//------------------------------//
// Prologue: Meet the Dragoons 
// Story: Trial by Kinship 
// by Metool Bard 
//------------------------------//

"Ugh, I swear.  This is why I only travel by airship.  How anypony can sleep with that clickity-clackity racket outside is beyond my comprehension."

Ivory Tusk grumbled to no one in particular as he stumbled into an empty dining car wearing a white robe and nightcap.  He snorted with disgust when he realized that it was pitch black, with only the moon and stars outside illuminating the room.  He could feel the hairs of his bushy white mustache bristle as he wrinkled his nose and sat down.

"If the kitchen is closed, I'm really going to be mad," he griped.  His horn glowed with a gentle tan aura as he turned on the lantern above him with his magic. "I might even send a complaint.  Well, I would if I ever planned on setting foot on one of these accursed locomotives ever again.  Honestly, I'd rather listen to rocs screeching in my ear nonstop than endure another minute of this—"

"Howdy there.  Mind if I join you?"

Ivory's musings were interrupted by a sharp yet smooth voice at the front of the car.  He looked up and adjusted his monocle, only to recoil in bewilderment.  Standing at the sliding door was a small yellow dragon with a mole on her left cheek.  She was holding a silky white parasol and had a small brown bag strapped to her waist.  Ivory's lips flapped absently as he tried to form a single thought to no avail.  The dragon raised an eyebrow.

"What's up with you?  You act like you never saw a dragon before," she said.

"W-well, I have," said Ivory, finally finding his voice. "Plenty of times, actually.  I'm one of the few ponies who can claim that much.  I-it's just that—"

"You never saw one takin' a train before," said the dragon, completing his thought.

"Y-yes, that," said Ivory.

The dragon sighed. "Well, dragons can take trains if they wanna, alright?  It just so happens that there's someplace I wanna go."

"Oh, I-I see," said Ivory, clearing his throat. "W-well, please.  H-have a seat."

"Thank you kindly, sir," said the dragon with a smile.  She walked over to the seat and hopped on up before extending her claw. "I'm Needles, by the way.  Pleasure to meetcha."

"I-Ivory Tusk.  Likewise, I think," said Ivory, tentatively returning the gesture. "Um, if I may be so bold, where are you headed?"

Needles shrugged her shoulders and reached into the bag around her waist. "Dunno.  I'm a bit of a drifter, y'see," she said absently. "Well, in a sense.  It's a bit hard to talk about."  She then pulled out a piece of topaz and popped it into her mouth before taking out another. "Want one?"

"Oh, uh, no thank you," said Ivory, shaking his head.

"Your loss," said Needles, munching away at the topaz as if it were popcorn. "So, what about you?  Where're you headed?"

"Oh, er, back to Canterlot," said Ivory. "I was just out in Mustangia visiting a colleague of mine."

"I see," said Needles absently.  As she spoke, she was glancing out the window.  Curious, Ivory turned his head to see what she was looking at.  However, all he could make out was a barren wasteland under a starry night sky.  After a pause, Needles cleared her throat.

"Actually, now that I think about it, I think I might know you from someplace," she said, stroking her chin in thought.

Ivory's shock slowly dissipated as he puffed out his chest in pride. "Ah, so your kind has heard of me as well.  I suppose it's not really that surprising.  I am the most famous big game hunter in Equestria."

"Big game hunter, eh?" said Needles, leaning forward and arching an eyebrow. "Ain't that just a fancy word for, poacher?"

Ivory's face turned as white as his mustache. "O-oh dear.  Faux pas.  Um, I-I assure you, I haven't been hunting any dragons.  In fact, I've never hunted a dragon in my entire life.  Wh-why would I want to hurt such magnificent creatures?  Eh heh heh..."

"But you just got through sayin' that you've seen plenty of 'em, given your profession," said Needles. "What exactly am I supposed to make of that, hmm?"

Sweat tricked down Ivory's brow. "Well, you see, i-it's my colleague!  Yes, the colleague I was just telling you about.  He happens to be interested in exotic animals as well."

"Hmm.  Y'don't say," said Needles, staring out the window again. "And, what did you say your colleague's name was?"

Ivory looked out the window again.  This time, he managed to catch sight of a dark silhouette against the moon. "I say.  What could that b—"

A plume of hot amber smoke blasted into Ivory's cheek as Needles let out an angry snort.

"His name," she repeated coldly. "I want his name."

Ivory rubbed his singed cheek and gave Needles a dark look. "Now see here, you ruffian!  What was that all about?!"

"Still not gettin' an answer to that question, pal," said Needles, tossing another piece of topaz into her mouth.

"Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria do you want to know?" Ivory snarled.

Needles scoffed. "Don't play dumb, Mr. Tusk.  You've heard the stories.  It's all over the Mild West."

"I'm afraid I don't follow."

Needles deadpanned. "I can't tell if you're playin' dumb or if you really are this dumb.  You mean to tell me that you've heard nothin' 'bout the rash of dragon poachin' that's been goin' on for the past month?  Not even from this colleague of yours?"

Ivory brushed the back of his head sheepishly. "W-well, maybe in passing, but I thought nothing of it.  A-after all, it can't be anything but idle gossip.  Even a prestigious hunter such as myself would think twice before trying to bag something as rare or as powerful as a dragon.  N-now, a hydra is a different story.  You see—"

"I ain't interested in that, y'varmint," Needles spat, cutting across Ivory before he could change the subject. "I've been entrusted to take these dragon poachers down, and I have no intention of disappointin' my employers."

Ivory blinked. "Wait, wait.  Employers?  What're you talking a—"

"I'm askin' the questions here, bucko," Needles snarled. "Now, you just told me that your colleague has seen some dragons himself.  Are you gonna tell me who he is, or am I gonna have to mess you up?"

Ivory narrowed his eyes. "For your information, I was referring to a safari we went on last month just outside the Mewlun Mountains.  We didn't hunt anything; we were just sightseeing."

"Likely story," said Needles, chomping down on another topaz.

Ivory bristled and snorted. "Now look here, madam.  I will not be bullied in this manner.  I know nothing about these dragon poachers, and I doubt my colleague does, either.  I don't know how you managed to get on this train, but by thunder, I will throw you off personally if you don't stop pestering me about things I have no connection with."

Needles looked out the window again before giving Ivory a sideways glance. "Y'sure you wanna take that tone with me, partner?"

"Why shouldn't I?" Ivory huffed. "You may be a dragon, but I am a skilled hunter.  A tyke such as yourself is simply outclassed.  Especially since you intend on taking me on alone."

Needles smirked. "Who said I was alone?"

There was a long, awkward pause.  The only sounds heard were the clicking and clacking of the train wheels.  Ivory arched an eyebrow and scoffed.  Needles let out a groan and turned towards the door.

"I said, who said I was alone?!" she repeated.

Another bout of silence.  Needles's face flushed bright red as she turned back to Ivory.

"H-hold on a moment," she said.  She hopped off her seat and marched over to the door, grumbling and growling all the while. "Dagnabbit, what's takin' 'em so long?  They should be done with it by—"

Suddenly, a burst of vermillion flame flashed by the window on the sliding door.  A few seconds later, the clacking of the train wheels appeared to slow down in tempo.  Ivory dabbed the sweat off of his brow with his nightcap as he nervously looked around the room.

"U-um, what was that?" he inquired.

Before Needles could answer, two figures burst through the sliding door.  One was a burly Diamond Dog with black fur and large, intimidating jowls.  He wore a braided cloak with a zigzag design and a sombrero, and he had a miniature cannon strapped to his back.  Perched upon his shoulder was small white dragon with eyes of sapphire, wringing his claws nervously.

"So sorry for the delay, Needles," said the dragon. "Turns out those couplers are a bit more durable than we thought.  Ehheh..."

"Save the excuses for later, Trigger," Needles sighed, rolling her eyes.

"N-now wait just a minute!" Ivory bellowed. "What's all this about?!"

The Diamond Dog snorted and hefted up his miniature cannon. "We don't need to answer that, ese.  Just tell us what we want to know about the dragon poachers."

"I already told your friend here that I don't know anything about these dragon poachers!" Ivory boomed. "Now, I demand an explanation for this!"

"Don't change the subject, potro," the Diamond Dog growled. "No one pulls a fast one on Toro the Bulldog."

"I suggest you listen to us, Mister Poacher, sir," said Trigger with a toothy grin. "You see, we just detached this car from the rest of the train.  You're stuck with us until you give us the information we need.  Ehheh...  Ehheh..."

Ivory's eyes went wide. "Are you nuts?!  There are probably dozens of other ponies on this train besides me!  You're stranding them, too!"

Needles blanched. "Th-that ain't true.  You're bluffin'.  All the other passengers should be in the sleeper cars up ahead."

"Um, are you sure about that, Needles?" asked Trigger, tilting his head. "I always thought that the dining cars went before the sleeper cars."

Needles shot Trigger an angry look. "Well, if you thought that, why didn't you tell me before we set this up?!"

"I-I didn't want to question your judgement, my lovely little desert flower!" Trigger whimpered defensively. "I-I figured you'd know better than I would.  Ehheh...  Ehheh..."

Needles slapped her forehead. "Trigger, I know you have a brain in that thick skull of yours, and I really wish you'd use it every once in a while!  Didn't we agree that we'd try not to drag other ponies into this mess?!  You should've said somethin'!"

"I-I'm sorry, Needles," said Trigger, twiddling his fingers.

"It's too late for apologies, Señor Trigger," said Toro somberly. "Besides, Señor Flint and Señor Steel said it wouldn't matter anyway as long as we got what we came for."

"Which is exactly why I'm the brains of this outfit and not them," Needles spat. "Don't let 'em plant those ideas into your head, Toro.  Remember, we're vigilantes, not criminals."

Toro scratched his head. "I was always under the impression that we were mercenaries, Señorita Needles."

"Th-that, too.  Look, don't go confusin' me!" Needles sputtered. "We still have a job to do here!"

"Um, excuse me.  Don't I get a say in this?" asked Ivory.

"You stay where you are, cazadore!" Toro barked, aiming his cannon at Ivory. "We have you surrounded, so it's in your best interest to cooperate."

Ivory blinked and turned around.  Strangely, there was no one behind him.  Needles pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Ugh, as if this couldn't get any worse," she groaned. "Trigger, go outside and find out what those boneheads are—"

She was interrupted by a sudden crash as the ceiling above caved in.  When the dust settled, two teenage dragons appeared.  One was a short fellow with eyes of silver and scaled that shined like obsidian.  The other was a lanky fellow with grey scales.  The taller fellow wore red war paint on his face and a headband with a feather in it, and for some inexplicable reason, he had a bow and a quiver full of arrows slung over his shoulder.

"Halt, villain!" the tall dragon roared, striking a heroic pose. "You are in the presence of the roughest toughest seekers of justice in all the Mild West!  Bow before the might of the Dragoons!"

The short dragon covered his face with his hands. "Must you go through that same speech every single flipping time we're on a mission?"

The taller dragon pouted. "Flint, get it together," he hissed through gritted teeth. "You're ruining the moment."

"Moment's already been ruined, Steel," Needles sighed, folding her arms. "Turns out someone neglected to mention that the sleeper cars go before the dinin' car."  She glared at Trigger as she stated this, to which Trigger shrugged sheepishly.

"Big deal," Flint scoffed. "You can't make a phoenix omelette without breaking a few eggs.  So, what's going on here?  We just roast this guy and collect our reward?"

Ivory snorted. "That does it!  I am not going to tolerate this tomfoolery anymore!  If you want dragon poachers, I'll gladly play the part!"

He fired a beam of magic straight at Flint and Steel, barely grazing Flint's horn.  Flint sneered and cracked his knuckles.

"You really think you can hold a candle to the guys we've been tracking?" he said. "Peh, don't make me laugh.  I'm gonna have so much fun taking you out."

"N-now, Flint.  R-rember what we talked about," said Trigger. "N-no unnecessary roughness.  That's the rule."

"Oh, trust me, short stuff.  I find this very necessary," said Flint, leering at Ivory Tusk with hungry eyes. "So, how do you like to be cooked?  Well done or overdone?"

"Hold there, comrade," said Steel, raising his claw. "Let me handle this.  I know just how to fix this poacher's little red wagon."

He took up his bow and fitted an arrow to it.  Flint arched an eyebrow.

"Seriously, Steel?  You're seriously considering this?" he said.

Steel gave Flint a quizzical look. "What's wrong with it?"

"Remind me, Steel.  You're a dragon, right?"

"Last I checked."

"You have razor sharp claws, you can fly, and you can breathe fire."

"Um, yeah.  What's your point?"

"Why in the name of all that is sensible would you ever need a bow and arrow?!"

Steel sighed. "Are we seriously on this again?  Look, this isn't an ordinary bow and arrow.  These arrowheads are made out of charcoal.  I use my fire breath to light them.  They're fire arrows."

"Just forget the arrows and use your fire like a normal dragon!" Flint howled.

Steel crossed his arms. "Flint, if I did that, I'd just be doing the same thing you're doing.  That isn't going to help the Dragoons any.  I need to stand out somehow.  Ms. Needles is our leader, Mr. Trigger is our tactician, Mr. The Bulldog is our strongman, and you fly around and burn stuff.  I want to do something that only I can do."

"Steel, you're being ridiculous.  Again," Flint growled. "You don't know the first thing about archery!  There isn't a dragon alive who does!  You know why?  We have no use for it!"

Needles palmed her face. "Would you two idiots stop bickerin' and get it together before this varmint—"

She was cut off by a burst of tan energy erupting from Ivory's horn and smacking Flint square in the chest.  Every muscle in his body seized up, and he fell to the ground with a thud.

"Oh my gosh!" Steel exclaimed. "Flint, speak to me, pal!  Are you okay?!"

"Do I looch oka to ya?!" Flint snarled, his speech hampered by his paralyzed jaw.

An angry inferno ignited in Steel's eyes as he glared at Ivory. "Don't worry, Flint ole buddy ole pal!  I'll avenge you!"

He slipped and arrow from his quiver and lit it on fire with his breath.  He then fitted the arrow to the bow and struck a contemplative pose.

"Hmm.  Now, how do I go about firing this thing with igniting the bow?" he pondered aloud.  He fiddled around with his weapon, trying ever so carefully to keep the flames from touching the actual bow.  Toro obscured his eyes with his sombrero.  Needles palmed her face and shook her head.  Ivory simply looked on in bemused contempt.

"H-hang on, hang on.  I just want to get this right.  I've never worked with this kind of thing before," said Steel.  After a few seconds of stalling, he finally figured it out. "Alright, let's see if this works.  Prepare to meet your—"

He was cut off by a magic blast hitting him in the chest.  He fell besides Flint, his paralyzed claws still clutching his bow and arrow.

"Ipph you juch ushed your fire, thish wouldn't 'ave 'appened," Flint scolded.

"Oh, shut uuh," Steel moaned.

"Well, that's two down," said Ivory, turning to Needles. "And you're next."

Needles narrowed her eyes. "Bring it."

Ivory obliged, firing a fourth beam from his horn.  Needles was about to sidestep it when a yell from above distracted her.

"Needles, look out!"

Something behind Needles tackled her to the ground, taking the brunt of the attack.  When Needles got to her feet, she saw that it was Trigger, lying in a heap.  Needles rolled her eyes.

"My hero," she said sardonically. "You know, I can do my own dodgin', Trigger."

"J-jusht, making sure you were oka, my lovely Needles," Trigger grunted. "Ehheh..."

Needles heaved a great sigh. "Sometimes, I worry about ya, Trigger," she said.  She held up her claw, and a small bit of energy formed between her fingers. "Alright, I didn't want to do this, but it looks like my claws are tied."

"I can still take him out, Señorita Needles," said Toro.

"And blow half the train to kingdom come?  I think we've done enough damage already," said Needles grimly. "Let's just put an end to this."

Without even looking behind her, she flung the bit of energy at Ivory.  The star-shaped bolt hit him straight in the horn, causing a magic surge that knocked him out cold.  Needles heaved another sigh.

"Hopefully, he won't remember me doin' that," she mumbled. "Toro, we'd best not stick around for the police to find us.  Vamanos."

Toro nodded.  He carried the three paralyzed dragons outside and dove underground, taking them with him.  Needles looked back on the damage she and her friends caused and heaved one final sigh before following suit.

Why can't I do anythin' right? she thought.


***


By the time the Dragoons arrived back to their hideout, Flint, Steel, and Trigger had all recovered from their paralysis.  Toro poked his head out to see if the coast was clear.  Needles heard him swallow.

"Um, Señorita Needles?  You might want to see this," he said.

Needles knew full well what that meant.  With a groan, she climbed out of the hole Toro provided.  Just as she thought, a familiar-looking buffalo stood outside of their hideout.  And she was not happy.

"Guys, we need to talk," she said.

Needles sighed. "Strongheart, it's almost one in the mornin'.  Can't this wait?"

Little Strongheart shook her head. "I'm afraid it can't, Needles.  Now come out of there.  All of you."

Needles sighed again. "You heard the lady, fellas."

One by one, each of the Dragoons crawled out of the hole, with Steel having to drag Flint.

"Can't you go one day without busting our chops, LS?" Flint groused. "I mean, you got what you paid for.  You hired us to track down those poachers or whatever, and we're doing it."

"Last I checked, Needles was willing to do this for free," Little Strongheart said with a snort. "She only mentioned payment because she knew you two wouldn't do it otherwise."

"I would've done it," Steel piped up.

"Shut up, Steel," Flint snarled.

Needles took a deep breath. "Look, our plan had a few holes; I'll admit that."

"A few holes?" said Little Strongheart, arching an eyebrow. "You stranded dozens of ponies in the desert."

"We didn't mean to, Ms. Strongheart, ma'am," said Trigger nervously. "We were chasing a lead to finding the poachers' hideout.  Honest."

Little Strongheart massaged the bridge of her nose with her hoof. "Guys, you were breaking the law."

"To catch the bad guys," Flint retorted.

"That doesn't make it okay, Flint," Needles growled through gritted teeth.

Flint cast his gaze upward. "Oh, sure.  Lecture us again, o mighty Dragon Mage in training.  Teach us your altruistic ways that make you such an annoying prude."

Needles's eye twitched. "I am not a prude!" she snarled. "And I'll thank you not to mock the Dragon Magi!  I'm trying to live up to their legacy now!"

"S-see, that's why I didn't want to question you, Needles," said Trigger. "The Dragon Magi are supposed to have the answer for everyone who needs guidance.  I-I didn't want to undermine that."

Needles took in a sharp breath. "Trigger, why do you think I ran away from the Dragon Magi in the first place?  I'm not always right!  I don't know how the Dragon Magi can claim to always be right!  And just because I'm tryin' to figure that out and follow in their footsteps doesn't mean you have to lie to me every time I screw up!"

Trigger slunk away from Needles. "I-I'm sorry, my dear Needles.  Really, I am.  Ehheh..."

Little Strongheart sighed. "Guys, this has to stop.  You said this Dragoon gang would do what's right, but even after all this time, you've been going about it the wrong way."

Toro shrugged. "I wasn't aware there was a right way, Señorita Strongheart.  Honestly, right and wrong don't matter much as long as we get gems in the end.  Nevertheless, I try my best to follow Señorita Needles's example."

Needles massaged her temples. "Do you see what I have to put up with, Strongheart?  I'm tryin' to do the right thing, but that's not in our group interest.  And I can't just leave these guys, either.  Especially not Trigger; he'd follow me no matter where I go."

"Oh, Needles~!  Why must your words be so harsh?" Trigger moaned melodramatically. "You act like that's a bad thing.  Ehheh...  Ehheh..."

Little Strongheart knitted her brow. "I understand how you feel, Needles.  Flint and Steel are sharing their shelter with you—"

"Begrudgingly," Flint interjected.

Little Strongheart shot Flint a glare and continued. "And Toro and Trigger did promise that they'd help you figure out your true path.  However, and I mean no disrespect, they don't know the path of the Dragon Magi.  I'm not sure if they're helping you any."

Needles cast her eyes downward. "Yeah, well.  I kinda wanna help them, too.  Toro's been my partner ever since I left the Dragon Magi, and Trigger's, well, Trigger.  I want 'em to have a better life than this.  Heck, I want all of us to have a better life."

"I'll have a better life when you bandits get out of my house," Flint grumbled.

"Now now, Flint.  Don't be such a sourpuss," chided Steel. "I think being a proud and noble dragon is a good thing.  If nothing else, it means we stay in the buffalo tribe's good graces."

Little Strongheart deadpanned. "That's not noble, Steel.  That's being a suck-up."

Steel blushed. "O-oh.  Right.  I'll, try not to do that.  Heh heh..."

Flint palmed his face and shook his head. "Why me?"

Needles rolled her eyes and turned back to Little Strongheart. "Look, we'll pay for the damages when the sun comes up, and Toro will work on findin' a better lead.  We'll catch them dragon poachers, I promise you."

Little Strongheart nodded. "I suppose that's the best I can get out of you guys.  Just remember, I told you about the poachers not just out of duty for my tribe, but because I thought it would help you guys shape up."

"I know, I know," said Needles with a yawn.  She then smiled. "And don't think I ain't grateful for that, even if my compadres aren't.  C'mon, guys.  Let's hit the hay.  We've got a big day tomorrow.  Seeya around, Strongheart."

With that, the Dragoons disappeared back underground as Toro dug a tunnel into their hideout.  Little Strongheart sighed and shook her head.

Poor Needles.  She really needs a better mentor if she's going to be noble and wise like the Dragon Magi, she thought. Hmm.  Hang on.  The Dragon Dance Festival is approaching.  There's one dragon that I've never thought to invite to this sacred event.  And I think he's just the dragon to set Needles and the Dragoons on the right path...