The Smiling Warrior

Jack and Red slowly crept along the walls of one of Grater's homes, the moon hanging above though partially blocked by clouds. Looking to the shrunken dragon Jack gestured up the wall. Receiving a silent nod Jack moved away from the wall before rushing towards Red. Planting his foot into the cupped hands of the dragon he was launched on top of the wall. Reaching down he hoisted up his companion. The two dropped to the other side, watching over the grounds to make sure no one was around. Jack pulled magic from around him to cast shadows over their forms, obscuring the view of anyone that might look at them. "This will hold for only a little while so we need to get a move on." Jack whispered, getting a grunt in reply. What light there was cast from the heavenly body above revealed glittering paths inlaid with gems of all shapes and sizes, walls carved of smooth obsidian, and plants that normally couldn't survive the environment of the Badlands without expensive care.

One thing was the structure's in front of him architecture. Buildings jutted left and right with hanging passages connecting between them. Stones with markings of figures or scenes covered the grounds and even the mountains face itself. Red raised a claw to point towards one such scene. "That's the fall of Reaver and that one over there is actually of my ancestor Stormcaller. He was the one that made our family personal guards of the Dragon Lords after the defeat of Reaver." He said, growling lowly. "These markings are only allowed to be placed over burial sites of respected warriors past. To think Grater would go so far as build a place over one." He added.

The two continued forward sticking to any deep shadows they could. Both cast glances at each other as a feeling settled in their stomachs. This was a home of their target a dragon of wealth, so why weren't there any guards or more noticeable security measures. "Send out a scan Jack, somethings being hidden here. Scorch warned, he and the others in Jack's head keeping watch for anything threatening.

Without even waiting Jack raised a hand in front of him, a circle appearing in front of his palm etched with runes. "Let's see what dirty secrets you are hiding from us Grater." He thought as a wave of magic spread out from him. He felt multiple marks of magic sources pop up but it was when he felt a cluster of marks that sent a wall of revulsion through his system did he fully realize the severity of the situation. "You absolute idiot..." He mumbled, grabbing Red's arm. "What's the rule on destroying a site like this?" He asked.

"Death of course, these places house our greatest champions or mark a glorious battle. Why do you ask?" He questioned, turning with suspicion to the human. "You aren't thinking of damaging this place further are you?" He accused.

Jack looked around before tightening his grip on Red. "Reaver's already tainted this place. Your hero's are being used as slaves now." He said, pointing downwards. "Below us is where they are hiding." He added, waiting for a violent reaction from his larger companion.

Leaning in Red growled "You are saying they are below us right now?" His free arm slowly pointed a clawed hand at Jack's throat. "You best not be lying to me punk." He sneered as flames burst to life in his palm. Without warning he slammed it down, the floor around them melting into molten rock as they quickly fell down. The floor gave away to open air revealing a cavern full of holes containing corpses of dragons.

Jack spread magic over their bodies to strengthen them as they slammed into the ground, a cloud of dirt and rocks flying around them as the molten rock dripped from above them. Surrounding on all their sides were twitching, half decayed corpses of dragons. "Does the removal of reanimated corpses of past warriors allow me a pass on damages to a burial site?" Jack asked, his hand slowly brightening.

"humph, as the head guard of those that protect the Dragon Lord I'll provide you special permission. Just keep damages to a minimum." Red grumbled, flaring his wings out as he grew in size. "Now let's purge this sickness so they may rest once more." he ordered.

The corpses lunged towards the two with howls and gurgles. The two split up, dashing into their own side of zombies. Jack let loose the magic he had been collecting into the closest corpse, blowing it's arm off. Squatting quickly he dodged a bite that would have taken his head. Sending a fist upwards he punched through the jaw of the offending zombie, feeling a slimy tongue shifting the jaw fragments around his fist. "Oh that's just disgusting." Jack groaned, ripping his fist free while taking the rest of the zombies head with it. Shaking it free he looked at his hand now covered in ooze. "I'm soooo taking a long bath after this." He whined. A fist connected with his cheek sending him flying past Red's position.

Red caught one of the diving zombies in his claws, ripping it in half before batting away two more. Dropping the body he let loose a column of flame from his maw, reducing all in front of him to ash. "You all may have been champions of your times but I stand above all others!" He roared, slashing into a corpse approaching him. When Jack flew past his attention was taken from him for a moment but it was enough for some of the reanimated to climb onto his form, weighing him down as they tore at his body, slowly removing scales. Ripping at the he fell to a knee, anger building in his chest.

Jack shook his head as he pulled himself from the wall. Scanning over the area he saw Red being engulfed by the Zombie crowd. Sending blasts forward he sniped the bodies off of his larger friend, walking towards him while keeping the ones approaching himself at bay. "Ah ah ahh! No touching." He joked, finally reaching Red's kneeling form. "New plan big guy. I'm going to turn into something not really pretty just don't attack me ok?" He explained to the slowly rising dragon

Breathing heavily with flames leaking with each breath from his mouth Red snapped "Fine, just leave enough for me to vent my anger on."

With that concern out of the way Jack's body began to crack and twist into his monster form. The blood leaking from his face where he was hit turned black as he and Red rushed the enemy together. They tore through the bodies, limbs flying into the air as each bit, clawed, or burned anything that crossed their paths. Congealed blood poured from the corpses as they shredded apart. Each grunted in effort as they themselves took slashes or bites, opening their own wounds.

Soon the two stood with heaving chests as all the zombies lay dead once more at their feet. Red shook his body to knock off the chunks of rotting scales that got stuck to him while Jack wiped the blood from his face. Looking around Jack spotted a table with a few papers peeking out from under a body. Walking up to it he hefted the body to the side, letting it drop to the floor as he looked over the now stained papers. "Income, expenses, etc....Wait, what is this?" He muttered to himself as he looked over a strangely marked document. The writing was in a language he couldn't understand yet it clearly looked to be a piece of importance. "Hey Red! Come here a sec." He yelled to the now slightly less covered dragon.

Stomping over Red looked over the humans shoulder at the document he held up for him to see. "When the time comes open up the gates to...JACK WE NEED TO GO NOW!" He suddenly shouted after mumbling aloud, grabbing the human before launching them back through the hole they had come through. Once they broke the the surface Red threw Jack into the air while he shifted fully into his dragon form. Catching the human once more now on his back Red flew at a feverous pitch back towards the capitol.

"Mind telling me what's going on!" Jack shouted over the rushing winds, clutching at the spikes along the dragons back. "What gates was the paper talking about?" He asked.

Red's wings were beating as fast as they could rocketing them through the air. "Grater's going to open the gates of the city to let not just the undead under Reaver's control but Reaver himself in! If we don't get back now the city and all in it will fall!" He explained.

"Shit!" Jack shouted, magic welling up in his hands. Sending the power through Red he boosted the dragons strength, allowing the large reptile to fly faster. "Grater must have known we would come for him somehow. I'm going to spike his head on a spear when I get my hands on him." He added.

The two could do nothing else but help each other fly as fast as possible back to the capitol. both of their minds on their respective cares.

an hour prior

Ember happily moved with Twilight through the halls on their way back from finalizing routes. "So tell me more about this Jack figure. Clearly he's more then meets the eyes if he's caught the princesses, some of the elements, and even Spike." She asked to the purple furred woman.

Rolling her eyes Twilight let out a small giggle. "Where do I even begin. The man has no sense of self care. He's dove head first into danger to save some of us multiple times even getting close to dying from those times. He sings, cooks, dances, and seems to have some piece of advice for any situation." She listed, sighing happily.

Ember smirked at how the young princess talked. "Sounds like you like him just as much as the others do." She teased, pressing into the smaller woman. "I'm sure the others have already had some thorough experience with him. " She teased further, enjoying the blush that appeared on Twilight's face.

Stammering Twilight tried to come up with a rebuttal before hanging her head. "I mean yeah, it would be impossible not find something in him that attracts you. I just worry when it's my turn to court him I'll mess up..." She said, fidgeting with her fingers.

Giggling Ember poked at Twilight's ears to distract her from her thoughts. "Let me give you a bit of advice from someone who went through the same things. As you know Red is head of my personal guard but he wasn't always there. Originally his brother was supposed to lead but after a threat against me that his brother failed to stop the big idiot stepped in to save me. Of course I chewed out his brother at failing at his job but I also promoted Red to head. Over time I got to know the red oaf quickly falling for him. But want to know what I did to finally get his attention?" She explained, looking the mare in the eyes. When Twilight silently nodded she leaned in with a smirk. "I was so nervous not knowing how to ask him out I just ordered him to take me on one and want to know the best part. The big boy had never been on one so he kept stumbling around trying to make it perfect and what not without realizing I was panicking just from being on a date with the guy." She further explained, laughing loudly at the memory. "Basically what it boils down to is don't let yourself second guess yourself or you may miss it. I've seen how ever brief we met that he cares about all of you deeply. Just ask and I know he'll say yes." She finished, patting the mare's head before marching further down the hall. "Now come one! We gotta meet up with the others if we want to let you all go shopping." She ordered with a laugh.

Twilight stood stunned for a moment as her brain took in the advice. Eventually she snapped out of it running after the receding Dragon Lord. Neither noticed Grater moving around the bend with a amulet around his neck towards the throne room.

As he stepped into the room he began to nervously laugh to himself. "Time to finally earn my rightful spot as ruler of this peasants." He whispered to himself, approaching the throne chair. Sitting into it slowly he sighed in satisfaction. Flexing his claws he kneaded the armrests. "I can't to enjoy the luxuries this job provides. The wealth alone!" He spoke to himself. reaching up he removed the amulet to gaze into the deep black gem inside. "All I need to do is let him in and then it's all mine." He said, raising the gem high above his head. With a heave Grater threw the gem to the ground shattering it into fragments.

A black cloud began to ooze from the pieces, collecting in the center of the room. A massive clawed hand reached from the depths of the cloud to grab one of the pillars close by, it's grip dissolving the stone in seconds as another hand only made of bone reached out, touching the ground. Soon bent, misshapen legs touched down below the cloud as the rest of the black smoke rose up the legs revealing more of a body. Large openings showed bare bone and spilling organs, a tail split in two, finally reaching the head were a face half burned to the bone with rotting flesh swinging from it's unburned side. The figure inhaled the black smoke in one deep breath before sighing heavily with satisfaction. A deep groan of pleasure escaped the massive body. "Ahhhhhhhh, it is so good to be back in my throne room." The figure spoke, casting an eye around the area. "Could use a bit of decorative change but that can be easily fixed with a few heads on spikes scattered around." It muttered.

"Um uh excuse me sir what do you mean by your throne room? Isn't it supposed to go to me?" Grater asked shakily, staring up at this imposing figure.

Looking down at the short and fat dragon covered in jewels the figure gave a brief hum as if in thought. "That's right I did promise you the throne didn't I?" It spoke slowly, looking over the now smiling dragon who's tail was wagging. "It's a shame though that I don't care for keeping promises." The figure sighed.

Stopping his wagging Grater looked at the figure in confusion. "What do you urkhh!" He began before feeling something go through his chest. Looking down Grater could see a clawed hand pierced through him. As blood began to leak from his mouth he weakly looked to the figure. "B-but mas...master Reaver. You promised..." He weakly whined.

Reaver let out a low chuckle. "You should have known not to make deals with the devil weakling. It always goes bad." He lectured with a twisted grin as he lifted the smaller dragon closer to his opening maw. A sickening crunch could be heard as Reaver consumer Grater. Smearing the blood he tried to wipe from his mouth he gave a small hum. "Bit to much fat for my tastes but it'll have to do. Now time to bring apocalypse to the living." He said to himself, stomping on the ground three times as clouds built over the land.

Lighting struck all around Jack and Red as the capitol finally entered their view. Fires could be seen rising along the buildings with many dragons flying through the air. "Damn it, we have to find Reaver. If he dies the others should follow." Red said, pushing himself as hard as he could.

As they flew into the capitols air space they soon had undead flying behind them launching attacks their way. "Let me handle them big man!" Jack shouted, turning in his spot to face the enemies. Imagining a bow in his hands he nocking and firing arrow after arrow towards the enemies, striking wing joints to send them tumbling back down to earth. A flare shot shot up into the air near their position drawing his attention. "Shit Red, turn to the left!" He shouted, pointing out the elements and Spike fighting off zombies with some dragons.

"We can't stop or else Reaver could get to Ember!" Red tried to argue back before feeling a sharp pain in his wings. Looking back he could see Jack forcing them to shift their direction. "What are you doing? Didn't you hear what I said!" He yelled.

Jack pulled hard, turning them in the direction he needed to go. "Just fly over! I can't leave them and besides they have powers that could help us!" Jack shot back.

Red groaned before adjusting, letting Jack ease his grip. "Can't believe you expect me to waste time landing near them." He grumbled.

Letting out a laugh at the complaint Jack smiled. "Who said anything about landing? Just get closer and then head for the castle. I'll catch up with you." Jack ordered. Once Red soared over the girls and Spike Jack tilted himself to the side, slipping off with ease and now plummeting to the ground. Giving a holler of excitement Jack spread his hands out to his sides, large multicolored wings made of magic appearing at his back. The wings didn't slow him but they did launch large beams of condensed magic below him, pinning any undead to the ground while catching them on fire.

The group fighting for their life looked up to see the descending human, lightning illuminating his figure. "Jack!" the group shouted, rushing to him as he stuck the ground. The saw him slowly pull himself from his squat and salute to them.

"I leave you all alone for one day and this is what happens?" He teased, doing his best to lighten the moods around. "Come on everyone. I need you all to head for the castle right now, Twilight and Ember are most likely in big trouble and we need to get them out of there." He ordered, pointing to the large structure where the clouds seemed to swirl from.

Applejack stepped forward, grabbing Jack's sleeve. "Mind telling us what in tarnation is going on?" She questioned.

"Yeah, why the hell are there zombies flying around?" Rainbow complained, gesturing wildly to everything happening. "It's like the apocalypse is happening or something!" She yelled.

Jack continued running in his spot only held back by Applejack. "Undead super dragon, evil magic, Twilight in trouble. Now let's go!" He listed while slowly dragging Applejack along.

The others looked at each other before agreeing silently it would be better to ask further questions later. The group began to work their way up the roads with a few dragons staying to fight. Fires burned around them with a few bodies laying across the streets. They took a small comfort as most seemed to zombies and not those of the living. "Who would do something like this?" Fluttershy quietly said, looking at the destruction around them.

The group continued to move through the city, avoiding any fighting that blocked their path while Jack worried how Twilight was doing. He quickly stowed the fear in him as the castle gates entered his view. Not feeling any undead near the grounds other then a large mass coming behind them. Jack shouted to the group "Everyone! Move through the castle as fast as you can. Stay together and do your best to look for Twilight and Ember." He commanded, stopping to turn back at the hoard of undead swarming towards them. Cracking his knuckles Jack stepped slowly towards the all of twisting flesh and claws. "Looks like I need to provide some last rites for you all." He smirked in excitement as the Omegas and Scorch continued to search for their targets. Diving into the wave Jack laughed with maniacal glee at being able to let loose without worrying about others getting caught up in it.

"Left side, duck, jump over, blast to the right." Brave coached, letting Lucky and Scorch do their thing. "Bit of warning when we find Reaver. Don't take him lightly or you won't even get to take a step at him before your heads separated from your body." He lectured as Jack tore the spine from a zombie missing it's legs.

"Aye aye captain!" Jack replied, smashing the spine back into the zombie. Blasting magic at his feet the earth liquified trapping the remaining undead moving. Taking a few steps back he started to punt the heads off the bodies sending them skyward over buildings. As the last one stopped twitching he rested his hands on his hips. "that should do for now." He said in approval, turning back to the castle when suddenly the ground began to shake. Looking to his destination he could see a monstrously large figure rising from the center with a glowing orb shielding a purple mare and blue dragon in one hand and a limp red dragon in the other. "No!" He shouted rushing forward towards the monster.

Red Was just flying over the castle walls when multiple undead slammed into him from above sending him tumbling to the ground. Earth flew in all directions as his form skidded along the ground. Roaring in anger he bite into the closest undead, ripping them off him. The others clashed against his scales, chipping or breaking them off leading to him bleeding slowly. Igniting his flames he spewed them across his body heating himself up while torching the others that clung to him. As the last one turned to ash he stood slowly with smoke rising from his body. "I'm killing Reaver as soon as I see him." He grumbled, stomping ahead to the open door to the castle with a few stumbles at how much energy he's had to burn getting here. Passing past the threshold the sounds of chaos outside dampened uncomfortably as if a barrier had been placed along the walls.

A deep laugh echoed through the halls as he made his way to the throne room. "So a new hatchling comes to challenge me?" Came Reaver's voice. "Let's see if you can't provide more entertainment then this fake Lord could." He added.

Getting closer to his goal Red could feel darkness seeping from the environment. The taint sending chills across his scales but bracing himself as he finally stood in front of the throne doors Red heaved them open. What he saw make rage boil inside him. Reaver stood over a glowing shield which contained Twilight who looked ready to pass out from exertion and an unmoving Ember. Spiked heads of dragon guards scattered the room, banners that once depicted legends now changed to tattered rags showing Reaver destroying the world.

Waving his hands around the evil dragon boasted "Like what you see? Decorated it all myself." He laughed cruelly before slamming a clawed hand down on the shield further pushing it into the already broken ground. When Twilight gave a cry of pain his laugh grew. "I just love the sounds this one makes. Much better then the weakling she's protecting. That one wouldn't make a peep no matter how much I struck her." He said, black smoke rising around him. "But now I have a new toy to break!" He shouted in joy, gesturing at Red who was still unmoved from his spot. Cocking his head to the side the dracolich smirked "Well don't just stand there hatchling. Let me see how hot that fire burning in you is." He coaxed, spreading his arms wide.

This snapped Red out of his freeze. A mighty roar left him as he lunged forward, claws extended in front of him. Fire engulfing around him as he flew over Twilight's shield and into Reaver, both dragons crushing the throne chair and into the broken wall behind them. Flames sprayed from the hole in the wall as Red did everything he could to rip into Reaver but each wound closed just as fast as it opened.

Twilight's attention was taken from the battle happening behind her to the familiar outcries of her friends entering the room. "Over here!" She shouted to help them find her.

As they rounded the corner the group gasped at their friends position. Rushing forward they were stopped by a wall of darkness spiking up from the ground. Shadow figures peeled themselves from the darkness in front of them, clattering onto the floor. Spike stepped forward with his hands clenched in fists ahead of him. "Girls, focus on getting the wall down. I'll keep them back for you." He said, ready to put the fight training Jack had taught him to use. Feeling pats on his shoulder Rainbow Dash and Applejack stepped next to him.

"What and leave you with all the fun?" Rainbow teased, cracking her neck.

Applejack flicked her hat a little higher. "We ain't leaving you alone in this fight. Same goes for you Twi!" She added, stomping her hooves into the ground.

The three clashed with the shadows while the rest worked along side the dragons that followed on removing the wall. Things were kept to a standstill as they worked until Red was launched out of the hole in the wall behind Twilight into the shadow wall. "Rahh!" He growled in annoyance, shaking his head as Reaver casually strode back out. "You'll never win." He shot at the undead master.

"What makes you think I already haven't?" Reaver joked, growing slowly in size. Sending a hand forward black tendrils launched out striking Red across his body, scales and blood leaping from him as his wounds deepened. Reaver's body soon reached the point it was pressing against the ceiling, cracks forming across it. "I'll consume this world and that fool who thinks he could order me around!" He shouted in glee, picking up Red's weakened form and Twilight's shield orb.

"Everypony run!" Twilight yelled down to those working on the shadows as the roof finally broke apart letting Reaver's form to continue growing. His laugh filling her head with despair at how things have become so terrible. But a new sound caused her to look around as whistling could be heard over the din of chaos around them. Then a voice roared over everything as she finally saw what was creating the whistling.

"LET GO OF MY PRINCESS!" Jack roared, his fist slamming into Reaver's cheek snapping the undead's head to the side as a glow of light engulfed Jack's form.