//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven // Story: Planeswalkers // by CoastBrumby //------------------------------// In the dark and cloudy world between dreams, an alicorn princess gave her complete attention to a centaur lord. The princess was known as Luna to her friends. The lord was known as Tirek, and he had no friends. Lord Tirek had not always been alone. He told a tale of a time he was surrounded by both friends and family. He told a tale of his youth, and as he spoke the dream world became the people, place and time of his story. Lord Tirek began his tale thusly, “The dragon was both enormous and ancient. It was not out rightly cruel. It seemed to take a small amount of care not to harm those of the city, but its greed was much greater than its mercy. Its desire for the gems of the royal treasury was overwhelming. The force to drive it away was extraordinary, and it only retreated after it had manage to acquire a claw full of such great wealth as to make the rulers of the Crystal Empire paupers in comparison.” Luna, one who had beheld countless fantastic dreams, eyes grew wide with amazement as Lord Tirek’s tale formed around them. She saw a city. The city was larger and more opulent than Canterlot. The numerous colourful domes, towers, and minarets bragged of the wealth and pride of Tirek’s people. Luna barely had a chance to enjoy the sights of the city for soon her entire focus was on the dragon. The dragon was larger than any that had ever been seen in Equestria. It towered above even the greatest of the city’s temples. The dragon had for powerful legs with spear length claws. Its wings were massive enough to block out the sun when unfurled. Its scales were metallic with a multicolour oil slick sheen. The dragon was narrow compared to its length, but four ponies could comfortably stand next to each other on its back. The dragon moved with a serpentine grace, its steps shook the ground with a terrifying rhythm. The dragon had landed in a park near its target. The guards of the city fled before it, and the might of the military was thrown against the beast. The arrows great and small were all useless. All the archers’ projectiles bounced of the dragons scales without causing so much as a scratch. Tirek and his brother were in the garden of their family home when the word was put out all the city’s magicians were to use any spell they could thing of using to drive the dragon away. The family home was twenty minutes away from the battle. Tirek and his brother were safe there, but they heeded the call of civil duty and raced towards the royal treasury with no hesitation. Many of the city’s magicians had arrived at the battle well ahead of Tirek and his brother. Cairo and a team of magicians were directing powerful lightning spells against the dragon. The lightning seemed to bother the dragon. The massive creature would growl and shack when struck as the electricity sparked off its flank. The deflected bolts went far and wide. Fires were starting all over the city. Tirek assessed the situation grimly when he and his brother arrived. “This is lunacy. Those spells will destroy the city before the dragon is even stunned. It knew we couldn’t harm it before it came here. A dragon does not live to be as old as that one clearly is by being stupid. We should just let it take the jewels it came here for, and it will leave. The gems in the treasury are replaceable, but not a single life is.” “I agree with you, but I don’t think we need to let the dragon take all the gems. If I can get into its head, I might be able convince it to only take some of them.” Tirek’s brother said. “You really think you can form a telepathic link with a dragon?” Tirek asked. The winged minotaur laughed. “If it has a mind, I can meld with it. I am not certain I could do it more than a few minutes, but that is all I’d need. We are not going to get anywhere while those idiots are flinging all that deafening force at the one I am to negotiate with today.” Tirek stomped his hooves. “You start the melding process. I will take care of Cairo.” Tirek’s brother said nothing. He sat down and began to meditate. He was an island of peace in a sea of chaos. The sphinx mage Cairo and half a dozen other mages were stationed on a large balcony on a temple next to the treasury. Tirek galloped up the winding stair case to them in record time. “Stop!” Tirek cried out as he burst through the doors. Cairo chuckled. “The dragon will not stop simply because you ask nicely, Tirek. It is actually good you are here. Our lightening is only slowing it down slightly, but we need that time.” Cairo gestured to a trio of muttering robed and cowled figures. “They are preparing a powerful spell of death magic. You can use black mana. Can you not? Aide them and the dragon will be dead sooner.” Tirek listened closely to the trio’s mutterings. He gasped in shock. “That spell is meant to be used only by the most powerful of beings against the most powerful of beings. If is cast, many in the city will be hurt or worse. My brother is going to meld with the dragon. He will convince it to take but a few gems. This is the best possible scenario.” Cairo snarled. “Collateral damage is a consequence of battle. This city will emerge stronger than ever. We will be feared indeed when it is learned we are a race of dragon slayers. None will dare cheat or betray is ever again.” “We will be known as a race of fools. This dragon will shrug of even a spell of this strength at best, or be injured and enraged at worse. If you’d open your eyes, you’d see that even if all the wizards of this city were to act as one, we wouldn’t be able to harm the dragon. It came to this city prepared. It is indestructible.” Tirek declared. The robed trio began to chant louder and faster. “You are too late. The spell is almost complete.” Cairo said smugly. Tirek acted quickly. He opened his mouth and inhaled. The magic of the trio flowed into Tirek as streams of light. The trio collapsed, and Tirek stood taller. “Traitor!” Cairo called out. He and the remaining mages cast potent disabling spells at Tirek before he had a chance to respond. Tirek collapsed onto the tiled floor of the balcony. When Tirek returned to consciousness, he was beside his brother. Both of them were before a magistrate. The magistrate was a minotaur with a fancy official gown and displeased look on his face. The minotaur magistrate spoke in a stern and unforgiving tone. “Tirek, I am glad you are awake. I was just about to pass sentence. I am not sure why you chose to betray your city and allow a monster to take our wealth, but I don’t care. Until you and your brother return something to the city of equal value to the gems that were stolen, you are hereby banished. The two of you have until sundown to be out of the city walls. You have power. Prove you are worthy of it in the wilds. Goodbye.” The magistrate finished speaking and turned and left before Tirek could say a word. Tirek’s brother put his hand on Tirek’s shoulder. “Come brother. We have just enough time to pack. It looks like you and I are going on a big adventure.” Tirek punched his own palm. “We did it. Didn’t we? You were able to meld with the dragon.” Tirek’s brother nodded. “Yet they treat us like criminals. This is unforgivable.” Tirek proclaimed. “We will make them pay for this.” “I have no regrets. We saved many lives, and I have always wished to see the many wild lands far from here. There is an ancient forever free forest that is rumoured to be kept in harmony by a tree of living crystal. I long to see such a thing. Imagine what we could learn. My mind boils with questions.” Tirek’s brother said. Tirek slapped his hands together. “Let’s go. That place sounds perfect. There we could find the wealth we need to return or the power we need for revenge. We’ll show them all the meaning of worth.” The winged minotaur turned his head and smiled slightly. “This journey will be worth more to us than all the gems in the city. We will be making it together after all, Brother.” The world became fog. Lord Tirek and Princess Luna stood alone in the dream world. “Have you learned the truth now, Princess?” Lord Tirek said smugly. Luna looked Lord Tirek directly in the eyes. “Yes, Tirek. I learned you have a heart, but you run from it. You cannot run from what is inside of you. You must accept your feelings, or they will forever bring you pain. I want you to show me one more thing with the time we have remaining. I want you to show me your future.”