Doctor Whooves: Genesis of the Dragons

"...And so with our love declared forbidden by the elders of our two tribes, we walked south together to try and find a place to love each other free of persecution." The Doctor was just concluding an expertly spun and completely false tale of star crossed romance shunned by tribal racism. "We found Spike lost and alone about two days ago, and have been searching for his home since. He's quite attached to the lovely Twilight."

The purple Unicron in question was absolutely mortified with humiliation, but due to his unfamiliarity with equine social ques, General Aglon had been convinced by the tragic and passionate tale. "Well, Spike is going to have to be separated from you. You can keep watch of him until his birth parents are found, however. I imagine they'll want to thank you, so I am granting you permission to remain inside our city. However, if you wish to stay longer then three days, you will be assigned a menial labor job to contribute to the war."

"Ah, splendid! Now, who exactly are we fighting against?"

Aglon gave a sigh before rising from his chair and facing a map of what Twilight and the Doctor assumed was his people's land. Only two cities were labeled as such, with everything else being natural landmarks or destroyed locations. "A long time ago, my people emerged from beneath the Earth, our grand underground cities having finally grown crowded after a millennia long golden age of peace and scientific progress. Many primitive civilizations existed, but only one had a society equivelent to our own: The Great and Bountiful Buffalo Empire."

Twilight had to suppress a gasp. Even though she did not share many of her fellow Equestrian's opinions that Buffalo were naturally stupid and dirty beings, it was still difficult to imagine that a plains-dwelling people with no modern technology could have had an empire on par with what she had seen of the ancient dragons.

"No one who fired the first shot, but we've been at war for thousands of years. The war was not a spontaneous thing, so the border cities and bases, which were gripped by a stalemate, survived longer then the capitals and inner territories, destroyed by air strikes, nuclear weapons and chemical bombing. The city you stand in is the last bastion of Gosrand civilization in the world, and only six miles away is the last Buffalo city." General Aglon closed his eyes wistfully. "This war may very well end in under a year. But is anyone going to be left to enjoy the peace?"

The exposition was abruptly interrupted by a rather harsh looking Gosrand entering the room. "General, your pony prisoners have been requisitioned for a demonstration in Scientific Chamber 29."

"On who's authority!?" Demanded Aglon in outrage.

"Councilor Tirek's."

Despite having scales instead of skin, one could still see the color drain from Aglon's face, who rushed besides the ponies as more armed soldiers shoved them along. "Whatever you do, no magic. The last thing Tirek needs is an excuse to kill and dissect you. I will make sure you get through this. I give you my word as a soldier."

"Does your word happen to be fire retardant?" The Doctor asked as they were shoved into what resembled a surgical theater. Several important looking military officers, politicians and scientists were seated to the side. Several more scientists stood together in the center of the room, an imposing door behind them.

"Tirek, this is an outrage! These ponies have saved the life of a hatchling, and I will not have you repay them with death!" The General raged while steadily advancing towards the scientists, who parted ways to reveal a rather disturbing sight.

It was an heavily disfigured Gosrand, sitting in a powered wheel chair. His scales had been burnt with a splattering rainbow of colors by chemical weaponry, with a particularly notable red patch across his face, which had no nose and no natural eyes, only scabb covered, pus leaking sockets. Tirek is only able to see by virtue of a large electronic eyeball installed into his forehead. "Then they should be pleased that they have this opportunity to contribute to our cause further. And I would like to remind you general, that I have obeyed the law to the letter on this matter. As ponies, your prisoners do not fall under the Able Body Conservation act, and as Parliament's Science and Technology Secretary, my orders supersed yours."

"Tirek, I must also express some doubts." Another scientist interjected. "I do not feel we have ironed out all the difficulties experinced by the Diamond Dog project..."

"The Diamond Dogs were a prototype! An unintelligent slave race created from the inferior bodies of Buffalo prisoners!" Tirek yelled back. "This new weapon is the natural pinnacle of the mutations we Gosrand's have been experiencing, and the key to conquering our enemies! Prepare the test subjects!"

Twilight and The Doctor had crudely and quickly made saddlebags dropped onto them. "Gems. Curious." Was The Doctor's only response to rifiling through his bag.

The large door before them began to creak open, and out from the shadows emerged a fully grown dragon.