I walk up the steps slowly, my head hung low. I stare down at my feet and close my eyes. I think of the days before it all; the breeze of fresh air, the smell of sweet flowers. I snap out of my dreams and come back to reality. I walk forward, each step a thousand years in the making. It feels like an eternity, but I finally make it to the platform. Ponies stand around it, some with scowls on their faces, others with saddened frowns. A few stray tears that a life had to be lost. That why I’m here; and execution. I tried to sacrifice my life for the good of Equestria, and I did save it, but at a price. Murder is illegal in Equestria, and is punishable by death. I did what I had to for the betterment of the country; for the betterment of the princesses I had served for so long. But now I pay the price for what I have done. Blueblood had always been an ass, but what he planned on doing….It wasn’t right. And when I heard of it, I acted. I wasn’t alone, but they didn’t make it to the jail cell. They didn’t even get graves.
I walk up to the chopping block, my hooves falling against the wood in soft thuds. It begins to rain, and soon I, the guards, and the executioner are all soaked. Princess Celestia and Luna look on with sadness and hurt; I was one of their most trusted guards, but then I turned it in to help them. Little did I know at the time that it would coast me everything. I lean forward and place my neck onto the block, my hooves resting against the cold stone of the block. I look up to the Princesses and speak.
“Let them know that I did what I had to do; for all of you.” With that I was silenced, looking back down to the now watery platform. The executioner shrugged and lifted his large ax in the air with his magic. It was polished to a bright shine and was sharpened to a thin line. He brings it down slowly, getting a good aim. I mutter a silent prayer to the princesses and the Creator for a swift death. I hear a faint roar in the distance. I ignore it as I go over my life and how I lived it. It wasn’t all bad, and I most certainly don’t regret what brought me here, but if there was something I would do differently it would be to tell Fleur how I felt. Goddess that mare….I’ve loved her for so long, but have never had the courage to tell her; to even ask her out on a date. Now I lay here with her as my final regret. Another roar fills the air, this one louder and closer. Some of the guards shift in position; they move their weapons from one hoof to another and look to the sky in fear. The executioner drops his blade next to him, muttering under his breath. I look up to see a dark silhouette it the sky, circling above.
“Dragon!” The sergeant at arms calls for arms as the guards move fast, gathering crossbows and aiming towards the sky. The black silhouette comes down on the castle, crashing down on street vendors and knocking ponies to the ground. The dragon ,for that’s what it was, roared loud and deep, looking around and spouting a large pillar of flame out towards the guards, incinerating a few. Some flee for their lives, fear overrunning their minds. I stand up and back away before falling over myself, the rope I’m bound in tripping me. I can’t fly away since my wings are tied to my back. I look up in horror as the dragon once more roars, spewing forth flame, setting fire to anything nearby. It ceases its flames and looks around, till its amber eyes falls upon me. I gulp loudly and fumble for the ax nearby. I crawl to it; using it, I cut away my bonds on my legs and run forward, dodging dragon limbs and ponies alike. Being a guard my duty was to protect the princesses, no matter what I was accused of or had done. It was my duty to keep them safe. They should have seen it coming any how; Blueblood was getting too high for himself, and someone had to silence him.
Pushing my thoughts away I gallop forward, wrapping the strap of a shield on my right hooves and holding a sword in my mouth. I charge forward, calling out for the guard to take up arms. I gallop forward, putting the shield up as flame envelops my whole body. I can feel the intense heat on my skin, blistering it and burning away at the shield. The flame stops and I look up towards the beast. It’s looking down at me like a hawk would a small rabbit or bird. I swallow my fear and brandish my sword. I charge again, slamming home the weapon into its scales. It clangs off, but I ignore it, pushing forward for the underbelly. Guards now are rallying, firing arrows at the beast and readying ballistae and other heavy weapons. A bolt shoots out, and barely misses me. I keep moving, dodging a forelimb as the dragon tries to sweep me away with its long arms. It backs up, knowing what I’m trying to do. It lashes out with it tail, hitting me square in the chest. I flail in the air as I sail through it, the air out of my lungs. I finally hit a wall, and fall down to it. I stagger up, shield scattered and my sword bent. I look around and notice a guardspony huddled in a corner. I run up to him and try to get him to move.
“Hey, get going idiot, or your dragon meat!” He doesn't budge; he is shaking with fear as he points a hoof slowly up behind me. I look up and slowly back away, realizing what’s there. I look up to see the dragon standing right over us, teeth gleaming white and saliva dripping down onto the cobbled street. Hot acid breath spews forth towards my face; its smells horrid, like dead fish and rotten meat. I glance back and notice the spear the guard has. I grab it quick and point it forward, iron will now moving my body. I will not die a coward while my princesses need me at their most. I will fight! I charge forward again, only to be taken up in the dragon’s mouth. It drops me back down, spear in its scaly mouth. It crunches it to splinters and walks forward, large booms emanating from when it’s limbs hit the street. It stops in front of me and puts it eyes level with mine. It then begins to speak.
“Are you Dark Angel, who is to be tried today for the crime of murder of Prince Blueblood?” I nod slowly, not looking away from its large amber eyes.
“It is good that you have not died yet. You will come with me; we have much to discuss with others who are willing to hear your tail.” I slowing shake my head, trying to form a coherent sentence.
“W-who are you? W-why do you want me?” It snorts and stands up, looking around at the now ready guards. It snorts and roars at them, spouting flame forth and enveloping a few, but scaring them away for a while longer. It turns back to me.
“A conversation for another time perhaps Mr. Angel; as for now you must come with me. Hop on my back and I will explain all in due time.” At this it presented its right foreleg to me. I looked at it then back at the dragon. What in Celestia’s name am I doing? Slowly I walk forward and place a hoof on its leg, then another, then another until I’m climbing up its leg and onto its back. It’s covered from head to toe in hard bronze scales. I look around and sit behind one of the back spines, settling down into place.
“Hold on tight Mr. Angel, this may get a bit bumpy.” With that the dragon spread its wings wide. With one powerful push, the ground quickly disappeared from view as the beast shot up from the ground and into the sky. I look down to see the quickly vanishing faces of Celestia and Luna, both with looks of awe and fear. I hold on tightly, not liking not being able to fly by myself. Besides, this dragon was going higher than he normally ever would. We sour through the clouds; the dragon’s wings buffering away small clouds as the two moved through the now clear night sky.
