I suddenly felt a spike of pressure hit my body, which caused me to lose my footing and skid along the floor.
Whoa, what the fuck was that?!
"Yep, I tried to warn you. Your little attack there didn't really do much, you know?"
I quickly got back to my feet, barely fast enough to counter a bite-attack with a swipe of my tail, hitting him across the face. The Dragon roared up and I had to leap back, as he swung his tail around towards me.
Oh great, not only do I have no idea, how this guy is still alive, but he's also copying my moves? Fuck.
"Oh, I can tell you, how this guy's still alive. You just never asked."
He came towards me again, this time catching me off-guard. He bit down onto my neck, where luckily my scales were strong enough to protect me. I tried to get him off somehow, but his bite was very strong. Finally, I managed to hit his legs with a claw, causing him to stumble slightly and loosening his bite. Making use of my chance, I quickly twisted myself out of his bite and began my counter-attack. I reared up on my hind legs and smacked down upon the Dragons face. I felt a few of his crystals give way, as my claws connected full-force, causing his head to smash into the ground. Not wasting any time, I immediately bit down on his neck... only to be met with a multitude of sharp crystals which bore into my cheeks and head. I immediatley reared back, giving him enough time to recover and get back to his feet. Before he could do anything else, however, I gave him a good ram into the guts, sending him stumbling a good distance.
So, why didn't my odems work?
"Oh, that's simple. you see: this guy is comprised of magical crystals, which he can adapt to give him 100% protection against either Flame or Lightning odem."
Really? Oh great. You could have told me that there are more Dragons with OP protection, you know?
"Hey, I only ever said that I would make you A powerful Dragon, not THE powerful Dragon."
The crystal bastard launched himself toward me once again, clawing me once across the face. I felt some of my scales break, as the sharp crystals hit them. I sure wouldn't be able to win this in the long run, I had to find an effective method against this guy, quick. It was then that I noticed that I had three odems at my disposal. I charged at him once again, only to use my momentum in the last moment to bring my back around and smack him with my tail, causing him to lose his footing and roll over a short distance.
I quickly ran after him charging my glands and, as I came close enough, spouting my poison odem straight into his face and covering him completely in a green waft of gas. I looked around to see, if the others were safe and sure enough, they were standing a safe distance away from the gascloud. I turned my attention back to the Dragon. More precisely: I waited, listening if I could make out any signs that the poison was taking effect.
"You can wait forever if you want, that thing doesn't breathe."
AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS NOW?!
A loud roar suddenly sounded from inside the cloud and I saw that crystallized lizard jump out of the cloud... directly toward the group of ponies, with its throat aglow. I barely managed to bring myself between him and my proteges, before he brought his flame upon them. I sucked in the energy from his blast, but what use was it if he could just shrug it off? That's when I got an idea:
Yo Navi, can he split his defenses? Like 50/50 on Lightning and Flame?
"Euh, no, he can't, why?"
And what about me? Can I go like two glands for flame and two for Lightning and spout them both at once?
"Uh, yes you can, but wh-- OOOOH, I get it. Good plan, let's make some fireworks."
I looked down at the nine mares seeking shelter under my belly and, when I was sure that they were okay for now, I called out:
"Rainbow!"
The weathermare instantly sprung to attention.
"You remember what you did with that thundercloud? I need you to do that again!"
Rainbow gave a salute and quickly got to work.
"Hah, I'm gonna give that Dragon a good zap!"
"No, not him! Zap me!"
"Huh? Bu-"
"No buts, just do!"
She made haste and collected a sizeable thundercloud. Then, on my mark, she let a lightning spring forth and hit me. I felt a surge of energy go through me and I absorbed as much of it as I could. The change was immediately visible, as now, blue lightning was thrashing between the flames that covered my back. I grinned at the sensation and, in addition to the absolute power currently inhabiting my body, I felt anticipation give me an additional push.
I gave the Dragon before me a slap with my wings and instantly unleashed my almighty odem. A dark red flame, surrounded by a bright, blue lightning was the result. The crystal moron changed colors once again, into a dark shade of red. The flame hit the Dragon, flame hissing against its crystal armor. However, the damage done by it was rather miniscule, if there was any at all. What clearly DID some damage, however, was the Lightning. As soon as it hit, the Dragon roared up and I could hear several crystals crack and burst. He quickly changed his color to a slightly dimmer blue, but that only caused the Flame to become effective, causing even more crystals to burst. He backed up, but I followed close, always keeping my flame on him. He frantically tried to cover a certain spot on his belly with his wings and I decided that I should definitely check that one out.
I grabbed his wing and pulled away, exposing what seemed like a glowing spot in his chest. I supposed it was a core of some sort, so I gave it a good dose of my odem. The crystal fucktard squirmed and screached as my flame slowly bore through its armor. Soon, it hit the core and in an instant, the magic that held the crystals in place was gone and they all well to the ground, into a large, shimmering pile of gems.
I turned back to see if the ponies were still alive and sure enough, if one ignored their panting from the intense heat they had to sustain just now, they all were doing reasonably fine. Celestia, Luna and rarity were just standing there, jaws and eyes wide open, while the rest was tending to each other.
Luna and Celestia looked up to me, awe still in their expression, while Rarity was still intensely staring at the pile of gems.
"We... we thanketh thou for saving our Ponies, Alex." Luna spoke up and bowed down. Celestia beside her did the same. I must say, I did feel very honored, sure, but I had more important things on my mind. I stepped over to where Twilight and the others were tending to themselves. apart from Pinkie, they all were conscious, however as I looked over their wounds, it wasn't hard to determine that Twilight's wing was definitely out of commission. She looked up at me and probably saw my concerned expression, because she gave me a calming smile.
"Thanks Alex, without you this would definitely have turned out far worse." She said. I felt deja-vu hit me and turned around. This time, luckily, the Dragon didn't get back up again.
"So, how do we get home now? I don't think any trains are going for a decent while." She asked.
"We will gladly have a chamber made ready for you, so you can stay until the next train can depart from here." Celestia answered. Twilight shook her head.
"Thank you, Princess Celestia, but I have to check on Spike. Couldn't you just send for a chariot to take us home?"
Celestia looked over toward town square, where the bodies of the guards were still laying around. Wincing, she looked back at Twilight.
"I doubt that there are any guards left to pull that chariot, Twilight."
"No one to pull that chariot? Hah! I can easily pull that thing!" rainbow Dash exclaimed. She went on pulling a few air stunts, loopings corkscrews and then... crashed straight into a pile of rubble.
"Ouch... scratch that, I can't pull the chariot."
Twilight's pupils narrowed down and she began hyperventilating.
"What? We can't go back? But what about Spike?! Oh Celestia, I hope he's okay. I mean, he could have accidentally started a fire! Or maybe he got lost in the Everfree! Or... Or..." she went into a complete breakdown, nearly choking on her own attempts to breathe. I watched that whole ordeal go down with a raised eyebrow, before I finally decided to step in. I cleared my throat to get their attention and spoke:
"Um, excuse me, but aren't you forgetting a third option?"
Twilight looked at me as if she was frozen mid-breath. Then, slowly, her mouth morphed into the shape of an 'o'. she gave me a sheepish grin and laughed humorlessly, then cleared her throat.
"Alex, would you please take us back to Ponyville?"
I bowed down deep and said "Of course, your Highness.", mockingly pronouncing 'Highness'.
Before they boarded Alex Airlines, however, we made sure that I would not deep-fry my passengers this time. Clouds of water vapor surrounded me, as Rainbow used a few rainclouds to cool me down.
"Dude, that looks sick! I mean, how all that vapor is swirling around you makes you look absolutely AWESOME!"
At this, I couldn't resist, I just had to...
"Yep, Alex the Dragon sure is... hot."
I don't think I need to tell, how many face-hooves I got from that. Anyways, we spent the whole flight after that in silence.
Spike was already waiting outside the Castle when we reached Ponyville. He jumped up and quickly came running towards me, as I set down.
"Hey Alex! Did you find Twilight? How is she? Is she alright?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" I said, as I turned my head to look at my back. "Hey girls, we-" I stopped mid-sentence, as my gaze met the forms of seven mares, peacefully sleeping on my back. I couldn't bring myself to wake them and since Celestia was lowering the sun already anyways, I instead just looked at Spike and put a claw up to my mouth. Spike smiled and nodded, before he went back into the castle. I myself comfortable beside it and soon, Spike came back with blankets, with which he covered the mares, before snuggling down beside Twilight and quickly dozing off. I decided that I probably should do the same and made myself as comfortable as possible, without squashing my passengers.
The rebuilding of Canterlot made fast progress. Most of the houses were repaired within just a few days after the incident. Celestia and Luna were running an inspection, ensuring that everything was done as fast as possible. Well... Luna was running the inspection, at least. Celestia, however, had other matters on her mind.
"... and the main plaza will soon be accessable again." Luna read from a scroll, levitating before her.
"Good." Celestia answered.
"Sadly, many of our fallen guards have yet to be buried. We should give them a proper funeral as soon as we are done with rebuilding."
"Indeed."
"Also, some of the nobles have proposed that some of the now free space should be given to them..."
"I shall see to it."
Luna's head shot from behind the scroll around to her sister. "What?! You mean to grant such a selfish request?"
"Sure."
"Tia, you cannot be serious! The nobles are much too audacious as they are, but what would happen if you were to grant... this?!"
"True."
"Not to mention... are you even listening?"
"Yes."
Luna's gaze narrowed.
"I will eat all your cake."
"Good."
"Okay, Celestia, what's wrong?"
"Indeed."
"Celestia?"
"Yes."
"Tia?"
"True."
"TIA!!!"
Celestia shot around to Luna, a very puzzled look adorning her face, as if she was just ripped out of a dream.
"Tia, do you feel well?" Lun asked as she looked over her sister with concern. Celestia let out a sigh and shool her head.
"I cannot say that I am, no. Ever since the... incident... I have been thinking about this Dragon that Twilight called upon. Not only did he possess powers strong enough to defeat an enemy whom we couldn't even hurt, but he also did all this without asking to be repaid. I have never heard of a Dragon being this benevolent, so what are his motives? How did Twilight come to know such a being anyways?"
Luna tilted her head to the side. "Maybe he was a villain and Twilight has reformed him?"
Celestia shook her head. "No, I haven't felt any harmonic powers being used since they defeated Tirek."
Luna sighed and gave a slight smile. "I suppose, the best and easiest solution would be to simply ask Twilight. Why don't you pay her a vistit?"
Celestia looked around. Everywhere around them were buildings which lay in ruin, some already being worked at, others still unattended. "Because I cannot leave, Luna. I have to be here for my little ponies, especially during such a time of need."
"Tia, frankly speaking: It won't make any difference if you remain here in your current state or are entirely absent. Please, you, too, need to see to your own well-being. If that Dragon bothers you so much then go ahead and ask Twilight about it. I can handle Canterlot alone for a while."
Celestia opened her mouth to say something, but closed her mouth again and instead shook her head and gave a smile.
"I suppose, you are right Luna. Very well, I will send Twilight a letter and leave for Ponyville later in the day. Now, shall we finish this inspection?"
Celestia reached Ponyville later in the afternoon. She stepped off her golden chariot and made her way to the front door of Twilight's castle, knocking three times at the door. It wasn't long until Spike opened the door.
"Oh, hello princess Celestia! Twilight is waiting in the Library for you. TWILIGHT! THE PRINCESS IS HERE!"
Celestia entered the Castle and followed Spike to the Library. Twilight was already waiting inside, her left wing still covered in multiple bandages.
"Hello princess." Twilight chirped as Celestia entered the room. "Please, have a seat." She gestured to a table which stood in the middle of the room and Spike went off to get some tea.
"So, the letter you sent me said that you had some questions?"
Celestia seated herself on a chair directly opposite of Twilight. "Yes, indeed. It is about your Dragon friend."
Twilight tensed up and shifted nervously on her chair. In that moment, Spike came back with the tea.
"Ehehe, so what's about Spike?" She asked with a sheepish grin.
Celestia raised an eyebrow, before hangin her head and sighing. "Twilight, you know exactly, whom I'm talking about."
Twilight's grin faded and her ears drooped behind her head. She looked down to the ground, trying to avoid direct eye contact with Celestia. "I-I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about him eralier... I-I didn't think it would be necessary... Please don't be mad."
Celestia chuckled and smiled calmingly at Twilight. "Twilight, I'm not mad at you."
Twilight looked up at Celestia again. "Y-You don't?"
"No, Twilight. You're a princess now and thus don't need to tell me everything anymore. Just, now that I know about him, I would like to know more about him and how you got to know him."
Twilight smiled and sighed in relief. "Of course, Celestia. Well let's see..."
She told Celestia the whole story, how they wanted to help Spike, how they were detected and how Alex had rescured them. Though she 'forgot' to mention a certain incident after the rescue. She proceeded to then tell her about the Wyvern attack on Ponyville and how Alex successfully defended the Town.
Celestia kept a calm surface, but on the inside, she was in absolute awe. She thought that what she'd seen in Canterlot was a notable act, but standing up against the Dragon King to protect a set of strangers was certainly worthy of a special reward. Before she could decide to declare him a hero, she would first have to learn his motives. Sadly Twilight couldn't give her that information either. She did, however, know where he could be found...
Another peaceful day in the everfree. The battle a few days ago definitely was a straining event, so having a few days to chill out was very nice.
Aaaaah, yes, back again to my absolutely chill life.
"Remember what happened last time. Don't jinx it."
Yeah, I know, but seriously, what could be better. Sleep, chill, beat up another Dragon occasionally, chill again...
"Mister Alex?"
...get interrupted by some pony... ugh, man, I should really stop jinxing it.
"Hehe, told ya."
I opened my eyes and, to my surprise, found Princess Celestia standing before me. I raised my head up and gestured a slight bow.
"Ah, Princess Celestia. What a surprise to see you here."
Celestia returned the gesture and made a few tentative steps towards me. "Now, mister Alex, you might have guessed already that I'm not here for no reason. I would like to ask you some questions, if you don't mind."
Uh-oh... Navi, she wants to ask questions, what should I do now?
"Just play along for now. Remember: if things go south, you can always just deep-fry her."
"Oh, I don't mind, princess. But please, call me Alex."
Celestia set herself down and smiled politely. "Of course. In that case, you may call me Celestia. Now, I may start with the question that's most difficult to answer: What are you?"
Oh shit, Navi, she knows, what do I do now?
"Relax, this isn't an interrogation, Celestia doesn't do stuff like that. Still, please don't tell her about me or about earth, ok?"
"What do you mean exactly? It is quite obvious that I am a Dragon, is it not?"
"From the outside, yes, but you are more intelligent than the brutal Dragons and are more pony-friendly than the Dragon Kingdom. You don't fit into any niche I could think of, so I may ask again: What are you?"
"Well, that is because I am not from here."
"What are you doing? I just told you to NOT mention earth!"
Calm down, I won't, don't worry.
"Oh, so where do you come from?" Celestia tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.
"It is a country further away than your eyes and ears may reach, Celestia. However, I may prefer to not further elaborate on my origins."
Celestia sighed, though I could not determine which emotion was behind it. "Very well, I may ask my next question then: Why do you keep helping my little ponies? What is your motivation to do so?"
On that one, I actually had to think a bit. What was my motivation? At first I only got involved with ponies, because Navi asked me to, but after that...
"In all honesty... I don't know. Initially, I only rescued Twilight, Rarity and Spike, because a friend of mine, whoes anonymity I may preserve, asked me to. After that, I just did so because it felt right... I guess I just like to help whenever I am needed."
Yeah, ok, that was a slight overstatement, I know.
"A slight overstatement? If Spike hadn't said that Twilight was hurt, you would have just stayed here, so..."
Celestia smiled slightly and gently bobbed her head back and forth. "I see. I can't sense any lies with what you've just said, so I guess you are trustworthy."
She sighed, this time clearly in relief. "Please excuse that I had to ask those questions, but I could not quite be sure that you are really just as good-hearted as you are."
"Oh, don't worry, Celestia. I know very well that you have a whole country to care about, so you can hardly risk any thoughtless moves on your part. That being said, I am quite sure that those questions weren't all that you came here for, weren't they?"
Celestia smiled and shook her head. "No, they weren't, indeed. I am here because I felt that, after all what you've done for my ponies, you deserved a reward."
I cocked an eyebrow at that. "Oh? What might you have thought about? Surely Twilight has told you that I am not interested in most of what you could offer me."
"Oh, I think, I've got just the perfect reward for you."
Celestia stood upon a stage in the middle of the central plaza. Luna stood beside her and the Elements of Harmony were also present. In front of the stage, a large crowd had gathered. Celestia stepped forward and began her speech.
"Ponies of Canterlot! We all remember the tragedy that occured only just a few weeks ago. Most of you lost their houses. Some of you even a loved one. We all lost something that day, but there are two things, that remained for all of us. Canterlot, the beautiful City that we call home, as well as our very lives. Though, I cannot claim this achievement for myself, nor can the Elements of Harmony or my sister. We all owe our lives to one certain somepony, who willingly risked his own life to help and rescue us all. Today, we want to repay this favor. Today, we shall thank the one, who, on multiple occasions, has set his own life on the line to save that of others. Now, without further ado: Let me introduce you to Alex, the Albino Elemental Dragon!"
Suddenly, a gigantic, white entity set down behind the stage, the earth trembling as he did so. He reared up on his hind legs, spread his wings wide and let out a thundering roar, that could be heard all the way to Appleloosa.
Celestia turned toward the creature and he gestured a bow with his head.
"Alex. On multiple occasions did you protect my little ponies, even though your own life was endangered by it. You came to aid, when our power was not enough AND you have saved the very lives of Luna and me. For this, you deserve a reward of the highest kind, I can offer to you. Thus, from this day onward, you shall no longer be known just under the name of 'Alex the Dragon'. From this day onward you may call yourself...
... Alex, Guardian of Canterlot and Protector of Equestria!"