The Pony Scrolls: Empires

Chapters

Prologue: The Dovahkey
The Caves
The Dragon
The Inn

Prologue: The Dovahkey

THE BOOK OF THE DOVAHKEY

By Lupa the Wise

_____________

It is said that true heroes no longer exist in this world. Sadly, this statement is quite true. In this day and age, true heroes have been all but forgotten by the ponies of the civilized world. There are still the adventurers, those who would seek excitement and riches throughout the world, but no longer any true heroes, those willing to risk their lives, and in some cases even give them up, for the greater good of ponykind rather than their own needs and desires. This was also the case many centuries ago, in a time where ponies were still new to this great land. Soon after the founding of our country, Equestria, by the Six and their Fire of Friendship, war quickly found us. The Dragons had lived in this land before our time, and were not willing to hand it over to, what they considered, a race of weaklings such as us. They fought for over two decades, constantly pushing at the borders and threatening to raze Equestria with legions of followers and fields of flame.

However, in what was our darkest hour, when all hope of victory seemed lost, a true hero, born from a pact between the Dragon-God-King, Ahkrindrog-Dov, and the Pony Commander, Celestia, who had taken on the burden of raising the sun with her immense magical prowess for the coming dawn from the God-King, in exchange for his aid against his own armies, armies which no longer followed him, but his son, Feynal, who sought to usurp his father's power and completely obliterate the presence of ponykind, leaving only his rule. However, Ahkrindrog-Dov, in his final moments, gave Celestia the Gift of His Magic, transforming her into the Princess as we know her today, and spread the other remnants of his power out over the land, only to be gained by the worthy. With his incredible power added to hers, she was able to defeat the dragon army and seal Feynal away at the End of Time, hopefully never to bother the ponies of Equestria again. Celestia, realizing that no one pony should hold the power that she possessed, split the Gift of His Magic with her younger sister, Luna, allowing her to control the bodies of the Night. For a time, all was peaceful in Equestria. But, believing herself to be the best choice to truly usher in the Golden Age, Luna left her sister's side, and the Lunar Rebellion was born. Now, the Moon and Stars sit in the sky both day and night, as Celestia struggles to simply keep them steady, and the land is engulfed in chaos and turmoil. And even now, some whisper of the ancient prophecies of the Elder Scrolls, of the Dragon Lord's return, and of the arrival of the first true hero of Equestria, the one with the Second Gift, the Gift of His Blood. He is the chosen of the Dragon God-King. He is the one they fear. He is Dovahkey. He is the Dragonpony.

And this is his story.

~-~-~-~

"Hey? You awake?"

Iron Heart slowly opened his eyes. Everything was blurry. As the images swimming around in his field of vision cleared, he could make out the sky, a beautiful palette of orange and yellow that transitioned into a dark purple as the sun set, the ever-present stars and moon there as usual.

It was evening.

The heavens illuminated the approaching execution platform, the dimming light over the horizon highlighting the glistening bloodstains surrounding the guillotine. Iron quickly spun his head around, scanning the cart as the platform grew ever closer.

Bloom wasn't there. His sister was gone.

Iron kept himself from choking out a cry. Where was she? Where did she go? Where WAS he? Hundreds of questions raced through his mind as he forced himself to focus. He knew that scanning his surroundings was the most viable option available right now, what with his hooves bound and his mouth gagged as they were.

He looked around the cart once more. This time, he noticed a pony sitting in the back corner, hidden from the sight of all but the most vigilant. He was clearly a stallion, and his bright green eyes, his only distinguishing feature in the shadows, seemed to glow in the darkness surrounding him.

"You. You aren't a Rebel. Don't look like Empire either. So they're taking civilians now? Poor townsfolk who just want to make a living? Tch....this war...."

Iron just stared at him, not having the slightest clue about what he was talking about. He seemingly picked up on Iron's confusion, and responded in earnest.

"...You aren't from around here, are you? Probably came from some tiny village out in the middle of who-knows-where. That seems to be where a lot of recruits for both sides come from nowadays. But then, you don't look like a recruit to me. I'm gonna guess you did somethin' pretty bad to get yourself a free shave from the neck down. What was it? Steal from someone important? Kill a few guards?"

That last one made Iron's head droop down a bit. He remembered how they came to take her, to take her away from him, and then.... He didn't like thinking about what came after.

The other stallion was quiet for a moment before continuing. "....Well, I suppose that's your business. If you don't want to elaborate, fine. But then again, you can't really speak right now, so I guess that could be considered a conversation blocker, hmm?"

Iron didn't hear the last bit. He had remembered something important halfway through the stallion's words, something vital.

He still had magic.

He tried to pull the gag from his mouth, but something strange was happening. He could still feel the familiar flow of magic coursing through his horn, but it wasn't going anywhere. It was like the magic was trying to escape, building up pressure, but kept being forced back.

"It's no use, you know." The other pony's words drew Iron out of his state of focus. He looked over at the stallion, whose long, vermilion horn was now revealed, pointing out of the shadows. It was wrapped with what looked like several layers of thin paper, each strip covered in glowing runes from some language. The paper was wrapping his horn from the tip nearly to the bottom, with both ends ending neatly. "They thought ahead, at least. These magic suppression wards are keeping us from doing anything even remotely mystical or 'magic-y'".

Almost immediately after he finishes talking, the cart stops. Iron heard a gruff voice call out from the front. "Alright criminal scum, out of the cart. You've got a date with an axe, and you wouldn't wanna keep a lady waiting, now would ya?"

Iron stood up and walked to the back of the cart, hopping down and landing in what looked like ash. Now that he could full examine his surroundings, Iron could clearly see a layer of ash blanketing the surrounding landscape. Most of the trees in the nearby forest were either untouched or completely covered, and the uneven patches of land in the ash made the entire area feel dirtier somehow. The Sun was still setting, seemingly attempting to capture a glimpse of the gruesome event about to take place.

"Welcome to Haygen, you two. Now get moving!!" The guard with the gruff voice from earlier was now in clear view as well, and he matched Iron's mental picture of him almost flawlessly. He was a heavyset pony, his face covered by a mask and his mane and tail a deep brown. From what could be seen of his coat underneath the layers of chainmail armor, he was a pallid green color. He looked intimidating, most thanks to the massive mace he had out and was holding on his shoulder with a hoof. "You, in the corner back there!" He pointed towards the set of eyes that were, up until recently, chatting like he wouldn't get another chance to. "Get out here!"

That was the first time that Iron actually saw the pony he had been having a conversation with. The thing that stood out the most was his scar. It extended from the bottom of his left eye all the way down to the corner of his mouth, though his eye itself was free of damage. He was tall, not tall enough to dwarf other ponies, but tall enough to make many have to crane their necks when speaking to him. His coat matched his horn, save for patches of dirt here and there blocking a full view of his cinnabar coat. His deep green, nearly black it seemed, mane was was long, obscuring a small portion of his face and touching his legs, and he looked as though he hadn't eaten well in weeks. He couldn't have been more than five years older than Iron was at the time, and yet his powerful, distinct eyes seemed to suggest otherwise.

"........." He was silent all the way up to the platform. At this point, many of the villagers from the surrounding ash-coated houses had come out to watch the executions take place. The moment that the gag was removed from his mouth, Iron began questioning the guards.

"What is this?! Where are we?! Where is my sister?" The questions continued for well over three minutes as the guard prepared the guillotine. "Please, I know why I'm here. I know what I did. But please, PLEASE at least--" The guard promptly shoved the gag back into his mouth. "Ugghh, make it stop. Make it stop! Just- just PLEEAAASE stop talking. Dear Celestia, I need to be getting paid more for this..." The guard held his hooves to his head for a moment and walked off the platform, swearing to himself.

"You!" Another guard pointed at Iron. The gag was removed from his mouth once more. "Name?"

"I am Iron Heart of--"

"Yes, yes, you are from outside of Equestria. The information is here." This guard looked like he'd really rather be at home with a bellyful of mead than listening to prisoners whine and complain about getting their heads chopped off.

"Actually, I--"

"Any last words before your head rolls?"

"Actually, I--"

"Mmmhmm, no last words then?"

"What? But---"

"Strap him in!"

Another guard, the one who had first gotten him off the wagon, led Iron to the stocks. His head was shoved through, and his hooves locked in place. Iron struggled, but it was no use. The stocks were too strong. He could tilt his head up just enough to see the blade hanging high above his neck. 'It's no use. I can't do it. This is it.' Iron could only think to himself repeatedly as the priest in front of him read him his last rites.

"....and be guided unto the glory of Sovengarde in death as was sought in life." The priest, wrapped in black robes and holding a lantern due to the darkening sky, had finished. It was time.

A roar was heard in the distance. It was faint, but unmistakably powerful.

"What was that?" The villagers crowded around began to lose their composure. Iron could only feel anger towards them. 'Fools. They come to see a pony's head lopped off for entertainment, and have the gall to be frightened by something as insignificant as an echo?' Yet, despite his anger, Iron could not truly spite them. Rather, he pitied them for living life as they did. Being afraid of the unknown, unable to react to sudden change, was something that Iron himself could understand. He began to cry. He cried for his wasted life. He could have done so much more. He cried for his friends. He cried for his mother, who wept for her children to come back. But most of all, he cried for his sister, who he would never see again. He didn't know if he would see her in the next life, or if the next life even existed. All he could do was focus on her, keep her in his mind until the blade fell.

The executioner, clad in black from head to hoof with a cloth over his face, moved forward.

This was it.

And then, just before the lever could be pulled, fate acted.

The roar from earlier was back. It sounded much closer, and the faint sound of wings moving in the air could be made out.

"What...." The guard didn't have time to say much more. The beast dove out of the sky and landed on a large house, causing its very foundation to shudder.

It's roar was deafening. The ponies gathered around the platform ran and screamed in terror, and the guards attempted to keep order. With all of the chaos keeping everypony occupied, the stallion prisoner with the scar hurried over to the guillotine. He spoke in a hurried voice, as they had a small period of time where escape would be possible.

"Now listen to me," He said. "I will get you out of here, but first, I need to go find a weapon. Do NOT struggle. The blade over your neck is hanging on a thread as is. Now--"

Before he could finish telling Iron his plan, the beast directed its roar at the both of them. It stared at Iron with its huge, catlike eyes, as if it could see his very being, his very soul, and roared again before beginning to speak in a language that hadn't been heard in centuries.

"DOVAHKEY!! AL DO DOVAH!!! DII FAH FEYNAL, FAAL LOT DIIV DROG!!"

Iron couldn't possibly understand, but somehow, when the word "Feynal" was said, he knew what it meant. He knew who it was, but he didn't, as if the knowledge was waiting in his mind, ready to be unlocked.

The beast drew back it's head as it shouted at the two.

"FUS RO DAH!!!"

The world seemed to spin as both Iron and the prisoner, not willing to make any sudden movements at the beast's appearance, flew through the air, the tattered pieces of the guillotine following closely behind.

Iron hit a wall and fell to the ground. He blacked out for a moment, regaining consciousness soon enough to see the small village go to hell around him. Ponies were running in every direction, trying to take cover or hide in their homes. A few guards were attempting to rush the creature, but to no avail. The beast simply picked them up in its massive maw, and either threw them throughout the area or swallowed them whole. The bloody, mangled body of the disinterested guard landed with a thud on the ground next to Iron. He knew what war looked like. He had seen dead bodies before. But the sight before him nearly caused him to vomit. The pony's stomach had been ripped open, his upper half nearly completely severed from his hindquarters. His spine was clearly visible, and his organs and bones that had not already torn out or ripped from him by the force of the throw were spilling out of him. Iron swallowed, steeled himself, and forced himself to concentrate despite the gory mess. The guard still had a blade, though in the fall it had been lodged in his side, stuck between two ribs.

The massive creature seemingly laughed as more and more guards threw themselves at it, attempting to kill the beast with sheer numbers.

"HAH!! MEY!! PAH FEN DII, AHRK DAAR GOL IS HIN QOTH!!!

With that, the creature shouted another word, this one too difficult to make out. The area was ignited, and fire raged across the other side of the village. Ponies screamed and ran around in circles, trying desperately to quell the flames. The seemingly demonic being flew up into the sky and slammed back into the ground, having reacquired its target.

As it prepared to lunge, a bright flash of energy flew from out of view and struck the monster in the eye. The creature's bronze scales are streaked with blood from the wound, and it crashes to the ground, roaring in pain.

Iron looked over to see the other pony, his coat now streaked with blood instead of dirt and his horn free of the mystical rune paper wrapping it.

"Come on!! In here!!" He yelled out as he directed his attention to a gigantic castle keep. Iron made a mad dash for the castle as the creature, clutching his gored eye with his claw, screeching in rage and running after him, tried to keep up.

"DII!!! DII!!! DII!!!!!

Iron barely made it through the reinforced doors before the other stallion crashed into them and rattled the building. Both ponies ran through the keep, looking for some escape, ANY escape. The other stallion managed to find a door into the tunnels running underneath the castle. "Hurry!! It's getting through!" He cried out. Both of them leapt down the stairs and slammed the wooden door closed behind them, the other pony magically bolting it to keep the beast out. As they ran through the keep's underside, they could hear the rage of the beast as it roared above, demolishing all in its path as it searched for its prey.... before its prey could become the predator.

The Caves

".....Is it gone?"

"Yes. It can't attack us down here. We're safe..... for now, at least."

Iron and the other former prisoner had kept running until the sound of the beast's fury could no longer be heard. They found themselves in a deep, labyrinthine network of caves, each turn confusing the duo more than the last. Light wasn't a problem, as the walls were lined with bioluminescent mushrooms, keeping the way through clear as day.

As they walked, they began to ask each other questions. Soon enough, they'd leave the caverns and part ways, but until then, they'd have to work together, so they might as well learn from each other.

Iron decided to go first. "So... who are you?"

"Well, I could ask you the same question, but since you went first, I guess I will too. I'm Emerald."

"Emerald...?"

"Hmm? Oh, just Emerald. And might I ask, what would your name be?"

"My name is Iron Heart."

"Iron Heart? ....I like it. Sounds heroic."

As they continued on through the deep passages of the underground, they learned more and more. Iron learned that Emerald was a mercenary, arrested for denial to join the Empire's massive army. He explained that they had been recruiting stallions to join their armies from all over Equestria in the hopes of finally ending the war this winter. When Iron asked about his life before becoming a mercenary, he refused to go into it and only revealed that, whatever he had been doing had been the reason that he had gotten his scar.

This time, it was Emerald's turn. "So, now that you can actually move your tongue, care to enlighten me on how you got arrested?"

Iron, slowed down for a moment. "I.... I don't like talking about it."

Emerald stood still for a moment. Then he looked back at Iron and spoke in a more serious voice. "It's your sister, isn't it?"

Iron froze for a moment. "How... did you..."

"It wasn't very hard. I remembered you saying something about your sister back when we were about to be executed. I'm guessing that the Empire probably tried to take her for.... well, I won't get into it. All you need to know is, it's bad. And then you stepped up and defended her."

Iron tried to stay strong. He tried to keep himself from sounding weak, but it got harder with every line. "I.... I killed them. They threatened to beat me to death and... and they looked at her so... it was wrong. It was very wrong. So, I did what I had to. I... I took my father's blade from above the mantle and... Oh Celestia, I killed them. I KILLED them. I'd never even used a sword to fight just a few days ago. And now.... maybe I deserved to die. Maybe I should've stayed back in Haygen and let that thing burn me."

Emerald's face didn't change. "Hey, Don't talk like that. You made it out, and that's what you need to focus on. Now, what do you plan to do?"

Iron knew he was right, and that even though he may have deserved his death, he'd have to make the most of what he was given. "......Where are you going?"

"Me? Well, nowhere in particular..."

"I'm going with you then."

Emerald did a double take. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm coming with you. You seem like a good stallion, someone who knows his way around, knows people. I'm going with you to the nearest town. And I'm going to find my sister."

"Well... alright then. I can't really say no."

"And I will not take no for an ans-- wazzat?"

"I said ok. Now then, if we're going to be traveling together, we need to know where we're going. After we get out of here, we need to head to Canterlot. That's the capital of Equestria, and the place that we're likeliest to get some information. But first, we have to make a stop in either Ivarsteed or Reinwood, depending on where this tunnel opens up."

Iron was genuinely surprised. He had seen no indication that Emerald was willing to aid him, but he wasn't about to question his sudden reversal of fortune. "Ok then... but wait--"

"What?"

Iron looked deadly serious and afraid all at once. "What if it followed us?"

Emerald looked at the ground for a moment, contemplating the possibility. If that....thing really WAS what he thought it could be, then that made things all the more complicated. He then levitated his stolen imperial guard blade and slashed through some glowing vines hanging down from the top of the caves, revealing another path that had a faint hint of light at then end.

"Then we pray that we can take it down before it takes us down."

~-~-~-~-~-~

Lily Bloom opened her eyes.

She couldn't see anything. Her face was covered with a bag of some sort, and her magic wasn't working, no matter how hard she tried. She could hear others next to her whimpering and praying as the cart that they rode in slowly bounced up and down with the dips and bumps on the well-worn path.

She believed that it was the middle of the night due to the darkness surrounding her, but in reality, the sun had just begun to rise. The cart had an opaque tarp covering the top, keeping any light from getting inside. She tried to speak, but a bit had been fitted in her mouth, keeping her from opening it, and the powerful smell of sweat permeated the interior of her unwanted escort, among other things. She didn't dare attempt to open her mouth for fear of her losing the contents of her stomach.

After what seemed like hours, they finally stopped. It felt nice to be able to walk on all fours again. As Bloom stood up on her hooves, the tarp flew up from the back end of the cart, the rising sun a warm and welcome feeling on her coat. The sobbing ponies surrounding her immediately started clamoring for the exit, crying and screaming "Thank Celestia!!" and "Oh Thank You!! THANK YOU!!" all the way.

Suddenly, the crack of a whip was heard. Everypony in the cart immediately went silent for fear of being stricken. After the din died down, Bloom could hear the voice of a mare with a strange accent. "Alright ya lot, out of the wagon or I'll git ya out me-self!" Suddenly, another crack of the whip was heard. Everypony in the wagon started to slowly move towards the source of light. As they did, Bloom could hear the sound of the burlap sacks being swiped off of their heads. When it was her turn, the bag flew off of her head, the light of the sun temporarily blinding her. When her eyes readjusted, she was in awe of the sight before her.

It was a massive desert on every side but one, with sand ranging in color from red to black to the normal yellow. Some patches of the ground even held spots of blue or violet here and there, which only served to heighten the contrast and beauty of the sight before her. As Bloom admired the beautiful landscape, she was shoved from behind by a hoof, falling face first off of the platform upon which she was standing into a dry patch of grey sand. As she picked herself off of the ground as quickly as she could with her hooves bound, she heard the mare with the strange accent address her from behind. "Nice flanks ya got there," She announced and licked her lips audibly, something that Bloom found to be incredibly revolting. "The Sultan will be veeeery pleased." She drew out the word 'very', making it sound as if this Sultan was someone that Bloom wouldn't exactly like to be around. The whip, lined with small studs and spikes to inflict maximum pain upon the victim, cracked at her cutie mark, a bouquet of multiple flowers, and Bloom screamed as hard as her lungs would allow. She had never felt that kind of pain before in her life, and wasn't accustomed to physical feats, as she was more comfortable helping out her brother at home.

Iron. She turned her head around to see if she could spot him among the other ponies still holed up in the wagon by his cutie mark, a shield crossed by an ax and a sword, but she couldn't spot him. She was able to spot her oppressor though - A light red colored pegasus mare with a strange type of armor set upon her, the bone-styled helm almost completely covering her amber mane. "'Ay!" She yelled as she raised her hoof in the air, her brace glowing slightly as the whip extending from it prepared for another blow. "There ain't nothin' of interest for ya back 'ere!" Her accent seemed to grow stronger when she was angry, as a result of her losing control of herself. "Now MOVE!! Or would ya like a matching set?"

Bloom looked back at her flank. Her cutie mark had been untouched, but just below it she could make out a crimson line trickling down her leg. She hadn't noticed it before, but the pain was searing, feeling as if she had dipped a cut in lemon juice and attempted to cauterize it. She wanted to cry, to call out for her brother to save her, but he wasn't here. She needed to be strong. She couldn't show whoever it was who had taken her weakness.

So, with hope as her only console, she walked in line with the other ponies to the majestic city sitting just on the horizon.

~-~-~-~-~

Iron and Emerald ran through the tunnels, eager to see sunlight again after hours and hours of nothing but fungi lighting their way.

As they galloped, the vibrations from their hooves shook some of the stranger looking pods on the high ceiling of the cave. They stopped, hearing the rattling noises from above, and looked up to see giant, insect like creatures scuttle down the walls.

Emerald's face stayed blank. "Chaurus." Iron was about to make a mad dash for the exit when Emerald stopped him by holding his hoof behind him. "Don't," He whispered cautiously. "These things can barely see, but they can sense vibration easily. We must have woken them up. Running away only makes it worse, as they can track you by your hoofsteps and spit their paralyzing venom at you. That, my friend, is a way that you do NOT want to go."

He turned around cautiously, standing on the tips of his hooves and staying low to the ground as he headed for the exit. "Now, follow me," He continued to whisper, "And whatever you do, DON'T MAKE A SOUND. They can't pick up sounds from the air as well, so we should be ok if we keep it to a whisper. We just need to get outside, and they won't chase us. They hate the sun."

Iron followed Emerald's lead as the two of them sneaked as quietly as possible across the ground to the exit. The Chaurus were clicking their mandibles, searching for the source of the noise that had awoken them. They didn't seem to notice the two ponies silently walking their way out of the den. The light was right there, only a few feet away now. The outside was so close, and yet still so far.

"We're almost there," Emerald said in his hushed tone. As the two of them walked however, Iron's hoof knocked against a stone for just a brief second.

Every Chaurus in the room turned its attention to the two intruders and hissed. The group started to charge.

"RUN!!" Emerald cried. The duo made a mad rush for the exit, but the Chaurus skittering down the walls blocked their path. They dodged the globs of poison spit being hurled their way, but they were losing ground, fast. The giant insects surrounded them, and were much faster than anticipated. One nearly snatched off Emerald's tail when Iron, running every possibility through his mind, had an idea. "Emerald!! Stick close to me!"

Emerald sliced one them in two and bucked in another's mandibles before running over to Iron. "Whatever you're doing, make it quick!" Iron shut his eyes and concentrated. He focused on light, and nothing but. He imagined the blinding light of the sun, and let that image rule his mind as he drew upon his magic. He felt the energy surge through his horn, and when he opened his eyes there was a bright flash as an immensely bright light began to emanate from his horn. The Chaurus hissed in displeasure as they scurried up the walls, eager to hide in the darkness once more. The path outside now open once more, Emerald and Iron backed out of the cave until they could see with the aid of the sun. Iron cut off his magic, and the light ceased. The skittering sound echoed inside the caverns, but he knew that the creatures wouldn't follow him out in broad daylight.

Emerald tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, Iron.... I think you should see this." He turned around to one of the most breathtaking views he had ever seen.

The sight in front of him was a massive, sprawling plain of grass, with bushes and small trees dotting the landscape. Snow-capped mountains stood majestically in the bakcground, and tiny lakes and rivers of crystal clear water were common all around them. The sound of rushing water was the most prevalent one, with the screeches of eagles and the wind rustling the leaves of the nearby forest making themselves known as well. The sun was sitting high in the sky, the moon and stars faintly visible beside it even now, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. It was easily one of the most beautiful vistas that Iron had ever seen.

Even now, the sound of wings beating as creatures of all shapes and sizes soared through the skies was calming to him. He had no words for this gorgeous scenery.

Emerald simply smiled at his reaction. "Welcome to Equestria."

The Dragon

As Emerald and Iron walked through the wilderness, they conversed about not only the land, but their destination.

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Oh. Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Oh. Are we there yet?"

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"You know damn well what you're doing. Quit acting like a foal!"

"Well what else am I supposed to do? I'm bored." Iron paused for a moment. "....Ok, fine. But, in all seriousness, where exactly are we headed?"

Emerald looked around at the trees and then up at the sky as he talked. "Well, the sun seems to be setting in that direction, so we need to go.... that way to head north. Tree moss always grows towards civilization, so we're heading to Reinwood."

"Wait, tree moss grows in the direction of civilization? How do you figure that?"

Emerald took a moment to look around, then whispered to Iron. "The trees have ears. They hear the whispers of ponykind, and out of curiosity, they listen to what we say," he muttered. "Most trees are kind spirits, ones who are more than happy to be beneficial to the causes of others around them. However, others are less than friendly, and despise our species for our apparent lack of regard for nature. You have to be careful, because if you manage to incur the wrath of a tree..... well, just don't incur the wrath of a tree, ok?"

Iron looked at Emerald with a face betraying nearly no emotion. "So... you're telling me.... that you can hear and talk to trees."

"Oh no, not me, but others can. They're much more in tune with nature than I am, and they can sometimes even sympathize with the plight of nature that the trees feel. Ever heard of a 'Dweller'? They're ponies who have given up on our kind and have taken to living with nature itself, transmogrifying their own bodies into hybrids of the land and ponykind itself. I guess you could say they're, like, super-refined, nature oriented Earth Ponies."

"What."

"It's probably better if we don't meet one. They aren't normally nice to us 'Fleshies', but hey, when we meet one, and we probably will, you can see for yourself."

Iron just shook his head and kept walking. That was just nonsense. Nopony can talk to trees.... right? Then again, he'd just seen a giant fire-breathing demon soar through the sky and destroy an entire village, so he was in no position to judge whether something was real or not at the moment.

Remembering that beast brought an important question to the forefront of his mind. "Emerald? Have you ever seen a creature like... THAT before?"

Emerald thought for a moment. ".....Nnnnope, can't say that I have. Although, I have heard legends of creatures like this when I was... younger. They were called 'Dragons', and it's said that their race died off after their leader faded away to the furthest reaches of Tartarus. They, apparently, nearly wiped out ponykind and took over Equestria, and possibly, all of existence. Seem like a nice race of genocidal giant lizards, don't they?" Emerald had a smile on his face despite the terrifying reality of his story. If that thing really WAS a dragon, then why were they back? If they were all supposed to be dead, then where did that one come from? And more importantly, who, or what, exactly WAS their leader?

Iron's mouth was held agape. "Do you mean to tell me, that in the middle of this massive, decades long war between the two royal sisters, a race of killer beasts from a thousand years ago has returned, and said killer beasts could very well end up killing our entire race and ruling everything like they tried to once?"

"Yes. What, were you not paying attention?"

"No, no, I got it. What I want to know is WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EARLIER?!"

"Eh, you didn't ask."

Iron was more than a little furious with Emerald right now. How could he possibly be so calm and composed knowing that the end of his own race and, maybe, the world as they both knew it, could be wiped out by a bunch of monsters before the year's end? He wanted to yell at him some more, but he couldn't find it in himself to do so. Despite that goofy grin he wore across his face, he knew Emerald well enough after the few days that they had been traveling to see past his facade, if even only a little. His eyes betrayed him, revealing the fear and doubt that he harbored, but he was willing to put aside his own feelings and put on a mask in order to make the others around him worry less. He admired him for that.

It was at this point that Iron realized, with a shock, that despite all the questions he had asked earlier in an attempt to get to know his traveling companion better, he had not asked about his cutie mark, nor even payed much mind to it.

He looked at Emerald's flank. It bore an image of a sword, stuck in a stone. He decided to ask. "Emerald... what about your cutie mark?"

Emerald smiled. "Oh, now THAT'S a story! You see, when I was young, I used to do.... hmm, well, it might not actually be that much of a story after all. In short, I was there for someone who needed it, and the next day, this appeared on my flank. I was so happy about it, but at the same time, I had no idea what it meant. Now, I realize that my mark represents not only my prowess with blades, but my determination and will, to act as a sort of 'rock' for others to come back to."

Iron thought about his explanation. He began to think about his own cutie mark, believing that he too had a higher purpose beyond what he thought.

His insight was interrupted by a deafening screech coming from the air.

Emerald and Iron whipped their heads around and saw none other than the Dragon of Haygen, diving at them and screaming in it's terrible language.

DOVAHKEY!!! AAL AG TARTAURUS FAH FEYNAL!!! DII!!! DII!!!

The massive beast crashed into the ground, unable to focus properly because of the still burning pain in its blinded eye. Iron and Emerald dove out of the way as trees and the ground itself were both turned up and thrown as the beast collided with the earth itself.

It managed to stand up on all fours, albeit with difficulty, and started thrashing it's head and screeching, nearly deafening the two ponies and making it impossible to get near the beast. "IRON!!" Emerald had to yell to be heard over the beast's screams. "IT'S DANGEROUS TO KILL THAT THING ALONE, SO TAKE THIS!" Emerald's stolen sword flew through the air from behind the monster and landed in Iron's telekinetic grip. He was the closest to the dragon's head, and in it's fury it hadn't actually noticed him cowering near a rock, nearly being flattened with every whip of it's massive head. Iron stared at his own reflection in the blade. Could he do this? There was no doubt that what he was about to do was incredibly dangerous, but for some reason, that just seemed to make it more exciting. He knew Emerald was counting on him, and who knows how many other villages that could end up like Haygen if he failed. He was afraid, but he refused to let it conquer him. This was too important. He waited for the dragon's roaring maw to pass over his head again, timing his movements just right and summoning all of his strength.

And with a fierce cry, he leapt up and grappled on to the side of the beast's skull.

The dragon, now fully aware of his presence, began to thrash and scream even more, cursing in his foul language at the top of his voice.

DII!! DII!! DII!! AUS AHST FEYNAL HAAL!! DII!! DII!! DII!!!!

Iron managed to climb to the top of the dragon's head despite his thrashing, and, clinging to him with nearly all he had, he levitated the sword above the huge forehead and plunged it deep. Blood was everywhere. The blade first pierced bone, then flesh, and finally brain as it sunk deeper into the giant lizard's head. The dragon slowed down considerably, but it didn't stop, a testament to the resilience of it's kind. Iron yanked out the bloody sword, now covered in blood and with a little grey matter still stuck to it's tip, and jammed it back in, screaming the entire time.

This time the dragon stopped.

It's head finally quit flying everywhere and hit the ground with a dull thud. Iron stumbled off of it, covered in blood from the spurting wound and barely able to stand after holding onto the dragon for so long. He was ready to collapse when Emerald had finally made his way over to him, jaw slack in pure awe. "Iron... you just KILLED a DRAGON." The way he said it, it sounded like he still didn't believe it. "I was just expecting you to clip it's wing, make it unable to fly so we could get away or... something.... but this.... THIS is UNBELIEVABLE!!" His green eyes lit up, and for just a moment, Iron saw something in Emerald's eyes, something he couldn't describe.

Just then, as Iron was prepared to black out, the dragon's body started.... dissolving. It's thick scales and flesh simply began to burn away, the golden ash of what used to comprise the beast's skin simply floating away. Then, something unexpected happened. The dragon's ash remained stagnant in the air above the body for a moment, and then it rushed straight at Iron. Emerald leapt back, unsure of what was happening, and completely unable to lift a hoof to help. The ash-carrying wind swept over Iron, and it seemed to just become a part of him, covering him from head to hoof and sinking into his coat. Suddenly, he felt a lot better. In fact, Iron felt really good, like he could take on all of Equestria at that moment. Never before had he felt such power. He thought he could make out a faint voice in the swirling wind, and from what he heard, it sounded like gratitude, thankfulness for a freedom from something. He was briefly surrounded by an unearthly glow, and then.... nothing. The ashes had vanished, become a part of him. Nothing of the dragon remained, save for it's warm skeleton and a few of it's scales.

Emerald just stood there, shocked. His mouth was clamped shut, and his face betrayed his amazement at what he had just witnessed. Iron simply stood there, reveling in his strength, and surprised at what had just happened to him.

"It's.... you." Emerald spoke with reverence, as if he had just learned something of great importance.

"What? Me? I don't understand. Me what? And what was that? And how did-" Emerald walked up to Iron and placed a hoof over his mouth. "Wow kid, you really DO ask a lot of questions. As for what happened, I've never seen it before, but I know what it is. It's the sign."

Iron removed Emerald's hoof from his mouth. "A sign? A sign of what?"

"Not a sign. THE sign. The one thing that can prove it."

"Prove what?!" Iron was getting really tired of all this walking around the subject. "Just come out and say it!"

Emerald took a deep breath, then looked at Iron with a dead serious expression. His scar made him seem all the more menacing. "You are one of a chosen few, one of a handful of individuals destined to carry a Gift of the Dragons. In their tongue, you are known as Dovahkey. In pony, that translates into...."

"Dragon Pony." Iron didn't know how he knew, but he knew. And what surprised him more was Emerald's confirmation.

"Well, that only settles it." As the sun began to set over the mountains, Emerald gathered a small pile of sticks and ignited them with magic. He set the small campfire down near some fallen trees, and instructed Iron to take a seat.

"Get comfortable. We have a lot to talk about."

~-~-~-~-~

Lily was paraded into a small town, shackles and chains connecting her to the long line of ponies sobbing and weeping as they entered. The ponies there didn't make eye contact or try to speak to any of them. The stores were closed, the ponies rushed their foals into the safety of their sandy huts and hovels, and the few who remained on the streets went about their business, not daring to so much as glance at the lines of sobbing ponies being led to the center of town, the Sultan's residence.

It was magnificent. The Palace was a massive sandstone castle, tall enough to reach the clouds and colored in nearly every color of the rainbow, mirroring the sand of the desert surrounding it. It was easy enough to see why the ponies being paraded with her were so awestruck. Lily could barely keep her jaw up.

They arrived in front of the palace, their entry barred by a massive gate. The mare with the strange accent from earlier yelled up to the guard on duty to get his attention. " 'AY! BLINK, S'THAT YOU UP THERE?!"

The stallion known as Blink soon appeared over the edge of the wall surrounding the Palace, rubbing his eyes as if having just woken up from a nap. "Euuugh... Twirl, is that you down there?" He lacked Twirl's strange accent, but in place of it he looked decidedly different from other ponies. From what she could see, Lily noticed that his legs and fetlocks were completely unshaven, with his coat having grown over his hooves to the point that it looked as if his hooves had been replaced by small, furry stumps. His ears were strange too, having so much extra fur at the tips, but maybe this was just something unique to him. Twirl didn't seem any different from an ordinary pony, and neither did any of the other ponies in town.

Lily's thought was interrupted by Twirl having noticed her looking up at them. " 'Ay, YOU DOWN THERE!! LIL' PINKIE!!" Lily gasped as Twirl lewdly displayed her genitals, blushing furiously and looking right back down. "Like what ya saw? GOOD, CAUSE YOU'LL BE SEEIN' IT AGAIN SOON ENOUGH!! NOW, KEEP THOSE EYES DOWN!" Even Blink seemed a bit perturbed by this. "Twirl? I know he said we could do what we pleased with this batch, but do you really think that's what he meant?" Twirl stared back up at him, not phased in the slightest. " 'Notta all. I'll be havin' THAT one soon enough, anyway. Might as well give 'er a taste o' what's ta' come!" Lilly kept her head down as Twirl yelled back down at her. "YA HEAR THAT, PINKIE?! YER' ALL MINE!!" Lily was scared out of her mind, not because of the threat, but because of the fear of what this mare would put her through.

Blink proceeded to open the gate as Twirl was preoccupied, cranking the large, ornate wooden door open with his hooves. He was a lot stronger than he looked, that was sure. As the gate doors came to a halt, Twirl paraded her 'shipment' into the courtyard, headed directly for the large central tower. Lily didn't get enough time to look around, as the chains connecting her to the other, more obedient ponies were pulling her ahead and forcing her head straight. However, she was able to see the massive crowds of ponies farming the land within the Palace grounds, even noticing some of them actually falling over and collapsing. She was horrified that this could very well be her fate.

As Twirl led them inside, a cool blast of air hit the line of ponies head on, eliciting many muted sighs of relief. As Lily looked around inside the Palace interior, she noticed the guards lining the hall had the same features as Blink - long coats, unshorn fetlocks, furry ears. It seemed to be something native to this particular area.

As they entered what she assumed to be a throne room, Twirl immediately landed and bowed. She yanked the chains hard, forcing Lily and the others down to the ground with her. The curtains in the room immediately lifted, letting through a soothing orange light, filtered by the thick windows around the room. The ceiling cover was pulled back last, allowing a large skylight to fully illuminate the room. A pony in the corner began playing some very soothing music with her harp, and the large pony sitting upon the throne standing above all in the room was finally revealed.

He was overweight, enough so that his folds of fat could be seen even without him moving. He wore overly elaborate clothing, covered from head to hoof in robes with all kinds of jewels sewn into the very fabric. He was an earth pony, consuming an apple being held in front of his mouth by a unicorn in rags and chains nearby, guarded closely by a large stallion. But most of all, he was ugly. He had a large wart on his chin, and as he opened his mouth, his yellowing teeth were clearly visible. He was the most revolting pony Lily had ever seen. And now she was under his control.

"Oh, Grand Sultan, Master ov' the Spectral Sands, and Lord ov' all within the Earth, Sea, and Sky ov' Saddle Arabia, I am here before Your' Grand Hooves." Twirl seemed to be holding back her accent as much as she could.

He began to speak in a deep, drawling tone. "I thank you, Tornado Twirl, for holding your tongue and your FILTHY accent in my presence. I shall see to it that you are rewarded for this new batch of slaves." Lily began to silently weep at the mention of her becoming a slave, but not so silently that she went unnoticed. Twirl, turned her head, still bowed, to hear her quiet weeping, and intended to make her suffer further. "Your' Excellency, if I may?"

The Sultan took a sloppy bite from his apple before continuing, not even bothering to chew and swallow first. "You may speak."

"If at all possible, I would like to have a little.... personal enjoyment' with one o' the slaves." She seemed to silently curse herself for allowing her accent show, but she had been careful in not speaking as such to the Sultan, and luckily, he took no notice. "Hmmm..... you wish this slave for your own pleasure, then?" She nodded silently. "Very well then. Consider this your reward for culling that tongue of yours so well." She seemed relieved. "Yes, Master."

"And make sure to arrive in my chambers at dusk, as punishment for allowing it to slip through your teeth moments ago." He had noticed. She seemed to physically flinch as she rose, walking back towards Lily in the line. She unchained her and attached to her a strong leash, one which seemed to get stronger every time she yanked it. She walked Lily out of line and to the right of the room, into one of the separate corridors, as the royal guards took control of the other ponies' chains.

Once they were out of earshot, Twirl whispered into Lily's ear. "Ye'll naught enjoy this, lil' pinkie. And I promise ya' it will not be over quickly." Lily shivered and whimpered as Twirl licked the side of her face gently and bit her ear. She would not enjoy it. Twirl would make sure of it.

~-~-~-~

Dragon Soul Obtained.

The Inn

Iron listened intently.

"Long ago, before the rule of Celestia, dragons were the sovereign leaders of all sentient races. However, they were not kind. Ponies were used as slaves, and the other races were treated even worse, if possible. The dragons ruled with an iron claw, putting down any rebels hard with their mastery of the Thu'um, their Voices. It was like that for hundreds of years... until Celestia came. She was the first pony ever to master the Thu'um, and her legendary proficiency, especially with the skies and storms, earned her the title of "Savior from the Sun". Even the Pegasi, who at that time were the sole masters of the weather, respected her. Now, what many don't remember is that Celestia was no Alicorn at this point."

Iron found it difficult to sustain his disbelief. "What!? How do you know that? It doesn't really seem like somepony would be able to... I don't know, just grow wings. That seems like the sort of thing a lot of ponies would have trouble believing.... or at least getting over."

Emerald turned the snark on. "Well, I happen to know because of my good friend Nunya. It happened, and you need to accept it."

"Who's Nunya?"

"Nunya damn business."

"Geez, wasn't trying to pry..... rude."

Emerald cleared his throat and continued. "Anyway, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, Celestia wasn't born an Alicorn. Though that is widely accepted as popular belief, the true is actually that she received her power from an outside source. She was given 'The Gift of Magic."

"By who?"

"Akindrog-Dov, the God-King of Dragons." The fire momentarily seemed to roar at the mention of the name.

Iron felt the need to stop again. "Whoa whoa whoa, slow down... There was a Dragon-God-King? And why would he choose to help Celestia?"

Emerald continued. "I think he was just a really powerful dragon, but to them, he was a God-King. I really don't have much to say on that, since I've never even seen the guy, but hey, history is just that - history. If that bit of info managed to survive despite the success of the Pony Rebellion after Celestia took charge, then some truth must be in it. After all, history is written by the victor."

"I've never heard that."

"You're from a backwater farm town on the very outskirts of Equestria. I didn't expect you to know too much at all, really. No offense."

Iron couldn't really disagree. He himself was surprised that he knew as much as he did, but that was only through the old books he'd found around his home. His mother had always encouraged him to read whenever he could. 'Your father wouldn't have wanted you to grow up illiterate, and I certainly won't stand by and watch you do so either' she had told him once. He kept himself from dwelling on the past too much, and went back to the conversation. "...None taken."

"Now, as for why he aided Celestia, I can't say for sure either. The older legends, especially those of the dragon followers, held that he held the power to move the sun. Maybe Celestia took the burden from him in order to gain his aid. Or maybe there was a bigger threat, and they realized that the only way to overcome it was to work together. Again, I can't say for sure. Now, as for the Rebellion, after Celestia's ascension, she utilized her enormous gifts to call to her the greatest aspects of Ponykind and utilize them as the ultimate weapon against the dragons. They were called..."

"The Elements of Harmony?" Iron guessed.

"Yes! You really do know more than you let on." Iron shrugged, and Emerald continued. "The Elements were the ultimate tool of conquest, but even with all her power, Celestia couldn't utilize them alone. And so she brought forth her sister, Luna 'The Midnight Knight', and shared her power. Together they were able to overpower even the Thu'um and put the dragons right where they belonged - in the ground. And so their reign lasted for a thousand years, until Luna, for some reason or another, felt betrayed and split from her sister. And so the Five Hundred Year War began. If those two keep going at it, it may end up becoming the Six Hundred Year War."

"And here we are, I guess. But what does any of this have to do with me?"

Emerald continued to explain as the fire crackled and popped. "When Celestia defeated the dragons, Akindrog-Dov deserted them, or so it goes. Before he left them to their fate, Akindrog-Dov split his most powerful aspects into the Gifts, gifts that anypony could receive.... if they were worthy. One was the Gift of Magic - Massive magical talent and power, immortality, and even the ability to manipulate the very fabric of Space and Time. Celestia received it, but the creation of the Elements and her split of power with Luna has weakened her, as far as I know. The Gift of Form - it's said to give the abilities and form of the dragons themselves. Strength, power, even the Voice. I have no idea if anypony has ever been born with this or claimed it for themselves, so I wouldn't know of this one for sure. And finally, the Gift of Blood - the blood of Akindrog-Dov and the power to absorb the souls - and abilities - of any dragon. That's you."

Iron would have had to sit down had he not been doing so already. This was a lot to take in for him. "...So... I'm...."

"In less formal words, you would be called a Dragonpony, yes. If I'm correct, then that would put you on the same level as Celestia herself."

"But I'm nowhere near that strong! I can barely lift two carts of hay - she can MOVE THE SUN. I doubt we're anywhere near the same level."

"Your strength is in your pontential. With the ability to absorb dragon souls, you become more and more powerful with every soul taken. As such, if you were to slay enough dragons, your power could possibly be limitless. Don't count yourself out, Iron. You're much more than you think." Emerald smiled at him as he stood up, his scar stretching strangely over his cheek as he did so.

He levitated a torch from the fire before kicking some dirt over it. "Now, we still need to get to Reinwood if we want to get to Canterlot. We could find a way to earn some money, and take a cart from there. But we won't get too far now - it's a bit dark out, and soon night will fall completely. We're going to need to find an inn."

Iron stood up behind him and followed as Emerald lead the way. "Where though? If Riverwood's as far away as you say, then wouldn't an inn be tough to find so far out in the wild like this?"

"You'd be surprised, actually. Lots of ponies are adventurers here, and that means a lot of money can be found in having a warm bed ready for a weary traveler. Now, we'll just need some bits..."

After walking for roughly fifteen minutes, the sky was nearly black. The beautiful and eternally present moon was brighter and even more gorgeous at night. The landscape seemed to change almost completely with it, as well. Bright green trees and shrubs teeming with life became dark towers and shadows hiding the unknown in their grasps. The sound of the river, though soothing before, was seemingly far more relaxing in the darkness. And the main roads were especially more perilous, for bandits and highwayponies were far more common now than at any other time of day.

As if on cue, as the duo made it out onto the main path towards Reinwood, a pony leapt out in front of them. His face was hidden by a black bandana, and in the moonlight, his only distinguishing feature was his fiery orange mane. He spoke in a thinly disguised gravelly voice. "HEY YOU TWO, uh.... G-GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY OR.... OR I'LL KILL YOU.... AND LEAVE YOU FOR DEAD!"

Iron was startled by his appearance, but quickly regained his composure after seeing how uncertain the stallion seemed to be. Emerald, on the other hand, didn't even blink. "Wow, that was piss poor, especially considering the redundancy of what you just said. I mean really, if you're going to trail us for upwards of a quarter mile, then you could AT LEAST make the presentation better."

The thief recoiled. "W-what? But how-"

"You make too much noise. I mean really, I could hear those bushes moving from a mile away if I wanted. Even my partner here noticed you." Iron actually thought it was some kind of animal, but he had no chance to correct Emerald before he continued on. "Now, did you really think you could take me AND my friend on?"

The thief stammered as he pulled out his dagger. "B-Back up or I'll--"

Emerald didn't even use his magic. He dashed forward, blindingly quick it seemed, and before the bandit could gasp his knife was in Emerald's hoof. "You'll what? Try kicking us into submission while I stab you to death?"

"Aaah!" The bandit cowered. "I-I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"

"Damn right you won't. If you do try again, the next guy probably won't be as nice as me. Tartarus, we should be the ones robbing YOU. You know what? We'll let you go... given that we get all the bits you have on you."

"Ahhh, ok ok TAKE THEM!" The bandit threw a moderately-sized sack of bits on the ground before running away, diving back into the brush.

Iron was amazed. "Wow, you handled that... really well!"

"Eh, you just have to know what to say and when to say it. Now, I do believe that's an inn at the far end down that way." He picked up the sack and pointed towards the tiny bright dot further down the road. "Let's go before a more competent bandit shows up."

The pair continued walking for what seemed like an hour before coming upon the inn, called the "Embershard Inn". It was a large, three-story building that had light pouring out of every window. There were loud noises coming from within, ranging from laughing and shouting to singing and songs. All in all, it definitely looked lively. Iron had a small bar back in his village where travelers would come and rest every now and again, but it was nowhere near as rowdy-sounding and big as THIS.

When the two entered, the establishment quieted down instantly as everyone stared at the door. Drunkards, adventurers and stewardesses alike stopped and stared at the duo. Iron was nervous. He'd never had this many eyes on him before. The only one who paid no mind was a cream-coated earth pony stallion, who continued to drink.

Emerald simply walked over to the counter and sat, while Iron quickly followed, unsure of what to do. The noise and music quickly returned as everyone went back to their own business and the bard continued to sing her song. He ordered two mugs of ale and a shared room for him and his 'friend' from the stallion working the counter as they sat. "So I take it you aren't used to bars. You ever drink before?" Emerald asked. Iron replied in kind. "I'm familiar with bars. I'm familiar with cider. What I'm not familiar with is SO MANY PONIES." Emerald laughed as the stallion returned with the key to the room and the mugs of ale. "That'll be fourteen bits - ten for the room, and four for the ale." The stallion spoke with a rough voice, as if he had swallowed sandpaper. Emerald payed the man and got up. "I'll be checking the room. You come on up when you're done, 'cause I'll be staying there for the remainder of the night." He turned back to the barkeep. "Uh, where-"

"Upstairs, second floor. Third room on the right."

"Thanks." He took the mug of ale with him as he ascended the stairs. Iron was alone, but he was comfortable. Now he had time to think. Where would she be? Who could have taken her? He knew that his sister was pretty, so maybe someone would have bought her. If that were the case, who? Maybe he'd find answers in Canterlot - somehow. He took a swig of ale. Suddenly the music coming from the bard in the center of the room near the hearth seemed much louder, pounding. The room seemed to tip for a moment before he shook his head, clearing his swimming mind. That Equestrian Ale was some strong stuff. Much stronger than the cider he was used to.

As he sat there pondering his course of action, two stallions trotted over to him, a look of scorn on their faces. One was a lanky earth pony, covered in yellow fur that was absent from patches of his skin, and bald of a mane. The other was significantly taller, at least by a head. He had a dirty orange coat, thick, unshorn fetlocks, a scraggly goatee, and piercing yellow eyes. He was a pegasus, and his wings looked large and ruffled next to his sides.

The yellow one leaned up against the counter as he spoke, his voice crackly and somewhat coarse. "Hey." He tapped Iron on the shoulder to get his attention. "I don't like you."

Iron was confused. "Oh, I'm... sorry, I guess?" He went back to his drink for a moment before being tapped even harder by the stallion again. "HEY."

He turned to see the stallion staring him down. "My friend doesn't like you either. You'd better watch yourself. We have bounties that'd get us executed in three holds."

Iron was really confused now. "I'm sorry, I don't--"

He was interrupted by the stallion again. "You and your queer friend had better take your perversion elsewhere, you hear? Otherwise we might have a problem here."

The barkeep tried to talk to him. "Look, Pitch Patch--" He was interrupted as Patch slammed his hoof on the table, causing the inn to go silent around them. Everypony was staring at them again. Iron was still extremely nervous. He didn't know this pony, and he had no idea what he wanted, so he decided to play it safe. "Look, I'm sorry. We'll be more careful around you."

"YOU'LL BE DEAD!" He pulled out a shortsword from the side of his pack as he attempted to slice Iron's head off. Iron ducked and rolled back out of his stool. He was unarmed here, save for his magic, and the larger stallion pulled out a sword as well. It was two on one, and as far as he knew, Emerald was probably asleep. The Bard began playing a more upbeat, quicker song, though it seemed like an incredibly inappropriate time for music.

As soon as the lanky pony lunged, his hoof, high over his head, was struck by a dagger, the same one that Emerald had taken earlier. He dropped his knife and screamed in pain for a moment before staring up at the level above them to see who had had the nerve to throw that. Emerald was standing there, hoof outstretched. He sighed. "Couldn't help getting into trouble huh? Well, there goes my nap." He leapt over the railing down to the lower level and landed with a thud, startling some bar patrons. He began to pull his sword out, but the lanky stallion charged him before he could notice and tackled him to the ground, trying to stab him with the thrown knife he had pulled out while Emerald forced his hoof up with magic, struggling against his wiry strength. The customers jumped out of the way and watched in awe as the fight unfolded, keeping their distance.

The large stallion ran at Iron as he watched the fight unfold, intent to cleave him in two. However, as his blade fell, it was met in midair by a horseshoe, worn on the back left hoof of the cream-coated stallion. The sound of clashing metal drew Iron's attention back to him. The pegasus tried again, but the cream pony spun on his forehooves and clashed with his right horseshoe, this time knocking the blade out of his hoof. Iron caught the blade in his telekinetic grip before it hit the ground, readying it in case he had to fight. It turned out to be unnecessary, as the cream pony landed on all four of his hooves again and raised his hoof, rounded by two straps, to the stallion. Suddenly, a tiny arrow was poking out from the stallion's throat, and soon after another from his forehead. He fell to the ground, dead.

The lanky stallion, Patch, heard his friend's fall and turned his head to see what had happened. Emerald used the the opportune lack of concentration to direct the blade through his assailant's head, instantly killing him. He shoved the body off as he stood up.

Emerald trotted over to Iron and his savior. His cinnabar coat hid the streaks and flecks of blood very well, but his mane didn't. There was a large stain surrounding the hair around his horn and the horn itself, and it seemed that during the struggle Emerald may have actually gored his opponent with it.

The barkeep sighed and began trotting to the back room behind the counter. "Some ponies, yeesh. Always killing each other or beating the crap out of one another," He muttered under his breath. He spoke up to the group as he unlocked the door. "That's a hundred bits for the clean-up. Fifty a body."

Emerald didn't at all seem daunted. "No problem. Our good friend would be happy to accommodate us." He nudged toward the dead pony and produced a large, nearly overflowing bag of bits, apparently lifted from Patch's body. Emerald turned to the cream-coated stallion and raised his hoof in a show of thanks. "And to whom do I owe the gratitude for saving my friend's life?"

The pony pushed Emerald's hoof back down to the floor, and just smiled at the two of them. He had a short cut teal mane, just a few freckles, and eyes as big as saucers. "No thanks necessary! I'm Kicks, full name Flippity Kicks! I have no idea why my parents named me that. Maybe it was to break the mold or something? Either way, I loved it! It also goes really well with what I do. I like fighting things with my legs a lot. And my hoof-bow! Wanna see my hoof-bow?" The stallion quickly raised his foreleg to show off his weapon. A small crossbow, with room for at least three bolts before reload, was mounted on the underside. The arms appeared to be made of spring blades, allowing the device to work as a melee weapon as well. The small pack of bolts was just underneath the miniature bow, rigged in such a way that pulling back on the container would eject new bolts directly into the bow after it had depleted it's volley. Iron had never seen anything like it, and to say he was amazed would be an understatement.

"WOW!! That's really neat!! How'd you get that!?"

Flip beamed with pride. "I made it myself! I KNOW RIGHT!? Yeah, it's a work of art, but hey, no big deal really. I've made lots of stuff that's just as amazing! I mean, look at my horseshoes! They're lined with strips of refined steel under the softened iron, making them comfortable AND functional!! And did I mention...."

Emerald had payed the barkeep and long since left his companion with his new, very talkative friend to go get a good night's sleep. To him, the less he had to hear of Iron's innumerable questions and rants, the better.

~-~-~-~-~-~

Twirl had thrown Bloom onto the bed. She was helpless. Her magic was still unable to be used because of that damned binding paper, and she could take it off, not with Twirl threatening her with that whip. She clamped her eyes shut tight, hoping for it to end quickly.

"Alright lil' pinkie, we're gonna have some FUN!" Twirl undressed herself and threw her whip to the side. She wouldn't need it.

She leapt on top of her.

Bloom waited for what seemed like an eternity before Twirl began moving. She opened her eyes to find Twirl awkwardly trying to hump her. She seemed clumsy, and only ever touched her correctly every minute or so. She didn't really seem to be getting much pleasure out of the act.

"U-um...Miss--"

Twirl stopped and snapped at her. "Quiet, you! Or Ah'll take your tongue out!"

Bloom tried to mask her fear. She put on a brave face and stood up to her abuser. "...No. I want to help you."

"Whut did I just-" Twirl stopped for a moment, then continued on. "Wait, whut did you say ta' me?"

"I... I want to help you." Her voice squeaked when she spoke, and she quivered then and again. "You don't seem to be... d-doing anything.... and I'd like to help you...."

Twirl was incredibly confused. "Wait, WHUT!? You....Ya wan' ta help me RAPE YA!?"

"Well, I... I think...." Bloom was incredibly submissive. Back in her village, she had always obeyed whenever somepony had told her to do something. She never questioned, never rebelled, and because of that the adults always enjoyed her company. She hadn't had any stallions though, as they all went after the girls with more, how they said, 'Fire in their hearts, and in their loins'. Even the one colt she had her eye on (and even mustered up the courage to talk to, after some prodding from Iron) stopped seeing her after a while, calling her 'too much of a pushover'. Even now, it took her incredible amounts of willpower just to speak up against her molester.

"...Y-you'ra strange one! I don't even want ta have mahway with ya anymore! Yer too soft! But I'll toughen ya up!"

She jumped out of bed and reached for her whip. Her wrist and it's tip began to subtly glow, and she cracked it against Bloom's hide once again. Bloom held her voice in, even as she felt the blood trickle down her flank. She refused to scream again. Twirl continued to whip her, yelling at her to "SCREAM! SCREAM FOR MEH, PINKIE!!"

Strangely, after a few whips, Bloom began to.... enjoy the sensation. Sure, it was still painful, but it was also arousing strange feelings within her, feelings she couldn't describe. This continued on for half and hour, with the feelings increasing with each tip that smacked her. As Twirl smacked the whip against her again, she bit her lip as a powerful sensation wracked her body, the pleasure and pain mixing into a perfect cocktail of sensation. She felt herself wet the bed sheets as her entire body was wracked with an orgasm, unable to contain her moans. "MMMmmhhhh...."

The whip stopped. Bloom's flank was a crimson red, with several streaks of blood from the bits coating her flank. Her feminine ejaculate, still dribbling from her marehood, formed a large stain on the mattress.

Twirl was at a loss for words. She was, quite frankly, stunned at what she had just seen. "Did you... did ya just get off ta me whippin' ya?? W-well, er, Th-there's plenty MORE WHER' THAT CAME FROM!!" She raised the whip again, and Bloom closed her eyes, biting her lip harder and letting a small smile slip. Twirl instead lowered the whip. She just couldn't do it. Her arm was too tired. And there'd be no point to it. After all, what was the point of beating a slave if they just got a sick kick out of it? She sighed and collapsed on the bed. "...Well now, this's unexpected. Ah was gonna just beat and rape ya, but.... Ah can't. Ah... Ah..... Er.... that is...."

Twirl looked up at her, a small blush on her cheeks. "Ah've never seen a mare like ya! Ya just took all the whippin's ah gave, and all Ah have ta show fer it is a soaked bedsheet..." She was flustered. She couldn't tell whether she wanted to make out with this mare, or just beat her some more. Either way, she'd be getting enjoyment out of it, but... it just felt kind of wrong now.

Twirl moved up next to her on the bed. Bloom flinched as she did so, but Twirl tossed the whip to the side to show that she meant no harm, at least for now. "Listen, Ah'd... um..... Ah'd like ya ta help meh out a bit... if ya could. Ah... Ah'm kinda bad at this...." She pointed down between her legs. When Bloom momentarily hesitated, she considered yelling and threatening her again, but knowing that she couldn't even back up her words, she instead tried something a little more drastic. She cleared her throat, and tried to speak clearly. "Could ya... *ahem*... PLEASE help meh with this?"

Bloom was a bit surprised. After all, she had heard this pony do nothing but yell and threaten her for the past few hours, and now she was being... civil? Maybe Bloom's little outburst and subsequent climax had a hand in this, but she didn't question it. She just nodded gently and placed her hoof between Twirl's legs.

"Hmmm... that's alright' Ah guess. Hmmm.... Ok. Keep it up, now'. That's..... that's actually..... really nice! I.... like that a lot.... I... REALLY LIKE THAT...." Twirl kept speaking to Bloom, egging her on as her most sensitive parts were fondled in suxh and expert manner. Among other things, one of the few books that she had read and re-read alongside her brother dealt with Equine anatomy, and, having had more than enough time to try it out for herself, she was more than adept at it.

Twirl head swam and lights seemed to flash before her eyes as she came.

She wanted to yell and scream, but the only sounds coming out were squeals of unrivaled ecstasy, such as "URRRAAAAAGHHHAAAAAAAAAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"and "MMMHHHAAAAAHAHAHAHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" and "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!". Her legs quivered as she lifted her haunches a few inches up off the bed. She squirted out what equated to a small river, with the soaked area ending up even larger than that of Bloom's. "..............hah..............hah.........." She couldn't even form words at this point. She was so exhausted from her incredible finish that sweat poured off of her in rivulets. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth, and her eyes seemed to be able to actually see her brain, far as they were rolled up. She looked down to see Bloom's face just above her moistened mound. Her face was scrunched up from the blast of liquid to her face, and it came upon Twirl that she had transitioned in the middle of the act without her notice, so enraptured she was in her sexual release.

Twirl hugged Bloom closely in the aftermath of her orgasm, reveling in her afterglow and ignoring her own juices all over Bloom's face. "Wh-what... is your.... name?" She managed to pant out.

"Er, I'm L-Lily...Lily Bloom..." Lilly was actually happy being held this close, despite the abuse she had received from her attempted rapist not more than an hour before this. She believed that maybe this mare wasn't too bad after all.

Twirl saw in Lily a great sex toy, and was determined to have her all to herself. But she felt more than that. She was confused, but she had begun feeling.... attached? She didn't know, and she didn't care. All she knew was that she would be holding this mare close by her side for quite a while. Nothing else mattered. Not even the dirty Sultan.

And so the frightened mare, afraid for her life but ready to aid the soul in bed with her, unaware of her own approaching change, lay with the repentant slaver, still harsh and cruel but shown a new wilder side of life by her slave, a slave whom she had put herself below, if only for a moment, as the moon shone bright in the Saddle Arabian night sky.

~-~-~-~-~-~

LEVEL UP. Level 10.

One-Handed increased to 34.

Speech increased to 40.

Perk Gained: Quick Wit - You may now be as skilled as others in the trade of the tongue, but you sure as hay are good at talking an ear off. You can now 'stall' certain enemies by stunning them with rants and speeches.