//------------------------------// // 2: Move out... // Story: A Pact to Live // by OblivionShadow //------------------------------// Nix awoke to a bright morning and he raised his head from the wagons wooden floor and looked around him. He looked toward the front of the wagon and saw that they were still in movement. He sat up and gripped the blanket that lay over his back and he laid it carefully to the side. Kahl’s warning about his magic making him pause before using his horn. The stallion stood up and walked to the front section of the wagon and poked his head through the thin sheeting over it. A young mare turned to look at him and a flush went over her cheeks as she looked at him. She was the Mayors daughter, Gemmed. Her light pink coat was bright in the sunlight, with her diamond cutie mark in a bright silver color. “How are you feeling, Nix?” She asked him shyly. “Much better thank you. Did you see what happened to the dragons?” He asked her and she shook her head in response to his question. “Did anypony see?” “My father might have. He’s walking with the others behind the wagon.” She said to him. She began to speak more but he pulled his head back through the thin sheeting and jumped back to the edge of the wagon and hopped out of it to the ground. “Nix, lad!” A shout caught his attention and he trotted to the others and smiled at their greeting. The one who had called out to him was the village blacksmith, Strong Hoof. “Good morning.” “Morning. Good to see you bounced back over night. Last night you looked pretty bad.” The mayor commented to him. His light green coat was covered in a thin coat. “Mayor Back Draft. I was that bad?” Nix asked. “Yes. Though I only saw you after you were bundled into the wagon for a rest.” He admitted and placed a gentle hoof on ponies shoulder. “I was wondering if any of you saw what happened with the dragons.” Nix asked them as he walked with them. “Oh, the three trouble makers slunk into the trees and disappeared.” Draft replied to him. “Only one that was still there when we left was the big black one. I’m surprised you didn’t see him when you left.” “I got knocked out so I didn’t see him leave.” Nix said back. “Ahh. Well, least ya came out of it okay.” Strong said to him. “But what started it?” Nix pressed. “Auch. No idea what drew those lizards to us. They torched the back end first and then a minute later that big black showed up and they focused on ‘im. They roared and screamed back and forth and then they went after ‘im. Not sure what the goal of that big black was, but he sure gave ‘em hell.” Strong said to him. “I was hoping they would take their fight somewhere else but alas, they remained.” The Mayor said aloud. “He was trying to protect us.” Nix commented. “How do ya figure, lad?” Strong asked him, his eyes inquisitive. “I watched him. He even kept his tail up and over the houses to avoid hitting them. He kept pushing them back and even drove off the green one when it came after me.” Nix said to them. “Well. Maybe Ah had the wrong of it then.” Strong admitted. “He was trying to help.” Nix said, his voice had a faint tone of sadness as he thought over what had happened and what Kahl had lost in the end. “Well. It’s good to hear that that big black dragon was on our side, then.” Draft replied. “Anyway, what happened to you lad?” Strong asked him. “What do you mean? I ran into the fire.” Nix replied, sarcasm in his tone. “We know that part. But ya got a wound on your face that looks new, but Ah know ya didn’t have that before.” Strong said to him. “Huh?” Nix replied dumbly. “He’s right. It’s an open wound but there is no blood or anything. Plus, were your eyes always blue?” The Mayor asked as Nix stared at him. "Wound?” Nix replied with a question of his own and reached up to touch his face. As he moved his hoof along the wound he recognized it as a duplicate to the wound that was on Kahl’s face the first time he saw him. “Oh…Umm…I don’t remember.” He said quickly. “And my eyes are blue?” “Yes. It’s a vibrant blue and they might be giving off a slight glow as well. Weren’t they grey last I saw you?” Back Draft asked him. “They were…are…umm, hang on. I need a mirror.” Nix replied and pulled away from them and jumped into the wagon. “Excuse me?” He pushed his head through the sheet once more, startling Gemmed. “Do you have a mirror?” “Umm… Maybe?” She replied. “If you can watch the road I can check. I tossed a bunch of stuff into my bag before we fled.” “Perfect. I’ll keep an eye out.” He replied, cheerfully and hopped onto the main seat and waited as she went into the wagon. He waited while she searched, he could hear her moving items as she looked for her own bag. Nix looked to the two stallions that were pulling the wagon and they looked back to him and smiled. “Hey, you’re awake.” One said to him. “Yeah. Sorry for adding to the weight, guys.” Nix joked to them. “I know. Carrying you as well nearly busted my spine!” One quipped to him. “Seriously? You weigh maybe more than the average winter coat.” He joked back, sarcasm in his tone. Nix shrugged at his words and tried to look sheepish. “I have weight...I just carry it better than most.” He jabbed back at him as Gemmed came through the sheet to join him. “Here you go. Be careful with it, please. It was my mom’s.” She said to him. “Now ya tell me.” Nix replied to her and gently took the mirror from her and looked into it. His eyes widened as a pair of vibrant azure eyes stared back at him and the deep wound across his face showed through his midnight blue fur. “Wow.” He whispered to himself and looked at the wound closely. He pushed a hoof gently against it and he winced at the bit of pain from it and tried to smile as Gemmed watched him. “Thanks. You want it back or should I put it in your bag?” “My bag is out so just set it on the blanket in it.” She said to him and he nodded to her. “Got it.” He said and got back into the wagon and set the mirror carefully in the spot she designated. Phoenix checked his saddlebags and made sure that they were secure before he hopped out of the wagon and began to walk alongside it. He focused on the dragon in his mind and when he was certain that he would be fairly well ignored in the shadow of the wagon. “KAHL!” He yelled into his own mind. “Yes? I can hear you just fine without the yelling.” The dragon snapped back at him. “What did you do?” “What did I do to what?” “I just had something pointed out to me.” He began. “You were listening in I assume?” “No. I was not eavesdropping if you wish to call it that.” The dragon replied. “Oh…Shit. Okay, I was told that I have a wound to my face and my eyes are blue. I didn’t get hit in the face before and my eyes are grey.” He replied. “Oh? I did not change anything if that is what you are thinking.” The dragon replied smartly. “You had a gash to your face last I saw you.” Nix said to him. "True. I took a claw to the face. Barely missed my right eye if I recall.” “You are right but that’s not the point!” Nix pointed out. “And your eyes are blue. Mine are glowing blue.” “Truly?” “I really wish you had been paying attention. I even used a mirror to look into it. Hang on.” Nix hopped back into the wagon and gently picked up the mirror once more and held it in front of his face, allowing Kahl to see what he was talking about. “I see what you mean. Interesting. Well, those are my eyes I can agree with that. Mine are like that due to the flames I carry. But the fact that you also have the facial wound is a bit of a surprise.” “Can I put the mirror away?” Nix asked. “Yes. I see what you were talking about now.” Nix carefully put it away once more and jumped out of the wagon to walk beside it once more. “Can I ask a vain question?” “Sure. We are all allowed one every now and then.” “Will this scar?” Nix asked. “Most likely.” Kahl replied with a chuckle. “Unfortunately your good looks will be ruined.” “Great. I don’t have many things going for me and now my good looks are ruined.” Nix replied with a laugh. Kahl chuckled at his tone. “Well in the grand scheme of things it could be worse.” “How?” “Our roles could be reversed.” Kahl quipped. Nix paused as the thought of being trapped in the body of a fire-loving dragon made him cringe. “I’d be whimpering the whole time.” “True enough.” Kahl laughed at his response. “So did you learn anything?” “Yeah. Everypony thought you were with the other dragons so I corrected them on that at least.” “I thank you for that. It’s actually quite insulting to be grouped with them.” Kahl spat out. “Easy. They fled before they saw the ending.” “Probably a good thing.” Kahl replied. “So where are we going anyway?” “I think we are headed to Canterlot.” Nix replied. “If I have my bearings right anyway.” “I assume you to be correct. One would assume that they would seek aid from the rulers of Equestria.” “Do you know them?” “Of course not. What reason would I have to engage them in conversation?” “How would I know? You’re a…What was it?” A deep sigh rang through his mind and he could almost hear the exasperated eye roll from the dragon. “I am an Elemental Dragon.” “Right…That. So you never thought to meet with the Princess?” “I ask you again…Why?” “She raises the Sun, and you rule over Fire so that’s kind of the same.” “Hardly.” Kahl responded to him. “Think Nix. Why in the Great Depths would I go into a city of Ponies to consult with a Princess of the Sun?” Nix thought it over and he kept coming to the conclusion that there was not a snowballs chance in Tartarus of them meeting. “Fair point. Next to no reason at all.” “Exactly. A medium sized dragon is enough to send an entire village into a fit of screaming. What could one my size do to a city?” “Oh.” Nix replied with a single word as the image of Kahl’s full form going into Canterlot went through his mind. “Oh by Faust! That would be hilarious!” He cried out as his mind fell to laughter. “Indeed. Mass panic and pure pandemonium.” Kahl replied with a laugh. “I trust that you are not going to tell her about me? Correct?” “Yeah no. Can you imagine the reaction to that?” He replied. “Horrid idea. We’d be thrown into a lab within seconds of the words leaving my mouth. That being said, can they hurt us?” “Not really. Within us lies a great amount of raw magic and pure power. Trifling with us is suicide. It would be like running up to a volcano and trying to stop it from erupting with a water hose.” Kahl replied. “A lesson in futility?” “Exactly. We can be hurt just like any creature but attacking us is a poor choice. Within you rests the power of the flames that warm this world from within. Because I am within you, you also have some of the traits of a dragon.” Kahl explained. “How do you know?” “Just because you slept did not mean that I did.” Kahl countered. “Oh. Good point. So what did you find out?” “A few things, but nothing that will not need to be tested later to ensure that my thoughts are correct. Your body is much stronger than it was as a simple pony. By that, I do not mean that you can bench press a house.” Kahl replied quickly as Nix opened his mouth and then let it snap close with a click of his teeth. A sigh once more went through his mind. “What? You have to admit that would be amazing.” Nix replied with slight prance in his step. “No. Do you have any idea how many would question that?” “I know. But still!” He could almost feel the eye roll from the dragon as he went on. “Your body is tougher. Granted I have no way to fully test that theory at this time but for now, I can sense that you would not be cut by a dragon’s claw again.” Kahl admitted to him. “Really?” “Yes. Now that does not mean you can’t be hurt at all. A blade small enough can get through tough leather and even metal if the tip is fine enough. You have the strength of my scales to an extent. Do not go into a fight assuming you can shrug it off.” Kahl advised. “Got it.” Nix suddenly paused and got closer to the wagon. “Did I get taller?” “That is another thing I noticed. Yes, you are about a head taller than you once were.” Kahl confirmed. “Cool.” Nix replied with a grin. “I have a question for you, if I may?” “Go ahead. I’ve asked enough so your turn.” “Do you have a family?” “Okay you can ask anything, but not about that.” Nix quickly replied. “Understood.” Kahl replied and went quiet. Nix walked ahead and the silence began to wear on him and he groaned aloud. “Okay fine. Look, my parents and I had a huge falling out about five or so years ago and we haven’t spoken since.” “Must have been quite the argument.” Kahl admitted, his voice gentle. “It was a fight for the ages, I swear. You’d think I told them I was going to become an ax murderer.” Nix complained. “I just told them that I wanted to travel and put off going to a higher learning school for a year. Just one year! How bad is that, honestly?” “Does not seem too terrible in my opinion.” Kahl replied. “Exactly! It’s not like I was going to never go. I mean I like magic and I like learning about it. But I wanted to see the world a bit and learn about the world outside of magic and they freaked out.” “Seems odd to me.” Kahl replied as he spoke. “What was their reasoning?” “They seem to think that I was going to travel and get a mare knocked up or something and ruin my future.” He replied. “If they had paid attention to me at all in school and on school breaks I have never even had a Filly friend.” He replied hotly. “A what?” “A mare that is more than a friend. Sorry forgot, dragon.” “Ahh. I see. Did they simply ignore that part or where they truly not around?” “Mom went back to being a workaholic once I was old enough to go to and from school without her. Dad is…around, I guess. I only saw him for parties and other outings. He was even more of a workaholic than mom. I mean, he was there when I needed to get my ass kicked for something. They definitely lowered the boom if I got a grade under an A.” “I assume an A is the highest possible.” “Yeah. They don’t give out A+’s.” Nix replied. “But yeah so we got into a huge fight and they told me that if I left then I was dead to them…and I called their bluff.” “And walked away?” “Yep.” Nix replied and shrugged. “Funny thing is I was never homesick. For once I had my life in front of me and I was allowed to enjoy it. I worked on farms and in the towns doing various tasks and even helped to build houses. I was enjoying my life for once. I had been on a schedule and all my time was commanded and accounted for in a way that I had never been allowed to simply sit back and enjoy it. It was all work, work, and more work. Yeah I did really well in school and I have a strong work ethic from it but I was just really…” “Unhappy?” Nix nodded as he walked. “Yeah. I never had any friend’s since I couldn’t go to any pony’s house to a sleepover or go to birthday parties. I was always…Alone.” He lamented and went quiet. “I can relate to being alone.” Kahl replied to him, his voice quiet and soothing. “How? You’re an Elemental dragon! I assume that means you’re basically a God among dragons.” “True. But that brings a level of fear into others and they tend to avoid me for it.” Kahl replied. “What about the other three Elementals?” “We don’t always get along. Our Elements tend to clash and tempers flare. I don’t get along well with Water and Air hates all of us and Earth is almost too mellow to be around.” Kahl admitted. “Wow. That does sound really lonely.” Nix replied and his head hung slightly as he walked. “I and the others have a place that we stay together, which allow us to maintain a vigil over the Elements and we are to stay there.” Kahl informed him. “I don’t think you stayed there.” Nix teased. “No.” Kahl laughed. “I didn’t stay there long. I return every now and then to see what has been going on but it is not common to see me there with them.” “I guess there are fights if you do?” “Oh yes. I have fought with Air and Water many times.” Kahl chuckled as he related it to Nix. “We do not get along and it is better for everyone if we stay apart every now and then.” “What are their names?” Nix asked. “I will give you their nicknames since our True Names are hidden. Water is ruled by Ice. I know his name is more fitting and I always torment him over it.” “I was gonna say it but I held back!” Nix laughed. “Air is ruled by Suki and Earth is ruled by Mitsu.” Kahl finished with a chuckle. “So you fight with Air and Water? Suki and Ice?” “Yes. Fire and Water have always fought and Ice is an ass to put it gently. Perhaps he has mellowed with time but I very much doubt it.” Kahl replied. “So when do you need to check in again?” Kahl was quiet at the question and replied after a few moments. “Unfortunately soon. I am able to push the time back but eventually, it will be required for us to go there.” “Great. So I need to get us to the other Elemental dragons without dying?” “Essentially yes. But by then you will have learned more from me and hopefully be in control of the flames and we can ensure that they will not fight you when you reach them.” “Why would they fight me?” “I’m not sure they will. But they will sense that you are not entirely me and they will act as they need to.” “Except Mitsu, right? He’s the calm one.” “We might be able to get to him first and he will keep the other two at bay if he can. We might have no choice.” Kahl admitted with a sigh. “Great.” They lapsed into silence as the wagon moved forward and Nix allowed himself to allow his mind to go mostly blank as they walked. Nix grumbled as they stopped for the night and he was tasked with helping to cook. In the back of his mind, he could hear Kahl giving him instructions for the meat they were cooking and he was fighting not to lose his temper at the overly helpful dragon. As he flipped the meat one last time the dragon went quiet. “Now you shut up.” He quipped to the dragon. “Nothing more to say. You’re done.” Kahl shot back. “Ugh.” Nix set it aside and looked up as the others joined him and began to pass out plates. “You nearly drove me crazy. What do you know of cooking anyway? Don’t you just swallow things whole?” “I do not.” Kahl snapped. “I happen to enjoy roasting my food and finding spices for it. Might not be the most popular way to eat, but I like to think I am a bit more sophisticated than others.” “Right.” Nix said back to him. “You should thank me. Your cooking will earn you a few compliments.” Kahl said to him as the food was portioned out. “Thank you?! You nearly drove me nuts.” “Nix?” The Unicorn looked up as his name was called. “Hmm?” “Well done cooking lad. Ah can’t cook to save me soul.” Strong said to him with a wide smile. Nix was quiet as a chuckle rang through his mind. “No problem.” He replied to the Blacksmith while trying to ignore the smug laugh of the dragon. “Never took ya for much of a cook.” He went on. “Not normally.” Nix replied with a tight-lipped smile. “Shut up, Kahl.” “I told you.” The dragon said to him. “Shh.” Nix said to him and focused on his own food as a plate was handed to him. “It’s really good Nix.” Gemmed said to him with a wide smile. Nix managed to smile as he cringed in his mind. “I have never wanted to hit a mare so badly in my life.” Nix commented, earning him a loud bark of laughter from the dragon in his mind. “Thanks, Gemmed.” He looked to the others around the fire and went quiet as they all ate. Once they had all finished and began to clean up for the night. Nix was quiet as he cleaned up the fire carefully. He watched the flames as he snuffed them and finally relaxed as they were reduced to ash. “You also realize that you are immune to being burned now, right?” Kahl spoke up. “What!?” “I figured that was a given. I rule the realm of fire. What ruler can be burned by their own flame?” Nix had stopped and was still as he processed what the dragon had said. “I hate you so much right now.” “Why?” Kahl chuckled as he replied to the annoyed Unicorn. “I hate fire.” Nix reminded him. “But I have to admit that it’s nice not being able to get hurt by it. But now I have to watch it make sure I don’t step in it.” “Hardly. Even if you did the odds of it hurting you fully before are slim, unless you do something unbelievably stupid.” Kahl replied. “You realize that I was the one running into the fire right?” “Fair point. Be careful. Since you are already cautious of it you should be fine acting as you always do.” “You’re killing me, Kahl.” “Nix!” The unicorn looked up as his name was called out. He looked around for the source and saw Strong waving him over. He trotted up to him and waited as several others drew up with them. When they were all there and had quieted down the Blacksmith finally spoke. “Okay lads. So we have a few decision to make. One of them is that we are going to Canterlot to alert the Princess about what happened so we need to decide who is going to speak to them.” He began. “Them?” Nix thought to the dragon. “Yes. There are two of them once more. Luna has returned from her thousand-year exile on the moon.” Kahl said to him. “Oh. That’s new?” “Not really. Been a few months. You should know this.” Kahl chastised him and the Unicorn grimaced. “I know. I was always away from the village so I never paid attention.” He admitted and listened in to what Strong was saying. “So Back Draft will be going obviously. But we need a couple of ponies who saw what happened to go with him. Gemmed should go as she is a witness to what happened. And I think Nix should as well.” Strong said aloud. “What?” Nix yelped. “Ya were the one that came up on the situation and was the first to act as well. Many ponies owe you their lives, Nix.” Back Draft said to him. “No. I’m good. I’m good staying in the back…” “No good, lad.” Strong said and waved a hoof to silence the Unicorn. “Ya are a hero for saving so many. Ya also is a good witness to the actions of the dragons.” “But…” Nix tried to argue only to be silenced again. “No buts.” Strong said, his voice firm and held finality in it. Nix growled under his breath and gave in. “I don’t wanna.” He said to Kahl. “I know and I agree with you. I would rather not go before them as well. But the choice has been made for us it seems.” “Damnit.” “Okay, so Back Draft, Gemmed and Nix will go before the Princesses. Be on yer best behavior.” Strong said aloud with a hearty laugh. “Now. The next thing up for discussion is whether we stop for the night or not. I would like to stop but others have expressed concern about stopping in this area due to the chance of the airborne dragons finding up in the open. But it is up for discussion.” Draft said to them. Nix was quiet as those around him began to speak up loudly. He waited as they went on. “Kahl? Opinions?” “The odds of them having recovered from the thrashing I gave them is so slim it’s laughable. But telling them that is most likely going to bring more questions than we need to worry about. But those that have been pulling the wagon are tired and they need to rest as well. I recommend that you take the wagon with one other. You do not need to rest as much as they do. You have access to the strength I carry as well.” Kahl reasoned to him. “Hey.” He was drowned out as the others argued. “Quiet…” He growled and waited as they kept speaking over him. “How much magic can I use to safely blast them?” He asked the dragon. “Not much. But…” The dragon paused as he thought and Nix waited. “Go ahead and charge your horn. I will monitor it and tell you when to release it in a localized blast. It will be just enough to knock them back a step and hopefully shut them all up.” “Got it.” Nix began to channel his magic and waited for the dragon to speak again. Nix looked up as a bit of flame danced within his now blue aura. He focused and forced himself to ignore the flames. “Now.” Kahl finally spoke and he released the magic he held and he was glad to see that it did exactly as Kahl said it would. “Okay, now, shut it all of you. Goddess preserve me. Okay so here’s an idea. I agree that stopping is not a good idea. But making the same ponies pull the wagons is cruel. So we switch up and they get to rest. I will take one and the others can be separated as well.” Nix said to them. “So let’s agree to keep moving. I don’t think those same dragons will come after us.” “Why not?” Draft asked him. “If you saw the thrashing they got from the black dragon you would agree. They were in tatters after fighting him. So the odds are remote at best. But I still don’t think we should stop.” Nix replied. “The lad did see more than we did. So I’m with him.” Strong replied. “All right. So Nix you take one of the smaller ones or are you okay with pairing up with another pony?” Draft asked him. “Either one is fine. I rested well last night so I’m good to go.” Nix replied with a confident smile. “Okay, you can take the one in the middle. That way if they do show up you can get free of it and help the others.” Draft replied and pointed to one of the smaller wagons. Nix’s eyes widened at the sight of the overburdened wagon. “I think he’s mad at me.” He said to the dragon as he walked to the wagon. “I think you are correct.” Kahl agreed. “Bloody Hell.” Nix cursed and got into the traces. “Fricking throwing a temper tantrum.” He muttered aloud. “Well at least you are well rested and able to show him how it’s done.” Kahl replied as the Unicorn began to get into the traces. “And I would recommend not using any more magic until I can start schooling you.” “Why not?” “You saw the embers of flame that were in your aura?” “Yeah I saw those. Tried to ignore it.” “I figured as much. That was the limit that you can use without schooling. Any more than that will be dangerous for those around you.” “What?” “If you lose control if it then it could prove…disastrous should others get close to it.” Kahl admitted. i]“Oh. Yeah, no magic. I will put an out of order sign on it if I have to.” “That won’t be needed. But it could prove comical in the meantime.” The dragon replied with a light chuckle. Nix moved into the traces and cinched them tight around his barrel as Strong trotted up to him. Nix looked up to him as he stopped near him. “Ya gonna be okay lad?” The pony asked. “Should be fine. Why?” The pony looked at him and then glanced over his shoulder to the Mayor and then back to him. “You noticed it too.” Nix said with a laugh. “I think I pissed him off.” “Indeed ya did. He’s pretty fired up over it. He was sure that we should stop. Ah told ‘im that it was suicide to assume that the dragons in the area would leave us alone. But ya know how he can be.” Strong said to him. “Yeah. Not sure what he gets his knickers in a twist over since he’s not going to be pulling. He can sleep for all I care.” Nix replied. “He gets bent out of shape over the stupidest shit.” “That he does. Ah’m with ya lad but we need ya right now. So don’t; get your horn in a twist over it.” “I know. I’ll keep my head down for now. But he keeps acting stupid you know I won’t stay quiet.” Nix replied. “I never have.” “Ah know, kid. Just keep yerself together, we need ya.” Strong said to him and patted his shoulder. “Ya going to be okay with this?” “Yeah. It’s no problem, Strong. I got this.” He assured the blacksmith. The other pony nodded to him and left him to his own. Nix made sure he was in the traces and pulled for all he was worth forward. A shrill yelp escaped him as the wagon surged forward behind him and he fell forward, flat to the ground. “Hahaha!” Kahl’s laughter echoed through his mind. “Ouch.” He muttered as he got to his hooves and dusted the dirt off his chest and forelegs. “Okay so added strength right?” “Yes.” Kahl replied through his own laughter. “Oh shut up.” He said aloud and gently pulled the wagon forward and into line with the others.