The group moved from the station up the path leading into a city built into the mountain. Dragons flew high above, some giving call outs to others passing by. While the girls talked Jack walked behind keeping his eyes open for any danger. "No escort huh. So much for diplomatic care." He grumbled, not liking some of the looks citizens of the Badlands were giving them.

Spike slowed down to walk next to him. "Don't worry too much. Ember keeps everyone in line and has been one of the larger reasons that relationships between dragons and ponies have improved." He explained. A dragon laying on the roof gave a puff of smoke just above the group as they passed. "Some are still stuck in their old ways though." He added with a nervous chuckle.

Jack didn't answer as he stared down the dragon causing it to hiss lightly and scurry away from his view. "Give me all you have on dragon habits and traditions." He said in his mind to the three other occupants.

"Well like we had gone over dragons prefer show of strength to show a good leader so whoever this Ember is must be strong." Came the gruff voice of Brave.

"The dragon lord usually also has a special group of fighters to protect them but most of the time it's for show." Lucky spoke up next.

Scorch gave a small click of his tongue. "They also don't take kindly to those that don't bow down to their lord and will often lash out if challenged, so do try not to be a sarcastic ass."Though he said that with a small laugh, knowing full well what Jack would rather do.

The human only gave a hum at the info as they also explained the challenges the next dragon lords must face or helping show weaknesses to the different types of dragons out there. The others paid no mind to his quietness except for Twilight who had a suspicion he knew something and wasn't saying it. The group moved through a market place full of different life forms from ponies to even a few yaks. Merchants called out from their stalls trying to gain a sale while some others put on small shows of skill or marketing to draw in the crowds.

Twilight spoke up as they moved through. "It's nice to see relations moving so well after only such a short time." Looking around at the stalls until her eyes caught something of interest. "Is that...?" She asked, trailing off as she stepped up to the large dragon at the stall. "Excuse me sir is that book for sale?" She asked the grey scaled man, pointing to a book titled 'The complete guide on the Badlands.'

"Of course! Just finished printing out the copies after my wife documented the lands." He said in a booming voice, a large toothy smile sitting comfortably on his features. "Though I will warn we barter here as Equestian bits don't yet have a value worth enough for us yet." He added with a sheepish shrug.

"How'd you know we were from Equestria?" Asked Rainbow to which the dragon looked at her confused before bursting into laughter.

Once he calmed down enough to speak he explained. "Well for one she's an alicorn." He began, pointing at Twilight. "And that's Spike! The dragon who gave up being the dragon lord to Ember. Everyone knows him and his relations to Equestria." He state, shifting his point to the much smaller purple dragon.

Twilight sighed and turned away from the book. "Unfortunately I don't have anything to trade for it though." She replied sadly.

With a smirk Jack stepped forward and pulled a book of his own out of his pack. "I imagine if you are selling knowledge you also purchase knowledge?" Asked the human. When the large dragons eyes sparked with interest at the book he held Jack continued. "You said a barter so how about this book on Fauna in Apploosa for your book?" He proposed, holding the book out so the dragon could take it.

The merchant gently took the book from the man's hands and flipped through a few pages, his interest growing quickly. Snapping the book closed he look to the group. "Deal!" He exclaimed happily. Jack picked up the guide book and looked through a few pages, noting a few spots mentioning the new enemy he would have to fight like where he had been buried and stories involving him.

With a nod to the merchant dragon Jack handed the book to the stunned Twilight who quickly opened it to devour the knowledge inside. The group turned to continue on their destination when a voice called out. "Oi Grey Tome! What are you doing giving out our lands secrets to outsiders!"

The now named merchant sighed heavily, running a claw down his face at the voice. "Oh no not him." He grumbled as he turned to look down the path at an approaching green and white dragon about the same size as Tome. "I've told you before Krampus, there are no laws stating what I can't sell to visitors to our home land especially nothing about info on our land like vegetation or food." He replied gruffly.

The new dragon was close enough now Jack could see curved horns on top of his head that resembled close to a rams, along with spikes across his arms and legs. "Well you should know the elders don't take kindly to any info being given to weaker races!" Krampus shot back. Gasps escaped the girls and Spike's lips while Jack merely rolled his eyes and yawned. This caused the offending dragon to snap it's neck towards him. "Got something to say meat?" He challenged.

Jack swaggered up closer to the green dragon, making a notice of how the market had quieted down with this dragons appearance. "A few things yeah." He replied sarcastically. "First is you need a mint, second is that if no laws state what he can't sell then you harassing this merchant is a waste of everyone's time, and three if you don't start behaving I might have to show you some manners." He listed, each one making the overgrown lizards eyes grow wider in shock and anger till his pupils dilated and he leaned dangerously close to Jack's face, fire seeping around his mouth.

"You best watch what you say weakling." Hissed Krampus.

"I'm sorry does the little green snake not like being called out? I've taken bigger shits then you." Shot back the human, staring into the dragons eyes unflinching.

Just as the green dragon reared back to breath on the unmoving human a massive claw slammed Krampus into the ground while a booming voice bellowed out the order. " ENOUGH! No fighting in the market. Krampus, we have talked about this before that you do not decide how things are run around here." Came the deep growl of a huge red dragon with scars crossing his entire body. "And what the hell are you?" He barked at Jack.

"The names Jack. I'm the security escort for the bearers of harmony to meet with Lord Ember, you are?" The man questioned.

The dragon leaned down to be more eye to eye with Jack. "Security yet you are willing to start fights. Must not be good at your job." Growled the dragon. "I am Red Armageddon. Head figure of the guard designated to protect the Dragon Lord." He boasted.

Jack rubbed his nose muttering loud enough for the dragon to hear. "Says the guy who can't send a detachment to protect and guide political delegates." This cause Red's nostrils to flare but quickly eased up with a smirk.

"This one actually has some guts." The huge dragon thought. "Follow." Is all he said, the smirk quickly sliding off his face as he finally stepped off Krampus who scurried away. The group followed the mound of muscle all the way to where the Lords resided. Passing through the door Red shrank down to about eight feet tall, walking on two feet now. On the Jack's confused look he explained. "Every dragon has the ability to shift forms from our more feral to more evolved. Some just prefer one over the other."

Further into the structure they passed a set of heavy stone doors pulled open by two also large dragons. revealing Ember sitting on her thrown surrounded by gems and gold. "Welcome! I see you finally made it." Ember spoke happily, rising from her seat and walking over to the group. With a quick hug to each person but adding a small peck to Spike's cheek that made Jack bristle slightly. On seeing his frown she gave a small laugh. "Don't worry Mr.Teller, I know about your connection with my friend Spike here. We are simply good friends and I have no plans on stealing him away from you." She said with open arms.

This eased Jack to the point he gave his own chuckle. " Sorry, guess I get a little protective of my people. It's a pleasure to meet you." He replied, one hand out for a shake that Red growled at.

"Peace now Red." Teased Ember as she stepped forward, accepting the handshake. "He can be rather protective as well for his people." She explained much to Red's slight embarrassment.

The group talked for a few more minutes before Twilight coughed into her hand. "I'm sorry to ruin this chat but I do want to make sure I talk about why we came here." She apologized.

"Ah yes the trade deals and negotiations!" Ember replied, clasping her clawed hands together. "If you'll follow me we can discuss them." She gestured as Twilight and Red followed. Jack moved forward as well but was stopped by the large dragon. "Let him come Red, he is her guard after all." Called Ember. Before he could even put up a complaint she shot it down saying. "Don't act like you wouldn't argue leaving me alone in a foreign country you big baby."

"Yeah Red." Jack sarcastically added, moving around the growling dragon to follow the Princess and Lord. The rest of the group were shown to their rooms so that they could wait for their leaders return.

Once the four entered a room with a map of the world in the center and books of maps scattered around the walls and seats Jack spotted guard ponies looking at the map with a few other dragons around as well. Immediately the warriors snapped to attention while he waved them to relax. "We've been following on your orders." One of the guards listed when Jack got close enough.

"Ah so they weren't lying when they said you were their commander." Ember spoke. "Anyways we can get to what they need after we finish with you Twilight." She added, sitting on a free spot. The two talked over the details while Jack stood near the guards.

"What have you got so far?" Jack questioned as he looked over the map that was marked in a few spots. One matching Reavers resting place.

A guard pony with a large plumed helm tapped three spots on the map close to Reaver's. "Three burial zones have already been opened and reanimated." She stated. "Though we have tracked down most of the bodies that had been resurrected." She added.

"And recruiting?" Their leader asked.

Another answered stepped up for that one. "We have our eyes on a few candidates." She simply said but when he followed her eye sight Jack saw they were interested in Red.

The rest of the meeting passed uneventfully. That is until a dragon in large robes covered in jewels, gems, and gold that bulged over his pot belly burst into the room. "Lord Ember! Why was I not told of a negotiations meeting with representatives from Equestria?" The fat dragon whined. A sleazy smile on his face as Ember gave a groan of annoyance.

"Ahh Sir Grater, so nice to see you." She faked a smile. "I thought you were busy counting your hoard pile so I didn't wish to be a burden to you." She explained through clenched teeth. Jack looked to Red and could see he didn't like this new person either.

But something else was off about him.

Deciding to play dumb Jack walked into the way of the fast approaching dragon and bowed. "Do my ears deceive me? Did Lord Ember just say you are the amazing Sir Grater!" He said excitedly. This halted the large dragon and made everyone look confused at him.

"You know who I am?" Sputtered Grater.

Jack looked up with a wide grin as if star struck. "Of course I do. You are one of the greatest dragons to live, and one of the wealthiest!" Gushed the man. With his hands behind his back Jack signaled to the others to finish their talks. "It's an honor to meet you, would you be able to share some of your great tales with a humble diplomat?" He asked, slowly leading the gaudy individual away back outside.

Grater straightened up at the compliments and forgot quickly about the others as he began to tell Jack some of the most BORING stuff he had ever heard. The others quickly finished their talks so that they could separate before the noble got back. "That Jack sure knows how to handle a situation." Complimented Ember.

"You have no idea." Twilight confirmed, turning back to the table. "Who was that noble anyways?" She asked with a raised brow.

"That was Sir Grater, one of the nobles in the dragon hierarchy. He along with a few others still are stuck in the old ways, not wanting interaction with the other nations or thinking they are superior." She groaned out. "They are always trying to counter any changes I put in place and one even tried to start a revolt to overthrow me." She added much to Twilight's horror.

"They'd really go that far? What did you do with the one who revolted?" She whispered in hushed shock.

Ember gave a toothy grin. "Oh don't worry about him too much dear. He was handled accordingly." She soothed cryptically.

"And the fool actually gave me the gold!" Shouted Grater in glee as he finished another annoying story to Jack.

"I can't believe it!" Jack gushed back, his mind working past the boredom to try and find why this noble set off an alarm to him.

Lucky popped up, floating at his side. Maybe it's because he's a noble? Can't trust them." He suggested.

"Hey! Celestia and Luna are trustable!" Countered Scorch in annoyance. "Besides, maybe it's how we can't really judge how strong he is. There's like no magic coming off the dude." He added to the possibility.

"No, I can tell he's not that strong already from how much weight he has." Shot down Jack. "How about you Brave, any ideas?"

Brave hummed in thought as he looked over the fat dragon. "For once I actually can't think of anything at all." He admitted in his usual gravelly voice.

They were cut from thought when Grater clapped Jack on the back hard. "Well I must be off! Have to see how some of my businesses are doing." He exclaimed, having forgot all about Ember and the others. As the dragon waddled away Jack looked after him with a scowl.

"And that is Sir Grater, one of if not the most self absorbed dragons in the land." Came the now familiar growl of Red.

"I don't like him." Jack grunted out, folding his arms and trying to think of anything that made the guy stand out to him. "Something feels off about him." He said, turning to look at the still humanoid dragon.

Red gave a smoky puff from his mouth. "You feel it too? He always rubbed me the wrong way but recently I fear something worse has gotten involved with him that is making my scales itch." The dragon explained. "Always hungered for the position of Lord and when Ember was made Lord instead he tried just about everything he could legally to get her removed." He add.

Jack looked after the receding form of the fat dragon and gave a hum. "We both don't like each other that's obvious." He started, looking the larger man in the eyes. "But we both can agree things are happening around here that are putting those we are supposed to be protecting in danger." He stated.

"What are you proposing?" Questioned Red. He leaned down to be more eye to eye with the human, curious as to what he would say next.

"I'd imagine you know about Reaver's revival and what he's done so far?" Asked Jack. When his listener nodded he continued. "My group might have an idea of where he will be next and since you don't trust me and I don't trust you, Let's work together to scout the next area and maybe even stop whatever else can happen." He suggested, sticking his hand out for the dragon to grab.

The large red dragon gave another puff of smoke before firmly gripping Jack's hand. "I can do that. Besides, if you try anything I can just kill you where no one will know." He agreed adding the last taunt back at the smiling man.

Author's Note

Hey everyone, not dead! This chapter I wrote and rewrote at least a dozen times so I've decided I'm getting too burnt out on it. The story will be put briefly on hiatus till I can get it back in the groove.
All other stories will still be worked on though so feel free to check them out.