The Price of Greed: To Slay a Dragon
Rarity stepped forward into the dark cave. The shadows clung to her white fur as she moved farther into the gloom. Tears began to form in her blue crystal eyes, while she held a sword with jewels shaped like her cutie mark. Her luminescent unicorn magic, was the only light guiding her way through the cavern. It sparkled and waved, moving in sync with her slow breathing. As she continued into the dark, Rarity began to hear the deep breathing of a dragon. Spike was there, no doubt about it.
Rarity's heart pounded with a deep regret. She was about to kill the dragon, that used himself as a pincushion for her. The dragon that gave her the beautiful ruby she wore around her slim neck. The young dragon who was mothered by her best friend. Of all ponies, Rarity knew, Twilight would grieve most. There was no way in all of Equestria that she and her friends wouldn't regret this. It was the only choice they had, and only Rarity could fulfill it.
Dragon Rampaging in Ponyville
Only two days ago, a dragon with purple scales and green spikes, attacked the small town of Ponyville. Luckily, the five friends of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and herself, were able to safely drive the beast away. However, the dragon now inhabits a large cave nearby, carved into a mountain towering over the Everfree Forest. There were no deaths in the attack, but many ponies were harmed.
After an interview with Princess Twilight and her friends, we have come to the conclusion that, somepony will be sent to slay the dragon if it causes any more trouble with the citizens.
Princess Twilight stated, “If Spi-, I mean; the dragon causes any more destruction we will have no choice but to, remove it.”
Hopefully no more damage will be done to Ponyville or it’s citizens.
-The Equestria Press
“But you can’t go!” Sweetie Bell exclaimed, clinging to Rarity’s leg. Rarity stared at her sister with a great sympathy. They both knew she did not want to slay any creature, especially the one so many ponies held dearly.
She sighed,” I know of your concerns darling, but we have no other choice. If I don’t slay the dragon, Spike, more ponies could get hurt; or even die.” Rarity wiggled her leg away from Sweetie Bell’s grasp, and picked up a beautiful sword with her magic. Sweetie Bell stared at the sword in awe. It had a shining new silver blade that seemed to glow in the light, a few sparkling crystals shaped like diamonds engraved into the handle, and a sewn on tonsil at the end.
Sweetie Bell protested as Rarity neared the door of the boutique, “Why can’t Twilight slay Spike!?”
Rarity turned for a moment to respond, “You must understand that Twilight raised Spike, it would be an even bigger burden for her than anypony else. I need to use my generosity to help her and slay him myself, I know we will regret this, but it’s for the good of Equestria. Especially after, it was my fault.”
Rarity ignored her sister as she continued to argue. She was not going to make Twilight do this. This was her duty. Her fault. She was going to fulfill it.
Ponyville Fashionista Sent to Slay Dragon
After a second attack on Ponyville by a dragon, there have been two deaths, and many citizens were injured. After this sorrowful event, somepony has been sent to slay the dragon; a mare going by the name Rarity, currently living in Ponyville. She has three shops across Equestria, and is a close friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Ms. Rarity has already begun the climb to the dragon's cave. It is expected to be a 1-2 day journey. Hopefully, Ms. Rarity will be successful in killing the dragon, and no more destruction will come to Ponyville.
-The Equestria Press
Rarity pulled herself up another step, inching ever closer to her destination. The sun beat down on her, burning at the skin below her snow-white fur. She sighed as she reached the halfway point on the mountain, gasping heavily. Beside her, the gaping mouth of a pitch-black cave clung to the mountainside. Rarity set down the sword Applejack made for this, and took off the necklace around her neck. She stared into a beautiful ruby, held inside of the thick golden bonds creating the necklace. The ruby was a deep crimson, shining in the daylight. Rarity caressed the ruby with her hoof, slowly, as tears formed in her sapphire eyes.
Rarity stood up and sighed, beginning the walk into the cave. She picked up the necklace, put it around her neck, and held up the sword with her magic. Her hooves stung with the pain of grief and sadness as she entered the darkness. All around her, there was no color, no sound. Not a single noise, but Rarity's hooves knocking on the cold stone floor and the distant breathing of a dragon. Rarity continued down the cave, waiting for her inevitable collision with Spike.
After what felt like hours in the dark Rarity felt heat, and saw a blinding light. Her eyes adjusted to the new light and realized what was happening. She gasped in fear and stepped quickly back as green fire appeared in front of her. It nearly burned her, and her heart beat louder than ever before. Spike moved forward into the light of Rarity's magic, causing Rarity to back farther away. Spike charged up his fire and the light burned at Rarity's eyes. She jumped to the side just as Spike let the fire pour fourth. Rarity swung her head back, only to bringing it swiftly forward. The motion sent Rarity's sword forward, lodging it deep into Spike's arm. She pulled it out with her magic, and Spike roared in pain. Rarity felt blood jump from the sword to her cheek, and tears poured from her sad eyes. Spike roared again, following the light of Rarity's magic.
Rarity turned around, unaware of her surroundings in the dark, and ran into a wall. It caused her to drop the sword, and fall to the ground. Suddenly, she felt heat on her back, and turned around. Spike was getting ready to fire once again. Rarity jumped out of the way, and felt her hoof cut on something sharp. She let her eyes try to focus for a moment, and she detected the slight outline of the sword. She picked it up with her magic, and winced as Spike roared again. Rarity grunted in pain as she stood up and shot magical sparks into the air. They lit up the area just enough for her to see clearly.
Spike was siting on the floor of the cave, his long neck was searching for Rarity below him, he held his back strait so he could see the complete area. His chest and belly were completely exposed in the new light. Rarity reared up the sword and aimed for Spike's chest.
"I'm so sorry! This is all my fault!" She screamed as she sent the sword forward. Spike noticed before it was too late. The sword impaled his chest and he roared. The blood streamed down his belly, and he fell to the ground with a thud.
Rarity ran over to Spike's side, tears covered her face as she fell to the ground. She regretted it immediately, wishing there were some other way.
She stood up and sniffed. Only for her eyes to catch a light in the dark. The sword was glowing slightly as a spark fell past it. The blood clinging to the sword dripped slowly to the ground. She walked to it, and pulled it. She stepped away and carried the sword with her out of the cave.
Ponyville Fashion Designer Returns Safely After Slaying Dragon
Just a day before winter came to Ponyville, fashion designer, Rarity returned from slaying the dragon that previously attacked Ponyville. A reporter in Ponyville said she returned back soaked in tears. She immediately went to Princess Twilight's castle to return the sword she carried with her.
We got an interview with Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends to discuss the dragon's importance to them.
Applejack was first to answer, "To be honest, that here dragon, was raised by Twilight. His name was Spike, and he was very kind to everypony."
Fluttershy continued on her comment, "We don't have any clue to how he became a greedy monster, it's in a dragon's nature to be greedy, and it speeds up the growth of one exponentially."
Rainbow dash finished the thought, "Spike was cool, I'm pretty upset that he's gone, but hopefully it was for Equestria. Emphasis on the hopefully."
Many ponies suffered from the attacks, let's all pray to Celestia that things stay safe.
-The Equestria Press
Author's Note
This was so much fun to write. I really enjoyed it. If anyone want's me to, I wouldn't mind writing a Prologue. I'm not sure how I'd explain how Spike gave into greed again, but I'm open to suggestions. Anyway, everypony stay safe and have a wonderful day!
