The Beast I Am
We're back at the place they first brought me to. The local library. Apparently the kid and one of the women live here. Seriously? They live in a library?
"So," The woman called Twilight Sparkle speaks up. "You never introduced yourself to us. What's your name?"
"Riff." I say flatly. I've been introduced to the others. The boy is Spike, not blood related to Twilight, but he's her little brother and assistant. Yeah, his hair was green. The one who found me was Rarity, she's a fashion designer and is all up in that formal and elegance crap. She seems rather nervous around me, but hey, a body is never pretty after it hits the ground from a few hundred feet. Rainbow Dash is the one I punched earlier and is something of an athlete. She's still pissed at me. Pinkie Pie seems to keep bouncing up and down never staying still and keeps asking me a hundred questions all at once. Applejack is a farmer, she keeps staring at me like I'm about to do something stupid. Oh yeah, she's also no doubtedly a cowgirl. The hat pretty much gave it away. Finally there's Fluttershy, the one that asked the manticore to move, she's very nervous and as her name would have it, shy. That's about all I can get from her. (I'm too tired and lazy to describe how they look so just use your imagination or this. I'm sorry okay.)
"How come you fell from the sky? You don't have any wings." Twilight asks another question.
"Don't know, one minute I'm taking a nap, the next I'm falling right above your town. I know I wasn't captured and thrown off somewhere high again." I say flatly like it were an everyday event for me. Well actually, it was an everyday event for me.
"Again? Why would someone be trying to capture you? You're not wanted are you?" Twilight asks worried if she's helping a wanted man.
I shrug. "Number of different reasons. Imprisonment, experimentation, dissect, kill. Choose two from collum A and they'll throw a third one in for free. But if you mean wanted by the authorities, no. No I am not."
The others gasp in shock. "That's barbaric! Why would anyone want to do any of those things to you?" Rarity asks mortified.
"Because I'm different. Back where I'm from, if you don't know about it then you'll do everything to make sure you do know. When you do figure out what it is you'll want to control it. But if you can't control it, then you have to destroy it so no one else can. Most of the people after me all want to use me or to kill me. Hell, they'll even go as far as trying to replicate my genes and inject it into soldiers, that way they''ll have an army who are just like me but completely obedient. They found out what I am and will do whatever they can to get their hands on me for their own benefits."
"Well, why are you different from others?" Applejack asks.
"Because I'm uh... I'm a... Look it's hard for me to talk about what I am. Do you think I can get a few questions in? Like, where am I? Or the odder one: why do you have horns and wings?"
Twilight perks up a little. "This is Equestria. Ponyville to be more specific. We Equestrians derive from one of Three Daughters."
"Three Daughters?"
"Let me explain. We believe that when time was young there was a single alicorn goddess. She created all the worlds and creatures on them. But she was lonely, so she gave birth to three mares. An earth pony, unicorn, and pegasus. She gave them this world to take care of, and so they did. The earth mare created forests, oceans, lakes, and vegetation. The unicorn, given most magic, created the moon, sun, and stars. The pegasus created clouds, rain, snow, and wind. Working together they created a beautiful world. They're mother was so proud with them that in their honour, she created a species in each of their image."
'And it's not hard to guess who is modelled after which.'
"But we're not the only ones. There are other people that don't have horns or wings that are actually decendants of cows and donkeys, or they do have wings but they're more closely related to griffins."
"Ya don't say." I say actually intrigued by some of this information. "Well, wonder what I should do now? Don't know how I got here, but I don't care if it means I've finally escaped from everything. Don't have anything to go back to. Don't have anywhere to go. Guess my only options left are to explore this world or find a place to live. And quite frankly, I've done enough travelling for a lifetime."
Pinkie Pie squeals with excitement. "So you're staying? Does that mean you're going to live here?! And if you're staying that means we get to be friends! And if we become friends, I have to throw you a party!"
"What?" I try and follow her strain of logic. Suddenly she pulls out a cannon.
"What?" I have no idea where she got it. It shouldn't even be physically possible as to where I saw here pull it from. She presses a button on the side and the room literally explodes in party decorations. There were balloons, cupcakes, cake, streamers, a punch bowl, and somehow I was now wearing a party hat.
"What?" I say for the third time trying to figure out what happened.
Spike then clutches his stomach and has a pained face like he's about to throw up. He lets loose a loud belch that would put full grown men to shame, spitting out green fire and a scroll. I stare at him in just a confused expression as I did at Pinkie. Twilight picks up the scroll and starts reading it to herself. "You know what?" I say to no one in particular. "I give up. I'm not even sure if anything else will surprise me at this point."
"Oh no." A grim feature creeps over Twilight's face. "Dear my faithful student Twilight Sparkle," She reads to us, "I have recently been informed by my men that a dragon has gone on a rampage through Equestria." Then again, there's always something new right around the corner.
'Did she say dragon?'
"My soldiers tell me that he is young and very dangerous. He has already destroyed three towns and is heading towards Ponyville. The total death count is still uncertain and the estimate is too high for comfort. You and your friends are to help evacuate Ponyville and bring everyone to Canterlot where they will be safe until this matter is dealt with. My soldiers are doing everything they can to stop it, but he is too strong. He is currently residing in a large mountain to the west of Ponyville. Please hurry and do NOT involve yourselves, he is far too dangerous for a simple talking to. Signed Princess Celestia."
We sit there in silence. "Well what are we standin' around fer? Y'all heard the Princess, we gotta evacuate Ponyville pronto!" Applejack is the first of us to say anything, motioning everyone to the door.
"That may be not be necessary." They all look at me in confusion. "Twilight, tell me everything you know about dragons. Strengths, weaknesses, personality, powers, eating habits, everything."
"Well, the entire body is made out of impenetrable scales, strong enough that even magic has little effect on them. Breath fire and most are able to fly, teeth and claw are razor sharp, always in a bad mood, smell like brimstone. Why do you want to know this?" She asks me not liking what I'm about to do.
"Because now evacuation won't be needed." A twisted grin finds its place over my face and my eyes go wild. "I'm going to kill it."
"What?!" They all cry out in unison.
"Now hold it right there!" Applejack gets in the way of me and the door. "We may not know a thing about ya, but that don't mean we'll let you go and get yerself killed. You're comin' with us to Canterlot mister!"
"I'm not getting myself killed. I'm killing a dragon." I protest. "If I'm going to be living here, than I'd like a place to live first." I push her aside and walk out the door.
"But you'll die!" Twilight calls out after me.
"No I won't." I shout back not turning to them. "I told you before. I'm different."
'She said dragon.'
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It's been a good few hours walk. Lets me calm down, can't get too excited, when I get excited people die. The wildlife is wonderful, calm, soothing. I can truly get used to a place like this. I smell brimstone, damn that's nasty. I follow the smell to a large mountain. "This must be the place." I begin climbing the slope and eventually come to a wide cliff with a lot of flat room . And a cave. The smell gets worse inside.
I go in and to my amazement, I find a small mountain of gems. Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, opals, amethysts, and so much more. It was beautiful. I reach to pick up a large ruby that catches my eye, but was quickly cut short as a loud roar fills the air. The cave begins to get brighter farther down.
'The hell is that?' I squint to try and make out what it was that was causing the light. Then I smell smoke. "Oh crap!" I turn tail and book it out of the cave. I get out of the entrance and jump to the side just before an inferno of fire spills out behind me. A second or two slower and I would have been well done.
I hear footsteps, big footsteps. I slowly move away from the entrance, the footsteps getting louder. Soon a blue face appears, it was covered in scales, teeth, and horns. He wasn't huge, but he was big. Blue scales, spikes going along his spine, bad attitude.
'Hee-hee, this'll be fun.'
He stares at me, anger in his ruby eyes. I do the one thing no sane man would even think of doing. I charge straight for him.
He snaps his huge mouth at me, rows of sharp teeth threatening to rip my body to pieces. At least he thought that he did. He doesn't know how fast I can be, or how strong.
I leap into the air right before his mouth closes on me and come crashing down onto his face, fist first. I thought that with such velocity, momentum, and force, I would have done enough damage to break his skull. But those scales really are tough. I only hurt myself, he didn't even look like he was annoyed.
I'm thrown off and slide across the hard stone surface. This time it's his turn to charge at me. With one swing of his massive arm he rips four gashes out of the mountain were I was. My heart beat quickens, I'm getting excited.
'This is getting interesting. Should we let him have it?'
'Yeah Fen, we should.'
"Alright you over-grown lizard!" I yell at him not sure if he understands. "I'm gonna fight you seriously now. And when you're dead, I'll be taking your spot on the food chain!" I reach inside myself and call for the real me. I'll show him what we really are, and we'll kill him. I fell the transformation beginning. Muscle, tissue, bone, everything is about to change. The dragon looks to something else that catches his eye. Over the edge appeared Twilight Sparkle and her friends.
"Riff!" She sees me with relief. Then notices the dragon.
The dragon seeing this as an inconvenience and without a moments hesitation let out a spray of fire at them.
"Listen up everyone!" Twilight calls out to the rest of the towns folk. Town square is usually heavily packed with people. They all turn their attention to her. "I have recently been informed by Princess Celestia that there is a dragon nearby. For our safety she has arranged for the town to be evacuated to Canterlot where it is safe while this problem is dealt with. So please, could you all make your way to the train station." Equestiran's weren't unreasonable people. They know that if they were told to evacuate because of danger, they would have to do so orderly. "Spike, go with Mr. and Mrs. Cake."
"But what about you? The Princess told us to evacuate and for you to not get involved." Spike reminds his older sister. He knows perfectly well why she isn't going.
"Don't worry," She crouches down and gives him a reassuring hug. "I'll be fine." Spike goes to look for Mr. and Mrs. Cake while Twilight goes in the opposite direction.
"And just where, pray tell, might you be off to?" She knew this was going to happen.
"You should already know that." She turns around to see her five friends. "And you should know that there's no talking me out of it."
"Good. Then we're coming with you." Rarity says.
"And there ain't no talkin' us outta it." Applejack finishes.
"Um, well actually I was wondering if I didn't have to go too?" Fluttershy squeaks. Rainbow Dash pushes her forward to get her moving.
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There wasn't a lot of talking on their trip. They've gone against a dragon before, but that was a lazy, tired on. This dragon is active and very dangerous.
A jet of fire up on a mountain catches their attention. They were definitely close. Flutteryshy started to back away again, but her friends wouldn't allow it and pushed her forward. As they scaled the slope they could hear sounds of struggling. Twilight hoped she wasn't too late.
"...I'll be taking your spot on the food chain!" Her hope soon grew as she heard Riff's voice.
She pokes her head over a ledge and sees Riff, still alive. "Riff!" She called to him, thankful that she's not too late. Then she notices the dragon, and a burst of fire heading right in her and her friends general direction. She covers her face using her hands to shield herself, screaming in panic as she waited for her inevitable demise.
"NOOOO!" Riff's voice was heard over the sound of roaring flames. And then screams of pain soon after. Twilight lowered her hands to see hell.
Riff threw himself in front of the others, actually stopping the inferno made by the dragon using his entire body. He protected them all. When it was finally over he had stopped screaming, his entire body burnt to a crisp. How he was still standing, no one would know. With a throat dryer than the Sahara dessert during a heat wave and vocal cords too fried to work, he was able to still speak with a flaky, dry voice.
"Do I... G-g-g-gotta... S-s-s-save you... Every time?" His last words were barely a whisper. Too quiet to have been heard. The girls watched in horror as they watched the burned body of the man that had saved them not once, but twice in one day, tumble down the mountain. They didn't know what to do: Scream, cry, yell, hate, break down, all of the above? They just starred at the last spot where he was seen falling.
The dragon slowly advanced on them, he knew they couldn't do anything to him after what they had witnessed. "You..." Twilight clenches her delicate hands into fists. "You..." Her horn began to glow. "YOU!" In her wide vocabulary, she couldn't find a single word to call this monster. Her eyes were filled with tears of rage, sorrow, and most of all, regret. Regret that she didn't try stopping him sooner. Regret that she let him walk out. Regret that she'll never know what he was running from.
She used her magic to teleport herself and the dragon away from the mountain and into the dense jungle bellow. Then she threw everything she could muster into a single magic bolt. It struck the dragon with enough force to topple the great beast. But it wasn't enough to harm it. After it was over she felt faint from using so much energy for a single blast and teleportaion. The dragon got back up, not amused in the slightest. With what strength she had left, Twilight picked herself up and ran.
She's usually smart about these sort of situations. She always has a plan. So why did she act only on impulse when she saw a man she never met since today die?
She ran for what may have seemed like hours to her. The dragon wasn't very fast on land and couldn't topple every tree in his way. And he wasn't that stupid either, he couldn't burn the forest because without the trees, animals wouldn't have a place to live, without them he wouldn't have anything to eat so he'd have to resort to eating the gems in his horde, and he hated eating his horde.
With tears in her eyes her vision was blurred and couldn't see where she was going. She tripped over a rock and fell to the ground.
"Gah!" She clenched her ankle, that hurt bad. The dragon was soon over her in seconds, she couldn't do anything run, hide, fight, nothing was possible now. She was in the beast's mercy. That is, if it had any mercy. He savours the moment, she truly proved to be more trouble than she was worth. He opens his mouth, taking his prize.
"AWOOOOOOO!" A howl is carried through the forest. The dragon stops and turns his head to the direction of where the howl originated. Who dared challenge him? He was king in these parts!
Twilight turned her attention to a large burly figure stepping out of the shadows. There are many creatures in the world that range from the domestic house cat, dog, cows, and bears, to the more magical creatures, manticores, dragons, griffins, and cockatrice. But this creature was one of myth; of legend.
It had a large, muscular body covered in black fur. Pointed ears, sharp teeth and claws, two massive hands while his feet were paws. This was the beast that should only appear on a full moon, not bright daylight. This was the legendary beast.
A were-wolf.
He growled and snarled at the dragon, challenging him. He darted at the dragon on all fours, maximizing his speed. Before the dragon could snap his mouth shut around this new creature, he quickly darted out of harms way and circled past the head. He runs under the dragon's throat and rip out a large number of scales as he passes by, the dragon roars, unaccustomed to pain. A grown man would have difficulties just trying to tug out a single scale, but this beast was able to rip out multiple with one hand.
As the dragon thrashes around, the were-wolf turns around and punches the dragon on the side of its body. The punch was so great that the dragon was pushed off the ground and topple over a few trees as it was sent flying.
While the dragon was pre-occupied toppling trees over, the were-wolf lumbers over to Twilight Sparkle on his two hind legs. She was scared, terrified, at this newcomer. She didn't know how to react, grateful for saving her life, or fearful for what it may do to her. Will she be killed? Will her friends find her body? Will they be safe?
But the most unexpected thing happened, the were-wolf picked her up with his two muscular arms, one under her legs and the other supporting her back. She saw from his expression that he meant her no harm. She saw nobility, honour, pride, and caring. He had no reason to harm her. Without glancing at her, he said "Let's get you out of here." Her eyes went wide. His voice was deep and had a growl in it. But past it all, she heard it. She heard his voice.
He ran fast, faster than anything on legs. Trees were a blur, she couldn't keep track of them. He was warm and soft, she felt oddly comfortable in his strong arms. She lay her head against his chest, she could hear his heart beat. It was strong and steady. Everything was so peaceful and relaxing that she forgot everything when she was in his arms. Until the roar of an enraged dragon snapped her back to reality.
She looked overhead and saw a pissed off dragon flying above them. All of her fear came flooding back as it dived at them. She screamed and held onto him tighter.
With a push of his mighty legs, the were-wolf propels them forward, the dragon missing his target. Twilight looks behind her to see the dragon chasing them, he was absolutely furious. "Can't you go any faster?" She asks her rescuer. He simply growls in acknowledgement and runs faster, putting distance between them and the dragon.
They reached the opposite side of the dragon's den at the base of the mountain. They take a quick look behind them to see the dragon a good 50 meters behind them, and closing in. The were-wolf bends his legs and pushes up, the two fly up high. He jumps from cliff to cliff, ascending higher with each bound. It would have taken an average person maybe three hours to reach the top if they were prepared for mountain climbing, it took them less than a minute.
"Look, there's my friends!" Twilight points to five other women trying to find the fastest way down. The were-wolf looks back to see the dragon flying straight at them and lets out a belch of fire. The were-wolf jumps out of the way and slides down the mountain side on his back, the stone and gravel rubbing against his back roughly.
Twilight screamed and the were-wolf just growled, stifling his cry. The scream caught the others' attention. At first they were overjoyed to see their friend safe, even if she was screaming, but they couldn't make out what the big black thing was that she was on top of. But their curiosity was cut short as they saw the dragon once again, bits of scales missing from under his neck.
As the two reached the bottom, the were-wolf gets up and runs over to the women. They were petrified by his fearsome appearance to do or say anything. He gently lowers Twilight and hands her to Applejack, she cautiously takes her friend from the beast and helps support her up.
The dragon lands behind them, fumes of angry smoke pouring from his nostrils. The were-wolf cracks his neck, then continues on with his shoulders, elbows, wrists, and finally knuckles. A bit of a habit he picked up. He snarls at it, challenging the armoured monster. He drops on all fours and sprints at the dragon, literally running circles around him.
The dragon snaps his mouth at the were-wolf, trying to eat him. Too slow. The were-wolf skirts around and underneath the belly of the beast. With all his might he lifts the dragon off the ground; the dragon was too surprised by this small creatures great action to fight back. The were-wolf lets out a loud roar and flips the dragon on his back. Hard!
The were-wolf jumps on the dragon, using his claws he cut a large X on the dragon's chest. Not deep enough to cut into his flesh, but enough to know that something can get past that armour. If given the time, he could have ripped into the dragon, but was thrown off.
The two beasts right themselves up and growl at one another. Using his wings, the dragon pushes himself forward, mouth gaping wide. The were-wolf catches his open jaw, stopping the dragon in his tracks and keeping his mouth from closing. It was a power struggle of brute force. The were-wolf sees a bit of light down the long neck. He quickly converts all his power from holding the dragon at bay to twisting his head to the ground. He jumps on the head, using the moment of confusion, he locks the mouth closed like an alligator wrestler.
Now, a dragon is magically resistant to fire and heat, that's why they are able to breath fire and not burn their insides. But what happens when a dragon's fire can't exit the mouth? The fire hits the closed wall and is forced back down his throat. A dragon can't be harmed by fire or heat, but he can still feel it. The dragon thrashes around as he feels his own fire flow back down the way it came. Not a good feeling.
The were-wolf is thrown off, the dragon absolutely enraged to the point where he couldn't see straight. He back hands the were-wolf into the mountain wall and creates a large indent. The dragon flies high and readies another blast of fire. A bigger blast, a stronger blast. Before he could let loose an inferno, the were-wolf shoots through the air like a bullet, a rubber one unfortunately. With enough force to shatter a mountain, the were-wolf punches the dragon in his gut. Fire doesn't come out of the dragon's mouth, or air, or noise, or blood; instead, all that came out was pain. Silent pain.
The were-wolf is fine as he lands on the ground, the dragon on the other hand is having difficulty. After he ungracefully crashes down, he stands up on shaky legs. Then something does come out of his mouth, but it wasn't fire. He unloads his last meal between is legs. The were-wolf takes his chance and jumps on the dragon's back. He brings his claws up and across the scales, sending a barrage of strikes. But by the end of it all, the scales came out with deep scratches. Too thick too cut through. He's thrown off the back and tumbles towards the girls.
He's getting exhausted and pants loudly. The way things are going he's going to tire out before the dragon is dead. He growls aggravated. Then he stops and it looks like something flickers inside his head as a wild grin creeps across his face. He casually strolls up to the dragon on his hind legs like nothing was wrong. He stands erect and puts one hand on his hip and the other over his mouth as he yawns loudly. The dragon knew what that meant. He was bored!
How could such a tiny creature be bored after fight against a dragon? The fiercest and most dangerous of beasts there is? He doesn't take this insult lightly and snarls. Soon that snarl grows into a growl, and eventually a roar. The were-wolf still looks unimpressed. The dragon opens his mouth wide and closes around the were-wolf who didn't do anything. He didn't dodge, stop the jaw, nothing. He let himself get eaten. With one great gulp he swallows the were-wolf whole.
The dragon roars in triumph as his foe has just been devoured. He showed that damn mongrel who's the fiercest! He was still the greatest beast there is! He sees the six girls, still hungry after just unloading his meal, he makes his way over to them. Savouring every step.
But he stops. A face of surprise and pain is shown. He gets on his hind legs and looks at his stomach. It was moving.
His pupils shrink and he lets out a shriek of pain and agony. He falls over on his back, flailing and scraping at his stomach. Blood was filling his mouth, his own blood! He pleaded and begged to make it stop, for the pain to stop. And he was given his wish.
His eyes role back and body relax. He slumps over; dead.
The girls are left standing there, wondering one thing: 'What just happened?' Suddenly a black hairy arm bursts from the dragon's chest, followed by a second. The arms widen the hole and the were-wolf pulls himself out, covered in blood and has a heart the size of their heads in his mouth.
They watch in horror as the were-wolf greedily eats the heart after pulling himself out of the carcase. When he finishes the heart he stands on top of the dragon and howls in triumph and victory, letting the whole world know. He jumps off and walks up to the girls, dripping with blood.
"N-Not another step closer! Ah'm warnin' ya!" Applejack stutters in fear. Something that doesn't usually come to her.
"It's okay Applejack." Twilight puts a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Okay?! Twilight didn't ya see what that monster just did?"
"It's okay." She says again, her smile not wavering. "He's our friend."
"Friend? Ah'd remember seeing a monster like this and consider him a friend!" The were-wolf chuckles in his deep voice. The five of them look at him, not sure what's so funny.
"I am not a monster Applejack, I told you before... " His body begins to changing. Fur retracts into his body, ankles touch the ground, claws retract, his face flattens, ears shift down and lose their point, teeth get dulled. His body becomes smaller as bone, muscle, and tissue reform. Standing in front of them was no longer the legendary beast. Now it was a man they saw die right in front of their eyes. Safe and without a scratch on him. "... I'm different." Says Riff.
They all stare and gawk at me, they don't believe their eyes. What could they all be thinking? Are they afraid? Astonished? Worried? Glad to see me alive?
"Look! He's also naked!" Pinkie Pie points rather low at me switching the mood rather quick.
Everyone's face turns red with embarrassment. They try not to look at it but can't help but getting a quick peek. I try covering myself.
'Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I guess we know what they're thinking about now?'
'Heh, yeah. I guess we do.'
Fluttershy finally reaches her breaking point and actually faints.
