The fight with Tirek was finally over. The energy of the rainbow power had fixed all the damage he had done to the world. However, while it fixed the magical balance deep within the planet, it awoke a being who had been in a deep dreamless sleep.
'Pain. Agony.' The first thoughts of a being trapped deep within the very land itself. Within a pool of magma a clawed foot smashed into the wall of its cavern. The effect was felt out into the world itself, for out in Equestria's outer lands cracks formed in the earth and expanded into canyons.
Back in the pool a tail whipped out and slammed into the rocks themselves. The effect was sent out from the point of contact. In the badlands, water came out as lakes and rivers long since lifeless gave water once again. The dry river beds where given a rebirth.
A banging was heard as a head smashed against the wall. A volcano erupted with a bang far out in the world. A long dead volcano came back to life as the very earth itself fed it new magma.
Finally huge wings rose from the magma and eyes opened up. With a thrust the behemoth tore through the earth. The effect was felt all across the world. The earth shook, in the zebra lands the elders felt the ground tear open as they communicated with the spirits. In the mountains of the Griffin lands, rock slides were seen tearing the land up as mountains rose ever higher to taste the sky. In the ancient deserts, old buildings collapsed into their weight. The wonders long since standing gave out under the stress.
Finally far away near Equestria’s border, the earth shattered and a dragon came out in a cloud of ash and fire. He began flying over the landscape, with no clear direction in mind, passing over various towns and villages.
In Ponyville, the earthquake was felt by Twilight Sparkle, her friends, and everypony else present in the town. "What's going on?" Twilight asked. Pinkie Pie's Pinkie Sense went off, namely the twitchy tail. A huge roar was heard. They ran to the window, flying in the distance was the biggest dragon they had ever seen.
If any of the ponies would have been closer, they would have noticed the grass under the dragon shriveling away. The huge leviathan hasn't even reached Ponyville, yet the six friends could already make out some details on the dragon. It had black scales, although whether that was their original color or if it came from the ash was debatable. What really made the dragon dangerous, aside from probably being the hugest dragon to be ever sighted in Equestria, was his metal armor. As if this wasn't enough of a shocker, Twilight was sure she could see lava flowing underneath the metal armor.
The screams of the local Ponyville residents got Twilight out of her stupor. She could stare in awe-horror later. Right now they had to act quickly.
"Spike! Send a note to Princess Celestia. We need her help, NOW!"
"Oh... err... on it!" he shouted, running out of the room to get a quill and paper.
"Rainbow Dash. Get the weather team together and get the ash under control." Instead of responding, the cyan mare zoomed out, leaving a rainbow colored trail and a shattered window behind.
"Fluttershy. You and I can try to calm the dragon down. If it reaches Ponyville, who knows what might happen?"
Fluttershy let out her trademark 'eep', but nodded meekly, understanding the situation.
"The rest of you girls, try to keep everypony as calm as possible and get them out of town."
'Make it stop,' the dragon thought to himself. It let out a scream, which sounded like one of rage, but was actually one of pain. Even the dragon itself would have a hard time telling the two apart, if it hadn't been the one actually experiencing it. But aside from the pain there were no clear thoughts inside the dragon's head.
In the meantime it kept its steady course to Ponyville, although it barely registered the village ahead as more than just something sticking out of the ground, which came closer and closer. It didn't really notice that it was losing height and would soon hit the ground.
Two Elements of Harmony quickly approached the dragon, namely the Elements of Kindness and Magic. Twilight was certainly glad she came with Fluttershy. The heat became unbearable rather quickly, so in response she cast a shield around herself and her friend.
"Oh my!" Fluttershy gasped. Now up close the two ponies could see just how big the creature was. Not only big but also grotesque and... in pain. The butter colored pegasus could see it in the creature's eyes. And the reason for the pain was more than obvious. The metal armor wasn't just simple armor. It was actually keeping the dragon together. You could even see the tiny hooks keeping each plate together. At this point Fluttershy was inwardly torn between her instincts telling her to do a sonic rainboom (if she could, but she couldn't) in order to get away from the flying volcano as fast as possible and her motherly instincts to try and comfort the thing.
"By Celestia... it looks like it's about to explode," Twilight stated, fear evident in her voice. She looked over to her friend and was both surprised and glad that she had not flown away. The lavender alicorn wouldn't have held it against the pegasus.
"Twilight, i-it's i-i-i-in pain," Fluttershy stuttered, the dragon coming closer and closer to their position.
"I guess that's no surprise. It's like his body is a gigantic volcano! That can't be normal!"
"M-m-m-maybe y-y-you can d-d-d-do the s-s-s-same you did w-w-with m-m-m-me. Y-you know, the d-d-dislocated shoulder, after R-R-R-Rainbow D-Dash crashed i-into me. I-I don't think I-I can t-t-talk to it, as long as it is in p-p-p-pain."
Twilight brainstormed the idea and came to the conclusion: "Whatever works." She doubted her most powerful spells could even scratch the armor of that thing.
Back in Canterlot, the earthquakes had been a cause for alarm, as they had been everywhere on the planet. "Sister, what just happened?" Luna asked. It had only been a few days since Tirek was defeated, so naturally nopony wanted to deal with another disaster so soon.
"I don't know," Celestia replied, worried. "This is the strongest earthquake we've had in a long time. I hope nopony was hurt."
In a flash of light Discord appeared. "Well, you're not the only one experiencing this," the deity of chaos stated without any introduction. "I dare say every single being on this planet has felt it."
The two sisters were startled by this revelation. Before either of them could ask him further, a letter from Twilight appeared in front of the sun princess.
Dear Princess Celestia,
A huge dragon is heading towards Ponyville! Send help!!
Spike
Back with the others, Twilight used her spell in hopes of helping the gigantic lizard, but given the size of the being it did nothing. "It didn't work. It's just too big." Twilight turned to Fluttershy. "If only the princesses or even Discord where here."
A flash of light later the chaos entity and the royal sisters of the sun and moon appeared. "How about both?" Discord asked a little cockily. The leviathan of a dragon let out a roar at the newcomers.
"Even adult dragons normally don't get that big," Luna stated, looking at it.
Discord gave it a look over. "Well I was right, the World has awakened and it's a dragon," the deity said with a look of pondering.
The four ponies looked at him, confused. "Come on, Celestia the Sun, Luna the Moon, there has to be something for the world we live on, you know." Discord said, pointing out a logical conclusion. The fact that he used logic caused a paradox which cancelled out the universe level apocalypse.
"We need to help it. It's in pain," Fluttershy 'shouted'.
"OK, I need each of your help, princesses. Yours too, Discord." The alicorns of the Sun and Moon nodded at Twilight as did the avatar of Chaos. The three focused their magic at Twilight, which she used to cast a massive spell at the dragon. When the lavender blast hit the dragon, something strange seemed to happen. The metal armor seemed to morph.
'No, scratch that. It is morphing,' Twilight thought to herself. Not only morphing, but it seemed to fuse with the dragon's skin. It looked like Discord's chaos magic had somehow changed what the spell was supposed to do or modified it.
The lava inside the dragon cooled off. No more cracks could be seen on the dragon's skin anywhere. It was like a volcano had just gone to sleep.
Fluttershy noticed another change. It was the dragon's eyes. Instead of showing the panicking eyes of a wild animal, they seemed now intelligent and very relieved. Well, that was until the dragon looked down and found out it was high above the ground. The first clear thought it had this day was: 'That's gonna hurt.'
The titan of a dragon crashed, the mass and momentum of his form caused it to slip on the earth, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt. Form the fog the shadow of the great beast rose up. Suddenly its body glowed as the lava flowed and it gave out a mighty roar!
Everyone, even the princesses and Discord, had to block out the defying sound of its roar. The fog gave way as the lava hardened partly and the great dragon turned to them. For a moment no one spoke as perfect silence existed. Then the great dragon spoke. "What just happened?"
The ponies blinked at this. Discord flashed and appeared in front of him. "You kinda just tore the world apart." The massive dragon blinked at the mismatched creature.
"Who and what are you?" the titan of a dragon asked.
"Well let's get to the introductions. I am Discord, God of Chaos and Disharmony... and you are?" he asked. The dragon searched his memories – he found dozens of names and yet they all were not his own. He couldn't remember his own name.
However he decided to respond with who he was now. "I am Neltharion the Earth-Warder, but you may call me Deathwing."
Twilight and the others gasped, except for Discord who whistled. He thought it kind of fit, seeing what the dragon was capable of, not to mention the sheer size. Recovering from her shock Twilight flew up to him.
"Why were you flying towards Ponyville?" she asked.
The now dubbed Deathwing or Neltharion looked over to the small village. "All I remember was pain and anger. I didn't even realize where I was heading or that I was flying at all."
He turned his attention back to the group of really colorful ponies. He couldn't quite put his claw on it, but something inside his head told him ponies weren't supposed to look so colorful. He ignored that bit of information for now and focused on the task in front of him.
"I am sorry if my awakening caused any trouble. Also, I want to thank you for helping me regain my senses. You have my deepest gratitude." He bowed his head.
Celestia, and most likely everypony else, was relieved that the dragon didn't turn out to be one of those arrogant dragons, from which existed too much in her opinion. She definitely preferred the name Neltharion over his nickname. She dreaded to find out how he actually acquired the nickname, but focused on the matters at hoof.
"My name is Celestia, one of the princesses of Equestria. This is my sister and fellow princess Luna, and another fellow princess Twilight Sparkle and finally Fluttershy." She gestured at each named pony in turn. "Both Twilight and Fluttershy are part of the Council of Friendship."
The pegasus instinctively got closer to Twilight, when the earth-warder focused his gaze on her. She had not panicked as of yet, because the dragon was so polite.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"The pleasure is all ours, mighty one," Luna replied. "Though we must ask, what caused such pain to thou that it led thou to the brink of insanity?"
The dragon shook his head. "Again, I am sorry. I do not remember anything. Even my awakening is still blurry inside my mind."
"Perhaps we asked too early. Forgive us mighty Neltharion. Our curiosity got the better of us. Let us hope your memories will return in due time."
The dragon gave a laugh at this. "Don't worry about it," Deathwing said.
Discord gave a laugh. "Yes, because the whole world's been changed by your awakening," Discord said holding in his talons an image of the world as it was now.
The titan dragon looked at it. "It seems I caused a cataclysm." the mighty beast said.
"Well, you do hold the power over the very ground we walk on, so yeah," Discord said.
"Discord why art thou guilt-tripping Neltharion?" Luna asked the deity.
Discord turned away. "Well, no reason, if you ask me it's an improvement."
Twilight was the one to answer. "Don't try to understand Discord."
Deathwing still couldn't help but think: 'My doing was an improvement? But then again he is supposed to be the lord of chaos. Though if he is the lord of chaos and their friend then shouldn't... I probably shouldn't think about it too much, for now anyway. I can ask my questions later at a more appropriate time.'
"It seems your subjects are getting restless." The black dragon pointed towards Ponyville, where the ponies were watching with anticipation and fear.
"Twilight, would you be so kind as to tell everypony that the situation is under control? You can go too, Fluttershy. I am sure your animal friends are... a little on edge after everything today."
"Of course," Twilight replied, while Fluttershy let out a 'thank you', which was barely heard by the sun deity.
"Which reminds me," Celestia mused. "Luna?" The older sibling motioned the younger one to step out of earshot. "Could you go back to Canterlot and check the damage? Also send a Wonderbolt to every corner of Equestria and see what damage has been done."
"At once sister. We trust you will take care of our... guest?" the darker alicorn replied.
"Of course. I'll see you later."
Luna nodded and teleported away. Celestia turned back to the leviathan, only to find him staring in wonder at a really big stick with tons of cotton candy around it. Discord was talking to the drake.
"Enjoy it."
Not wanting to appear impolite, Deathwing tried a bite, noticing how sticky the strange pink substance was. The next thing he noticed was that it tasted like strawberries and was really sweet.
"This is... good." He ate the rest of it with a single bite.
"Of course it is! Still, Celly down there won't let me fly cotton candy clouds in the air, with chocolate rain. I mean, come on! Cotton candy clouds with chocolate rain! How can you say no to that?!"
Deathwing gave a laugh at that. He looked around where he was. "I don't think I can be anywhere in this size? Perhaps a more suitable form?" he asked, as he didn't want to cause any more problems.
"Well yes, but how could you do that?" Celestia asked.
Neltharion had a smile. "I at least remember how to do this." He closed his eyes and a burst of magic surrounded him. The magic soon became a ball covering him. As the ball got smaller a burst gave way. Neltharion's form had changed completely. He was now an alicorn. His wings were metallic and with the metal morphed into skin armor, finally his horn was made from metal as well. His mane was ethereal and had the color lava would have with heat radiating from it. His cutie mark was the very planet itself. "I believe this is better?" he asked.
For Celestia this was unprecedented. Dragon magic was based on greed and there were flames but Neltharion/Deathwing just cast a transformation spell on himself. That took a lot of magic to cast on something his size, but to do it to himself would mean he had to be a master with those kinds of spells.
In the meantime several ponies in Ponyville wondered where the hay the dragon disappeared to.
Neltharion looked down at himself and flexed his wings. "Hmm... interesting. Still (why do I have the distinguished feeling my wings shouldn't be made out of metal)... never mind. Though I have a question. What is with symbols among my flanks? Or rather, along all of our flanks?" he asked.
"The symbol is your cutie mark," Celestia explained.
'That sounds... just wrong. So wrong, in so many ways.'
"A cutie mark represents the destiny of a pony, or in other words their special talent. A pony obtains his or her cutie mark after discovering his or her special talent. Their meaning is sometimes a little abstract." The white alicorn continued. "For example, my cutie mark is as clear as day. Excuse the bad pun. My special talent is raising and lowering the sun."
"That sounds like a high responsibility," Deathwing commented. "But, deciding when the day begins and when it ends, sleeping in doesn't seem like a problem for you."
Celestia snorted at the comment. "I admit there are days when the temptation to do so is overwhelming. But I would never allow disharmony just for my personal comfort."
"This again? Come on, Tia," Discord groaned. "A little bit of chaos won't be the end of the world."
Celestia just gave Discord a look. "Yeah, yeah, we had that talk like..." he snapped his fingers and let a multiple calculators appear. He tipped some random numbers, but in the end threw them all away. "Eh, who cares? I'm going to visit Pinkie Pie. I'm pretty sure she'll be excited to meet a new friend."
Discord disappeared, but not without dowsing Celestia in chocolate milk. Deathwing didn't even try to hold back his chuckles. The sun deity sighed and got rid of the milk with a quick spell.
"So, you use your magic via your horns," Deathwing noted. "This will take some getting used to in this form."
"I see. Before we go to Ponyville, there was something else I wanted to explain before Discord so rudely interrupted... what was it? Ah yes, more abstract cutie marks. You have seen the cutie mark of my fellow princess Twilight. It shows her talent for magic, but also her love for stargazing. There's even more to it, but I think we should go now, wouldn't you agree?"
"...Why are you smiling like that?"
"Oh, I just can't wait to see the expressions on my subjects' faces. Monotony has the tendency to really get to you. You start to look forward to everything unusual."
"And you still disagree with the lord of chaos?"
"That's... something else."
"Uh huh..."
The dragon in the form of a pony laughed at this. Celestia decided to ignore the laughter. The two walked into the town. "Princess, where did Neltharion go?" Twilight asked. However she saw the alicorn with her. She just knew. "What? How did you do this?" Twilight asked Celestia.
"Actually, it was my own magic," Deathwing replied to the Princess of Friendship.
The strange Alicorn was a sight for the town. However after Nightmare Moon's return, Discord, Tirek and everything else, a strange Alicorn seemed relatively normal by now. "So, you know how to use magic and you casted a transformation spell on yourself?" Twilight asked in astonishment. Deathwing found her amazement a bit troublesome. "Don't all dragons possess magic?" Deathwing asked. Twilight had a hoof behind her head. "They do, but it's mostly just greed growth and flames," Twilight answered. Before the conversation could continue, (a wild) Pinkie Pie appeared
"Twilight did you see where the huge dragon went? Who's this?" she asked, bouncing up and down repeatedly. "Waaaaaaaaait a minute." She made a screeching halt mid-air and frowned.
...
"How do you...?" Deathwing started, but before he could finish the question, the laws of physics suddenly worked again and pulled the pink pony to the ground. That didn't stop her from getting back up and proceeding to talk. Fast.
"Oh-my-gosh!-You're-a-new-pony.-I-know-you're-new,-because-I-don't-know-you-and-I-know-everypony-in-Ponyville.-AH!-You-must-be-the-new-pony-Discord-told-me-would-come-today!-I'm-Pinkie-Pie.-Who-are-you?-Why-is-a-part-of-your-body-metal?-Are-you-a-cypony?-Your-mane-is-really-hot,-so-maybe-you're-Princess-Celestia's-long-lost-brother!-Are-you?-Oh-my-gosh.-In-need-to-throw-you-a-'Welcome-to-Ponyville'-party,-since-you-don't-know-anypony-and.if-you-don't-know-anypony-that-means-you-don't-have-any-friends-and-you-don't-have-any-friends-which-makes-you-all-sad.-And-when-you're-sad,-then-I-am-sad,-because-I-don't-want-you-to-be-sad." Pinkie took in a deep breath. Twilight, having the most experience with the party pony, decided this was the best time to put a hoof into the other mare's mouth.
"Pinkie, what did I tell you about- wait. Where did you get the marshmallow from?" Sure enough, Pinkie Pie was holding a stick with a marshmallow attached to it. It was just above Deathwing's mane, like one would do on a campfire. The situation was so ridiculous, Deathwing started to laugh out loud. In the meantime, Pinkie Pie munched the thing down.
"Well...Pinkie Pie, was it? My name is Neltharion. But I'm also called Deathwing."
"Deathwing?" Pinkie repeated, losing all her cheeriness. "That's not a nice name. There, I prefer Nel-...your other name, even though it is a really, REALLY, complicated name. Why would anypony have a name like that at all?"
"Maybe it's because I AM the dragon that "disappeared"."
"Ooooooh! So you're a magic dragon. That makes sense!" Pinkie nodded. The next thing she did was putting her hoof into her mane and taking out two party invitations before she handed, or was it hoofed them over.
"See you at the party!" Pinkie hopped away, like it was just another day in Ponyville. Wait, how many dragon's appeared in Ponyville already? Yep, just another day.
Deathwing turned to twilight with a look of confusion. "Should I be concerned about that?" he asked. It was weird, yet the pink earth pony seemed to have done impossible stuff for no reason. "Oh don't worry it's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie" Twilight said, hoping that made sense. The others soon came up.
"Twilight do you know where that dragon went?" Rainbow Dash asked. However at seeing the Alicorn with her, they blinked. "How?" Rainbow asked.
"I used my magic," Deathwing said.
"So, you used your magic to get that metal on your body? Haha, for a second I thought you were a cypony. Wait, didn't that dragon...whoa! So you mean you ARE the dragon?!"
'She didn't get it before? Looks like the other two didn't get it either.'
"Yes, that's me. If I may introduce myself, my name is Neltharion, but I'm mostly known as Deathwing."
"Deathwing?!" Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "That sounds...AWESOME." Guess who said that? "Of course, not as awesome as I am, but it comes pretty close."
"Oh really?" Deathwing accepted the challenge. "Well, who are you? And what can you do that is more awesome than turning into a dragon?"
"Heh." Rainbow zoomed closed to the dragon turned into a pony. "I am the fastest flier in all of Equestria."
"Is that so?" Deathwing asked, getting his face closed to hers.
"Actually...she is." Everyone turned towards Twilight.
"She is?" Rarity asked. "Not that I ever doubted you, darling," she assured Rainbow Dash, as the mare glared at her, "but Twilight would never say something like this without any concrete proof."
"The thing is I have the proof. You see, Rainbow Dash easily comes up to more than three-"
"The short version, please," Rainbow Dash groaned. Twilight's eye twitched with irritation, but she cut to the chase. "Rainbow Dash's top speed is around three thousand six hundred miles per hour. When she does her Sonic Rainboom, and it is a given fact that she's the first pegasus to do it in centuries, she instantly doubles her speed."
...
...
"That IS...awesome. I'm still bigger than you."
Rainbow Dash was agitated. "Oh yeah, you think you’re so tough?" Rainbow Dash asked. Deathwing raised his hooves and slammed it on the ground. The ground gave way, as a crater formed and a mini earthquake erupted. "I do have the power of the planet at my claw, or hoof in this matter," he said with a smile.
There was a sudden flash as Discord appeared. "What's going on, I thought I felt a disturbance in the force," Discord said. He saw it was only the Alicorn version of Deathwing. "Nice shape shifting." In a snap, Discord transformed into an Alicorn himself. "Though I have to ask: metal wings?"
Neltharion shrugged. "Comes with the package, I guess. Besides, I think they look good."
Discord looked down at himself. "Blergh. I need more variety. At least you're not the run of the mill alicorn; *cough* red alicorns *cough*." No one understood the last part.
"Yes, well I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Rarity. Rainbow Dash you already know. And next to me, we have Applejack," Rarity introduced the rest in a polite manner. She and Applejack were still wary of the dragon, but since Twilight trusted him, they could trust him as well.
"Nice to meet ya. Though, ya should go with Neltharion while ya around pony folk. Could scare folks unnecessarily."
"I hate to bring it to your attention, but ponies will be intimidated alone when they find out that I am the dragon from earlier," Neltharion pointed out.
"Not to mention the chaos that will ensure, when the other ponies realize that those are real wings and not just some exotic accessories. Everypony will think they insulted royalty." Discord laughed, while the rest minus the newcomer rolled their eyes. Neltharion in the meantime, was a little confused.
"Why would they think that I'm royalty?"
"Alicorns aren't exactly common," Twilight explained. "In fact, there are only four, myself included. I don't mean to brag, but alicorns have extraordinary powers and are immortal."
"Ah, I understand." Deathwing nodded.
As the group walked into the palace, Pinkie was seen finishing her party. "Welcome to Ponyville” was on a banner. The pink pony hopped over to them. "Hey, you came just as I finished everything," Pinkie Pie said. Deathwing wondered how she’d managed to get everything together in such a short time.
"Question. Are you sure she’s not a reality-warping being?" The dragon in disguise asked Twilight.
“Honestly?” Twilight replied. “We probably don’t want to know. Everypony has long ago accepted her antics as Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.
…
She’s not a dragon like you, is she?”
“…You’re right. I don’t want to know.”
Most of the guests had already arrived and looked in awe at the alicorn. Some even started to bow. Neltharion decided to clear some things up before anything else. “No need to bow,” he addressed the ponies. “I’m not royalty or anything. Just…a little unusual.”
In the meantime, the mayor approached Twilight. “Princess, not to be rude or anything, but shouldn’t we wait for the party, until the issue with the dragon is solved?” she asked in a whispering tone.
“Ah, yes about the dragon,” Twilight said loud enough to get everypony’s attention. “We managed to help the dragon. As it turned out, he was in pain for reasons we’re still trying to figure out. Unfortunately he’s suffering from amnesia, but so far he’s been really nice. Why don’t you introduce yourself?” She turned towards the alicorn.
The other ponies’ eyes went wide when they heard those words. Neltharion suppressed the urge to sigh at the fearful expressions and introduced himself properly, leaving out his other name for obvious reasons. “My name is Neltharion, and don’t worry. I don’t mean to bring any harm to you ponies. I’m sorry if I scared you earlier. As for my appearance, I’m capable of changing my form.”
“And you can grill marshmallows with his hair!” Pinkie tried to ease the tension, by holding multiple sticks with marshmallows over the dragon-turned-pony’s head and then giving one to each pony around.
“I never felt so humiliated in my life,” Deathwing said with a sigh. The party had sweets and what looked like a carrot hot dog. Without his claws, he had to find some way to move them. He remembered a basic telekinesis spell. His eyes glowed with his horn as their food came up to his mouth.
He wondered what was going to happen and what he could remember.
Deathwing awoke he honestly wondered what had happened. That pink pony sure knew how to throw a party. Perhaps alcohol was also involved, although those candy colored equines didn't seem like the type to drink. Still a little groggy, he decided to go outside. He was just outside the door of his room, when suddenly a gigantic headache appeared out of nowhere, causing him to stop. "Yggdrasil."
"What is going on?" he asked. Pictures started appearing in his head. Without really noticing it, he had walked into the throne room with the new map still on display. "Huh...interesting."
"Neltharion you're finally awake?" Spike asked, as he came in from the other side.
"Yeah, more or less admittedly."
"Too much sugar? Happens almost to everypony's first Pinkie Party."
"No, this is something more serious. I felt a familiar energy calling me, Yggdrasil I believe is its name." He looked at the map. There was a big canyon in the far out lands and a mountain was there in the north. "I saw a vision of something."
“A vision?” Spike asked.
“Yes, though I’m not sure what to make of it as of yet. Urrgh, I hoped to have a little break for my memories to slowly return. No rest for the wicked I guess. Oh sorry for rambling. Did you need anything Spike?”
“Yeah, just wanted to tell you that the girls are away.” He pointed at the spot on the map, where the six cutie marks where floating on the map. “They’re away with the train. I was just heading to Sweet Apple Acres to meet up with Big Mac to watch the hoofball game. You wanna come?”
Deathwing thought for a second about it, but then the vision came back to mind. “Sorry, but I have a feeling I should follow the girls. I may not be as fast as Rainbow Dash, but I should manage to catch up.”
“Alright. Your loss.” Spike put his head back on and walked out of the castle.
Deathwing looked at the map and memorized it inside his head. A good thing about dragons was that they had an excellent sense of direction. “Good thing I ate so much yesterday. Maybe I’ll be able to catch breakfast on my way there.” He ran out once outside the town he transformed into his dragon form.
He took off for his target into the air. Some pegasi greeted him or waved their hooves at him. He waved back, though he wasn't really paying attention to them. Deathwing noticed he only needed to follow the tracks, so he could focus his thoughts on the vision that came literally out of nowhere. Sadly, as the landscape under him kept changing, he didn't come to any conclusion.
After hours the town came into view. Not wanting to make a scene, he transformed back into an alicorn. "Interesting town." He aired his sarcasm. The little village seemed to be the very definition of boring. He didn't need to be the spirit of order to figure that one out. From what his dragon eyes could make out, the ponies were just as boring. Not to offend them in any way, but there was a distinctive lack of mane styles, not to mention the cutie marks. "Other cultures other...wait. That can't be a cultural thing." 'Also, I should stop talking out loud, when no one is around, before it becomes a bad habit.' he thought. 'I can't see the others. But I'm getting a bad vibe of the town. I should scout the area first.'
He tapped the ground. With his eyes closed he stomped his hooves down. Shockwaves went out using his connection to the planet he used this to feel his targets. He 'saw' that everything was plain sight before he found an alicorn. Focusing his mind on the alicorn, the image became more clear, until he found the outlines of Twilight and her friends.
They were imprisoned. 'How can they imprison a princess?' He didn't want to debate law. There was just no time for that. He moved to get to them. He used stealth to help hide form them before finally getting t the wall. He made contact and focused on the rocks. The rocks started to crack as he broke the rock down. Finally the wall became pebbles. Startled, the ponies inside the prison looked towards the now nonexistent wall and gaped, when they found out who stood there.
"Neltharion what are you doing here?" Twilight asked. The dragon in Alicorn from shrugged. "I came because someone I think I know asked me. No time for any real explanation."
He blinked at them. They seemed out of it. "What happened?" He asked. "You look like you've just come back from a funeral. And...what happened to your cutie marks? I've seen the other ponies with the same."
Deathwing was informed about this town's dark and evil secret. "Are you serious?" Deathwing asked. "From the way Celestia explained it to me, a cutie mark is almost something sacred." He turned to them for a moment. "You get everyone to get there cutie marks I will go do something." He said as he walked away.
"What are you going to do?" Rarity asked.
"Distraction." Was his only reply.
Once he was away from the town he let this anger out. His body gave off the heat of the planet lava dropped from his from and his mane gave off ash. With his eyes glowing, his magic was ready and he changed back to Dragon from.
Back in the town Twilight and the others hoped to get the town to take back their cutie marks. It was pretty easy actually to get back to the cave, seeing as the town was made out of two lines. They just had to go one side and since the cave was unguarded, the only problem became opening the cutie mark vault. Plus another one. "Our cutie marks aren't there!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Of course the fact they were freed didn't go well for the town's mayor. "How did they break out?! How did they manage to get a whole in the wall?!" She demanded to know. A huge shadow blocked out the sun. Yet the air was getting warmer.
"Look behind you." A voice growled. The unicorn did and saw looking over the town Deathwing in his Dragon form. "Boo." Always a classic.
Starlight Glimmer's heart seemed stopped immediately upon seeing the leviathan in front of herself. The other ponies weren't coping any better and honestly, the only thing keeping them from going into total panic, were, ironically, their cutie marks.
Deathwing went face to face with the mare, before he spoke up. "So, what did I hear about you stealing the cutie marks of my friends?" he asked.
Starlight only whimpered in response.
"You know, I have other ways of getting answers out of you, than asking formally."
"I-I didn't steal-"
"You ambushed them, forced their cutie marks of from them and then locked them in a prison. A princess at that. If this isn't treason, then I don't know what is."
"I-I-..." Starlight did some quick brainstorming. This was a dragon. A big dragon. A very big, slightly angry, friends of the element bearers dragon. One wrong word and she might end up as a snack.
"Th-they wouldn't understand! Everypony else in this village saw that I could bring true friendship!" Starlight exclaimed.
"Yes, so I heard. Wonder if the princess of friendship would agree to you? Oh that's right. She didn't. I don't know how you managed to convince the others (aside from idiocy), but enough about that. You said you wanted to bring 'true friendship'? Why don't you elaborate on that a little bit?" He pushed her a bit hard, which was soft in dragon standards, causing her to fall into a bucket of water.
'Well, will you look at that? I think we just found our plot twist.' Deathwing thought to himself. Apparently Starlight never went through the process of giving up her cutie mark. She only had it covered up with some dust and then painted the other cutie mark over herself. As if it was timed, the other cutie marks came flying out of the cave. The elements of harmony must have figured out how to break the vault.
Deathwing was slightly amused as to how the ponies quickly forgot about him and were angered at Starlight Glimmer. It quickly turned into a chase scene, to which Deathwing regretted that he had no popcorn with him. He decided to hold back and let the ponies solve the problem by themselves, unless there was a chance of Starlight escaping.
The mane six just managed to get back in town, where they found Neltharion watching the townsfolk chasing Starlight Glimmer.
"What happened?!" They asked.
"Starlight seemed to have a special interest in your marks." Deathwing explained.
"Well, what are ya still doing here?!" Applejack asked.
"I decided to let the others let some steam off. Don't worry. I can easily catch up to Starlight. Oh she's getting away..."
Deathwing gave chase. Just as Starlight reached the entrance to a cave, which with no doubt, led to a labyrinth of tunnels. Luckily Deathwing's wing beats were enough to blow the jars with the cutie marks of the element bearers away, causing them to smash to the ground. The jars broke and the cutie marks flew back to their respective bearers, who were still a little away.
"It's over Starlight. I don't pretend to understand your motives. I don't pretend to be the most harmonious dragon, but I know forcing your will upon them is anything but bringing harmony to anyone."
"What do you understand?!" Starlight shouted. "You're not even a pony! Only if we're all equal, harmony can exist."
"Is that so?" Deathwing asked, holding himself on a nearby mountain. "Tell me Starlight, what would happen if Princess Celestia would lose her ability to raise the sun? Or Luna? Who would raise the celestial bodies? No one, because apparently we're all the same. It doesn't matter if one half of the world burns, while the other is frozen."
"Why...you...arrgh!!" Starlight took a 180 and ran into the caves. Deathwing turned back into his alicorn form (causing the rest of the townsfolk to drop their jaws) and was about to give chase, when a voice behind him shouted: "Wait!"
Twilight and the others apparently had already arrived, possibly through teleportation. "What do you mean Twi?!" Rainbow exclaimed. "We have to get her before she gets away."
"I can always use my ability to track her down." Neltharion suggested.
Twilight shook her head. "We just have to hope that when she had the chance to think it over that everypony here taught her something."
"It's YOU who have taught us something!" A blue pony with a similar cutie mark to Pinkie's told Deathwing with the others behind him. He explained as to how they all came to the village looking for something missing and how they thought Starlight had given it to them. Of course she hadn't.
Neltharion turned the chatter off in the middle and looked back to the caves. He still needed to ask for details, but he had a more or less good grasp on the situation.
'Still, what were her motives? Just a plot to take over the world or rather ponykind? So far the chance is 50% this or 50%....whatever it is. Urgh, I have not enough information.'
He turned around, only to find the townsfolk staring at him. "Oh right. Dragon."
After a much needed explanation the group was about to leave after stopping a threat. However as they where to board the train back a flash of memories came over Deathwing. He saw something it stood on hind legs and it was with a bunch of others and a orb in his hands. With a flash The six saw Deathwing form change again. That was not the only thing a small glowing orb was with him A hand grand it as a the flames gave way almost forming eyes.
The orb glowed and Disappeared in a flash.
I am Deathwing. Call on me and the very world itself is no longer safe for your enemies. Let my voice be heard on your world! Know this there are lines I will not cross! Let us hope we can be allies.
After all the heat was gone Deathwing blinked. "I think I just remembered something." The ponies stared at him wide eyed. "Did something happened?" He asked then he realized he had hands. "What the..."
Deathwings new human form was a huge shock for the group as they road back. For Deathwing, he could remember this form. He recalled it.
"Amazing you actually remembered something and you ended up getting another form?" Twilight asked. She knew what humans where because of the mirror but this was something he did on his own.
"Yes I also seem to recall something else...." His memories flashed of a void with rocks around him as they moved and smashed into his very body then nothing.
"I think I may have played a hand in the creation of this world." Deathwing finished.
"Oh so you're like some kinda elder god that's been sleeping after your created the world?" Pinkie pie said bouncing.
Deathwing gave a laugh. "I believe I wasn't the only one there."
"Really?!" everyone else asked.
"So, there're...more of your kind out there?" Rarity asked.
Neltharion shook his head. "I'm not too sure." he frowned. "The images are all blurry. Not to mention, I'm still trying to figure out why my magic all of the sudden decided to act up without me consciously using it."
"I think it was because you remembered something." Twilight stated. "Maybe your memories are somehow linked to your magic and it somehow caused a backlash." she suggested.
"Ain't that a tad dangerous?" Applejack asked. "Ah don't pretend ta understand a jiffy of that, but from the sounds of it, it's like a rubber band ya stretch too far and then it snaps back at ya."
"Interesting way of describing it." Deathwing commented. "But she's right. I have to be more careful in the future in case I remember something else."
"Yes, yes, enough talk about this." Rarity interjected. "Just look at those marvelous clothes." Indeed, Deathwing's clothes looked like they were those of an aristocrat. They were mostly overall black and looked like they weren't even worn for one day. He wore a cape, which was red from the inside. He also had a sword with a golden handle attached to his belt.
Of course they also covered his natural armor which gave him the look of a warrior king, the kind you find in novels that Twilight read from time to time. The clothes did appear a bit after the whole mess but they felt like they were casual. With his hand raised he clenched his fist as fire and heat formed around it. "It does feel natural though, like I used it before." The dragon said. He gave a sigh as they finally returned it was night time. "While I flew over the kingdom I saw my handy work across the vast wastes... The map in your castle also helped me see the damage done." He raised his hands upon the ground below a small pillar of earth rose. "I am connected to the earth the air and the water of this world." The pillar broke into sand and was carried off by the wind. "I'm going to go off tomorrow to explore this world." The dragon turned to them. "I'll return when I'm done." He said with a smile.
"That sounds cool. Mind if I tag along?" Rainbow asked.
"Are you sure?" the dragon asked. "I don't doubt your speed, but I plan on flying non-stop. Do you really think you have the stamina? I don't plan on taking any lunch breaks, you know."
"What? How are ya gonna pull that off?!" she asked.
"I'm a dragon." he shrugged. "A grown dragon. I can eat a lot and use my reserves at a later date, given I haven't used them up over time, like during my sleep. Incidentally, Pinkie Pie is there any of the food left from yesterday?" he asked.
"Nuh uh." Pinkie shook her head. "You ate everything up yesterday, silly."
"Guess I'll stop by the bakery today." 'Also, I should go hunting tonight. I don't want to scare the ponies to death. Not that they think I'll end up eating them one day.' he thought to himself.
"I'm still gonna tag along. We could race at some points. Besides, it would be awesome to fly with a dragon across Equestria."
"Same problem as before Rainbow. I don't plan on making any stops."
"So what's the problem? I'll just bring my saddlebags along with some lunch boxes." Rainbow stated, putting her front legs behind her head.
'That settles that." he thought. 'She can sit on my back, while I fly. I might as well inspect the land and see what damage has been done. Maybe help out here and there. In disguise of course.'
The next day Deathwing was finally finishing up his intake as Rainbow dash was finished with her packing. The mighty dragon spread his wings as he was ready. "All ready?" He asked Rainbow Dash nodded. With a mighty thrust death wing went up into the air the wind form his wings alone would have send anything below him flying at the hurricane force winds. Rainbow Dash took off as Deathwing went flying. Despite not being as fast as her his wings keep a massive wind torrent behind him. Not only that but his size along allowed he cover land far faster then she could. She flew above his head.
"So where are you headed first?" She asked. The dragon knew she was there.
"Up north I believe my awaking has opened parts of the ice open there no telling what could happen in the ice collapses' most likely the crystal empire would become a land of ice." The dragon said. "Up north its kinda cold." Rainbow Dash answered. "Perhaps but my body has magma in it I can turn up my heat to the same as the planets core I say around 6,000 degrees the same as the surface of the sun."
"Well that sure should come in hoofy." Rainbow commented. "Just don't meld everything or the crystal empire will turn into the crystal ocean." She winked at the dragon.
For a while the two were just flying and enjoying the freedom of flying. Since they were headed north, they would cross Canterlot. Deathwing decided to change in his Alicorn form. Granted the one or other pony might have already seen him, Canterlot wasn't THAT far away after all. But hopefully they would shrug it off as an imagination or something similar.
When they did come across Canterlot, they saw construction ponies, still repairing some damaged buildings. Deathwing lowered his head dejectedly. It must have been quite the shocker for everypony, not to mention expensive.
"Hey, heads up big guy." Rainbow gave her flying buddy a soft punch. "Nopony got hurt, from what I heard. Nothing collapsed either. I think Twilight mentioned something along the lines of magic keeping everything safe, 'cause there had been tons of earthquakes in the past or something."
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash. I just hope everyone else had that much luck."
The two continued flying towards the crystal empire. It took some time until Neltharion could transform again. There was a lot of traffic in the air around Canterlot, especially since some pegasi were carrying construction materials in flying carriages. But when he did, the two were finally able to increase their speed, without the fear of crashing into anypony or anygryphon for that matter. That didn't mean they were alone for long, oh no. It just so happened that a patrol of the Wonderbolts spotted them or rather spotted Deathwing and started engaging.
"Who are those?" Deathwing pointed at the approaching pegasi.
"Oh, my gosh! It's the Wonderbolts! How come you don't know about them?"
"I kind of overslept their founding."
"Oh...right." The cyan mare realized.
The Wonderbolts would soon make contact with Deathwing unless something would happen. "Be right back, big guy."
The Bolts were startled, when Rainbow Dash approached them at high speed. They were about to break formation and dodge her, when she called out: "Wait guys! The big guy over there is friendly."
The Wonderbolts hit the brakes, in a matter of speaking, and just stopped in front of her.
"Rainbow Dash?" Dash recognized the voice at the one of Spitfire. Said mare put her goggles up and looked at her with a look that said: "Are you kidding me?" Out loud she said. "Friendly? You sure, you aren't taking this 'Council of Friendship' thing too seriously?"
"Nah, he's really cool once you get to know him. Hey, big guy! Get over here! I wanna introduce you to somepony!"
The Bolts tensed up, when Neltharion came closer.
"Death, that's the captain of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire. And....I dunno the other two." She said sheepishly. "Spitfire, that's Deathwing. We're on a stroll."
"A...stroll." Spitfire deadpanned.
"As much as we'd love to continue chatting" Deathwing interjected "we need to get moving. I want to return to Ponyville today, if possible. Captain, the princesses know about me. Just ask them, if you have a problem."
Deathwing took off.
"See ya." Rainbow flew after him, catching up quickly.
As they came to the frozen north Deathwing returned to his dragon form. After the cold blizzards and cold they came to the ice sheet that was cracked open. Deathwing landed as his massive weight caused the ice to creak more. He closed his eyes. "Sorry." He used his magic to change down to his human from in his hands was a giant maul. For one of the creaks however a white crystal rose. This crystal glowed before it broke and outright there was a horse made of cold. Rainbow Dash blinked at this. It was a Wendigo. An actual Wendigo.
"Talk about a frosty demeanor." Deathwing stated as he blocked a nice blast with his body that came out of the Wendigo's mouth. He actually felt that. Normally his body temperature was high enough to heat up the air around him. This Wendigo was clearly not your run out of the mill monster. And if Deathwing wouldn't have blocked the attack, Rainbow Dash would have been dead, before her body would have been completely frozen.
Since all diplomacy seemed to have failed before it even began, Deathwing counterattacked a mighty swing of his maul burning with lava. Of course the Wendigo dodged flying out of the way. He (or she? Deathwing couldn't tell its gender) began circling the dragon in human from. Deathwing mimicked his opponents' move, while the lava he from earlier started melting the area.
Deathwing, in a flash, took on his dragon form and flew up to the Wendigo. The frost horse charged at the dragon. Deathwing let loose a blast of magma, while Rainbow Dash flew around as Deathwing turned up his heat. As the two of them got in close, Deathwing let the horse charge at him, before giving it a molten die. It used its powers in an attempt to freeze Deathwing who turned up the heat to counter the attack. Finally Deathwing won and the Wendigo burned to ash.
Deathwing blinked at his temperature. '950 degress.' He literally was the hottest thing on the planet and the ice below him gave out under the heat and water. Revealing what looked like a city burred under the ice, with crystals that served as the Wendigos' "sleeping places," including a very big one in the center.
"I think this is their city." Deathwing said. Rainbow dash blinked at this. "This is a Wendigo city?"
"Maybe? If so, we might have a problem. I just killed one of their citizens, possibly a guard."
"That's...not so awesome." Rainbow commented. "So, what are we gonna do?"
"Hmmm, on the one hand I'd like to see what's in there, but on the other..."
"You just turned a Wendigo to smithereens. But hey, it was self defense." Rainbow Dash argued. "Besides, I don't see anypony down there. Do you?"
"Now that you mention it..." Neltharion looked over the place "it does seem deserted, but I still feel magic in this place. We should be careful, while we explore this place. And let's hope this was the only Wendigo here."
Rainbow blew a raspberry. "Now where's the fun in that? If you wouldn't have been so fast in burning the guy, I would have given it some good kicks. Huh, ha!" she made some karate motions in mid-air.
"Yeah, right." Deathwing deadpanned.
"Hey, I tell you I have the black belt in karate! Me and Applejack weekly compete with each other and I AM AWESOME."
'How does that will help you survive? Do you want your enemies to establish a fan club of you?' Pictures of Starlight Glimmer, forcing everyone to wear a rainbow colored toupee entered his mind. 'I need a doctor.'
As they landed within the city Deathwing could hear a voice. It was coming from the big crystal. "I think we need to leave now." He said turning to Rainbow Dash. A few crystals blasted into Wendigo. "The crystals are the Wendigos." Rainbow Dash said. Deathwing let loose a burst of ash as they both took off. "We got to warn the princesses." Rainbow Dash said, as the Wendigo charged at them. Deathwing turned to them he turned up the heat to 1,250 degrees and unleash a burst of lava two of them where burn into ash the others moved away for a lava.
Deathwing gave a roar as the winds picked up and ash came out form his mouth a smoke screen fromed around them as they both got away. Deathwing gave another burst of ash as the winds took it and formed a maze for the wendigo.
"So much for the city being uninhabited." the dragon growled.
"Where did they come from?" Rainbow exclaimed. "Or, what were they doing in the crystals?!"
"In some sort of stasis. Asleep." He added, seeing Rainbow's clueless face. "The first wendigo must have been a guardian, waiting for the rest to wake up. And now, everyone is angry that we woke them up from their beauty sleep."
"You know, I kinda understand them now. So, what are we gonna do? Beat them all up, until nopony is left standing?"
Deathwing raised his wing, in order to shield Dash from incoming ice spikes. "How about you leave them to me? No offense Dash, but" he used his tail as a whip, in order to get rid of an incoming beast "even with your speed, it's just too cold. You leave my side for too long and you'll be a Popsicle before you can even touch one of them."
"Yeah what makes you think?" Rainbow dash asked. "I'm at 1,500 degrees right now and any other time you would be cooked alive." He turned to the Wendigo. "I have had enough." With a flash, both him and Rainbow dash where gone. Above a massive flash came as the air was suddenly rotating. Deathwing turned to down as him and Rainbow Dash landed. Well the pegasus landed, the dragon crashed. "Great now we got a whole city of Wendigo out to get us." the mare said. "There was more to that big crystal right?" she asked. "That had to be there leader." Rainbow dash blinked that crystal was bigger than all for princesses combined.
"My guess is its still waking up but if it does well then this land would become a ice sheet in a matter of seconds."
"Okay, stay close Dash, we're going in."
"Hey, what are you doing?!" Rainbow shouted, as Deathwing's tail, snaked around her and then grabbed her like an anaconda. Dash tried to get out of the tight grip, but Deathwing didn't even feel her struggle.
He focused on the incoming Wendigos, toasting them with his lava. "Annoying little pests." he muttered, between breaths. After clearing the way, he took off with Rainbow Dash, screaming behind him, demanding to fly on her own.
Deathwing flew sideways, dodging more incoming ice breaths, along with ice spikes being shot at him. He had to be careful, though. His tail was used to switch directions during flying. In areas like this, a cave, it could easily hit some obstacles, like in this town, a tall building.
Now however, he was carrying Rainbow Dash with his tail. It probably would have been better carrying her in one of his claws, but the rate the wendigos were waking up he didn't have the time to switch Rainbow into his claw. It also meant that he couldn't adjust his route as much as he liked, unless he wanted to explain to Twilight, why there was nothing more than a puddle of blood left of the pegasus.
So the only choice left was to fly straight up, grill anything in the way and endure the cold blasts that were coming towards him.
Deathwing had a idea with a roar the wall gave way as him and Rainbow dash headed through another cave network as he used his connection to the planet to close off routes they finally where by themselves and with a final roar a new cave opened up in the crystal empire. Shining armor stopped blinking at the opening only to see the dragon Deathwing fly out with a final roar he let out lava into the hole as it closed up.
He landed in front Shining armor, who just happened to pass by. Luckily the stallion had already heard of the dragon, so he didn't panic. From the outside at least. "We're finally free of the Wendigos." Rainbow dash said. Shining armor jumped back. "Wendigos? But they are extinct." Shining answered. Deathwing turned to him. "Unfortunely we found there ancient city and what's more I believe there 'king' is about to wake up." Shining armor looked at the massive Dragon. "Sorry we haven't been introduced."
Shining said. The dragon gave a laugh. "It's alright I am Neltherion but I go by Deathwing. Now I'd love to continue to chitchat, but there's someone who's had a rather bad morning."
As if on cue, a cold wind burst up the ground, reopening the whole, where Deathwing just came out. The dragon got ready to fight, when a voice called out to him.
"Hello~o! Would you mind like, I don't know, LETTING THE BUCK GO OF ME?!?!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"Sorry Rainbow."
The drake let go of the pony, who flew upwards and stretched her wings. "I'm never EVER going to fly by dragon! Oh mare. Hey Shining Armor."
"Rainbow Dash?! What are you doing here?" Shining Armor exclaimed. He just noticed who the mare actually was.
"Eh...long story. We don't really have time right now at our hooves."
"Would somepony please explain to me, just WHAT is going on?"
"Wendigos. Attacking. Now." Deathwing gave his "explanation" to the unicorn. As soon as the head of the first Wendigo showed up, Deathwing started spitting lava into the hole. Using his abilities, he tried to determine the movements of the Wendigos underground and if they were trying to take a different route towards the surface.
He saw some of them heading across dead ends and a few seemed to be trying to dive through the ice. With his powers Deathwing lets loose a burst of hot lava down the hole in hopes to flood the cave systems with his magma. Princess Cadance soon appeared to see Deathwing letting out as much magma as possible. "What's going on?" She heard from her aunts about the Dragon Deathwing but why was he kept sending lava underground. With a final burst he closed the hole.
"The Wendigo have returned." Shining armor answered.
Deathwing turned. "I fear that there ruler may slowly be waking up as well most of the wendigo would be trapped in the caves, but I don't see them staying in there for long." Deathwing finished.
All of the sudden Discord appeared. "Well now I cann finally go to the crystal springs and what's going on?" Discord asked. He knew something was going on.
"The Wendigo have returned." Discord blinked.
"So just pull out a hearts warming flame it's not like."
Deathwing added in. "There leader is also waking up."
Discord dropped his glass as it cause a explosion where he was. "We're doomed."
"The hay do you mean, we're doomed?!" Rainbow Dash flew up. "You're" she poked his nose "the bucking spirit of chaos. DO something!"
"Well excuse me, Rainbow Dash." Discord crossed his limps and turned around from her. "But even chaos has its limits."
"Okay, you two lovebirds." Deathwing pushed himself between the two. "Before this gets out of hand, shouldn't we focus on finding a way to solve the problem?"
"Umm, who are you again?" Cadance asked.
"Neltharion will do for now. So, Discord, how were the Wendigos stopped in the first placed."
"Hmm...I think we need to switch authors first."
...
"What?"
"Oh don't worry your heads about it. It's just another matter of not properly communicating with each other."
"I never thought I'd say it, but you're making even less sense than usual." Shining stated.
"Look just get the princesses I'm sure them and me can keep him asleep." Discord also remembered something. "Also we might want to hurry I believe the changelings are about to have a civil war don't want that be the thing that wakes them up, Deathwing can you go and keep them from you know until we get this finished?" Discord asked.
The Dragon gave a nod of understanding. "Good hopefully the readers won't mind the whole month spent on setting things up." Discord said.
Deathwing was off flying over the vast lands of Equestria. The Dragon landed on a mountain for a moment giving out a roar he commanded the skies to be clear as he could feel nature having more control the more he escapes from Equestria center. Deathwing chalked it up as the elements themselves raging at how life could evolve to control it.
As he flew he suddenly felt a pull, something was calling him. He felt a strange energy in his world. He found the place and landed on the ground to see what it could be.
This was a calm field however you would expect a beast of this size not to see the tiny thing laying on the ground near by. However he saw the creature. It seemed to be asleep or out of consciousness.
The massive being looked down. “Hello?” Its voice was almost an echo.
Its voice woke up the little thing. Looking around it saw that it was in a shadow a massive shadow. Turning to the shadow it looked up. The dragon decided to break the silence. “Hello there.”
“Holy crap!!” The young boy cursed.
Deathwing blinked at this. 'Oh yeah the size of a mountain lets see if this would calm him down.' In a flash of light he shrunk down to a more smaller size. “Is this better?” He asked his voice still echoing.
“Sort of… Who are you though?” the boy asked. Deathwing wanted t give a laugh. Neither of them had introduced themselves. Seeing as he woke him up Deathwing at to answered first.
“I am Neltharion the Earth-Wander, however you may call me Deathwing.” The dragon said. He noticed something in the kids hands. “The dragon soul?” He asked.
The orb glowed and repeated a message.
I am Deathwing. Call on me and the very world itself is no longer safe for your enemies. Let my voice be heard on your world! Know this there are I will not cross! Let us hope we can be allies.
The dragon looked it over. “I remember something like this happening the event was mostly drowned out with me regaining a memory.”
“A memory?” The Rune Slayer asked. “What kind of memory?”
Deathwing looked up as the limited memories he had flooded him. “A memory of another form and a memory of me floating in a void with only rocks as they came to me its was eons ago but nothing more I could remember I do think I had a hand in creating this world.” With his claw raised the ground shock as it opened up and the wind blow behind him water flowed into the pulls he made. “I am both apart and am the very world itself. The Sun, Moon, Chaos, Love and Harmony have their avatars, their embodiments I am the very world itself.”
“Wow… That’s a lot to take in.” the boy said to himself. Turning around, he noticed something was off as his eyes widened. “Oh crap. Faith!!”
The dragon himself was a little puzzled by what the boy referred to as Faith, but could tell that he was a little distressed. Soon though, before Deathwing could ask anything, the boy asked him a question. “Did you happen to see a white haired girl, twelve years old, and had a jewel on her forehead?”
Deathwing shook his head. “I don’t believe I did. I was on my way to the badlands to see what had changed after my awakening. I only found you because my senses picked you up.” The dragon said Deathwing don't want to let the whole mess up north slip out..
“Crap. I need to find her. She’s my niece and came here with me.” The Rune Slayer told the earth-wander. “It’s her first time traveling to other worlds and now, she’s lost. Dammit! Some uncle I am!!”
Deathwing closed his eyes and stopped his claw on the ground hard. Unknown to the Rune Slayer a shock wave was sent out and traveled the whole continent. The dragon was looking for a being just like him. With his eyes closed he could see the outlines in the shock wave and saw many things. His shock wave finally came to the badlands. He saw a outline of a girl unconscious in the badlands. With the shock wave gone he opened his eyes. “I know where she is.” This confused the Rune Slayer to a massive degree he had his eyes closed for a few minutes what was he doing. “Before you ask I can see with the world call it a seismic sense. I sent a shock wave looking for a outline of a being like you and saw one with my shock waves… well its more of feel.” The dragon looked south. “She is in the badlands and its days away by foot.”
Deathwing turned to him. “However by air I can be there in less than a hour.” The dragon looked him over again. “My full size would be to much for you to stay on so there only one option” He lowered himself down. “Climb on I will ask the wind to aid us in our flight.”
The boy did as the dragon instructed, climbing onto him. “T-thank you. I’m really grateful for this.” All Deathwing did was nod his head as he used his powerful wings to shoot himself into the air and take off.
The flight was fast as the ground below them gave way to towns a few villages and random roads until they came across the mountains of the badlands when they passed by the badlands came into view. It wasn’t an endless desert of rock. No, there appeared to be rivers with planets growing out and ancient water beds filled is water once again. “This is a perfect example of what my awakening had done to the world. Before I awoke, this land where few could live was a wasteland. Now, water has returned to the land and soon life I believe the Changelings who live here are vying with Chrysalis for her new lands orios I was coming to hopefully broker a peace agreement with the hives and maybe Equestria but I did not see this happening.” He saw a huge army of Changelings preparing for an invasion at the outside of the badlands. “Your niece is on the way to Chrysalis hive let us hope no scouts found her.” Neltharion went for the canyon and landed right at its opening. There was the girl who Deathwing guessed was Faith inside the canyon.
Once they landed, the boy jumped off of Deathwing and rushed to her side. The impact of the dragon touching the ground woke the young girl as the first thing she laid eyes on was her relieved Uncle. “U-uncle? Where are we?”
“In the Badlands. This is another Equestria, but we need to go.”
“Why? This place looks so-.” At that moment, she turned to see Deathwing in all his proud glory. “...peaceful.”
“Faith, this is Neltharion. Neltharion, this is my Niece. Faith Nocte. I am Nicko Nocte.”
Faith herself, finding the pronunciation with Deathwing’s name, then asked a question. “Um… do you mind if I call you Nel for short?”
“Its ok. Though my nickname, if you will, is Deathwing if that sounds better.” The dragon said. The name Deathwing didn’t sound very nice that the dragon knew. However before they could get any further Deathwing felt the shockwaves for the titanson the ground. “Its started.”
“What’s started?” Faith asked in confusion as she got up on both of her feet.
The dragon looked down at them both. “The changeling hives are about to fight one another I can not let Chrysalis hive fall.” The dragon said. He closed his eyes. “Discord informed me a bit before of the changelings. If Chrysalis sister wins, this Equestria will have a full on war.” He finished. The ground shook as a massive roar was heard. When they looked up they saw Changelings of massive sizes. Each one could break a hydra over its hands. The Changeling Titans.
“Dear Artemis, that’s a huge army.” Nicko swore as he looked at Deathwing. “I’m guessing we need to stop this civil war?”
A flash later and Discord appeared on Deathing head. “Deathwing, what's taking so long?” He asked looking at him. “The Wendigo are on the move again. Have you stopped the hives? Tell me Pupa taken care of?” The chaos entity asked.
“Pupa?” Faith asked. This caught the Spirit’s attention as he looked at the young code queen. “Deathwing, you didn’t tell me that you had some friends with you…”
“This is Discord, the avatar of Chaos. He sent me on this little mission he been trying to keep the Wendigo at bay in the north.” Deathwing said, Deathwing leaved out the whole Author and Story part because well even he found it insane just thinking.
The chaos entity jumped down. “Well, you did kinda set them free when you and Rainbow dash flew up north.” Discord said.
“Trust me, Neltharion. Back where were from, we’ve met the family.”
“Family?” Discord asked. “I have no family.” Discord finished.
Nicko sighed. “Not where were from. Eris, Chaotic, How about you come say hello?” Before Discord could even ask, both Chaos spirits emerged from the minds of Faith and Nicko. Eris herself almost resembled Discord, but was a female and had a grey mane. As for Chaotic, he was what some would call a cross breed. His Father was Discord and his mother was none other than Princess Celestia. Chaotic was two years younger in age than Faith while Eris and Nicko were both around 25.
“That might have been why I sensed you.” Deathwing said. However, Discord turned to him.
“This is not the time.” He said. Deathwing nodded. In a flash he was covered in magic and the Dragon form changed once again. Now stood a hulking man with skin of stone and cracks that pulsed with magic that looked like Magma. A mouth guard covered his face and stones emerged from his back as he carried a two handed weapon with him.
“Do you need any help?” Eris asked Neltharion as she stood by Nicko and her little brother.
Discord turned to the other spirits. “Me and the princesses are trying to keep the Wendigo king asleep we can’t have him awaken otherwise all the hate he’ll freeze the world.” Discord said.
“So what should we do?” Nicko asked. He wasn’t one for having to sit on the sidelines and wait patiently to do something. “You make the call, Neltharion. What can we do to help?”
“Do any of you have experience dealing with an army of changelings?” The dragon in human form asked. “Or are changelings just bugs where you're from?”
“Anthropomorphic ones, but you get the idea. We’ve dealt with them before and a queen that was really… disturbing.” Eris said. Soon, Nicko was the one to speak again. “Faith and I should split up. Chaotic can be with her and Eris could be with me. They know telepathy so they could contact you or Discord if anything goes wrong.”
“Ok then. Faith, goes with Discord. You come with me.” He said. Discord nodded with a snap they were gone. Appearing inside the caverns of the Wendigo frozen castle, they saw the four Princesses in a magic square with the wendigo king in the middle of the crystal that was where he was resting.
Meanwhile, Nicko and Neltharion were getting ready to face the onslaught. However right as they stood another army came from behind. It was Chrysalis and her allied hives. “Stop!” Neltharion yielded.
Chrysalis Jumped down. “You’re who Discord sent? Its too late. My Sisters wouldn’t be reasoned with she made it very clear.” Neltharion sighed. “Yes but you can’t fight her your hate for each other we’ll wake the wendigo king up and I can’t have that happen.”
Chrysalis blinked at this. “Then how are you going to stop her?” Deathwing gave a smile. “Either with diplomacy or something else.” Deathwing maul flew from his hands. He had… well… no combat training with it. “Sorry I’m a bit rusty.”
Nicko sighed as he drew his sword. “Need me to pitch in?”
Chrysalis looked at the human, a little amused by his bravery. “And just who is this… little thing?” The comment about his height made the Rune Slayer’s ears twitch and really irritated him. Turning towards the Changeling Queen, Nicko shot back a response that she honestly did not expect to hear.”
“I am NOT a thing!! My name is Nicko Nocte! YOU WILL FEAR MY LASER FACE!”
However, before they could do anything they regret they were held in place by the earth. “Can you both not fight with an army behind us?” He asked. As he retrieved his maul he turned and saw the Changeling army with Pupa leading them.
“Well sister, dearest came to surrender? My, who is this?” Her voice was alluring as if she had perfected it. Sadly, Deathwing didn’t have time for this.
“I am Neltharion. I come asking for hostilities to cease between you both before you release something far more dangerous to the balance of the world.” He said to her.
“Hello?” Chrysalis asked. With a stomp the rocks returned letting them both go free.
“Oh really now?” Pupa said. “And I’m suppose to believe the vague threats of you, my sister and a red haired runt?”
‘Oh no.’ Eris said mentally to Deathwing. ‘This could be bad.’
“How its not like…. he going to do something drastic isn’t he?” Deathwing asked. He then face palmed. How he even know how to do this was anyone's guess. “He going to do something that will end up hurting him and me right?”
‘This happens anytime he is referred to by his height-.’
Before Eris could finish speaking, Nicko was walking outward, sword drawn. “Do you really want me to kick your ass? Cause I can make that happen right now if you want.”
“Is that a threat?” Pupa asked.
“No, it’s a challenge. We’ll settle it with a duel. I win, you and your battalion can pack up your stuff and high tail it back to where you came from. You win… well, we’ll see once we get to that point.”
Pupa had a smile. Eris felt something off about Pupa. A shadowy voice speaking to her. It was unnatural ancient and powerful. “Perhaps, but heres the thing…. no chaos spirits, no divine intervention, pass this point.” Eris realized something was a trap. A huge trap.
‘Nicko. Please be careful.’ Eris told him as he fixed up his arms. The female chaos spirit left, standing beside Discord now as Nicko took off his long red coat, showing his sleeveless undershirt that had a turtleneck collar. He gripped his weapon tightly as he looked at Pupa.
“Ladies first.”
Pupa smile before casting a spell on herself. An aura of dread formed around her. With a blast she sent out a dozen green fireballs. Before disappeared and appeared behind him to do it again.
“Pfft. Nice try.” Nicko said, activating his Storm Blade skill, which caused a cone of mystical blades to swirl around in a circular motion and turn all of Pupa’s fireballs to ashes. Next, he detonated two runes on the soles of his feet to swiftly charge straight at the Sister of Chrysalis, getting behind her as he struck her near her back hooves where her hamstring would be.
However, unknown to him, Pupa had a smile. Nicko suddenly felt pain rushing right though his body. He tried to cast a spell or rune and the pain burned him. “Like it? Its a bit of ancient magic the more magic you use, mana, whatever... the more it burns your body. And here’s the really sadistic part… I have to undo the spell on me to get rid of it. Any attempt by you and well.” A image of a skeleton on fire formed.
Deathwing glared at her. “Why do I feel I know that breed of magic somewhere?” He asked himself.
However, To Pupa’s surprise, Nicko was not flinching in pain. In fact, he was grinning. “You are a real idiot. I use Mana, yes. But… what you don’t know is what you caused.” Now, a blood red Aura glowed around Nicko as he put his sword on his shoulder. “Let me remind you something. Burning me doesn’t help you any. Why?”
A finger snap later and his hand was enchanted full of fire. “I AM FIRE!!!” Ignoring the pain, Nicko made his move while Pupa was standing still. The Changeling thought that the boy was going to attack head on, only to be shocked when he leaped back and dropped a series of rocks at her feet. With a finger snap, Runes that were inscribed on the stones began to glow violently and soon detonated, hurting her and sending broken pieces of stone as shrapnel.
Pupa laughed. She underestimated him. Maybe she should stop playing around? “Perhaps I should just break my seal? No that would be to fast.” With a smile, the ground below her formed a dark circle and the changelings near her died into green energy which healed her back to full. The magic was, well for those who feel magic, was like death.
Her eyes glow as Nicko felt pain once again. Energy leaved him as she decided to eat part of his mana for a temporary boost. ‘Mana drain? I know that spell.’ Deathwing was getting a horrible vib. “Nicko, finish this fast. Kill her!” Deathwing commented.
Nicko, hearing the Dragon, now knew that he had to go past his limits. A surge of magic flew into the air as he casted Phoenix Talon, A skill that enhances his powers for a good thirty seconds. Which, of course, was all he needed. Charging forth, the Rune Slayer used Wind Blade to strike Pupa near her heart as the Rune Slayer broke her guard. The attacks that followed scarred the changeling and any counterattacks from her caused the red aura around Nicko to pulse, making her stagger. Lastly, to finish the job, The Rune Slayer casted a Sphere into the air which grew by the minute. A black hole soon formed as it picked up Pupa and encased her in a Runic Prison.
“SHINING RUNE BUSTER!!”
A series of Mystical Swords soon enclosed on the Changeling, wrecking her and tearing her apart as the spell soon concluded. What was left looked like a lifeless body.
Deathwing gave a sigh however the titans and army moved to attack them. “Really?” He asked himself. With a magic burst, he transformed back to his dragon form. He towered over them. “Leave now!” He commanded. No one noticed the body disappeared however it didn’t matter.
With a deep sigh the wendigo king fell asleep again.
Discord returned with Faith to find Nicko looking over with Deathwing as the Changeling bowed before Chrysalis. Deathwing held a dragon soul in his hands. “So thats how it works?” He asked looking at the token. He gave kinda a laugh. “So basically they’re how many others?”
“Can you elaborate on others?” Nicko asked. “Do you mean Displaced?”
“Yes, is that what they are called?” He paused for a moment. “So let me get this straight I’m a human who went to a convention and became Deathwing?” He asked. However before they could go any further, Deathwing realized something. Nicko’s reality was a few years ahead of his own. “I have something to warn you about.”
The dragon raised his claws and a perfect map of Equestria formed. Unknown to them, this was a replica of another map. A magical light floated off to a place near the boards. “Here is where a threat to all of Equestria…. No, the world was beginning in my world if you say is true about other worlds, then this is a threat none can ignore.”
“There is a unicorn who has found a way to remove cutie marks, stripping you of part of your individuality. If Luna and Celestia were to lose their marks, it would be deadly. We learned of it just a few days ago. Yours has had years”
“What is the Unicorn’s name?” Faith asked. Saying a unicorn could basically mean anypony. But saying a name could help them find this individual that the dragon was referring to. “Do you know what she looks like?”
“Her name is Starlight Glimmer. Her mane has two colors and she has light violet fur.” He ripped the world up to form a basic sculpture of her. “The last thing her cutie mark is painted on simply splash her in water and it will fall off. But be sure to smash her vault and get back the marks.”
“Thanks for the tips.” Nicko said, pulling out a Rune Slayer’s mark and setting it down by the dragon. “Keep this. It’s my summoning token. Use it when you are in trouble and require my services.”
“Take mine too.” Faith said, holding a small pendant with a spear like blade at the end. “Just in case you need both of us.”
As the dragon touched the items, he could hear the saying of both Uncle and Niece course through his head. Nicko’s voice first, then Faith’s.
I am Nicko. The Rune Slayer with a kind heart. The power that's in my grasp and that you control will become the power that the darkness will fear. May there be light on the roads that you travel.
Have Faith in yourself as I do on my journey. Call upon me; The kind queen of the Nasods, and I will support you and become a Nemesis to those that want to hurt the innocent.
Deathwing nodded before handing them both two new Dragon Souls. “As you have given me gifts, I give you each a new Dragon Soul.” His chant could be heard one more time as the pull of dimensions could be felt.
I am Deathwing. Call on me and the very world itself is no longer safe for your enemies. Let my voice be heard on your world! Know this there are I will not cross! Let us hope we can be allies.
“I thank you for your generosity, Neltharion. I wish you safe travels on your journey.” Nicko said as he used his own Token to create the gateway to return home. Faith herself, was waving goodbye to not only the dragon, but also the princesses that had just arrived only a few moments ago.
“Goodbye, Nelly!! I hope I can see you again in the future!!!”
With that, both humans entered through the cerulean gateway as it closed. Neltharion himself, smiled. But soon, Discord was by his head, pondering something.
“So… Nelly… What’s next?”
Deathwing rolled his eyes. “The wendigo King is fast asleep, but I fear that something else lurks. But I know one thing.” With a flash he was back to his titanic size. “Whatever it is we will be ready!” With that the Dragon, the princesses, and the avatar of Chaos took off for Equestria.
Deathwing turned to Discord. "Also if you call me Nelly again..." Deathwings eyes gave a glared with magic and heat as his lava flared. "I WILL DRAG YOU INTO THE VERY CORE OF THE PLANET AND WATCH YOU BURN ALIVE!"
The princesses and even Discord stopped at that. "What? Was it something I said?"
"Yes and we're kinda afraid of getting on your bad side." Luna answered.
With a thud Deathwing landed outside of ponyvile with a fllash of magic he returned to his pony from. As he walked into town he saw rainbow dash with her pet turtle as it hit random stuff. However Deathwing noticed it sleeping. 'Winter must be coming.' The dragon said.
However for Rainbow Dash tank falling asleep was something wrong. "Tank are you ok?" She asked.
"Its almost winter If I had to guess." Deathwing said as he walked up to the rainbow mained pony.
Rainbow turned to hi. "Whats that got to do with it?" She asked.
"Hibernation you know sleeping until spring?" Deathwing answered her. He knew they could control the weather but the animals still knew when the seasons changed.
"Come again?" Rainbow asked.
"Just what I said. The little guy looks like he's about hit the hay for winter. I'm no animal expert, so if you want to make sure, go to a vet." he suggested, looking down at the tortoise. "What's that on his shell, by the way?"
"This? Twilight made and put a spell on them, so Tank can fly with me."
"Why a tortoise anyway? I thought you were all about speed?"
"I can tell you later." Rainbow flew a few feet up, holding Tank in her forelegs. "I better let Fluttershy check up on him. I don't wanna have him hit the ground, while we play hockey?"
"Hockey? Didn't you hear what I just-"
"Later!" Rainbow zoomed out, leaving a rainbow trail.
'Aaaaaaaaand there she goes. Can't belief it's Winter already. Well, almost.'
The locals had been rather accepting of Neltharion after a few weeks. Especially a unicorn with the name Lyra Heartstrings. She especially loved to examine his human form and even made a happy dance on her table, once it was proven that she was not "crazy". Her mad grin suggested otherwise. Not to mention her obsession with hands.
Deathwing learned about the mirror world, but Twilight didn't want to tell Lyra about it. As he asks for the why, she told him that she didn't want Lyra to cause a scene. One day Twilight asked Lyra about a hypothetical situation of finding a whole world filled with humans. It was awkward to say the least.
Back to the topic at hoof, Deathwing didn't actually know how ponies changed the seasons. Maybe he should ask Rainbow Dash? She was the head weather mare, which made her the best source of information.
'She's going to visit Fluttershy. Wasn't planning anything today anyway.'
Deathwing walked to Fluttershy house. As Deathwing came to Fluttershy cottage he saw Rainbow Dash flying out of the cottage. Deathwing wondered what she was doing. He followed her to find her asking Spike. "I'm a Dragon he a tortasios." Spike asked her.
"Really Rainbow?" Deathwing said as he came into the room. "Why are you so afraid of him going into hibernation?" he asked. Rainbow Dash didn't seem to answer. "What do you both know you're dragons..." She paused at Neltherion. "Dragons and Dragon god." She took off with the tortoise.
"Dragon god?" Deathwing asked in confusion.
"Well you kinda are the planet." Spike answered.
"Ah." the older drake nodded understanding. "From what I get, Rainbow Dash isn't too happy about Tank going to hibernation, huh?"
"You bet. She almost acts like he's going to die. Pretty stupid, considering tortoises live longer than ponies." Spike pointed out. "But then again, she was really looking forward to spend winter with Tank."
"Hmm. Oh well, I'm sure she'll realize that Tank is going to hibernation, whether she wants it or not."
"That's going to break her heart."
"Oh please." Neltharion rolled his eyes. "He's just going to take a long nap. As you said, he's not going to die or anything. Oh right, I just remembered, I wanted to ask Dash about how ponies change the seasons."
"I think you're lucky. They should prepare the snow clouds and everything else by now." Spike said, walking towards a window. There he pointed with his tiny arm towards Cloudsdale, where you also could see pegasi working in the distant. "You should find her over there."
"Thanks Spike. I'll see you later."
The pegasus of Cloudsdale were soon visited by Deathwing. "So this is how you create the weather?" he asked. Ponyville was scheduled for winter and the pegasi were moving it into place with other ponies helping clean the land up. Deathwing looked out too see clouds being destroyed by a rainbow blur. With his wings at the ready he had to go have a talk with the pegasus. He heard her singing a song and decided to stop her before she could go much futher. With his claw raised a cloud moved out of her path as did the others. "What do you think you are doing?" Deathwing asked as he landed on a cloud. He looked down to see Tank in a little patch of land surrounded by snow. "Really?" He asked yet again.
Another team of pegasi came up with more clouds. "You can't stop winter. There's only one of you and dozens of them." He answered using his magic to cause the clouds he held to drop off their snow. He took back off right as Ranbow Dash looked at Cloudsdale.
"Oh yeah? Watch me!"
"Rainbow Dash!" But she already was on her way to the cloud city with Tank wrapped around one of her front legs.
"I swear that mare is going to drive me nuts one day, to the point where I try to create a world ruled by a single dragon race."
Spreading his wings, he went after Rainbow Dash, hoping to catch up to her. It was futile. Against the fastest pegasus on the planet, unless he wanted to destroy half of the city, there was no way he could catch up to her in time. Another problem made itself present, when he actually reached the city. He had no bucking clue where Rainbow went or what her plan was.
'Bucking? Those ponies are really getting to me.'
Deciding that the best kind of action would be to get an overview of the city, hoping to spot Dash in the process, the dragon flew up. He noticed very soon the flaw in his plan. Cloudsdale was big. Not only big, but it was also gorgeous. Neltharion had a hard time keeping his head on the goal.
'This is getting me nowhere. There're literally tons of pegasi everywhere. Okay, focus. Where would Rainbow Dash go, if she wanted to stop winter from happening?
...
'I have no idea how ponies do winter in the first place.'
A sudden commotion caught his attention, as lightning came out of a particular large cloud building, which had some kind of huge exhaust pipe coming out of it. Pegasi were flying around, some in panic, others trying to get the situation under control. The drake thought about intervening, but his lack of experience with weather magic would be counterproductive.
In the end, nopony needed his help. The weather team managed to get the situation under control and bring winter (and a pony and a tortoise) in record time to Ponyville.
Deathwing, seeing Rainbow Dash and Tank flying towards Ponyville in the gigantic snowball, snorted. "Oh I watched Rainbow Dash. Brr, it's really cold up here. Well now that that's out of the way, I better get myself some hot chocolate, before Sugercube Corner gets crowded."
Just as predicted there were lots of ponies inside the shop, caught off guard by the sudden winter breakdown. The cakes had been taken off guard, as they expected this kind of rush on the next day. Luckily for them everypony was satisfied sitting at the tables and the couple could take a quick breather.
Deathwing himself was leaning against the counter, just enjoying himself, when the door opened and six familiar ponies stepped in. Rainbow Dash was good at faking being her usual self, but everyone who knew her or had enough life experience, could see that she had been a little shaken.
When they arrived at the counter, Pinkie walked into the kitchen and coming out of it with an apron a minute later and six more hot chocolates.
"Feeling better now?" Deathwing asked.
Rainbow let out a sigh. "Yeah."
"Still, you have to admit, you overreacted. It's not like he's going to die or anything."
That got him a glare from everyone.
"Sorry." he shrugged, finishing his own drink. "But seriously Rainbow, there are things in this world no one can stop. No matter how much they wished they could."
"Heh, you almost sound like you know what you're talking about." Rainbow commented offhandedly.
"I do Rainbow. And I'm not looking forward to the funerals."
Deathwing hold up the letter the strange eyed mail mare gave him. "I wonder what this actually is? I'm pretty sure I don't get mail." He removed the envelope to find a ticket and a invitation. "To Neltharion the earth Wader you are nearby invited to attend the grand galloping gala you are allowed to bring one friend with you as well." The Dragon of the world held the ticket in his claws. "I somehow get the feeling this won't end well." The Dragon said. When he went on the path to ponyville from his cave he constructed he saw Discord moving on the ground like a snake. "Discord what are you doing?" He asked the spirit of chaos.
Discord turned to the embodiment of the world. With his eyes he looked at the ticket I. H
The dragons claws. "She invited you but not me?" Discord asked. Deathwing got the feeling Discord didn't get invited. However that actually seemed strange to him. Actually now that he realized it were did Discord even live?
"Where do you even live?" Deathwing asked. Discord stopped for a moment. "Oh that's not important right now."
The spirit of chaos disappeared, leaving the earth bender to his own thoughts and his own ticket for that matter. He walked back into his cave, which he dug/melted out of a mountain near the Everfree Forest. Twilight very much appreciated his company, but he had felt like he had been just using her generosity.
About the decoration...eh. It made Twilight's castle look like it was stuffed. Before the decoration was done by her friends. For starters his bed was just a stone plate in pony size. He couldn't meld out enough for his dragon size, because he had nowhere to put the rock. He already got a stern talking from Celestia once, after dumping the cooled lava in a beautiful landscape where nopony lives!
As for the rest of the cave, well he did have a nightstand. Made of stone. A lamp!...Which was just a magic gemstone, which could be turned on and off by a mere thought. Table, chair...yeah. Maybe he should ask for some help for decorating his own home. But that could wait.
Forgetting Discord for a moment, he still had no idea who he should invite. Sure, he was acquaintance with quite a lot of ponies from Ponyville, but that was about it. They were neighbors, nothing more and nothing less.
'Actually I could ask the others. Though, most likely they already got their own tickets. I could ask Discord! Oh wait, I have no idea where he disappeared to. Hmm...well, first things first, I need a tuxedo.'
Putting the ticket away, he casually flew over to Carousel Boutique. The Gala wasn't until another few days according to the ticket. And just then Deathwing remembered that he had no idea what the Grand Galloping Gala was supposed to be. Just from the name he imagined ponies running around in circles.
Landing in front of Rarity's place, he opened the door, the little bell on top signaling his entrance. It was cleaned up like always, the mannequins wearing some new dresses. The unicorn probably got some orders for the gala, if the golden design of the ticket really indicated the popularity of the event.
"Ah, Neltharion" Rarity preferred his original name "how can I help you?"
"For once, I'm actually here for business. You see today I received an invitation for the Grand Galloping Gala-"
"Oh you too?" the unicorn interrupted the disguised dragon. "Well then, come over here and let me take your measurements."
Neltharion followed the marshmallow colored unicorn to the platform in the middle of the room. She then fetched a measuring tape, while talking to her guest. "I have a question Rarity. What exactly is the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"Oh it's only the most sophisticated event in the entire year. Princess Celestia herself decides who gets invited."
"Mhm. And she didn't invite Discord? Fluttershy told me the two are actually friends, though to be honest, given his story I have a hard time believing that."
"Oh well, I do not claim to know the exact relationship between the princess and Discord, but Fluttershy pretty much told me the same. Granted she is the one who spends the most time with him." the unicorn explained.
"I see."
"And to answer your other question, Discord was actually here earlier today. He seemed pretty miffed not to be invited. And to be honest, I'm not surprised he did not get a ticket. Not to be rude or anything, he is just..."
"Yeah, I get the picture. Still, if I get invited, someone who barely knows the princess, shouldn't he get invited too? Hmm, I do have yet to decide who is going to be my plus one. Maybe I should talk to him, when I get the chance."
"Well, dear. It is your decision. I simply hope Discord will behave himself for once. And done. Oh my, how time flies when you have fun. I'll have your tuxedo ready by tomorrow. And don't hesitate to bring your plus one with you, if you have found somepony by that time."
"Will do Rarity. Thanks for everything."
"Not a problem dear."
Deathwing walked up to Twilights castle. He decided to check to see if twilight was home. However instead of the princess of friends the Dragon found only spike. "Oh hey Neltherion I didn't know you were coming over?" The older dragon walked in and couldn't find Twilight anywhere. "Where is Twilight at?" Deathwing asked. "Twilight as canterlot helping Celestia with the Grand Galloping Gala." Spike answered back. Deathwing gave a nod. "You wouldn't mind me asking if you got invited did you?" Spike thought for a moment. He actually didn't get invited. Then again he did accidentally burn a letter he got this morning. Maybe he burned his invitation? "Well not exactly." Neltherion held out his ticket. "Well seeing as how I really have no clue about this event and you have more experience then me you want to come with me?" The older drake asked.
Spike was speechless for about a few seconds. "Yes I'll go with you." Spike said with enthusiasm. Deathwing gave a bit of a laugh at this.
Spike headed over to Rarity as quickly as his tiny feet could carry him. As for Deathwing, he decided to get himself a furniture catalogue and skim through it. Maybe he could find something interesting for his cave in it.
After he got it, he walked away from the newsstand with the catalogue floating in front of his face. As coincidence wanted it to happen, he actually bumped into Discord, who was holding his own ticket in his claws.
"Ow...oh sorry Discord. Hey, you DID get invited." 'Good. Now I don't need to feel bad about not inviting you.'
"Yes, yes. As it turned out, the post-pony simply had a hard time finding my address. I don't understand. As far as I know, I'm the only one living in the chaos lands."
'Explains a lot.' Deathwing thought to himself.
"In any event, I'm afraid I have little time to talk. I need to go to places." Without another Discord flew away on one of his rainbow colored clouds.
'He still seemed a little angry. Well, what does he expect? Chaos lands? I don't even have remotely an idea where this is. If he complains about not getting any mail, then maybe he should just move somewhere like, I don't know, Canterlot?'
Shrugging the chaos entity off, Neltharion walked home.
At the Gala Celestia and Twilight saw the guest arrive. The usual were seen coming with the council of Friendship members and there guests. The announcer who read the invite said, "Announcing the arrival of Neltherion the earth Wander and Spike the Dragon." The two dragons walked in with Deathwing in a smaller version of his Dragon from. The tex really didn't go well with it in Deathwing mind. The two dragons was a bit of a sight. However over the centuries visitors from other races had been know to come so the surprise was really at Deathwing himself. Pinkie Pie was seen first to greet them with her invite. "Maud this Neltherion, Nelly." Deathwing eyes twitched at that. "This is my sister Maud." The more emotionless pony gave the metal skinned Dragon a blink stare. "So your the planet's avatar?" She asked.
"Yes, that is correct. So, you have heard about me?"
"I did." she said in a monotone voice. "I wanted you to meet boulder, but they don't allow pets here."
"Which is completely ridiculous!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I mean, princess Celestia has a garden full of animals right there!" the pink earth pony pointed outside one of the large windows.
"Yes, that is unfortunate." Deathwing commented neutrally. "Are those two really related?" he whispered to Spike.
"Yeah, I know. Hard to imagine." the smaller drake whispered back.
"So, what do you have as a pet?"
"Boulder. He's my pet rock."
...
'I'm getting a certain train of thoughts here. And I don't like where this train is heading.'
The awkward silence was interrupted by a trumpet, followed by another announcement.
"Announcing Discord, the spirit of chaos and...ehh..."
Discord whispered something into the pony's ear. "The Smooze!"
With Discord was a green blob monster that Deathwing was sure Discord just found and brought with him. Discord gave it a glass cup as it ate and got bigger slightly. However Discord soon came to Fluttershy with a green pony. He introduced the smooze as a friend from College, which Deathwing was sure was a complete lie. "Discord." Deathwing started. The three there, well four but the smooze almost seem to ignore him turned to the Dragon.
"Whoa what are you, you feel at one with the world." The pony that Deathwing never meet said.
"That's because he is the World, Neltharion this is Tree Hugger, Tree Hugger Neltharion." The pegasus said introducing them. Discord however gave a cough.
"Well if you excuse me." Discord went off with the blob which Deathwing actually started to think was Discord’s pet at this point.
"What was that all about?" Deathwing asked.
"The world, huh?" Tree Hugger said. "Wow. Your aura feels like it's about to really blow up this place. And I mean it in a good way~."
"Uh...thank...you?" Deathwing tried carefully. 'What's up with the mare? She looks like she was sniffing the wrong powder.' The dragon in disguise cleared his throat. "Anyways, it's nice to meet you Tree Hugger. I take it, you're Fluttershy's friend."
The green earth pony nodded. "Yes. She has this calm vibe. It's really no wonder she gets along with animals so well. Though I heard you made a dragon cry one time?"
Fluttershy blushed and looked away. "Oh that. He had just been a little rude and one of my friends didn't behave any better that day."
"...What exactly did you do to make a dragon cry?" Neltharion asked, carefully.
"Oh...I'd rather not talk about.”
‘Note to self: these ponies have scary hidden talents. Find out how she managed to cause a dragon to cry.' Deathwing reminded himself. "So Tree Hugger, I don't believe I have ever seen you in Ponyville."
"Oh, I'm only staying there for a little while. I belong to the Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures." she explained. "I met Fluttershy during work."
"Hmm, I never heard of such an organization. But then again, I haven't been around for too long here in Equestria." the dragon added. "When you speak of rare creatures, do you mean like things that live in the Everfree Forest?"
"Yeah. A lot of ponies get really bad vibes, just mentioning the name of one of them." Tree Hugger nodded, frowning a little.
"But they're all necessary for the preservation of the environment." Fluttershy explained. "Most ponies see them as monsters and...they can be a little scary..." she admitted. "But without them the entire ecosystem would collapse! It may not happen within a day or even a year, but the next generation of ponies would definitely experience the effects and then it would be too late to do anything!"
'What's the word I'm looking for? Eco-freaks? Nah, that's way too harsh.' Deathwing said in his mind after hearing this, "I see."
"It's a good thing this organization is being supported by Princess Celestia." Fluttershy added.
"Makes sense, I guess." Deathwing shrugged. "She's the one who has to live with it after all. Not to mention I'm sure she knows the importance of the preservation of nature,” Thinking to himself, 'Why does thinking of nature makes me think of blue, or purple skinned humans with strange colored hair and long, pointy ears?’
The lights fade as Discord was now suddenly on a stage and started telling jokes. Lame humorless jokes. "That's just sad... Wait where is the blob thing?" Deathwing asked. He got the answer as green goo come out of a room as the Smooze was covering everything in slime. 'Oh great.' The goo causing the whole gala to be covered as pinkie Pie was wafting on Maud. Spike was screaming in fear and Twilight was trying and failing to stop the Smooze. Deathwing suit was now ruined and he was annoyed by this all. Discord looked over both tree hugger and Fluttershy on the wall. "Sorry about the mess." Discord said as he floated above next to the two ponies.
"Discord where did you leave it?" Deathwing asked as he tossed off some goo from his wing's. "Actually what even is this thing anyway?" Deathwing asked with a glare.
"Well you see Neltharion." Discord seemed to stay quiet for a moment. "What were we talking about again?" Discord asked faking not remembering what had happened.
Deathwing glared. Celestia tried her magic but failed as the goo that the Smooze was made of was somehow immune to the magic. 'Great I might have to turn up the heat... I very much like my suit.' Deathwing thought to himself.
Right as Deathwing was about to turn up the heat in hopes to burn the Smooze off him. Tree Hugger however started to speak. "Don't worry It just needs positive waves." She started neighing in a chat that slowly caused the Smooze to form into a huge blob. After everyone finally getting free Discord eyes twitched. With his talons out he clawed into the fabric of the dimension.
'Okay, now he's overdoing this!' Neltharion thought flew upwards towards the chaos lord, while at the same time freeing Tree Hugger from Discord's magical grasp, by pulling her into his own grasp. Putting Tree Hugger back to the ground, Neltharion flew directly in front of Discord's face. "All right I've been watching your antics all day, Discord. We need to talk."
"What's the big deal? I was just going to send her to another dimension."
Neltharion looked back through the portal. He saw something...disturbing. 'I need to see a therapist after tonight. According to my ancient calendar it's a couple of ten thousand years overdue anyway.' "Discord, what's your problem? Why did you just try to send Tree Hugger to...wherever this place is?"
"Hmph." Discord crossed his talon and paw and looked away. "I don't feel obliged to answer this question."
Neltharion face clawed. Luckily Fluttershy came to his aid. "Discord you need to stop." she "shouted" in her own way.
"Why Fluttershy?" he flew in front of her face. "I'm just doing Tree Hugger a little favor, by sending her into another dimension. We can't have her interfering with our relationship after all!"
“Jealousy? This is way you're acting off the deep end?” Deathwing asked, “Discord listen hear me out on this.” Discord turned to hear what the Dragon god had to say. “I know that you are new to friendship but you're allowed to have other friends, what if you had a friend to talk to about chaos outside of everyone else here does that make you no longer friends with anyone else?”
Discord thought about what Neltharion said. “No it just means I have other friends.” Discord looked at everyone feeling bad and guilty about what he just did. The portal to another dimension closed up as Discord floated back down with an apologetic look on his face. “I’m messed up.” Discord stated.
“Don’t sweat it Discord, you have a lot to learn after all.” Neltharion said putting a claw on his shoulder. The Smooze was seen heading for a few guests. “You mind taking care of that?’ Deathwing asked.
Starlight had lost track of where she was. The tunnels started to look all the same. “This is all that dragons fault, him and those ponies!” Starlight screamed in the caves. Her voice was echoing through the caverns. “Augh! I will find my way out of here and make them pay! I’ll show those Princesses! I’ll show them all! Most Importantly I’ll show that Deathwing!” Starlight screamed into the darkness.
A laugh was heard within it. Starlight got defensive at this. “Who’s there show yourself!” she screamed horn glowing.
“So you wish to defeat Deathwing do you not?” The voice sounded in the darkness as two eyes shown through the darkness. “I can help you with that.”
Starlight didn’t back down but she was tempted to take this things offer. “Why should I?” She asked.
“Deathwing is the earth itself, there is no where on land sea or air you could go he wouldn’t see you coming,” The being started. “However there is one way you can bypass him, one way you can defeat him and get your revenge.”
Starlight looked the darkness covered being. “What way is there?”
“Time, my dear. It will be both your cloak to hide and the dagger you will use to destroy not only him but all who will get in your way.”
“You offer the impossible, no pony can control time like that.”
The entity gave a laugh. “I can, let me help you get your revenge on the ones that wronged you.”
Starlight weighed her options on one hoof she could do this alone and face the wrath of Deathwing long before she gets the chance, or she could ally with whoever this is to get her revenge. With a sigh she delivered her answer. “You have a deal.” Starlight then had a question to ask, “Who are you anyway?”
The darkness faded away as glowing white horns were seen on the begin in the shadows. Starlight was surprised her ally was a dragon. The dragon had a smile. “I am called, The Lord of the Infinite by many but you may call me,” In a flash the two of them disappeared as the name echoed through the caverns, “Murozond!”
Within his dreams, Deathwing saw himself standing in front of a black orb. There were four others standing around it besides him. Two females and two males, and the moment he looked at each of them, he could see massive dragons. One red whose powers seemed to burn with life, one Green whose aura was one with nature. One blue who was giving off magical energy. The final one felt as if he was looking at the past and future. Just then, he felt something in his mind. A voice, dark and so wrong. Deathwing was about to as what it was when a flash of light covered his sight. Deathwing awoke feeling a pull telling him to go to Twilight's Castle. 'I wonder what this could be?' he asked himself.
Twilight and her friends looked at the map. They had felt the call of it, but their cutie marks just flew around the map randomly. "Well, Twilight, you have any idea what this could me?" Spike asked.
"I have no idea, Spike, this hasn't happened before," Twilight answered. The doors opened up as Neltharion walked in.
"Neltharion? What are you doing here?" Twilight asked.
The ancient dragon looked at the floating marks. "I was called to the castle and I think I might know why." With a flash, he changed into his Alicorn form. His earth cutie mark flew up and the wondering marks circled around it and flew right to a blackened area at the edge of the map. "It's calling us to where I had broke through the crust of the planet."
"That's strange," Twilight commented. "Why is the map calling you of all ponies er...dragons? Sorry. Not that I'm complaining, but I can't recall you having any kind of connection to the Tree of Harmony."
"Beats me, if I'm honest."
"Sounds mighty serious, if ya ask me." Applejack took a closer look at the spot, where their cutie marks were circling. "Where is this place anyhow?" she asked turning towards the disguised dragon.
Neltharion could only shrug. "Sorry, I can't answer that question either. I wasn't really all right in my head at that time."
"Hmm, it kinda looks like home. There are rocks and dirt everywhere!" Pinkie pointed out with her hoof.
"Dirt? Oh, why does the map has to send us that way?" Rarity sighed overdramatically.
"It looks more like sand than dirt." Fluttershy tried to improve Rarity's mood, but failed.
"Sand, huh? Wait a second." Twilight teleported away, leaving the other six in the room.
"Maybe this time, we'll be fighting some gigantic monster!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"What? That bug bear thing wasn't enough? Why didn't you let me join in, anyway?" Neltharion faked a whine.
“'Cause last time ya fought off something from the Everfree, ya burned down a whole street," AJ pointed out in a deadpan.
"No one got hurt. And I did help rebuild everything," the dragon aspect defended himself.
Before any more remarks could be made, Twilight teleported back with a book in her magic grip (nopony was surprised by this) and a frown on her face. She put the book on the map, before speaking up. "I have found out where the map wants us to go."
"Great, so what are we waiting for?" Dash was already in the air.
"For the bad news, I assume?" Deathwing asked, to which Twilight nodded grimly.
While speaking, Twilight opened the book, revealing a picture of what looked like a desert. "The map wants us to go here, close to the Badlands."
A few minutes later, Deathwing flew through the sky with the element bearers on his back. "Twilight, I don't get it, Chrysalis and her hive are friendly, more or less, why are the Badlands so dangerous?" Rarity asked.
Twilight pulled out the map again. "Because the Changelings are not the only things living there, and even then, more of the place is isn't even theirs." Twilight even then pulled up a report. "As of late there are sightings of rocks coming to life, fires appearing out of air, water attacking travelers, and even the air knocking ponies and Changelings out of the sky."
Deathwing looked out at the ground below them. The landscape changed from the normal grassy fields and forests of Equestria, giving way to the wastelands of the badlands. However, Deathwing awaking had altered the landscape. Water was seen flowing in canyons, and lakes long-dried were being fed water. Given all this, it wasn't hard to imagine that soon the wasteland would become lush and green. As they neared the site however, the wasteland became cracked with magma showing up from the mantle. Ash clouds hung heavy and lighting could be seen all around them.
"Twilight, look," Deathwing said. The ponies saw the place where Deathwing had surfaced. A crater of swirling magma and a hurricane of ash and lighting now resided there. The rocks blasted out as black as his scales. The strangest part was coming from the center of the magma vortex. Magic was blending out from it as a ray of magical vapor raised high into the air and into the ash cloud's center. Deathwing landed on one of the rocks, shrinking down so the six could look out at the sight.
"What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked. Deathwing looked at the vapor and he started to remember something.
"It's a tear in this plane, I remember... I wasn't in the planet's core per se, I was in a plane formed within its core, The Elemental Plane."
"And that is?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The Elemental plane is a prison for the mad Elemental Lords. They...don't exactly get along with each other and tend to fight. A lot. That's the reason they're imprisoned."
"WHAT?!" everypony exclaimed.
"Ah, pardon me. I guess I forgot to mention, that when the Elemental Lords fight, the Elements, fire, ice, water, you name it. They all go literally crazy, causing the world to fall into chaos. And I don't mean fun chaos from Discord, I'm talking about destruction and death."
"That...doesn't sound like fun," Pinkie Pie agreed.
"It sounds absolutely dreadful!" Rarity exclaimed. "Don't these brutes realize what damage they're causing?!"
"I don't know. I'm not even sure if they would care if they knew. Anyways, what we need to do is find a way to seal the portal to the plane. Hopefully nothing has escaped."
As they walked closer to the entrance of the plane, Deathwing insisted they stay together; the group couldn't help but notice the weird scenery around them.
"This is intriguing. Desert, dry canyons and lava...that's exactly what the Badlands are known for."
"Yeah, but lookit here." AJ pointed towards a spot, where a small river was flowing, with a bit of grass growing around the area. "Granny used ta tell me 'bout how the Badlands once were a beautiful place, but then somethin' happened."
"Uh huh! Granny Pie told me there was this HUUUGE CATASTROPHE or something, which destroyed absolutely everything!" Pinkie told the others.
"I think there isn't a pony who hasn't heard the legends about the beautiful lands that once were," Fluttershy added her two bits.
Deathwing picked up some of the rocks. He played with them for a moment. 'Elementium ore.' He thought, tossing it into the magma.
A laugh could be heard. "I told you three, there was a portal." Deathwing and the ponies turned to see the portal reopen. A hand made of fire grabbed one of the spires of rock. Rising up was a being made of pure fire a large hammer of molten lava covered in flames on his shoulder. The second one to appear through the portal was a large entity of winds and air covered in a rope. Next was a being of water covered in a skin of aquatic scales. The final one was a bloated being of stone almost floating from her crystals.
"So you were right, Ragnaros, the Earth Wander really did open this plane." The air being stated. The water being shook his counterparts. "What is it, Neptulon?" the air entity asked.
"Al'Akir, Therazane, Ragnaros... look we is here to greet us," he said pointing down. The four lords turned and saw the Dragon and his friends.
"The Earth Wander? I should have known, you come to seal us away, have you not?" Ragnaros asked, his hammer at the ready.
"Hmph, did you read my mind?" Deathwing asked, taking on fighting stands.
"Neltharion?" Twilight asked from behind. "You're not going to fight, are you?"
"Things work differently on Azeroth, Twilight. You girls better get out of here for now." He turned back to the Elementals. "I must say, I'm surprised. You four working together? This has to be a first."
"Special circumstances, require special actions," Neptulon stated, shooting a huge water torrent towards the earth aspect. Neltharion countered the attack, by spitting the lava out of his mouth. The result was the lava being turned into stone.
"What about you, Earth Wander?" Therazane asked. "It is not like you to protect others. What are those? Ponies?"
‘Damn, they haven't left?’ Neltharion thought. He hastily thought up a plan, "What happened? Oh right, you died." He said to the Fire Lord "And how often were you defeated by a group of mortals? Over the millennia...eh, you know what? I lost count, it was too often." the black dragon grinned.
"Grr. DIE, INSECT!!" Ragnaros screamed and shot a gigantic fireball out of his hand. Neltharion simply raised his right foreleg and blocked the attack.
"Really? Is that all that's left of the Fire Elemental Lord?"
"DON'T YOU DARE, MOCK ME!!" Ragnaros screamed and charged with his hammer. Neltharion caught the attack with his claw, though he had to admit, the strike was stronger than he expected.
'Alright, I got one of them enraged. If I manage to piss off, the three, I might be able to get them to attack me all at once and possibly hit themselves. Afterwards, dealing with them should be a breeze.' Deathwing used his strength to smash the hammer to the side hitting Al'Akir was almost hit by the flames.
"Watch it!" he yelled at Ragnaros. Deathwing had a smile.
"Oh so a breeze is afraid of a little fire?" Al'Akir looked at Deathwing with and glared under his hood if he could.
"A breeze?" He raised his hands out and let loose a hurricane force wind of Deathwing.
Deathwing hooked himself into the ground and countered the wind with his own he summoned up. "Wow, I was wrong, you're not even a breeze."
Al'Akir was mad as a tornado swirled around him. "Out of my way, Ragnaros! HE IS MINE!"
'Ok that's two down two more to go.' Deathwing gave a laugh. "No how about the pound lord fights me." Neptulon eye twitched. "Or maybe he's now the pet of fish people?" Deathwing taunted. Deathwing looked at Therazane. "You only have dirt so I'm not afraid." Deathwing deadpanned.
"Twilight what is Neltharion thinking?" Rarity asked. "Yeah pretty sure making them mad isn't a good idea." Fluttershy said trying to hide. Twilight wondered herself that question. Al'Akir and Ragnaros started to attack, only to get into each other's way.
'Wait, Deathwing said that they usually fight each other, he is getting them mad on purpose.'
Deathwing dodged a water attack from Neptulon and then sent the water at Ragnaros. "Here, cool down your head, it is on fire you know."
Ragnaros glared, his eyes burning with rage as the Earth Wander gave a laugh. "You little." He swung his hammer, almost hitting Therazane in the purpose. "Watch it, you giant candle!" she yelled at him.
"What did you call me?!"
"Just shut up and-HEY!!" she dodged another fireball. "What do you think you're doing?!" she shouted, and shot multiple earth spikes towards his direction. Some of them hit, which just melted upon contact, while the ones that missed, hit Al'Akir.
"GAH! Why you little!" Al'Akir summoned forth a thunderstorm, which basically hit everyone. Neltharion was lucky enough to be part of the earth, so he managed to redirect the lighting to the ground. He looked behind himself and saw that Twilight had summoned a barrier to protect herself and her friends.
When he turned back, what he saw could only be described as complete and total chaos! Ragnaros was swinging his hammer like a madman, while at the same time making fire rain. Therazane and Al'Akir were going at each other, while Neptulon summoned forth water torrents out of the ground, trying to hit the constantly moving Elemental Lords.
The ponies walked up from behind the dragon and watched the spectacle. "Shouldn't we...do something?" Fluttershy asked.
"Eh..." Neltharion ducked just in time to avoid a stray water torrent. "Let's let them cool down first. Should only take a century or so."
