twilight Sparkle." I finished reading. I summoned a quill and piece of blank parchment and began to think. "I could go with him." Emerald said; interrupting my thoughts, "to watch over him. It would also give me more knowledge of modern day..." He trailed off; looking for a word. "Workings of society?" I asked him. He nodded. "Yeah, that..." I giggled and he gave me an unamused look. "I woke up not even two hours ago. My mind is still waking up." I just smiled before looking up at the sky. "Even us multi-millennia old beings can be just like normal beings sometimes." I said. He also smiled before looking up at the sky as well. "Indeed Celestia. Indeed." He had a somber expression on his face for a moment before he put on his mask of content neutrality. His may have been better practiced than mine, but I could see that he wasn't reveling his true emotions. "Well..." He said before standing up, "I'm going to get a meal, I haven't eaten yet." He began walking toward the castle doors, but stopped before turning back to look at me. "Don't forget about that letter." He joked, I looked down to see the parchment and quill still in my magical grasp. He continued walking and entered the castle halls. I rolled my eyes and began to write my response to Twilight. (Third POV) Twilight sat at the table with Spike as he ate a hole of gems and she read a history book. She was looking for one topic in particular... The Draconian Empire. She had been searching for the past four hours and still couldn't find a single trace of it, nor its inhabitants. She sighed in near defeat before a flash of golden light appeared in front of her face; temporarily blinding her and making both herself, and spike fall out of their chairs. She hesitantly looked up from her place on the floor to see the end of a scroll sticking out over the edge of the table. She stood up and shook myself off before taking the letter and opening it. Spike had gotten up and was looking at Twilight expectantly. "Well?" He asked. She took a breath of air, "Dear princess Twilight, I can understand your hesitation knowing what happened last time. It is still up to you to make that choice, but know that King Emerald Dragonheart has volunteered to accompany Spike should Spike be ok with that. If so, please tell me what time Emerald will need to be there so that I can inform him. Your friend, Celestia." Twilight finished. Spike looked confused, "Who's Emerald Dragonheart? And I didn't think Equestria had a king." Spike said. Twilight shook her head, "He's the king of a lost empire, almost like the Crystal Empire," Twilight replied, "but not only has it been gone for longer and still hasn't returned, it's occupants are a pony sub-race that isn't in any known documentation of any kind." Spike raised a brow at this, but didn't interrupt her, "Emerald is a sub-race known as a Dracorn, which is like a combination of an alicorn, and a dragon." Spike thought about it for a moment but eventually decided. "Sure!" He said with a smile before going back to finish his bowl of gems. Twilight also smiled before going upstairs to get parchment and a quill to write a letter back to Celestia. Meanwhile, in Canterlot... (Emerald's POV) I walked through the halls of the Canterlot castle once more. I had just finished a filling meal in the dining hall and simply set out to roam. I eventually came across a door that had heavy reinforcement enchantments practically slathered all over it. I also sensed a sound dampening spell that only allowed me to hear a few whispers of what lay beyond. I walked up to the door and knocked. After a few minutes of waiting, I was getting impatient. I knocked again; harder this time... no one came to the door. I tried to open the door, but found that it was locked. A maid walked by and I asked her what was in the room I failed to enter. "It's the training room for the royal guard." She said. I thanked her and she continued on her way. I looked back to the door and frowned. I raised my hoof and concentrated on flowing my magic into my hoof. My hoof began to glow green with the color of my magic and I then reached out... And touched the door... Ponyville (Third POV) Pinkie Pie was baking in the kitchen with Mr. Cake when she suddenly got an itchy muzzle. She felt a sneeze coming. "Ah... Ah... AHHH... FUS RO DA!!!" she sneezed; startling Mr. Cake so much that he jumped into the air in fright. "Pinkie, you almost have me a heart attack." Mr. Cake scolded her. Pinkie smiled apologetically, "Sorry, it was called for." Mr. Cake just shrugged before going back to work. Canterlot The doors were blasted off their hinges and flung across the room; scattering the guard and disrupting their session of training. Emerald stepped inside and looked around. Seeing the guards recovering, he took the broken doors in his magic and levitated them over to the door frame; picking up fragments of the door along the way. He activated a transmutation spell and the doors became reattached to the door frame, albeit the door was now open. The guards unsheathed their real weapons and got into stances; thinking that Emerald was an intruder. Emerald shrugged. "I tried knocking." He said, "none of you opened the door." The guards faltered a little bit before sheathing their weapons and picking up the practice ones that littered the ground. With an order from the captain, the guards resumed their training. Emerald watched them for a few hours before walking to the other side of the room where a table was. On it was multiple rolls of parchment, ink wells and quills, drill routines, and notes on the individual guards in the squadron. Emerald took a roll of parchment, and dipped a quill in the ink well before writing a routine for one on one combat, and prototypes for new weapons. He put the used parchment on an empty area on the table and put the quills and ink wells in their respective areas before leaving the room; closing the doors behind himself. Celestia was making her way to the dining hall for dinner when she bumped into Emerald. "Ah, there you are." She said, "I was about to ask for somepony to find you." Emerald raised a brow before looking outside a nearby window. It was soon to be night. "Huh, I watched the guard for longer than I thought." He mumbled before looking to Celestia. "Alright then, onward!" He said with a grin. They then made their way to the dining hall where Luna already sat, looking like she hadn't gotten a good sleep. Her expression brightened when Celestia and Emerald entered the room. "Good night sister of ours and Emerald." Luna said with an exhausted cheer. The pair sat down next to and across from Luna. Emerald gave a concerned look to Luna, "Are you ok Luna, you look exhausted." He asked. She nodded with a small smile before sipping on a warm coffee. A waiter arrived and asked them what drinks they wanted to order. He had an accent that Emerald could not identify. "I will have a glass of warm milk she said before whipping her head to look at Emerald with an embarrassed blush. He sported a large grin on his face and leaned toward Celestia, "Still drinking warm milk before bed Tia?" He asked with no little amount of mirth in his voice. "Y-yes," she said; looking away before mumbling, "it calms me down and helps me sleep..." he laughed, "You know I'm just teasing you," he said before his grin faded into a smile as he turned his attention to the waiter, "I will have a glass of Red Eclipse if you a have it." The waiter grinned, "We just got a new shipment in from the Cinder Oaks Winery." He said before walking back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, they got their drinks and ordered their food. "Uugh. Night-court is going to be a drag tonight." Luna groaned, "I can just feel it." Celestia looked apologetically at her but said nothing. The groups food came and they told each other tales of their day, with the exception of Luna who told tales of the dreams other ponies have had. Eventually, Celestia and Luna stood up and began to make their way toward a set of double doors at one side of the room. Emerald followed them out the doors and onto a balcony where they stood side by side before activating their magic at the same time. Slowly but surely, the moon and sun began to rise and fall respectively as night blanketed the land of Equestria. Emerald smiled warmly and clapped while leaning against the doorway. Luna bid them good night and made her way toward the night-court. "Twilight said that Spike would be ok that you accompanied him to the Dragon Lands. You'll need to be in Ponyville by Eleven tomorrow morning. Also, you can sleep in the western V.I.P rooms." Celestia said before going to her room. Emerald was halfway to the guest wing before he stopped, his mind telling him that something was not right. He sighed before closing his eyes and allowing his senses and subconscious to lead him through the halls of the Canterlot castle... And directly toward the room Luna was holding the night-court in... Author's Note I do not own any references I may use unless I say that they are mine. Please enjoy and tell me if any mistakes are present. Night-court and a threat against the immortal(Luna POV) The night-court had already started, and my earlier assumptions about tonight were correct. “-and that is why I believe that we should make room for more noble bars.” A unicorn noble known as Grandee Rose finished before looking at me with an expectant smile. I frowned before looking at him in disappointment. “And that makes the orphanages around Canterlot the perfect thing to remove in its stead?” I asked with an incredulous tone that asked for clarification. He nodded before clearing his throat, “Yes, your highness, they are loud and the children there are always so obnoxious and annoying.” He continued, " they simply ruined my day with their laughter and yells!" I rubbed a temple with her hoof before sighing. "I apologise, but I cannot and will not give you my blessing for this." I said with finality. I heard the door click closed and I looked past the Noble to see that no one was there. I shook my head before turning my head back to the unicorn. He now wore an angry frown on his face and he snorted, "Well then," he began as his horn became alight with magic, "if you will not give in, then you'll just have to-" an arrow flew out from the inside of his suit, guided by his magic. (Emerald's POV) I opened the door to the night-court with my now clawed hooves and crawled into the room. Why did I crawl and why did the guards not stop me, you may ask... Well, I was on the ceiling. “-and that is why I believe that we should make room for more noble bars.” A unicorn wearing a suit said to Luna. I raised an eyebrow, but didn't move. Luna frowned, “And that makes the orphanages around Canterlot the perfect thing to remove in its stead?” She asked the unicorn incredulously. I slowly began to close the massive doors as the unicorn nodded an cleared his throat, “Yes, your highness, they are loud and the children there are always so obnoxious and annoying.” He continued, " they simply ruined my day with their laughter and yells!" I looked over to Luna who was rubbing her temple with a hoof. She then sighed, "I apologise, but I cannot and will not give you my blessing for this." She said with a tone in her voice that said she was done talking about the topic. I pushed the door all the way closed and it let out a loud click. I saw Luna look toward the door, but not look at me. 'Probably because I'm on the ceiling.' I thought before crawling along the ceiling and toward Luna. The noble now wore an angry frown on his face and he snorted, "Well then," he began as his horn became alight with magic, "if you will not give in, then you'll just have to-" an arrow flew out from the inside of his suit and flew toward Luna. I was above the Noble when this happened, and dropped from the ceiling, and onto the stallion. As I landed on him, I heard quite a few bones break and his magic cut off. I heard a thunk of metal embedding itself into wood and looked up at Luna. (Luna POV) The arrow vibrated in place from the impact into the throne next to my neck. I slowly looked at the arrow in surprise and fright before leaning away from it and gulping loudly. I looked at the Noble and saw that Emerald stood atop him looking at me with a concerned expression on his face. He looked at the arrow and his concern ebbed away slightly; knowing I was safe. "Are you ok Luna?" He asked moving one hoof off of the stallion beneath him. I nodded; still too shocked to speak. He then took all but one hoof off of the stallion before lifting him up by the back of the head. "Guards!" He yelled. The doors were encased in two magical auras before they opened and a pair of guards entered the room to see Emerald holding the now unconscious stallion and the arrow in the throne. Emerald held the stallion up more and shook him. (Third POV) The guards had taken the stallion away to the dungeons after Emerald had explained what had transpired and two more had taken their place for extra protection. Emerald walked over to Luna who now sat on the floor and looked at the throne; still in shock. He patted her on the shoulder for comfort before laughing hollowly, "I would get used to that if I were you." He said before walking up to the throne and pulled out the arrow. His neutral expression became one of surprise before his eyes narrowed. "Guards!" He barked before turning to the two at the end of the hall. "I need one of you to awaken Celestia and tell her to get here immediately." One of the guards stepped forward, "She is already on her way." The guard said, "she was informed to come here after news of the attack on princess Luna." No sooner after the guard said that, Celestia appeared in the large room with a flash of golden light. "Luna!" Celestia exclaimed in worry as she ran over to the dark Alicorn. As Celestia checked over Luna, Emerald inspected the arrow with his magic as well as his sight and touch. The more he inspected it, the more his scowl deepened it was made of the one thing that could kill an Alicorn... silver. It was a rare metal in Equestria and cost more than the castles treasury room. "Celestia, Luna; you need to double the amount of guards you have protecting you at all times." He said before softening his gaze to a frown as he walked over to the two celestial Alicorns. Celestia looked up, "Why?" She asked with confusion written on her face, "it was only one attempt. I don-" she was cut off by Emerald showing her the arrow. Her eyes widened in disbelief and dread. "Oh..." Emerald simply nodded. "Maby I should just stay here instead of going to the Dragon Lands." He said before tossing the arrow to Celestia who caught it in her forehooves as if the arrow was a fragile glass vase. She hook her head, "No, we'll simply increase our security. There's really no need for you to stay just because of an incident like this." Celestia replied with a small smile on her face. He shrugged before making to leave the room. "Alright then, I'll just go to the garden" he said before opening one of the doors with a clawed hoof, "not like I'll be able to sleep yet anyways." he closed the door behind him and Celestia sighed before looking back to her sister. "It'll be ok Luna..." Celestia said before hugging her. Emerald lay on his back in the garden; looking at the night sky with a neutral expression adorning his face. after a few hours of just laying there, his eyes began to grow heavy and he stood up before leaping into one of the trees. 'seems like a nice spot to sleep for the night.' he thought before laying down and closing his eyes... Emerald's Mind (Emerald POV) I opened my eyes to find myself standing on a cliff in the snowy lands of Alidœpon. I growled when I sensed a dark presence behind me. "Leave dœmon, I am not in the mood to deal with you." I yelled over the endless storm that encompassed the land. Not sensing the presence leave, I growled again before spinning around and slamming a hoof into the ground; sending a series of large emerald tetragonal crystals erupting from the snow. None of the crystals hit their target though, as the dark force had already moved. I closed my eyes and my breathing slowed. I felt a shift in the air above me and threw myself away from the cliff just before a large obsidian scythe sunk into the ground where I had been standing. I ducked as a large obsidian dagger flew over my head. I whipped around and summoned a knife of my own before throwing it at a flash of black and red that disappeared just before I could clearly see what it was. I didn't need to though and immediately stomped my left hind-hoof down; creating a wall of crystal behind me. I heard something slam into the and turned to see a black, furless Dragosai stand up from the impact. He stood eight hooves taller than me and was covered in glowing red runes from hundreds of different languages. He had no mane or tail and had pitch black iris' and sclera with glowing white pupils. He grinned, his mouth full of rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth that matched the snow in color. I prepared to blast him with fire, but he held up a hoof for me to wait. "Things are about to get hectic, Emerald." he said with a voice that would freeze lava instantly, "I hope for both of our same, that you are ready." I dispelled the fire building in my throat before relaxing slightly. I nodded to him, "I am, Ruin." He nodded in return before shattering like glass and blowing off into the wind. I sighed; looking at the mess around me and shook my head. Author's Note A pony dare threaten princess Luna?! And who is ruin?! Find out (sometime later) on Emerald Dragonheart: The Beginning. Train Hijack(Third POV) Emerald awoke to the pleasant smell of nature and opened his eyes to see the tree canopy. He yawned and stretched; his body emitting a series of cracks and pops before rolling out of the tree and landing on the ground. He smiled when he heard the ambient sounds in the garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdIJ2x3nxzQ He sighed in content before making his way toward the doors that led into the castle. After walking the confusing maze of halls, he eventually made it to the dining hall where he found a sleep-deprived Celestia and a worn-out Luna. “Are you two ok?” he asked with worry. They both nodded in affirmation. Despite the bleak mood that hung heavy in the air like a fog, he chuckled lightly as they both took a drink of coffee at the same time. A waitress came into the room from the kitchen doors and walked up to the table the group. “May I take your order?” She asked with a cheerful smile as she addressed Emerald. “For a drink, I would like a glass of ice water. And for food, I wo-“ A wide yawn cut off his sentence before he continued, “would like four hardboiled eggs cut in half and deviled, and apple-cinnamon oatmeal to eat please.” She wrote it down on the notepad before looking to the princess’, “Would either of you like anything else.” She asked. “No thank you.” Luna said before looking at her sister, who shook her head in response. The waitress nodded before walking back to the kitchen. Emerald looked at Luna with a neutral expression on his face, “Have you taken up that dream duty job you spoke of when you were young?” He asked. She nodded before taking another sip of her coffee. “How did that go?” She smiled slightly, “Quite well.” She replied, “There was not many nightmares last night. So it made my job easier.” She frowned, “But there dost one dream worse than the others.” Emerald tilted his head in confusion. “How bad?” He asked. Luna shook her head, “Quite.” She put simply. Emeralds food arrived and he ate it all with gusto. After about five minutes, he looked at the clock on the wall. ’It looks almost like a sundial.’ Emerald thought. The hour hand was on the number ten, and the minutes hand was on the six. “Celestia,” he said, getting her attention, “What time is it?” “It’s…” She said before looking at the clock, then back, “Ten thirty.” Emerald stood up and made his way toward the door before stopping and looking back at Celestia in annoyance. “I need to exchange my currency for equestrian currency.” He said. Celestia giggled, “While many things have changed since you left, our currency has not changed a bit.” She stopped giggling, “Though, they will most likely check to make sure it is real.” Emerald nodded before abandoning the idea of using the doors. He used his magic to open a small window near the ceiling and ran before jumping out the opening; closing the window behind himself. Celestia shook her head and rolled her eyes before returning to finish off her coffee. Emerald landed at the train station with the attention of most of Canterlot's attention on him. He folded his wings before walking to the booth who's sign read "train tickets." The salespony, who had been sending the last Rider on the train, was now standing in his booth in shock at Emerald's wings. Emerald looked around and saw the eyes of all present on him and sighed before summoning a large hooded cloak with a unique enchantment on it. He adorned the cloak and all the ponies in the area who had been distracted by him went back to what they were doing as if he was never there. He continued walking and approached the stand. The salespony looked at him with a smile as he approached. "Where do you want to go?" The stallion asked. "Ponyville." Emerald replied, the hood covering his face from the salespony's view. "That will be thirteen bits please." Emerald summoned thirteen golden coins and levitated them over to the salespony who looked them over and even but one before nodding and handing him a ticket. He got on the train and sat down on one of the seats before closing his eyes and rested his head back. The train began moving and eventually left Canterlot. 'i guess now would be a good time to get some shut-' Emerald's thoughts were interrupted by a shock from near the front of the train. His eyes flew open as screams began to ring out from everywhere on the train. He got up with haste and ran over to the door to the next car. He entered the next car as the train hurled into a tunnel. Emerald was thrown to the side as the track hit a curve and the train; going so fast; leaned against the stone walls of the tunnel. He stabilized himself before going to the next car. He was slightly taken aback by the scene of the trains occupants being held at point by Diamond Dogs holding crossbow-like weapons in their paws. One of them turned and pointed one at him. Emerald summoned an anti-material barrier between himself and the Diamond Dogs just before the one pointing the weapon at him fired. A near flat piece of led suddenly appeared on the barrier accompanied by a loud crack and smoke rising from the weapons. Emerald took the weapon in his telekinetic grip before using Diamond Dog's grip on the weapon to throw the Diamond Dog out the window. This drew the attention of the other Diamond Dogs and they also opened fire upon him. More of the flattened led struck his barrier before Emerald used the shield as a battering ram; sending the Diamond Dogs flying and either going through the windows, or hitting the wall and losing consciousness immediately. Emerald dispelled the barrier before going to check on the ponies that had been held hostage. None of them were injured in any way and he moved on. He began going throughout the train from car to car; clearing them of hostile Diamond Dogs and healing any injured he came across. He finally made it to the front of the train only to see that the conductor lay dead against a wall and a Diamond Dog stood by a panel holding a broken lever. Emerald rushed at him before grabbing the Diamond Dog's head and slamming it into the panel. He looked at the panel for a way to stop the train and found a sign that read "brake." Unfortunately, it was the sign that went to the broken off lever. Looking ahead, Emerald saw a town fast approaching. Closely looking at the tracks ahead, he saw two Diamond Dogs disconnect the tracks before running toward a nearby forest. He growled before taking one last look around for another way to stop the train than what he was about to do. He hated what he was about to do... He stored his cloak in a pocket dimension before punching out the window and jumping out. He spread his wings and flew ahead of the train while forming claws on all four of his hooves. He turned around and landed just before the train was sent off the tracks; multiple cars turning sideways as the train slid toward him at an angle. He dug his hind-claws into the tracks and the earth beneath before standing up on his hind-hooves. Using his wings to balance himself, Emerald held up his clawed forehooves. "Get out of the way!" he heard someone scream from the town. Most of the residents had stopped what they were doing to find the cause of the noise emitted by the now-damaged train. He braced himself when the train got close. (Twilight POV) Spike and I stood on the train platform, waiting for the train to arrive. we saw something black shoot out of the train and fly closer on the track to us before landing. The train suddenly turned sideways and derailed. Spike and I gasped. The black form on the track got taller but didn't get out of the train's way. "LOOK OUT!!!" I yelled at the being. They still didn't move. The train hit it and bent to form a U shape. The train's velocity was drastically decreasing as a plume of debris formed a trail over the track. As the train got closer to us, Spike pulled on my hoof, "Come on!" He said in fright, "we need to get back!" I looked back to see the train extremely close, yet slow and easily avoidable. I shook my head, "It's almost stopped, we need to get the ponies off the train." I said; many of the other townsponies having the same idea. We made our way to the ruined train as the dust and smoke began to settle and disperse. As I got closer, I managed to make out the silhouette of a large pony leaning against the train with their forehooves. As I got about three meters away, I stopped. Spike; who had followed me, looked up with concern. "What?" He asked before looking at the silhouette of a pony. We got closer and the pony was now clearly visible. "That," I addressed spike while pointing to the pony who I now know had stopped the train, "is Emerald Dragonheart." Author's Note Notify me of any mistakes I may have made during this chapter, enjoy!
I'm Back!!!I stood in the void, still pondering the results of the last Events before I was sent to this blank place. The last thing I remember was activating my last resort spell to win the battle... 'He will pay should he still be alive!!!' I mentally screamed as I endlessly drifted. I returned to the same question I have been thinking for many years... Would I walk this plain of nothingness for all eternity? It's seemed to have been forever since I entered this infernal place. And out of all the questions I've had, this one question keeps coming back to me... at some times, I think I see a red door, but I always chalk that up to my insanity of the Same, exact,THING!!! I saw shadows in those mist in the abyss of a place, they were memories of my life before the war that was waged upon myself, and my people. The door was there, OFF in the distance once again... ' I really thought if you were going insane, you would see a variety of different things...' I deadpanned. I rolled my eyes as I began walking to the door. I only had one thing to say as I finally reached the door which was now green for some reason... "oh well... JERONIMOOOOOoooooo!!!" I hollered as I opened the door, and jumped through. I groaned as I opened my eyes to see, at first just endless white... "It's so cold... it's almost as if I-..."my vision cleared as I started into the endless field of snow and ice. "Oh... This is going to be dreadful..." I said with disdain. My grimace was quickly replaced with a smirk as I returned from my muddled state left from the insanity of the abyss. Smoke started to rise from my nostrils as I opened my mouth to reveal a blue glow from deep within my throat. Meanwhile, in the Crystal Empire, Cadence looked out towards the unforgiving landscape from atop the balcony. With the weather being calm and without the natural snowfall and the wind was still, she was relaxed. 'No blizzards, Windigos, and nopony trying to take over the empire. Finally, just a normal day...' Shining Armor walked onto the platform and rested on the balcony, looking dead tired from training the guards all morning. "I'm glad to finally have a day to rela-" he started to say before they felt a wave of intense heat hit them. They both looked left and saw a glowing blue light on the horizon. "Well, there went the good day."Shining said as he hurried into the castle to prepare to search for the cause of the strange phenomenon out in the snow. "Shining wait! If something is out there, we'll meet it soon enough. We need to to prepare if this is a threat!" Cadence called. He nodded, then continued into the castle. Around a minute later, Shining rounded the corner and collided into a messenger. "Sir!, the scouts spotted a blast of blue fire northeast of the kingdom walls, we don't know what caused it, but it can't be good." He finished with a worried, almost scared face. "What should we do?!" Shining Armor gave indication to follow him, and started to run toward the exit on ground level. (Emerald POV) I walked at a brisk pace toward the castle that loomed in the distance with myself on fire, hoping to get an answer for why the area was frozen as it currently was. As I walked, I started to plan out my reactions according to certain scenarios that could happen. 'I doubt that they would be out here, we hate the cold. That's why I set myself on fire, as I am immune to my own... and I'm cold.' I thought, amused by my own thoughts. I stopped and quickly became somber as I now stood 500 meters from the kingdom wall. My eyes wandered up and I quickly saw ponies in the 2 watch towers that guarded the entrance. ' They don't notice me yet...' I snuffed out the fire that covered me, and smirked dispite the heat leaving my body. I sped up my walk, then started to jog. This continued until I was at my full running speed, then I jumped and opened my wings and gained altitude. From my new perspective of the guards I could see that they were all armed with bows and swords, meaning that they weren't completely passive and could be hostile toward myself . I heard a loud thud and looked down to see the gates opening, and a contact group exiting. I circled around to land, and turned around so I would be facing the group, and I landed with a loud thump. I made sure to make myself known... It worked. After the group whipped around to see me, I was immidatly charged by an earthpony. I dodged in time to only get a shallow cut on the side of my kneck. I jumped away before he could turn around.' They're trying to kill me...' my eyes narrowed as the elite guard charged again. (Shining Armor's POV) As I turned around, I saw the unknown pony dodge the blade of private Lance's sword and only get a small cut on their neck. They jumped away and took a defensive stance. I was about to order the private to stand down but was too late, he was already right next to the unknown pony. As the guard barreled forward, the stranger jumped to the side again, but this time, they extended their wing. The guard slid to a stop behind and to the side of the unknown pony. I was confused, why did Lance stop. The guard looked at his chest, then to the stranger's wing.it had a single claw at its midpoint. The guard fell over into his own pool of blood... Dead. My eyes widened in fear; the stallion's wing talons we're sharp enough to cleanly slice through our guards armor and dig deep enough to inflict a mortal wound. "Who's Next?" He asked coldly as he flicked blood of his claw. We held eye contact and I immediately regretted it. 'I'm dead...' I thought as we held our stare. Nopony made a move as we just stood there... by this point, everypony had drawn there respective weapons, none of us blinked. I gave a nervous chuckle , "Many we can solve this diplomatically???" I slowly put my sword into its sheath in a gesture of good faith, signaling others to do the same. He slowly exhaled and relaxed a bit.' Thank Celestia.' I thought with relief.. ' This is going to be a long day'... Author's Note Hopefully, the edit is better than the original, and remember: constructive criticism.
You are nothing but an insolent fool, Sombra...(3rd POV) Shining Armor breathed a sigh of relief and waved the guards off with a little hesitation, having made what seemed to be a truce. He looked at the body of Lance, already beginning to freeze in a pool of icy blood before calling two of the guards back to carry the body away. Shining put his nervousness aside as he reverted his attention to the pony before him. The pony was almost twelve feet tall, they had a midnight black coat and a dark green mane. They also had a ten inch horn and a set of draconic wings with a twenty foot wingspan and a long, draconic tail. He cleared his throat. "Despite our truce of attack, you have committed the crime of murder and-" Shining Armor attempted to say, only for the stallion to interrupt him, "That stallion attacked first in an attempt to kill me. I was only defending myself." He said with an borderline annoyed voice, yet he had a neutral expression on his face. This made Shining Armor realize that the pony was in fact telling the truth, and was therefore... Not guilty. Shining Armor shifted on his hooves in discomfort and prepared to introduce himself. He didn't get the chance as a large, jet black crystal erupted out of the castle in the center of the city, causing multiple screams to ring out. Shining Armor paled and most likely created a new shade of white as he immediately recognized it. "Oh no..." Shining Armor said with dread as he began to run back into the city. Emerald followed suit with a mildly interested expression. As more crystals sprouted inside the castle. Many ponies were sprinting outside the city borders to escape the unknown adversary while the duo ran toward the commotion. As they got closer, the pair could clearly see the guards fighting grey, armored ponies shrouded in shadows. Emerald shot ahead of Shining Armor and tackled the grey pony to the ground while Shining Armor drew his sword on two of the oncoming assailants. A short skirmish occurred between the three before Shining eventually knocked out his adversaries. Shining Armor looked back at the Emerald to see him get dog-piled by about fifteen of the invaders. Shining immediately rushed to the heap of bodies only for the pile to turn to ash, in its center, Emerald stood up with a disinterested look at the surrounding area. "Are we done here, I'm bored already. I thought they would put up a bigger fight." Emerald said as Shining Armor's chin dropped to the ground in shock. He was knocked out of his stupor when another crystal burst from the castle, sending a familiar pink alicorn flying into a nearby building. "CADENCE!!!" Shining yelled as he dashed to the rubble of the building, Emerald, following shortly after with a raised eyebrow at Shining's worry.. Shining removed shattered pieces of crystal in his desperate attempt to find the Alicorn. He brushed more rubble aside to reveal an unconscious Cadence. Shining Armor heard menacing laughter behind him. Emerald just heard a giggling four year old. "Mwahahahahahahahahaaaa. Mwa-" The voice began, only to be cut off by Emerald, "Please stop. You're being a tad bit annoying." Emerald said with deadpan stare. Shining Armor turned around to see a flabbergasted Sombra. Shining Armor could almost see feel the hate being bored into Emerald all the while Emerald looked at Sombra with a disappointed glance. "Can't you see their might be a hurt pony over here?" Emerald pulled Cadence out of the smashed building with his telekinesis and put her in the grass away from the rock shards. "Do you know who you are speaking to?!" Sombra yelled, "I am ki-" "I really don't care who you are... but while you're still listening, can you go get a doctor, I think she might have a concussion." Shining Armor was in utter shock. This pony, as strange as he is, was speaking to the dark tyrant as if he were a normal pony. This seemed to shock Sombra as well. Though, his shock quickly turned into anger. "I AM KING SOMBRA! TRUE RULER OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE! YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME AS A COMMONER!!! Sombra screeched at Emerald. "You're not an Alicorn. The laws of establishment must have changed while I was absent. I apologize if I am not up to date with today's laws and rules." Emerald said kindly. Sombra was confused for a moment. Sombra opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Shining Armor. "King Sombra is nopony to be treated kindly, he ruled the Crystal Empire over a thousand years ago with a tyrannical hoof. He enslaved the Crystal Ponies and forced them to work in the mines." Shining said with venom. While Shining Armor was speaking, Emeralds smile deteriorated into an emotionless stare. Even the icy winds of the north that had picked up with the arrival of Sombra and his minions halted their wrath. Their was not a single sound. Emerald Dragonheart looked around at the grey, shadow ponies who had also halted their attack in shock. "... well then..." Emerald began, he paused. "you are not worth my time, nor praise." He finished. He turned away from Sombra and was immediately blasted through multiple buildings. The building Emerald lay within collapsed on top of him and Sombra laughed. "You shall ignore me, and nopony shall stop me! I shall retake the Crystal Empire, and then, ALL OF EQUESTRIA!!!" Sombra monologued,"then, I shall take over the neighboring countries, and then the-" "Bla-Bla-Bla. Monologues are always boring." Emerald said from behind Sombra. Sombra turned around to see Emerald completely unscathed from the blast of pure, dark magic. https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?list=PL3IUXJYn3UtEb1HEyOTLTH_QORRSJ1gi1¶ms=OAFIAVgO&v=IfwR-mxkuRI&mode=NORMAL "B-but how?!" Sombra stuttered with shock. Emerald just cracked his neck. "Pretty simple, that was a weak blast." Emerald said with disinterest as he looked around. "So you're not angry?" Sombra asked, "No, I'm just a little FURIOUS. You are nothing but an insolent fool, Sombra..." Emerald replied. He then looked to Sombra and adorned an innocent smile, on that whispered kindness and love, one that whispered pacifistic actions and peaceful nature. "On the other hoof, I will enjoy tearing you to shreds." The feelings fled like the water Moses parted and raw, primal fear took hold in the hearts of every living being who could hear the sentence. (Crystal Castle Infirmary) Cadence immediately sent a letter to Celestia after she awoke, pleading that the element bearers come to the Crystal Empire quickly. She also explained that Sombra had somehow returned with an army. Celestia replied saying that Twilight and her friends were on their way to the Crystal Empire and would arrive shortly. "RETREAT!!!" Cadence heard from outside. She managed to look out of a nearby window to see Sombra's army running to the city gates and sighed in relief that the guards managed to repeal the enemy. She looked at the nurse who was tending to the health monitor and coughed. "Yes Princess?" The nurse asked with concern. Can you go tell Shining Armor to go to the train station and bring the element bearers back with him. After that, please bring Flurry Heart here." Cadence requested politely. "Yes Princess." The nurse said before she left the room. Cadence lay down and stared up at the ceiling. She hoped that everypony was okay. 'The paperwork I'll have to fill out...' She thought as she looked out the window and into the sky. (City limits) Shining Armor was practically vibrating with frustration. Pinkie Pie would not. Stop. TALKING!!! 'How is that dragon-pony completely calm?!' Shining asked himself as they walked through town. They had arrived at the train station earlier, Emerald had followed Shining Armor out of 'bordom' as he put it. When the elements had arrived, Shining Armor had cut their panic off by explaining that Sombra was taken care of. The element's anxiety and concern turned into excited curiosity for most of them as they tried to get Emerald to answer their personal questions. Emphasis on the word tried. "Darling, what is that horrid smell?" Rarity asked. Though the question was directed at Shining Armor, Emerald answered first, "I had a bonfire." He said without turning to look at Rarity. He was starting to get on Shining's nerves when Applejack spoke up. "Y'all know that ah can tell if y'all lie. Right?" Applejack asked knowingly. All eyes turned to Emerald with varying expressions. Emerald just snorted and sped up. (Five minutes later) (Crystal palace) The six elements, Emerald, and the two rulers of the Crystal Empire sat at the table in the dining hall and ordered their food separately, Emerald decided to keep his meal a secret and hidden from the sight of the other ponies in the room. Two words, 'Griffin, Menu.' The other ponies started idle chatter until the food arrived. The food arrived a few moments later and Shining Armor coughed loudly to get everypony's attention. Shining looked at Emerald, "So, what is your name?" Shining asked. That was when Celestia walked into the room, "Emerald Dragonheart..." Celestia said as she sat down at the table with Cadence and Shining Armor. She smiled warmly at Emerald, "King of the Draconian Empire."
So, what has happened while I have been absent?Everypony present had stopped eating to look incredulously at Emerald who merely looked at each of them in turn. "King?!" Shining Armor yelled incredulously as he began coughing after choking on food in his mouth. "Indeed." Emerald replied with a smile tugging at the corners of his muzzle at Shining's confusion. The room was silent again and Emerald took another bite of food. He looked up at the sound of a quill scribbling on parchment and saw Twilight scribbling frantically while looking up at him every so often. He looked around and saw that all eyes were on him and put his fork down and waited. And waited... And waited... Emerald sighed and cleared his throat, "may I help any of you?" He asked his onlookers. He looked at Celestia for a moment as she looked to the other ponies and looked to Cadence and Shining Armor. Cadence opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Twilight. "So are you a Bat-pony?" Twilight asked with fascination in her eyes. Emerald looked at Twilight and shook his head while smiling, "No, young one, I am not." He replied while gauging her reaction to being called 'young one'. Her smile fell and she looked at him with a hint of anger and pointed at him. "Don't call me young! I'm twenty four years old! Plus, I'm Princess Celestia's pupil." Twilight said with a huff. Emerald chuckled, "Child, I foal-sat Celestia. Also, I thought females didn't want others to think they were old." Emerald said as he regained a neutral expression. Twilight's eyes widened with surprise before blushing and Rarity nodded. "Very true darling, but, how old are you?!" Rarity asked. Emerald looked at rarity. "I am forty four thousand, seven hundred and fifty two years old." Emerald replied. "Wait, that doesn't count my time of absence." Emerald said "how long was I gone for " he then asked Celestia. She smiled sadly, "You were gone for ten thousand years, Emerald." Celestia replied. Emerald slouched back into the chair and looked vacantly at the ceiling with a drawn out combination of a sigh, a groan, and a hiss. He sat back up and looked at Celestia, "So, what has happened while I have been absent?" He asked with a slight frown on his muzzle that betrayed the emotions he felt. "We had to fight a few villains and save Equestria a few times, no biggie." Rainbow Dash said while looking at her hoof in a boasting manner. "What happened to Ruby?" Emerald asked with concern, disregarding Rainbow's comment. various scenarios began running through his mind at the possibilities. "She awoke a few hours after you disappeared and flew off with two Dracorn and two Dragosai guards and disappeared into what is the present day Ever free Forest." Celestia replied with a sympathetic frown. Emerald sighed in relief at the knowledge that Ruby was safe. Remembering the initial question, he turned to Twilight, "I am a Dracorn." Emerald said. It took Twilight a moment to remember what she had asked him and immediately jotted his answer down on the parchment. "So, uh, what is the Draconian Empire?" Twilight asked, her fascination returning. Emerald's smile returned and he cleared his throat, "The Draconian Empire was a massive city-state empire located south of here. Us Dracorns and Dragosai lived there for a few hundred thousand generations, constantly expanding the walls to create farms and buildings." Emerald replied while nostalgia hit him like a tsunami. "I am sorry to cut this short, I believe that we royals aIl need to go to Canterlot for important business or to return home." Celestia said as she stood up, Cadence and Shining Armor doing the same. Twilight and her friends also got up, "And I'll be able to participate this time!" Twilight said with excitement, but Celestia shook her head. "You will be able to go to the peace council next time Twilight." Twilight frowned before nodding in acceptance. "Ah yes, the Peace council," Emerald said as he too stood up after taking one last bite of his meal, "This will be interesting after ten millennia of not participating in one." The group of royals and the five other elements then walked to the train station; accompanied by a squad of the Crystal Empire's guards When they got there though, Emerald stopped, his eyebrow raised. "Am I correct to assume that this is a means of transportation in this age?" Twilight giggled, "It's a train!" Twilight beamed, "It's top speed is thirty miles per hour! And I promise it's perfectly safe." Twilight reassured. Emerald shrugged and got aboard with the others. "NEXT STOP, CANTERLOT!" The conductor yelled from his place at the front of the train. Emerald watched out the window as the train began gaining speed. Applejack sat down next to Emerald. "This must be really strange fer yall. Ain't it?" Applejack asked. "Very much so, all though, it is exhilarating to see so many new things, so many new possibilities." Emerald replied without looking at her. "By tha' way, I'm Applejack." She said, holding out her hoof. He looked at her hoof for a moment with a confused expression before bumping her hoof with his own. "Well met?" He said while Applejack chuckled at his confusion. Applejack then frowned at the memory from when he lied about the stench Rarity had pointed out earlier. "Tell meh the truth. What was tha' smell earlier?" Applejack asked, pleading for a truthful answer. Emerald was silent for a moment before he turned to look at Applejack. "After I was done battling Sombra, I incinerated his corpse." Emerald said with the most emotionless stare she had ever seen. She paled significantly and audibly gulped. Emerald turned to look out the window and saw a city in the distance. "Celestia, is that Canterlot?" Emerald asked while pointing to the mountainside city. Celestia nodded and Emerald's gaze fell back upon the marble city. "You didn't spend too much on that did you?" Emerald asked with a smirk. Celestia groaned, "Yes, I know Luna and I both owe you eight thousand bits each.That's the only reason we slightly hoped you didn't return." The mane six plus the two rulers' eyes widened, not catching what she mumbled. "WHAT!!!!!!" They yelled simultaneously. Emerald chuckled quietly and looked at them. He had ; in fact; heard what she had mumbled, and didn't really take offense to it. "You see, Celestia and Luna both said that they would never become rulers of a country and I said that they would, so we bet that if I won, they would have to pay me eight thousand bits each. If they won, then I would pay them eight thousand bits each, and I won!" Emerald said cheekily. Before the ponies could reply, the doors opened, "CANTERLOT!!!" The conductor hollered at the trains occupants as the group got off of the train, Emerald being beside the three older rulers in the front while Twilight strayed closer to her friends. "Twilight, I really don't trust that pony, he seems very suspicious to me." Rarity said, the rest of the group nodding their heads in agreement to this statement. They then turned their attention to the path they were heading on to the castle. In the front, Emerald was taking the stare of the nobles and merchants as the group walked the streets. Eventually, the group reached the entrance to the castle and were greeted by guards on either side of the doors. They saluted the princesses and Prince as they passed while wearily eying Emerald. The group reached the throne room and the elements of harmony, minus Twilight, were dismissed to their quarters for sleep while Luna joined them to go to the dining hall to wait for the other rulers to arrive. The first ruler arrived around ten minutes later, the Zebrican cheiftess Koros, the others arrived shortly after. The Griphon Duke Ironbeak, The Diamond Dog king Mosaic. The Minotour ambassador Iron Will. The Changeling King Thorax, and the Dragon Lord Ember. Everyone sat down and the doors closed. Smiling, Emerald sat up straighter. With such a diverse group, things were bound to get interesting. Author's Note Here it is, tell me if there are any errors in this chapter!
That went greater than expected"This month's peace council is now underway, would those who have something to speak of please decide amongst yourselves who will go first." Celestia said. Immediately after she spoke, several of the rulers began looking at each other. It was the Dragon Lord Ember won the debate of stares as she stood up. "Who is he?" She asked Celestia while pointing to Emerald, " unless you were planning on telling us you were going to turn another pony into an Alicorn, you haven't even hinted at the idea since Twilight's ascension." a few of the rulers began whispering amongst themselves while others were nodding to Ember's statement. Celestia tapped her hoof on the ground to call for silence and Ember sat down in her seat. Celestia motioned for Emerald to rise and he did so without complaint. "I am King Emerald of the Draconian Empire" Emerald said while flashing a look at Ember to silence her as she attempted to interrupt him, "I sincerely apologize for my absence from these meetings as I was still recovering from a magical over-exertion." He concluded while looking at Ember. Ember stood up and crossed her arms, "I am the Dragon Lord, you aren't the Dragon ruler." She said while glaring coldly at Emerald. Emerald calmly looked back at Ember, waiting for her to be done speaking. "DRACONIAN, not dragon." He said, "your race and mine are two different things." Ember sat down temporarily content with his response. Emerald also sat down after Celestia nodded to him. The other rulers whispered around until Iron Beak stood up, "Princess Celestia, I want to inform you of an increased number of caravan raids along the boarder. The raider have been Diamond Dogs, not the dragons like we earlier suspected." Iron Beak said before he sat down. Mosaic stood up and looked to Celestia, "Yes, I understand and I do confirm that Diamond Dogs have been raiding trading caravans. I assure you that we are trying to contain the insurrectionists." Mosaic said calmly as Iron Beak frowned; clearly not believing Mosaics statement. Mosaic sat down and the remaining leaders debated with each other about who would speak next. Koros stood up and cleared her throat, "I have the same problem as Iron Beak, although, our problems present a future quite bleak." Koros said. After hearing her speak, Emerald grinned devilishly. He looked at the centerpiece of the table, a fruit basket. He picked up an orange with his magic and showed it to Koros. "Koros, what is this?" Emerald asked with a knowing grin. She looked at the fruit, "That is an Orange..." Koros said trying to find a rhyme for the fruit. Emerald held back his mirth behind a neutral mask. "Emerald, you know that there is not a word in Equish that rhymes with orange." Celestia scolded, Emerald merely smiled and put the Orange back into the bowl.Iron Will stood up and looked around at the others present, "We as the Minotaurs are in need of assistance, the Harpies in the Badlands are crossing the border and into our lands. We simply ask for supplies to build a means of defence." He said. Iron Will sat down and nodded at Celestia. "I am sorry, but the Gryphons are unable to assist you due to the Diamond Dog 'Insurrectionists'." Iron Beak said, Koros nodding in agreement. Luna stood up, "Equestria will be able to send supplies to your nation." Luna said with a caring smile. "As will the Crystal Empire." Cadence said while looking at Shining Armor. Emerald leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table as he pondered his options. He stood up and looked at Mosaic, "I will be able to assist you in eradicating the insurrectionists," Emerald then looked to Iron Will, "and the Harpies you speak of." Mosaic shook his head, "We need to crush this rebellion on our own to make an example of our ability to take care of ourselves." Mosaic said with a smile, "thank you for offering your assistance though." Iron Will also shook his head, "Thank you for offering, but if we rid the Badlands of Harpies, then other Harpies will go into a frenzy. It would be better to just protect ourselves from them." Iron Will said. Emerald nodded in acceptance and sat down. Thorax stood up and fluttered his insect-like wings nervously, "We would like to ask for some assistance in growing food out in the Badlands so that we don't need to make as many trips into Equestria." Thorax said before he sat down. Celestia smiled, "Equestria will send farmers to your hive to teach Changelings how to grow and maintain crops." Celestia said. Emerald then looked around, and saw no one was standing up, so he then stood up. "I just need help uncovering the snow that covers the Empire I assisted in ruling." Emerald said with a shrug. The others, minus Celestia, looked at him with bewildered expressions adorning their faces. The room was silent as others were in shock. "And that's all I have that I would need help with." Emerald said as he sat down. Everyone was silent and he shifted around until he was comfortable. "What happened?!" Iron Beak asked, "Why is your empire underneath so much snow?!" Emerald shrugged, "Ask Celestia or Luna, I've been trapped... I don't know where I was, but I was there for a little over ten thousand years." Emerald replied, saying it almost like an afterthought. "Windigoes." Luna said with a shiver, Emerald frowned; having never heard of the adversaries. "And what exactly are these Windigoes?" Emerald asked with a raised brow. "Horrid creatures that prey on the emotions of hatred and malice to strengthen themselves." Thorax replied before he too shivered. "They bring about an everlasting winter if they aren't stopped." "Thankfully, they have not been seen since over two thousand years ago." Luna said; neglecting the events of the crystalling. Mosaic stood up and prepared to speak... It was that moment that the windows shattered... And the room was flooded with darkness... Author's Note Two chapters in two days!!! I am very happy that my writers block has been lifted. Also, I will continue to work until I reach a point at which I have no clear objective with the story.
Meeting adjourned.(3rd POV) The room fell into a chaos that would make Discord proud; with frantic leaders rushing to get out of harms way and guards rushing in to their charges aid, the room became a blur of movement and noise. Most of the leaders managed to get out of the room when soldiers that served Sombra began launching themselves into the room through the broken windows. There were ten or twelve of them. Emerald was able to quickly guess that they were a group specialized for this task, as after landing inside the room, they immediately ran to cut off the leaders and guards that remained. He was having none of that. He quickly reared up on his hind legs and spread his large wings before sending a powerful gust of wind toward the oncoming assailants and sent them flying into the wall that held the windows they entered from. He landed on all fours and turned his head to the side to address the group of guards and their leaders. "Go, now!" Emerald commanded before turning back to the soldiers who; for the most part; had recovered. "I'll hold them off!" The soldiers at the end of the room drew swords and daggers of various sizes fit for themselves and took fighting stances. Emerald's eyes narrowed and he also took a fighting stance before raising his right hoof into the air at head level to the front left side of himself, before swinging his foreleg to the right at a slight downward angle; a large emerald, blade-like Crystal erupting off his foreknee. The soldiers were taken aback by this action and their composure faltered for a moment. Emerald grinned at their fear, "hopefully you all are better than the last group I faced." They growled at this taunt and his grin grew. All was still in the room as the guards had all managed to escort their leaders out of the room and toward a safe place. Without warning, all but one of the dark soldiers rushed Emerald with war cries and readied blades. The first soldier that reached emerald was a unicorn with an azure colored magic that held two swords the size of the ponies entire leg. The unicorn swung the two swords in an 'X' fashion toward Emerald, and he stepped far to the right with his left hoof before using it to make a full clockwise rotation; effectively knocking the swords to the side and beheading the pony when Emerald brought his blade hoof around. The next pony was also a unicorn and also followed quickly behind the fallen soldier. They were carrying a huge broadsword in their silver colored magic. They swung the broadsword in a slow vertical slice ment to cut Emerald in half, yet he jumped to the side at the last minute and vertically impaled the pony in the throat before lifting them to the right, then tossing them into an earth pony coming from slightly left of himself. He inhaled before releasing a torrent of blue flames at the pony he had knocked over; incinerating them so that not even ash remained. His right ear twitched and he barely had time to dodge as eight daggers flew right where his head and neck had been. He turned to see an earth pony twirl two daggers in their forehooves before throwing them both at Emerald. He weaved around the blades flying through the air before sending pure wind magic into his blade and releasing it by swinging it at the pony. A large arc of wind with the width of a blade was fired from the crystals swing and eviscerated all in its path. The pony was unable to get out of the way well enough and ended up losing most of their back right leg to the unforgiving wind. Flapping his wings once, Emerald catapulted himself over to the downed soldier before curb-stomping the ponies head; his stomp backed up by strong earth magic. He nearly flattened the soldiers helmet with the stomp and used the force of it to flip over another earth pony sprinting at him from in front of him and used his curved wing talons to stab the oncoming pony in the eyes and slam the back of the soldiers head into the ground. A group of five unicorns wielding different weapons in their respectively colored magic surrounded Emerald and attempted to cut him down swiftly, only for Emerald to stand on his hind hooves and sprout another crystal blade on his left forehoof. He then spun two full counter-clockwise rotations; the first one cut their eyes to blind them, while the other rotation slit their throats. The five fell to the floor with a thud and their weapons a clatter. Emerald turned to face the remaining soldier and was surprised to find a pegasai that, while adorning the Umbrums' armor, also had red highlights where there should not have been. 'I assume he's an officer.' Emerald thought while retracting the crystal blade-hooves. Celestia entered the room with two of her vanguard and was not really surprised to see Emerald nigh unscathed and most of the enemies dead. She saw Emerald and the Umbran officer watching each other. Emerald nodded to the officer and the officer nodded back. Then... They were both gone. She put up a shield spell around herself and the two guards just before harsh winds whipped the once calm air, stone shrapnel disconnected and flew from the floor from the points of the two fighters push-off steps, and sparks flew all around the room from points of the two warriors clashes took place. After ten second that felt like forever to Celestia; who was struggling to maintain her shield amidst the destruction; the two fighters appeared back where they had stood before their display of speed, breathing heavily and physically worn out. Unable to speak due to the exhaustion, the Umbran officer pointed wearily to himself before pointing at one of the broken windows. Emerald nodded. The Umbran soldier limped over to the window before jumping out of it, and flying away. Celestia looked at Emerald with a confused expression on her face. "No-Nobody was- going to win that." Emerald managed to make out between breaths. "Creator almighty I'm out of shape." He stood up straight and stretched. He looked at Celestia; legs shaking and an attempted smile on his face; and asked, "do you think you could get me to a room?" Celestia slowly nodded her head. Emerald nodded once before his eyes closed and he crumpled to the ground unconscious; yet, right before unconsciousness took hold, Emerald swore he saw a purple-black wisp disappear from reality... Author's Note Done in minor collaboration with Shadows Of The Light
Awakening and a proposition(Emerald's POV) I awoke with a heavy groan as I shifted in discomfort. I felt the fluffy cushion underneath me; not quite registering what it was due to my hazy mind and slow thought process. The creator-forsaken sun is shining right into my eyes. With another groan, I used what strength my exhausted body had left to roll over so my eyes were no longer in the light and gave a content sigh. My ear flicked as the door opened. I cracked an eye open to see an earth pony mare with a peach colored coat and brown mane and tail wearing a maids outfit walk into the room. A unicorn stallion with a dark brown coat and a green mane and tail wearing a white jacket followed the mare into the room with a clipboard. "Mmm uh ulp' you?" I rasped, my sentence muffled by the pillow that covered my muzzle. The stallions eyes widened for a second before he smiled, "Ahh, I'm glad to see you're awake." He said, "are you feeling well?" I groaned before lifting my head enough to be heard clearly, "Yes, but may I have a glass of water." I asked, my voice low and grating from the lack of use. The mare nodded with a small smile before turning and walking out the door. "Would it be alright if I used a scanning spell to check you for any damage?" The stallion asked. I nodded before resting my head back onto the EXTREMELY comfortable pillow. I heard the sound of magic activating and felt a wave of energy pass over me. I managed to open both of my eyes fully and watched as he eyes closed and hummed in thought. "Well, there seems to not be any fractures in your bones and no signs of broken or strained ligaments." He said before another wave passed over me. "What was that?" I asked after shifting my head so my voice was not muffled by the pillow. "That was a spell that views the target's magic levels," he frowned, "all the magic levels are balanced like an Alicorn's is, except a spot right beneath your chin that has a higher level than anywhere else in your body." He raised a brow, "is that normal?" I nod. "Yes, it's a trigger most Dracorn have that allows them to change from." I reply. He looks at me skeptically, "Really, into what?" I grin, showing off my white fanged teeth. "A True Dragon." I reply. He opens his mouth again but is cut off by the maid entering the room with a glass of water. She handed it to me and I thanked her. "I was told to tell you that the princesses will be here soon to check on your condition." She said. I nodded as she left the room. "Since I am in good condition, may I leave?" I asked the stallion. He nodded, "I just need to get the sign out sheet and you'll be free to leave." 'I guess I'll be out before they can get here.' I thought. The stallion left the room and I relaxed be for turning my head to look out the window. I estimated that it was about noon one-ish and relished the feeling of the bed one last time before attempting to sit up. It didn't work... I tried rolling backwards a little bit before throwing myself foreword. That also didn't work... I then used my tail to grab the side of the bed and throw my hind legs off the edge. While it worked, I accidentally used too much energy into the swing, and I flopped onto the floor. Groaning once again, I stood up slowly; sounding out a series of sickening cracks that resounded throughout the room. I exhaled deeply and ruffled my wings. The stallion walked back into the room; carrying the clipboard and a pen this time. Using his magic, he levitated both items over to me which I took with my wing claws. I looked at the document on the clipboard, and filled it out. Name: Emerald Dragonheart Age: 54,752 years Sex: male Race: Dracorn Estimated height: 20 hooves Estimated weight: 189 lbs Oddities: "Form Trigger" Reason for monitoring: Unconsciousness by exhaustion I looked the form over one last time before I handed it to the stallion. He took it "Thank you very much, you are free to go." He said before leaving the room. I too walked toward the door and left the room. I had not in a guest room that I had asked Celestia to put me I; but had been in a hospital room, and was now in the medical ward within the castle. I shook my head with a sigh before walking out of the medical ward, and into the labrynth of a castle. (Celestia POV) The Noble thanked me for my time before walking out of the room. The great doors at the end of the hall closed, yet I could practically hear the nobles huff of frustrated arrogance that I refused his request. He asked for my blessing to take down several orphanages and replace them with taverns and bars for the nobility. I moaned in exhaustion and rubbed my eyes with my hooves. All of the nobles that came to the daycourt must have conspired amongst themselves as all of them proposed the same thing. "No doubt, they will come back during the night court and try to coax Luna into agreeing." I thought with disdain and sympathy toward my sister. The doors opened and one of the guards posted outside of the door came in and said, "Your highness, there is no more business left for the day court." I gave a genuine smile at this and sighed in relief. "Thank you, you are dismissed for the day." I told him before he nodded and left. I stood up from my throne and exited the room from one of the side doors. 'the garden sounds like a serene place to be right now.' I walked the halls for a few minutes, knowing the way by heart. There were times when the day would get too stressful and the garden would be just right to calm me down and allow me to relax. I came to a four-way intersection and turned right to go straight to the garden. (Emerald POV) I had been wandering the halls in a frustrated state for what seemed like hours to me; but was probably only a few minutes. I looked up from the tile floor to see Celestia turn a corner in front of me, and was now facing the same direction as myself. I saw her open the door the hall led to and walk into what I assumed to be a garden from the brief glance I had before the door closed. I grinned before walking down the hall and following her outside and into an expansive garden. It had lots of different types of flowers and trees that blocked my ability to see Celestia. Bounding along the ground for a few paces, I lept up into the trees, and began leaping from Branch to Branch at a fast pace before seeing Celestia through the leaves. I slowed my pace as to not make any sounds that would alert her to my presence. She eventually stopped and lay down, leaning her body against the tree as a content smile adorned her face. I lept into the tree she leaned on and looked at my forehooves as claws made of my name sprouted from my hooves; my back hooves doing the same. I slowly and carefully leaned down from directly above her, and grabbed onto The side of the tree with my forehooves, followed by my back hooves. I wrapped my tail around a tree branch higher up, then silently began to crawl down the side of the tree. I climbed down far enough so that my head was level with her and leaned in so that our muzzles was inches apart. "Boo!" I yelled. She simply opened her eyes and her smile became a smirk of victory. "I knew you were there." Celestia said. I pouted as she continued to give me a smug grin. I have a huff before doing a backflip and one hundred and eighty degree turn; landing in front of her. I gained an expression of curiosity as I rased an eyebrow, "Where are the other rulers?" I asked.'I haven't seen a single one of them since last night.' "They returned to their respective lands." She replied, "though they wanted my sister and I to pass along their gratitude, depending on which one of us is awake at the time." I nodded. Turning around, I walked over to a tree opposite of Celestia and sat down facing her. We sat there for a few minutes with our eyes closed; simply enjoying the nature around us. A slight vibration in my skull made my eyes snap open as I whipped my head to look toward the general direction the southern horizon was. Celestia opened her eyes due to my sudden movement. She opened her mouth to ask me what was wrong and I cut her off by raising a hoof. And waited... We didn't wait long as soon enough, a small wisp of green magical fire flew down and in front of Celestia before becoming a rolled up scroll. (Celestia POV) I looked at the scroll that had appeared in front of me. It was from Twilight. I opened it. "What does it say?" Emerald asked. I cleared my throat before reading, "Dear Princess Celestia, as you know, the Great Dragon Migration is occurring tomorrow and I was wanting to inform you that two dragons flew into Ponyville and invited Spike to join them. I am a little hesitant to let him go after what happened last time he went. What do you think I should do? Your fellow princess and ex pupil, Twilight Sparkle." I finished reading. I summoned a quill and piece of blank parchment and began to think. "I could go with him." Emerald said; interrupting my thoughts, "to watch over him. It would also give me more knowledge of modern day..." He trailed off; looking for a word. "Workings of society?" I asked him. He nodded. "Yeah, that..." I giggled and he gave me an unamused look. "I woke up not even two hours ago. My mind is still waking up." I just smiled before looking up at the sky. "Even us multi-millennia old beings can be just like normal beings sometimes." I said. He also smiled before looking up at the sky as well. "Indeed Celestia. Indeed." He had a somber expression on his face for a moment before he put on his mask of content neutrality. His may have been better practiced than mine, but I could see that he wasn't reveling his true emotions. "Well..." He said before standing up, "I'm going to get a meal, I haven't eaten yet." He began walking toward the castle doors, but stopped before turning back to look at me. "Don't forget about that letter." He joked, I looked down to see the parchment and quill still in my magical grasp. He continued walking and entered the castle halls. I rolled my eyes and began to write my response to Twilight. (Third POV) Twilight sat at the table with Spike as he ate a hole of gems and she read a history book. She was looking for one topic in particular... The Draconian Empire. She had been searching for the past four hours and still couldn't find a single trace of it, nor its inhabitants. She sighed in near defeat before a flash of golden light appeared in front of her face; temporarily blinding her and making both herself, and spike fall out of their chairs. She hesitantly looked up from her place on the floor to see the end of a scroll sticking out over the edge of the table. She stood up and shook myself off before taking the letter and opening it. Spike had gotten up and was looking at Twilight expectantly. "Well?" He asked. She took a breath of air, "Dear princess Twilight, I can understand your hesitation knowing what happened last time. It is still up to you to make that choice, but know that King Emerald Dragonheart has volunteered to accompany Spike should Spike be ok with that. If so, please tell me what time Emerald will need to be there so that I can inform him. Your friend, Celestia." Twilight finished. Spike looked confused, "Who's Emerald Dragonheart? And I didn't think Equestria had a king." Spike said. Twilight shook her head, "He's the king of a lost empire, almost like the Crystal Empire," Twilight replied, "but not only has it been gone for longer and still hasn't returned, it's occupants are a pony sub-race that isn't in any known documentation of any kind." Spike raised a brow at this, but didn't interrupt her, "Emerald is a sub-race known as a Dracorn, which is like a combination of an alicorn, and a dragon." Spike thought about it for a moment but eventually decided. "Sure!" He said with a smile before going back to finish his bowl of gems. Twilight also smiled before going upstairs to get parchment and a quill to write a letter back to Celestia. Meanwhile, in Canterlot... (Emerald's POV) I walked through the halls of the Canterlot castle once more. I had just finished a filling meal in the dining hall and simply set out to roam. I eventually came across a door that had heavy reinforcement enchantments practically slathered all over it. I also sensed a sound dampening spell that only allowed me to hear a few whispers of what lay beyond. I walked up to the door and knocked. After a few minutes of waiting, I was getting impatient. I knocked again; harder this time... no one came to the door. I tried to open the door, but found that it was locked. A maid walked by and I asked her what was in the room I failed to enter. "It's the training room for the royal guard." She said. I thanked her and she continued on her way. I looked back to the door and frowned. I raised my hoof and concentrated on flowing my magic into my hoof. My hoof began to glow green with the color of my magic and I then reached out... And touched the door... Ponyville (Third POV) Pinkie Pie was baking in the kitchen with Mr. Cake when she suddenly got an itchy muzzle. She felt a sneeze coming. "Ah... Ah... AHHH... FUS RO DA!!!" she sneezed; startling Mr. Cake so much that he jumped into the air in fright. "Pinkie, you almost have me a heart attack." Mr. Cake scolded her. Pinkie smiled apologetically, "Sorry, it was called for." Mr. Cake just shrugged before going back to work. Canterlot The doors were blasted off their hinges and flung across the room; scattering the guard and disrupting their session of training. Emerald stepped inside and looked around. Seeing the guards recovering, he took the broken doors in his magic and levitated them over to the door frame; picking up fragments of the door along the way. He activated a transmutation spell and the doors became reattached to the door frame, albeit the door was now open. The guards unsheathed their real weapons and got into stances; thinking that Emerald was an intruder. Emerald shrugged. "I tried knocking." He said, "none of you opened the door." The guards faltered a little bit before sheathing their weapons and picking up the practice ones that littered the ground. With an order from the captain, the guards resumed their training. Emerald watched them for a few hours before walking to the other side of the room where a table was. On it was multiple rolls of parchment, ink wells and quills, drill routines, and notes on the individual guards in the squadron. Emerald took a roll of parchment, and dipped a quill in the ink well before writing a routine for one on one combat, and prototypes for new weapons. He put the used parchment on an empty area on the table and put the quills and ink wells in their respective areas before leaving the room; closing the doors behind himself. Celestia was making her way to the dining hall for dinner when she bumped into Emerald. "Ah, there you are." She said, "I was about to ask for somepony to find you." Emerald raised a brow before looking outside a nearby window. It was soon to be night. "Huh, I watched the guard for longer than I thought." He mumbled before looking to Celestia. "Alright then, onward!" He said with a grin. They then made their way to the dining hall where Luna already sat, looking like she hadn't gotten a good sleep. Her expression brightened when Celestia and Emerald entered the room. "Good night sister of ours and Emerald." Luna said with an exhausted cheer. The pair sat down next to and across from Luna. Emerald gave a concerned look to Luna, "Are you ok Luna, you look exhausted." He asked. She nodded with a small smile before sipping on a warm coffee. A waiter arrived and asked them what drinks they wanted to order. He had an accent that Emerald could not identify. "I will have a glass of warm milk she said before whipping her head to look at Emerald with an embarrassed blush. He sported a large grin on his face and leaned toward Celestia, "Still drinking warm milk before bed Tia?" He asked with no little amount of mirth in his voice. "Y-yes," she said; looking away before mumbling, "it calms me down and helps me sleep..." he laughed, "You know I'm just teasing you," he said before his grin faded into a smile as he turned his attention to the waiter, "I will have a glass of Red Eclipse if you a have it." The waiter grinned, "We just got a new shipment in from the Cinder Oaks Winery." He said before walking back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, they got their drinks and ordered their food. "Uugh. Night-court is going to be a drag tonight." Luna groaned, "I can just feel it." Celestia looked apologetically at her but said nothing. The groups food came and they told each other tales of their day, with the exception of Luna who told tales of the dreams other ponies have had. Eventually, Celestia and Luna stood up and began to make their way toward a set of double doors at one side of the room. Emerald followed them out the doors and onto a balcony where they stood side by side before activating their magic at the same time. Slowly but surely, the moon and sun began to rise and fall respectively as night blanketed the land of Equestria. Emerald smiled warmly and clapped while leaning against the doorway. Luna bid them good night and made her way toward the night-court. "Twilight said that Spike would be ok that you accompanied him to the Dragon Lands. You'll need to be in Ponyville by Eleven tomorrow morning. Also, you can sleep in the western V.I.P rooms." Celestia said before going to her room. Emerald was halfway to the guest wing before he stopped, his mind telling him that something was not right. He sighed before closing his eyes and allowing his senses and subconscious to lead him through the halls of the Canterlot castle... And directly toward the room Luna was holding the night-court in... Author's Note I do not own any references I may use unless I say that they are mine. Please enjoy and tell me if any mistakes are present.
Night-court and a threat against the immortal(Luna POV) The night-court had already started, and my earlier assumptions about tonight were correct. “-and that is why I believe that we should make room for more noble bars.” A unicorn noble known as Grandee Rose finished before looking at me with an expectant smile. I frowned before looking at him in disappointment. “And that makes the orphanages around Canterlot the perfect thing to remove in its stead?” I asked with an incredulous tone that asked for clarification. He nodded before clearing his throat, “Yes, your highness, they are loud and the children there are always so obnoxious and annoying.” He continued, " they simply ruined my day with their laughter and yells!" I rubbed a temple with her hoof before sighing. "I apologise, but I cannot and will not give you my blessing for this." I said with finality. I heard the door click closed and I looked past the Noble to see that no one was there. I shook my head before turning my head back to the unicorn. He now wore an angry frown on his face and he snorted, "Well then," he began as his horn became alight with magic, "if you will not give in, then you'll just have to-" an arrow flew out from the inside of his suit, guided by his magic. (Emerald's POV) I opened the door to the night-court with my now clawed hooves and crawled into the room. Why did I crawl and why did the guards not stop me, you may ask... Well, I was on the ceiling. “-and that is why I believe that we should make room for more noble bars.” A unicorn wearing a suit said to Luna. I raised an eyebrow, but didn't move. Luna frowned, “And that makes the orphanages around Canterlot the perfect thing to remove in its stead?” She asked the unicorn incredulously. I slowly began to close the massive doors as the unicorn nodded an cleared his throat, “Yes, your highness, they are loud and the children there are always so obnoxious and annoying.” He continued, " they simply ruined my day with their laughter and yells!" I looked over to Luna who was rubbing her temple with a hoof. She then sighed, "I apologise, but I cannot and will not give you my blessing for this." She said with a tone in her voice that said she was done talking about the topic. I pushed the door all the way closed and it let out a loud click. I saw Luna look toward the door, but not look at me. 'Probably because I'm on the ceiling.' I thought before crawling along the ceiling and toward Luna. The noble now wore an angry frown on his face and he snorted, "Well then," he began as his horn became alight with magic, "if you will not give in, then you'll just have to-" an arrow flew out from the inside of his suit and flew toward Luna. I was above the Noble when this happened, and dropped from the ceiling, and onto the stallion. As I landed on him, I heard quite a few bones break and his magic cut off. I heard a thunk of metal embedding itself into wood and looked up at Luna. (Luna POV) The arrow vibrated in place from the impact into the throne next to my neck. I slowly looked at the arrow in surprise and fright before leaning away from it and gulping loudly. I looked at the Noble and saw that Emerald stood atop him looking at me with a concerned expression on his face. He looked at the arrow and his concern ebbed away slightly; knowing I was safe. "Are you ok Luna?" He asked moving one hoof off of the stallion beneath him. I nodded; still too shocked to speak. He then took all but one hoof off of the stallion before lifting him up by the back of the head. "Guards!" He yelled. The doors were encased in two magical auras before they opened and a pair of guards entered the room to see Emerald holding the now unconscious stallion and the arrow in the throne. Emerald held the stallion up more and shook him. (Third POV) The guards had taken the stallion away to the dungeons after Emerald had explained what had transpired and two more had taken their place for extra protection. Emerald walked over to Luna who now sat on the floor and looked at the throne; still in shock. He patted her on the shoulder for comfort before laughing hollowly, "I would get used to that if I were you." He said before walking up to the throne and pulled out the arrow. His neutral expression became one of surprise before his eyes narrowed. "Guards!" He barked before turning to the two at the end of the hall. "I need one of you to awaken Celestia and tell her to get here immediately." One of the guards stepped forward, "She is already on her way." The guard said, "she was informed to come here after news of the attack on princess Luna." No sooner after the guard said that, Celestia appeared in the large room with a flash of golden light. "Luna!" Celestia exclaimed in worry as she ran over to the dark Alicorn. As Celestia checked over Luna, Emerald inspected the arrow with his magic as well as his sight and touch. The more he inspected it, the more his scowl deepened it was made of the one thing that could kill an Alicorn... silver. It was a rare metal in Equestria and cost more than the castles treasury room. "Celestia, Luna; you need to double the amount of guards you have protecting you at all times." He said before softening his gaze to a frown as he walked over to the two celestial Alicorns. Celestia looked up, "Why?" She asked with confusion written on her face, "it was only one attempt. I don-" she was cut off by Emerald showing her the arrow. Her eyes widened in disbelief and dread. "Oh..." Emerald simply nodded. "Maby I should just stay here instead of going to the Dragon Lands." He said before tossing the arrow to Celestia who caught it in her forehooves as if the arrow was a fragile glass vase. She hook her head, "No, we'll simply increase our security. There's really no need for you to stay just because of an incident like this." Celestia replied with a small smile on her face. He shrugged before making to leave the room. "Alright then, I'll just go to the garden" he said before opening one of the doors with a clawed hoof, "not like I'll be able to sleep yet anyways." he closed the door behind him and Celestia sighed before looking back to her sister. "It'll be ok Luna..." Celestia said before hugging her. Emerald lay on his back in the garden; looking at the night sky with a neutral expression adorning his face. after a few hours of just laying there, his eyes began to grow heavy and he stood up before leaping into one of the trees. 'seems like a nice spot to sleep for the night.' he thought before laying down and closing his eyes... Emerald's Mind (Emerald POV) I opened my eyes to find myself standing on a cliff in the snowy lands of Alidœpon. I growled when I sensed a dark presence behind me. "Leave dœmon, I am not in the mood to deal with you." I yelled over the endless storm that encompassed the land. Not sensing the presence leave, I growled again before spinning around and slamming a hoof into the ground; sending a series of large emerald tetragonal crystals erupting from the snow. None of the crystals hit their target though, as the dark force had already moved. I closed my eyes and my breathing slowed. I felt a shift in the air above me and threw myself away from the cliff just before a large obsidian scythe sunk into the ground where I had been standing. I ducked as a large obsidian dagger flew over my head. I whipped around and summoned a knife of my own before throwing it at a flash of black and red that disappeared just before I could clearly see what it was. I didn't need to though and immediately stomped my left hind-hoof down; creating a wall of crystal behind me. I heard something slam into the and turned to see a black, furless Dragosai stand up from the impact. He stood eight hooves taller than me and was covered in glowing red runes from hundreds of different languages. He had no mane or tail and had pitch black iris' and sclera with glowing white pupils. He grinned, his mouth full of rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth that matched the snow in color. I prepared to blast him with fire, but he held up a hoof for me to wait. "Things are about to get hectic, Emerald." he said with a voice that would freeze lava instantly, "I hope for both of our same, that you are ready." I dispelled the fire building in my throat before relaxing slightly. I nodded to him, "I am, Ruin." He nodded in return before shattering like glass and blowing off into the wind. I sighed; looking at the mess around me and shook my head. Author's Note A pony dare threaten princess Luna?! And who is ruin?! Find out (sometime later) on Emerald Dragonheart: The Beginning.
Train Hijack(Third POV) Emerald awoke to the pleasant smell of nature and opened his eyes to see the tree canopy. He yawned and stretched; his body emitting a series of cracks and pops before rolling out of the tree and landing on the ground. He smiled when he heard the ambient sounds in the garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdIJ2x3nxzQ He sighed in content before making his way toward the doors that led into the castle. After walking the confusing maze of halls, he eventually made it to the dining hall where he found a sleep-deprived Celestia and a worn-out Luna. “Are you two ok?” he asked with worry. They both nodded in affirmation. Despite the bleak mood that hung heavy in the air like a fog, he chuckled lightly as they both took a drink of coffee at the same time. A waitress came into the room from the kitchen doors and walked up to the table the group. “May I take your order?” She asked with a cheerful smile as she addressed Emerald. “For a drink, I would like a glass of ice water. And for food, I wo-“ A wide yawn cut off his sentence before he continued, “would like four hardboiled eggs cut in half and deviled, and apple-cinnamon oatmeal to eat please.” She wrote it down on the notepad before looking to the princess’, “Would either of you like anything else.” She asked. “No thank you.” Luna said before looking at her sister, who shook her head in response. The waitress nodded before walking back to the kitchen. Emerald looked at Luna with a neutral expression on his face, “Have you taken up that dream duty job you spoke of when you were young?” He asked. She nodded before taking another sip of her coffee. “How did that go?” She smiled slightly, “Quite well.” She replied, “There was not many nightmares last night. So it made my job easier.” She frowned, “But there dost one dream worse than the others.” Emerald tilted his head in confusion. “How bad?” He asked. Luna shook her head, “Quite.” She put simply. Emeralds food arrived and he ate it all with gusto. After about five minutes, he looked at the clock on the wall. ’It looks almost like a sundial.’ Emerald thought. The hour hand was on the number ten, and the minutes hand was on the six. “Celestia,” he said, getting her attention, “What time is it?” “It’s…” She said before looking at the clock, then back, “Ten thirty.” Emerald stood up and made his way toward the door before stopping and looking back at Celestia in annoyance. “I need to exchange my currency for equestrian currency.” He said. Celestia giggled, “While many things have changed since you left, our currency has not changed a bit.” She stopped giggling, “Though, they will most likely check to make sure it is real.” Emerald nodded before abandoning the idea of using the doors. He used his magic to open a small window near the ceiling and ran before jumping out the opening; closing the window behind himself. Celestia shook her head and rolled her eyes before returning to finish off her coffee. Emerald landed at the train station with the attention of most of Canterlot's attention on him. He folded his wings before walking to the booth who's sign read "train tickets." The salespony, who had been sending the last Rider on the train, was now standing in his booth in shock at Emerald's wings. Emerald looked around and saw the eyes of all present on him and sighed before summoning a large hooded cloak with a unique enchantment on it. He adorned the cloak and all the ponies in the area who had been distracted by him went back to what they were doing as if he was never there. He continued walking and approached the stand. The salespony looked at him with a smile as he approached. "Where do you want to go?" The stallion asked. "Ponyville." Emerald replied, the hood covering his face from the salespony's view. "That will be thirteen bits please." Emerald summoned thirteen golden coins and levitated them over to the salespony who looked them over and even but one before nodding and handing him a ticket. He got on the train and sat down on one of the seats before closing his eyes and rested his head back. The train began moving and eventually left Canterlot. 'i guess now would be a good time to get some shut-' Emerald's thoughts were interrupted by a shock from near the front of the train. His eyes flew open as screams began to ring out from everywhere on the train. He got up with haste and ran over to the door to the next car. He entered the next car as the train hurled into a tunnel. Emerald was thrown to the side as the track hit a curve and the train; going so fast; leaned against the stone walls of the tunnel. He stabilized himself before going to the next car. He was slightly taken aback by the scene of the trains occupants being held at point by Diamond Dogs holding crossbow-like weapons in their paws. One of them turned and pointed one at him. Emerald summoned an anti-material barrier between himself and the Diamond Dogs just before the one pointing the weapon at him fired. A near flat piece of led suddenly appeared on the barrier accompanied by a loud crack and smoke rising from the weapons. Emerald took the weapon in his telekinetic grip before using Diamond Dog's grip on the weapon to throw the Diamond Dog out the window. This drew the attention of the other Diamond Dogs and they also opened fire upon him. More of the flattened led struck his barrier before Emerald used the shield as a battering ram; sending the Diamond Dogs flying and either going through the windows, or hitting the wall and losing consciousness immediately. Emerald dispelled the barrier before going to check on the ponies that had been held hostage. None of them were injured in any way and he moved on. He began going throughout the train from car to car; clearing them of hostile Diamond Dogs and healing any injured he came across. He finally made it to the front of the train only to see that the conductor lay dead against a wall and a Diamond Dog stood by a panel holding a broken lever. Emerald rushed at him before grabbing the Diamond Dog's head and slamming it into the panel. He looked at the panel for a way to stop the train and found a sign that read "brake." Unfortunately, it was the sign that went to the broken off lever. Looking ahead, Emerald saw a town fast approaching. Closely looking at the tracks ahead, he saw two Diamond Dogs disconnect the tracks before running toward a nearby forest. He growled before taking one last look around for another way to stop the train than what he was about to do. He hated what he was about to do... He stored his cloak in a pocket dimension before punching out the window and jumping out. He spread his wings and flew ahead of the train while forming claws on all four of his hooves. He turned around and landed just before the train was sent off the tracks; multiple cars turning sideways as the train slid toward him at an angle. He dug his hind-claws into the tracks and the earth beneath before standing up on his hind-hooves. Using his wings to balance himself, Emerald held up his clawed forehooves. "Get out of the way!" he heard someone scream from the town. Most of the residents had stopped what they were doing to find the cause of the noise emitted by the now-damaged train. He braced himself when the train got close. (Twilight POV) Spike and I stood on the train platform, waiting for the train to arrive. we saw something black shoot out of the train and fly closer on the track to us before landing. The train suddenly turned sideways and derailed. Spike and I gasped. The black form on the track got taller but didn't get out of the train's way. "LOOK OUT!!!" I yelled at the being. They still didn't move. The train hit it and bent to form a U shape. The train's velocity was drastically decreasing as a plume of debris formed a trail over the track. As the train got closer to us, Spike pulled on my hoof, "Come on!" He said in fright, "we need to get back!" I looked back to see the train extremely close, yet slow and easily avoidable. I shook my head, "It's almost stopped, we need to get the ponies off the train." I said; many of the other townsponies having the same idea. We made our way to the ruined train as the dust and smoke began to settle and disperse. As I got closer, I managed to make out the silhouette of a large pony leaning against the train with their forehooves. As I got about three meters away, I stopped. Spike; who had followed me, looked up with concern. "What?" He asked before looking at the silhouette of a pony. We got closer and the pony was now clearly visible. "That," I addressed spike while pointing to the pony who I now know had stopped the train, "is Emerald Dragonheart." Author's Note Notify me of any mistakes I may have made during this chapter, enjoy!
