The rain started to pour in force closer to the lonely mountain of the forest, most of it's wildlife fled to shelter from the weather. Most wildlife.
At the only cave's entrance stood Smaug, his keen eyes searching for any signs of an animal unfortunate enough to still be out. Small rodents would scurry about in clearings, they wouldn't sate the drake's hunger. Something larger than a rabbit would be just lovely.
Movement at the corner of sight signaled a creature that would hold over Smaug's appetite for a day or two, trivial matters considering he could sleep for a century without worry. Though he wouldn't pass a meal when he could get one.
Smaug climbed down towards the rustling, his predatory nature becoming vastly evident. The scent wasn't something familiar like dwarf or pony, no this smell was that of a reptilian origin. Smaug stopped to allow whatever was hidden to head into the clearing, a strange animal made it's into sight.
A feathered head atop an pudgy body, Smaug was growing tired of this world's oddities that kept popping up. Seeing the animal was in no way able to overcome his strength Smaug snaked his tail behind the creature to distract it. Once the animal moved to inspect the new sounds the drake lept forward, the massive teeth sliced clean trough flesh and bone. The pudgy animal slid down his throat sure it was enough to hold him over, but it wasn't certainly a feast fit for his size.
A new sound rang in Smaug's ears, a voice. The drake followed the voice as silently as his form would allow, he slithered forward with full intent to feed.
Smaug cursed to himself as a striped pony plucked a strange blue flower, having enough to fuel his anger he stepped without care of this new pony hearing him.
"Oh my, a mighty dragon stands before my eyes. I had not heard you creep near, your size is something to fear." The striped pony ryhmed, unaware of the dragon's fury that was slowly rising. "May I ask your name? Surly a dragon your size has fame."
"Striped one, I am Smaug." The last fire drake spat. "I'm sure you understand that a dragon of my calibur requires a great quantity of food."
"A dragon this large needs many gems, as foals need vitamins. As for my name I am Zecora,as you've seen I'm in search of a certain flora." Zecora smiled.
"Adorable, but I don't eat jewels. No I eat flesh!" Smaug rushed forward with amazing speed. Zecora dashed away in time as the jaws snapped a tree in two, Smaug spit the timber from his mouth in annoyance. His eyes picked out the panic stricken zebra with little effort, his roar echoed signaling his chase. "To think running will save you, it did the dwarves no good!"
Zecora's mind pushed her body harder than ever before, the dragon's snarling convinced her to keep moving. Ducking around trees and diving under shrubs, yet Smaug still came. Sounds of his bulk crashing through the forest caused an uproar with the natural wildlife. If she were in an open field Smaug would've used his flight to overcome her, if Smaug were to take flight he would lose his meal. Simple things like this Smaug understood quite well, until a roar greeted his ears.
Zecora knew she had led this colossal beast into another dragon's territory, better to trust the devil you know than the one you don't. The green drake crashed behind the frightened zebra as she held her gaze at Smaug.
"These are my hunting grounds!" The green dragon charged towards Smaug with all it's might. Smaug being larger than it made the task of toppling the fire drake all the more taxing. The charge worked as Smaug fell on his side with a snarl. "As such, she's mine!"
"On second thought, I'll have you instead!" Smaug pounced the smaller drake, using his weight to hold it in place. The unholy orange glow dominated the dull forest as Smaug let lose a torrent of flames upon the green dragon.
A sharp crack snapped Smaug out of his early victory, the dragon's tail whipped across Smaug's face once more. Dragon against dragon, the Everfree forest shook as these two Titans of the skies battled. The green drake shoved Smaug off itself and took to the skies where with it's smaller form would be able to out maneuver Smaug, but to it's surprise Smaug was not far behind.
Through the sky they clashed, claws and teeth met against scales. The green drake managed to swipe at Smaug's eyes, coming close to an inch away.
Smaug could see the edge of the forest and the small town they lay just beyond it, with a new plan Smaug shot forward quicker than the green dragon to anticipate. Blood rushed from the bite on the left wing creating a crimson rain for the ponies below. Something the massive dragon noticed was that it wasn't raining over the town unlike the forest, this puzzled the red dragon.
Seeing it's opportunity arise the green drake landed a successful strike on Smaug's back, forcing him to the ground.
Ponies below watched as the larger of the two dragons fell. Dust clouds erupted from the impact zone, many ran away from the area where the large dragon had crashed.
The green drake landed not too far from the crater with a smile etched onto it's scaled jaws.
"Everfree belongs to Malirth!" The green drake spoke flatly. Turning back to the forest, Malirth never expected a shadow to fall upon him.
"You will BURN!" A jet of napalm fire scorched the soft exposed flesh along Malirth's left wing, causing the green drake to screech in pain. Normally fires wouldn't effect a fully grown dragon when it was at full health, but softer skin underneath the scales could feel the searing heat of flames.
Teeth dug into Malirth's throat ruthlessly as Smaug pulled against muscle, the sounds of flesh being torn from bone echoed throughout Ponyvile.
Silence. Pure shocked silence. Everypony who saw this spectacle couldn't turn away, they watched as Malirth bled profusely from his open wound upon his throat. As the ponies thought that this was the end were never more wrong.
Once the green dragon fell onto the floor Smaug shot jets of flame into the sky before digging into the corpse, gorging himself with an audience in utter shock.
After an hour of feeding Smaug felt the need for rest, with his great wings Smaug shot upwards. With little other than sleep on his mind Smaug flew towards his mountain home.
Back at Ponyvile many gathered around the remains of one of the last dragons of Everfree. Bloody bones told the story to those whom missed the action, even then it was hard to imagine that a dragon would cannibalize it's own kind. Whispers started to become conversations of worry, if a dragon was willing to eat one of it's own then how long before it came back to feast on pony meat.
Among those present were the six mares whom saved the world numerous times, now faced the carnage of the great dragon.
Twilight had never seen this level of brutality in a fight, even with dragons. Stunned by the larger dragon's ferocity in combat while violent display was in action, words failed to describe how cruel and brutal the red dragon had been. This caused three things: Immense fear of a dragon's rage, hesitation to approach the edge of Everfree, and a resolve to make this large fire drake into an ally.
Twilight saw it's flight back towards Everfree, the lonely mountain would likely be it's lair. She would need to prepare for the venture, supplies could be gathered at her palace.
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Over the Everfree forest Smaug flew as gracefully as his size would allow, but as he drew near his eyes spotted small forms coming in and out of his cave. His stomach full from dragon meat protested any more consumption, so the fire drake decided burning them would be the best course of action. With his loudest roar Smaug shot forward, his wings beating powerfully towards his lair. Within seconds he was upon the creatures.
As he landed many of those creatures here bowed, some went a step further and saluted Smaug.
"Who are you?" Smaug's eyes still held the glow, his chest began to light the dim cave. His voice echoing within the confines of the cavern causing many of the furry creatures.
"You kills old boss! We work for yous now, we bring many gems to boss!" The largest one spoke with a tremble in it's voice. "Diamond Dogs likes us need alphas to lead pack, you new alpha!"
"Work for me? Who has claimed I need servants, and what makes you think I won't make you into a snack?" Smaug's eyes dimmed slightly.
"Scouts saw you eat old boss, but we work still!" The dog reassured. A huff from the large drake was the only answer many of the mutts needed to hear as they stacked more gems around the massive cavern. "Uh boss, why did you eat other dragon?"
"Because he got in my way when I was hunting. I will do the same if anyone of you creatures interrupt me." Smaug stated simply with a cold tone in his voice. "No one is to wake me, am I understood."
Each dog nodded to Smaug then continuing to work, gems and bits were brought in wicker baskets. None dared to wake the great dragon as he slept for fear of invoking his wrath.
Two dogs spoke quietly with each other about riches and gem hunts, once they said something of interest Smaug's eye cracked open.
"Yes many shiny gems stored there! Me and some pups traveled far, reached crystal wolves. They says stuff bout massive gem worth maybe seven gem hauls!"
"No they didn't! You're lying! No gem worth seven hauls, even if was ponies guard them anyway."
Smaug lifted his head to see the pair talking, he slithered closer.
"It's right in center of city! No guards at night, we could take it!" The Diamond Dog practically screamed.
"Interesting, right in the center of the city you say?" The draconic greed urged Smaug to hunt this gem down and take it for himself, even though his stomach protested such a thing. "Where would such a thing be located? Your lives depend on your answer."
"Up north boss!"
"Yeah way up north!"
Smaug sensing no half truths from his new servants smiled, he turned back to his slab. With this new information in mind Smaug would pay this city a visit it wouldn't soon forget.
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Twilight lead the group towards the cave where Diamond Dogs could be seen moving many items, what she couldn't figure out was why. That mattered very little compared to this dragon situation, a record breaking dragon that just a few hours ago ate another dragon.
"Twilight why do we have to find it? It ate another dragon! I don't think it would be friendly to us." Fluttershy quipped quietly, evident fear could be seen in her large eyes.
"Because this is the first time a dragon this size has ever been seen, also if there is any confrontation id rather have it on our side." The princess gave her timid friend a reassuring smile, though deep down she felt scared of the large drake. "Everypony, there are Diamond Dogs in the cave. Any suggestions?"
Rarity internally cringed from the memories of the last encounter with the mining mutts. "Yes dear, allow me to talk to them. Guaranteed they see us right in."
"Uh Rarity, we're here for a dragon, not dogs." Rainbow Dash spoke flatly.
"Those uncouth dogs will no doubt remember me, and how eager they were to be rid of me. That wasn't the worst experience I've had." Rarity giggled when she lost herself in memories. The mouth of the cave now in clear sight, but something seemed off. All the Diamond Dogs glared inward towards the massive shape that was Smaug.
As the small group of ponies slowed to stop as events were about to unfold. Each one of the dogs exploded within green flames, Twilight motioned the girls down as the changelings moved in unison to Smaug.
"Twilight why would there be changelings here?" Rainbow Dash asked as she scratched her noggin. "Weren't they like I don't know, banished?"
"It is possible for many to still be in Equestrian lands, but I didn't expect this many." Just as the Princess of Friendship was about to continue Smaug's flames shot outside. All of those changelings roasted within seconds. Even though they were enemies of Equestria they still had lives and families that now would never see them again.
Once they turned back fear took hold. Smaug was starring down on each one of the six ponies.
With a great leap the colossal dragon land before the six, snarling with hatred. His mouth opened dangerously wide causing the six mares to back away.
"Anymore surprises I will turn this world into ashes!"