Upon the Blackest Night

Upon the blackest Knight

A deep growl left him as he stared at the pitiful site of the dragon before him. “You are a disgrace.” Those are the words that left his maw.

The young dragon that stood before him just gazed, not saying anything. Black onyx scales covered his whole body with dark charcoal gray underbelly and wing membranes. One third his height, barely reaching his belly and not an inch more. Silver eyes stayed upwards towards the giant form before him.

Dragon Lord Torch glared at the young dragon, wondering what truly was going to his mind. Perhaps, the most horrid of things, the most evil of things… or perhaps, nothing but anger and hate.

Either side of him, guarding him were two other dragons twice his size, securing him. Torch had them for security and perhaps… insurance. Personally, he wanted to get rid of him and end him there, but the fact he was not even into his first century made him hesitate to kill him.

He decided for an optimal punishment, one that would hopefully make this easier on his mind, though no less burdensome.

“Your crimes have nearly cost the lives of dragons as well as ruin the peace between us and the ponies. While you are lucky that we have not brought down the ‘heavens’ upon us, you will suffer for your actions.”

The dragon remains silent, staring up at the Dragon Lord, not seeing him as his Lord or his equal. He merely blinked, not glaring at him with anger or rage, but hidden. This only unnerved the mighty Dragon Lord because it was a controlled anger. He was not breathing heavily, he was not ranting, nor was his posture hostile. He was calm…

Eerily calm… and despite him being a third of his size, Dragon Lord Torch felt a small amount of concern at what he could be capable of.

With a small wave of the Dragon Lord Scepter, he pointed directly at him. “For your crimes, I Dragon Lord Torch, sentence you to sleep… for half a millennium! You will sleep and have your awakening in five centuries, unless degreed by me or another dragon lord. Though when I pass on my time, I will make sure that the next Dragon Lord knows of your crimes and… to make sure that they never let you go!”

It came out as a growl and it was meant to be a threat, but it made the dragon before him not even flinch. He chose to remain silent and even as he was being led to the cave, his stoicness made Torch annoyed.

The cave was far from the Dragon Lands, but within the edge of the boundaries it held. This would be far from the prying and curious eyes and have it so secluded that he wouldn’t be bothered by any dragons searching for a cave in the middle of no wear, let alone a small mound just peeking out of the ground.

The chains of iron rattled and fell off him upon the desert floor as he was led in, where a large boulder was set to the side, ready to entomb him. A single hole, no bigger than his head, was at the top, providing a single light source to him, so should he wake, he would only see the days pass around him.

Not fighting the way or the words of the Dragon Lord, the black dragon entered and made his way until the light from above stood on his head.

Torch and the other two watched as he studied his prison before turning to him. His eyes locked on to the Dragon Lord and for a moment, Torch thought he would speak his voice for the first time. Instead, his eyes said everything to him and that was all.

A single word crossed his mind, a single dread of pure power left the dragon and entered the mind of the Dragon Lord.

‘Vengeance.’

Not allowing the moment to linger any longer, The Dragon Lord lifted the Bloodstone Scepter and pointed at him.The stone at the center glowed bright red and with a single command, he spoke the word.

“Sleep.” The black dragon slowly began to close his eyes, the command taking over. Yet, he was fighting it, staying up on his legs though quivering at the command.

Torch growled and twisted the Scepter. “I said, sleep!” The glow brightened and finally, the black dragon slowly lowered to the ground, the power too strong to disobey. His eyes continued to drop until they shut permanently and a soft snore began to take over the cave.

Torch stayed focused on the dragon, wondering if his command would fully keep the Dragon asleep for 5 centuries in time. A few more moments and he felt like that it would stay true.

The crimes he committed have nearly ruined what stationary alliances he and the Equestrian Princess had between them. As is, he had to deal with the aftermath and possible rise of ‘hunters’ to coup with dragons that they may see as ‘rogue’.

Grumbling, he had motioned towards the other two dragons. “Seal it.”

Without hesitation, both dragons moved to the back of the large boulder and together, pushed it towards the front entrance and sealed it up. As the last view of the dragon was covered, Torch could have sworn he saw his gray eye had pierced the darkness and stared back at him. The boulder settled right in the front and encased the dragon within.

A deep feeling worked its way to the stomach and the Dragon Lord felt a bit of remorse. With the entrance sealed, he sighed.

His two guards made sure that there was no possible way to escape. “All secured, Dragon Lord.”

Torch gave a small bob of his giant head. “I hope so… for the sake of other dragons and the future.” With nothing else to add, the Dragon Lord and his two guards turned away, leaving the dragon to his sleep for hopefully the next 5 centuries and prayers to Bahumat that he never leaves or that there dragons never find him.

Eight decades later….

“What about this far out? Surely there can be something useful out here?” Princess Twilight of Equestria asked.

Newly ascended and crowned Dragon Lord Ember gave a shake of her head.

“Not this far, Princess Twilight. While I appreciate that you want to work alongside us and see what resources we can offer, I am not sure outside of gems and lava we can offer.”

Twilight gave a look around and saw nothing for miles. She knew that the geological survey of the area did provide a lot of minerals, but some ponies had claimed that with millions of years of volcanic activity, there was bound to be something.

Gems were out of the question since most dragons would burn you before you can even ask for some of their gems. There were metals out there that could be potentially useful for Equestria.

She sighed and gave a shrug. “It would help if maybe we had a hole or something to get samples of the land. A team of ponies said around here, there could be potential.”

Ember gave a shrug and gave a look around. Her eyes then landed on a giant mound of land that peaked above the ground. She pointed. “Maybe over there, it looks like it could be a cave.”

Twilight nodded and both flew a bit aways towards the mound. Flying they saw that from the back it burrowed into the ground so the front may be approachable.

However, as the two rulers circled, they encountered a large boulder in the way. Ember and Twilight slumped.

“Well there goes that idea,” she said glumly, landing on the front. The giant boulder was laid in front of the mound, almost as if placed there. In fact, when she looked around, there was nothing else in the area to indicate that this belonged here at all.

“So… might there be something in here?” Asked Twilight, studying the boulder and the mound. “This seems pretty random to be out here in the middle of nowhere.”

Ember agreed but looked at the giant boulder that towered them both, as large as an adult dragon.

“Yeah, though I would need to summon a dragon large enough to move this if we could, though it would take awhile for them to arrive.”

Twilight cracked a grin. “Don’t worry, I got this.” With a small crack of her neck, the Princess of Magic lit her horn and enveloped the giant boulder in purple magic. At first, Ember didn’t believe a pony like her would be able to move something many times her weight. Yet, her jaw dropped in astonishment when, almost with little strain on her effort, gently lifted the giant boulder out of the way off the ground by several feet and gilded it over from away from the entrance to the right. What earth had clung onto it fell easily away while the entrance slowly revealed itself.

Then Twilight gently let the boulder down and sighed. Ember was still in shock at what she had witnessed. She shook her head and looked at the princess with an uneasy smile. “Um… remind me not to piss you off. If you can lift that, I would hate to see what you could do to a full size dragon.”

Twilight winked at her before turning to look at the cave. Disappointment quickly consumed her and she saw that the cave was not deep as it would lead to believe. A single hole at the top illuminated the cave only showing a not so deep entrance and a big black rock at the center.

A rock that happened to be moving.

“Hey, what is that?” Ember saw it too as she saw the shape inside. Twilight lit her horn brightly and illuminated the cave bright enough to show that the rock was no rock but a creature.

Upon further inspection, both Ember and Twilight were shocked to see it was a dragon. It was curled up in a tightly coiled position. The dragon was promptly coated in a thick layer of dust and mud, perhaps over time of what little made it through the hole on top.

“Is that a… dragon?” Twilight asked. The layer of mud and dirt made it difficult to tell but Ember knew a sleeping dragon when she saw one. She had encountered long sleeping dragons for a while but this one. This is the first one that she saw that looked so… young.

Even in the curled position, Ember deduced that it was about twice her height. She couldn’t tell what scale colors it had, but she saw that it had large wings and tail that could curl around them both. Two pointed horns popped out of its head, but not overly large like adults so that showed signs of youth still.

The most noticeable thing was it was asleep. Male or female, there were signs that the dragon had been sleeping for a while.

“S-Should we wake them?” asked Twilight.

Ember shook her head. “No… well yes but, this feels different, Twilight. The dragon is asleep but… why was a boulder covering an entrance? Why be cut off from the world?” She then took another look around the landscape to the bare nothingness for miles. “And who would cover the cave with a dragon in?”

She shook her head then approached the dragon. She cleared her voice and spoke loudly. “Dragon, arise!”

Nothing. Deep layered but oddly low rumbled snores left the dragon. Ember snorted. “I said, Dragon! Arise!”

Her voice echoed in the cave but still nothing. She growled. She then reached behind her where she carried the Bloodstone Scepter tied to her back before swinging forward and pointing the gem at the dragon.

“As your Dragon Lord, I DEMAND YOU AWAKE!”

That worked. Silver eyes snapped open and locked onto Ember almost immediately. The sudden awake startled Twilight but Ember remained unfazed. She did see that without a doubt, the dragon was male. The eyes said everything.

The gem continued to glow and the dragon saw it. At first, he thought that shape was familiar and reminded him of Torch. But this form was smaller and a deep inhale, let him know it was female.

Oh… something he missed. Ember twisted the scepter in claws. “Rise.” She demanded.

The dragon rose. The dirt, mud and dust that coated him shook off his body, practically sliding off him with ease. In fact, as he rose, nothing remained on his body. His scales were black like obsidian, gleaming with what light came from outside and Twilight’s horn.

Ember watched a bit in awe as nothing short of beauty filled her mind. He was indeed taller but not so greatly that she could touch his head. His eyes remained on her as he rose, standing almost two stories. As he fully stood, he slowly flared his wings and shook as dirt remained, remaining stoic as he did. Standing at first to his front palms then sitting upon his haunches. Even sitting down, he easily could be about fifteen feet tall.

Twilight and Ember were in awe at the dragon. Both for the same reason, for neither had ever seen a black scaled dragon before. Hundreds of thousands of dragons of many different colors of the rainbow had filled the lands. Yet… none where ever the color of pure obsidian.

For a few moments, no party spoke, as the trio were trying to understand their predicament. He moved his jaw back and forth, grunting with low whines and deep growls, trying to find his voice.

“D-Dragon-n L-Lord-d?” It was a question, no doubt but it came with more acknowledgement. His head cocked to the side but the voice was deep and low. While he was young, there was pain and a discomfort to his voice.

Ember finally opened her mouth and gave a slow nod. “Yes, I am the current Dragon Lord.”

For a moment, he studied the young dragon lord. Young, extremely young that’s for sure, not even her first half century. How did she win the Gauntlet of Fire? How did she manage her power? What was her goal?

… Did she know who he was?”

He then focused on the alicorn princess next to her. “P-Pon-y-y?”

Twilight blinked at being mentioned, gave a nod and forced a smile. “Y-Yes, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Another cock of his head to the side. “E-Eques-str-r-ia-a?”

His voice was not broken though his vocabulary seemed limited or perhaps the sleep left him a bit disoriented. Another nod from Twilight.. He turned to Ember.

“A-Allie-s-s?” He asked her.

Ember nodded. “Yes, we have established a peace treaty between them.” A pause then she asked her questions. “What happened to you? Why were you placed here? Why was your cave entombed? Were you trapped?”

The rapid questions seemed too quick but he gave the best he could. “...Impris-sonment-t.” That was it. That was the only word he gave her.

Ember’s brow furrowed and she felt like there was more. She kept the Scepter leveled though not pointed. With a small edge of her tone, she asked. “What was your crime?”

For a moment, the dragon didn’t answer. A lie could be demanded for the truth, but the truth could pursue a longer sentence. Yet, he felt like that would not be the case. If a pony was alongside her, let alone one perhaps just as young as her, then this would be a different sentence.

He lowered himself to not be intimidating but kept his distance. Once lowered, he made himself focused on her eyes. A small connection was made and neither was sure how it happened. When he spoke, he meant it.

“...P-Pony v-village… I-I razed-d t-to the ground-d” Both female’s were shocked but he continued. “D-Dragon L-Lord-d T-Torch e-exiled me for h-half m-millennium.”

Ember watched Twilight who ran outside and began speaking erratically outside of the cave; Ember told the dragon to remain inside while she followed after. Twilight was pacing back and forth, running through a million scenarios. She was frantic though unlike before, she wasn’t wild on it but she felt like she needed air… lots of air and away from him.

“How many did he kill? Why would he do such a thing? How long ago was this?”

The list went on and on but Ember felt that there was more to simply burn a pony village. Was there a cause? Did they attack or was it… fun for him?

While Twilight was still figuring out what to do, Ember decided to ask him herself. With Bloodstone Scepter in claws and a frown to match her father’s, she went back in. Twilight remained outside, though she closed the gap to hear what she needed to.

The black dragon remained focused on Ember, though his stoic look was very calm. Especially when waking up after Bahumat knows how long. She had no fear of him, since the Scepter works easily enough but there was something about him that made her feel weird. Not bad, just odd.

She approached and stood close, though not within striking distance. She once more pointed the scepter at him and it glowed. “Speak.” Was her command.

Easily enough, he once more lowered himself to her level. “W-What is-s your c-command-d, Dragon L-Lord-d?”

Most try to resist or hesitate, much to Ember’s amusement. Yet… he didn’t, why?

Without hesitation, she brought up the topic. “You said Dragon Lord Torch imprisoned you here for half a millennium. Your crime was that you destroyed a pony village. Why?”

For a moment he stayed quiet, staring intently at the Dragon Lord before him. While his face shared no emotions that neither female could see, Ember could see that deep within his eyes, there held something else in there, something deep.

“P-Ponies s-stole d-dragon eggs-s.” Ember gaped. A pause as his eyes flicked towards Twilight then refocused on Ember. “P-Ponies-s took m-my siblings-s…” Then the first sign of emotion. A frown, a hidden rage boiled within. “B-Broken eggs-s, r-ripped s-scales…”

Ember's heart broke on the news and even Twilight from afar, gasped at hearing this. His silver eyes stayed on Ember.

She has heard of many horrible things before, but not something like this, yet… why imprisonment. Speaking, she was still broken by the news, her voice dry and hurt. “Bu- Then… did you not explain that to Fa- Dragon Lord Torch?” Twilight slowly made her way back, albeit with much cation.

“D-Did.” A growl left him. “T-Two eggs-s lost, o-over bringing the w-wrath of the h-heavens-s as he called-d them.” Then pain consumed his face and sadness fell over. “I-I took w-what they took f-from me-e.”

Twilight remained silent, trying to find words, any words about this. While nothing has happened within recent memory to indicate a pony village has been attacked by dragons, something was not being explained from either side after her recent ascension to Princess of Equestria or Celestia wasn’t aware… or didn’t tell her.

Ember was a different story and she could see genuine pain and sadness consume him. He lost his siblings and her father brushed it off. While she knew that prior to her birth, he was a crude and somewhat greedful Lord, according to other dragons, including her caretaker, that he had mellowed out after Ember had been hatched. He was softer in some terms and even going so far as to secretly treat her like a princess then anything else. But still, to let a dragon be imprisoned because he seeked vengeance on his kin?

Her emotions were conflicted at this point; since their treaty between Equestria and the Dragon Lands, trade routes, nearby housing and even shared properties had been established. Ponies and dragons along with other creatures have united. Not only that, but thanks to her best friend and close advisor Spike, it made it difficult because he brought her the magic of Friendship first.

She has come to enjoy his messages and even bringing her gifts every now and then for her hoard. She has come to like the little drake and while there was no romance between them, they have gone to secure each other with feelings as great friends and more.

Before she could speak any further, Twilight had gotten brave enough to come in and ask questions as well. With an even tone that she had learned from Celestia and perhaps even Luna, she spoke as a ruler.

“I understand your frustrations and need for vengeance,” Did she? He pondered. “-I still would like to know which village you…” A pause to gain her wits and sighed. “Destroyed so I know if it is withiness recent memory or a time ago. Perhaps the name, the year or whatever is possible.”

The black dragon blinked at her, studying the alicorn princess and turned to Ember. “T-Torch s-sent me to s-sleep for f-five hundred-d years-s. H-How long s-since he passed-d the T-Trials?”

“Trials?” asked Twilight, turning to Ember as well.

Ember gave a grunt and swirled the Scepter. “The Gauntlet of Fire.” She answered her but remained on him. Twilight gave an understanding nod then. Ember looked up towards him. “Torch announced the Gauntlet two years ago and I won. But he never mentioned you in any way.”

The dragon blinked but understood. He then looked around his cave to see if there had been any indication of time. He then looked back towards Twilight. “No-o known-n name at-t time. Vill-age was-s filled-d with p-ponies t-that wore a-armor a-alot. C-Carried heavy-y weapons-s, axes-s, swords,” A sudden growl left him. “Cages-s, traps-s for d-dragons.”

Twilight went wide eyes. “You mean… that there were already Dragon Slayers at the time?” She was genuine in her reactions and it did surprise him to know that she was as clueless about the past. Perhaps… she was a young princess. Then… that left the question of where is the other? She spoke on, seeming to gauge on her history and spoke as unevenly as himself.

“B-But C-Celestia never brought up a village destroyed inside of Equestria!”

“The borders hadn’t reached that far yet, Twilight.” Ember answered honestly. “Maybe that is why she expanded it up to that point.” Ember gave a grunt of annoyance as realization struck. “My guess is that it's been less than a century since Princess Celestia had expanded near the territory to the Dragon Lands. The layers of mud and the rock formation and decay also showed a lot of time has passed but not enough to be centuries.”

He remained silent. A century or less he had slept. A lot shorter than expected, but with outcomes far more than favorable. The current Princess of Equestria is young and inexperienced. Formal Dragon Lord is retired or dead. Current Dragon Lord is… beautiful.

But the true joy was that perhaps, he could have his vengeance in a different way. The similarities are so close that when he had opened his eyes, the familiarity was stark and nearly identical. Now… he had a reason to change his life and views.

He was conniving, quick witted and far more intelligent than he allowed to be seen. He said he did set a village ablaze but there was more. He did say that he was imprisoned by Torch for a crime. And he did say the truth that his siblings were taken by ponies.

He would speak the truth and he would continue to do so. Not because she can force him to do it, but because he was compelled to do so and he also would owe her a debt if she kept him awake. In fact, he would pledge it.

As Twilight and Ember continued to speak, he lowered himself down once more. This caused them to turn to him. Ember cocked her head. “What are you doing?”

He blinked as he looked at her. “I assume you will send me back to sleep?” His sudden perfect sentence made her pause but she still felt weary and perhaps angry… that her father had done something so cruel. “

With a soft grunt she asked, “While I know that Torch was no saint when it came time as a ruler, I still need to know if there was more done besides, partaking in burning a village to the ground.”

Again, he was compelled by her voice and heart to speak truthfully and honestly, despite the potential consequences.

“I came upon another village that was preparing to raise more slayers, but demanded that if they didn’t want their village in flames, that I kill their first born or kill the males to prevent more breeding.”

Honest, even, and cold. That was the tone. The underlying of it was vengeance, hate, and pain. Ember knew of it.

Twilight was there gaping like a fish out of water, astonished by fear and dread but couldn’t form a complete sentence yet. He did however speak on.

“I only killed a dozen or so ponies before Torch was forewarned of my exploits and dragged me back to our home in shackles. He hoped to do it quickly before your…” He blinked and looked towards Twilight. “-Former Princess of Equestria could intervene.”

The current Dragon Lord was in a dilemma that really annoyed her to no end. She never knew that being a Dragon Lord would come with so many difficult decisions that would literally involve rouge or dangerous dragons, well dangerous for ponies, and that it was her father who had burdened her with this duty unknowingly.

But something about this dragon made this situation so… weird. For one, he was no older than his first century(not counting the two that he had been asleep of.

She sighed and waved her scepter at him. “I don’t plan on putting you back to sleep,” She answered in a calm but heavy tone. “But I can’t have you going back out and possibly seeking vengeance on ponies, especially since it's almost been a century since this happened.”

Understanding that, he turned towards Twilight, who was still uneasy with the whole situation. “And… since Equestria is now allies with dragons, there are no more slayers, correct?”

Ember was about to answer that but paused and she too turned to Twilight, giving a questioning look at her. The sudden focus on her made her feel more uneased but as the new ruler, she had to do what she thought was best and try to handle the situation right.

“I-I am not sure I can fully say that there aren’t any slayers still around. While there have been no reports of them for almost 20 years, there are still areas that are outside Equestria’s jurisdiction.” She frowned and gave Ember a look. “Don’t think that we would support such a heinous act, Ember. If you ever encounter or hear of any Dragon Slayers, you can send me a message and I and others will come to deal with them.”

The black dragon gave a deep snort. “And what if they don’t listen to you, Princess?” His voice is deep with hidden malice but not towards her. “If your predecessor didn’t stop them before, what is to say that you could?”

Twilight’s frown focused on him. Despite the size difference, she had enough magic and power and experience to hold her own against him. “Because now that Friendship has helped save the lands and brought us species closer together, we can and will overcome those who want to harm any of us. Ember was there when the world was at stake, she knows that we will help her and she will help us when the time comes.”

Ember felt the truth of her words and gave a comforting nod towards her, knowing that it was true. Though she half expected him not to agree.

His silver eyes lingered on her for a few moments before turning back to Ember. “Is that the truth then Lord Ember?”

She looked up at him and gave a serious look. “It is. I trust Twilight and I know that if we can’t handle it, I can send her a message and she will aid us.”

Her voice was sincere and held true, something he had never heard from another dragon before. Much less… the dragon before her. He then turned back to Twilight and gave a bow. “Then, I offer my apologies to the Princess of Equestria and hope that if there is any malice still between us, that we can settle it.”

Twilight gave the dragon a once over, hearing no lie or anger from him, though the pain was still there. Giving a sigh, she spoke firmly. “Look, I can’t say that I approve of what you did to ponies but I will not deny that they were any better. I… am truly sorry for what they did to your family. If something were to happen to my siblings, I know that I wouldn’t hold back either. I wouldn’t kill but I would dish out other punishments.”

The black dragon seemed content with that. “Then I ask for your sake and ours, that we try to keep our species at check.” Turning to Ember. “Perhaps then, as a suggestion, we have diplomats or exchange species as a way too…”

“There are already dragons living in Equestria.” Twilight cut him off.

“And a few ponies live near the border of the dragon lands.” Finished Ember.

He paused, studying them for a moment before he continued softly. “Then… just as we have rouge dragons and you have rouge ponies, who are they to be dealt with if they cross one line or the other?”

The duo rulers looked at each other. That was a good question. Prior to this, Celestia dealt with ponies and Torch dealt with dragons. What happened when the lines and borders crossed?

Ember, feeling a bit of tension building, turned back to him. “We will… cross that line when it comes. But back to you. Now that we are at peace with the Equestrians, I need to know what your attentions are.” Twilight also wanted to learn this as well.

He remained stoic and it was difficult for any of them to really gauge his emotions for his face was of near perfect calm and what it takes many decades, if not centuries for dragons to master peace of mind.

Finally after moments of silence, he spoke. “My life is now in your claws, Dragon Lord Ember. While my past was consumed with vengeance, my reduced sentence and your allegiance with the ponies have left me without a clear path.”

“Do you still feel the need to harm ponies?” Twilight asked with seriousness.

A brief pause before he answered. “I have no need to harm any creature, but my heart still aches knowing that my siblings will not be fully avenged. I cannot in good conscience go after ponies now for these are not the same that have taken my family from me.” There was a glint in his eye, almost as if a tear threatened to come out while his mood also dropped significantly. “Their time has passed and so has mine. I am not sure what to do now. As is, my fate is in your claws.”

Ember felt her heart tug at his words and while she didn’t want ponies to die, he would be forever burdened with being alone and without siblings.

“And your parents? How they don’t…” Twilight began to ask but a small growl silenced him.

“They were the reason my siblings were killed!” A harsh growl left him and once more, the two rulers were silenced. “I was the first hatched, a black scaled dragon that they thought was an omen. They only kept me long enough until I could eat and walk on my own. After which my father threatened to kill me if I did not leave the nest. Then when I heard that they had more hatchlings, I watched from afar, as they, without care, had their eggs ‘stolen’ and taken by ponies, slayers no less and in trade for more gems. They thought that they would have more like me in their clutch.”

Now a growl left Ember and the Scepter glowed brightly. “Egg breakers!?” She almost roared with stunted anger. He gave a matching growl of confirmation.

“And when I vowed to kill them one day after I returned my siblings, they were the ones who turned me to Torch. They heard of my exploits and turned me to Dragon Lord Torch. That is why he declared me a disgrace. Even after I told him what my sire and dam had done, all he did was exiled them from the Dragon Lands while I was punished and imprisoned in the cave for half a millennium.”

He was breathing eerily calm but his voice held back no venom towards his sire and dam or her father. He truly would have gone further had he not been stopped. Perhaps should he remain free, he would go after his parents and end them, so that Ember felt no doubts about it. Yet… his pain was something that would never be quelled, even at the deaths of his parents. Despite the year of peace between them, Ember was starting to slowly become used to the concept of Friendship and more and it annoyed her a little that it might not solve this problem.

Her anger dropped and her body felt tired, though mentally she was still raging at this poor souls’ past and it involved her father too. A sigh left her before turning to the alicorn.

“Twilight, I think that for the time being, we will postpone any negotiations right now on trade and what not. I feel like this needs to be dealt with before anything else. If you wouldn’t mind saving this for another day, that is.”

Twilight wanted nothing more than for anything to go according to plan but sometimes, life got in the way and she knew that not everyp- everycreature was like ponies. Giving a nod, she replied. “I understand Ember and while I hope that this doesn’t take long, I hope you can help…” She paused and looked at the dragon. “-him with the problems you face.” She looked back at her and tried to give an assured smile. “Who knows, maybe friendship could help him out here.”

Ember adored Twilight’s enthusiasm and positive outlook towards the bleak, but she knew that that was a long shot in this situation and not everything would be able to be solved so easily. Giving her courteous nod, she reached out with a claw. “I'll try my best, Twilight.”

Twilight gave her a hoof and they shook. Once they separated, the alicorn turned to the black dragon and a small frown crossed her face. “You never gave us your name.”

“You never asked.” He replied. She snorted. Okay she walked into that one.

A pause. “Well?” Twilight asked.

Th black dragon stared at her, then at Ember then back. “I have no name worth remembering.” Twilight all but growled out a sigh. “But if you wish to call me anything, then Shard Obsidian would suffice.”

Twilight blinked at that, as did Ember. The alicorn nodded. “Thank you… Shard Obsidian. I hope that with everything that has transpired, that you can please avoid ponies at all costs. I know you may need to avenge your siblings but I wouldn’t want to come to blow heads with dragons.”

He blinked before he lowered his head, either in bow or to meet her eyes, she wasn’t sure. He replied. “As I stated, perhaps those ponies have long died, perhaps not. I won’t harm any that are innocent so for now I can do nothing.”

She expected him to say more but he didn’t. She calmed and gave nothing but a bow. “Thank you.” Turning back to Ember. “I'll tell Spike to send you a letter or wait for you to send one when possible.”

Ember nodded and gave a small smile. “Thank you Twilight. Until we meet again.”

With a final nod, the Princess of Equestria charged her horn and in a bright violet flash, she was gone, leaving the two dragons in the cave.

Ember gave a sigh before walking out of the cave. He remained.

She stopped, turned her head back and looked at him confusingly. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

He cocked his head. “Your command?”

She gave a grunt. “I don’t have to tell you to do everything right? Eat, sleep, walk, breathe?”

He slowly rose as any remaining dirt and grime fell off of him, leaving a small mound. With his joints slowly responding to his command he made his way out of the cave and towards the sun.

Ember led out and as she did and he took his first steps, the sun’s rays caused a small shimmer over his pure black scales, reflecting a unique dark rainbow over his body. She finally got a good look at Shard Obsidian.

The black dragon squinted at the brightness of the sun, taking a few moments to adjust from the exit of the cave before he took slow and deliberate steps to his first light. Taking a deep inhale, his lungs took in fresh air for the first time in decades and a calm washed over his body like a wave against sand. He began to stretch all of his ligaments, many cracks could be heard as he did so. More and more of his body could be seen, like he did stand on his hind legs and his arms only aided with his first movements in years.

Next, he was impeccably clean. His scales showed no signs of diminishing nor face, almost perfectly laid upon one another. Each one could barely show her reflection if she were to lean in close. His claws were almost silver in coating, with a white tips at each claw. There were light signs of use but it was odd since most dragons have cracked or worn claws before their second decade.

The spines that began between the tip of his horns ran from the head all the way down his spine, to his tail and ended in an almost two pronged pointed tip. Lastly, his wings.

Ohh… they were magnificent. He slowly unfurled his wings to grand proportions, stretching them longer than he was tall. The membrane was a nice ivory white with a little hollowness in them to allow some light through. The way they curved from the talon tip of the top to the wing’s bone at the end gave him a definite beauty.

Lastly, as he stood at a solid 15 feet, more than twice her height, she saw that through all that black mirror like quality in his scales, did it click in her mind that what he had said was truthful.

There hasn’t been any dragon that matched his description in the dragon lands. She knew almost every dragon in the lands(as was her job as Dragon Lord) and she could not recall one as pure black as him. Yes, there were black scaled dragons here and there but they had other colors or their scales held no shine.

Even with almost a century of dirt and rock that had covered his body, it had never stained nor dulled his scales to a point. And now… she was staring at him and he caught her staring at him.

Cocking his head, he spoke. “Is there something wrong, Dragon Lord Ember?”

Thank Bahumat it was bright outside for he could not see her blush upon her cheeks.. She shook her head and tried not to think of how beautiful his scales really looked.

“No, but I do need to know if I can trust you.”

He blinked and stared at the Scepter in her claws.

“You can bind me to a ‘Blood and Scale’ oath.”

Ember blinked. “A what?”

Young, brash and still unsure of what power she held; Shard Obsidian knew what laid before him. His intelligence and cunningness instantly began thinking of a million scenarios on how to play this, though only one really kept repeating in his mind. He had to find out if she really was what he suspected her to be.

Instead of answering her directly, he sat on his haunches to lower himself to her level. “I suppose that if you want my trust, then I must bind my words to you. Though you are a Dragon Lord now, I am still unsure of how much different you are then from your predecessor.”

Ember frowned. “My… predecessor has nothing to do with who I am now. I accomplished my life and succeeded with some help. Because of who helped me, I am the Dragon Lord and I plan to change it for the better.”

Shard’s focus was anywhere but her. Speaking he looked around him. “Then… would you consider yourself past or superior to Former-Lord Torch’s Legacy? Do you believe that had I done what I did before, in your rule, would you have done the same?” His eyes locked onto her for the answer.

Ember froze. That was a strong question and a difficult one to answer. She was not the best when it came down to heavy questions and one day she would have to answer them. If Spike had taught her anything with their responding fire-mail, it is to take your time to think on it before answering. As she did, she tried to answer the first one as best as possible.

“Your… parents had no right to do any of that to you or your siblings.” A low growl left her. “Egg-breakers have no value in my eyes and I would make sure that before you would have killed your first pony, that I would be dealing with the dragon hunters first. Then your sire and dam would be the ones imprisoned long past a few centuries.”

She then went onto to his being and her eyes saddened a bit. “However… I know that we dragon's know vengeance and pride strongly. To attack those who kill our young or our loved ones, I would stop at nothing. But that being said, I don’t blame you, and perhaps prior to our alliance with the ponies… maybe would have allowed it.” A pause and she shook her head at her own words. “No… maybe not even then.”

Shard remained focused on her. “Then you have already surpassed Torch. While I am not old, I do know greatness and strength. Many a dragon would not see one like you as worthy of a role as this, but you have done so in a far better grasp than he.”

Ember had always wanted to surpass her father in strength, leadership and more. When she became Dragon Lord, it was filled with a lot of other responsibilities but it was something that needed to be partaken. Many questioned her many times, including her own father, if it was a good idea to align and even work alongside ponies and… she has never regretted it.

But to hear another dragon tell her that she was better than her father, by not being like him, somewhat made her happy. One who was wronged by her father, made it more… meaningful.

She looked down at the Scepter. “So… then you say that if you swear a Blood and Scale Oath, that you will not harm any ponies or seek vengeance against other dragons?”

Shard gave a nod. “I do.”

She gave a small frown. “Does that include the former Dragon Lord Torch?”

A small something passed over his features but she could not be sure. “If you wish, I swear that I will never physically harm or retaliate against him, if he still lives.”

Ember wanted to say he did, but withheld it. “Then… how is this Oath done?”

“You point the Scepter at me and I press my palm on it.”

She blinked and did so, though she held on tightly in case he tried to nab it from her. He lifted his left palm up and pressed right in the center. She blinked. “Okay now wha-”

He began to push down on his hard, causing her to grunt as she held it up, until the tip of Bloodstone easily and with little effort, cut through his scales and blood fell from his open wound. She panicked almost instantly. “What are you doin-!”

“I, Shard Obsidian-'' He began, letting his words carry on, even with the pain in his palm and the blood that dripped down the Scepter. “-will swear no vengeance and no harm to innocent ponies and dragons alike. I swear no harm to the former Dragon Lord, Torch.” A pause and his eyes now fully locked into her own, meeting his soul to her own. “And I swear… loyalty, truth and servitude through pain and death, to protect and follow… Dragon Lord Ember.”

Her eyes went wide and the Bloodstone glowed brightly in his palm. A sizzling was heard and a small hiss left him. The glow stopped and he lifted his palm, where the blood was now gone from the Scepter but remained on his palm. There was now a visible scar that had formed that healed over within seconds. He had made the oath and it was something that she knew nothing about.

“I… I am not sure why you did that but I am supposed to trust you know… right?”

“Do with me what you will, Lord Ember. I am now essentially at your service.”

Surprise was the least of her exasperated look that came over her but so was the fact that he so willing and easily gave himself to her.

The things that she could…

Shaking her thoughts, as if this was building a migraine, she just motioned. “Can you fly yet?”

He gave a few experimental flaps, his wings ached without use. A small wince left him. “I must… walk for now until I can fly, my Lord.”

A grunt left her, both at the thought of walking and the fact he called her ‘lord’ like she was anything else but. “Fine, we will walk for now and also, don’t call me ‘Lord’ or anything else like that. Either ‘Dragon Lord Ember’ or just Ember, whatever is easier.” He was about to respond but she shook her head. “No wait, not even Dragon Lord, it takes too long. Just for now, Ember is fine… unless we are surrounded by other dragons.”

He bowed his head once. “As you wish… Ember.” Her name sent a small shiver down her spine as he spoke it, like it was magic, especially since she swore it almost came out like a purr.

Beginning their walk towards the west, the dragons made their way back home. Hopefully it wouldn’t be that bad for them. The silence was only at the beginning, for he was still trying to stretch out his ligaments, pop sore joints and bask in sunlight after a near century of absence. Ember wasn’t sure how his scales maintained their elusive and luxurious state during the decades.

It seemed to be as if he had been in a frozen state, where time didn’t diminish nor cause rot on his fine black scales. Each one still remained sharp and perfect, which was really unfair to a dragon like herself who couldn’t go a single month without chipping a claw or having a few cracked nails in her wake. His wing membranes were a fine silver that almost looked hollow, though it showed he was a great flier. Also his thick hind legs showed he had some power behind them for either kicking or taking off. Lastly, his anatomic ability to either walk on all fours or twos gave him a strange appeal that few dragons had. Something shared by her father, though as he grew older, that would really depend on what he did often.

… She has been staring at him the whole time and it showed.

“Ember, I am unsure whether you are staring at me as either fearful or admiration.”

The aqua scaled dragoness froze at being called out and she tried to think of a million ways to deny it but the blush on her cheeks made it so obvious. He was aware of it but playfully remained oblivious. “Should I walk behind or in front so I am not such a sight to see?”

“Your fine!” She blurted out, though she backtracked. “W-What I mean is that I h-have no problem with you or your color! I have just never seen a dragon like you that is so…”

“Evil looking?” He provided.

She frowned. “You are not evil looking! Whatever lie or slur or name your sire and dam gave you is not evil! If you were truly evil, you wouldn’t have placed your service to me so willingly.”

He gave her a stare, feeling the truth in her words, giving an acknowledged bow of his head. “I appreciate you don’t see me as such. Though I am not as sure as what others may think.”

“What others think is none of your concern or mine.” She moved closer without realizing, looking up at his form. “As long as you honor your oath and prove your change to me, that is all I care for.”

His silver eyes stayed locked on her amber ones and the intensity of each word felt like a promise of her own. Truly he saw nothing of what she was or is, to that of Torch and perhaps… this made his plan all the more stronger through purpose. That and with a strong conviction, would he be able to get to his true desire.

Vengeance…

Even with his oath, there was still a way he would get Torch back and that would be by having her fall in love with him.

With another nod, he spoke softly. “Then your words are the only one I care for, Ember.” A powerful shiver ran down her spine and a more profound blush was seen.

… and his revenge would come full circle as he would love, cherish and care for her, denying any and all who would oppose it or try to reach her heart. For Torch, he would bear witness to it as the Dragon Lord herself would not deny his presence near her own. He would make her heart his and perhaps he would return it in full.

After all, no good came from a broken heart, but one fulfilled in front of the eyes of your enemy burns the brightest.