The Black Dragon

by Slendy

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Human, Sad, Other, Thriller, Original Character, Monster Hunter, Violence, Crossover, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death
Length: 8007

A lone hunter and her trusted companion make a final stand against fate itself, against Fatalis.

Prequel to Indomitable

A lone Hunter and her companion stood in the smoldering walls of a fortress, a wasteland of death and destruction overtaking the once lush and vibrant land now bathed in crimson skies. A monster revived to revel in devoured flesh and crushed bone, to make blood run dry. For its fire to burn through metal and blacken the lands, boiling their rivers. Fate has awakened.

Published 2020-11-02 11:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-12-22 22:55:53 UTC

Wyvern of Destiny

"White and gold."

"Blue and black."

The Lucario sporting a red bandana felt his brow twitch, ears folding downward, "How, how is it even remotely - hold on, you don't get a say, half your vision is covered by your bangs!"

The bat pony beside him scoffed under her royal-blue hood, blowing said bangs, "How do you get a say when your sense of fashion is as wide as a pebble?"

Zen crossed his arms. "I'm a human that got Isakaied and turned into a Lucario, your argument is invalid."

"'I-sa-ki-ed'? Wha-?" Yui ran her wing down her muzzle, groaning, "Again with the references! No one else gets them but you!"

Not far away, a person observed. Human in appearance compared to the many equines passing by the odd couple who continued to argue about the colors of a dress behind a shop window. It brought a gentle smile to their lips that they were doing well, these kinds of moments were ones to treasure. With a click of their fingers, the figure vanished before they were spotted, not that they cared.

When that light faded back the world was that of a mirror, rather, like the ground was a thin layer of water, refracting the boundless sky and radiant dawn on the horizon. Sat alone in the middle of this mirror was an isolated island, flora blossomed on its grassy shores, an ancient willow tree's vines gently swaying in a silent breeze, revealing through the lush green tethers the person, a woman, sat by the foot of the tree, comfortably nestled between two of its roots, a book open on her lap.

She wore whites, her brown, woven boots, swinging left and right as she skimmed the pages with silky fingers, and while her eyes were obstructed by a golden scarf that moved in tangent with the tree, the words were as clear as this otherworldly realm. Brushing her marigold bangs from her face she continued, speaking to nothing yet everything like a mother to a child, finger gliding down the words aged by its era. Merely feeling the echoes of those once present at the signing of this tome gave her a subtle shiver. Death.

The words of a native tongue spoke of weapons that would forever inflict conflict, cause the ground to tremble. Some would wail songs, turning light to twisted darkness. Others would inflict wounds never to heal, some draining the life around it to satisfy the eternal spirit shattered within. Parts of hide would meld to their wearers, they became stronger yet fell to whispers of desires for more, driving them to insanity, yearning for bloodlust and death.

Above all else, one piece stood out, the memories coming to life while she spoke, conjuring a world familiar to her eyes, and one she least expected to see again.

"Hasn't there been a song stuck in your head? A song sung by children all across the land? A song with soul," The text began. "Sung diligently in the streets and in the alleys, what is that song? The Legend of Death-" The world around her darkened as she read further. "-Death by a giant wyvern has been revived, it is the Legend of the Black Dragon."

"Everyone should know it as it is based on a famous fairy tale, however, I think the fact that everyone is singing this song is actually a sign," Whoever wrote this tome meant it as both a grim warning and of a final plea to those that would regrettably never learn of its secrets, "They say children are always the first to foretell the changing of the world, they are said to have a special sense for these kinds of things."

"I have gathered as much information as I could from all possible points across this world, to tell of this tale that is merely shrugged off as myth, sadly, no one believes me," The woman sighed at that, how many worlds have fallen due to that single strand of doubt? It was endless to try and recall. "So I begged for a mere few pages in hunting to express this, to inform all that are willing to learn the Legend of the Black Dragon."

"It is said that it exists everywhere in many forms and reimagined context but the base tale remains the same, the song's meaning is unaltered, so, allow me to share with you this melody, while it is not a joyous one and while the context may change depending on where you are, the message remains unchanged." The final page in the tome stung her fingers the most, and a faint, black miasma lingered on the notes, as though a spell awaiting a voice to enchant it.

When the world is full of wyverns
The legend is revived
Meat is eaten, Bone is crunched.
And blood is sucked up dry
He burns the earth
And melts through iron
He boils the rivers
And mows down trees
He awakens the winds
And lights an inferno
He is called Fatalis
The wyvern of destiny
He is called Fatalis
The wyvern of destruction

Call for help
Run for your lives
And don't forget to pray to the skies
He is called Fatalis
The wyvern of destiny
He is called Fatalis
The wyvern of destruction
Fatalis, Fatalis
Heaven and Earth are yours
Fatalis, Fatalis
Heaven and Earth are yours

Once her words were spoken, gone was the radiant realm she took comfort in, replacing her calm exterior for one of critical thinking. Even as her spirit traveled through lost memories even she felt that which still cursed the tome in her hands, that same cold emptiness was alive in these memories, and was beginning to awaken in this downpour in the dark skies beyond.

Author's Note

Just a small something I wish I added from the beginning to drive home the rather dark tone this small story is meant to sell. I wormed my way through small snippets from weapon text to find more accurate depictions of what this monster is capable of, even in death, or some would like to believe. To those that are new, enjoy this retelling of a Legend.

While this is a small story set before Indomitable, you don't need to read it to understand this story :twilightsmile:

The Black Dragon

The sounds of screams were only muffled ever-so-slightly under fire and ash that rose into a sky beyond the walls, agony, chaos, all these horrors mingled into a siren song of torment under the crackling of hellfire and powerful thrash of wings. The strength blew the stench of ash through the roads and past ruined buildings and walls that barely stood against the massive torrents of spiral flames that riddled its faces. The landscape, it's once lush green now barren rock and black under hooves, what little that remained standing. A harrowing shadow loomed in the crimson skies, sweeping across the world, setting it ablaze with vicious speed and terror, a bellowing roar straight from Tartarus shook the bones of many, and scarred many ears for miles.

Inside the stone walls of the keep, several nobles surrounded a table, all either frightened by the continuing attacks or remained utterly still, as if the world would break under a single hoof. All eyes and ears were to the white unicorn with a light blue, wavy mane, stationed on the other end of the table, his magenta eyes never once leaving the many tapestries that decorated the hall, almost reminiscing on a time before this great calamity.

With a heavy heart, he sighed, "There is no more time, our actions have merely stalled its assault, we beckon our demise if we prolong this fruitless test of valor." His decision was absolute, no amount of ponies or magic could stop this creature. Just as he declared this, the walls trembled, chips of stone falling from the ceiling. Closing his eyes momentarily he spoke solemnly to his audience. "We must live, if not for ourselves then for our descendants, so they may know of Equestria's foolish plight against fate."

"But your Highness, we can't just leave-" One of the noble's spoke against the matter, but another slammed his hoof down

"If we stay any longer all of us will perish!" Their ruler let them bicker, his attention both to the door to the left-hand side of the throne and to the main doors that slammed shut with two figures, one of which was one of his most trusted knights. The sight was enough to raise a relieved smile to the aged king

"King, if I may suggest something?" The pony in silver armor etched with intricate designs from head-to-hoof, almost all of the pony within was concealed behind the gleaming, silver metal, a black-metal buckler fixed to his left forehoof and a matching sword strapped to his side, jiggling as he motioned with a hoof

Behind him, a creature standing taller than the king on two legs. Dragonhide was weaved together with scales and spines laced with a red undertone across the studded spines; Constructing a suit of armor that hugged the female creature's body nicely, her defense that of the toughest dragon scales, strength comparable to that of the wyverns themselves, and with claws hooked around her fingers and toes, a pair of black wings tipped with crimson like the many accents of her armor.

The helmet gave her the look of a demon, crimson horns twisted alongside the red gem fixed to the forehead, slits in the visor providing her optimal sight. The weapon, a longsword, she carried bobbed against her back in its straps, a complete contrast to her otherwise devilish armor, pristine white meshed with gold scales lining the curved guard and fixing the light blue blade to the body of the sword and its ruby. the tip of the blade dipping into a deeper shade than the rest, the edge having been concealed behind its scabbard.

One of the nobles sneered at the two. "You dare enter the King's Court at a time like this?" His eyes were jaded. "You should be out there, keeping that thing busy-!"

"ENOUGH!" The King's voice thundered throughout the hall, himself having heard enough bickering for one night. Breathing through his nose he eyed the two. "My apologies, please, Artorias, speak."

The earth-pony, Artorias, nodded, then slowly looked to his companion behind him, smiling under his helmet. "I... we would like to purpose a chance, for our kin and fallen brothers, for you my King, and... for our future,"

Another noble snorted. "And what, pray tell, can a single pony and his pet, pos-" His throat was silenced as both the Knight and the creature behind him drew their weapons, posing them at the stuck-up pony. "W-What are-"

"Our magic is exhausted, my comrades have fallen, stallions, mares, foals, all have either escaped or have been... culled," Artorias' voice strained, lowering his weapon with a flick of his hoof, the odd yet useful mechanism inverting the blade for him to slide back into his scabbard. "I implore you to observe the situation and graciously stick your inflated ego where the sun can't shine." The creature behind him snickered at that, sheaving her blade.

"Moving on, our plan is... an irreversible solution, if we go through with this, the chances of our survival are next to nothing, sir," The proposition struck several in the hall, again with a frightening rumble from outside to remind them of the looming threat that was currently running rampant through the kingdom

Slowly, the King answered, "And... you have considered all possible options?" A single nod, "You are willing to sacrifice yourselves for a pony like me?" Those words alone made them gasp, though Artorias remained firm

"We know the stakes, and we'll battle harder than any other day in our lives, defend our home, even though we are ultimately outmatched," The female human stepped forward, patting his helmet gingerly, assuring him of their choice together. "We will fight until the bitter end so everypony can escape,"

"If we give up then absolutely nothing will remain for a time when others may stumble upon our past, maybe even the creature who would be waiting for them, perhaps they will give this old, battered keep one final day of triumph," This was absolute, even if his King were to order it, his hooves weren't moving, and neither were hers.

Once more, the King was silent, hearing the door behind him open to reveal a few guards and the white unicorn with a long, pink mane and tail, worry and fright etched into her expression. "Hmm, it is not my place to judge you both," Even if he told himself to refuse their offer, to spare two more lives of this calamity, a decision had to be made. "...Artorias... Nana, I offer you my thanks, how little it's worth right now."

Artorias chuffed, breaking his formal mannerisms for a brief moment, perhaps the last he would share with his friend. "Don't start with the theatrics, I'd like my last memory of you to be a little less mortifying," The two shared a small laugh as the King's daughter stepped forward, the last of the guard arriving in the grand hall

"Your Highness, everything is ready, we must depart immediately!" One saluted to the King's affirmative nod, stepping toward his daughter who's eyes wavered between him and the Hunter and Knight

"D-dad, why did he say l-last memory of you?" That look in her eyes was almost too much for them to bear, however, sparing her this grief was unavoidable. It didn't take her long to figure it out, seeing as neither of them replied. "N-no... no you're coming, right, right!?"

Nana shook her head, thereby breaking the dams of the Princess' eyes as she shook her head. "Please... i-it'll kill you..."

Artorias pondered on what exactly could he say, this wasn't his forte, combat was all he really understood, well, until Nana showed up, but he was still grasping the concept. So, he took a decisive step toward the weeping mare.

"I am sorry, Princess," He rested a hoof on her mane, ruffling it as her tears slowly fell. "My words may not be enough right now to convince you of our motives, but, allow me to say this," He reached down to tilt her chin, her eyes meeting the helmet visor placed between them. "You have be strong; take action, Princess." Her eyes started to water more, scrunching up her face as she found her muzzle pressed against the warm armor of the Hunter, her arms wrapped around her back to allow the young filly a final moment with her closest friends - no, her family

"Arty, Nana... please don't go," It was hard hearing her cry, Nana hated it, she'd be lying if she didn't feel afraid at this very moment, to calmly accept your own demise was... unexpected, although her sudden career change upon arriving in this magical world was also unanticipated. Patting her back one last time she pulled away, allowing the King to comfort his daughter, his feature relaxed but his eyes sharper than any blade

"Your odds?" He inquired, the duo looking over one another expectantly. Both then grinned under their helmets and nodded

"In our favor as always, sir," Artorias' quick salute and tap to his buckler signifying his confidence; Or until the whole world shook with a terrible roar, one of the towers outside crashing down with a mighty crumble and wave of debris and dust. "We'll buy everypony enough time to escape!"

"Wait!" They froze mid-step, turning back to their ruler and his heartbroken daughter resting under his hoof protectively. However, a small but sad smile broke across his muzzle. "...may the sapphire star light your way, my friends."

Nana froze at the words, remembering them all too fondly before facing down the calamity-breeding Elder Dragon known as Shagaru Magala, the remnants of the Frenzy Virus infused into her weapon. "Goodbye." Was the one word she spoke, turning and sprinting for the large doors alongside Artorias, neither looking back on their choice to dare challenge fate

The world was still on the brink of chaos, the skies tainted red with a downpour doing very little to smother the many fires that broke out far and wide, it was as if the very horizon was set ablaze among dark clouds. The moon's crystal white appearance felt off and eerie as if it somehow didn't belong in the sky any longer. The duo rushed through to the forward courtyard that overlooked a larger portion of the kingdom from above, it had everything they needed and more, all thanks to Nana's forward-thinking of past sieges on the kingdom.

The familiar sights of ballista not scorched to molten slag, a used but sharp drill nestled deep inside a raised battlement that overlooked a large open courtyard at the edge of the cliff. It was almost a tragic beauty, so see what exactly compared to the end of the world as they walked beside one another, the many trails they've faced together stretching into their minds.

They fought through mysterious jungles, windswept plains, and the tallest mountains. Trek through snow and caves carved like labyrinths, battled with monsters across scorching sands, and braved volcanic lands. From standard to Subspecies, and Varients, even the infamous Deviants and the mightiest of Elders. Now, all that meant nothing here, for the Hunter felt it as she did when facing down her first Great Jaggi, anxious, fearing the unknown.

"Ready?" Artorias hummed, both stepping into the crimson light

She answered by stepping forward herself, taking the vanguard. Something stirred under her, very subtle, barely above a hum but it was the first of any form of life she had felt in this hellish place. However, both she and the Knight eyed one-another, then continued to examine the area, yet her ears remained taut.

"Something's wrong, he's not circling the kingdom anymore..." His worry traveled to her, she sensed it like a nagging feeling against her crown, something was watching them, critically evaluating their movements. The world went silent, even the sudden rush of rainfall that looked almost like blood became deathly quiet.

*Rumble...Rumble*

She stopped, raising her hand for the Knight to prepare as that same rumble stopped, her heartbeat slow and steady, every blink made her sweat, fearing It may appear in that singular instance. The Hunter's head snapped forward, jumping back. Her hands reached for her belt, prying off several items, she didn't need to know what they were and simply threw the contents down her throat between her visor's slits, her muscles became stiff and her skin felt firm, most of her senses sharpened as far as humanly possible.

The ground tore itself apart, the bricks uprooted by a pair of large claws, hooked into the edges to pry them apart like a pair of doors. The head snaked through, wings darker than the skies threshed, blowing away dust and debris as the Hunter stepped back from the wind pressure. A low, bellowing snarl rumbled amongst the rock, a thin tail swiping away one of the battlements.

Painted below the crimson skies the massive figure rose proudly before the Hunter, eyes laced in malice, death hung around its figure like an omen of destruction. Rigid, onyx scales lined the serpentine body, the wings aged and broad, able to send fissures across the castle, the towers trembling. White, irregular spines jutting from the vertebrae.

The long neck sat high in the air above itself and the Hunter who was left rooted beside her equally startled ally. Four backward-facing horns jutting across the scalp with a row of enlarged bottom teeth, the maw licked with flames and swished by the forked tongue.

What stationed the Hunter was that of the beady eyes, clouded in almost unspeakable depths of hatred and scorn under a glowering veil of orange, this dragon embodied the very contrasting traits hidden under the helmet of the Hunter, destruction etched across its thick scales. Gradually, the Hunter finally made her move, lifting on hand over her shoulder, the clasps of her blade were undone, prying the longsword from its scabbard for her hands to clasp tightly, shuffling her feet into a far more flexible position alongside the Knight, himself drawing his sword into the leg-brace with his buckler tapping off the cobblestone, himself stepping back toward the battlements.

The dragon sneered then unveiled an earth-pounding roar that shattered the sky, lightning clashing high above their heads under the powerful vocal force, wings fanned and head swaying left and right to usher forth its declaration to the Hunter and Knight that foolishly stood in its path. Her hands merely held true, and her eyes ablaze with the memories of countless foes that brought her so far.

"Now, time to fight fate one last time!" She smiled at his boisterous words, she couldn't agree more.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note

Surprised? Got the idea to post this old project I had planned before Fatalis returned to Icebone. This is basically an interpretation of Castle Schrade, only now an old kingdom set long before Princess Celestia and Luna's rule and before Zen's arrival to Equestria. This a two-part story so the next piece will be up tomorrow, I hope you enjoyed it, appreciate the support, seeya tomorrow.

Next: Fade to Black

Fade to Black

Fatalis brought its head back instantly, unleashing a torrent of flames that splashed into the arena, forcing the Hunter to flank right, its gaze followed it, the tail thrashing round to swipe at her feet. Nana moved quickly and carefully, leaping over the limb and craving her blade through the thigh of the dragon, only for the said leg to toss her aside and into the line of the dragon's maw.

She rolled, a large fire blast tearing apart the ground as she inverted her blade, red energy gathering around the edge before she brought the blade up horizontally then down in a vicious slant through Fatalis' approaching forelimb, spinning under its raised stomach for a slant, followed by a thrust through the abdomen, her blade splitting the skin while a hail of ballista fire snapped across the weakened scales.

Fatalis hissed, the neck snapped around to bite down on the blade, spitting fire in Nana's face before his tail swiped her across the castle and into one of the battlements, dislodging several bricks as his throat sent forth another flaming burst to intercept. Staggering to her feet the Knight leapt in and shoved her aside, the two narrowly evading the molten smear on the wall while Nana gave a nod and ran around the looming black dragon, spilling the contents of her health potion through the slits in her helmet.

Slithering to cut her off, Fatalis brought its right arm forward, throwing large rocks in her direction while it felt his chest boil with unfathomable heat. Her blade made quick work of the projectiles, her momentum almost unstoppable. That's when her eye twigged on to Fatalis' sudden retreat, herself quick to slide and pull herself down to the floor.

A bellowing roar laced itself in a furnace of flames, the torrent spanning far across the ruined kingdom, demolishing a distant tower with a massive eruption of flames, the lingering embers caked his teeth while he brought his head down toward Nana. Her legs worked on autopilot as she brought her longsword high to slice Fatalis' gum, diverting his neck into the wall beside her.

She picked herself up and ran under the massive frame, the claws swiping as she swiveled under their powerful thrash. The threshing of the left-wing tossing her out and into the waiting tail. Airborne, Nana spun herself vertically, carving across the spines and shattering a few scales upon passing the spined tail. Fatalis didn't relent, drawing his form low to spew a long line of scorching flames to sweep the arena, forcing the Hunter to dive behind a column, the top half severed under the roaring flames.

Peeking around the column she gasped and rolled as a massive charge of fire was sent across the arena, decimating the remains of the column and alleviating her of any cover. Drawing her slinger she snagged the claw into the raised battlement in time for the snap of two jaws behind her, the tail suddenly appearing before her. She disconnected the cable but it was too late, the spined tail flicked itself across her face, shattering the helmet as a warm sensation stained her face.

Tumbling down near where her friend watched with unwavered eyes, himself countering one of Fatalis' talons with his buckler, though the strain was massive compared to any other creature he had face before. Nana wobbled to her knees, hands pressed firmly to the ground as blood dripped to the bleak, lifeless rock. She felt her left eye sting from the crimson substance, her dandelion bangs clung to her forehead and bloodied face. Just an inch ahead of her was her trusty blade, it too tainted with red, a mixture of hers and Fatalis' blood.

Why she was here swam through her mind, it wasn't about the glory, that she knew for certain. To understand the wrongs of her ancestors? No... it was partially but something else stirred in her head, keeping her hazy eyes focused, assured that she was in fact still conscious even as a shadow slithered into sight, a low growl emanating behind crooked teeth while a silver pony darted around the limbs, carving through scale and flesh.

The Guild long before arriving in Equestria entrusted this to her, a secret written off from history, the fear and dread of just merely knowing Fatalis' name and the chaos It has and could very well rain upon humanity was terrifying, but now that horror faced her today, torn from their world to this, and his destruction hadn't been quenched. Artorias, the King, all those villagers, every single pony that in their own way pushed her to hold a blade with confidence, if she dies then what's to say Fatalis won't leave the world beyond this kingdom in ruin someday? Their memories lost forever.

Gritting her teeth, Nana pulled herself from the dirt, clenching her fist around her blade to turn and face down the searing flames that gathered between the jaws of destiny. Sliding the surface of the blade across her palm she widened her stance, enveloping the sword in a cherry red glow, emerald eyes locked to the black dragon. Then, a nod.

From the battlement behind her, the wind tugged sharply as the spring locks groaned and snapped, releasing the serrated drill, the Dragonator, from its maw, spearing Fatalis across the side of his stomach, diverting the fire blast into the sky for a flaming display, embers scattered as the dragon crumbled to the ground with a wail, blood and flesh clung to the Dragonator as it retracted with some resistance. Then a sudden barrage of cannon fire slammed into Fatalis' stumbling frame, chipping its spines while forcibly slamming the right-wing into the earth.

"Go, Nana!" The strong voice of her companion gave her a fixed grin, unleashing the built-up energy from her longsword, thrusting toward the crown of Fatalis with haste. One teaching continued to pound away in her skull, pushing her with every beat in her chest, 'Never underestimate your opponent'.

The tip of the longsword tore into the scales, slicing along the horns as she twisted and hoisted her form higher than Fatalis, the silver eyes glowering up at her own gaze as she brought the skies down atop his head, a wave of crack split the horns and the pavement cracked. Her retaliation hadn't ceased, drawing her blade to the left hip she swung in an inverted 'V', fueling her weapon's strange attribute for accumulating strength, the red glint radiating with every slant and cross of blade to scale, but it was all too optimistic.

Fatalis' eyes snapped wide, head snapped round to batter into Nana while regaining his footing, using the left to sweep at her feet, forcing her back while he himself did the same, drawing a powerful nova to his maw, producing a blast that shattered stone and kept her from advancing as Fatalis gave chase, wings sweeping the dust, his teeth clamped the air above her ponytail as her blade skated down his throat, her legs sprung around, carving a long crescent through the left foreleg's talons, breaking several.

Sheaving her sword the Hunter sprinted for one of the baristas while Fatalis recovered from the assault, charging after her, spitting large, fiery blasts to keep her on her toes. Hopping up the steps, Artorias patted the now armed artillery mere moments of Fatalis stretching proudly to sneer down at the pony. From the left, Nana grinned, the muzzle of a second cannon-armed toward the position Fatalis was lured to, with a slap of the chamber and ignition of the gunpowder several cannons slammed and fragmented across Fatalis' left-wing and side, slicing and dislodging several scales, its demon-like head thrashing narrowly above the armored pony's head while he spun the ballista around to the reeling beast.

Locking the slide and pinning the sights on the dragon he let loose the blinder, the large arrowhead splitting into multiple hooks that flew up and over the legend, the wires locking the wings down, effectively grounding Fatalis who thrashed in the binding, snapping and tearing away at the walls to free itself but the spines had effectively worsened the binding.

Nana withdrew a glimmering scale, driving it swiftly across her blade only once, seeing it glint in the scarlet light before drawing her body over the wall, driving the blade through the wing, then swinging herself around to slice the legs with a multitude of slashes, her friend dashing around the dragon as he tore into Fatalis' hide alongside her, even as the wings snapped the bindings, Nana pushed off the tip of her sword, evading the spiral of flames that swept the arena, her sword coming down across the thick neck, blood finally splitting between the scales, causing discomfort for the unstable dragon.

Bringing her longsword high, she let her gauntlet's claw snag to its shoulder, swinging her above a fountain of flames spewed from its jaws. Decoupling the claw, she threw herself above its shoulder blades. With a sheen of crimson, her sword came down on the wings with a single, verticle stroke across both mid-thresh, Artorias copying her motion with his sword. Thick leather tore, ultimately bringing the massive beast down with them, herself rolling into a landing, hopping back from the snap of a maw while Fatalis regained its footing, eyeing the Hunter steadily.

Drawing her sword again to her hip, red took over for her powerful slash, Fatalis' eyes leered, getting down on all fours, scraping his claws across the burnt rock, licking his teeth. Both soon broke for the other, her blade came across like the horizon's edge, while his claw swiped all the same, both attacks connecting, both turning to face the other, a slash across Fatalis leg and a gash across her right bicep.

Roaring, Fatalis let loose another sweeping corkscrew of flames, ripping up the foundations of many weaker structures, he missed but refused to stop breathing out hellfire as he swept it back just as quickly, almost catching Nana as she dived, rubble turned to molten rock and ash in seconds while Fatalis let the flames die in the sky above, his claw coming down almost immediately, catching the girl off guard.

She winced, the talons hooked to the cobblestone, pinning her under intense pressure that would put any webbing to shame, if not for her armor she may not last much longer. Fatalis leaned forward, sniffing her form while applying more pressure to her body, hearing her struggle and whimper under his foot. With unshakable rage in his gaze, he readied to cremate her form to add to the wounds across his scales, another to be forever a part of his black visage.

This was it, she couldn't move the force applied to her, and she heard the legends, something inside her told her that what came next was to be the truth, too bad she'd never speak of it. Refusing to look away from her death all she could do was brace and pray their suicidal plan paid off, and that whoever was still alive had escaped in time.

*Shiing*

Something kept Fatalis from finishing building up his fire, his head and Nana's turned to the source of the weapon that threw Fatalis' head back in agony, a long, silver split running across the dragon's left eye. The silver-clad Artorias hopped back to intercept, blood dripping down his left hoof while he lunged, sinking his sword between Fatalis' talons while the monster thrashed its head in agony. "I got you, an eye for an eye, no?" She didn't need to see his face to know he wore that stupid smirk, but her own quickly faded, her hand trying desperately to push him away in time.

Fatalis snarled, swiping his tail around to crack against Artorias, his small body crashing into a nearby wall, a faint stain of blood staining the tail that snaked back around. Nana's face was frozen, unable to see a single twitch from her closest companion, that frozen visage immediately boiled over, anger feeding into her eyes while snatching her sword, Fatalis having loosened his grip due to the pony's quick effort to blind the beast.

Her blade came up without warning, eyes blazing green as her sword carving between skin and flesh, gouging through the left horn, splinters of the keratin, and bone fragments scattered, the force applied threw Fatalis back with a pained roar, shaking its now uneven head. Fury rose and Fatalis took flight, evading the rageful swing of the Hunter who snapped her eyes to the looming threat she felt a rumble in her bones.

She'd not allow it, before Fatalis got to the optimal height the reflection of his left eye came into view. It would be the last his eye would see, blood spewed from the eye socket, a diagonal swipe of her sword having gouged the optical organ out completely, leaving behind a bloodied scar and a boot print as Nana doubled over the massive frame of Fatalis, slamming down onto the courtyard again, losing her sword in the process.

"Nice... hit," She jumped, seeing the limping but otherwise living pony standing by, his sword shakily clasped into his scabbard. "I think I need a few days rest after this." His hoarse cough worried her, at this rate, neither would last much longer against the black dragon. Turning, the pair braced with what little they had, he held his bucker forward, and she withdrew a large carving knife, it wouldn't so much as dent a scale but it should do 'till she reclaims her blade.

Fatalis actually stepped back, tail brushing both attackers aside as the wings let out a massive thresh of hot wind, an almost unearthly orange glow emanating in its chest like a welling heat inside a furnace, cracks splitting the skin and scale. The great dragon bellowed a roar, taking flight from their arm's reach. Strangely enough, Fatalis began to sweep the air, shaking its head. "Is it... retreating?" Sadly, Nana never shared that optimism given what they've done to it.

High above the battlement foundations, the dragon snapped back, flames dripping from between its teeth as those orange cracks slithered up its throat, the core almost turning crimson. That's when Nana's sharp eyes realized what was coming. Her pony friend shared her expression. "No, guess not," His head snapped to a nearby, crooked barrier of metal, held up by supports. "RUN!!"

Fatalis brought its head down, spewing a thunderous tsunami of fire that swept the castle grounds as the pair sprinted for all their worth for cover just meters from their reach. The flames plumed, consuming them with unbearable heat, all Nana could hear or feel was her own heart pounding against her chest, the world smothered in orange and gold. Even her feet were burning within her armor, the ground pure white under the waves of heat that smothered the earth and blanketed the sky, the barrier was only a few feet away, they could make it!

High above, the flames cut briefly, Fatalis' whole body instantly expelling a final, inferno that radiated like the sun, so much to sound rang in Artorias' ears, so he made a choice as their protection was far too out of reach, atleast for him. A small smile split underneath his helm, "Sorry... my friend." His hooves came forward with a buck, slamming into her lower back as she yelped, shoved face-first under the metal barrier while the nova of flames completely overtook the land, all except for her as she flung her head up and back to the wall of flames, almost jumping foolishly through if not for the heat blast that tossed her back.

Bracing the light with her arm, she trembled in fright as the metal wall above her groaned and bent under the massive torrent of flames, the edges curled and dripping with molten slag. It was an attack unlike any she had laid eyes on, a power so untamed, so unrivaled that the once gloomy world was cast not just in crimson but a fierce orange that burned across every wall and tower, Fatalis' roar carried far across the wasteland set ablaze in a single tsunami, battlements, and brick stripped-down, flattening before his might and flame.

Most if not all of the castle and its structure were set ablaze, walls and distant earthquakes told of many old structures failing, either the flames or the force of air pressure blowing them away, turning the once majestic fortress to a desolate and hellish landscape fitting for the black dragon's reign. Crashing down from the sky, the earth split once more, Fatalis gathered his fire, chest cracked with golden-orange like a living furnace while his eye-locked to the Hunter who slowly rose to her feet.

Her metal cover sloshed to the ground in a pool of molten metal, whatever her eyes landed on, not a trace of a silver sheen of pony armor caught her view, just... fire and brimstone. Hollow, that was all she felt now, a part of her life stolen from her by the black beast that snarled at her living form. That idiot had been glued to her since she stumbled upon this kingdom, what a strange but wonderful world, she knew the Guild would think she drank too much if she said she became a hero among talking, colorful ponies that use magic, even just the 'Magic' part brought a small chuff through her throat.

Her right arm hung limply by her side having landed on it badly, leaving her with not much else left as a weapon. She stumbled toward the middle of the battlefield, Fatalis building more fire than he's produced in centuries all for the sake of erasing the Hunter from existence, even a burnt outline would be reduced to nothing for his now blood-smeared face.

Jaw trembling, the flames rose through his throat as Nana stumbled forward, her foot tapping against the blackened Knight's lost sword, she couldn't believe it, how could it still brace those flames? She summed it up to magic, this world loved to throw the term around, but it did bring a pained smile across her lips as she bent down to pick it up in her good hand.

Giving it a quick spin she craned to face down death itself, the heat already drying her tears. Fatalis hadn't won yet, even if it was foolish to fight fate itself. Yet, had no one before her, before this new world, tried to test the universe's limitations where would humanity be? Shuffling into a weak stance, her weapon was drawn behind her, blood dripping down the hilt to the blade.

Charging the beast, Nana dove to her left, slicing down its throat as the jaws barely missed her, the tail swept round, forcing her to leap, bracing the pain in her side as the tail brushed a small wave of flames. Turning quickly, Fatalis brought its head around, flames spurted forth as a powerful blast, again, forcing her to retreat as the area she once occupied was blown away in a fiery inferno, the sheer force knocking the wind out of her dazed form. Fatalis suddenly swept through the flames, maw wide for its prey that could barely register the counterattack.

*Boosh!*

A small bolt of ice struck Fatalis' face, forcing the dragon to lower its mouth and snarl at the discomfort as it followed the evaporated contrail to its source. There, standing atop the battlement to the far left was another pony wrapped in blue robes, their hood concealed their features but two blue eyes stared back, a horn coming to life underneath. "We have not given our best yet, monster!" The elder unicorn declared, exciting a challenging roar that split the cobblestone between them both.

Not wasting a second, Fatalis disregarded the girl and sunk its front legs and wing-talons into the earth, spew a wide-spread wave of flames at the pony, a strange, blue wall conjured in the center of the fiery wave that died slowly, returning the world to dark red. Fatalis hissed, and the thick wall of ice fell apart, the pony nowhere to be found among the wisps of vapor. Suddenly, a magical 'pop' was heard to its right, drawing the black dragon's gaze to a large arc of ice that rose from the ground, striking its jaw, stumbling the dragon as the tail whipped, shattering the wall while the same pony ducked under the appendage, ice gathering around their horn.

Furious, Fatalis lunged at the mage pony, firing a spiral of flames that knocked the pony down as it tried to evade, seeing only the sharp talons that came crashing down, or atleast until a powerful strobe of lightning slammed into his bloodied eye socket, causing Fatalis to reel pain, claw narrowly missing the ice mage in favor of merely spitting three large torrents of flame at the third attacker, this one moving swiftly from the flames, a sword drawn in their gold magic as another purplish-blue webbing of bolts materialized from the tip of the blade, disorientating Fatalis into a frenzied charge. While he missed the sheer mass of Fatalis threw the roguish knight back on his haunches, the tail slicing through his breastplate.

Concentration returned to Nana, spotting the rugged knight and wizard battling Fatalis as it turned, struck by both a current of lightning and a stream of liquid ice, the two elements blinding the one-eyed dragon as it threshed its wings, blowing the two back while its tail collided with the new knight, his sword unable to withstand the power behind the tail with massive arcs of crackling gold and purple stretching between him and the overpowering appendage.

"Grah!" In a blinding flash of light, his magic surged, causing both the blade and his horn to shatter into fragments, the tail battering him into a nearby wall in an instant, rubble, and brick burying the pony dead or alive.

"Foul beast!" The older pony snarled, disappearing in a plume of frost before another ball of molten slag could roast him alive. Grasping Artorias' sword, Nana sprinted toward Fatalis' backend, the beast following the visible mage while more streams of ice and long edges of frost struck from the earth, battering and shattering off the unmoveable black dragon that followed the pony's eyes critically, flames licked between its forked tongue.

The mage ran toward the right, only for a wing to crash into the wall, cutting off his escape, then another to his left, pinning the exhausted elder between the jaws of fate that soon scorched the earth, his horn able to discharge one final spell before orange and yellow consumed his eyes in a second without a hint of remorse. Nana ground her teeth at the sight, the wings dusting off the charred earth carelessly to face her. The small motes of blue light twinkled across her sword, giving the edge a finer blue tint as she swung in horizontal slants through its right foreleg, leaving small contrails of ice to form in the wounds, earning a grunt from the dragon that forced her back with another thresh of the wings.

Both Dragon and Hunter sized the other up, neither giving in as a low snarl bellowed from within Fatalis' throat, then came the sudden downpour of arrows from afar, shocking Nana while she ran back, evading the tail that tore up the earth. It was unclear where the arrows originated from, but a pained smile crossed her split lips, whoever was foolish to stay she silently thanked, throwing off the monster's aim for a mere moment. Drawing high, she tore the edge of Artorias' sword through Fatalis' cheekbone, twirling to deliver a downward thrust through the snout before rounding back to chip a fang.

Then the world caught up to the Hunter, a sudden, painful sensation tearing from her stomach as she found Fatails' head swinging back in retaliation, bashing across her abdomen, the horn hugging her stomach as she was thrown across the ground, blood coughed from between her teeth while a warm sensation trickled from her stomach, blood staining her armor and the ashen cobblestone below. Everything either spun or was ringing when she braced the large gash through her armor, spitting up more crimson liquid that tinted her gloves, hunched over against the heavy vibrations that thundered toward her.

In seconds that small bite back had been run dry, those arrows were a mild inconvenience for Fatalis, she knew no weapon left in the kingdom had the same kind of strength as her own weaponry or Artorias', combined with the Dragonator needing more time to reset her options were completely numbered. Even her slinger was reduced to bent sheets of metal and sprung wire. This only made a sad smile form again, it was funny really, to think this was even considered a 'Monster', no, not Fatalis, this... visage of rage wasn't comparable to anything but itself.

While the heat tickled her paled and numb cheeks, Nana took one final stand, eyes heavy and blurred, managing to focus the single, piercing gaze emanating from the black abomination before her, eyeing herself in the smudged reflection across the sword. "...I'm coming home... buddy."

The last thing the Hunter could see was the bright horizon behind Fatalis, the roar of thunder as her feet broke across the concrete, sprinting with all she had left toward the flaming jaws that would become the last image stained in her mind. With a blood-soaked weapon and a remaining spark in her eyes, Nana tore across the gap between her and the massive dragon, his wings hooked to the ground, and his mouth snapped wide with a purplish-blue flame swirling within.

In the shadow of fate's calamity, a legend was forged, another ended, and one who with their last ounce of strength witness both with captivated eyes that soon faded to black.

End

Author's Note

And it all fades to black. I hope this okay rendition of the Black Dragon, incorporating a few tweaks from his revamp, and do note I wrote this 'Before' I fought him in Iceborne so his crazy new moves aren't here expect his supernova attack. As you can see, not everypony was willing to give up hope, even at the end.

I hope you enjoyed this small story, I appreciate the support as always, seeya next time Hunters.