//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 
// Story: A Dragon's Heart 
// by Derpyx0 
//------------------------------//

	I opened my wings, and Twilight did the same, we were preparing to meet this group of ponies that could somehow bring Twilight back to her hometown. We took off, and thankfully, the Trail of Mist was closer then the Migration Gathering, so it didn't take us long to arrive. We landed on the top of the mountain, which was a large plateau, that was the only part of the mountain that wasn't covered in mist. Only a few seconds after we landed, the ponies that had climbed up here arrived. There was an orange one, a hyper pink one, a shy-looking yellow one, a white one, and a tomboyish blue one. "Twilight!" They said in union as they saw her land. When they saw me land they gasped. The orange one said to Twilight, " 'Twi, I wouldn't turn around if I were you, there's a big dragon behind 'ya." I didn't growl at her for misjudging me, I only stood there, waiting for what else was to come. Twilight looked at me and smiled, then said, "Don't worry, girls. this is Igneous, he's on our side." The pink and yellow one flew up to me, and stared kindly into my eyes. "Awww, what a cutie you are! Choocie Coocie Coo!" I tried my best not to snap out at her, and just said calmly, "I would appreciate it if you didn't do that..." She gasped, "Oh! And he can talk too! What a good boy he is!" I rolled my eyes and looked at Twilight like, 'Does she always do this?'

The one with the rainbow mane also flew up to me, but took a different way to get to know me. "What did you do to Twilight?!" She yelled defensively. Twilight sighed and said, "Rainbow, he didn't do anything to me. In fact, he was really nice." The two  flew down and Twilight said to me,"This is Apple Jack," The orange one lifted her hat. "This is Pinkie Pie" The pink one laughed and jumped. "This is Rarity," The white one tossed her purple mane. "This is Rainbow Dash," The blue one nodded her head in acknowledgment. "And this is Fluttershy." The shy pink and yellow one smiled. Interesting, so these are her friends... I thought and smiled. It must be nice to have so many friends...

All of a sudden, a roar erupted from the mist above. The ponies looked at the pink one, and she replied with a squeaky, "Hey! That wasn't me! I only do that on Wednesdays!'' I looked up, the mist was covering the sky, but a black shape was quickly rumbling towards them. When I realized what it was, it was too late. "Everybody run!" I yelled before a searing pain slashed upon my back. I fell to the ground only to be face to face with Nightmare, who was starting at me with cold, unforgiving eyes. "This is very interesting indeed..." He smiled with razor sharp teeth. "The great Igneous, friends with ponies? I never thought I would see the day..." I grabbed his shoulders with my claws and ripped downwards. He didn't yell, but he slackened his grip, letting me escape. I stood in front of the girls, blood trickling down my spine. "Stay away from them! You can have my gold!" I yelled at him. Nightmare just smiled deeper and he said, "Now where would be the fun in that?" He lunged. I didn't jump out of the way, because if I did, my friends would get the force of this blow.

He bit me on my neck, sending another jolt of pain up my body. Nightmare shoved me against a rock, and soon, he had me pinned against it. I looked at the girls, who were watching in horror. "Run!" I yelled at them. They ran to the far side of the plateau, but didn't leave me. I looked back at Nightmare with hatred burning in my eyes. This dragon had taken away all of my freedom, my interactions, and my kindness. I would not let him take away my friends....even if it killed me. I devised a quick plan, and with one last use of strength....I hurled both of us over the edge of the cliff.