//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Here be too much Dragon. // by Golden Paw //------------------------------// Prologue The cave was dark and full of smoke as the red glow reflected off the curling vapours that floated in the humid atmosphere. The ruddy light emanated from massive lava lake which dominated the centre of the cavern. But the deep basin wasn't the only source of heat and light, the impression of massive scaled forms stirring slowly could be seen through the haze. Impressive claws and scales grated against the naked rock, leaving fractured grooves in the stone as the largest of the serpentine monsters rolled over. A particularly huge brute lazily opened one green eye as the sounds of some disturbance from above drew the dragon’s attention. Circling on the rising thermals was an impressive number of dark flitting shapes swarmed in a panicked cloud. The small creatures, all tails and teeth had been thrown into a frantic screeching as an intruder violated the normally slow paced nature of this place. Emitting disturbed screeches the cowardly flock of bat like creatures scattered as they made way for a dark shape that slowly descended into the cavern with slow lazy beats of its wings. The easily startled nature of the lesser predators made them a perfect warning system for the sleepy dragons below, though not a welcomed one. “Oh shut your racket or I’ll incinerate you myself. What could be so important as to disturb our rest?” The deep resonating voice was annoyed, causing the last of the bats to scatter and flee the cavern. The sudden absence of the dark shapes revealed the intruder clearly for the first time and the stirring dragons looked up to see who had dared to intrude on their slumber. The new comer was far smaller than the surrounding creatures, not only this, but as the reptilian eyes watched red glow of the lava illuminate the new comer it became apparent this was no dragon. The visitor touched down lightly on the soot caked ground and furled its feathered blue wings before raising its horned head to look at the assembled drakes. “Oh....it’s ‘you’” The largest dragon muttered as he focused both slitted green eyes on the pony before him in an expression of annoyance. “We heard you were back from your ‘exile’ and now you come to us. Why we wonder?” The dragon raised its self to tower over the alicorn, his fangs and claws fully displayed in a threatening manner. Luna straightened up, not cowed by the enormous reptile now looming over her as the other dragons arose to watch the unfolding scene with interest. Luna caught sight of draconian wings unfurling along with small bursts of fire mixing with the smoke already in the heated air, but showed and only grinned at the collection of monsters. “Oh don’t be like thou big lummox, one remembers when thou were a small hatchling ‘Thortax’" Luna scolded the massive beast who blinked in embarrassment. "We see thy temper hast not improved much since I was away either.” Luna smiled at the giant reptile who blushed slightly as the other dragons began to chuckle. “Well I....er” The dragon found he couldn’t meet the eyes of his fellow drakes and trying to regain some of the initiative cleared his massive throat before going on with a much less certain tone. “What is you want Princess, I am sure you didn’t come here just to embarrass an old serpent?” “Thou art not that old Thortax; one remembers the fun times we had.” Luna grin only grew as Thortax shuffled uncomfortably, “The ‘pranks’ we used to play, oh and what was her name again?” Luna winked at Thortax as the assembled dragons laughed quietly at their leader’s discomfort. “You vowed you would never talk about that again....” Thortax began before Luna raised her hoof to stall any further protest. “Which means thou owest me Thortax, as one has never broken that vow.” Luna replied with a sly look. Thortax took a deep breath, his massive lungs taking a long time to inflate. “And now you’re calling in that favour?” Luna nodded as the massive dragon caught on to the reasons for her visit. “Why call this favour in now princess, what could be so dire that your own impressive powers couldn’t with it?” “Oh Thortax, one sees thy silver tongue is still as fine as ever” Luna smiled, her voice taking on playful tone. “Your flattery doesn’t change the fact that one is calling this debt now. We really do need thy help to repay a debt of our own.” Thortax raised his eye brows, “Intriguing, do tell. Who or what could have gotten one such as you into such a position?” Luna’s ears pressed against her head the previous jovial mood evaporated. “We....” It was Thorax’s turn to chuckle. With a gesture from his large head and unfurled wings the other dragons present leaped into the air and flew out of the cave. It took some time for the collection of dragons to vacate the area, however once they had Thorax’s demeanour changed and all pretence of hostility vanished. “Ah Lulu I have missed you so, I dared not believe you had returned and it broke my heart to see that creature overtake you.” “I do not want to speak of it Thor, it was....terrible” Luna said in a quiet way. “The point is I am back now, as me and I need your help Thor.” The dragon with surprising grace wiped a tear from Luna’s cheek with a claw the size of her torso. “Don’t cry Lulu, I’m just glad you’re back. Now what help do you need?” The dragon shifted his weight to make himself more comfortable. His massive head dwarfed the alicorn as the dragon lent down to rub his scaled nose against the pony’s soft muzzle. Luna smiled at the show of affection, “Daww yer big softy, thank you. It’s not for me really you understand; I want to repay the kindness of six very special fillies.” Luna’s mood lifted once again at the thought of the ponies who had saved her from herself. “What I shall need first is your advice Thorax.” Luna paused, searching for the correct way to phrase her request. “Let’s say for the sake of argument that a dragon 'hatchling' lost its parents along with its flight, what would happen to it?” “It would have to fend for its self Luna and would almost certainly die.” Thortax informed Luna in level tone, he didn’t like the direction this conversation was going. “We dragons aren’t terribly charitable to each other.” Luna nodded before going on, “Okay, but what if it had been taken in by let’s say ponies and though they are doing a fine job for now, what do you think will happen when that hatchling starts to grow up?” Thortax raised both eye brows this time, “Raised by ponies, you can’t be serious Lulu? I have never heard of such a thing, how old is this 'hypothetical' hatchling now?” The expression of amazement was plain on the dragon’s craggy features. “No more than a couple of years from what I understand, six at most. His egg was found abandoned and taken into Tia’s school as a test for entry. Potential candidates had to try and hatch the egg with a spell.” Luna explained further and Thortax snorted derisively. The dragon's voice was full of suspicion now, “Oh now I know you’re pulling my leg Luna. Nice try, but no pony bar maybe an alicorn could hatch a dragon’s egg with magic.” Thortax’s suspicion turned to dismay as Luna shook her head vigorously. “I have never been more serious in my life Thor.” Luna fixed the huge unblinking eyes dragon eyes with a stare of her own. “Of course no pony was suppose to pass the test, it was seen as a great way of indicating their determination and strength from what Tia told me. You know my big sister always looking to make the best of any event, even an abandoned dragon’s egg.” Luna’s eyes sparkled as she almost whispered, “But some pony did.” Thortax despite his reservations had his interest peaked, he liked a good mystery as much a Luna did. “And this hatchling has been raised by ponies since?” For a brief moment Luna thought she had won her old friend over, but to her disappointment Thortax shook his head after a long thought. “Sorry Luna, I can’t. I have duties to my flight; I am the eldest here and can’t just wonder off for some orphan hatchling. The others would never go for adopting a stay into the flight either, with no blood ties I can't see any flight.......” Thortax’s excuses trailed off in the sight of Luna’s expression. Luna’s face had fallen and her eyes took on ‘puppy dog’ roundness as she playfully tapped the dragon’s giant nose with a fore hoof. “But Thory you owe me and I was your friend before you became a big brave dragon elder.” Thortax grunted, unable to meet the alicorn’s huge eyes. After a long moment Thortax relaxed his shoulders in defeat. “Why is it whenever I spend any time with you Lulu I end up in some sort of strange trouble?” The dragon let out a smoky sigh. “Very well I will see to it that the hatchling gets taught what he needs to know. Luna’s eyes returned to normal and she began to dance a happy little jig, the sight reminding Thortax of a much younger princess, causing his well worn face to glow with happiness. But it didn't last as Thortax held up one enormous clawed finger. “If and only if it becomes apparent he needs guidance, then I will ensure that one of my flight comes to teach him the ways of a dragon.” The elder dragon rubbed his temples as he warned Luna of what they were getting themselves into. “To my best knowledge no dragon has ever been raised by other than their own kind and I don’t want to get mixed up in this potential disaster unless I have to. Not even for you Lulu.” Princess Luna smiled. It wasn’t a perfect solution true, but she had gotten more than she had dared hope for. “Thank you Thortax, I for one can’t wait to see how this is all going to turn out.” Thortax grinned, revealing a large set of impressive fangs. “You and me both Lulu, it’s good to have you back.” The massive dragon bowed to the tiny alicorn before lumbering deeper into the obscuring vapours of the cave. He called back to Luna and his deep voice resonated through the murk. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you Lulu, we dragons can be a real hoof full, especially before we cool down a bit with age. I hope you have some pony very capable taking care of this hatchling.” Luna chuckled to herself as Thortax’s immense bulk was swallowed once more by the shadows of the cave, “Oh Thory, I think we have just the pony for the job. Princess Celestia trusts her completely.”