Cry of the Midnight Wolf

"And that should be the last of them," Jagged Breeze sighed as he sat down, watching the remaining tatzlwurms dive their way underground, eager to get away from the pony who just killed seven of their ten-piece group. Having to deal with the creatures of Everfree was one thing - the timberwolves weren't that bad, and the manticores knew to stay away from his stone projectiles. The tatzlwurms, however... they needed a lesson. Brushing his white-and-black mane out of his face, he brushed of his light red coat before yelling, "And don't you DARE come back!".

Ever since he was given the land of Ghastly Gorge as a reward for taking down a group of Windigoes that were harassing Appleloosa, he had been all the busy taking care of the creatures who tried to make him leave. From manticores to rocs - even a hydra tried - only for the remaining in the groups to tread away, head hung low in shame as they discovered they could not succeed. Due to Jagged's ability over wind and earth, he could manipulate the area around him to defeat his enemies.

Stretching his forehooves, he walked towards his cabin, located on the side of the cliff. It took him roughly three years to build it, but thankfully he managed to make a convenient living home for himself, and made sure to add a few guest rooms in case anypony wanted to visit, leaving him with a two-story house, complete with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, large kitchen, basement, and a wide garden in the back.

'I get too lonely around here,' he thought as he closed the door behind him and began to brush his hooves off.

"Well, it's a good thing I came over for a visit, eh?" a voice stated from his kitchen, as if reading his mind.

Turning in surprise, Jagged's jaw dropped as he saw a familiar creature lean over his counter, drinking from a teacup that he did not own. His long, slender body was covered in brown fur, while his draconic tail ended with a tuft of white hair, matching his facial hair on his gray face. His eyes were misshaped, and were yellow with red pupils, as well as him having a single fang sticking out of his mouth. The most interesting part, however, was his appendages. He had two horns, one of a deer antler, the other a goat horn, his right arm of a lion, his left of an eagle's claw, his legs were from a green lizard and a goat, and his wings from a bat and pegasus. Seeing that he had the pony's attention, the draconequus chuckled before snapping his fingers, creating a second cup in the process.

"Tea?"

"What do you want, Discord?" Jagged stated coldly, his horn beginning to give off a faint red glow to accommodate his coat, while his blue eyes were watching him, unwavering from his target.

"Can't some old friends just have a cup of tea and talk?' Discord asked in an melodramatic voice, tilting his head in amusement.

"Since when were we friends? You're the one who turned my old house to butterflies before letting a flock of robins eat them - and you STILL haven't payed me back for that!"

Despite the situation, the draconequus couldn't help but laugh as the memory came back to mind. It was funny at the time until Jagged threw a boulder at him the size of his face.

As he did now.

"OW!" Discord complained as he rubbed the sore spot. "What was that for?!"

"That was for breaking into my house," Jagged growled. "This," he stated as his horn glowed brighter. "Is for all the other shenanigans you pulled off."

Before he could react, Discord found himself flying through the roof of the house, having the air knocked out of him by a boulder launched at his stomach, albeit larger than the last one. despite the fact, Jagged was forcing the wind to push the draconequus higher into the air, forcing him to start losing oxygen. Sighing, he snapped, causing him to teleport back into the unicorn's living room, unbeknownst to Jagged.

"You know, that's no the way to treat your guests," he stated blandly, causing Jagged to jump at the noise. "I thought you would be better than that. Guess I'll have to show you a few manners."

He snapped his fingers, meaning to turn his table into a pile of french fries, but was shocked when Jagged started to scream in pain until he fell to the ground. In a stage of panic, Discord ran to his side and checked his pulse, and was horrified to find none.

"Well...that was new."

{*}

"Ugh...where am I?" Jagged asked, rubbing his head to try to remove the pain.

"Sit down, young one," a voice answered. "You are still weak from entering my realm."

Upon hearing those words, Jagged's eyes flew open as he looked around him...only to see a world he would never understand. The buildings were far larger than he could've imagined, but they were angled at different locations, as if there was an anti-gravity spell needed to get from one building to the other.

"Where am I?" he asked again, out of pure confusion.

"This is the Distortion World, young Jagged Breeze," the voice responded. "But your kind refers to it as Tartarus."

"Tartarus...Wait, does that mean - "

"That you are dead? Quite so," The voice chuckled as the owner of the voice came into view, causing Jagged's breath to go...well, jagged.

Before him stood a large serpentine dragon, far larger than Tirek at his full power. It had six long, shadowy tendrils sprouting from its back, each ending with a red spike. The serpent's black, grey and red body went well with the gold plating found miscellaneously across its surface, along with ten spikes on its body, five on each side. It wore a gold helmet, but its glowing red eyes stared right at Jagged - Not with hatred, but with curiosity.

"Allow me to introduce myself," the creature spoke. "I am Giratina, the Renegade Pokemon, and ruler of the Distortion World. And you, I believe, would like some answers."

"How - What - Why - "

"Take your time," Giratina chuckled. "We have plenty here."

After taking a few short breaths, Jagged looked up at the creature. "Okay. First off, what's a 'Pokemon'?"

"That is what the creatures from my home planet are called. Granted, we all have different names, but the species themselves are one."

"And this place...is Tartarus?"

"Yes, though I will admit, it has been some time since one of your kind arrived this close to my presence. The last one...I think his name was...Sombrero? Something like that."

"YOU KNEW KING SOMBRA!?!"

Giratina looked at the unicorn, a little irritated at the outburst. "Yes. That was his name."

"Do you know why he turned, then?"

"When he visited me, he was already corrupted, but struck a deal with me to give him more power." At this, Giratina chuckled maliciously. "As I do with you."

"Huh?"

"Tell you what, Jagged Breeze - "

"How do you know my name?"

"A minor detail. Now, as I was saying... I'll let you return to your home in Equestria, but on one condition."

"What would that be?"

"Your body was obliterated when Discord attacked. Granted, it wasn't his fault," he continued, which caused Jagged's eyes to go from enraged to confused. "Another force struck you down and used his powers, as to get you out of his path."

"Who was it?" Jagged practically yelled. "Who killed me?!"

"That, young one, you will have to find on your own. As for the deal...I will grant you a new body, along with new abilities. However, you will have to return as a Guardian Of Equestria to protect the princesses - and their citizens - from the trouble that will come."

"What's the catch?" Jagged sighed, knowing there was one.

"...they may or may not be able to recognize you."

"So... I have to return to Equestria as a complete stranger, while protecting the princesses?"

"To put it easily, yes. Do - "

"Deal."

Giratina blinked. "Are you sure?"

"Meh, don't see what could go wrong with this." Jagged shrugged. "Might as well give it a go."

"Very well, then," Giratina stated curtly before part of his helmet opened, revealing his mouth as he let out an ear-splitting screech, which caused a portal to appear. "Once you go through the portal, you will have everything you need there. Good luck, Jagged Breeze."

Rubbing his ears in annoyance, Jagged glared at Giratina before breaking into a full gallop and running towards the portal. As soon as he went through, he barely heard the Pokemon chuckle.

"...Or should I call you Lycanroc now?"