The snow and wind swirled around Sunblade and the dragon as the two continued to fight. The Alicorn blade flashed brightly as it met the black claws of the dragon. The sound of their battle was drowned out by the howl of the wind; three times the dragon struck out with its tail. Twice it wrapped around Sunblade like a giant snake, both times, Sunblade broke free with his sword. However, on the third time Sunblade cleaved off a part of the dragon's tail. This time the beast did not roar, no, this time he screamed. His hot blood dripped from the stump, melting the snow below it. Now, the dragon looked on Sunblade with fear, because never before had any enemy dealt such a blow.
In terror, the dragon fled further up the mountain. Sunblade pursued him, but the snow was hard to move through; the dragon ran crashing through the trees. The dragon looked back, and his fear grew as he saw the determined pony gaining ground. The dragon desperately wished he could fly, to escape. Sunblade pushed through the wind and pain, he could not let this wretched beast get away. The dragon knew that Sunblade was closing on his heels. The cold had stolen his fire, and without the warmth of the sun, he could not reignite his inner flame.
Suddenly, the ground disappeared. The dragon halted at the edge of a huge cliff, he could not see the earth below. Sunblade came up behind him with a look of triumph on his face.
"Nowhere to run anymore," the ranger said, pleased that his prey was cornered. "Any last words, murderer?"
The dragon looked out on the horizon, then turned to look at Sunblade. "Does it feel good pony? The taste of victory, all the power I know you're feeling."
Sunblade felt a heavy weight on his heart, the Alicorn blade lowered some, "What are you talking about?"
The dragon smiled, "The thrill of the chase, the rush you feel as your victim trembles before you. Come on pony, you can't say you're not feeling it, at this very moment."
Sunblade slowly began to shake, however, it was not from the cold. The dragon's words pierced him as easily as the freezing wind. At this very moment, he was no better than this monster in front of him. He looked at his reflection in the Alicorn blade. This was not why it chose him. He was meant to be a guardian, not an assassin.
"No," Sunblade said, putting away the Alicorn blade.
The dragon's mouth suddenly hung open, his disbelief was immeasurable, "What are you trying to pull pony? What happened to all that rage before? Don't you want to finish me?"
Sunblade looked at the dragon with pity, "I'm not pulling anything, and my rage is gone. I don't want to be like you. A beast with no love in its heart, because that is what you are." Sunblade pointed a hoof at him, "And as for finishing you, that would not be Justice." He turned his back to the dragon, "I don't care where you go, or what you do now. But, stay away from Equestria and that egg. If you don't, I will be waiting."
Sunblade was preparing to teleport back to the dragon lands, when a tremendous roar louder than all the others erupted behind him. The dragon poured all his rage and hatred into that roar. The air trembled, the earth shook, and new fire woke within the dragon. Flames burst from the beast's mouth, however, he did not aim them at Sunblade. The trees exploded into dozens of giant torches.
The dragon's voice boomed with immense power, "YOU THINK YOU CAN WOUND AND HUMILIATE ME PONY AND JUST WALK AWAY!"
Sunblade turned and looked upon his great enemy, for greater he had become. Now, vast shadows were wrapped around him, his purple scales were gone. He appeared as black as sin. He had also grown, he was now four ponies tall and filled with malice. Smoke poured from his nostrils and fire filled his jaw.
"I AM BLACKFIRE, THE MIGHTIEST OF ALL DRAGONS," He proclaimed. "AND I WILL NOT BE BEATEN BY A WEAK PONY LIKE YOU!"