//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 - Dominance and Hunger Part 1 
// Story: The Dragonborn Chronicles: Part 1 - Ponies in Skyrim 
// by Barix123 
//------------------------------//

	
Chapter 8 - Dominance and Hunger Part 1



It's been three weeks since Barix and his new companions set off for the Daedric Artifacts and Dragon Claws. No progress has been made since then. The group of warrior's had gone to every Hold in Skyrim requesting the assistance of the Jarls. Thanks to some key persuading, plus a bribe or two, they were able to get everyone's help in the search. Still with all the help, progress is at a standstill.

On the other side of things the group itself was doing a great job improving themselves on all fronts in, even being blessed by a Standing Stone of there own.

Twilight Sparkle has mastered both Enchantment and Alchemy. She has also learned a number of spells from different tomes and the teachings of her latest mentor, Barix. Having plenty of time the lavender mare used it to enchant the armor of her friends. The funds from their adventures helped greatly with soul gems. Twilight had gone so far in enchanting she is now able to change the color of an object. This made all the ponies excited. Her robes are now a lavender color to compliment her coat. Barix was thrown for a loop at just how far she had come. Twilight even managed to form her own understanding of a Thu'um, moving her to the next phase of her lesson, Unrelenting Force. She took the blessing of the Mage Stone.

Rarity was a somewhat different case. She was constantly talking about how her looks have gone down the drain. Twilight was able to create some beauty products using her alchemy skills but, even though she looks the same to everyone else, the drama queen swears she looks worse. That didn't stop her from taking up archery. With some help from her favorite sorcerer, some archery enchantments were made to her armor as well as magic defense. The statlement stone is a darker shade of purple and the metal is snow white. Being the groups archer she was blessed with the Lady Stone.

Applejack went far in the field of hand to hand...or hand to hoof combat, especially with larger weapons. Thanks to tons of training sessions with Barix the country mare is now able to take on seven trolls...on a good day...maybe with some supervision. She had her armor colored a bright red, saying it reminded her off home. She also stopped wearing the helmet, instead replacing it with her brown stenson hat she originally wore. To help her in a fight she took the blessing of the Steed Stone.

Nothing much has changed when it came to Pinkie Pie. This pony seemed to help, get help, or fight off anything that she encountered with her nonstop talking, at least most of the time. Barix learned about the Pinkie Sense, he just decided to leave it alone. Pinkie's armor is Enchanted with...something, it seems to keep changing, but her armor color stayed the same, a bright pink. She chose the Lord Stone.

Fluttershy opened up more ever since the Silver Hand indecent. She had used her ability of speaking to animals to have some keep an eye on the house with Lydia and some other to keep an eye out for any Dragon Claws, Barix thought it a waste but didn’t argue the point. She had become the treasure hunter of the group. Whenever they cleared out a cave or dungeon of bandits or undead she stayed to the back looking for coins and gems, usually with Rarity and Pinkie Pie by her side. The enchantments she had put on her armor was all resistance to attacks, both physical and magical. The color, to Rarity's insistence, is a natural green and had chosen the blessing of the Shadow Stone.

Rainbow Dash is the one that improved the most physically, at least she says so. As the days progress she is able to carry herself with the Nordic armor on longer and longer. Barix has yet to see the fabled Sonic Rainboom her friends have talked about. For enchantments the flyer wanted a wide range of extra skills. Instead she settled for increased stamina, physical resistance, increased healing rate, and lastly some magical resistance. She wanted to have her colors changed to rainbows but no matter what Twilight did, it just wasn't possible, so Dash went for a cyan color to go with her coat. To make sure Applejack didn’t surpass her, Dash chose the Warrior Stone.

The group had left Whiterun and we're now on their way to Markarth. They had stopped for info on the rare items but to no surprise, none of the merchants or towns folk knew anything. While in Whiterun Barix tried to stay away from the Companions. He told his friends about the falling out he had with them and they understood.

It was mid-day as the group of adventurers sat in the new cart Barix bought as Shadow Mare and Arvak were pulling it through the main road on a mostly clear day.

“Where are we headed now?” Rainbow Dash asked in sudden curiosity.

“We're going to Markarth. It's the last city on second round trip that we haven't checked with.” Barix replies.

“I truly hope we find something soon. I don't know how much longer I can last without me fabulous silk pajamas and my copy of 'The Good and The Dirty'.” Rarity was complaining again.

The reactions among her friends were varied. Barix was confused, Fluttershy was a little red, Twilight face palmed-or face hoofed, Pinkie sat with an oblivious smile, and Rainbow and Applejack just shrugged it off.

“What? I like a good romance novel. Don't judge me.” The elegant mare said back to her friends.

“So Barix,” Twilight was a little desperate to change the conversation, “from my understanding we should be seeing allot more dragons but we only saw one, that encounter just a week ago.”

“Actually that was my second look at one.” Dash adds her two cents.

“True, the dragon activity has gone down by a significant amount since Alduin's defeat. That might have a big party of it. Most of them were on his side, it wouldn't be out of the question if most of the dragons left for lands unknown, are now in a deep sleep, or changed sides all together. Still the threat of a dragon attack is a very really threat.”

“They'll need to think twice before messing with us or I'll open a big can of hurt all over there flanks.” The cyan pegasus was showing off her aerial moves as she was talking.

“Settle down there tiger. We ain't even found one yet. Sides, we've got more important this ta worry bout, like getin those artifacts.”

“Exactly,” Barix had a determined look in his eyes, “and this time I have a good feeling well find something.”

“I hope you're right,” Twilight shifts her gave to the horizon, “I don't know how long Equestrian can last without us.”

It took about half the day for the group of warriors to reach the walled city of Markarth. Upon arrival Barix made a quick stop at the market selling what he didn't need. Barix noticed something odd about some of the veneers but was too busy to care. He and his comrades head up towards the Jarls Palace when someone was asking him a question.

“Excuse me sir have you seem anyone going into this building?”

“No I haven't.” Barix was still walking away.

“Barix, wait!” Twilight yells at the dragonborn.

“What?”

“This is a Vigil of Stendarr. If anyone would have a leaf on daedra it would be them.”

“That's party of the reason I'm here, the vigil warrior continued, I believe this house is home to a daedra. I just need some backup incase this get too hairy in here.”

“Sir, your backup just arrived.” Barix told the warrior with great confidence.

“Excellent! We better move in right away before that thing has time to escape.”

As the warrior headed inside Barix turns to his companions.

“Alright here's the plan, Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow your coming in with me. AJ, Rarity, and Fluttershy you three stay here. Make sure nothing else comes in unless it's more Stendarr warrior's. I don't want anyone surprising us from behind.”

“YES! First daedra mission, and I'm on it.” Rainbow shot a smug look toward the county mare who then replied back to her.

“Well have fun facing a possible immortal creature that could tear yer head off in the blink of an ah.”

“That's right, it's no joke. This is the first real lead we've had since the beginning. We have to face the possibility that a Daedric Prince is behind this. Be on your guard for anything. Let's move.”

That small speech waned Rainbow's enthusiasm, but not by much. The selected warriors head inside to find a fair up kept living quarter's complete with fresh food. This troubled Barix slightly.

“Stay alert, that demented daedra could be anywhere.” The Vigil of Stendarr already had his mace at the ready in one hand and a spell in the other.

As the group proceeded forward Rainbow got out her cyan Nordic sword, Pinkie pulls out a pink dwarven dagger, Twilight retrieves a fireball staff from her satchel, and finally Barix unsheathes his dragonbone sword and prepares a healing spell. The four daedra hunters travel from room to room going deeper into the house. The house itself them begins to shake. Bracing themselves, the warriors hold there ground waiting for anything to happen, but to no avail. Even the house stops shaking.

“What was that!” The cyan speedster yelled with some worry in her voice.

“It must be the daedra. It knows we're here.” The vigil said as he puts is guard up even further.

“Is it giving us a house party?” Pinkie randomly asks.

“Not very likely.” Twilight responds. “Barix, I feel a strong evil presence, do you think it's the daedra?”

“Must be.”

The house soon a little harder than last but this time objects around them began to levitate and throw themselves at the warrior's. Some weapons were thrown at them but we're dodged in the nic of time.

“Stendarr's mercy. This is no ordinary daedra! We have to leave and come back with help.”

They all head to the door but when they get to it the door was locked. An ominous voice spoke from everywhere.

“He's weak. You're strong. Crush him.”

“You hear that?” Barix asks.

“Get out of our heads daedra!”

“What are you two talking about, we don't hear anything.” Dash as well as her friends were confused.

“You will kill. You will kill him or you will die.” The voice was present again to only Barix and the Vigil.

“No, I don't want to die.” As the Vigil spoke Barix thought the worst might happen as the pony companions began to worry. “The daedra has us. It's you or me.”

As he took out his mace Barix unsheathed his sword but the Vigil was much faster than Barix as he was able to gain leverage on the dragonborn. Barix was barely able to hold the mace from smashing his face in with the sword, he was forced to his knees while also being forced to use both hands. Twilight and her friends were about to help when the Vigil cast's a spell.

The Vigil's hand was surrounded by a dark purple aura. He lifts his hand to the herd of three. As soon as he did they were sent flying back to the wall with that same purple glow around their necks. Barix knew that spell, a little too well in fact. In one quick motion he released his grip with one hand, preforming that same spell, pushing the light turned dark warrior to the wall. The others, now released from the spell saw Barix and his slightly green eyes.

“WULD!”

Barix rushed forward with the speed of a tempest, jamming his sword right through his enemy’s chest. The hilt of the sword threatening to crush his chest, the blade reaching into the stone wall itself. Barix pulls the sword or, sheathing it as he makes his way to the others, his eyes returning to normal.

“You girls ok?”

“Yeah, but what spell was that?” Rainbow Dash was quick with the questions.

“I know. It was telekinesis,” Twilight turns to Barix, “right?”

“Correct. Only the higher level mages and wizards know that spell as it’s hard to come by.” Barix hears to voice speak to him again.

“Congratulations warrior. Your reward is waiting for you mortal. Further down.”

“What was that?” Twilight yells out.

“You can hear it now?” Barix asks in surprise.

“Hello Molag.” Everyone ignored Pinkie.

“It must be one of those artifacts, let's go!” After Twilight was done talking, she ran deeper into the abandon house.

“Oooo! Wait for me.” Pinkie was right behind her along with the two other friends behind them. The lavender mare ran through the rooms with a surprising quickness. Pinkie Pie started to shake, almost as if she was seizing. “Hold on a second guys.”

Barix and Rainbow stop right behind her as Twilight kept moving forward. Something bad is going to happen. Her voice was a little shaky from...her shaking, of course.

“Oh no full body shake. Pinks, do you know what it is.” Rainbow put on a worried look.

“Is that the Pinkie Sense again? Please tell me is something good.” The stress already building in Barix giving him a slight headache.

“All I know for sure is that it's another doozy.”

Barix runs further already having put the pieces together. A small tunnel was found in the lady room. Swallowing back any fear that he might of had, Barix steps inside. A few more turns he saw Twilight reach for a pedestal.

“Twilight, wait! IT'S A TRAP!”

As soon as those words were spoken metal bars that looked like scrawny demon fingers came up from a small, round platform in the ground. Twilight gasped and retreated herself in terror, Barix runs up to her new prison cell, punching it furiously as Pinkie and Rainbow came up from behind. Barix and his dragon fueled punches weren't making a scratch.

“What are you doing? Stop that.” The cyan flyer practicality hover in front of Barix to stop him then turns to her scared lavender friend. “Twilight calm down, just teleport yourself out.”

“Oh yeah”. With a slight blush of embarrassment she teleports out but was then teleported right back in. “Ah! What's going on?”

“AAAHHH!” BARIX couldn't help but yell out as he tries to pry the bars open.

“MUL!”

The dragonscale gloves were surrounded in a magical armor that increased his strength by ten fold. Not that it mattered, even with the newly acquired strength could break the cell.

“Put your back into it we have to get her out.” Rainbow started scolding Barix.

“What do you think I'm trying to do!?!”

“Foolish mortals. Did you really think Molag Bal, Lord of Domination, would so easily reward you?” It was the voice again, 

“Give her back to us you meany pants!” Intimidation wasn't one of Pinkie's special talents.

“Let down your cage now daedra!”

“So, you like to make enemies do you? It's a favorite hobby of mine as well. Let me show you how.”

Twilight starts yelling in pain as electricity shocked her from nowhere. Barix, Rainbow, and Pinkie try but fail to move the iron bars even a little. Twilight's fur was starting to burn, her friends crying for the helpless mare trapped inside. It seemed like forever before the shock wave subsided leaving a quivering pile of what used to be a strong mare.

“Now that I have your attention I have a matter that needs resolving. If you wish to see your friend alive you we do what I say.”

Barix looks up at the cave ceiling, as if looking at the Daedric Prince in question. Only, he was looking up with dark green eyes with a face that could kill the devil itself. His next words were those of a desperate man filled with the all rage in Skyrim.

“What do you want?”

“My rival, Boethiah, had her priest desecrate an artifact of mine and left it to rot on this pedestal. I need you to find him and bring him back.”

“Revenge is it?”

“No. What I seek is submission. To see him broken and begging for mercy. Do this and I shall give back your pet.”

        Barix looks at the weakened mare laying down on the cell. As she stared back his gaze lightened up some.

“Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay strong.”

        With a nod of understanding the angry warrior turns away, not even noticing the teary eyed cyan flyer or the way Pinkie’s mane was no longer it’s bouncy self but straight. The ponies had to pray themselves away to follow Barix out of the house.






        Outside the house Rarity was pacing back and forth as Applejack leaned against the house, Fluttershy laying on her stomach next to the country mare. Rarity was concerned for her friends inside. AJ’s words didn’t seem to make a difference.

“Rarity, Ah’ve said it almost uh million times by now and ah ain’t gonna say it again. Stop worryin so much.”

“But how could I not be. Our friends are up against a daedra for Celestia’s sake. Who knows what could happen.”

“What about Barix? He can protect them…r-right?” Fluttershy meekly added.

“Exactly. There’s him Twi, Dash and Pinkie in there. Nothin’s gonna happen. And if they do face uh daedra, why Ah wouldn’t be surprised if they came out with an artifact in the next few minutes.”

        Just then a loud bang shot in the air along with the door to the inside. It flew to the other side of the street slamming into the stone wall nearly missing Rarity by an inch or two. Barix came running out heading to the city entrance. Dash and Pinkie came out right after him, looking like someone just killed Tank and Gummy.

“What in tarnation!?!”

“Can’t talk, got to go.” Barix barley said that before speeding off.

“You’re not leaving without me!” Dash flew in hot pursuit.

“Oh hay, guess Ah’ll get answers later.” Applejack was right behind the duo.

“What! What about-,” a spell book and a key was thrown landing in front of the remaining three ponies, “-us?” Rarity levitated them in front of the group looking at the book. “Clairvoyance? And a key?”

“What if they go together?”

“Worth a shot.”

        Rarity opens the spell tome.






        Barix was outside with AJ and RD with him. He was slicing the reins off of Shadow Mare and getting on as he was talking to the two mares.

“What happened?”

“Short version, Twilight’s captured and I have to find someone and bring him back to set her free.”

“What about the other’s? We can’t just leave them behind.” Dash was showing her element.

“I need to find him NOW! If you want to come fine, but don’t expect me to slow down. The others will be fine.”

“Alright, if one uh our friends are in trouble Ah’ll be glad to lend a helpin hoof.”

“Count me in too.”

“Then let’s go.”

        Barix lightly kicks the side of his trusty steed who then speeds off away from the city of stone. The two mare’s running alongside him.

“So where are we goin away how?”

“Where ever this leads me.”

        Barix casts a spell, the one that would have otherwise left him lost many other times without it, Clairvoyance. In front of the three was a light purple mana trial. Barix had it, and soon he would find Boethiah.