Now, how does it go..? Once... upon a... time... on the continent of Newbora, in Castle Bloodsword, lived a Duke and Duchess with two children, who were spoiled so rotten it was unbelievable even by Evil. But troubles emerged for the Royal Family, the Duchess was hit an illness that after some time took her life and left the Duke in morning. In his pain he had a one-night stand with a Winged Thestral Mare, who left the resulting foal with him, a Kirin.
The two silbings hated the young Lad, treating him like dirt, the Duke wanted nothing to do with him and the Kingdom's Ponies also disliked him. That was only one of their troubles, an Empire that lived on Newbora had been growing in power and taking more and more land from the surrounding Kingdoms by force or other means.
This is the Tale of what happened next
Castle Bloodsword
The Kirin hatchling's "room"
The little hatchling's room, if you could call a small walk-in closet a room, held only a worn-out mattress with no sheets or blankets. On the bed was the Kirin hatchling who, if the violent thrashing and terrified crying implied, was caught in a really bad nightmare. The little one's cries echoed through the nearby rooms and halls but no one came to comfort the Kirin, expect one figure in the dark.
The figure was a short bipedal imp-like creature with grey skin, white beard, and yellow eyes. The creature wore a black leather cape with a finger bone necklace and worn red robe under, on it's back was a wooden sick with a glowing yellow crystal hanging above it's head, three small gold rings were on the left it's long ears.
The creature slowly walked up to the thrashing hatcling, it's crystal bathing the small room in a faint yellow light. It reached towards the Kirin with a somewhat bony hand, and began gently scratching the hatchling's ears. Immediately the Kirin relaxed, the thrashing and cries stopping.
The figure, male judging from it's voice, spoke.
"Easy young Master, can't grow into an Evilly powerful Overlord from lack of sleep now."
He waved his other hand, three more imp-like creatures appeared. The first two were brown in color wearing a piece of fur around their shoulders and knee-length pants held up by a studded belt. Both were carrying somewhat worn and tattered blankets. The third was blue in color with short spikes along it's jaw, fins on it's head, and a long, smooth tail. It wore only a loincloth.
The blue came over as the caped creature pulled back and very gently picked the Kirin up as if he was the creature's own child while one of the browns laid it's blanket over the bed. The blue set the hatchling down on the bed again as the second brown placed it's blanket over the Kirin, giving the young hatchling some protection from the room's lower-then-normal temperature. Once that was done the four creatures moved back into the dark, the caped one stayed for a moment.
"You will have many questions young Master, when we next meet those questions will be answered. You wouldn't be alone either on this journey, four others will join you on your raise to Overlordom."
With that the caped creature vanished into the dark with a final word.
"Sleep well young Master, and dream of smiting your enemies. After all, Evil always finds a way."
As the years went by the Kirin grew into a fine male, but things weren't well. The Kingdom's Ponies blamed him for the troubles and saw him as too different, foals would constantly pelt him with snowballs. The Kirin, would went by the name Steel Flame, had sat down in a small cave to be alone. He was busy brushing snow sport off his winter coat when he heard hooves crunching snow at the entrance, Turning he saw a Pegasus Stallion enter the cave and walked a few feet, only to freeze mid-step when he saw the Kirin.
The two stared at each other for several minutes, the Steel pulled his lips back in a snarl which caused the Pegasus' wing to flare open in alarm.
"Whoa whoa, take it easy! I'm not here to attack you!" He said taking a step back.
"Why should I believe you, every single Pony in this pit has thrown snowballs at me, called me nasty names and shoved me into snowbanks just to name a few." Steel said finishing with a low growl. The Pegasus backed up against the wall as Steel moved forward, blocking the entrance.
The Pegasus was panicking, while he'd never encountered Kirins before he had heard the stories, so he was quite scared to be looking one, a young one but still, in the eye as the Kirin slowly approached in a low crouch. In an effect to save himself from the angered Pony/Dragon hybrid the Pegasus began talking.
"I'm an outcast like you! My parents left me when I was only a baby, I've been through the same things. The snowballs, the names, and others just because of that."
The Pegasus had covered his face with his front hooves and wings, terrified out of his mind. He flinched hearing the Kirin rear back, then the sound of flame filled the air briefly, then he felt warmth...
But it wasn't on him.
Slowly he peeled his eyes open and moved his hooves and wings away. A small fire was burning in the center of the cave, the Kirin laying on the other side. He slowly looked from the fire then at the Kirin who looked back at him with a neutral look.
"Wha..."
"Sorry about that, I let my anger get the better of me. What's your name? I'm Steel Flame."
"Typhoon Blitz."
"Well Ty, I think we have a bit to speak about."
"Ty?... I like that."
Steel and Typhoon soon became very close, hanging out and helping each other face their bullies. I did lessen but it still happened.
Many years later
Castle Bloodsword
The door burst open and a tall figure walked in out of the winter storm outside, shutting the door after entering full. The figure pulled it's fur-lined hood down revealing a male Winged Thestral-born Kirin. His fur coat was a very light grey, almost silver in color, his mane was blue with black streaks, his silted eyes were a bright yellow, long fangs stuck out of his lips about an inch or two passed his chin, his ears were tipped with tuffs of fur with two long horns jutting out behind his ears, his large wings had a small hooked claw on each wing finger, and his long tail was tipped with a sword-like blade. He wore a dark red winter greatcoat with a brown fur-lined hood and pants, dark brown gloves, boots and thick wing covers, silver saddlebags with an icon of a red broadsword with a black touch in the shape of a dragon head over top of it. Wrapped around his long neck was a very long red and gold scarf with five tassels at the ends, each tipped with a small blue pearl and black claw
He sat up on his hooved back legs as he started brushing snow off his greatcoat with his four fingered hands, some snow spots being thicker then others. As he did this a Pegasus Stallion came up and helped. The Pegasus had a dark blue coat, bright yellow eyes, and a three-tone mane and tail of light blue, regular blue, and navy blue. He wore a dark grey winter coat and pants, black gloves and boots, and navy blue saddlebags with an icon of a typhoon with three lightning bolts within.
"Thanks Ty."
"No problem Steel, the foals pelted you with snowballs again?"
"Yes, and they have the gall to call me a bully." The Kirin said with a huff, small flames coming out of his nose. The Pegasus reached over and patted the Kirin's shoulder.
"Don't let it get to ya buddy, I know how you're feeling."
Steel looked over at Ty with a small but genuine smile.
"I'm glad I have you and the others with me, I might have turned out pretty bad if you guys weren't with me.
Ty let out a sigh as he withdrew his hoof.
"No problem bro, I'm just glad you didn't burn me when we first met."
The two shared a laugh, then Ty let out a heavy sigh.
"Your "brother and sister" are in a rather foul mood today."
Steel snorted, "Since when are they not in a foul mood?"
Typhoon's response was cut off when they heard a commotion further down the halls. The two of them ran down the halls till they reached the hall were Steel's "siblings" had their rooms. The door to the sister's room shot open and a Crystal Pony Mare half-ran half-tripped out of the room followed by a serving tray and various bits of food.
The Crystal mare has a sapphire blue coat, ruby red mane and tail with emerald green highlights, and sapphire blue eyes. Her cutie mark was a diamond loosely wrapped in a red ribbon.
The Mare fell to the floor as the items landed on and around her and a larger Earth Pony Mare came out.
"You worthless servant! You can't even get my order right!"
"But I got what you ordered." The Crystal Mare said.
"I changed my mind, and don't talk back to your betters!" The larger Mare shouted throwing a glass, which missed the Crystal mare as she ducked covering her head. Thankfully the glass didn't break when it hit the floor. The larger Mare then went back into her room slamming the door hard enough to knock a few pictures off the wall. The Crystal Mare shut her eyes tightly as she started to cry, she then felt something cover her. She looked up into a pair of bright yellow eyes. Steel had walked over and laid a wing over the Crystal Mare. She looked at the Kirin for a second, then wrapped her forelegs around Steel's neck and buried her head into his shoulder sobbing her eyes out.
Typhoon came over and hugged her from the back.
"It's okay Gem, you're not worthless. In fact, you're worth far more then she is."
"That's very true Gem, let's go to the kitchen."
Gem nodded her head into Steel's shoulder.
"But... but what about my duties?"
"Buck them and those two." Typhoon paused for a second, "Actually, don't buck those two. They're unbuck worthy." He said nuzzling Gem's neck. As the three of them walked away Steel looked back at the doors as the two doors shot open and the two siblings started shouting at each other.
Ohhh... how Steel wanted to burn them alive.
Later that night
Steel was in his "room" fast asleep, cured up in his two somewhat worn and tattered blankets. while not much to look at they kept him warm. After him and Ty had brought Gem to the kitchen Gem's mother had wrapped her in a bear hug while Gem's father made some sweets for them. On the way the three of them had run into their other two friends; an Earth Pony Stallion named Iron Hammer, and a Unicorn Stallion named Dusk Storm.
Iron Hammer had a steel grey coat, black mane and tail, and blue eyes. His cutie mark was two crossed war hammers. Dusk Storm had a light brown coat, red mane and tail with blue streaks, and green eyes. His cutie mark was wand tipped with an orange gem within a dust devil.
The five of them were outcasts with only each other to turn to, only Gem's parents showed them any love and had more or less raised them. They would more often then not pelted with snowballs when out side, called names and other such things. They were also blamed for the Kingdom's problems.
The Kingdom had been going through hard time lately, crops were dying, bandit raids were common, and out-of-control wild rampaged all over the place. The two siblings did nothing to fix these and the Duke was too drunk to do anything. To make matters worse a powerful Empire had risen a few years ago and was taking over the continent, by force or otherwise. several outlaying kingdoms had been taken and it was only a matter of time before the Empire's forces reached this kingdom.
Steel rolled over in his sleep, unaware of what was coming tonight.
In other part of the Castle
Gem's mother and father were packing her and her friend's saddlebags while the four of them watched in confusion. Finally Ty asked, "What's going on?! You woke us up and now you're packing our saddlebags."
"Ya Mon, Dad, what's going on?"
Gem's mother turned to them. "The Empire is here, the Duke is dead, and the two siblings have joined the Empire! If their soldiers find Steel they'll kill him or worse, take him to the Arena, along with you four! The five of you must escape and find somewhere safe."
"What about you?" Dusk asked.
"We can't go with you," Gem's father said putting the now full saddlebags on the young Ponies. "You five have a much better chance to escape. Now get Steel and RUN!"
The five Ponies nodded sadly before running out of the room and down the halls ans stairs to Steel's room, as they ran they heard the Empire's soldiers force their way into the castle.
Their time limit just got a lot shorter.
They ran down the halls and stairs their hooves echoing through out the empty spaces, Dusk shot down the hall that held Steel's room and slipped on a iced spot, sending him sliding into a broom closet.
"OW! OH!" He cried out as several of the items fell on him, Iron and Gem went to help him as Typhoon skidded to a halt, a recent wing injury keeping him from flying, in front of Steel's door and began pounding on it as the other three joined him. Inside the room Steel jolted awake, got off his bed and opened the door.
"This had better be important, can't a Kirin get any-WHOA!!"
The last word was shouted as Steel's four friends shot into his room with Dusk slamming the door shut behind them and using some boards laying next to it to brace the door. Gem grabbed Steel's saddlebags and stuffed his two blankets into it while the others looked for a another way out.
"What's going on guys?!"
"It's the Empire! They've arrived to take the Kingdom!!" Typhoon said. Steel's eyes widened, it was no secrat that the Emperor hated Kirins, and Steel was the only Kirin on the continent as far as anyone knew.
"The Duke is dead and the two siblings have joined the Empire!" Iron said next.
"Feather! I knew there was something I hated about those two." Steel said as he grabbed his winter attire.
"We need to get out of here!" Iron said having finished with the door.
"How? There is no windows!" Gem said placing Steel's saddlebags on said Kirin. Steel turned and moved to the far wall, he bent down and pressed a loose brick. The wall moved over a little but got stuck, Steel swore as he started pulling.
"I found this hidden tunnel years ago, I think the first Duke had build these secret passageways though for what reasons I don't know."
As Ty and Iron moved to help Steel open the wall a sudden banging on the door caused them all to jump. A demanding voice came through.
"Open up in there, we know the Kirin's in there and it will be taken to the Arena along with the rest of you with it!"
Steel, Ty, and Iron got the wall open enough as the sound of pounding started on the door as it shook, after the five friends got into the tunnel and shut the wall two seconds before the door gave way with Empire soldier charging in.
The five ran through the tunnel for a short while when Gem tripped, Dusk helped her up.
"You okay Gem?" He asked.
"Other then leaving my parents behind, yes."
Typhoon opened his mouth, but what he was going to say was cut off when the faint sound of voices were heard from were the five had come, their eyes slowly widening and mouths open as they realized what those voices were.
"They're in the tunnel." Steel said. The five ran again, faster this time. As they ran passed a weak support Steel kicked it causing the tunnel behind them to collapse.
"That'll buy us some time!"
They finally ran into the open air some distance away from the castle, pausing only to catch their breath. After a minute they took off again, running until they reached a small field with a stream. They sat down and looked around, it seemed all clear.
"Did we... did we lose them?" Typhoon asked.
"I thank so... you guys alright?" Steel asked. They confirmed yes, but Gem, Dusk, and Iron were freezing, having been unable to grab their winter coats. Steel walked over to them.
"Here, let me take your saddlebags." The three Ponies nodded and took their bags off, hooking them onto Steel's greatcoat, Ty helping out. They had just finished when the area around sudden went bright.
"AAAHHHH!!"
"OOWWW!!"
"MY EYES!!"
"I CAN'T SEE!!"
"BRIGHT LIGHT! VERY BRIGHT LIGHT!!"
Slowly the five of them got their vision back, only to find themselves surrounded by Empire soldiers. Typhoon put it best.
"Oh... bucker."
An Empire Centurion, identifiable by the gold armor, red cape, and large belly, spoke in a smug tone,
"You couldn't escape outlaws, to the Arena with the Kirin and Pegasus, the others will go to the new Governor as slaves."
As the soldiers approached Steel spotted the two lights that had blind them before, he whispered to Dusk. "Can you hit that light while I take out the other one?"
"I thank so."
"Okay, all of you get ready to grab onto me, on my mark."
The soldiers got halfway when Steel shouted, "Now!" He fired a burst of flame and Dusk fired a magic bolt into the lights, destroying them and casing the area into darkness. The Empire forces around the five cried out in surprise while Steel's friends grabbed onto him. Steel leaped passed the soldiers, his sword tail blade slashing the throat of the Centurion who fell choking on his own blood. The five friends ran but became separated at some point during the chase.
Steel stopped running at a small clearing panting for breath and cursing the fact he never learned how to fly. A twig snapped from the brush causing the Kirin to spin around in a combat pose, fire coming out of mouth.
"Wow wow! Don't shoot! It's me Typhoon Blitz!!"
Said Pegasus jumped out of the brush, a panicked look on his face. Steel canceled his fire and stood up in a normal pose.
"Sorry Ty, but don't sneak up on me like that." He looked around, "Wait... were's Gem, Dusk and Iron?"
"I don't know, we got separated during that chase."
Steel's response was cut off when they heard more voices coming towards them.
"They went this way, over here!"
Both friends looked at each other then back at the path in shock.
"What?! How did they catch up with us?"
"I don't know but we need to move." Steel said then grabbed Typhoon by the scruff of the neck and ran carrying the surprised Pony.
"I can walk just fine you know! It's my wing not my hooves that's hurt!" He yelled at the kirin.
Steel ignored his protests.
After gaining some distance he let Ty use his own hooves and the two continued running through the forest. The two stopped when they came upon a high cliff, two sides were a sheer drop, one held a mountain and the last one was the forest they just came from.
"Oh great now what?" Ty asked
"We might be able to climb down, but that's a long way down." Steel said leaning over the edge.
"If only we could fly, we both could escape with ease."
"What about the others?"
"I wouldn't worry about them." A third voice said. Steel and Typhoon turned around, seeing another Centurion with a force of soldiers. Typhoon groaned, facehooving.
"You guys just don't give up."
"No we don't, we know you two can't fly or you would have done so long ago. Your three fellow outlaws were captured by the way, they can watch you two die in the Arena." The Centurion said in a smug tone.
Steel and Typhoon shared a sideways glance, not happy at the news.
"If you think we're coming quietly you have another thing coming!" The latter said arching his back while the former did the same with a growl. The Centurion laughed.
"I expected as much."
Before the two sides could fight, they all heard a deep, low rumble.
"Ty... please tell me that was your stomach."
"That wasn't me."
They looked around, then up the mountain, only to see a large wave of snow.
Steel grabbed Typhoon and set the Pegasus on his back as the Kirin jumped up as the wall of snow hit, the Empire soldiers weren't as lucky and were swept away by the snow. Steel landed on his underbelly and traveled down with the snow.
"Okay I know bob sleighing, but Kirin sleighing!? I think we just created a new spot." Ty said as he held onto Steel's horns for dear life.
"Not the time Ty!"
The two traveled down with the snow, right into a frozen lake. Steel flipped over sending Typhoon up and back down onto the Kirin's stomach, his wings and body wrapping around the Pegasus in an effort to protect him. Then the two hit the water and sank into it.
Unknown Location
In the center of a large, round chamber sat a large cube of ice. Within was the frozen body of the Kirin with his body wrapped around his Pegasus buddy. Several short bipedal imp-like creatures with brown skin and yellow eye each wearing a piece of fur around their shoulders and knee-length pants held up by a studded belt moved around the block, tapping, poking, and knocking on it among other things. An imp-like creature with grey skin, white beard, and yellow eyes and wearing a black leather cape with a finger bone necklace and worn red robe under, on it's back was a wooden sick with a glowing yellow crystal hanging above it's head and three small gold rings were on the left it's long ears approached.
"Stop that, our Overlord and his friend have had quite the night. Now let's get them out of that ice prison, Giblet, fire up the dragon! That'll melt them out of there."
Flames bathed the ice, melting in quickly. After it melted enough the two within fell to the floor, or they would have if some of the creatures hadn't caught them.
"Still warm! Still breathing Still alive!"
"Get them to their new quarters, let them sleep off the cold in the heat of some Reds. Once they awake I'll talk to them and they can began their reign of Evil. Make sure they get some food, they will need to be strong after all. Thestral-born Kirins love mangoes so make sure there are some along with some meat."