//------------------------------//
// Dragon's Fire (Edited) 
// Story: Echoing Shadows 
// by LordSiravant 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Six: Dragon's Fire

A vast, reptilian shape soared through the skies, guided by a pair of Obsidian pegasi towards its destination. The great azure dragon's eyes glinted with a pang of greed as it spied the Crystal Empire growing larger by the second. Karzakathul was a dragon of immense age, an Elder Wyrm, and as such, his power and majesty were godlike among dragonkind, enough to go toe-to-toe with a fully-grown Ursa Major. But, as with all dragons, his insatiable lust for treasure had grown with age as well.

And King Sombra had promised him lots of treasure.

The Elder Wyrm banked as the pegasi did, slowly descending upon the crystalline city-state. The chained workers collectively turned their heads towards the sky and balked at the sheer size of the blue dragon bearing down on the city. The Crystal Ponies shrieked in terror and reflexively attempted to escape their restraints and flee far away. The Obsidian Guard kept them firmly in line, immune to the fear aura surrounding Karzakathul.

The ancient dragon landed in the town square, the earth quaking beneath his weighty bulk. Seeing the terrified townsfolk, Karzakathul let loose an ear-shattering roar, sending all who heard to the ground. The slaves didn't bother getting up, covering their heads with their hooves and screaming in terror as the great beast chuckled darkly at them.

Oh, how the Sky Emperor loved that reaction.

All too soon, though, the screams sharply died out, cutting Karzakathul's twisted merriment short. Craning his prehensile neck downward, the dragon immediately saw why. King Sombra himself was approaching. Karzakathul could not help but straighten up a little. This unicorn commanded such fear and domination that his subjects cowered before him even more than before the most powerful of dragons. For this reason, Karzakathul held Sombra with a degree of respect no other creature in their world had the honor of receiving.

The Crystal King slowly trotted up to the hulking dragon, his facial expression oozing confidence. Sombra inclined his head in respect to his visitor, the Elder Wyrm returning the favor. "I knew the promise of treasure would bring you to my doorstep, Master Karzakathul," Sombra began. "Welcome to the Crystal Empire."

Karzakathul drew his head back and spoke, his deep, guttural voice reverberating for miles. "This is a promise you will keep, King Sombra," he growled. "It would be unwise to wrong an Elder Wyrm."

"I have a bountiful supply of treasure ready to add to your hoard. I do not deceive worthy allies. However, if you complete the task I have for you, you will receive more treasure than any other dragon's hoard could ever hold."

A glint appeared in the dragon's piercing eye. "Speak."

"You are, perhaps, aware of the alicorns who currently hold the seats of power in the nation of Equestria, are you not?"

Karzakathul bared his long teeth ever so slightly, a puff of smoke escaping his nostrils. "The Goddesses of the Sun and Moon. What of them?"

Sombra's grin was terrifying. "I would like you to exterminate them."

Karzakathul frowned. "You ask a steep request. I am a god among dragons, but the Goddess Alicorns are a power beyond even my ken."

Sombra chuckled darkly. "Not with my help, they aren't."

The dragon's glowing yellow eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What do you mean, Crystal King?"

"I know of a way to strengthen you. You are a dragon of vast age, knowledge, and power. Your fire burns as hot as the sun. You possess the strength of an Ursa Major. But you, like all dragons, are susceptible to magic. Not magic wielded by a lowly unicorn, of course, but the Equestrian princesses are strong enough to harm you with their magic. All it takes is a single spell strengthened by your fire. After this, your hide will resist even their magic. Your fire will burn through their barriers. And they. Will. Fall."

"...And in return?"

"All the treasure in Canterlot is yours to keep. Do you accept?"

The dragon considered the offer for several long moments, his massive tail twitching in agitation. Then at last, the Sky Emperor flashed a toothy grin. "I accept your offer, King Sombra."

XXXXXX

Twilight and her friends trudged through the grand halls of Canterlot Castle, escorted by a pair of guards. Their thoughts were burdened with fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Why? Because they were here to train.

To become soldiers of the Equestrian military.

Twilight still couldn't believe what she had been told. Princess Celestia had issued a royal edict that all able-bodied unicorns, pegasi, and Earth ponies between the ages of eighteen and fifty were now drafted into the Equestrian army. Thousands of ponies from all across the land flocked to the Equestrian capital, heeding the call. However, Celestia had personally requested the presence of the Mane Six, likely due to matters concerning the Elements of Harmony.

The spirit of chaos floating over them upside-down, smirking mirthfully at them, was not on the list of things they had been expecting.

"Why hello, my little ponies!" Discord cheerfully greeted, startling the gathered mares. "Did you miss me?"

"D-D-Discord?!" Twilight gasped, falling backwards on her flank.

"Heavens to Betsy!" Applejack cried. "Now we gotta deal with him too?!"

"Actually, dear Applejack," Discord smugly pointed out, lifting up a single talon, "I'm here on her Royal Pain's request."

"I beg your pardon?" Rarity exclaimed, disbelieving.

"It's true!" Discord laughed. "I'm here to help you all win your silly little war with King Sombrero."

"Sombra," Twilight corrected, deadpan.

"First rule of phychological warfare," Discord informed them. "Give the enemy a stupid nickname, make it public, and ensure he hears about it. Does a wondrous job of bruising his ego, you know!"

"Who cares about bruising his stupid ego?!" Rainbow Dash rudely interrupted.

Discord guffawed. "Out of all other ponies, I thought you would understand, Dashie! You see, if you strike your enemy in his ego, he becomes angry. When he's angry, he makes hasty decisions and is less likely to think things through."

"...Essentially making him more likely to make a mistake," Twilight finished, her eyes widening in understanding.

"Correct, Twilight," Discord congratulated. "You always do catch on fast!"

Pinkie Pie couldn't help but snort laughter as she imagined the imposing and scary tyrant wearing a fake mustache and huge Marexican sombrero. Discord pointed to her and grinned. "See? She has the right idea!"

"I can see you've already reacquainted yourselves with Discord."

Everyone turned to see Princess Celestia, shooting a glare at the draconequus. "Princess, why did you bring him back?!" Twilight demanded angrily. "You know what he's done, and-!"

"Discord freed himself on his own," Celestia tiredly explained. "He offered his assistance, and we are not in a position to deny ourselves aid...no matter its origin."

Twilight gave Discord a hard, disapproving look. "If you say so, Princess..."

"Besides, he's not the main reason I summoned you all here specifically. You are here because you wield the Elements of Harmony. With that power, you are formidable...However, not all of you are fighters, and I'm afraid that poses somewhat of a problem."

Celestia's gaze centered on Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. "Understand, Pinkie Pie, that your enemies will not be deterred by a cannon that shoots party accessories. They will get back up, and they will try to kill you. You must be willing to slay your opponent, and I am not certain you are up to the task."

Pinkie glanced at her friendsbefore responding, "W-well yeah. I've never k-k-k-killed anypony before, Princess. That just d-doesn't sound like a very fun thing to do. I-I couldn't..."

Celestia nodded. "I understand, Pinkie. That is why I'm making you the official Chief Morale Officer. It will be your job to keep the soldiers' spirits up. You will not be required to engage the enemy in battle unless the Elements are necessary for victory."

Pinkie's eyes lit up, and she flashed the widest grin she had made since before the news about Sombra's return. "Wow! Really?! I get to throw parties for all the soldiers?! Oh thank you thank you THANK YOU, Princess!"

Pinkie excitedly hugged Celestia's leg before stepping back. "Fluttershy," Celestia stated, causing Fluttershy to squeak in response. "Your heart is pure and full of kindness. You would never raise a hoof against anypony in good conscience. Great care goes into the animals you look after. That is why you will be in charge of the Medical Unit alongside Nurse Redheart. You will also only participate in battle if the Elements are required."

"O-okay," Fluttershy whimpered.

"The rest of you have all participated in combat already," Celestia continued. "Some of you have even already killed your first enemy..."

Rainbow Dash and Applejack immediately felt sick. Rainbow could still perfectly remember seeing those lifeless eyes staring back up at her from the ground. Derpy's death and the feeling of her hooves crushing bone were still fresh on Applejack's mind. "Twilight, you and your other friends are all officially cadets of the Equestrian army. Twilight and Rarity are to immediately report to the garden with all the other unicorns. You will be taking your orders from Commander Falling Skies of the Unicorn Guard. Rainbow Dash, you are to report to the skies above Canterlot, where Commander Swift Stroke and the other pegasi await. And Applejack, you are to report to the-!"

A fierce, powerful roar resounded throughout the castle. "What's going on?!" Celestia demanded.

Discord slithered over to a nearby window and looked outside. "I don't see anyHOLY GUACAMOLE!" he yelped, jumping back in shock.

"W-what is-!" Twilight began.

A snap of Discord's fingers cut her question short as the whole group was teleported away just as an intense wave of flames incinerated the wall and floor where they once stood. They reappeared outside the castle, in the outer gardens. The unicorn recruits were panicking, and to make things worse, so were the more-seasoned Royal Guards. "I don't believe it!" Discord yelled, the sheer insanity of the moment causing the spirit to cackle in disbelief. "I don't bucking believe it! He actually got a-!"

GGGRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRR!

The cause of all the chaos then made its presence known, causing even Princess Celestia to take a step back in fear.

Looming over them was the biggest, most menacing dragon they had ever seen.

Its scaly hide was an electric-blue, its claws and teeth long and sharp. A pair of jagged horns protruded from its head, and its massive wings beat the air around it, keeping the beast aloft. Long whiskers protruded from its snout and chin, and the dragon's eyes betrayed centuries, nay, millenia, of cunning wisdom and raw power.

"A d-d-dragon?!" Rainbow screamed.

"Not just any dragon," Twilight explained in horrified fascination at the awesome creature before them. "That's an Elder Wyrm. The oldest, rarest, and most powerful dragons there are. Dragons grow more powerful with age, and they become Elders when they reach two thousand years of age."

The booksmart unicorn gulped. "It is said that an Elder Wyrm is strong enough to take on an Ursa Major...and win. They are viewed as gods among dragonkind. Oh, Mother Faust...we're finished..."

The Elder Wyrm sneered viciously at his soon-to-be victims. "Long have I dreamed of this day," he spoke, his voice rivalling the Royal Canterlot Tone without even trying. "I, Karzakathul, the Sky Emperor! By order of King Sombra, you shall die, Princess of the Sun! GWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

Karzakathul reared back and unleashed a super-heated jet of flames at the gathered ponies. Celestia immediately cast a defensive barrier around herself and her subjects...

...only for the flames to shatter the shield like glass.

With only a split-second to act, Discord snapped hisfingers again, teleporting them out of the flame's path over to the other side of the castle. "Whew! That was too close!" Discord breathed, wiping his forehead.

They all promptly heard a thud. They all turned to see that Discord had been too late. Celestia had taken the blast before they had all been teleported to safety. "PRINCESS CELESTIA!" Twilight shrieked, rushing to the fallen Princess's side.

Celestia was badly burned all over her body. Her status as an alicorn was the only reason she was still alive. "Unnnhhh...T...Twilight?" Celestia weakly groaned.

"S-stay still, Princess!" Twilight begged. "Please don't move! Y-you're hurt very badly!"

Discord watched as Karzakathul latched onto Canterlot Castle's highest tower, bellowing in triumph as the ponies either fled or futilely tried to attack him. The chaotic spirit's face contorted into one of intense anger and fury. He gritted his teeth at the audacity of the beast, attacking Canterlot...

Attacking her.

"Twilight. Get up," Discord flatly ordered, not removing his gaze from the dragon. "We're going."

Twilight looked up, fighting back her tears. "G-going where?!"

"To find Luna and show this overgrown lizard who's boss!" Discord snapped. "Twilight, get on my back! The rest of you, keep Celestia safe!"

Shocked into silence, the ponies could only nod as Discord hoisted Twilight onto his back and took off into the air, floating up to eye-level with the waiting Elder Wyrm. "Luna should be coming out in three," Discord mumbled to himself. "...two...one..."

Karzakathul was suddenly blasted away from the tower by an immense surge of dark energy. "YOU WILL SUFFER THE AGONY OF A THOUSAND DEATHS FOR HARMING MY SISTER, DRAGON!" Luna bellowed in the Tone, her rage-filled eyes glowing as she ascended into the sky to do battle with the colossal dragon.

"...bingo."

Discord looked up at Twilight. "Alright, bookworm. Here's the lowdown. Tall, dark, and ugly over there's been strengthened by Sombra's magic. I can sense it all the way over here. So we have to find some way past his defenses without getting roasted to a fine golden-brown."

"Can't you just...negate the spell or something?!" Twilight cried.

"Not at this range, no," Discord answered. "And getting close to a ticked-off Elder Wyrm is the last thing you want to do when fighting one. Not until the right moment, that is."

"What's the plan?" Twilight asked.

"First, keep Lulu from getting her head bitten off. We'll go from there."

Before Twilight could say anything else, Discord swooped down towards the fighting dragon and alicorn, with Twilight hanging on for dear life.

Luna couldn't believe it. Karzakathul was just shrugging off her strongest attacks like they were nothing. There was literally no way she could hurt him, her only advantage being able to dodge his considerably-slower attaccks. Knowing this, the terrible beast guffawed. "GWO HO HO HO! My power is augmented by the Crystal King himself! You cannot hope to defeat me, Moon Princess! Take comfort in the knowledge that your sister shall join you soon in the great beyond!"

Suddenly a multi-colored streak shot by as a massive influx of chaotic energy impacted the side of Karzakathul's head, dizzying him for only a short moment. Discord took this moment to hover over Luna's head and say, "Get over there with Tia, and stay there! Let Twilight and I handle Kazahkstan over here!"

Luna stubbornly glared at Discord for a moment before she finally relented, wordlessly nodding her head before teleporting to her wounded sister's side. Discord and Twilight then stared down the hulking dragon that was coming to his senses. Seeing his new adversaries, Karzakathul sneered cruelly. "Well, this is an unexpected turn of events. The last of the draconequui. It seems we were not thorough enough during our little war two thousand years ago. Discord, am I correct?"

Discord was silent. Twilight couldn't help but be intrigued by the Elder Wyrm's words. "GWAH HA HA! Spirit of chaos and disharmony, eh? What a sad, pathetic grab for attention! I gained much satisfaction from eradicating your wretched parents off the face of this world, prince!"

Discord's eyes widened in realization, all his long-forgotten feelings of heartbreak and sorrow coming back at last as he pointed at Karzakathul. "It was you...Y-you were the one who killed my parents..."

"Yes. It was I. And now, I shall have the pleasure of wiping out your meddlesome species and your former surrogate family once and for all!"

Karzakathul unleashed his fire breath, which Discord swiftly dodged. Twilight was too stunned and heartbroken to complain about the rough movement. Discord had once had a family. And this terrible monster had killed them. Where there was once bitter anger and hate, now there was only pity for the mismatched creature onto whose back she now clung. "Discord...I-I'm so sorry..."

"Save it for later," Discord coldly replied. "Right now we have a dragon to beat!"

And a score to settle, Discord finished in his mind.

Discord then flew away from the castle, with Karzakathul in hot pursuit. "W-what're you doing?!" Twilight yelled. "Where are we going?!"

"Far away from any sort of civilization," Discord explained. "When this guy falls, he's gonna fall hard."

"Discord! LEFT!" Twilight urgently screeched.

Discord reflexively did so, a great ball of fire whizzing past them. "Nice call there, Twilight," Discord congratulated.

"RIGHT! RIGHT!"

Discord banked right, again avoiding the massive dragon's fireball. Soon the two dragons were over an empty field of grass, and Discord veered about, setting himself and Twilight on a collision course with the Sky Emperor. "Are you any good with illusion spells?" Discord asked.

"Uh, yeah, I've practiced some, but-!"

"It'll have to do then!"

Discord dove down, avoiding a swipe of the azure dragon's razor-sharp claws, regaining altitude behind the great beast. As Karzakathul veered around, Discord said, "Alright, this is what we're gonna do. When we get close enough, I want you to cast an illusion spell around Karzakathul and make him think he's on the moon or something! I'll handle the rest!"

"But y-you said Sombra's protected him from enemy spells-!"

"He's protected from attack by offensive spells. But passive spells, like illusions, will still work! Are you ready?!"

As Karzakathul neared them, his fanged mouth contorted into a menacing grin, Twilight gulped and nodded. "Yes...I'm ready."

"Let's end this."

Discord flew straight at the Elder Wyrm, his eyes steeled in resolution. Twilight gripped his back, fighting back her fear and readying the spell. The dragon's wings beat faster.

Discord heightened his speed.

Karzakathul's claws outstretched.

Discord's eagle talon twitched in anticipation.

The dragon opened his gaping maw.

"Twilight, DO IT!" Discord bellowed.

The little unicorn's horn began to glow as the magic asserted itself. Karzakathul's mouth abruptly clamped shut as he noticed his change of scenery. "What in-?! What devilry is this?!" the enraged dragon roared, thrashing about.

Twilight put all her concentration into maintaining her illusion as Discord soared up towards Karzakathul's confused and angered face. Discord's fingers snapped, and a twenty-foot-long lance appeared in his hand. "This is for my parents, you son of a bitch," the draconequus spoke quietly as he drew his arm back.

Karzakathul's mouth was open as the Elder Wyrm roared in frustration.

Discord softly exhaled...

...and hurled the lance down the dragon's throat.

The weapon went all the way down the monster's esophagus and pierced the foul creature's ancient heart. Karzakathul's eyes went wide with stunned disbelief. The Elder Wyrm's body convulsed for but a moment, and then fell from the sky. The impact of the great beast's body meeting land could be felt miles away. A thick cloud of dust obscured the dragon for a few moments, but when it cleared, there lay the Sky Emperor, unmoving forevermore.

Discord slowly touched down by the fallen dragon's body, Twilight jumping off and standing next to them as they surveyed the corpse of their foe. And then Discord fell to his knees, letting out an anguished cry as his past caught up with him. All Twilight could do was embrace him and whisper soothing words to him as he wept by the body of his family's killer.