//------------------------------// // It is time to fight part 2 // Story: I will live on // by Miner //------------------------------// Night has fallen, I as waited for Spot to return. I can only hope that he is alright. Rover came earlier informing me that they have finished their work. I then told him to get every dog in position for the trap, and for the others to get to the safe zone we made earlier. It is safe and out of the way, just in case if the dragon decides to start caving in the mines. I know for a fact that I cannot win against it in a head-on fight. My only chance of victory is to lure it into the trap. Rover wanted to use some of the guards to lure it, but I disagreed with him, on the grounds that a dog who never faced a dragon before would run away in terror rather than towards the trap. That and I couldn’t stand to know that another dog would fall prey to a dragon when I could do something about it. But then again last time it didn’t turn out so well. I then looked into my pocket seeing the gems shines back at me. I could use them to give me an advantage, but the consequences of doing so aren't worth it. Frustration fills my body as I closed my pocket, I haven’t felt this hopeless since I saw my home in flames. Soon the ground nearby started to pile upon itself in a tunnel-like fashion heading towards me. I then grab a branch and stick it in the ground in front of the digger as it collides with it, stopping in its track, shaking the branch. I reach into the ground and pulled out a small and dizzied Diamond Dog. “There you are Spot. It is good to see you again.” “Nice to see all of you too.” I then set him down on his feet “What news do you bring?” He then shook his head before speaking “Oh, yes, after other ponies left Hooves, he blew some horn and three minutes later the dragon appeared before him. I came right back once I saw the beast.” “Good, and thank you Spot. Now go inside and let the others know.” “Right!” he then ran towards the cave but stop when I didn’t follow him. “What about you? Aren’t you coming along?” “Well, someone has to greet our guest to our home.” “You are one strange dog, Ed,” Spot said shaking his head side to die before disappearing into the mine. Three minutes later I could then hear the sound of the wind turning direction sending leaves off the branches, before a huge mass drop-out from the sky in front of me, sending dust everywhere. Covering my eyes, I wait for the dust to settle to see Nova kneeling on one knee with his fists out to his sides along with his wings, as he slowly lifts his head staring at me with a predictor grin. “Hello there, mutt.” I didn’t show fear instead, I dusted myself out before I spoke to him “Hello Nova.” His smile leaves his face in the revelation of his name, “How do you know my name?”  Grin comes to my face, “You tell me. After all, I am just a dumb dog.” Anger filled his face as he stood up “It doesn’t matter.” He then cracks his knuckles “It’s time for you dogs to leave, this is my mine now.” “Well, you see now we have a problem on our paws then.” I then start pacing side to side “For you see us dogs, we like it here. It’s nice here, a good mine, it far from danger, and no rude neighbors.” “Stop talking dog and died!” he then unleashed a large breath of fire at me. I then slam my leg into the ground forcing a hidden shield to jump out from the dirt. I grab it with my good arm to block the flames, only for it turn red hot and melt. I toss it away before I got seriously burned. “You are going to had to do better than that lizard!” I mocked him as I ran into the mine with an angry dragon behind me. “You and your pack will die!” he yelled as he chased me. Due to his size he couldn’t use his wings and had to chase on foot. Whenever he would get close to me, I would make a sharp turn forcing him to slow down, or crashing into the walls. I would even pull some stashes of gems and throw them at his face disorienting him. I have the advantage from now, but I can’t keep this up forever, I need to lead him into the trap. As the case goes on I had lead Nova down three levels into the mines, used three shields and five gems bags. I can make, it just a little more, “What is wrong Nova. I thought dragons were supposed to be powerful, how hard can it be to catch one handy-capped dog?” “I will show you power!” he then started to send fireballs after me but was missing. His anger has clouded his judgment and has decreased his aim. We just turn the last corner to the trap, but then the unexpected happened. A pup had wandered away from the safety of the pack and is in front of us. Time seemed to slow down as I saw the horror unfold in front of me. Nova was sending a pillar of fire on the pup. Without a second thought, I ran in front of the fire to protect the pup as I reach into my bag and crushing three of the gems inside, sending a green smoke surrounding us before the fire consume us. Nova smile to himself, believe that he had killed a troublesome dog. He turned his attention to a female dog, who had appeared from the same tunnel where the pup had come from. She must have come here looking for the lost pup but found him instead. She stared at the fire of burning dogs with fear before she notices the dragon before her “You dog are next.” Scare for her life she ran away from him as fast as she could, however, it didn’t take long before she was cornered by the beast on the second level. She was no warrior and was terrified by the dragon as he closed in on her, but before he could harm her, Nova felt a pain to his side. Looking to his left Nova can see Rover pulling out a diamond spear from his side getting ready for another thrust. “Augh! You mutt!” he then back slaps Rover sending him flying across the mine into a wall. Nova snapped the spear before tossing in two different directions, before moving towards the down dog. “Did you really think that would have been enough to stop ME?” he asked Rover as he limped away from the dragon in fear. “No, I knew I needed more dogs with me to do that,” Rover said weakly “I see so you were trying to commit suicide then. Allow me to help you with that then.” “No, I was just giving her some time to get away from you.” He said as the other dog was looking at him behind a corner. “A brave dog. That’s a new one.” Nova then grabs Rover by the throat lifting him up in the air choking him “In exchange for the hero act, I will make sure that your death is painless.” He said bringing his claws back for the final blow as Rover closed his eyes. “After you!” another voice said behind them as another dragon slightly smaller than Nova, tackle him making him drop Rover as it started pushing Nova into the lower levels. The two struggles with one another but the new dragon would not let up and continue to push. Rover just sat there in shock seeing a friendly dragon helping them. He tried to get up but a paw stops him. The dog from earlier came back to him with some bandages and started to help him. But Rover tried to stop her “Not now I can wait, but that dragon must be dealt with.” But she didn’t let him up “ROVER! You are no good to any dog in your condition right now. Let me help you before you hurt yourself too much that no one can help you.’ He stops as he listens to her before he lets her continues “Besides I think that new dragon might just that care us the other one for us.” Clawing, biting, punching Nova unleashed everything at his disposal to get this dragon off of him but nothing worked. It wasn’t until they had reached a large chamber in the lower levels that the dragon pushed Nova away from itself. Once righting himself Nova address his new foe “I don’t know why you are here, or why you are helping these dogs, but I will not tolerate it. Anyone that gets in my way will be eliminated!” “Are you going to just talk there all night or are we going to finish this?” “Lets.” The two dragons charge at one another wrestling with one another. As their fight continues the room was getting filled with guard dogs coming out from the ground, blocking the exits. Ready their spears they were going to attack but Fido told them to fall back as he notices what room they were in. Once the last guard dog left Nova had forced his foe onto the floor with its face under his claw. “You know what kid? It has been a while since I had this must fun fighting another dragon.” He then raises his claw in the air “I will take great pleasure in killing you and then every single dog here.” However, the defeated dragon only laugh as it saw some diamond dogs near the ceiling of their room, “Sorry to burst your bubble Nova, but I was never meant to defeat you.” “What?” “I was only making sure that you stay in this room long enough for my dogs to get ready.” He said as the doorways of the room cave in on themselves. “WHAT!?” “NOW FIDO!” As fast as they could a pack of Diamond dogs dug through the ceiling weakening it before they got out of the way to the level above them. The ceiling shook as dirt, rocks, and gems started to fall from above. Before Nova could breathe fire to stop them, the other one used its tail to trip him onto his back as he got on top of Nova and putting a claw onto his throat stopping him from breathing any more fire. “You fool! You will get us both killed!” Nova said trying to get out of the dragon’s grasp but couldn’t. “Maybe” sharp started to metals fell from the ceiling “but then again” the room then started to darken as hail like stones falls onto the dragons. “I am just a dumb dog, now aren’t I?” THUUMD! As the dust settles the Diamond dog look down into the hole. They could see a dragon with half its body trapped underneath the rubble. As for the other dragon, the was nothing to be found but a Diamond dog trapped under the rubble. The dogs stare in confusion as they tried to figure out how did that dog get trap down there. It wasn’t until Rove came into the room we someone knew who the dog was “ED!? What are you doing down there?” His shout woke up the dragon as he stares in disbelief at the dog in front of him. “How? It’s not possible. I killed you dog. I saw you burn.” “The answer is quite simple really. I used soul gems to save my life and that of the pups. Then I used the remainder of said energy to change my body into something that could take you head on.” “What are you talking about dog?” Nova sneered at him before coughing out blood, “There are no such things as soul gems, they are only an old pony’s tale.” “Believe what you want Nova, but I know this for sure. We Diamond Dogs of Pony Ville Mine have just defeated you.” The was cheering coming from above them as dog’s cheer in victory. “Enjoy this while you can dog. For you are just as doom for death as am I. So, in the end, I will kill you mutt.” “Think again lizard.” Ed then pulls out a green gem from his pocket “For it is only you who will not see the sunrise tomorrow Nova.” Ed said before he eats a soul gem. His body glowed green before he forced his body out of the rubble and going next to Nova’s head. “So, still had an ace up your sleeve,” Nova said but then Ed summoned Komi to his side and stab Nova in the head. “Yes, I did dragon.” He then removed Komi and let Nova fall to the ground dead. He then looks up to his fellow dogs to see them in shock of what he just did. “I will explain everything later, but for now let’s clea-” Ed started but passed out once Komi disappeared. When Ed woke up he found himself back in his room with Melody on his side asleep. He had no idea how long he was asleep but that can wait. He then started to rubbing her side to slowly wake her up. After a few minutes, she did without opening her eyes. “You used them again didn’t you.” She said emotionless as he continues to rub her. “There wasn’t much choice my mate.” “There is always another choice Ed, but I am not upset this time,” she said moving her body closer to his. “But you know what happens every time you used them like that Ed. He said nothing to that as she continues “Sometimes I think of what life would be like without you Ed, and it scares me. She then looks into his eyes “Please don’t scare me like that again.” “I will do my best.” He then sat up but wincing in pain before lying back down. “What happen while I was out?” “Rover got the dogs to buried that dragon in the hole where you left it. Then called the others out of hiding, and sent Spot to look for any ponies in the area, so he can tell them that the problem with the dragon has been taken care of. That was three days ago. “Is that all?” “Yes, Ed. Things have been rather peaceful since the fight with the dragon.” “And Greedy Hooves?” “I believe I can answer that.” Rover said entering the room. “just got word from Spot that he was trying to sell our mine to some ponies saying it would make a great storage area. But when Spot told the ponies that we would defend our home. Old Hooves started running home when he when he got to the part about the dragon and who it worked for.” He chuckles at that “I guess he lost his potential customers and decide it was a good time to leave town.” “Good riddance.” “Indeed, but you know he will be back. We were his best suppliers of gems for miles from here, and he lost his business to a bunch of lowly dogs.” “One thing at a time Rover. As for now, I believe I have some answering to do.” “Yes, you do. For Starters, how in the world did you turn into a dragon!?!" “Soul gems.” “What are Soul gems?” “They are exactly what they sound like. I had a few of them with me before the dragon attacks us. I wasn’t planning on using them, but I could let that pup die just because she was at the wrong place at the wrong time.” “So, these soul gems, what can they do anyway, besides turning you into a dragon?” “Well turning into a dragon is new, but normally just crushing one gem, can give anyone great strength, and can heal wounds for a short time. But crushing more than one can be unpredictable. In this case, it turned me into something that can withstand fire.” “Is that all they can do?” “No this is one more thing they can do. If one is skilled enough with magic, one can summon the soul that is trap within the gem to their aid.” “That sounds awesome! Can you show me how to do that Ed?!” “No.” “No?” “Rover I only have one gem left, and there is something else. There is a high cost for using such powerful gems.” “And what might that be?” “Each time I use up a soul gem, I will lose one year of my own life.” “That sounds like a lot to me. Considering that we don’t have much of a year span, to begin with.” Rover said rubbing his forehead “But now onto the next question. What was that sword you used? I have never seen anything quite like it.” “It is called Uhane Komi. It means ‘soul blade’. It is how I make soul gems.” “How does it work?” “Once I kill a creature with it, the body turns into dust that condenses into the gem.” “But wait. If that was the case, then why didn’t it work on the dragon you just killed?” “A dragon’s life force is too big for me to seal in a gem. Thus, it would only die when I stab it instead of turning into a soul gem.” “I see. So, Ed, might I ask how you acquired such a blade?” “That is a story for another time Rover. If you haven’t already noticed I become very weak after using those gems. I need some more time to rest to regain my strength.” “Ok I understand, but please tell me one more than Ed. If the gems take away a year off your life, then how many more years do you have left?” this caused Melody to cling to me tighter. “We will never discuss that topic ever again Rover.” He was going to object. “EVER!” he hushed up. “Sorry, Ed.” He looks around the room for a bit “I better go and see how things are going with getting supplies with the ponies again. I will be back later.” He then left us alone. No words were said when he left us, for unintentionally or not, Rover just asked the question I have been dreading since the day I found out how to use these gems. I never told Melody the extant number of times I used them, but she knows it is a lot. And I know I that even if the rest of my years are filled with happiness and good fortune; I would never live to see my grandchildren.