Chapters Ever take one of those naps where you wake up and realize you can’t remember your own name? Yeah, same here, until a few minutes ago when I woke up suspended from the ceiling. For some reason I decided to take up a monologue as soon as I came to. That’s annoying... Currently, I have no recollection of whom I am, what I am, why I’m here, or where here even is. All I can tell is my head hurts really badly. The monologue isn’t helping the pain either.
I opened my eyes and saw only darkness. I would say that I’m blind, but I can see shapes ... barely... I tried moving my legs, but nothing would budge. I bent down ... up ... to inspect my legs and only heard a tap as I reached further. Something made a loud noise and I stopped for a moment. That’s when something went up my nose. I fell limp and noticed I was covered in water. The ceiling was using me as a focal point for trickling water to the base level. That’s disgusting...
It took me a moment to think of what was going on. The only thing that came to mind was I was in some sort of cave. I figure everything is so dark because I must be deep inside the cavern. If I’m not that deep then it must be pitch black outside. Which is odd, I can’t recall a town with enough light to block out the night sky. How did I recall that? Ah, why won’t this pain stop? Besides, there's an even better reason that it can't be light pollution blocking the stars. If there were towns close by with enough light to block out the sky, it would be visible in this cave! I should really be concentrating on getting rid of this headache.
Not only do I have all these uncertainties racing through my mind, but I can hear this odd rumbling noise. It almost sounds like breathing, but nothing could be that big to make a noise like that while breathing. Slowly my eyesight returns enough for me to make out the entrance to the cave. Right outside is a huge figure, fuming from the mouth. That must be a dragon laying down right outside the cave. Now, once again, the most important question is why my head hurts so badly.
I reach up to message my brow, when I realize: I have hooves! This explains the tapping when I was inspecting my extremities. My options to what I am have now diminished to some sort of … hoofed animal…. Wow, my head is killing me. Probably explains my … uh … what is it called? That thing where the person inflicted can’t remember…“Amnesia! That’s it!”
The dragon brought its head up and took in a shocked breath. Why would I decide that screaming was a good idea only seconds after discovering a dragon? “Oh good, you’re awake Silver Stream,” came the deep rumbling voice of my captor. At least now I know my name, so I can die with that out of the way. Although, I hope this is quick. His voice isn't helping that pain any.
“I didn’t want to have to devour you in your sleep. It would have been unworthy for our friendship.” Now I’m really confused, because last I checked a dragon doesn’t eat his friends. Wait, or does he? Now that I think about it, I’m too disorientated right now to know how a dragon’s friendships work. I really should stop thinking so much... Ow...
“Excuse me, but who are you and what have I done to deserve the death sentence?” At least if I’m going to die I’m going to get some answers from my executioner. Speaking of answers, the smoke started evaporating above the cave and light shone through the entrance. I can see mounds of treasures scattered all throughout the cave; about five large stacks if I can still add right, which I doubt. These aren’t anything to laugh at either! Each one is about three times the size of a normal dragon. Whereas my assailant is gigantic! Usually a dragon's hoard is larger than the beast itself. Whereas, now that I can see him straight, he’s likely five to ten times larger than a full grown dragon.
“Oh, poor little Stream. Lost his memory on that last blow to the head? A real shame seeing as I was hoping you’d die with your guilt still intact.” He was now moving his way into the cave, blowing small red flames out his nostrils, and using that blasted feminine aspect to my name. The dancing red lights helped illuminate his features. His underbody was red and the rest of him was black. He stared at me with glowing red eyes. His head was compact, like a hydra’s, and his wings looked immense, even while wrapped about him.
I stopped gaping at my assailant and used the flames to help me investigate my surroundings better too. I could see my prison used to be a stalactite. He must have sliced the tip off and stuffed my hooves in the cracks running along the base. This was a pretty tight fit, so I'm surprised he didn't break my legs doing this. It seems like after he forced me into place here I endured a barrage of brutal beatings... Actually, now that I think about it, there’s no way he could have been hitting me without instantly killing me. Wow my curiosity is not helping my throbbing head.
“Yeah, I guess that last blow must have knocked a few screws loose. What did you hit me with anyways? It doesn’t seem possible that a dragon your size could hit me without killing me.”
“Oh, I struck you with the tip of my tail. It was the only way to not pop your head off. Although, seeing as you’ve been unconscious since morning and lost your memory of one of your oldest friends, I’d say that blow was still too much for you.”
“Yeah, best not do that to me again if you want me alive … for … my death….” Well, this isn’t getting any less awkward as the time goes by. Not to mention less painful. I'd rather just die now then have to deal with his booming voice with my constant pain.
“Quaint,” was all he replied with. This brings me to believe he has a sense of humor. A sense of humor finalizes my belief that he's more intelligent than just a speaking lizard. Usually a greater level of intelligence in a dragon comes with age, so it’s safe to assume that this one is obviously old! The hoard he has stacked up is for show; not to increase his size with. It is one thing to be dealing with a mindless beast, but this guy obviously outclasses me in every way possible if I'm right. Actually, that may be a good thing. If he was just a beast, he would have devoured me without even chewing. He wouldn't even consider going back on his word of killing me by the end of the day. But with intelligence comes pride, and arrogance. Something I can use against him. Something, if I play my cards right, I can use to change his mind on what he's doing.
“Better yet, how about we try to work around this amnesia, so you can enjoy killing me that much more? Apparently my name is Silver Stream, and you are?”
“I am Schwarz Jugend! The youngest of the five dragon sons of old, and Ageless Master! I am an Ancient, and you would be wise to remember that name this time around, for you owe me much of your life, Stream!”
“Schwarz… That does sound oddly familiar. How is it that we know each other?”
“You met a colleague of mine and had him bring you to me. We slowly got to know each other over the decades and we became close to one another. At the same time you stole his friendship away from me, being that you were both ponies.” Okay, so I’m apparently a pony! Who … enjoys … getting to know dragons. Not only that, but I like to steal their closest friends from them. I say again, I am screwed!
“Oh come on Schwarz, I’m sure we could work something out. I didn’t mean to take your best pal away from you, honest.” Okay Silver, flattery and humility are your greatest allies at this moment in time. Hopefully you can get him to let you go by using them.
“THAT’S NOT WHY YOU’RE HERE STREAM!!” The force with which he spoke was powerful enough to push me back like a torrential wind. Somehow my back leg strength was enough to keep me suspended from the cracks in the ceiling. Well, there went that plan. Along with my hearing apparently, because everything went ring-y. His voice also did a number on my eyesight. I can’t see straight anymore and it feels like my eyes are rotating in their sockets. I’m honestly surprised his booming voice didn’t send me back any more than it already had. My hooves should have broken off, and sent me crashing towards the ground. Besides some head trauma though, I seem alright. This also brought back that annoying pain in my head. I thought I had finally ignored it, but this incident changed that presumption.
What I can tell is that he backed off afterwards. He could apparently tell what damage his voice alone caused and waited for my eyes to stop spinning. Once my focus returned, I noticed a grim look on his face. Even though my hearing hadn’t completely returned, I could still hear him boom the word, “Sorry…”
Wait, he just apologized to someone he’s about to kill. That means he wasn't lying about viewing me as strong friend at one time. Maybe I still have a chance. Though I have to keep two steps ahead of him and compose three strategies at the same time. Ow. There's no time for pain! “Not a problem, I’ve had worse,” like waking up after being unconscious for a day because I was slapped by a dragon’s tail, “but if stealing your pony friend isn’t why I’m in this predicament, then what is the reason?”
Plan one --- try to get him on my side so he’ll let me go --- was underway. All I had to do now was figure out why I was in this situation and work from there. If the issue was too great to wiggle my way out of, I’d have to move on to plan two.
“You dared to enter into my cavern and steal from me, multiple times I might add, without giving me any explanation for your actions. Not just any treasure, but my most prized possessions. Then, when I tried to get the information out of you, you merely spat in my face and told me to mind my own business.”
Okay, things are looking bad. Knowing how a dragon is with his hoard, I may have to go with plan two. Though I may still have a chance if he’s as intelligent as I think he is. I’ll just keep things flowing with a bit of sarcasm. That way I don’t come off as pleading for my life. After all, he is a dragon, so I’m sure he’ll pick up on me being too kind towards him. “Oh come on Schwarz, that doesn’t sound so bad! I stole a few little trinkets out of this whole assortment of goods? You could easily get some more. Plus, I could return them to you.” Oops, that came off less as sarcasm and more like arrogance. This pain in my head is certainly going to cause some issues.
His snout lifted up, and flames spewed from the small openings in his mouth. It was like watching red ribbons slide their way out from between his teeth and dance across the air. These beautifully glowing ribbons traversed their way over to me. A wave of heat seared my face, and the temporary lights gave way to Schwarz squinting in displeasure. Yeah, sarcasm wasn’t the best route to go with at the time with my head causing this much of an issue. With his little fire show complete, he stated bluntly, “You did return them. It’s not the thievery that has placed you in this condition, Stream. Do you honestly believe that a mere pony stealing from my hoard would lead me to slaughter them?” Suddenly his anger became more obvious.
I dared to ask my follow up question, “Then what is it that placed me here?” At that he opened his lips wide, showing the full extent of his teeth. His neck craned back, and his snout and brows furrowed in deep anger. Smoke bellowed forth from his nostrils, and I could tell it was taking all of his will to keep himself from charring me to the bone right then and there. Before he even began screaming at me, I knew I would have to go completely with plan two: get him pissed enough to hit me again, in the hopes he’d miss and break the stalactite I was hanging from.
“You used those very items to slay my only son!” On to plan three: he’s going to eat me and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“I did what? But I’m only a pony! How could a little pony like me kill a dragon born from the seed of someone as great as you?”
The anger drained from his face, and he moved it away from me. He was trying to hide all the pain hidden in his eyes, and gave a little chuckle at my response. His eyes drifted up to meet me, and he simply stated, “Because you knew him well enough to catch him off guard.”
It was at that very moment I knew I could go with plan number two and survive. I had to play with his emotions to keep him angry enough to want to kill me, but not enough to just chew me off this rock. I hated myself so much for what I said next, but it was the only way to make sure I could escape with my life. I chuckled weakly like he had and took a wild swing at him. “Well, serves him right for being foolish enough to befriend a pony like me.”
His head veered back as though he had been shot. Right then and there, all thought had left his being. In that instant I had insulted him for trusting me as a friend and at the same time mocked his fallen son for that same trust. Anger exploded from every orifice as he lost all control; he couldn’t even look at me anymore and broke eye contact. He was too close to hit me with his tail, so the bulk of his tail swung right at me. He hit the stalactite before his tail came close to me. The whole stalactite broke from the ceiling with me still stuck on the tip.
As soon as I felt his tail hit the stalactite it felt like I hit the cave. I thought I would be crushed by the wall, but luckily the great weight at the other end of my prison took control and spun me around. Before I even realized I was facing away from my target I went flying into it. My rock shattered into sweet freedom. There was a lot of force behind Schwarz’s attack, and I was still being propelled through the air until I hit the wall myself. I’ve got to say, hitting the inside of a cave is not my favorite form of escape, but I’ll take it under certain circumstances. At the moment, I can’t even see straight. My muscles argue for me to stay still and stop using them, but the will to live is a crazy feeling that pushes you to do what was originally impossible.
As the dragon turned to see what just happened, I jumped to my hooves and ran for an exit. I fought against the severe pain in my head to survive. The world kept spinning, and my legs couldn’t make sense of which way was forward. I soon found myself running for the closest pile of treasure before I could figure out what to do next. I took a shot at where my feet were leading me and figured my only way of getting out was by tunneling through all his greed. All the gold and gems like to make a loud rustling noise as I try to get through them all. My situation just keeps getting better! I wasn’t even that deep; I just placed myself in enough to not be seen, and changed my position so I wasn’t right where I jumped in. Schwarz had no idea where I ran off to since I was too small for his frantic eyes to find, but his sensitive dragon ears told him I went for the closest pile of treasure to my location.
He looked over to that pile angrily and started balling up his fist as his next words came forth. “Oh, so now we’re going to play hide and seek, huh? Let me just warn you now. I’m not a very patient player!” His fist came screaming down on his last word and plowed into the base of the treasure. The entire mound went flying into the air and scattered violently. I was sent with it, but the dragon couldn’t see my tiny figure past all the flying glittery objects. I hit the ground hard, and stumbled to my hooves. I took off as fast as my legs would carry me. Large gold objects of all sorts were falling all around me, and I was doing my best not to get crushed. Every object that fell to the ground made an agonizing noise. My head was screaming at me to make it all stop, but I was going to live!
I was able to wheel around the mountainous stacks of goods and get two thirds through the cave. About that time I recalled just how big he was, and turned towards the last pile in front of me. I dove right in, and dug my way towards the door. Eventually my hiding place was secured and I stayed as still as possible, waiting for his next move. I already knew he heard me enter another pile, which was evident with each step he took towards me. He couldn’t see me because of all the treasures he sent everywhere, but his ears were able to pick up the sounds of his treasures being dug into again. I tried controlling my breathing, but I was in too much pain to concentrate well. Supposedly I did a lot of running in my day, because, even through the pain, I was able to slow my breathing to a weak level.
“Now where exactly did you decide to hide?” He stopped at the mound right next to the one I was in, waiting for the slightest shift in movement. I prayed that something would take his attention, and finally the stack next to me gave way on one side. Apparently one of the flying pieces of gold hit it and shifted the weight on the bottom. Right as Schwarz stepped up next to it, the rumble from his weight forced a small landslide of gold. “There you are!”
An inferno spewed from his mouth, and devoured the entire stack. To my horror, the mountain began to melt from the sheer heat. I decided that while he was busy making that much noise and light, I could steal away before he would notice. Every inch of my body demanded I’d stop the crusade, but I pushed my way out of the hiding spot. It didn’t take long for me to reach the end of the cave, but wow was it big. The mouth itself was about a third of a kilometer long. I guess that’s as big an opening a beast his size would need.
The cavern was at the base of a mountain. It was like staring down a slab of rock leading to a forest. The forest itself was within sprinting distance, but I had no idea how long I had before Schwarz would notice. I sprinted towards the tree line, trying to get away from the cave. The closer I got, the more trees clouded my vision of the forest. They were so stacked it was to the point they shunned any light from above trying to make its way into the forest. What I could tell was that where there was not a tree there was heavy vegetation riddling the ground. Halfway to it I could hear Schwarz’s flames dying down.
The treasures kept burning, and he started talking before the fires got quiet enough for him to hear me. After that, I was lucky enough that his words kept him from hearing the clop of my hooves on the base of the mountain. Though in order to enter the forest I’d have to fight my way through the bushes. “Well, I really wanted to give you the honor of suffering through my digestive tract, but I guess being fused with my belongings is the next best death for you, my old friend.”
Right as his statement ended, I jumped into the brush of the forest and took off like the birds scattering around from my approach. Obviously he heard me with those sensitive ears of his and turned to see the mistake he made. “Perhaps I can still give you the honor of being my next meal!” I knew after a statement like that something was to follow. I turned and started running parallel to the forest’s entrance. In a swift leap he was on the edge of the forest spewing great flames at its base. I barely got out of the way of his attack.
When I first entered, there were sets of eyes behind almost every tree. The darkness shrouded my vision, but I could tell creatures of all shapes and sizes were watching my every move. I was too busy worrying about the dragon to pay much attention to the wild life, and I could tell those unknown beasts were about to take advantage of that fact. Lucky for me, the great inferno took precedence in their minds too and everything began to scatter. Large creatures were fleeing in every direction trying to escape Schwarz’s wrath. I think I even saw a hydra waken and take off into the darkness.
If not for being so scared that my survival instinct were in full control, I probably would have released all control over my bladder right then and there. For all I know, I did, but at the moment that wasn’t top priority in my head. I needed to get away, and quick. Although, it was pretty obvious that I now had the advantage in our little game of cat and mouse. Better yet, of tiny mouse and giant tiger! Schwarz was literally so big he couldn’t see below the trees of the forest, and with all those animals scurrying all around he couldn’t use his ears to pinpoint my location. This left him with one option; it was the same one he used from the start: fire!
Gallons of flammable liquids spewed their way forth as he tried to douse every possible piece of foliage that could hide me. Too bad for him I was too busy galloping to let a little bit of fire distract me. I was also too busy moving to keep track of where I was going, but who needs direction when you’re trying to survive? Pretty soon I had gone so far that I couldn’t hear his flames leaking into the dense forest. When I finally ran out of breath, I found myself in a little clearing on a hill. This activity was not good for my head.
I turned to see a mountain range, with billows of smoke rising before it and covering what little was visible of the night sky in this forest. A dark silhouette of a gigantic body with a distant head flew through the smoke, wings protruding out of the smog, until it perched on a mountain and screamed, “You can’t get away from me, Stream. I will hunt you down and get my revenge. Don’t you dare show your face to me again! Or your next adventure will be in my stomach!”
I squinted at his voice and turned back around. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind." I started limping away with a hoof pressed against my head. My eyes were welded shut, trying to block the pain out. My hoof failed to find the next step, and I slipped down the edge of a hill I was too in pain to see was right in front of me. After tumbling down the steep slope, I finally hit the bottom with a thud. My chin was solid on the ground with my front hooves lying behind me. My stomach and my two back legs were sprawled up the wall I just tumbled down. “This looks like a good place to get some sleep,” I added before I finally passed out.
Author's Note
I need pre-readers, proof-readers, and editors! If you'd like to join that bandwagon, then please send me a message. ^_^
Silver laid there in his uncomfortable position hours after the original incident. His legs twitched in their awkward angling. He sniffled on the cold ground. The sun was still below its horizon, and light was gliding across the sky. A thunderous roar echoed through the forest. Slowly he opened his eyes. Usually, he would have shot up from the commotion, but for some reason the rest of his body didn't respond to his commands. Everything in his brain seemed to be moving slower as well.
Silver motioned his back a little to the right, and his entire body fell over. Last he checked it was completely dark out. Maybe that's why everything was all loopy. All the free blood was drained out of his extremities making them all tingly. Whereas the blood had pooled into his brain, and made him feel like it was floating in the life fluids. It also made him sleepy. So very ... very ... sleepy....
Silver awoke again a half an hour later. This time around he felt very groggy, but he at least could feel his entire body. Although he was starting to wish he couldn't with the high amount of humidity in the air. Light was now pouring in through the alcove created from the hill. The glaring sun helped Silver reach consciousness. Apparently his migraine woke him from the light. There was a large red dot sitting on his nose. Upon further inspection, he realized this dot had four legs, four wings, and a face. Something about this dot triggered an annoying realization in the back of Silver's mind. "Ah crap!" he said while grimacing.
Silver swatted a hoof sluggishly at the dot until it flew away like an annoying fly. He did not know what that thing was, but something told him that it was bad news. Silver slowly pulled himself up, trying to approach the new day. Suddenly, memories of last night came rushing in. He remembered Schwarz, and the forest, and the creatures inside the forest, and the fact that he just collapsed onto the ground and passed out here. Silver would have screamed in fear at the idea of him lying in the open for anything to find, but common sense told him that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Silver stretched in place. If nothing had found him up until this point in time, it was safe to assume nothing would notice him leaving. Suddenly a growl came from the bushes not too far from his position. Silver held his pose in the middle of a stretch. Apparently something was watching him, and had been waiting for him to wake to make a sport out of chasing him. Either that, or something just stumbled upon his spot and he was lucky enough to wake up right before it started attacking him.
He stood straight up and groaned. Even though moving was not his best option at the moment, he was too tired of everything to care anymore. After all, he just escaped a colossus of a dragon only to get into the wild and die of some unknown creature? The idea annoyed him to apathy, but he also acknowledged that it would probably make more sense than him sleeping all night and being able to make it to a civilized town in one piece. The creature slowly pulled itself from the bushes, presenting its full girth.
Silver stood before a manticore. Neither opponent moved, waiting for the other to make the first move. The manticore was excited for the challenge of a pony set before it. While Silver tried to figure out how to survive. He took note that the manticore's eyes were very saggy. 'Stayed up all night hunting, huh,' he thought. Silver must have been this creature's last attempt before passing out. Suddenly Silver's eyelids widened and instantaneously his eyes went right. His head stayed stationary, as though he could not move it, and he returned his view to the manticore. Silver moved his eyes in a blitz. Everything flashed before him in a blur. His vision set upon its original target, and his eyelids returned to their original size. He didn't know what that was, but it seemed natural and over practiced.
Suddenly, Silver knew what to do. He was going to rush towards his right. There was a lack of entangling vegetation to his right, and he could use that to his advantage in the beginning of the run. The manticore may be able to keep up with him. It might even be able to fit through the simple bushes as well. But it was the best shot he had. Silver had no idea how he obtained all this information; nonetheless, he took note that he'd figure out what that little power he just used was later, and dashed towards the bushes.
What happened next seemed unreal. Silver got to the bushes first, but the manticore wasn't far behind. Once it caught his movements, it rushed out to catch him. Silver realized that the beast took a moment to register he had moved at all. He was able to make it to the bushes long before the manticore, but that didn't stop the fact that the beast was more agile and used to situations like this.
Silver ran with all his might. His eyes were wide open and darting around the place, capturing little segments of information that he couldn't possibly obtain in their quick sweep. He didn't understand this power. Then again, it wasn't something he was going to question while running from a manticore. He soon found himself jumping between branches of a fallen tree. These branches were big enough to slow the manticore down. This power was a bit more than he could handle!
A loud snap symbolized that the manticore got through the tree and continued to chase him. A few moments passed from that tree. Silver could hear its thunderous rampage closing in on him. The beast swiped at him. Silver's ear twitched as he heard the paw swinging through the air. He mistrotted for a moment. Although this maneuver looked unprofessional, it actually slowed him down enough to meet the manticore's paw instead of its claws. Silver let out a pained squeak as he was hit, but was grateful it was merely a blunt strike.
Silver flew through the air, flipping around until he met the ground. He bounced once and slid to a halt. Silver lay on his side facing the creature. The manticore slowly closed in on him. He pushed himself to his hooves, but felt heavier than ever. The wild animal was stalking him now and kept approaching him ever so slowly. Silver continued backing up as fast as his sluggish body could drag him. The manticore stop and look up in fear, but Silver paid it no head until he ran into something. Looking up, Silver found the head of a teal dragon start its growl at the manticore.
Silver was trapped in fear, and these next few moments just flew by in a blur in his state of mind. The manticore took a step forward towards him once it got over the fact that a dragon was there, but the dragon just lowered its head and growled louder. This made the manticore stop in its tracks. The manticore questioned what was going on here. It knew the dragon didn't care about the pony! Dragons wouldn't pay a pony any mind unless starving. By now, the dragon should have already swallowed the pony and moved on to hunting the manticore.
Obviously there was something wrong with this picture, and the manticore took one more step forward. The dragon spewed flames at the manticore. The forest floor burst into a crimson flame all around the manticore. The hunter was able to jump out of the way with vegetation to block the flames, but his environment towards the pony was now insurmountable. He had no reason to stick around, and darted off back into the forest.
Silver stood under the dragon, still staring up, completely confused. Something about all of this didn't seem right to him. Why would the manticore keep stalking him while he sat under a dragon? Why would the dragon attack the manticore, but pay him no mind? It had to have seen him! After all, he was right in front of the manticore the entire time. He even ran into the dragon and was still pushed up against one of its paws! The dragon looked down towards Silver and the pony's heart sank. Something told him that he was about to die here.
The teal dragon spoke to Silver in a voice filled with deep girth like any beast of that magnitude. Yet still ginger enough to signify it was a female. She told him, "You should be more careful out here. The Howling Forest isn't a place for a pony. Without Minty, you're an easy target for the wildlife, Silver. That manticore won't bother you anymore, but if I were you I'd get out of here before these flames spread. The forest may be damp, but my fires are hot enough to burn down a little more than where I spew them. Go about a mile out, and you'll be safe."
The dragon turned around and started walking away. Silver was left staring at where her head was in shock. Once she moved he fell over. Silver was pushing himself pretty strong against the dragon; especially right before it started talking. Silver had confusion written all over his face, and took another moment to think things through. So the dragon wasn't planning to kill him, and actually told him to be safe. Wait, it also used his name!
Silver scrambled to his feet and ran after the dragon. She didn't get too far, but her wings were starting to unfold. The dragon bent down, ready to leap, and Silver screamed out to her. The dragon moved to jump, but stopped pushing just before leaving the ground. Her momentum kept her going, and the dragon fell onto her chest. She laid there, annoyed, and raised her head to look at Silver. "Can I help you?"
Silver stopped, and stared at the dragon. He gave a very sheepish smile and rubbed his hoof. Nothing he had seemed important now that he brought a dragon to fumble on to herself. "Well, you see, I'm going through a bout of memory loss. And I was wondering: how exactly do you know me?"
The dragon got up, dusting herself off. She deadpanned the little pony and stated, "Every dragon that knows better knows the friend of Minty. You're rather famous when it comes to my kind." She approached Silver, and lowered her head to his level. Silver backed up a bit, not sure how frightened he should be of the carnivore. The dragon used her elongated neck to swivel her head around the little pony. Once she got a good look at him she smiled. "Though now that I've seen you face to face, I have to say you're a lot cuter than I imagined."
All emotion drained from Silver's face. He had no idea where this was going, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out. A smile came to the little pony's face as he tried to come up with a comment. Suddenly a tree fell right behind him. He yelped in surprise and flipped around. The tree was completely ablaze, and he backed up as quickly as he could. Silver ran right into the dragon's snout.
Silver squeaked in shock and turned to look the dragon he ran into in the eyes. It was all he could do to just stare at her. Her smile widened as she replied, "Woah now tiger. How about you learn my name first?"
Silver flipped back around and blushed. "Right and you are?"
"Em'reald," the dragon said proudly as she lifted her head back up.
"Em'reald," Silver repeated. "Nice! That's...pretty! And it matches your scales."
Em'reald looked down upon her teal figure and looked back at Silver. She smiled teasingly at him as she asked, "Oh, so are you calling me pretty now?" Silver's smile faded, and his face turned a bright red. His vision lowered until he was looking straight ahead. Em'reald began laughing. She turned, and leaned down unto her haunches. "I'm just teasing you Silver. Although, you should really think about getting out before it gets too bad around here." With that, she pushed up and took off.
Silver watched her for a second. No cognitive function wanted to bring itself forth as he was lost in his little trance. Finally, something warming him from behind caught his attention. Silver turned to see the fire building pretty well, and decided now would be the best time to get out. He galloped as fast as his little hooves would carry him. He tried to avoid looking back on the last few minutes.
Silver kept pushing against the ground. Exhaustion was settling in. Embarrassment had made him numb. But the potential for death kept him moving through the forest. He was no longer careful as he tracked through the brush. Thorns and bushes scraped against his flesh and fur, tearing new wounds into his hide. This was no longer a concern for him though. Apparently he was an immeasurable figure in dragon society. Yet, then why did Schwarz want him dead? Better yet, why had Em'reald let him live if a being like Schwarz wanted him dead?
The questions would not stop flying through the pony's mind. Minutes fly by as mere seconds, and Silver lost the way he was going. He was so lost in thought; he didn't even see the small ravine he was steadfast approaching. The pony slid off the side of the hill, and fell right into the waters. Silver was now frustrated with how the day was going. He screamed in annoyance as he swam back to the surface.
Silver reached the tops of the water, and swam to a large rock in the middle of the stream. He pulled himself out of the water, and flopped his haunches onto the rock face. It took all his strength to drag himself to the water's edge, but the appeal of fresh flowing water brought his horrible headaches back to mind. Just as his snout touched the surface of the water, Silver found something that intrigued him. As he slurped the water into his mouth, an image greeted him on its surface. Light green eyes stared back into his as he tried getting his fill of the water. Finally, he stopped questioning his vision, and went about chugging as much of the fluid that he could take in.
Once he had exhausted himself with drinking, Silver lifted his head and took a good look at the figure in the water. There he sat, staring at the white coat of a soaked pony. A black mane sat heavily on the head of the equine, and red highlights could be traced within. The coat was very heavy, not suited at all for the climate this pony was in. And it was this very detail that made Silver realize he was staring at his own reflection. Silver then realized that he had gone this entire time without knowing what he even looked like. Spinning around, Silver took a good look at the remainder of his features. The rest of his body followed suit with his heavy white coat. His tail flowed with streaks of black and red. And his flank stood bare among his side.
Something about the blank flank stood out to the pony, and he continued staring at it for a good moment. It was an odd sensation, but nothing seemed to click with him. It was as though something was very off with this picture. But he would have to contemplate the implications of his hind quarters later, because something burst forth the brush on the other side. In a flash of color, the creature pelted down into the mud before the waters. Silver had been startled, and sat up fully to see what had been going on. He couldn't get a good sight of the creature, but he could hear it say, "Ow, stupid heights."
Silver pushed himself back. So far the only beasts that could speak were the dragons. And although he could not see the figure, he could tell it was not big enough to be a dragon. Whatever it was had decided to writhe around in the mud as it struggled to get up. Finally, it motioned itself up, and slid over to the bank screaming, "Finally, something to drink that’s not laced with poison!"
Silver could now see the thing. It stood a little taller than him, and was roughly his shape. Although, something sat by its side, making it quite wider. He couldn't tell what was by the thing's side because of the mud coating it, but he was too glad to see another pony to care. "Excuse me, but who are you?"
"Bubbles?" called the mud pony back. The figure started frantically looking about for the source of the noise. The voice sounded rather raspy, so Silver figured this pony thing was a male. This meant he could introduce himself without worry of being awkwardly flirted with again! He hoped...
"Over here," he called out, hoping the pony would quit jerking his head so violently around.
The pony pinpointed Silver's voice, and stared right into his eyes. This newcomer's eyes widened to up proportionate sizes, and he leapt in merriment. The bulges by his sides ripped forth and spread in an awkward mud blanket floating by him. Finally, he called back, "Bubbles! Thank the Creators I’ve found you! Aww, I was expecting squirrels...."
Author's Note
Hey y'all! How has everyone been?
Okay, let me apologize for taking this long to post this chapter. What it all came down to is that GoogleDocs ate half of this one day. And I stopped working on it because not long after that I found an editor! Well, I gave her chapter one, and decided I'll wait on her before truly finishing chapter two. Four months later... Here I am, posting chapter two, because screw it! Who cares how bad it really looks. I mean, I get it, life is busy. But four months!? And I still don't have a single piece of feedback from her! If I ever get an actual editor to go through 2-end (because she is WAY too busy to do any more) I'll try the EqD approach again. But until then, I'm already writing chapter eleven, so I'll just clean up 3-10 and get those on here!
As always, proof-readers would be appreciated. If you would like to help me edit all my works, then send me a pm.
Thanks for reading! Chao! ^_^
3 - Enter the Forsaken One
Impossible things happen when you've been upon Gaia as long as I have. You get used to seeing weird things. The norm gets stretched into a new fabrication every day. When one lives out their mortal life they get to see a vague picture of how this world works. But when death refuses to knock upon your door...
Well, listen to me, rambling on about my troubles when no one could ever begin to understand me. Maybe that's why I'm here, staring off the Eastern Cliffs. This spot always seems to sooth my soul. I've travelled this world over, and nothing has struck me quite like these cliffs. The rolling waves beat upon the cliff face so hard it’s all one can hear for miles on out. This is why I’m usually the only one out here. The violent reactions from the East shores seem to scare away any wild life and … ponies...
Equestria has ruined that race! Ponies were once proud beasts among the lands. They were considered too intelligent to be compared to the lower races, too cooperative to be anything like the dragons, and too team worthy to kill each other recklessly as the gryphons do. Yes, I used to be proud to be a pony. Up until they soiled their image with their … kindness... Gods damn their kindness.
To think, that a mighty race such as the equines would succumb to such infidelities as caring. It makes me sick to think a society could build itself upon such values! Up until now, all the races had to stake a claim by showing they weren't afraid to own themselves. Once Equestria came to being, they somehow became so soft it was criminal.
I took in a sharp breath of air to calm my nerves and stared back off into the distance. Only one thing at this moment could calm me down. My wings stretched out as far as I could manage, and launched myself off the cliff side. The sea breeze always makes flying more exhilarating. After letting the cool winds calm me for a few dozen meters, I turned back to reassert myself upon the cliff top. I opened my eyes back up when it was around time to land only to see rock before me. It seems that in my peaceful glide through the sea breeze I forgot to flap my wings and am coming for a face first assault into a wall.
I raised my body up so to impact with my hooves and kicked off. This maneuver kept me from colliding violently with the rocks, but it also sent me tumbling down towards the waves screaming, "Damn you cliffs!" I flipped and twirled, unable to get control of myself. When I finally did maintain my flight, I was feet above the violent waves, and I had to flap ferociously to keep from being swept away by the tides and slammed into the rocks at the bottom. I frantically flew off in a thrill of adrenaline.
"That was close," I stated when my nerves had calmed. I flew around for a moment before I realized a new spot would probably be for the best. I set off for my second favorite spot on Gaia: the beach not far off from these cliffs. I took to the skies and headed down towards my freedom. The raging waves followed me down to the beach's shore lines. Once there, I stood upon the beach, glaring out into the Eastern Oceans. Life seems simple when you are allowed to slow down and watch it unfold. I would know all about that too!
Now that I was safe, I could make sure I didn't damage anything during the fall. Not a mark was made on my deep blue coat. All the way out to my cyan tipped feathers were pristine. More importantly, my makeshift turban was still firmly attached to my head and still running down my back and wrapped around my tail. Chaos would ensue if anyone ever caught view of my mane.
No ponies would dare search for me out here. These lands rested far beyond the Badlands. A pony would have to be mad to venture this far out! Their southern towns outside of Equestria pushed into the land but could never find its way to the outskirts this far out. Nothing of cultural intelligence lived out here save for the dragons. Though, I didn't have to worry about the dragons. In fact, I didn't have to worry about any of the wildlife that came out this far. My life mark would probably scare them all off!
I smiled and looked down at my flank. There it lies: an open scroll with a feather dangling above it. The feather was dripping ink upon the scroll, and a puddle of ink was pooling in the scroll's center. The mark in and of itself didn't seem threatening, but it was a universal sign among the races of Gaia that death were to follow. The dragons themselves feared this life mark! For a dragon to fear anything is impressive to begin with, but for all of them to be is a sign. That none are safe from me! That death will soon be greeting them, and that any who opposes me will soon meet their maker. I am the greatest to have graced Gaia. I am the one who will outlive everything else. I am -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A young dragon --- roughly in its late teens to early twenties in dragon years, so about twice the size of an early teen but still young enough to have a short neck --- jumped out from the sand behind the pony and roared. The scare was enough to end the pony’s monologue in its tracks. He quickly stiffened up and fell over like board. The dragon stared at the pony in awe and started laughing hysterically. After a minute, the youngling caught its breath and stood back up.
"That's rich! It's been awhile since I've seen you. How have you been uncle Mint?"
The pony lay stiff for a few more seconds as a question settled into what conscious mind he had left. "Uncle ... Mint?" His legs went limp, and after another moment, he stood back up. He quickly turned around and looked the dragon over. Now that he got a look at it, there was something fairly familiar about this one.
"You are my uncle Mint, right? I can’t really tell with that thing on your head. But, I mean, what would a pony be doing all the way out here? This land is way past the end of the Badlands, so an Equestrian is out of the question. Any other pony in Gaia wouldn’t dare come this far into dragon territory."
The pony looked quizzically at the dragon for a few more moments. There was no possible way this was the dragon he was thinking of! Last he knew that little guy was just a hatchling. Except, now that he thought harder on the subject, he couldn't even remember when that time was. He snapped himself out of his train of thought and gave the dragon a stern look. "Tell me, what is the full name of this pony you call uncle."
The dragon was pulled out of his own thought stream of pony geography and expeditions, and gave the pony a chuckle. "Okay, now I know it's you uncle! And your name is Minty Galestrom." The dragon gave him a sweet smile and waited for his response.
Minty was taken aback for a moment. This had to be the hatchling he was thinking about! "Little Windy? Is that really you? Gale Jugend? I haven't seen you in ages!" Suddenly Minty's expressions went from quizzical to joyous as he hopped over to the boy who could easily swallow him whole.
"By the gods Windy, when did you get so big?" Minty was now taking his time looking the dragonling over now that he was closer.
"You've been gone for some time uncle. I've grown since last we met! It's a shame you haven't been around, I've missed you." Something was puzzling Gale in the back of his head, but he paid it no heed. Right now he was just glad to see his uncle again, and sad that it had been so long.
"Apparently, little one! Tell me, how is your father doing?" Minty was now smiling from ear to ear. He had already crouched down to take a better look at Gale's crimson underbelly. The dragonling did not take any offence to this. He was, after all, used to his uncle's odd behaviors. Even if it had been many decades since he saw him.
"My father is doing well! Last you saw him, my mother was quite ill. We had to let her die a few weeks after you left. Father was furious at her. He went out to find a new mate as soon as possible, so that I could be raised properly. Grand didn't take well to that at all, though." Being that dragons lived so long, they referred to each generation before them with a specific title. In this case, grand was the common title for their grandfathers.
Gale seemed oblivious to any emotional cue this would have caused any other sentient being. He was a dragon, and dragons don't attach themselves to one another. Dragons only attach themselves to an egg. Once a hatchling is born, the parents become less concerned about its safety, and give it attention solely based on feeding it and making sure it's comfortable. If a hatchling is killed by a predator while they are away, and the culprit is nowhere in sight, the dragons shrug it off and start over. Minty on the other hand looked disappointed. "That's absurd! Why would your father do that to you? I completely agree with your grand, he should have known full and well that another mate would have tried to kill you!"
Gale still wore an oblivious face. Nothing really struck a nerve. This was all just common conversation pieces to him. "True, except my father knew that Grand would look after me. Because after Grand knew how much you took a liking to me, he swore nothing would ever do me any harm! He even took to staying with me in the cave for weeks without food! He did it so my father could leave for normal business." Minty took this comment well, and went back to merrily inspecting the dragonling. He was now on Gale's side, inspecting his sapphire blue scales.
Gale realized what it was that had been bothering him earlier. "Tell me Uncle, you're merely a pony, so how is it that you're -"
"What about your grand? How is he in recent years?" Minty wasn't trying to avoid anything. He was literally so deep in his investigation that he wanted priority in questioning. He needed to know every aspect of how the dragonling was doing.
"Grand? Oh, he passed away not too long ago."
Minty was struck by this comment and halted his inspection. "But your Grand was so young!"
"Yes, it came as a shocker to all of us. He got in a fight with a neighboring dragon, and was badly injured. He would have survived, but his wounds became infected with a really deadly disease. We had to find a new cave after that. Great said he was a weakling to have gotten that injured in the first place, and deserved it." Great was a reference to his great grandfather.
Minty chuckled. "Oh, your Great would know a thing or two about weakness. He's just about the most cowardly dragon I've ever met! If not for the children he had, I would have killed him myself. I'm honestly surprised that he was even able to find a mate in the first place. Don’t even get me started on his lack of honor." After his little batch of comments, Minty calmed down once more. He went back to inspecting the dragonling, now on to his legs and feet. Specifically he was comparing Gale’s front legs to his back legs.
"Yeah, Elder said along the same thing. He wasn't very happy with Great. In fact, Elder just about attacked Great right after his comment. If not for Eldest and Father, he probably would have killed his own son!" Since dragons usually live six generations long, eldest is used for the fifth generation before the dragon speaking. Rarely will there be a case past this, but if there is, it is common to use a term such as grand-eldest or even great-eldest. Few cases have needed a term farther than that, but in all those cases the dragon was given the title of Eldest followed by his name to keep the chain from continuing.
"Your eldest is getting on in his years. How close is he from falling over and rotting in the sun?" Minty was now inspecting the dragonling's claws.
"Eldest is not far from his deathbed. Funny how Eldest Jugend is the Ageless Master, and yet all of us Jugends only live as long as a normal dragon." Gale lowered his head on this last comment. He knew for a fact that this implied to him as well, and wished that the blood of an Ancient was worth more than bragging rights. Minty on the other hand was now on top of the dragonling, stretching out the little one's wings and looking them over carefully.
Gale perked up for a moment, remembering his previous question. "Speaking of living for long periods of time, how old are you Uncle?" Minty perked at this sudden question. He was in the middle of looking over the dragonling's ridge line made by the black spikes on his back. He gave a little chuckle and hopped off of Gale.
"I’ll tell you when you’re no longer considered young," he replied as he walked away merrily.
Gale was unsatisfied, and followed the little pony. "No, seriously Uncle! I may not understand pony lifetimes very well, but you should be old. I remember you being an adult when I was hatched. Judging by how long it took me to become this old compared to ponies: you should be a wrinkly old pony by now, or at least unable to travel out this far on your own!"
Minty kept trotting off with a smile on his face. His eyes were closed as though to present himself as merrily done with the topic. After all, this was breaching on subjects he disliked answering to one who couldn't possibly understand. "Yeah, you’re right, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that you don’t need to know how old I am. It’s been fun, but it’s time to go now."
Gale felt cheated and was not happy with these turn of events. The conversation was not over! He sat through all of his uncle's questions; the least Minty could do was sit through his. Determination lowered his brow and he leapt over the pony. Gale hit the ground with a thud, sending sand flying everywhere, and turned on the spot to meet his uncle. Sand struck Minty like a weak wave, and stopped him momentarily. He opened his eyes and stared at the dragonling in shock. "No, you are not avoiding this subject with me Uncle. Tell me why you're so old and yet still look in your prime. How is it that you're older than my Great, and yet look like you're younger than me?"
Gale was now staring his uncle down. His brow was lowered. If not for how attached the two were he would have bared his teeth a little. Minty knew how much tension was in the air but merely scoffed at him. Minty went back to smiling and replied, "You think I'm just older than your great? I was considered ancient when your elder was born. You have a lot to learn little one." Elder being a reference to the generation between a dragon’s great and eldest.
The two just sat there in a staring contest. Except Minty was now back to pleasantly keeping his eyes closed. "What do you mean by that?" Gale asked between his teeth.
"Little one, I am older than your Eldest Jugend," Minty stated proudly, and trotted off beside Gale. Gale's anger left him instantly. He stood there in shock for a moment as he tried to absorb that information.
Gale had to stand there for a few moments. He was completely still as a rock. The information took a while to set in. Finally, he composed himself and shook off the shock. Gale turned around and caught up to walk alongside his uncle. "I don’t understand uncle. I have no Eldest Jugend. My lineage stopped at my Eldest. You must mean my Eldest! Right?"
Any other pony would have been confused by this question. What was the difference between what Minty said and Gale's eldest? Luckily, Minty had been around dragons longer than Gale, so he knew exactly what Gale meant from the beginning. "No, my little dragonling, I mean Schwarz Jugend himself!"
Once again, Gale had to stop and think about what he said, but this time he recovered faster. Albeit, a little more freaked out than before. "No! Uncle, I don't think you know exactly what you're saying. You have to be lying to me, because that is just impossible! Other than the other Ancients, not even another dragon could be anywhere near Eldest Jugend's age! I refuse to believe that a pony could be that old!"
Minty slowed in his trot, and opened his eyes in a glare. He came to a halt and looked up at Gale in displeasure. "Did you just tell me that I had to have been lying to you? I'm sorry young one, but you must be thinking of somepony else if you think I'd ever lie."
Gale had to take a step back. If looks could kill then Gale would have daggers sticking out of his face. Minty just stood there, generating an awful glare at his nephew. Gale forgot how prideful Minty was about telling the truth. Gale would never forget that story about the one lie Minty had told in his entire life. Gale struggled to swallow his nerve, but he got down a very audible gulp after an awkward moment. "No, uncle, I mean that you must be confused in what you are trying to describe. You do that you know. You say one thing that comes across as a lie being that you put no thought behind it."
Minty scoffed at the dragonling, and kept on trotting. If Gale isn't going to take what he had to say seriously, then he had no reason to continue the conversation. Gale sat there with his pride shriveling away, but pushed his emotions aside to get to the bottom of things. He ran back up to his uncle to get everything settled once and for all. "Uncle Mint, I'm sorry for doubting you like that. It's just ... Eldest Jugend is ..."
Minty stopped in his place, and turned to Gale. His anger faded away, and he gave the dragonling a genuine smile. "Old, to say the least, I know. The Ancients got their titles for a reason! I know that it seems impossible for anyone to come close to his age, but I swear to you that I'm not lying. Why would I have any reason to lie to you? I love you little one, and that should be reason enough to know that I'd never stoop so low as to -"
"ELDEST JUGEND!!" Minty jumped back violently. Gale came out of nowhere with that scream. Minty rubbed his eyes. Gale went back to standing there like a stone. Confusion screwed its way onto Minty's face.
"By Ladon’s tail! I completely forgot why I was even here. We need to go Uncle Mint. We need to go, like, now!" Minty stood there in a shock of confusion. He raised an eyebrow and slightly scoffed at the dragonling.
Minty pulled a leg into himself as though he were cradling it. A skewed look of worry upon his face. "Why are you screaming Windy? You’re making me panic. I don’t like to panic!" Just as he stated panic, he slammed the leg back down.
"Uncle Mint, we have to leave! Eldest Jugend has Silver Stream, and he's planning to devour him whole."
Minty's eyebrow rose even higher. "Juggy? Little Juggy captured Bubbles? Why would he capture Bubbles? Bubbles didn't ..." Minty thought everything through for a moment. His eyes slowly went wider as he realized just what Gale was trying to tell him.
"Uncle ... Eldest Jugend thinks Silver killed his son. He's going to kill him to make him pay for his crime."
Minty gritted his teeth in absolute anger. "That stupid, landlocked ... inbred ... pegasi servant!"
Gale exhaled mockingly. He expected a lot of things, but this? Where did this even come from? "Uncle, you do realize Eldest Jugend can use his wings, right? He's not landlocked, he's just big. His wing span more than compensates for his size; even though it looks as though it shouldn't."
Minty was pulled out of his little fit of rage, and looked to Gale. "What are you talking about? I was getting angry with Bubbles! I told that stupid dirt pony to stay away from Juggy for the next few years before I abandoned him to come here. This is exactly why I said that he should hide the elements so no one could find them! He could return them to Juggy when things cooled down. Now I'm going to have to go save his stupid flank!"
Minty stormed off for a moment before realizing the faster mode of transportation gaping right behind him. He turned back around and mounted the dragonling. "Come on Windy, we have a pony to save. Albeit, a dirt pony, but he still needs to be saved." Gale looked back at his uncle and scoffed. Without question, the dragonling got on all his fours and started a light jog. Before too long he had developed into a sprint, and leapt into the air with his wings at full span. After a few strong flaps, he was high in the air heading west.
They were flying off into the sunset. Only a few weeks from now, Silver would be waking up in Schwarz Jugend's cave. They would not be able to make it in time to save him, but they were certainly going to convince Schwarz to let his anger go and spit Silver out if they had to. "You mean to tell me you defended Juggy against the landlocked bit, but everything else you were going to let slide without question?"
Gale laughed at this question. "Uncle, we all know how Schwarz Jugend is towards you. So yes! Now don't make me drop you on our way out there. And take that stupid thing off your head."
“It’s a gift from the zebras, so shut up. I needed something to wear after I burnt - I mean - after that cloak Bubbles gave me burnt in a brush fire; that was not caused by me by the way.”
Author's Note
I really should have checked how fast the updates were spamming before posting this one up. Oh well! Here's a new chapter. This one takes place a few weeks in the past with a different character. I wanted to get his perspective on the situation before continuing. That way everyone gets a basic view of both main ponies before the story continues.
Enjoy! And as always, pre-readers, proofreaders, and editors are welcome. Just pm me.
