The trees swayed in the Everfree Forest and the clouds rolled overhead as a young Timber Hoof made his way back to his tribe. He had gone out to get kindling and had gotten lost on his way back. He’d been wandering around trying to find his way back for the better half of an hour now and he was starting to get worried.
The clouds were beginning to look ominous while the sun was beginning its descent when he had gotten lost. He had always heard terrible stories around the campfire from Chief Red Heart about all the evil creatures that lurked in the Everfree during the night. His tribe tried to steer clear of setting up camp near the dark forest ever since Red Heart had died.
He had died defending the tribe from a manticore the last time they had gotten too close to the Everfree. The whole tribe mourned his death, but the one who took it the hardest was his son, Black Hoof. Black Hoof had became the new chief after Red Heart died and he had always tried his best, but ultimately his father’s death had leathered his heart.
The elder Flowing River had started walking away from the tribe at some point during the day. Black Hoof had run up to her and said, “Flowing River, where do you think you’re going?” She answered in her ancient sounding voice, “The Everfree” not even glancing towards the chief.
“Why do you want to sleep near that forsaken forest tonight? Do you want to put us all in danger!?” he asked. Flowing River replied, “It is where we are supposed to be.” She stopped and looked towards the rest of the tribe and bellowed as loud as her worn voice would let her, “Follow!”.
The tribe started to follow the old bison while Black Hoof looked at them disapprovingly.
Once she got to the forest she simply laid down and waited for the rest of the tribe to catch up. “Why do you think we should sleep here tonight? Have you forgotten what has happened to Red Heart?” She slowly got up, walked up to Black Hoof and slapped him as hard as she could across his snout and said quietly, “I’ll never forget what happened to him and how dare you for thinking otherwise!”
She collected herself and announced, “I feel a presence here that we’re supposed to be near and we will stay here until that presence is known.”
Black Hoof yelled, “That presence you’re feeling is your own stupidity! If we stay here tonight we will be torn to shreds!” He turned to the rest of the tribe and yelled, “Flowing River has become crazy in her old age. She says she “feels” we need to stay next to this infernal forest for the night, but its really her wanting to die because she can‘t handle her old age anymore.”
Flowing River stepped in front of him and bellowed to the crowd, “I promise you no harm will come to any of us! I had a dream last night that if we stayed next to the Everfree we would find a great blessing.”
The tribe had looked uncertain and many of them still remembered very clearly what had happened the last time they got too close to the Everfree. Seeing the elder’s certainty though had put most of their minds at ease. Very rarely was Flowing River ever wrong about anything.
The tribe had started setting up teepees immediately. Black Hoof seeing that he was defeated grumbled and pointed towards Timber Hoof and said, “Go get water from the nearby stream.”, but Flowing River countered him, “He must be the one to get kindling tonight.”
Black Hoof argued, “Why must you argue with everything I say!? It‘ll start raining soon, what good will a fire do?” “Why question the sun in the sky when it rises and sets? It is what it does and nothing more.” She answers looking towards Timber and simply saying, “Go.”
Now, hours later, Timber was treading warily through the forest, lost and wishing he could find a sign that he was on the right track back to the tribe. He wanted to start yelling through the forest for help, but he dare not make a sound. As a young colt he was told that this forest was overrun with terrifying predators called wolves.
He had never seen one, but he was told many horrific stories around the fire at night. How they were always in packs and meeting one almost always meant certain death for any bison that was alone. How their fur stood on end when they bared their sharp, hide ripping teeth. How they made their eerie howls towards the moon at night.
Drip.
Timber Hoof looked to the sky at the black clouds.
Drip.
It had started to sprinkle and Timber still had no idea where he was. He was starting to get scared. He didn’t like storms, he didn’t like this forest, and he imagined he wouldn’t like wolves if came across one.
KA-BOOOM!
Lighting flashed and thunder rolled. It shook Timber to the bone. He started to canter in the direction he was facing. He continued on for what felt like hours, but was actually only a few minutes until he finally came to a clearing.
When he exited the forestation he looked around for any sign of his tribe. His tribe was no where to be found. For all he knew they could be on the other side of the forest.
He looked towards the horizon and saw that the sun was starting to set. If he wasn’t going to find his way back tonight, then he had to find shelter. He made his way to the center of the clearing and started looking for anything he could possibly use for shelter.
His eye caught what looked like a worn path. He kept looking for a few more minutes, but the trail looked to be the only route that lead somewhere. He didn’t have many options with the sprinkling starting to turn into actual rain and the sun setting.
He started down the trail and followed it for a few minutes. He started to think what had treaded through this path so many times and if it was a safe idea to follow it. As he was thinking this he came to the end of the trail and found himself in front of a cave.
He definitely did not want to go in there. He didn’t have anything to make fire with and the darkness of the cave swallowed up the darkness of the dusk. He decided to go back and try to find a hollowed out tree trunk to stay the night.
ooooOOOOoooo.
Timber Hoof stopped dead in his tracks. He had never heard that sound before, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt what that was. The howl had made his blood run cold. It came from the forest and right then he decided what awaited him the cave couldn’t be worse than wolves.
He did a full 180 and galloped into the cave’s abyss. A sudden chill went down his spine and he started to have second thoughts. He could still see the mouth of the cave, but was far enough back for anything that wasn’t nocturnal could see him.
He untied the kindling he had had strapped on his back and laid down. He tried drifting off to sleep, but he felt that he was not alone. He listened for anything that sounded suspicious and couldn’t hear anything other than his breathing.
He thought of what he was going to do tomorrow to find his way back. He thought of what might live in this cave and how angry it would be to find an intruder. However, his thoughts finally settled. Exhaustion overtook him and he drifted off to sleep. ________________________________________________________________________
A faint glow awoke Timber from his slumber. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a green glow further down the cave. He looked the way he came and only saw darkness. He felt around for his kindling and found that all of it was gone.
He got up and thought about whether he should just lay down and go back to sleep or if he should go investigate the strange light.
He decided to take his chances to see what was causing the light, it couldn’t be that dangerous seeing as how he was still alive. Timber slowly made his way through the cave towards the green glow.
He came upon a cavern inside the cave big enough to fit his whole tribe. In the middle of the cavern was a ghastly green fire. He warily inched towards the fire until he was just a few feet away.
Upon further inspection he realized that whatever made the fire was using the wood he had collected. He looked around for any sign of life, but found nothing.
He laid down and stared into the magnificent fire. He started wondering if maybe one of his tribe mates had found him and had made a fire to keep him warm. Maybe they had gone back to the tribe to tell them they had found him. The fire felt nice against the cool air of the cave and Timber Hoof soon found himself drifting off back to sleep.
All of the sudden Timber Hoof heard steps coming down the entrance of the cave. It wasn’t the clop of hooves or the pad of paws, it didn’t sound like anything he had heard before. He rose up and moved to the other side of the fire and awaited whatever it was to emerge.
The sound kept getting louder as it came closer. He stared into the abyss not daring to look away from what might emerge. Finally he could make out the outline of a figure in the darkness as it neared the cavern. It was… tall. Two bison standing on top of each other would have still been shorter than this creature.
Finally the creature made its way into the light and Timber Hoof froze. In front of him was a creature he had never seen before. It was standing upright on two feet with two arms and hands at his side, razor sharp talons on all of its fingers and toes. He had to be over 35 hands tall. He had black scales that glimmered in the fire’s light. He had two massive wings folded on his back. His eyes had looked gentle, but had the pupils like that of a snake.
As the creature neared his mouth opened and sounds started to come out. It sounded like he was trying to talk in some deep booming voice, but Timber Hoof couldn’t understand any of the words. The language it was speaking, if it was speaking a language at all, sounded clipped and foreign.
Timber raised a hoof to stop the creature from talking. The creature stopped talking and smiled, flashing his razor sharp teeth. Timber seeing this became nervous, wondering what exactly teeth like those could do to him. “I… I can’t understand you.” Timber warily said.
The beast reared his head and let out what Timber thought was a hearty laugh. He then looked down at Timber Hoof with a face of mirth and said “I’m sorry Timmy. I forgot the bison had a different language from what I’ve grown accustomed to.” Timber’s blood ran cold when the creature had used his nickname only his friends called him.
How did such a ferocious looking creature know who he was? Why was a creature that was clearly a predator talking to a potential meal like a friend? “What are you?” Timber asked. The creature sat down on the ground cross-legged, still towering over Timber. “I’m a dragon, one of the first and the last I’m afraid.” The creature said.
“I’ve never heard of such thing. Where did you come from?” Timber asked. “Why from this cave of course.” Said the dragon like it was an obvious answer. “No, before that.” Timber said. The dragon got a serious expression on his face and said, “There was no “before that” for me.”
“So you lived here your whole life?” “No”, said the dragon, “I’ve lived many long years in many different places.”
Silence fell over them for a few seconds and Timber asked, “Did you make this fire?” “Yes I did! Do you like it?” said the dragon. “I do like the warmth, but how did you get it to be that color?” asked Timber. “Well, that’s just the color of my fire.” stated the dragon.
Timber Hoof gave the dragon a look like he was retarded. The dragon seeing the look chuckled and said, “Here, let me show you.” He then reared back his head, opened his mouth and let out a stream of hot green flame for several seconds before closing his mouth and looking back at timber hoof smiling.
Timber’s mouth was hanging open dumbfounded. “Well, what do you think?” asked the dragon. “That was amazing!” exclaimed Timber. “Can other dragons do that too?” “Yes, but different dragons are going to have different colors for their fire. Also, some fire is simply good for burning things, and other fire is more… useful.”
“Useful how?” asked Timber. “Well some dragon’s fire can heal wounds, teleport certain objects, let two different beings see each other, so on and so forth.”
“Can your fire do anything special?” asked Timber. The dragon sighed, “Yes it can, but I’m not about to get into what my fire does. It obviously burns things and can keep you warm. That’s all you need to know.”
Timber Hoof looked down at the ground and said, “You seem nice enough. You look like you could eat me fairly easy, but you haven’t yet. I know a creature like you probably has more important things to do than to talk to colts like me. So please tell me why you’re here?”
The dragon put on a smile on his face, but for some reason his eyes looked sad. “I’m here to make sure you deliver a gift for me.” “I can do that for you I think, but why not just give it to me now and I’ll be on my way.” The dragon became very solemn and said, “It’s not here yet, you’ll know when you see it. Plus I’ve got an old friend that doesn’t want this particular gift to make it to your tribe.”
This made Timber suspicious and he asked, “Will my tribe even want this gift?” The dragon looked down at the ground, not daring to look Timber in the eyes and said, “For now, yes.”
Silence filled the cavern for a couple minutes before Timber began, “So how long do we have to wa-”
There was a faint buzzing sound like a bee next to Timber’s ear, but instead of next to his ear, it felt like it was all around him. A strong torrent of wind came through the cave and a loud explosion was heard at the mouth of the cave.
The dragon stood up in front of the fire, blocking the cave entrance from the young colt. A shout was heard from the mouth of the cave and a purple blur moved into the cave as fast as lightning. It impacted the dragon sending him sprawling on the ground.
The purple blur finally became visible. It was another creature that Timber Hoof had never seen before. The creature was lavender with a mane and tail of dark purple with a light purple and pink stripe running through them. It had brand on its flank that looked like one large star surrounded by five smaller stars. It stood on four legs and would be a good six hands taller than a full grown Bison. This creature also had magnificent wings splayed out at its sides. On top of its head was a long horn that had white sparks coming from the tip. Its eyes were pure white and she was shouting at Timber Hoof in the same language.
This creature looked far more intimidating than the dragon had and Timber was confused and terrified. The creature stopped yelling and its face had a pleading look. It started walking towards Timber talking slower, its voice sounded like three voices coming out of one mouth, but it sounded like it was pleading.
It stopped and said one word and tears started to slowly run down its face. The creature repeated this word. Again and it stomped its front hooves. A few more times and it started bucking while screaming that one word. The beast stops moving altogether and just stands there head hung low, tears falling from its face to the ground.
The green fire suddenly grows and a white light is seen in the middle. The light blinds Timber with its intensity to where he has to look away. The light starts to dim until it vanishes completely. The fire returns to its original size and in the middle of it is a large jet black stone that glimmers like a precious jewel.
The dragon yells, “Grab it now!” Timber Hoof hesitates, he wants to grab the stone, but he doesn’t want to get burned. The lavender creature makes a horrible screeching sound and its horn glows bright white. Timber jumps towards the stone and wraps his forelegs around it holding on for dear life. He lands in the fire and he feels warm, but no pain. It feels like he’s in a hot spring, it almost feels relaxing.
The lavender creature charges for Timber, its horn lowered towards his windpipe. It gets one hand away before the creature is stopped by a black hand grasping onto its horn, his other hand sinking its claws into the creature’s side. The dragon growls at the lavender being in that weird language and green fire erupts from his maw. It surrounds the lavender creature as it screams bloody murder in the same language. It envelops all of the creature and begins to spread to the dragon.
The dragon looks back to Timber and says with tear filled eyes, “Goodbye Timmy.” The rest of the fire envelopes him and both beasts begin to glow bright white, and just as suddenly vanishes along with both of the beings that were there before.
Timber lays in the fire stunned with what his last hour has wrought upon him. He feels exhausted and lets his head fall against the wood still burning. He passes out not even caring he’s lying in the middle of a green fire.
Timber awoke and checked his surroundings. The fire he was lying in was starting to die down and he was still clutching the black stone.
He instantly jumped back and began checking himself for any damage. Upon finding that he was just fine he looked towards where he had entered the cave and found that he could now see daylight. He started towards the mouth of the cave and listened for anything that might try to attack.
He reached the mouth of the cave and looked around. In front of him where there used to be a trail and a bunch of trees now was a deep crater. Across the crater was what remained of the trail he had found yesterday. He began his way around the crater to the worn trail so he could at least make it back to the clearing and hopefully, with the help of the new found day light, make out a way to get out of this forest.
He made it to the other side and began down the path back to the clearing. Along the way, he started to examine the stone he was carrying. The stone was about the size of Timber’s head and felt lighter than what Timber had been expecting, almost like it was hollow. Upon further inspection he found that the stone was made up of small scales, like the dragon had had.
He was pulled away from his inspection of the stone by the sound of something yelling his name. He looked up and found he had came to the end of the trail and instead of standing in front of the clearing like he was expecting, he was now standing in front of his tribe while they all ran to him.
“Where have you been?” bellowed Black Hoof “We all thought you had died.” “All except me.” said Flowing River smiling.
“I got couldn’t find my way back, so I stayed the night in a cave.” said Timber Hoof. “A cave? Do you know how idiotic it is to stay inside a cave in this forest? Anything could have lived there, wolves, bears, manticores.”
“I was fine, this creature called a dragon found me and-” “A what?” asked Black Hoof. Timber gave a brief description of what a dragon looked like. “He didn’t seem dangerous, he even saved me from the purple monster that tried to kill me!”
Black Hoof looked perplexed and he noticed the black stone the colt was carrying. “What is that?” he asked. “It’s something the dragon wanted me to bring to our tribe, he said it was a gi-” Black Hoof smacked the stone out of Timber’s forelegs and asked, “Why would you take such a thing from a creature like that? It could be dangerous!”
Timber looked down at the ground feeling hurt. Flowing River slowly walked over to the stone and picked it up and came over to Timber and asked, “Could you please take us to where you found this?” Timber’s eyes brightened and he nodded his head. He about faced and cantered down the trail he had came from.
As Timber made his way down the trail, he said, “Now watch your step when we get there, there’s a huge crater that the purple monster created.”
They made it to the end of the trail only to find the clearing Timber had found yesterday before he had found the cave. “B-but it was right here a few minutes ago, I swear!” Black Hoof came up behind him and laid a hoof on his shoulder saying, “I’m sure spending the night in this forest scared you beyond belief, you probably had a great nightmare. Still that doesn’t explain this stone though, maybe you had a night terror and found it in your sleep?”
“This isn’t a stone. It’s an egg.” stated Flowing River holding it up to the sun. The other two bison trotted over to her and looked at the stone. Inside the egg was what appeared to be a large lizard in the fetal position.
“Where did you find this?” asked Black Hoof. Timber told them about how he had came to acquire the egg and how the dragon had made it very clear that this was supposed to be a gift for his entire tribe. Black Hoof looked wary and said, “Timber, I don’t think we should have something like this near our tribe. From what you told me this creature could kill all of us.”
“Nonsense,” said Flowing River, “It is obvious the creature that gave young Timber this egg was a Manitou. Who would deny our tribe such a gift?” Before Black Hoof could counter her, she turned around and started back down the trail.
Black Hoof grumbled something and started to follow along with Timber. When they reached the rest of the tribe Flowing River held up the egg and said, “This is an egg given to young Timber Hoof. It was a gift from a great Manitou and we will treat it like such. No harm will come to this egg. Does anyone have any reason why we should not keep this egg?”
Black Hoof opened his mouth. “Anyone except our dear chief?” His mouth closed and he looked angry, but said nothing.
There were hushed whispers amongst the tribe, but no one objected. “Good.” said the elder, “Now, let us pack up and move on from this place.” Teepees started coming down immediately, even Black Hoof had given up for now and was helping. Although he was probably doing more to get away from the Everfree than following Flowing’s orders.
That night they had set up camp near Ghastly Gorge and they all were sitting around the fire. Timber was holding the egg while Black Hoof watched him. “I still don’t trust that thing. What if it hatches and it kills us all?!” Flowing River gave him a look like he had a third horn growing from his head. “When it hatches it will be a baby, it couldn’t do any of us harm if it tried.” “What about when it grows up?” “Then we will teach it to live like a bison. We will raise it like one of our own.” said Flowing River.
Black Hoof jumped to his hooves, “I will not risk endangering my tribe just because an old cow could never have a foal of her own!” Flowing River gave Black Hoof a damning look but said nothing. Black Hoof made his way over to Timber, “Give me the egg.” he said. Timber looked between the egg and Black Hoof and shook his head. “I SAID GIVE IT TO ME!!!” Black Hoof roared. He pounced on Timber Hoof and ripped the egg from his forelegs.
Black Hoof made his way over to the fire. “Black Hoof,” Flowing River said icily, “If you hurt that egg you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” Black Hoof snorted, clutching the egg with one foreleg, “I will not let the tribe my father lived and died for be destroyed by some monster, no matter how small it is now.”
He lifted the egg above his head and threw it into the fire. A loud crack was heard throughout the tribe, the egg had shattered. Timber Hoof stood there stunned, not believing what his eyes were seeing. “NOOOO!” he yelled and charged towards the fire.
Black Hoof put a foreleg around him, holding him back. “Have you grown dense boy!? You’re going to kill yourself.” Black Hoof effortlessly flung Timber back to where he was sitting and he suddenly felt the heat behind him grow.
The fire had started to turn green. Black Hoof stared at it awestruck, wondering what could make fire turn such a color. FWOOOOSH!
The fire suddenly grew twice its size, embers splashing all over. Some of the green embers got into Black Hoof’s eyes and he started screaming, rolling around on the ground in pain. Everyone but Flowing River and Timber Hoof helped pull Black Hoof away from the strange fire.
Once Black Hoof had quieted down everyone looked back towards the fire to see that embers kept splashing around the fire. Timber Hoof got up slowly and walked over to the fire and looked into its eerie green flames.
Inside the fire was a black baby dragon with the remnants of its egg splayed around it. It was slapping its hands against the kindling making the embers splash all around it all the while making a high pitched giggling noise with a giant toothless grin across it’s face.
Flowing River finally got up and walked towards the fire. She got very close and showed no signs of stopping. Many of the tribe tried to stop her by yelling out to her, but she kept on. She put one hoof inside the fire and the entire tribe gasped. A second hoof, a third and soon she was fully inside the fire. She picked up the baby dragon and walked back to where she was sitting unharmed all the while the dragon was blowing green spit bubbles.
The whole tribe except Black Hoof, who had fallen unconscious, made its way over to where Flowing River was sitting. They circled her and looked down upon the dragon she had cradled in her forelegs. She looked over to Timber and asked, “What should we call him Timber? You’re the one who found him, so you should be the one to name him.”
Timber thought for a moment before putting his hoof next to the baby dragon. The baby dragon instantly latched onto with its black hand, tiny claws poking out at the end of the fingers, shaking Timber’s hoof with a strength that seemed unnatural for a creature so small. “Black Claw.” he said.
Flowing River held up the tiny dragon to get a good look at its face, all the while it still had its big toothless grin, making happy sounds. “I think Black Claw will make a great name.”
Ten years came and gone as the tribe lived their lives. Everything was the same as it had always been for tribe of bison. That is except that one of their tribesman was a baby dragon named Black Claw.
He had just started a growth spurt and was now came up to some full grown bison’s shoulders.
Timber Hoof, who was now a full grown bison, had helped raise him as much as possible. Black Claw and him were the closest of friends. Timber Hoof was like a big brother to Black Claw. He had taught him the way of the bison as if he was one of their own. When they were both younger Black Claw would follow Timber like his own shadow.
One day the tribe had set up camp near the White Tail Woods and Timber Hoof had gone to gather kindling, so naturally Black Claw did too. As they were walking Black Claw asked, “Timmy, where did I come from?” “You were given to me by a creature like yourself. Believe it or not, you started out as an egg.” “I know that. Everyone’s told me a thousand times of how I came to be. What I mean is who are my parents? Where are my parents? Why haven’t I seen more dragons like myself?”
“I wish I had the answers to those questions little brother,” Said Timber, “but I was never given any information on where you came from or who you’re parents are. I was just told to take you to my tribe and that you were to be a great gift.” Timber said smiling.
“Hey Timmy?” “Yes Black Claw?” “What did this other dragon look like?” asked Black Claw. Timber thought back to a decade ago to his chance meeting with the dragon. “Well to be perfectly honest, he looked exactly like you. Except he was extremely tall and lean muscled, towering over any creature I’ve ever seen and he had wings.” “Oh.” said Black Claw, “Do… do you think he might’ve been my father?” “He may have been. Although I can’t see why a father would want to abandon his young.”
Black Claw hung his head and sighed. Timber shoved Black Claw playfully with hoof, “Hey, hey enough of that. Lets get you back to the camp and I’ll see if maybe I can scrounge up some of those turquoise stones you seem to love so much.”
“Thanks, but I’m not that hungry.” Black Claw said still looking depressed. After a couple more minutes a loud growl could be heard from his stomach. Timber gave him a look and said, “Is that so?”
Black Claw blushed and said, “Well… maybe just a little bit.” They both laughed as they began to exit the woods.
They were almost back to the tribe when something caught Black Claw’s eye. A white bunny was hopping merrily towards the woods. Black Claw had seen hundreds of bunnies before, but for some reason this one looked different. This one looked… delectable.
He wasn’t even thinking as he started over towards the bunny, just walking at first and then jogging. Soon he was at a full sprint as fast as his small legs could take him. The bunny looked delicious and he had to have it.
“Black Claw what are you…” began Timber. Black Claw came to about 12 hands away from the bunny and leapt. He grabbed onto the bunny and it tried to get away thrashing about and making a high pitched cry.
Black Claw sunk his razor sharp teeth into the poor bunny and it stopped moving. Black Claw tasted tin and it was delicious. At this point Timber was awestruck by what he was witnessing.
CHOMP.
Black Claw was devouring the poor woodland creature bone and all. He was savoring every second of it.
CHOMP.
“Black Claw!” Timber yelled and made a mad dash towards him. He made it to him and swatted the little remains of the bunny that he had had in his claws. Timber turned Black Claw around getting ready to give him the scold of his life. What he saw horrified and sickened him.
The slits of Black Claw’s eyes had become narrower then usual. His face and claws were smeared with blood all the while he was still chewing. He swallowed and looked around for the remains. When he found them he made like mad towards them.
Timber leapt over him, standing between him and what was rest of the bunny. “WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU!!!? STOP THIS AT ONCE!!!” roared Timber while holding Black Claw back with a hoof. Black Claw tried to get past him and after he found that he couldn’t he bared his teeth and growled.
SMACK.
The force of blow made Black Claw hit the ground dazed. He was starting to black out when he heard the sound of a small stampede making its way towards them. The last thing he thought of before the darkness took him was how good that bunny had tasted. _____________________________________________________________________________________
Black Claw came to inside a teepee. There were voices outside and he began to listen. “I knew he was going to do this! I predicted it a decade ago right before the little demon took my sight!” said Black Hoof. “Right now its small creatures, but what if he gets a craving for bison? What then?! Right now we can control him, but if he gets as big as the creature that you described he’ll rip us all to shreds!” said one of the tribesman. “It’s just a one time thing. When he wakes up I’ll have a talk with him and make sure he never does this again.” Said Timber.
“NO! It took him ten years to show his true colors, it might take another ten for him to do it again. We should exile him while he’s still small.” said a female tribesman. “No, we can’t do that.” said Black Hoof. There was a brief silence, everyone dumbstruck from the bison that was openly appalled by the dragon, now showing him mercy. “We need to tie a boulder to him and throw him down Ghastly Gorge. Then, if he survives the fall, he can’t find his way back after we’ve moved on.”
A chorus of approvals and hoof stomps were heard from outside the tent. Black Claw started to cry. Not because of what his fate might deal him, but because of his guilt.
He had killed that poor creature. Worse he had enjoyed it. He had savored the feeling of consuming it. Not just its meat, but its life. Now he felt remorse, more so than he ever had. Why had he done it? He was fine a second before, and then BOOM he was a completely different dragon.
Black Claw got up from the ground and made his way out of the teepee. He had stopped his crying and was ready to deal with his punishment, no matter how bad it may be.
As he stepped out of the tent none of the bison took notice of him. “I’m sorry.” he said. Still none of them noticed him, all of them still arguing with Timber about his punishment. He sucked in a gulp of air and yelled, “I’M SORRY!”
This time the crowd of bison stopped what they were saying and looked towards him. Timber looked at him with a look of concern. Some of the bison looked at him with faces of outrage. Black Hoof had a look of anger also, but he was actually looking over Black Claw, he hadn’t really figured out how tall Black Claw was yet. The rest of the bison’s faces hurt Black Claw the most though. They had faces of fear. He had scared the bison that had helped raise him and he couldn’t feel more horrible.
“Get the rope! We’ll tie him up and drag him to Ghastly Gorge tonight!” yelled Black Hoof. Some bison started to move immediately, trying to find some rope to bound the small dragon. “NO! Stop! He won’t do this again. Isn’t that right Black Claw.” Timber asked as he turned his head towards the black dragon.
Black Claw had his hung low and didn’t answer. He knew that if tasting meat made him feel this bad that he never would again, but something was stopping him from defending himself. He felt that he had done something wrong and needed to be punished for it. At the moment he hated himself and wanted any sort of justice he could find. The idea of being thrown down Ghastly Gorge sounded horrible to him, and if it killed him… well then it was a life for a life.
Timber and all the other bison took Black Claw’s silence for something else entirely than what was going through the young dragon’s head. They took it as a yes. A yes that he would continue to devour defenseless creatures. A yes that he would enjoy it. A yes that he would eventually move his way up to bison.
A bison grabbed Black Claw and began tying him. Black Hoof said, “Make sure to make the rope tight. We don’t want him to escap-” “Stop.” Said interrupted a leathery voice from behind the crowd. The word was very faint, but it held the most authority any of them had heard in months.
Flowing River made her way to Black Claw, the crowd parting for her. She had been bedridden for weeks, too weak to walk very far without any help. If Timber Hoof was like a big brother to Black Claw, then Flowing River was like a grandmother. She had always been there for him when he needed a shoulder to cry on. She had always slipped him a turquoise stone when Timber had said it would spoil his dinner usually saying something like, “You’re only this young once, you might as well enjoy it.”
Black Claw had raised his head to look at the ancient elder, tearing up as he watched her walk towards him with her raggedy old hips shaking.
She got six hands in front of Black Claw and said, “Untie him please.” “You can’t be serious River! What if he bites you too? You can’t take that right n-” “Shhh” said Flowing River, too weak to scold Black Hoof, one of her favorite past times for years now.
The bison that had started to tie Black Claw up had immediately untied him as soon as River had asked. Flowing River looked at Black Claw in the eyes for the first time that night. She had a smirk on her face and whispered, “Oh little one, what am I to do with you?” She gave a light chuckle and tears began to fall off of Black Claws face. “I enjoyed it, Flowing River.” Black Claw said choking up, “I killed that poor bunny and I didn’t feel anything but joy! Let Black Hoof do what he wants with me, but PLEASE don’t hate me.”
The wizened bison lightly cackled at that, “Young one, I couldn’t hate you. I love you.” She said smiling. Black Claw started crying and hugged Flowing River as tight as he thought he could without hurting her.
“How could you love something that killed another living thing, ferociously I might add, in cold hard blood?” Black Hoof asked.
Flowing River looked back at Black Hoof giving him a scornful look saying, “Black Hoof, I know you can’t see him, but he is a predator. He has sharp teeth and claws. This was bound to happen some day, and I’m glad it happened now instead of in the later when I won’t be able to help him.”
The whole tribe got a solemn look on their face. They all knew Flowing River’s time was coming, and fast with how she’s been acting. Black Claw though had no firm grasp on what death was. Yes he had taken the life of another living creature, but he didn’t even know that particular bunny existed till he happened to notice it and snapped. “What do you mean?” asked Black Claw.
Flowing River flashed him a smile and said, “You’ll know soon enough, Black Claw.” She looked towards the tribe, “Could one of you start a campfire?” asked Flowing River, “I want to talk to Black Claw, and I’d like it to be in a similar place to where I met him.”
Three bison started on the task immediately. “Black Claw, Timber? Could you help me over to the fire? I’m afraid I’ve grown weak from all this commotion.” They both helped her walk towards the fire, one on each side.
The fire was already ablaze when they got her set down. Timber sat on one side of her and Black Claw on the other. The rest of the tribe had already gathered around the campfire and were watching Flowing River intently.
“Come here, little dragon.” said Flowing River. Black Claw moved close enough for Flowing River to pull him against her with a foreleg. “Tell me what you feel right now Black Claw.” “I… I feel horrible. I took the life of an innocent creature and I didn’t feel bad about it till I’d woken up!” said Black Claw, “I don’t want to do it again, but it happened so suddenly that I wasn’t even thinking. I was… I was just doing.”
Flowing River didn’t say anything, still waiting for Black Claw to continue. “I’m so confused. I can’t explain why it happened at all and I’m scared. I’m scared that I’ll do it again or something worse! Please tell me what I should do?” Black Claw said looking at Flowing River.
Flowing River was looking into the fire as if she’d find Black Claw’s answer in it’s dancing flames. She turned towards Black Claw and looked at him like she was looking through him into his soul and said, “Inside all of us there are two wolves battling. There is a good wolf and an evil wolf. The evil wolf is greed, jealousy, anger, lies, and arrogance. The good wolf is laughter, kindness, honesty, loyalty, and generosity.”
Flowing River had stopped talking and was still looking at Black Claw. “Which one wins?” asked Black Claw.
The intensity in Flowing River’s eyes softened and she lightly smiled, “The one you feed.”
Black Claw gave a confused look towards the fire before his eyes widened with enlightenment. “I think I get it. The one you feed is the one you become! If you do bad things, then you’re feeding the evil wolf. If you do good things, then the good wolf takes over.” Black Claw said smiling.
“Is that what you meant Flowing River?” Black Claw asked.
Flowing River didn’t answer. The tribe had seen the life go from her eyes before she closed them right before Black Claw had asked his question. They had all been expecting it to happen soon, but not at such an inappropiate time. “Flowing River?” Black Claw asked looking at her face for guidance, but only finding the soft smile she donned in her last moments.
Timber had gotten up to try pull Black Claw aside and try to explain to him what was going on. Black Hoof had beaten him to the punch though. Having gotten up when he heard Flowing River take her last breath and made his way towards him. He felt for his scaly hide, and once he had found it, moved his hoof up to Black Claw’s shoulder and said, “She’s gone son.”
“What? No she isn’t she’s right, here.” Black Claw stated. Black Hoof sighed, “No boy, I mean she’s passed away. Dead.”
The last word hit Black Claw like a bolt of lightning and stunned him. He was silent for a moment and moved his hands to Flowing River’s body and lightly shook her, “He’s joking isn’t he Flowing River?” Black Claw said beginning to tear up, “Tell him you’re not dead!” He said as his voice to began to crack.
Timber finally moved over to Black Claw, gently picking him up, and putting the small dragon on his back. He carried him away from the crowd now surrounding Flowing River’s body.
The last thing the tribe heard of Black Claw that night was him crying on Timber’s back saying that he’d rather been thrown down Ghastly Gorge. This punishment was just too much.
Twenty years had passed from when Flowing River died that fateful night. Black Claw’s pain had gotten better with time, but he still missed her dearly. He made sure to do everything he could to be a good dragon. He hoped Flowing River would be proud of the great dragon he was growing up to be.
Black Claw stood just a little over the height of Timber now. His wings hadn’t came in yet, but he hoped that he would get wings someday like the dragon that had gave Timber the egg.
Timber had became the chief and Black Hoof had gotten very old. Black Hoof was no where near as old as Flowing River when she had died, but Black Hoof had become very sick and thought his time was coming. He wanted to be buried next to his father, Red Heart, and that meant he wanted to die near the Everfree Forest.
Everyone was reluctant to go, but they respected Black Hoof’s wishes. Black Claw and Black Hoof had become much closer since Flowing River had passed away. Black Hoof had tried his best to teach him how distinguish what was right and what was wrong, and Black Claw had always helped Black Hoof get around troublesome terrain.
As they neared the Everfree, Timber asked, “Are you sure you want to do this Black Hoof? I know this forest has bad memories for you.” Black Hoof replied, “You are right, this forest has always been one of the most hated places that I’ve held in my heart for years. It took a life from this tribe, but it also gave a life to us as well.” Black Hoof said looking towards Black Claw.
Black Claw didn’t say anything, he just nodded his head and kept walking and guiding Black Hoof towards the Everfree.
Once there Black Hoof laid down on the ground and said, “Thank you all for granting me my final wish. I want to die here tonight, alone. You all can come by tomorrow to bury my body.” “You must be joking?” said Timber, “If you stay here alone tonight, then there will be nothing of you to bury tomorrow. Something will surely eat you.”
“Would you deny an old bison his last wish?” asked Black Hoof. “Yes, if it was absurd like yours is. The tribe will grant your wish of burying you near the Everfree, but we will not leave you here to be mauled by some creature. We will stay the night here with you.”
Black Hoof chuckled, “How about a compromise?” “I’m listening.” said Timber. “What if I allow one tribesman to stay with me? Just to make sure that nothing gobbles me up, although I don’t see what the difference is anyway.”
“Fine, but I get to pick which tribesman.” said Timber. “Deal” said Black Hoof shaking Timber’s hoof. “Well who do you choose, oh wise and powerful chief?” asked Black Hoof, “Black Claw will be your lookout for the night.” said Timber and he began to leave. “Come along, let’s leave these two alone for now.” Timber said to his tribe and they began to follow.
Black Hoof sighed and asked, “Do you mind starting a campfire boy? I’d like to be warm when I go.” Black Claw nodded and starting into the forest to gather kindling. He was going to have a long night ahead of him.
It was the middle of the night and all Black Claw could hear was the raspy snoring of Black Hoof on the other side of the dying campfire. Black Claw was thinking about how he wished he could have met Black Hoof’s father before he was killed. From what everyone had told him Red Heart had been the greatest chief the tribe had seen in generations. He had been kind, patient and extremely brave. ooooOOOOOOoooo
Black Claw had heard about a wolf’s howl, but had never actually heard one himself. It sent a shiver up his spine and he felt a feeling he hadn’t felt in years: fear. Black Claw stood up and walked over to Black Hoof. He started to try to shake Black Hoof awake.
“Wha- Huh?” Black Hoof asked confused waking out of a deep sleep. He realized it was just Black Claw and laid his head down asking, “What do you want boy?”
“I think I heard a wolf howl.” said Black Claw. “Good that means their close by.” said Black Hoof.
“How is that a good thing!?” yelled Black Claw while throwing up his hands in exasperation. “Look Black Claw, I know you’re scared. You’ve never seen a wolf before, and believe me, you never want to.” said Black Hoof, “I’ll understand if you want to leave, I won’t hold it against you, but if you want to stay and do as Timber wanted… well then you’ll have to get over this little fear of wolves you seem to have.”
Black Claw looked uncertain before sighing and nodding his head, “You’re right. If I’m going to protect you, then I’ve got to be brave like your father.”
Black Hoof smiled at that and said, “That’s a boy! The wolves probably won’t come out of the forest for a snack anyway.” GRRRRR
“Or not.” said Black Hoof, turning over and acting like he was going back to sleep, “The offer still stands for me, Black Claw. If you want to run, I’m not going to stop you.” Black Claw felt like there was a hole in his stomach and he slowly turned around.
Behind him were three giant wolves, fangs bared and growling ferociously at him. Black Claw was frozen, not daring to even blink. He really wanted to run, but he knew if he did, he’d never forgive himself.
One of the wolves charged towards Black Hoof. The wolf got about five hands away from him before a black tail swatted the creature away, making it hit a nearby tree.
Black Claw had acted without even thinking. He had easily taken care of that wolf without much effort at all. His fear started to ebb, and he was filled with an entirely different feeling. Power. He felt strong in that moment, stronger than he had ever felt before in his life.
The other two wolves charged at Black Claw. He caught one by the throat with his tail and the other by the tail with his hand and threw them towards the forest. He started to run towards the three wolves to push them deeper into the forest, but stopped at the sight ahead of him.
Golden eyes. Golden eyes were everywhere in front of him. There had to be at least another 15 wolves inside the forest. Black Claw’s confidence had started to wane and he was frozen stock still.
Black Claw shook himself out of fear induced paralysis and grabbed the original three wolves by the tails and hurled them in with the others. He then started slicing tree trunks with his razor sharp claws making trees fall down in front of the wolves creating a temporary wall.
Black Claw kept this up until he didn’t have any more trees within reach. One wolf had already made it to the top of the small dam and was growling towards Black Claw. Without thinking, Black Claw raised both his fists and slammed down into the wolf hard.
Too hard it seemed. His fists had made the lone wolf go silent and had snapped some of the thinner tree trunks, sending splinters and bark everywhere. The rest of the wolves flooded through the new opening and started to jump on Black Claw, latching their teeth onto whatever they could.
Their fangs hadn’t pierced through Black Claw’s tough hide yet, but it still hurt horribly. All of the wolves had all but forgot about Black Hoof and were dog piling on top of Black Claw, dragging him down to the ground.
“You have to run Black Hoof! I can’t keep them occupied much longer.” panted Black Claw
“ARE YOU GOING TO LET THOSE FLEA INFESTED BEASTS DO YOU IN!!??” yelled Black Hoof getting up to his hooves shakily. “Do you remember what you did to that bunny all those years ago? Let that out now, Black Claw. NOW is the time to use that ferocity. NOW is the time to let loose, to be a predator. Now is the time to be a dragon.”
Black Hoof’s words hit home with Black Claw. His chest filled with confidence and he got to his knees with the pack of wolves still on him. The slants in his eyes narrowed, his tail grew black spikes, and he started to rise up onto his feet.
Some of the wolves fell off their would be meal and redoubled their efforts to find a weak spot to bring him down, every single one of them latched onto him somewhere. He pulled one wolf off and threw him away, he swatted two away with his tail, and he tried to kick one near his ankle.
They were all replaced within seconds. One wolf had bitten down on his throat and started to draw blood.
Black Claw became filled with anger and a need to survive and started thrashing about. He opened up his maw and let out a roar of pain and rage. Out of his mouth came an eerie green fire that latched onto everything around him, burning the wolves to the bone. The wolves started to yelp and flee, but Black Claw was having none of it.
He grabbed the green flaming wolves and slammed them against the ground, one after the other till he felt their bones crack underneath him. He kept this up for what felt like minutes, but was actually over two hours.
“I think you got them boy.” said Black Hoof, still standing near the fire. Black Claw paid him no mind and kept smashing the remains of the green flamed remains. “BLACK CLAW!”
His name got his attention, but it wasn’t said by Black Hoof. The sun had started to rise and the tribe was walking towards them. At the front of the crowd was Timber looking none too pleased looking towards the enraged dragon and saying, “Black Claw, thank you for protecting Black Hoof, but I think the wolves got the message. Please stop.”
Black Claw stood up, no taller than he had been before, but looking menacing with his spiked tail and his teeth bared.
A hoof was on his shoulder. Black Claw looked towards it and found Black Hoof there with a face of what looked like regret. “You got them boy, now’s the time to stop being a ferocious dragon, and to start being Black Claw the odd addition to the bison tribe.” Black Hoof said smiling.
Black Claws face softened at this and his tail started to return to normal. Black Hoof laid down and sighed, “I’m close, son. I wish I could see what you actually look like. I wish I could tell you thanks while looking you in the eyes.”
Black Hoof looked up, “I can’t do any of that, but what I can do is tell you how proud I am of what you’ve become and how sorry I am for how I acted when you were young.”
Black Hoof became silent and laid down his head on the ground. Black Claw sat down next to him and laid a hand on his back. “I do believe it’s my time, boy.” “I know” said Black Claw rubbing his hand up and down comfortingly.
The tribe started gathering around and waited with them in Black Hoof’s last moments. Black Hoof’s breathing stopped, and everyone hung their heads. “Goodbye old friend.” said Timber.
“Black Claw, could you please dig a grave?” Timber asked. Black Claw started right away and moments later he was finished. They gently lowered Black Hoof into the ground and began filling it back up.
Once done Timber asked for someone to say a few good words about him. Black Claw volunteered and said, “He was stubborn as a rock, but his heart was always in the right place. He always had the tribe’s best interest at heart, and he was a brave bison, even in his last moments. I like to think his father would be proud.” Everyone nodded their heads in agreement and began to pay their respects.
“We should get back” Timber said finally. “I’d like to stay a few more minutes. Alone.” said Black Claw. “That’s fine, we’ll be waiting.”
The tribe started to leave and Black Claw sat down next to the grave and said, “Thank you Black Hoof. If you hadn’t had yelled at me to stop acting like a weakling, I might be dead right now.”
He sat there for a few more minutes before finally getting up and heading back to the tribe. He took a few steps away from the grave and he heard a sound coming from the forest.
He looked towards where the wolf remains had been to find that the green fire had subsided and sticks were flying through the air. He stood there dumbfounded, not being able to explain what was going on.
The pieces of wood started to create something. It started at the paws and moved onto the legs. Before Black Claw knew it, he was staring at five wolves all made out of sticks, logs and whatever else was left from his rampage. The one at the front of the pack opened up its eyes and they glowed green. The same green as the fire he had wrought upon them.
The other four followed suit and all of them just stared at Black Claw. Black Claw stared back, not knowing what to do. They stared at each other for a couple minutes before four of the strange wolves turned around and started to walk into the forest. The last wolf maintained eye contact with Black Claw before rearing his head back and letting loose an strange sounding howl. It finally turned around joining its pack and was gone.
Black Claw stood there for a couple more minutes looking to where he had just witnessed wolves come back to life as more tree than wolf. He finally turned back around and headed towards the tribe. He decided not to tell the tribe about the wolves. Black Claw figured no one would believe him anyway.
Five years had past since Black Hoof had passed away. Black Claw and the rest of the tribe were just north of the hayseed swamps. The black dragon had wandered away from the tribe and was resting in the sand on a nearby beach overlooking the ocean.
Black Claw had always wondered what lay beyond the ocean, or if anything actually did. He started to walk down the beach, enjoying the feel of the sand under his feet. He started to head back towards the tribe and gave the ocean one final look.
Something caught his eye. It was very far off in the ocean, but Black Claw’s dragon eyes could just barely make out what it was. It was a ship. The dragon, however, had never seen a ship before in his life. It had three big sails pushing it towards the shores of the mainland. Black Claw looked closer and he found that there were more ships behind the first one, six in all.
Black Claw just stood there, dumbfounded, not really knowing what he was looking at. Soon enough the ships got fairly close to shore and he heard someone from atop the ship yell something. All of the sudden winged beasts came out of a couple of the ships behind the lead one and charged towards Black Claw.
Black Claw stood there, wondering what these creatures were doing. They had four legs with hooves at the bottom of them like the bison, but were much less hairy and a lot smaller. These particular ones had wings and some type of metal covering their heads. They were holding sticks with sharp edges at the end of them and were pointing them right at Black Claw.
They surrounded Black Claw and landed. They still had their weapons pointed at him, looking menacing with their wings splayed out on their backs. One of them started to talk to Black Claw. Black Claw couldn’t understand a word of it. “I can’t understand you.” He said. The winged beasts tensed up when they heard the dragon talk.
The one that had talked started again. Black Claw just shrugged and let the creature keep on talking. Finally the first ship touched shore and the creature talking tried to grab Black Claw by his wrist. Black Claw yanked his hand away and bared his teeth. The weapons were pointing into him instantly. The creature started yelling loudly at Black Claw rearing up its back legs while in the air, acting like it was getting ready to buck him right in the face.
A feminine sounding voice was heard from the first ship. A ramp somehow extended its way to the ground from the ship and a similar creature with a horn on its head appeared. The creature was pure white and had a purple mane with what looked to be a horn sticking out of the middle of its head. It walked down the stairs with what appeared to be a very small version itself, only this one had a black coat and a green mane instead of purple and white.
It walked up to Black Claw with the smaller creature following behind it shyly. It finally got close to the dragon and started to say harsh sounding words towards the winged creature that had been about to strike him. The creature looked towards the dragon with happiness in its eyes, saying kind sounding words towards him.
Black Claw started to walk away, back towards the tribe. The white horned creature trailed behind him. He didn’t exactly mind, it would save him the trouble of explaining to Timber what was going on.
He finally made it to camp, finding Timber and explained to him what he had witnessed unfold. Timber saw the horned creature behind Black Claw and said quietly, “It looks like the creature that had showed up the night I found you. It looks much shorter though and has no wings.” Black Claw looked back at the creature, who was smiling at him, with a hope that this creature might know where he came from.
Months passed and the bison tribe learned much about their new friends. It turns out these creatures were called ponies, and were divided up into three tribes: The earth ponies who gathered food, the pegasi who controlled the weather, and the unicorns who used their magic to raise the sun and the moon. The three tribes had been fighting with each other until recently. It turns out the creature talking to Black Claw had been a unicorn and was named Queen Platinum.
Apparently she had been a princess before she and her new friends had found this land and had set aside their differences to make peace. Her father, the unicorn king, had stepped down, deciding it was time for his daughter to rule.
The bison tribe and the rest of the ponies were getting along swimmingly. The bison had started to learn the language their new friends spoke, and the ponies had given the bison many peace offerings like food and clothing.
Black Claw was intrigued by Queen Platinum. She was visiting Black Claw with what he had discovered to be her daughter. They were inside a teepee, him sitting cross legged and the two unicorns laying down. He had never seen magic before and it amazed him. “Can all unicorns do magic like you?” he asked. Queen Platinum giggled and said, “Why yes, but my magic isn’t all that special. If you want to see some powerful magic, then you need to go see Starswhirl the bearded.”
Black Claw made a mental note to visit this Starswhirl sometime. “How did you end up way out here? All the dragons I’ve ever seen have always been guarding their hordes in mountains and are usually very hostile. Why aren’t you?” Platinum asked. “My chief, Timber Hoof found me when I was an egg. He said a dragon about the size of two bison gave me to him and a pony like you tried to stop him.”
“Hmmm,” Platinum asked, “What did this pony look like?” “Very tall for your kind apparently. It had a long horn, wings and was a lavender color. It’s ‘cutie mark’ was a big star surrounded by five smaller stars.”
Queen Platinum blinked a couple times and started laughing, “Why I’ve never heard of such a thing. A giant pony with both a horn and wings! HA! I don’t think one’s ever been so gifted, I’m sure Timber was just seeing things.”
Black Claw gave her a disapproving look and Platinum cleared her throat continuing, “I’m terribly sorry, you caught me off guard there. Anyway, the dragon you described couldn’t be anything more than a teenager by dragon standards and probably didn’t even have their own clutch yet.”
This information made Black Claw forget about her doubtfulness towards Timber and asked, “What do you mean ‘teenager’? I’m not done growing?” Platinum looked dumfounded. “You poor dear. You truly don’t know anything about your heritage, do you? No you’re not done growing by a long shot. I’ve seen some dragons get as large as mountains, and they live can for thousands of years.”
Black Claw looked down at the ground at this. He didn’t want to grow to be that big, he was already starting to feel awkward with his height now. His life expectancy hurt far worse though. He had already seen enough of his friends die, and with that long of a lifespan he would see a lot more.
“I see I’ve gave you information to chew on. I think it’s time that we go.” She got up from where she was lying and began out the tent, she turned to her daughter who had drifted off to sleep and said, “Come Chrysalis, it’s time to go.” The little filly woke up and groggily got to her hooves, following her mother, and out they went.