The Equestrian Warden

The dragon. It was standing in front of me. Its eyes looked at me angrily. Then it let out a mighty roar. It was a roar of victory, a roar of triumph. From its mouth came purple flames that rushed towards me!

“Noooo!”

…

“No!”

I sat up and pain shot through my body when I did. I groaned in agony and collapsed on the…bed?

“Comet?”

My eyes shot open and I looked around. I was in a small house by the looks of it. But when I looked at the other side of the bed, my heart stopped. Sitting there was a pony with a light grey coat, pointed ears, bat like wings, fangs, and two blue glowing eyes. Azura. Tears streamed down her cheeks as a small goofy smile formed on her face.

Without thinking Azura wrapped her hooves around me and pulled me into a tight hug. Although it was slightly painful I couldn’t stop myself from smiling and hugging her back.

“Azura. I’ve never been happier to see any pony in my life.”

Azura sniffled and her hug softened and I gently rubbed her back with my hoof. We stayed like that for a little while until we finally we broke our embrace. She wiped away her tears and shook her head, her happy smile was soon replaced by a sad look.

“I’m so sorry Comet. I didn’t want to leave you and Krystal. I wanted to be a Grey Warden. I really did, but… but… “

She started to cry again, but I quickly wiped her tears away and gave her a gentle smile.

“Hey its ok. Your hooves were tied. I don’t know what your mother is but she seems like a powerful pony.”

Azura shivered and shook her head.

“She’s evil! If you thought my blood magic was brutal, then you should see what my mother. What she’s done to achieve her power…what she’s done to ME.”

Her eyes turned yellow and she bared her fangs. I had to stop myself from backing away. Just what had her mother done to her?

“Azura… please just calm down. Everything will alright now.”

She calmed down but not by much. I shook off my fear and I reached out a hoof. She turned to me and hissed threateningly, but that’s when I noticed that her eyes were glazed over with hatred. I had to keep my breathing steady as I stretched forward. Azura’s eyes followed my hoof, until it finally reached the back of her ear. Then I started rubbing. Azura’s eyes looked at me, but I continued rubbing until finally she leaned into my touch. Soon she closed her eyes and began purring. Once a small smile appeared on her face I knew she was back to normal. I slowly pulled my hoof away but she was still leaning towards it, and a devious idea sparked in my mind. I leaned forward and gave her cheek a gentle kiss. Her eyes flashed open and she blushed furiously, and opened her mouth to speak but all that came out was a quiet,

“Oh…my.”

I smiled and nuzzled her cheek before clearing my throat.

“Anyways. What happened to the darklings?”

Azura’s blush disappeared and her face grew grim.

“You were badly wounded. Lucky for you, mother was there to rescue you.” She tilted her head in confusion. “By the way, when did you get a dog?”

Ignoring her question I thought about the battle then looked at her sadly.

“The king…Midnight…”

“The unicorn, Lord Sombra, fled the field the darkling,” she sighed, shaking her head, “Midnight and King Soarin didn’t make it. Rainbow Dash… isn’t taking the news well. She is outside, waiting to see you, and coping with what happened.”

Grief. It was like a heavy stone in my chest, I didn’t know King Soarin or Midnight for long, but the fact that they were gone still hurt.

“Anything else?”

“The darklings… I watched the battle from far away, but I saw most of it. Bodies everywhere…the darklings were eating them. Can darklings even eat? And the survivors, they dragged them underground. Sweet Luna, the screams…”

I sighed. I didn’t know why the darklings did what they did, nor did I really care.

“Why… why did your mother save us?”

Azura gave me a serious look.

“I don’t know. The thought of mother saving anyone is… scary.”

“Are my wounds healed?” I asked.

“They were pretty bad, but mother was able to heal them. Though judging by the way you woke up, you’re probably a little sore.” She said kindly.

“I need to talk to Dash.” I said, slowly pulling myself off the bed. I would have collapsed if Azura didn’t rush to my side.

“Hey, come on. Just lean on me. Only until your strength comes back.”

I was gonna argue but looking at her cute smiling face quickly stopped me. I gave her a quick peck on the cheek making her blush again, but we headed towards the door of the hut.

…

When we went outside, Dash was looking at a small fire she must have made, and the dog was sitting beside her. The dog noticed me and ran around me and Azura in excitement. Dash smiled in relief when she saw me and to my surprise, gave me a very tight hug.

“You’re alive! The witch told me you were safe, but your wounds.”

She pulled away and looked at me sadly before shaking her head.

“I’m sorry. This just doesn’t seem real. If it wasn’t for Azura’s mother we’d be dead on top of that tower along with the rest of them.”

“It’s rude to talk about someone and pretend they’re not here.”

I turned in surprise to see her mother standing just a couple feet away from us.

“Sorry, but what do we call you? What’s your name?” Dash asked.

“Names are useless out here in the Shades, but you may call me Flemeth.”

Dash’s jaw dropped at these words.

“Your Flemeth? The Flemeth? Dagger was right. You are a Witch of the Wilds. You’re THE Witch of the Wilds.”

I was shocked too. My own mother told me about Flemeth. How she was a powerful witch that could shapeshift and steal children away at night. She of course only told me those stories whenever I was misbehaving.

“Yes. I know a fair bit of magic, and it has saved you many times in the past has it not?”

“What about the darkling? Can they find us?” I asked, pulling away from Azura so I could stand on my own.

“The horde has moved on. We are safe for now. But the darklings can sense the Grey Wardens, just like you can sense them. They will come for you eventually.”

“If you truly are Flemeth then you must be very powerful.” I said respectfully.

“Maybe I am, I have lived a very long time thanks to my magic.”

“Then why didn’t you save Midnight.” Dash growled, “She was our leader!”

“I’m sorry for your Midnight, but duty must come first before vengeance. The Grey Wardens have always fought against the evil of the darklings, and unite the land against the Archdemon. Or did that change in the last century or two, and I wasn’t looking?”

“Of course not!” I yelled, and that got Dash fired up too.

“We were fighting the darklings! If Sombra hadn’t chosen the cowards way out, King Soarin would have defeated them. Why would Sombra do this?!”

“Good question. Why do ponies do anything? Maybe he think the Blight is an army he can outmaneuver and fight, perhaps he does not see the true threat behind it.”

“The Archdemon.” I whispered, before shaking my head. “We need to contact the other Wardens and tell them what’s happening.”

“Soarin already summoned them. But even if they try to come, I’m sure the traitor already has plans to stop them.” Dash said darkly.

“I’ve read about it but what exactly is the Archdemon?” I asked curiously.

“It is said that the Old Gods of Unicornia were banished deep underground by Celestia, left to rot in their prison. The darklings dig down and taint the Archdemon and unleash it upon the land.”

“Then you must kill the Archdemon.” said Azura.

“By ourselves? No Grey Warden has ever stood against the Blight before without the support of the entire nation.” I said. The path set before us seemed impossible.

“Don’t the Grey Wardens have allies?” Azura asked.

“I don’t know.” Dash said. “The Grey Wardens from the Crystal Empire are sure to arrive, and I’m sure Arl Sundance won't stand for this betrayal” Dash said, actually looking a little hopeful.

“Sundance? You mean the Arl of Ponyville?”

“I suppose. Sundance wasn’t at the battle, so he still has all his men. And he was Soarin's uncle!” Dash smiled, and stood taller than before.

“I know him! He’s a good pony! He is respected by all the other lords. We could go to him for help!”

“Wait Dash, your forgetting about the treaties!” I said, starting to get excited.

“The treaties!” She marched up to me smiling up at me confidently.

“Grey Wardens can demand aid from earth ponies, mages, deer, and many others. They have to help us during the Blight!”

“Hmm funny.” Flemeth smirked. “All of these allies, earth ponies, mages, and deer. It sounds like the start of an army to me.”

“We can do this! We can gather up as many allies as we can, go to Ponyville, and build and army. Right?” Dash looked at me confidently, and I actually felt a surge of hope shot through my body.

“I don’t see why not.” I smiled but then frowned. “Although I don’t think it will be that easy.”

Flemeth cackled.

“When is it ever easy?”

“We have to do this.” Dash said firmly. “It is our duty as Grey Wardens to stand against the Blight.”

“Then you are ready? Ready to save Equestria as Grey Wardens?”

“Yes.” I said, bowing my head. “This may sound strange, but thank you Flemeth.”

“No thanks needed. It should be amusing watching your progress, but before you go. Azura!”

“Y-yes!” Azura squeaked.

“Come here girl!” Flemeth ordered, and Azura quickly followed her mother command.

“Let me ask you child.” Azura looked at her mother fearfully, but a small smile appeared on Flemeths face.

“Do you wish to go with your Grey Warden?”

Azura’s eyes widened. She looked at me and then back to her mother.

“W-What?”

“Do you have cotton in your ears? Do you wish to go with Comet and Dash?”

Azura stared at her mother for a long time before finally she realized just what her mother was asking.

“Yes! Yes, I do!” She smiled, and she surprised us all when she gave her mother a big hug.

“W-what? Get off me?”

Azura didn’t let go, instead she only hugged her mother tighter. It was a little funny seeing the powerful Witch of the Wild being held captive by her daughters hug. When Azura pulled away, Flemeth quickly distanced herself from her daughter, but Azura’s smile never wavered.

“If that’s the case, then why wouldn’t you let her come with us before?”

Dash asked suspiciously.

“Well I didn’t want my daughter to be killed fighting off darklings, and besides, while you were off doing Grey Warden business. I was teaching her how to better use her magic.”

“How so?” Dash asked.

“You’ll find out soon enough, but enough chat.”

Suddenly with lighting speed, Flemeth shot towards us. A second ago we had nothing on our backs, but when we looked again, we had all of our weapons and armor on, and a saddle bags. I looked at Azura who wore what seemed like fur armor, and a headband with a couple feathers sticking out from it.

“The die has been cast, and the darklings aren’t betting on losing. So I suggest you Grey Wardens, and witch, get moving before they come.”

“Mother,” Azura looked at her mother, tears in her eyes. “ Thank you for this. All this time I thought-“

“Shush child. No matter what you thought of me, I only wanted what was best for you. And it is clear that what is best is for you to finally leave the nest”

Flemeth turned to me and fixed me with a hard stare.

“Orion Comet. Protect my daughter with your life. She is my most prized possession, and you will not want to see me when I find out you’ve hurt her in more ways than one.”

I gulped and quickly nodded my head, “I would have protected her either way.”

She smiled then turned to Dash.

“There is a long road ahead of you Rainbow Dash. You and Comet are the only Grey Wardens left in Ferelden. Your cause can change ponys hearts, and unite whole kingdoms, or destroy them. In that respect, you are more powerful than me by far. You will go far Rainbow Dash, but only if you keep your eyes set on the horizon, and embrace your destiny.”

Rainbow Dash looked at Flemeth for a couple seconds before nodding with a sly smirk.

“Thank you Flemeth, but I make my own destiny.”

Flemeth chuckled.

“Right you are. Now if you don't mind, it is time for this old bat to finally lay down her head.”