Shendu flexed his claws as he examined the area around him. It wasn’t an area he had explored while his soul was slumbering as that pitiful excuse for a dragon. He can’t believe he had felt any emotion for a pony besides hunger. He frowned as he noticed something off. The talismans were gone. While he wasn’t helpless without them, he liked the insurance they gave him in a fight.
He turned as he heard something in the foliage. He merely watched as a pack of Timberwolves stalked out of the forest and circled him. He found it amusing that they would challenge a dragon while they were made out of wood. Shendu frowned as he noticed something off in the magic that animated them.
“The rat talisman.” Wrapped around the dark magic that made up the core of the Timberwolves were fragments of the magic of the rat. “What madness is this?” His claw lashed out seizing a Timber wolf and he brought it up to his face as he examined. The magic of the rat was definitely intertwined with the magic animating the Timberwolves. It was a part of the magic and yet it seemed to be originating from somewhere else.
Shendu growled as he crushed the wolf he was holding into splinters. He opened his senses to the world and let out a roar of frustration. The magic of the rat was everywhere in the forest. He looked around at the wolves surrounding him and a thought came to him.
“They always did say the Everfree was alive, they just didn’t know how true that was.” He let out a menacing chuckle as he glanced at the wolves around him again. “Be gone foolish mutts, lest I turn you to ash.” They looked at each other and the remains of the wolf he had crushed before taking off into the forest. Shendu looked around before he heard the sound of wings flapping. He looked up and saw the teenage dragons that had picked on him. He grinned as he growled deep in his chest. They always did say payback was a dish best served cold. He turned and stalked back towards Ponyville.
The bearers of the elements of harmony met in the center of town. Twilight was frowning at Pinkie Pie who looked away in embarrassment. She had accidently dumped cake batter on Twilights head. “Sorry Twilight.” Twilight sighed at Pinkie’s downcast look.
“It’s fine, but please don’t try to do it again. I like my mane the way it is.” Pinkie Pie perked up at Twilights words. She was about thank Twilight for forgiving her when three teenage dragons landed from the sky. The girls huddled together as they took in the teenage dragons. The red one stood in front of them and spoke.
“Where is the pony dragon Spike?” Twilight glared at the teenage dragons.
“Why do you want to know?” Twilight’s voice was cautious, but carried undercurrents of anger at the group of dragons. They had mocked Spike for being raised by ponies.
“That’s none of your business pony,” Twilight glared at the teenage dragons.
“Then I don’t see how Spike’s location is any of yours.” The dragons stepped closer to the group and Garble opened his mouth to retort when the ground shook. The dragons and ponies both looked around in confusion as whatever caused the shaking got closer and closer. Ponies ran past them as the two groups turned as one to look in the direction they were running from. A dragon stepped into view as a terrible grin grew on his face.
“I see you.” The dragon strode towards them.