//------------------------------// // Dragon Isle and the Inquisition // Story: Conquest of the Mark of the Dragon // by Fateful Pony //------------------------------// The group soared over the horizon of Dragon Isle at sunrise, an unusually large island with even freakishly larger buildings constructed for the size of an average dragon. The island itself was lush with green and purple plant life, and dozens of dragons, in all their majestic might, circled and darted about the airspace. Amazingly tall trees, exotic animals never before seen by pony eyes, this island was everything an adventurous cross eyed stallion could yearn for. “Below us!” Audry cried above the roars of her fellow kind. “That is the keep! Land us there!” She extended her claw to a astronomically humongous castle that seemed to be an entirely different island in its own right. “Roger that!” Derpibra loosened his grip of the ropes connected to her wings, causing her to fly more in a downwards direction.downwards. Reaching the threshold of the mighty building before them, the party disembarked from their beastly ally, taking in the wonderful sight of the forests and the towering structure above. “That’s one big castle.” Rainbow Dash examined. Audry’s neck turned to a curve to face them. She seemed much smaller than whatever the castle may have been built for. “This is the House of Dragons, home to the Inquisition.” “Inquisition?” She nodded slowly. “Indeed. The Inquisition is an army- one that is constructed of what remains of the Dragon Riders since the days of old. They themselves fight in service of any and all dragons, including the ones who wish to serve them.” “What does have to do with that Darkness stuff from a few days ago?” Optix questioned. “The Inquisition and the ones who follow it… they may be the deciding factor in which we survive...  or we perish. I was fortunate enough to find a group who would so selflessly assist us in our time of need. Now, what you all must do first, is find out more about the Darkness that shadows us. This will help all of Dragon Isle better understand what we are up against.” “I’m guessing the Inquisition will be our first target?” Derpibra asked. “Yes. One reason why we may not be able to fight the Darkness on our own is because your kind- ponies, are able to do some things that we dragons cannot. And they themselves possess said abilities.” “What are these abilities?” “We are not too sure. Not even they know. They seem to possess some kind of power… a power we can feel but not quite understand. It definitely feels unlike anything we dragon's sensed in quite some time. Maybe you can discover it?” “Maybe.” She tilted her head towards the door. “Seek Sanctus, the Dragon Pastor and First in Command in the Inquisition. She will guide you.” “What does she look like?” “A unicorn, bangs similar to Twilight’s, but her mane grows much more wild and spiny the farther back it goes. She has reptile-like eyes, and a small development of scales on her chest. She is… challenging at times, so do excuse her if she is rather abrasive at first.” (Another tough mare. One Optix is good enough thanks.) He sighed. “Thanks Audry. Let’s see if me being the one to stop the Darkness is at all truthful.” Audry waved as she took off into the air to join her dragon kind in the sky. She seemed right at home already. The party ventured inside of the castle seemingly fit for more than just one king. The interior was gorgeous: chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, long stretches of tables and chairs dotting the room, with a velvet carpet extending down the mighty hall until it ended at a throne made of bone-like material. The room itself was dimly lit to give it almost a romantic feel. There were signs of staircases and dozens of other rooms in this one building. The group gawked at the amazing sight to no end, but only for some minutes, as their excessive gazing was soon interrupted by a strong voice. “Lookin’ for trouble?” They all turned about only to spot the mare described to them only minutes ago. Her mane was black, her reptile eyes golden, her coat an almost golden orange… and a strange mark upon her cheek. “Uh, what?” Derpibra sounded. “I said: are you lookin’ for trouble?” She demanded an answer so much so that he began to feel shaken slightly. “Nuh uh!” He shot back. “Good. Now, what are outsiders like you doing here?” “We came here to get my cutie mark-” “That’s all?” She interrupted. “You couldn’t have just come here for some cutie mark. Being around all these huge dragons? You ponies don’t look very tough at all.” “Ahem,” Sounding slightly agitated, he continued, “And to stop the Darkness.” “Tsk.” She scoffed. “You think we are just going to let any group of strangers come in and fight with us? Ha!” He sulked at her. “Alright, alright. I can tell you know something about us- the Inquisition right?” “Yeah. Audry took us here in fact.” “A-Audry…? Hmph, still doesn’t change what I think about you fools.” She walked towards the throne and took a seat. “I’ll talk with her later. Has been some time since I’ve seen her. But I digress. Hey, which one of you is gonna become a Dragon Rider, or did she not tell you?” “Me.” “So the gray one huh? Fine.” “Name’s Derpibra in case you didn’t notice.” “And I’m Sanctus. Now, I have no interest in learning anypony else’s name here. If you’re gonna be a Dragon Rider, then you gotta prove you got the strength for it. I, gotta give you all my attention, nopony else.” “Have it your way. How do I prove to you that I got what it takes?” “Fight me.” A small smile formed on her muzzle. “What’s that gonna prove? You aren’t one of these giant dragons are you?” “And you are a pegasus trying to learn how to fly a dragon. Should I ask what the purpose of that is?” She retorted. He stayed silent. “Precisely. Keep the mundane questions for me to make- all of you.” (Wow, this mare is a bitch.) Optix thought spitefully. “I am one of the best Battle Mages in this Inquisition. You beat me, I’ll consider respecting you more.” “Let’s see how long that lasts…” Optix snickered. “So you want me to beat you in a duel? Okay… what are the rules?” Derpibra asked. She laughed hysterically in her throne. “What’s so funny?” “You’re another one of those goody-two-shoes stallions huh? There are no rules in combat! Life or death.” He gulped audibly enough for his friends to hear it. “So, are ya gonna chicken out or what?” “No. We came this far, so we can’t turn back.” “Good. I’ll have Audry watch the fight to confirm your strength. You win, you’re in the Inquisition, no questions asked. But, if you lose…. you die.” (Why is it a death penalty…?) Derpibra pondered, but there was little time for him to contemplate as Sanctus was motioning for him to follow her to the Dueling Grounds.