The rest of the day passed slowly as I simply gazed at the sky and tried to think. My only interruptions being when Chrysalis and a few changelings tried to find me. But they let me be, allowing me to watch the sunset and observe the sign that heralded Famines arrival in this world. It happened in that split instant after the sun dipped below the horizon, and before the moon fully entered the sky. A magic shockwave could be felt just before a sickly pail brown, transparent wave began to wash over the world. Draining all the color from a few plants, but killing most.
"So Famine you have arrived." I said coldly as I slid off the roof and landed lightly amongst the flowers in the garden. I quickly spun on my heel and headed back towards the castle, sending out a mental call for Chrysalis to meet me inside. And to my surprise Chrysalis came trotting down the hall just as I entered the castle.
"Im leaving to confront Famine non are to follow me pony or otherwise." I said coldly as I walked, Chrysalis walking alongside me fear and unease radiating off her in waves. "If anything tries to follow me they will be returned in pieces, or what ever Famines leaves behind." As I said this Chrysalis stopped and stared at me in terror as I kept walking. Coming to a open window I ran and jumped through it quickly changing to my dragon self. And began my journey to find Famine, though I had a pretty good idea where he was. It still didn't help knowing that I wouldn't like what I saw, when I found him.
After flying for what felt like hours I spotted a small town on the horizon, just as the moon reached its peak in the sky. But there was a evil feeling infecting the air as I landed on the outskirts of town. Slowly I walked into the pale town, all the buildings ashen in color and leaning to one side or the other. Every sense I had was on high alert as I made my way towards the center of the town, not seeing a single pony, or any creature for that matter.
The silence seemed to stretch into eternity as I walked almost to the point I had given up hope. Until a shrill, desperate scream pierced the silence. Making me forget any thoughts of keeping my presence hidden as I roared a challenge. As I began to sprint as fast as my four legs would carry me towards the square, and the sound of screams. Only to come to a skidding halt at the sight of the horrors that awaited me In the towns square. A large ornate fountain could be seen buried beneath the countless shriveled, bodies of ponies pilled on top of it. All the bodies were shriveled and there eyes nothing but black sockets. Almost as if the very life was drained from their bodies. It was like a horrible accident, no matter how much I wanted to look away. I couldn't tear my eyes from the gruesome scene before me. Until yet another scream shattered the silence making my head snap to the direction it came from. Only to see a single earth pony mare backed into a corner. Her sapphire eyes darting around wildly, until they fell on me. Where they filled with hope as she began to move forward. Only to stop dead with a single tear falling down her cheek, when a katana appeared before her. Pressed lightly into her coat the swords wielder appearing shortly after. He was tall like war dressed in a dirty brown robe with his back to me.
"Now just where do you think you are going little one?" Famine said his voice cold and hollow as the mare began to scream. And her body seemed to age rapidly before my eyes. Her once shimmering coat and mane quickly losing its luster as her eyes began to cloud, and her voice puttered out. But still she was alive, while her eyes began to sink into her skull and her flesh began to shrink to her bones. Much like a bag would do to its contents when the air was sucked out with a vacuum.
And through this all I was rooted in place by disgust and fear. And when Famine finally removed his sword from the mare. All that was left was a ash colored shell, a look of pure agony etched onto her face.
"Heed these words of mine dragon." Famine said as he sheathed his sword and turned to face me, his face devoid of emotion. "I don't know how you have come to gain the terrors power, but it will do you no good. My brothers and I will destroy this place swiftly and without mercy. So return to your people and spread the word that the end has come." As he finished speaking a insane grin spread across Famines face making my blood boil as I roared in rage. Fires hotter than the deepest pits of hell flying from my jaws bathing Famine and the entire town in them. I quickly took flight and continued to rain fire on the town until everything was but ash. Only to growl and roar in rage once more as Famine stepped from the ashes completely unfazed by the fire.
"Hear me rider." I roared from my place in the air. Making Famine pause and look up at me. "I am the new avatar of fear and this world is under my protection. Leave now and take you brothers with you or I will banish you all myself."
A long moment passed the silence broken only by the sound of my wings beating the air around me. That is until insane, hysterical laughter sounded form Famine below me.
"You may try dragon many have, and many have failed." Famine said as he disappeared into the wind leaving me fuming as I turned and made for Canterlot. My mind abuzz with suspicion thanks to one of the mares last thoughts and fears, I hopped against all that my assumption was wrong
The return flight was much quicker, and before long the once shinning towers of canterlot could be seen on the horizon. And with it I could feel Chrysalis and the minds of our changelings, all filled with worry until I made my presence known. But instead of the joy I had expected from Chrysalis. I got bombarded by one question, and the image of the pony I saw die at Famines hands.
"Did she make it? Celestia sent her after you please tell me she made it?"
Hearing this confirmed my suspicions and filled me with rage as I fell into a dive, aiming for the doors to the castle. Only to shift at the last second and slam into the huge doors as a man and roll through them and sprint for the throne room. None dared stop me as I flew past them murder in my eyes. And as I rounded the last corner the guards watching the entrance to the throne room turned tail and ran. Leaving the door unguarded as I run up too them. And kicked them screaming in rage, breaking them free of there hinges as the doors splintered and flew across the room. A long second passed as the splintered remains of the door fell to the floor like confetti and I stared at the sisters on there thrones.
"And just what do..." Celestia began only to be stopped short when I appeared before her my hand clamped around her muzzle, effectively silencing her.
"What do I think im doing you ask?" I said coldly staring into Celestia's eyes. " I said not to send anything or have me followed, but what do you do? Tell me Celestia WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!?!?" I screamed making both her and her sister cringe on fear as I released my hold on Celestia.
"I sent her to report on what she saw." Celestia said quietly looking anywhere but at me.
"And would you like to know what she saw Celestia?" I said quietly, shacking in rage. "She saw ponies literally nothing but skin and bones pilled onto a fountain and then she was killed slowly and agonizingly at the hands of Famine." A long heavy second passed as Celestia's eyes grew wide and tears began to well up.
"And do you want to know what her last thought before death was Celestia?" I said my voice breaking as I fell to the floor in sorrow. "She feared for her family, she feared how would they make it without her. But she feared how you would react knowing that she failed you Celestia. Her biggest fear was failing you, and she was so sorry she had not been good enough to fulfil this simple task you gave her." Another long silence passed as I sat there tears welling up and then finally fell down tears flowing down my face. Until I was wrapped in a warm embrace and I began to cry fully into the shoulder. Uncaring of who it was or how I looked as I cried and wailed.
"Why Celestia, why did she have to die." I said before breaking down completely into tears. Until a soft voice above me began to sing something I couldn't understand, But despite that it brought me peace and a sense of calm. Surprised I looked up to see it was Luna who held me close against her, her beautiful black wings encircling me. Her eyes closed as she sang until she looked down at me when the song ended.
"Don't ever let anyone tell you, that you are a monster or anything lese than amazing Luna." I said shakily as I gazed into her eyes, ignoring her appearance, one that so many had seen and immediately felt fear. Finally seeing all the things that made her the amazing mare she is. Without a word I gently pulled myself from Lunas embrace and turned to leave thinking to myself.
Too much has happened today I need some sleep and time to think. And without a word to anyone Changeling or otherwise I made my way into the gardens. Found a calm place in a small hill with a calm creek flowing nearby. I returned to my dragon form and curled up giving one last look to my surroundings and the beautiful night sky before I surrendered myself to the bliss of sleep.