//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Canterlot 
// Story: Origin of Dragon Charge(Short Story) 
// by PonyRob 
//------------------------------//

Over the next several years, Dragon Charge and his friend Critic lived off of whatever they could get. After all, when you grow up eating bugs, it's not the hardest transition to make. 

They had left their town in order to get as far away from the old orphanage as possible. It was nothing but a painful reminder of cruelty and for Dragon, betrayal. Dragon had reverted back to his normal form, unable to control his powers at this point, and so the two colts continued on their journey towards, well, hope. They didn't know where they were going, just that it was far away from the town of sad memories. 

When they were starving and couldn't find a charitable pony, which unfortunately was more often than not, they stole food from the street markets. See, Dragon Charge had been practicing his magic ever since he and his pal had begun their travels, learning from mistakes and getting a little better each time. By the age of eleven, he could levitate items perfectly, using this skill to nab items while the market workers weren't looking. He only stole what he and Critic needed, nothing more. There were times when they would get caught, but being very fast, they would always escape. Sometimes Critic would distract a pony with his comedy act, and then Dragon would steal the necessities while they weren't looking. 

When Dragon Charge was 15 and Critic was 12, they came upon the land of Canterlot, where they decided to pull a large prank on the masses. 

The truth was that the two boys had come to resent the upper-class ponies, feeling that they were all no different from Dusty; Cruel, stingy, uptight, and lacking in any sense of mercy. This was going to be their revenge for their harsh treatment, their suffering, their unfair lot in life. 

"Why should we hold back?" Dragon smiled. "They have it easy as it is. When have they been through anything we have? Look, we'll put on a show in the town square. You'll open with your magic act, I'll do a few tricks, then I'll scare them good when I transform into an Ursa Major. They'll be running around like bugs, scattering all over the place, then we'll bail, leaving them totally spooked!" 

Critic looked concerned. "I dunno, isn't becoming a monster a bit much? Are you sure you'll be able to control it?" he asked. 

"Of course, I've been practicing for this." Dragon calmly replied with a grin. Critic halfheartedly smiled back, reluctant to go along with this. 

In a few hours, the two friends gathered a large crowd to witness their show. It started out great. Critic's comedy had them laughing hard, and they were impressed with how gifted Dragon Charge was. 

Then, it was time for the big finish. Dragon's transformation scare seemed to be going to plan, until a blue alicorn princess stepped out from the crowd to fight Dragon. Scared of the princess that he knew could destroy him, he fought back out of desperation. He reverted back to his normal form to shoot a magical blast of energy at Princess Luna in hopes of escaping, but Luna dodged the blast and instead, Critic was struck by it, and was sent flying backwards. 

Dragon ignored Luna and ran to his friend's side. He was unconscious. "CRITIC!!" Dragon cried out his closest pal's name as he rushed over to him. "Oh, no. Please don't die on me, I can't to lose you. Please..." his eyes began to water as he continued. "I don't want to be alone. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. You're all I ever had, Critic." 

Luna overheard this. 

"Should I take them, your highness?", a member of the royal guard asked her. 

She shook her head as she slowly approached Dragon Charge. However, he saw her coming and angrily growled at her. 

"Stay away." 

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk." Dragon kept his angry expression as she continued cautiously. "Your friend is dying. Maybe I can help you." 

Dragon immediately shot back, "Now you want to help us. Now the royalty of Canterlot wants to help two street boys like us? Where were you, any of you, when we were without a home? Where were all of you when we went days without food or water? Huh? Where were you?" They all remained silent. "Then again, your 'highness', I guess it's easier to overlook the suffering of others when you have everything handed to you on a silver platter, when you've never had to suffer for anything or anyone in your perfect life..." suddenly Luna interrupted him. 

"ENOUGH! If you want your friend to have a chance of living, you'll come with me to Canterlot Castle." 

After a brief moment of hesitation, Dragon Charge carried his friend with him, climbed into Luna's sleigh, and they left for Canterlot Castle.