'
In the diluted light of Equestria, the sun unable to break through as ponies fight for their very right to exist there lies only one certainty; those abominable constructions heretofore unknown are about to smash into them once more with a great ferocity never before seen. A draconic puppet bearing down on them inexorably as if slow doom itself was awakened and provoked into some violently wild action. Its approach is felt so much as seen. It must once have been a huge dragon. Perhaps, the largest ever recorded. Silent as they all are, it is so heavy the landings of its striding along cause the very ground to tremor as though in disbelief itself what is walking upon it. It's expression forever frozen into a wicked betoothed grimace.
"My heavens, we have to take on that thing?" One of the many unicorns serving in the ranks under Shining Armor commented among the many standing gathered around a squad captain.
"I believe there was a name for such a thing once. A story. I think it was..Lich. Never thought I would see one in my entire life." Another responded. There were so many fighting, few knew the others names alongside them.
"Where magic is concerned so many things are possible, but this is..I don't know what to make of all this." The captain of squad four was nervous about this, as they all would be. This was going to be an epic challenge to overcome alive.
"Messenger tells me as many squads as can be pulled will be backing us up for dealing with that monster over there, and that a prince will be fighting with us! Now, if that thing enters the town there really will be nothing left of it. Should this happen, we will not cease fighting. There is no point in retreating. I want you all to know I am honored to fight alongside you, and would be equally honored to fall with any one of you. Prepare yourselves as best you can. We have a little while before it arrives. Fight hard, fight well. I hope to see you all again." The captain waved them all off with a salute that was returned.
"Private, you're new to the guard yes? And open that helm." He asked of a decently heavy unicorn mare assigned to his squad to cover for a casualty.
"Sorry, sir. Yes, sir. Only been serving the court a week when Canterlot got hit." The slightly shaky looking mare replied as she opened the helmet. She was wearing some of the better armor. This was surprising.
"Try and relax a little. Trust your training, your equipment and yourself. I know you will do well, got it?" He said as though it were an indisputable fact.
"Sir, thank you sir. I won't let you down." She looked more ready to tackle this now.
"You bet you won't or I will never let you live it down. We are royal guards and you will not disappoint me. That is an order." He commanded. Couldn't let them off too easy.
"Never, sir." She replied. That sounded more like it. Ready to fight and confident in their ability to win even with the odds stacked as they were at the moment.
"What level of magic training did you make it to? I know they don't give out those heavy sets to just anypony." The captain was curious about their new addition. That was some of the heaviest armor that existed.
"Level..seven, sir." She said, sounding much less nervous now.
"Seven? I am sufficiently impressed, private. Most of the recruits pass out trying to make that rating. How many times?" He really wanted to know now. This was a great addition to the squad.
"Four times. Almost got a record I'm told." This unicorn was an unusual specimen. Strong enough to wear heavier armor and mentally disciplined to the degree of having a very high magic rating. Like himself.
"You passed after only four? Took me eight tries. You really better do us proud, soldier. Haha. All joking aside, you'd best be ready to use all of that. We can all see there is a mountain of pain heading our way and have to play it to the hilt. There is a dragon coming straight at us, and we are going to take it down. Right?" The captain was very encouraging. The private nodded. Good.
"Yes, sir. Just, we are really going up against a dragon. Well, something that looks like one anyway. This is going to be really bad isn't it?" She was correct about that. Every single step of it could be felt getting closer to their location. Any moment now they would be engaged in the fight of their lives against an enormous opponent. In the distance what counted as the things eyes glowed an eerie emerald green on high. It was truly frightening to contemplate.
"You're dang right it is. We don't know if this thing has any special powers or is just huge. I won't lie to you, private. A bunch of us are likely going to die here. Try not to be one of them, alright?" The captain hated putting young lives in mortal danger, but would do what was necessary.
"Whatever you say, sir." The mare looked off to the approaching threat. This puppet was truly immense. It could probably flatten the entirety of Ponyville in mere moments if given the chance.
"Big, isn't it?" The captain half-joked.
"I've wanted to meet a dragon for a long time, but not like this." The mare mentioned.
"Well, we can't always get what we want, private. Tell you what, if we survive this I will personally make sure you meet a friendly one. How's that sound?" He offered.
"Really, sir, you mean that?" She was surprised.
"Consider it a prize for living through this. Get ready, there goes the signal. It has begun." Squad fours captain took a deep breath.
---
Respect for all the dragon's teeth and treat, lest pierce and pain you shall quickly meet