The Fallen

After Torch and his soldiers had left, Twilight turned and faced Celestia.

“Why did you never tell me about any of this?!” Twilight said franticly. “You created a group of dragon soldiers and then banished them? Why would you do that?”

Celestia finally stood up on her hooves. “It was a different time Twilight. The elements of harmony had not yet been gathered. After dealing with Discord, Sombra, and Nightmare Moon, I needed a task force that could not only stand up to these threats, but also rival them in battle.”

“But, why dragons?”

“Dragons are different from ponies, in more than obvious ways. Dragons are natural warriors. They live in, and breath fire. They can withstand punishment that would kill an average pony. They were the perfect choice to perform dangerous missions.”

“Does Luna know about them?”

Celestia shook her head. “No. Only a small hooffull of ponies knew about the firebolts, and they are long gone.”

“What do you think they have planned?”

“Whatever it is, it could mean the end for all ponykind.”

Luna, Spike, Cadance, and Rainbow all arrived at the dragon kingdom. As they approached the throne of the dragon lord, they were stopped by a pair of guards.

“Halt! No ponies are allowed here!” One of the guards shouted.

“Stand down.” The guards turned around to see dragon lord Ember approaching them. “I know these ponies, and this young one.” Both guards stepped aside. Ember smiled as she walked up to Spike. “Hey Spike, what brings you around here?”

“Ember, we have a problem.” Spike said. “We were attacked by a group of dragons, and they took Celestia and Twilight!”

A look of shock came over Ember’s face. “That’s terrible!”

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about this, would you?” Rainbow said accusingly.

“I can assure you that no dragon in this kingdom had anything to do with this attack.” Ember said defensively. She and Rainbow came face to face. Fortunately, Spike stepped in between them.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Spike said as he separated the two. “We didn’t come here for a fight. We came here to find Twilight and Celestia.”

“Spike is right.” Cadance said. “Ember, do you know of any dragons in your kingdom that would have it out for Celestia?”

Ember thought for a moment. “There is only one dragon that I can think of who has an open hatred for ponies, Garble.”

A look disdain came over Spike. “Great. HIM again.”

Luna looked down at the little drake. “I take it you know each other?”

“Yeah, we’ve met.” Spike said with a sigh. “I met him and his gang during the dragon migration, and again during the gauntlet of fire. He’s a grade A jerk.”

Ember spoke up. “Garble and his cronies usually hang out at the rocky cliffs by the beach.”

“Then let us speak with this Garble.” Luna said.

Garble and his gang were wrestling with each other when they saw Ember, Luna, Cadance, Rainbow, and Spike approaching.

“Well, well. Look at what we have here. Our so called leader, three namby-pamby ponies, and a pathetic little baby. What you want?” Garble said.

Ember was angered to say the least. “Hold your tongue, Garble! I am your dragon lord, and you will not speak to me in such a tone!”

“Chill out dragon lord.” Garble used air quotes when addressing Ember’s title. “No need to lose your temper in front of our guests.”

“Why you smart-mouthed-” Rainbow tried to charge at Garble, but Cadance held her back with her magic.

“Look, the reason we’re here is because a group of dragons have kidnapped Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight. Do you know anything about this?” Spike asked.

“Why ask me? And why do you care?” Garble replied.

“Because I’ve heard you say that you want to invade Equestria in the past. And not that it’s any of your business, but Twilight is my friend.” (As well as my family) Spike thought to himself.

Garble broke out laughing. “You’re telling me that two of the most powerful ponies in Equestria have been taken by dragons? This is too rich!”

“Did you have anything to do with this or not?” Ember asked with irritation in her voice.

“No, but I wish I did.” Garble said with smug grin. “A punch of ponies getting their flanks kicked by dragons? It’s too bad I wasn’t there to see it.”

“Tell me Garble, why do hate us ponies so much?” Luna asked.

“Why? Because you have everything and we have nothing! Just look around, the dragon kingdom is practically a wasteland while Equestria is a paradise! You ponies also have control over most of the planet, while we dragons don’t even have pillows!”

This made Spike stop and think. The dragon kingdom was extremely small compared to Equestria, and much harsher to live in. Spike also remembered that in pony society dragons were, for the most part, still viewed as monsters.

Out of nowhere, Torch came down between Garble and Ember. He landed with such force that he caused a small crater to form underneath him. Torch stood up and faced Ember with a smile. “Hello Ember.”

“You!” Spike charged at Torch, punching away at his leg with no effect. “What have you’ve done with Twilight and Celestia?!”

Torch simply kicked Spike away like a ball. “The adults are talking hatchling.”

Rainbow ran over to Spike to see if he was ok. Luna and Cadance blasted Torch with their magic, but it had no effect due to his armor. With incredible speed, Torch then took down Luna and Cadance with a roundhouse kick and a punch to the face, respectively.

“Yeah! Kick the flanks of those wimpy ponies!” Garble shouted. Torch turned his head and glared at him. Torch then smacked Garble in the face with the back of his hand, knocking him to the ground.

“You call yourself a dragon?” Torch said with disgust as he looked down at Garble. “You are nothing more than whiney teenager. You haven’t even bled for your kingdom! A true dragon shows strength and is a warrior! You are pathetic.”

After making sure that Spike was alright, Rainbow flew at Torch. However, Torch was able to surround himself and Ember with a ring of fire before she could get close enough.

“That should stop any more interruptions.”

Ember watched everything that had happened while in a stunned silence. It took her a moment to come to her senses. “How do you know my name?”

“It is understandable that you do not remember. You were but a hatchling, but so was I. We were hatched around the same time. My parents even named me after your father, the previous dragon lord, as a means of appeasement.”

“What do you want?”

“Your staff. I need it.”

Ember tightened her grip on the staff. “For what purpose?”

“To make this world burn. And from the scorched earth, dragons shall rise as the true rulers of this world.”

“You’re insane!”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Torch then lunged at Ember. The two dragons fought tooth and claw over the staff. Eventually Torch locked Ember in a choke hold, forcing her to let go of the staff.

“Fortunately for you, I do not want you to perish.” Torch bent over and picked up the staff. “Once I am done rebuilding this world, there will be a place for you and all dragon kind in it.” Torch then took off into air. “My plan is nearly complete.”