> Am I Alone? > by Silver Inkwell > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prologue That’s the question that I ask myself each and every day that I still live. Now why, not how, just that single lone echoing question. I wonder if I am the only one of my kind, the singe last one, or perhaps just maybe there might be more like myself out there, just maybe though perhaps. I stared out at the night sky horizon waiting for my chance to get my shot of glory, and it was one opportunity I knew that would not repeat itself again very soon likely if ever again since the dragon I wanted to kill was very rare indeed. So I set up my sights and gadgets and waited for it to show itself. “Come on,” I said to myself looking at the night sky nervously, “Show yourself.” I watched the night sky still nervous with some slight fear, and then I saw him (or rather it, I always did assume that the dragon was a he) and then I took aim and fired, and yes! I hit the Night Fury, the incredibly deadly and very fast dragon that no one ever saw, and with that I did a little victory dance and cheer because I wanted to, and now all I had to do was track where it landed and then I could go and kill it to make my father finally proud enough of me. Oh, and also by the way, it’s nice to meet you, the name is Hiccup. What is my name? I hear you ask, well the answer to that is simply this: I really honestly don’t know, but you can call me whatever you want, but for now John will work out I guess, that is until I can finally find out my real true name. But why that short little trip and delay with Hiccup if this is my story? Well you’ll see very soon enough since he does come in much later, but still not yet. But before we continue let me first tell you my story, I was cursed by a witch a very long time ago to always ever be a dragon, and please don’t ask me how she did it because I would have to assume magic, and don’t ask why, because if it was for revenge or not or whether it be for anything else doesn’t really matter now as I carve these words into the cold hard stone that is before me now. And so that is why and how I found myself in this very cold and dark cave as I write this down now, and all I wish for is to be with my own kind since my instincts are starting to take over, but I can only hope and pray that I can stay sane long enough to try to figure a way out of this curse or something else like that instead, but for now I can only have faith and pray for that day. But until then know this to be a reminder of who you once were even if you can never be that same person again, even if nothing ever changes for me. > The Curse > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One: The Curse The witch watched the town boys curiously and anxiously, for she wanted to just try to test out a new spell, the only thing that she needed now was an excuse, and if one of them just so happened to wander into her yard then she would not be at fault entirely for what happened to them, but of course she would have to persuade them with a mind spell to trick them into coming. After all, they weren’t stupid. And so she waited for just one of them to come, and eventually one of them did, and then she smiled as she cast the curse. Suddenly the boy started to change and transform, suddenly his skin started to turn black and his limbs started to break and crack and stretch abnormally. No longer was he just a boy anymore, he was turning into something that the village feared, something that they hated, he was turning into a dragon. But not just any regular ordinary dragon, but a new shiny black dragon that none of them had ever seen before. And when the transformation was finally over and done with the boy turned to the group and tried to speak, but it only came out as a roar. The group of boys ran away from this monster with great fear and the dragon followed them with much and great confusion in him. When they finally got to the village the boys forgot what they saw (because of a spell the witch put on them) and they cried out, “DRAGON!” to summon every man to fight it. And very soon enough every man was there ready to fight it, and that was when the boy finally realized what he was, he was a monster. He was a dragon, and he would be killed if he stayed, and so he roared out in pain and agony trying to talk one last time, but it was no use, it was all in vain. And so he decided to do the only thing that he could, he flew off and far away. He didn’t care where he went, he just wanted to go away, far away. And he knew that he had to stay that way for a very long time, but as to how long exactly he didn’t know, but slowly enough the years passed by for him. Five to be exact when the events of this story start to take place. And so it was that five years after the exact date of his exile that he found himself in that very dark cold cave, and he still had hope and faith in his heart, but what he did not have was a friend. And so that was why to his great shock and surprise that it just so happened that a tiny little purple dragon entered his cave, and he knew then that he might not truly really be alone now. But of course he didn’t know what kind of adventure that this tiny little dragon would bring to him, if he did then he might have acted very differently instead, but he would still go along because they were brothers in blood. > Blood Brothers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Two: Blood Brothers Axel flew through the air as a dragon (for that was his real name and what he was now) and saw a great herd and flock of dragons nearby and very close to him. When he first saw them he heard the flapping of their wings and roars since he now had improved senses and could even breathe fire now. And with that he rose in the air with much great hope within him now “Who is your alpha?” he said once he had risen high enough now. “We have no alpha,” a red dragon said, “We’re by ourselves.” “Surely you must have some leader? A king or queen perhaps instead maybe?” he said very glad that they could understand him since he had been recently cursed to this new form and body and humans could not speak with him. “We have a king of sorts, but he is not the one controlling us right now.” “Do you mind if I join you then? I have no one else,” he said. “We’re dragons, we work and live alone, get used to that fact.” And with that said the red dragon took off leaving Axel behind. He was very disappointed with the dragons since he had expected them to be nice at the very least, but at the very least they were still amazing and awesome as well too. But after five long years alone in a cave in this new strange foreign land he was starting to lose hope. And he never bothered to go to the ponies who could speak and fly and use magic and were the citizens here since whenever they saw him they ran off in fear just like the humans did too. But at least they didn’t attack him, and he would also soon learn and discover that they were very nice and kind. But that would be much later, and for now he just sighed as the flock flew off, clearly he would not find a new family with them. But that was when he noticed a small tiny purple dragon down below hiding with a bunch of ponies in a ditch that they had just dug up. How very strange, curious, odd and highly unusual, he thought to himself now, could this dragon possibly be different from all the others and rest of them? He didn’t know, but he was too afraid to approach him to ask. But luckily enough for him it was the dragon who approached him instead. And that is where re really truly begin and start off our story now. Spike had just found a new home for his little tiny bird friend when he thought he saw smoke and a very bright flash of light come from a mountain cave. The cave had always remained unexplored and could be dangerous though. Or rather that’s what he thought at least as he looked out at it now. “Twilight,” he said, “Was there always smoke coming from that cave?” he said pointing to the area, place, spot and location where it was coming from. “No, it hasn’t, I just hope that it’s not another sleeping dragon,” she said, “But I better go get my friends just to make sure that he’ll leave us for good.” “WAIT!” Spike said, “Maybe I can go first and try to talk with them?” “Spike, that’s the bravest thing I’ve heard you offer, but sure thing you can if you want to, but just make sure to stay safe and don’t let them bully you.” “I won’t,” he said remembering back on the recent experience he had with Garble, “Trust me, I’ll have them leaving our town within no time at all.” And with that said he bravely set off for the cave as Twilight told her friends the news. He set off until he entered the cave very slowly and nervously and with great fear since he didn’t know what to expect. But when he saw the new black shiny handsome dragon that was much larger than him he was very surprised and shocked, he had never seen a dragon like this before, and even though he knew that dragons came in all sorts of shapes and sizes and colors, he couldn’t feel like this one was different somehow. All the other dragons were rough around the edges and had very sharp claws and spikes on their bodies, but this dragon, well everything looked just smooth and shiny and very sleek too. “Hello there,” he said, “Who and what are you exactly?” “Me? I’m just a dragon although I used to be human,” the dragon said turning to him, “And what about you? I saw you with the ponies today as the dragon herd came flying through, but I didn’t join them because they never could be my real family like, but then again, my real family is somewhere else by now probably, somewhere very different and far away, and I can never return home or take my true real form and body due to a witch’s curse, that’s my story.” “My name is Spike, and yes, I do live with the ponies,” he said very nervously, “To be exact I live with Twilight Sparkle and help her out with chores.” “That’s nice, but what do I care about ponies even if they can talk and fly and use magic? Unless they can undo this curse or help me get home I have no wish to see them, but you on the other hand, you’re a dragon, so you I can naturally talk to of course, but tell me, what brings you here now?” “Well there was some smoke coming from this cave and we were all worried it might be another big scary nasty dragon,” he said, “Oh, and by the way, the ponies might just have a way to help you out if you wanted to come with me.” “Well then, why didn’t you say so first?” and with that said they both left. > Dragon Oath > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Three: Dragon Oath Axel still had his stupid tiny little smile and grin on his face when he got down to town, and he had it ever since he had left the cave with Spike. As he approached the town ponies started to run away in fear, but then the little tiny dragon shouted at them and they listened to his great surprise and shock. “It’s okay!” he said, “This dragon is with me! Everything is just fine.” And with that said the ponies calmed down a bit and relaxed too. And with that they went over to Twilight’s Treehouse and as soon as they entered Axel’s eyes lit up. “Are these books?” he said hopping up to the shelves and pulling some out, “Oh yes they are!” he said hugging some very tightly. “Spike! Who is that? What is that? And why is he here exactly?” Twilight said. “Well he said that he had some kind of problem and he wasn’t mean at all, in fact he was rather polite and nice and kind, and by the looks of it he really likes books too,” he said pointing to the dragon who was hugging them. “HEY! Claws off of my own private collection and property!” she said. “I’m sorry,” he said smiling as he put them back in their proper places, “It’s just that I really like books, and coming from a boy raised in a village where the whole entire people are fierce Viking warriors, well it makes him different for one, but now I see that there are some people, or rather ponies, in this world and any other that share my likes,” he said hopping down from the shelves like a cat, “Anyways, my name is Axel, and I was once a human but now I am cursed by a witch, and it is very nice to meet your presence miss-?” “Twilight, Twilight Sparkle,” she said, “And what are you exactly?” “Well a dragon for one, but that witch did give me another name,” he said, “She called me a Night Fury, I suppose that’s what kind of dragon I am I guess.” “Very curious,” she said looking at him and going under his wings. “You say you were cursed, but how did that happen exactly?” she said. “Oh you know, just a witch using her magic, nothing too major or bad.” “Isn’t there any way to fix or break the curse that you have?” she said. “There’s not any way that I know of, but say, if you can help me figure out how to fix it or even break it, even if you fail, well I promise to protect your life from any danger or peril no matter what the cost may be to me, Dragon’s Code.” “Thank you,” she said, “But I don’t need a dragon protecting me,” she said as she quickly jotted down some notes with a quill on some loose paper. “I have to tell Princess Celestia about my discovery of a new dragon species,” she said, “And don’t worry, she’s just the ruler of this land, that’s all.” “Good, I was worried there for a moment,” he said, “But I am quite serious about my oath, a Viking never breaks his loyalty just as a dragon does.” “He’s right Twilight, there is no way that you’ll get out of this one.” “Unless of course I fail to protect you and you die, or I do,” he said. “Yeah, well let’s just hope that it doesn’t come to that,” Twilight said. “Not if I can help it then it won’t, but tell me, what is your relationship with this Princess Celestia that you mention? And what is her role exactly?” “I was her student once and she raises the moon while her younger sister Luna raises the moon, that’s what the rulers of our land do for us,” she said. “So then, they’re basically like gods then?” he said. “Well I wouldn’t call them gods exactly, they’re just very powerful unicorns with wings, or as we call them here, alicorns. But they’re not exactly gods.” “If you say so, but tell me, what brave and noble deeds did they do?” “Well together they defeated the Spirit of Chaos, and so did me and my friends too, and she also had to banish her sister when she went crazy and insane, but me and my friends were able to restore her sanity to her,” she said. “Oh my, it seems like this Celestia and Luna are not the only gods in this land, it seems like your friends are also gods too, for they did what your leader and ruler did, but tell me this, where are they right now exactly? Do you know?” “Of course I do, Applejack is at Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity is at her shop, Rainbow Dash is up there in the clouds somewhere, Pinkie Pie would be at Sugarcube Corner Sweets Shop, and Fluttershy is at her cottage now.” “Thank you very much, but tell me, are their places elegant and noble and vast and wide, and also do they live close by to you or not?” he said smiling lightly. “For the last time, we are not gods, no pony is,” she said, “Not even Chaos.” “But on my home world Chaos is a god, and so are many others too.” “Well we don’t have gods here, just ponies, cows, yaks, dogs, cats, bird and all other manner of various creatures, some even thought to be mythological too.” “Interesting,” he said, “But tell me this, do you need me or can I read now instead? Because if you don’t need me then I shall relax if you wish,” he said. “No, I don’t need you, thank you very much though,” she said. “Very well then, just let me know if you are leaving to go anywhere so that I may go to protect you, for you are the student of the sun god herself.” Twilight quickly slapped herself in the forehead with frustration knowing that it would be no use to get him to stop calling them gods either because he was a bit of a practical prankster and prankster, or he was just plain stupid instead. But as to which he really was Twilight did not know, but soon enough she would discover his true real nature whenever she tried to leave the house. He was very protective of her, that was his nature, for he had an oath, and he would always keep it. So he was loyal of course, and brave, and he was also very smart and wise too, but he was also fierce in a battle and fight too. He was like the perfect guard, and a very interesting ‘pet’ although he was a bit more of an experiment at first, but now he was a very good close friend instead. And they were both better off and happy with each other. But soon enough their friendship would be challenged by a very dangerous threat that would bring peril and pain to all, one that would cause chaos in his wake and not care for the despair and sorrow that he would wreck as well too. And this threat that they would face, it was one from the human world, but it was also paired along with something very dark from the pony world too. And when this threat did come it challenged everything Twilight and Axel knew. For he had once said that he thought his name was John and that he was crazy, but quite some time after he came to Equestria he started to remember being a human. And he knew this world well enough by now thanks to all of Twilight’s long hours and all her time, effort, and energy put into it as well. And so it was that nothing could prepare them for the threat… > The Threat > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Four: The Threat “Twilight? Where does this book go?” Axel said. “Second shelf down from the top over there,” she said pointing over to it. “Thank you,” he said flying up and putting the book back in its proper place. And then suddenly they heard the sound of screeching dragons outside. “What in the world of Equestria could be going in out here?” Twilight said once she got out to see the commotion, but what she saw was both terrible and horrible, for there lay a wounded dragon that was beat up and scarred. “He has come to enslave us all… you have no hope… just run…” And with that said the dragon very slowly closed its eyes and then died. “Who would do this? Who would ever dare do this?” Twilight said. “I don’t know,” he said wiping the tears from her face, “But I will find out who and then I will make them pay, I swear this to you Twilight.” “You don’t need to do that, and violence is never the answer either.” “Says the pony who literally went to hell and then back,” he said. “You make a fair point, but come let us find whoever ‘he’ is now.” And with that said they followed along the direction of the screeching dragons and as they went along suddenly Pinkie Pie joined along with them now. “Hey there,” she said very delightfully and cheerfully, “What are you doing?” “Following these dragons so that we may find out what is causing them to act this way. The only thing that they said was that ‘he’ was coming.” “Oh that sounds so exciting! But I hate it when authors love to play or use the pronoun game, it’s so annoying trying to guess who every pony is there.” “Yeah, sure, right,” Twilight said continuing on her way as Pinkie Pie hopped back to town commenting that she had other ponies to get back to now. Twilight however just said to be safe, and she said that she would always. And so they went in the direction of the dragons until they found out who ‘he’ was. He stood there with only one hand and had a cloak made out of dragon skin, and when he turned Axel could see that he was clearly a human. “What is that exactly?” Twilight said with shock and surprise looking at him. “A human, but clearly not a very nice one,” he said growling very angrily. And with that the human turned to them and smiled. “Well hello there,” he said, “Join me on my quest or die instead.” “And what is your quest exactly? Enslave the dragon race?” Twilight said. “You’re exactly right,” he said, “My name is Drago, and I am here for dragons.” And with that said he smiled but then suddenly Axel decided to act then. And with that he launched a very explosive fireball at him and he didn’t have time to react or dodge and then it hit him on the chest and instantly killed him. “That’s what you get for trying to mess with my friends,” he said growling and with that said he turned to Twilight Sparkle with a very warm smile. > The Real Threat/ Redemption > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Five: Redemption/ The Real Threat Twilight did not approve of him killing Drago, even if he was a threat to her safety and life. And afterwards she even dared to lecture him about it. However he reminded her that he saved an entire race of dragons and talking ponies too, and that he also could breathe fire to her books if he so pleased it to be. And with that said Twilight decided to remain silent instead. Years afterwards he slowly grew a very tight bond with Twilight Sparkle and grew ever more protective of her and very soon enough ponies came to accept him as her new protector and as a dragon, and they were very kind and nice to him and her, but he always did have his guard up. For example he defended her against the Everfree forest when it started to attack Ponyville one time. But plants weren’t the worst that he faced since he was a dragon, but the worst was still yet to come, for now he would finally face a real dangerous threat. It started when Princess Celestia came to Twilight with dire news. She told her that an enemy from their past named Tirek had escaped Tartarus when Cerberus abandoned his guard, and now he was starting to steal magic from ponies. But when she tried to volunteer to stop him she said that she had already sent Discord to do that. But Axel tried to comfort her by saying that he would always be by her side to protect her, and he would keep that promise. Soon enough Discord betrayed all of them and joined Tirek and then the princesses gave their power to Twilight making her a ‘goddess’ according to Axel who still grinned and smiled at his very stupid joke that he had made. Twilight sighed knowing that he would never stop with the old joke. And with that they went out to face Tirek now. “Has the Princess sent you here to stop me?” he said very mockingly. “Yes, she has, and I will not allow you to cause harm to any pony else!” “We,” Axel said to her, “You mean we will not allow harm to come to others.” “Well yes, of course, you know that I meant that,” she said. Axel wasn’t so sure of that fact, but then Tirek continued on now. “Well you will not be able to defeat me,” he said with a very devious smile. “We’ll just have to see about that!” Twilight said flying up and using her alicorn magic to fend him off, and while she fought very well as she crashed into the landscape around her, it was still no equal match against him either now, he was just too powerful, and she was just too inexperienced right now too. “So, it seems like we have come to a standstill,” he said very calmly now. “Not unless I can help it,” Axel said, “Twilight, use you magic and I’ll use my powers of fire breath, it might just work to take him down and defeat him.” “Your plan sounds very stupid and crazy, but I’ll do it,” she said. And with that said they attacked Tirek together with their magic. Together they slowly gained on him and somehow they gained the advantage as their magic very slowly pushed him back, but that was when Axel did his surprise move by stopping his breath for a moment, running forward very fast and then tackling Tirek to the ground. And despite his size and strength he could not get up against Axel, for he held him down very well. Tirek then tried to take the magic from Axel, but nothing came out and he smiled then. “Silly Tirek, dragons and humans don’t have magic, and if they do it is very rare, but I don’t have magic so you have nothing to take at all, you lose.” And with that said he went on to more serious matters. “Now then, give the ponies back their magic or else you will suffer.” Tirek smiled, “Foolish dragon, there is nothing you or any pony can do to me that could ever persuade or force me to give up all the powers that I have.” “We’ll see about that,” Axel said using his claws to tear at his chest. But Tirek did not react, and then he suddenly had a brilliant genius idea. He started to light up his mouth with fire and aimed directly at Tirek’s horns. Suddenly the magic started to drain from Tirek in a very violent explosion. And then it was over, he was drained of magic and now stood weak. And then using her powers Twilight quickly sent him to Tartarus and then returned the princesses from the cages they had been locked away in. And then all was quite well for now, after all, he had done very well to protect her these last years, especially against the threat of the changeling empire. But soon enough he would face yet another much different task. One that would require him to travel to a new world, one that he wasn’t quite familiar with, but one that he knew since he had gone with Twilight to it the last time that she went. And that world was the human version of Equestria of course, for when he heard the news of Sunset Shimmer he automatically assumed that this new world might be dangerous, and he wasn’t completely wrong since Sunset did turn into a demon, but that’s another story for later… > Adventures in the Human World > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Six: Adventures in the Human World For now all you need to know is that their journeys went very well indeed. For when they went the first went there, Twilight and Axel were very shocked and surprised about he had looked. For as Twilight said, “Well you’re not quite human or dragon,” she said looking at the new boy that he had now. He had the body of a human, that was for sure, but his whole entire body was black and his skin looked scaly and slick and he still had the same green eyes like he always did, but there were tiny little ridges on his back and while he didn’t have a tail he did have a black sword to go along with his black clothes. He also found out that he could breathe fire and speak to Twilight at least. “Okay, this is just so totally weird and amazing and awesome,” she said. “Tell me about it,” he said, “I’m partially human now, that’s a start.” And with that said they went on their way around the school while Axel followed very closely behind her, in fact when she even bumped into Flash he instantly went up to him and slammed him into the locker doors growling. “Hey dude, I don’t know what your problem is, but I swear it wasn’t me!” “Uh he’s just a little bit overprotective of me,” Twilight said pulling Axel back along with her, “I’m very sorry for his behavior, but he does always tend to be a bit grouchy and moody, you know how a big best friend forever can be.” “Wait, so he’s not your boyfriend then?” Flash said now. “Well of course not, he’s just not my type,” Twilight said to him now. “Oh, well then, what is your type exactly?” he said. “Well I don’t know exactly, I haven’t ever really dated that much…” “That’s too bad,” he said as the bell suddenly rang, “I was considering asking some girl to the dance and out on a date, and I’ll keep you in mind for now, but right now I have to go to class, but I guess I’ll see you later then, right?” “Uh, sure thing,” Twilight said as he smiled and then went off to his class. “What was that all about?” she said, “You can’t assault students.” “I’m very sorry Twilight, it’s just in my nature and habit now,” he said. “Well try to stop it,” she said and with that they soon ended up in Principal Celestia’s office and he managed to stop even though Celestia was very curious to who he was and why he was here with her exactly, and she did her best to answer her questions with vague and general answers to respond with. “Wow,” Axel said once they got out, “You are really bad at lying.” “As well as hiding the truth, I know, I need to work on that and I should, but I just get busy with books all the time,” and with that said they went on. Sadly enough as they did go on there wasn’t much he could do to protect her now in his human form, although he always did manage to keep a very close eye on her. And he drew very curious looks from many students but Twilight did her best to avoid people and all their questions too as well. And so they went on and their trip was very normal except for a few parts, like Sunset turning into a demon and making the minds of humans under her control. “Worst plan ever,” he said after she had been defeated and accepted into the group of the human equals of the ponies back in Equestria, “I mean honestly, who would ever really think that this could ever really work, ever?” “Obviously she did,” Twilight said, “But you have to learn to forgive her and other people, we can’t hold a grudge based off of some silly judgement, but we can’t also forget what they did either, we just have to accept it and move on with our lives, if we can’t then we’ll always stay in the past instead.” “Wow, is that a piece of wisdom from one of your books? Because we Vikings and warriors are not exactly the forgiving or charitable kind to ever give mercy,” he said, “But I’ll try to do as you say anyways if you wish me to do that.” And with that said she nodded, had a quick dance with Flash, and then they left. But that was last time, this time however things were very much different instead, for now there was no danger or peril and it was a very relaxed visit. But when they came back Twilight had something very important to tell him. “Hey there,” she said, “I know that the heart’s desire potion failed, and also the whole entire thing with teleportation, but I recently found this spell that will allow you to return home, but there is only one problem so far, and that is that it only works on ponies as far as I can tell, I’ll have to go along with you just to make sure that you get there, but if you do then I should be fine using the spell to get back home, but then again, you said your world had little to no magic so maybe it wouldn’t be so easy for me, but I’m willing to take a shot in the dark and take this risk by leaping with faith, the only question that remains now is this, are you ready, or do you need some more time to think this out instead?” “I am ready, I am always ready,” he said smiling, “I am and always have been a man of action, or at least I should have been according to my clan.” And with that said Twilight smiled and started to cast the spell to get him home, and very soon enough he was finally back home once more again. Except there was only one small slight problem, it was different now. > A Hiccup in the Plan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Seven: A Hiccup in the Plan When he had left the world hated dragons, but now it loved them. So surely this could not be the very same exact place that it was, right? But it was, it was always the same Berk and place that he knew then and now. At first he felt very glad to see his home once more again, but now he was only very confused, for how in the world (either one) could this possibly happen? The answer came very soon as a boy down below saw them up above on the cliff edge where they were. And soon enough the boy came riding on his dragon which looked exactly like the form, shape and body that Axel was in. When Axel saw the boy and the dragon he sat still waiting and hoping for answers and restraining from intimidating or attacking either of them. “I can’t believe this,” the boy said, “Another Night Fury just like you Toothless.” The other dragon, presumably named Toothless, smiled at that comment. “Uh, hello, excuse me, but who are you exactly?” Twilight said now. “Oh, sorry, please excuse me, my name is Hiccup and I am the son of the chief here, and we live in peace with the dragons as you can clearly see here,” he said pointing around him. “More than five years ago this whole entire place and world wasn’t so kind or nice or generous to dragons as it is now, but thanks to me and all the time, effort and energy of my team now every person knows how to live with peace with the dragons so that we do not always have to fight them constantly, but other than the changes with the dragons, life is pretty good here in Berk, but what are your names and why are you here exactly?” “This is Axel,” she said pointing to him, “And I am Twilight Sparkle, and he says that he wants you to know that he was once a human like you but now is cursed to remain trapped in this form and shape forever, and he doesn’t know of any way to return to his real true body even thought I have tried many ways, but all have failed, but if you know of any please share with us right now.” “I don’t know about humans turning into dragons, but I do know about witches and curses and where to find the nearest closest one right now, and don’t worry, I’ll trust your words for now, but I will be ready for anything,” he said. “So will Axel,” Twilight said as she mounted him as he took off to follow Hiccup as he rode his dragon far away until they finally reached a cottage somewhere. “This is as far as I will go,” he said, “I will wait here outside for you to return.” “And what if we don’t,” Twilight said, “What will you do then exactly?” He smiled and then said, “Well I’ll improvise the plan of course.” And with that said they went on towards the small tiny little cottage. “I know this place,” Axel said, “This is where I was once cursed.” “So that means that the witch should live here, right?” Twilight said. “Yes, unless she’s dead by now, in which case there will be no hope for me at all, ever, or at the very least littler perhaps maybe instead, but not very much.” And with that said they slowly approached the door and then knocked. After a very long moment the door was finally opened for them. > The Witch > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Eight: The Witch “Well hello there,” she said very nicely and kindly to all of them, “Who are you?” “Well I’m Twilight Sparkle and this is Axel,” she said very politely now. “Yes, I know, the boy I cursed to be a dragon, and I’m very sorry about that but I do like to experiment,” she said smiling, “But please do come on in.” And with that said Twilight looked at Axel very oddly and weirdly and then entered the house and she sat down on a chair while Axel started to growl. “Now then, I know that you must be very upset and angry at me,” she said, “But you must not hold a grudge, and also don’t worry, I can undo the curse, but it will require certain ingredients that I am just too old to get now.” “What kind of ingredients?” Twilight Sparkle said wishing she had a list now. “Eye of newt, tongue of a fish, the fire flower and heart’s desire too,” she said. “Is that all or is there anymore?” Twilight said surprised at the short list. “That’s all, or so I think, I can’t quite remember everything these days darling.” “You look and seem very familiar,” Twilight said, “But I don’t know why…” “Well I certainly don’t know you since you come from an alternate universe, but you could know me from your world I guess,” she said smiling very lightly as she handed Twilight a cup of tea, “Here, have something hot on me darling.” And with that said Twilight pretended to sip the tea and then sat it down. “You seem much nicer and kinder than I thought you would be,” she said. “Not all witches are as cliché as the books and stories want you to believe, we don’t all have warts and cats as myth and legend say, we just can all perform magic and that’s about it, there’s nothing unusual or strange about us at all.” “Well that is unusual if you think about it since you’re thought of to be strange and therefore being weird is normal and not being that way is different.” “Well you have a fair use of logic there honey, but I would like to point out one more thing before you go, even if you did get the ingredients I don’t know if I can do magic anymore since it’s getting very weak and I’m very old, I mean I can always try darling, but it just might be too much for me, perhaps maybe a young wizard or witch could do something this, but not me, not anymore at least, but I do wish you the best of luck anyways, but don’t worry, I did put in a very easy way to break the spell just as every good witch and wizard does.” “Well then, what’s the way to break his curse?” she said very curiously now. “Well he has to either marry royally, find an act of true love, or perform a very brave act of great sacrifice, but of course I know what you’re thinking, these aren’t easy, but for a witch or wizard they would be, but not for you I guess.” “Well that’s just great,” Twilight said, “How is he going to a brave act?” “Well from what I can tell from his mind he has already saved you once, but it wasn’t quite enough since you could have also easily defeated him with your friends, no, the act needs to be much stronger, something that really truly puts his bravery and life on the line, to the point where he is close to the edge of death, or actually on it depending upon the event, and I wish there was another way, but there isn’t, or at least none that I know of. But perhaps maybe a friend in another world can help you. Probably not Celestia or Luna, but maybe someone else, perhaps maybe a very great wizard instead.” Twilight started to understand, “Surely you do not mean him?” “I do, and no matter what he always seems to be a wizard on any world, and I know for a fact that he is one here, the only problem is that I don’t know where he is exactly, but then again no witch or wizard does, but there are always rumors of him, you can try to look for him, but soon enough he’ll know that you’re both here and he’ll be the one that comes looking for you eventually, he always does, I mean he did it for me and every other witch and wizard.” “Wait,” Twilight said, “You actually met him here on this world?” “Well of course, we talked, had a nice lunch, and then he left.” “But did he teach you anything important at all?” she said. “Well of course, he gave me the words I needed to hear, but I can’t tell you them since they were only for me as his words and acts will be for you.” “Well thank you very much for the talk,” Twilight said standing up and pushing her chair in, “But we must leave now if we are to find him, thanks a lot.” “You’re welcome my dear, and should you ever need me just say my name which is Rosaline and then I’ll try to be there very soon for you both.” And with that said she smiled as she waved them goodbye and they left. “Oh those poor unfortunate souls,” she said, “They have no idea of their fate.” And with that said Twilight and Axel went far away from the witch’s cottage. “Well that was completely pointless,” Axel said, “And it just proves the point that there is no possible reasonable way to ever undo the curse that I have.” “Don’t think like that, we will find a way to undo it even if it kills us.” “Hey, that just might be what it takes to undo it then, death,” he said. “Hey, don’t worry, curses are just temporary, but love and joy are forever.” “Oh great, another piece of wisdom,” he said prowling around her now. “Yes, and don’t try to mock me, I know all your silly little games.” “And yet I do not try to mock you, I only try to stay away now.” “I know, and that’s exactly why I am worried for you Axel.” And with that said she leaned in and hugged him very tightly. “Hugging isn’t exactly a Viking or warrior thing,” he said trying to escape in vain. “I know,” she said, “But it is always what we ponies try to do exactly.” And with that said they went on trying to explore this world and others. But they could never find him, but what they did find was even greater, much more so, for eventually they did finally figure a way out for him to be human now, but as the witch said, it would require the greatest sacrifice indeed. > Sacrifice > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Nine: Sacrifice It happened while they were at a mountain pass. Twilight was just walking under it when suddenly rocks fell. There was no warning and even though they were very careful not to make any kind of sound it still happened for some reason, yet it did not matter why or how it happened, what really mattered was what came next of course. For when he saw the rocks falling he instantly blasted them with his fire breath, but that was not enough as more still came to him and he soon saw that it would bury both of them if they didn’t escape right now. “TWILIGHT!” he shouted very loudly, “GET ON MY BACK SO THAT I CAN SAVE YOU, PLEASE!” And with that said Twilight did so without arguing the situation now. And so he flew long and high, or at least he tried to, but that was when a rock suddenly fell on one of his wings instantly breaking it. And then it was at that moment he knew that he couldn’t save her from being crushed unless he did something drastic, and so he quickly covered her using his spare wing and waited for the rocks to come. Eventually after they came through and buried him Twilight slowly managed to work her way out of it and even managed to drag Axel out too. Granted it did take a very long time since she had no magic in this new human world, but she did manage to do it, eventually. But it seemed like Axel was very weak now and on the brink of death too. “Don’t you dare die on me just yet,” Twilight said to him. “Don’t worry,” he said very weakly now, “I still have an oath to honor.” “It’s true, you shouldn’t worry, after all, an oath is a promise,” a new male voice said. And with that Twilight looked up to see a very old man with a gray beard. “Honestly though, I don’t know why I try to bother anymore.” “Are you him?” Twilight said, “Surely you cannot be him, right?” “Well it depends by what you mean by him and he, I am certainly he and him if he is who you think he is, but the name is Star Swirl, and it is very nice to meet you Twilight Sparkle, for I have something very important to tell you now,” and with that said he sat on the ground and started to talk to her then. > Wizard Talk > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Ten: Wizard Talk “Why didn’t you bother to show up earlier?” she shouted very loudly at him. “Calm down, it was not my time earlier, if it was then I would have shown up instead of letting this happen, but I had to let this happen to you.” “Why?” she said as she leaned over his body. “Because it was his choice and sacrifice, and soon he will be human, but not here, you need to go somewhere else before he changes otherwise he will not be safe, and that means a new different completely other world for you two.” “Why does it always have to be a new world?” Twilight said sighing right now. “Because that’s just the way it is, now then he won’t change just yet, it will take a while since you do have a few more things to finish in this world.” “Like what exactly? What more could we need to ever do?” she said. “Firstly, find your friends, and secondly you need to connect the two worlds, so that means that you will have to tell your kind about living in peace with the dragons right now, but other than that I think you should be good.” “Are you sure that’s all?” she said very curiously now. “Well of course it is, unless the author wants a sequel,” he said now. “Wait, what?” Twilight said very curiously. “Oh, nothing, never mind what I just said,” he said. “Alright, okay, fine then,” she said, “Now what do I do exactly?” “Follow your heart and ignore your mind, it will lead you right.” And with that said he smiled and then left her alone now. “WAIT! COME BACK! You can’t leave me like this! What does that mean? Please tell me, come back, I want to know the answer to my question right now!” “Oh Twilight, if I gave you all the answers you would never learn.” And with that said his voice vanished leaving her all alone right now then. > Follow Your Heart > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Eleven: Follow Your Heart “Follow your heart, what does that mean exactly?” she said now. “I think it means whatever you want,” Axel said. “Well I want to go home,” she said, “So that’s exactly where we will go.” And with that said she eventually managed to use a spell that she had prepared before this journey and trip inside a crystal right now then. “You know, I like you Axel, despite all your flaws I really do like you.” “Then that’s what he meant exactly, you have to stay with me no matter what,” he said smiling, “And I like you too, but maybe more than just liking you.” “Oh,” she said realizing the full whole entire complications of this now. “Well I didn’t know that you felt that way,” “Neither did I, but Twilight, just in case I don’t make it, you have been my best and only friend for many years now, all the others, they were very nice and kind but still not the best or like you, no one was ever quite like you…” “Thank you for your kind words, you comfort me,” he said as his smile slowly vanished off of his face and he closed his eyes very slowly right now. “No, don’t die on me, I won’t allow you to,” she said crying right now. “If it is my time then I shall go gloriously and then fight for your name, glory and honor with the gods in the halls of Valhalla for an eternity,” he said very weakly trying to open his eyes in a vain useless attempt and effort. “Don’t you ever dare say that,” she said crying now. “Wait,” he said, “I’m not going to die just yet, my heart tells me that I need to stay with you, but that I have somewhere very important to go too.” And with that said he suddenly raised himself off the ground. “Where to exactly?” Twilight said now. “Back home to the human world again, get on my back.” And with that said and no explanation she did so and when they finally got back he dropped her off on the edge of a cliff and then said a few final last words. “I have to show myself to the people, I don’t know why exactly, but I just know that I have to, and I hope that you will learn why someday soon.” “Do you have to leave me?” she said. “He does,” a very familiar voice said, “He has to make a good pose and ending cliffhanger for the sequel darling, that’s why he is here, oh dear, it seems like I may have ruined some parts and bits with ‘spoilers’, oh well, too bad.” “Star Swirl? What are you doing here exactly?” she said. “Just making one more last final cameo appearance requested by the author to leave you questioning whether or not I was ever really here at all or if I was just in your mind and dreams the whole entire time,” he said smiling as he then suddenly vanished with the wind leaving her very curious right now. “That was very strange, highly unusual, and interesting,” she said now then. And with that said Axel smiled at her for one last final time and then he dived down very quickly to the village making sure to draw attention to himself by roaring very loudly as he got closer to the village thus warning them. “NIGHT FURY! GET DOWN EVERYBODY!” someone shouted since they had no idea that he was very friendly since they had only ever met Hiccup. And with that said every person did and then he attacked some of the houses with his fire breath, roared and then landed on top of the chief’s main house. And then he looked at the crowd with his natural dragon instincts taking over, for some reason he hated them, and he also needed to send a message to warn them off, but he couldn’t talk, so instead he did the only thing that he could. He roared very loudly instead at the crowd. They slowly backed away with fear as he continued to roar even some more. And then he let out one last final roar and flew away into the sky then.