Across the land, through the badlands lay one massive peak. Was it the tallest mountain in all of Equestria? Who knew? Who cared would be a better question as one look at the mountain would cause even birds to turn the other direction and never come back.
Here, a lone dragon had been flying for many hours, and finally, it's nostrils flared up a steam of relief as it's long trip would be over. It's many wounds had proved torturous for the entire trip whilst it clung onto the elements like a miser clung on to his last coin.
As the mountain appeared closer, and closer, it's jagged and cracked earth that surrounded it appeared more like dark abysses. Wells of eternity rather than just a cliff or hole in the ground. Elsewhere, molten rock flowed freely, seeking to devour anyone or anything unlucky enough to be caught by it's fiery tongues.
And here up on the mountain, was where the elements would go. And here on the mountain, a massive dragon perched, perhaps two to three times larger than the other dragons that dotted the landscape. An inexperienced observer would see these dragons from a far as demons as opposed to the mighty lizards that flew in the skies. But in this case, there would be no difference.
The lone dragon perched upon the peak, prudently choosing to stay away from the streams of fire that poured out as it faced it's ancient master. It's mouth opened to address it's follower in the ancient dragon tongue.
"You return... Dremahiik... you have the elements... have you not?"
"I do... lord of banes... they are here... I have done as you asked and given them to you."
"Very good... and... well done."
"Thank you, my king."
"Not yet Dremahiik... your wounds do not speak well of your abilities..."
"Milord... our foes are not as weak as we perceived."
"Do you jest Dremahiik? Without their precious elements of harmony, ponykind has no defense against us. Against me. I, Feynaltdrog, King of dragons has spoken!"
"There is no doubt to your power... lord of banes... but there is no doubt to this new enemy..."
"New enemy, Dremakiik? Speak. Tell your king this new enemy you have learned about."
"They walk upright and wield weapons that herald themselves with thunder and rain fire and steel down upon their foes.. My many wounds speak of this encounter with them."
"How many of them are there?"
"Six."
"Only six? Then they should be no problems for the armies of the bane king as of brethren choose the right side and the lower orders scramble beneath us to throw themselves at our service."
His roar echoed throughout his domain, answered by his brethren as he overlooked the hundreds of dragons that sat below him in the dark mountain. The roar echoed throughout the world, a miasma that touched the heart and soul of every living being.
You know. Ever since five years ago, and the fall of wall Maria, Armin hadn't really eaten too well. Scratch that. No one had really eaten too well. For starters, meat became a rarity which only the very wealthy could afford or the higher ups in the military. That, and food was rationed, perhaps not strictly, but enough to where he would be feeling hungry on some cold, long nights.
And here he was, he had just cleaned his fifth plate. Here in breakfast at Canterlot, it was a buffet. Like literally, the breakfast buffet was perhaps the thing he could only think about as of now as he gouged himself like a king, doing his best not to look like a total Neanderthal.
"Having fun there?" Steve commented as he put some jam on his bread. The tea was good. Nothing like some cold tea on a warm morning.
"I hadn't eaten this well in five years." Armin mumbled with a mouthful of waffles and toast. "Too bad there's no meat though."
"For... rather obvious reasons..." Slade commented as he took a note at the ponies that was breakfasting with them. The stares... the stares... "Well... look who's finally up..."
Sanya nodded in acknowledgement as she sat down with them, looking around at the plates of steaming food.
"Morning kid... slept well?" Raynor asked pleasantly.
"No... not really..."
"What? Was it because I didn't check underneath your bed for monsters?" Slade teased as he saw Sanya sit down. Completely exhausted.
"No... you see... I was hearing things last night."
"Really now? I didn't hear a thing." Armin commented. "It was all quiet and peaceful for a change."
"It wasn't quiet. Or peaceful... I heard talking. Really loud talking... these big voices... they were..." She stopped speaking for a moment. "I... does anyone remember last night?"
"How zis dragon almost took down zis whole place? Ja. I do."
"Who could forget it?" Armin asked. What was worse? Getting roasted by this beast or getting eaten by a titan?
"Well... remember how it breathed fire, knocked down a door?"
"And somehow sent my gun flying out of my hands? Yes..." Jim said. All he recalled was getting hit with a particularly noticeable gust of air and seeing his C-14 flying across the room. Said gust had definitely come out of the dragon's mouth.
"You see... the dragon was talking every time it did one of this. I remember hearing a voice and words every time it breathed fire. I can't remember the words... but I can remember the voice!"
"And what's so significant about this?" Slade asked.
"Because I heard that voice again last night."
That caught his attention.
"I can hear further in the night... and I heard a voice... it was very loud. It wasn't the same exact voice, but it was very similar. It was... I think a roar. Unfortunately... that's about it."
"Well, I am sorry to say Sanya, but that's not a very good lead. Just because something sounds like something doesn't really mean anything..." Steve began. "But it's not something we can dismiss."
"Captain Star-Spangle here is right. Now I am not doubting you kid, but you sure your hearing is as good as you say it is?"
"Yes." She answered meekly.
"Okay then. Like I said, I am not doubting you. I am just wondering whether or not it's the same thing we're dealing with. From what I could read last night, we live in a little girl's coloring book and a Percy Jackson story... we got things like Chimeras, Minotaurs and wait for it.... Hydras that are running around."
"Very funny. So what's our game plan? We're here to stop some evil dictator from taking over the world which really sounds like my job in the second world war."
"The only problem is, we don't know where this guy is. They don't know so that means we sure as hell don't know. If we did, chances are this thing would have already had two bullets in the head already."
"One thing is for sure though. We have to stop the dragons from causing any harm." Steve began. "You remember that thing last night? We were lucky no one was hurt. We must stop these things from ransacking this... place."
"Not just that, but as a bonus, we may be able to find out a little thing or two assuming we can catch a dragon."
"You're going to catch a dragon?" Armin asked with disbelief.
"I can see it happening." Raynor began. "In my world, we can contain Ultralisks and those things could stomp a siege tank into dust."
"Speaking of your world... I vood like to see your ship." Medic said. "Vat time is it for you?"
"The year is C.E 2504. We got some medical advances... but really, I am kinda fascinated at your medi-gun. That thing works just like the ones our medics used, except yours seems to actually be even taking that up a notch."
"Vhy thank you. I do consider myself a man of science! Now then... if ve can see your ship..."
"Yeah sure." Raynor said as he placed a napkin to his mouth. The apple pancakes were great. "But later."
"Vhy?"
"We have some more words of business with the Princesses." Steve began. "They'll be coming here so we don't really have to move."
"I hope you've all had an enjoyable night here in Canterlot." Princess Celestia said as she looked at the six humans sitting at the table. "I must voice my thanks to you all. Had it not been for your efforts, the dragon may have caused more damage than just a mere hole in the wall which had been fixed as of this time.
"That's good to hear." Slade said. "Now, then, onto first order of business. What do we do?"
"Straight to business aren't you now?" Luna commented. "Very well. You see, as both Mr. Rogers and Mr. Raynor had well... asked... we have decided to allow you a place to stay outside of Canterlot in the surrounding area. Notably by a place called Ponyville..."
"Okay. Okay. Who names these cites?" Slade cut in. "Because right now, I can name a Hoofington, a Filladelphia, a Canterlot and now a Ponyville?! Are these names supposed to be funny?"
"I name them..." Celestia said awkwardly. "Either that or whomever settles in the cities."
"Then whomever settles in new cities should really come up with something more original than horse puns." Slade said rolling his good eye.
"Now may I continue? I do not wish to go into meaningless banter about city names." Luna said as Slade stopped talking.
"Your enemy is Feynaltdrog, the dragon king. He goes by many titles, none of which are worth mentioning because many were made just to flatter him. His notable servants are normally other dragons who like him, are forces of evil upon this world. His magic however, allows him to corrupt other dragons to evil. We can only ask you to bring as little harm as possible upon the unfortunate souls under his thrall, for they have little control over their actions. Though in the end, the decision is not ours."
"In addition, what's been going on for many days actually is dragon attacks. If you can, please try and stop them. I hope out of the kindness of your hearts you do for many major cities are in danger of the dragons."
"Unfortunately... it's not just the dragons..." Luna continued. "The changelings too.... and many others who have bent knee to the dragon king. This will be very difficult, and we'll make sure to do whatever we can to ensure you are prepared for not just Feynaltdrog, but his wicked forces as well. You have access to any training facilities and armories under the royal guard as well as any library within Equestria that may prove to use... Sanya... Twilight means to give these to you."
"Thank you." Sanya said silently as she was given the books on magic by Luna.
"We hope you may put them to good use." Celestia beamed. "Now then, Mr. Raynor, we've moved your um... ship back to a place near ponyville where I doubt you can be bothered or end up bothering any other pony. I must comment on the current state of your craft however..."
"I'll get it fixed..."
"And lastly, we can only wish good luck." Luna said. "Whatever happens, we are all counting on you."
"That's done now?" Slade asked. "Alright Jim, let's see ship."
"You'll love it pal."