Chapter 5: Steven The Arrogant

Dave managed to squirm free from the leviathan’s tail as the dragon’s concentration was stuck on the injured Steven, the wounded human still clutching his ribs. As Steven was gently laid on the ground his glare focused on Dave.

The broken pieces of rubble from the destroyed construction above began to fall around Dave, a few large pieces of concrete slamming into the ground with enough force to crack and break into smaller pieces.

“If you can heal then maybe I will have to test to see how fast you can recover,” Steven smirked as he pointed at Dave. “Rip him apart!” He commanded and the dragon lunged at Dave, the sharp fangs just falling short as Dave stepped backwards, his eyes looking around to find an advantage.

I need to find some way to trap the dragon while I deal with Steven, Dave thought as he looked at all his possibilities. He settled with diving back through the plastic sheets and back into the lobby, the enclosed space restricting the dragon’s movements as it pursued him.

The dragon’s claws scraped against the smooth floor as it chased Dave. The human rushing up the stairs in time to avoid another attack from the dragon’s jaws, the leviathan roaring as it saw Dave back further away.

Steven smirked as he saw Dave get pushed towards a dead end, his smirk disappeared as something hard collided with the back of his head and made him fall to his knees. He felt a small amount of blood run down his neck and soak into his clothes.

Dave’s attention shifted briefly from the dragon as he spotted an orange Pegasus fly through the air and drop a large slab of concrete onto the reptile’s head. The Pegasus landed next to Dave and they both turned their attention to the dazed dragon.

This is the pony from the photograph, Dave glanced at the pony, the orange body seemed to seamlessly change into a flame red mane that was swept back but a few loose strands still sat on his forehead. So this is Nitro? Dave hummed as he saw that the pony’s cutie mark was of a flame.

The leviathan roared at the Pegasus for attacking it and lashed out with a claw. Dave rushed forward to grab the claw, slowly bringing it to a gentle stop. Nitro flew over Dave to buck the dragon in the eye and caused the leviathan to recoil and back away slightly.

Dave saw Steven stumble into the lobby and the humans exchanged glares before Dave was pulled aside by Nitro. “Hey what the hell do you think you are doing in a place like this?” The human said angrily to the Pegasus.

“Listen! I can stop the dragon from hurting anypony if you do as I say,” Nitro flared his wings as he looked at the recovering leviathan. “Now I need you to get its head in the elevator shaft, there won’t be much space so you will have to avoid at the last second.”

Nitro flapped his wings as he flew up the elevator shaft and Dave gave a small grumble in annoyance. What the heck is he thinking? Still I need to get to Steven as soon as I can and stop him.

The dragon roared loud enough to shake the floor as Dave made his way to the open elevator shaft. Steven stared at Dave as he clutched his broken ribs, “You can’t win Dave! One of us will get you eventually!”

Dave watched as the dragon began to advance again, the dull grey scales on the dragon’s head were covered in small cracks from the damage it sustained. Dave took a few slow breaths as he backed up against the wall in the elevator shaft.

Come on Nitro, whatever you have planned do it soon, Dave thought angrily. His thoughts seemed to be answered as a loud explosion rocked the building and Dave looked up to see the elevator that was on the sixtieth floor was now suddenly rushing towards him.

The dragon roared as it lunged at the distracted Dave, the human realizing that he had to avoid as the dragon’s head smashed through the tight doors. Dave threw himself forwards and slid over the dragon’s scales as he pulled himself through a small gap between the dragon’s neck and the wall.

As the leviathan tried to pull its head back, its horns got caught on the top of the door frame and prevented it from escaping. The dragon peered up in time to see the base of the elevator smash into its head.

Dave stood up as he felt the dust cloud rush past and the sound of squelching stop. He looked back to see the elevator was full of bricks and the top was covered in a small fire, the dragon’s grey scales slowly fading into a light blue.

“H-how?” Dave looked over to see a petrified Steven staring at the deceased dragon. The arrogance gone from his face and an expression of rage consumed him, “HOW COULD I LOSE TO A WEAKLING LIKE YOU!”

As Steven opened his mouth to roar, Dave ran over to grab his throat. The roar still erupted from Steven as he attempted to call for another dragon to assist him. Dave growled as he tightened his grip and began to choke Steven.

“Just give up!” Dave growled as he forced Steven to his knees and increased the force around his neck until Steven’s voice failed and his eyes began to slowly close.

Before Steven had the chance to pass out he saw a large pipe swing across Dave’s head and sent him flying away from him. Steven gasped for air before seeing Nitro float over to Dave, wings flapping gently as the pipe rested in his front hooves.

Dave glared at Nitro and snarled as he saw Steven get to his feet and run away. “You idiot! What did you do that for?” He yelled at Nitro.

“You are a disgusting freak!” Nitro spat at Dave as hatred boiled in his eyes. “You dirtied the princesses and just because other ponies can’t see through your lies means that you deserve the position you are given!”

“I forgot you are supposed to hate anything that isn’t a pony,” Dave stood as he sighed. “I don’t have time to listen to your racist rants so step aside.”

“I will find a way to destroy you Dave Shield!” Nitro barely had time to finish his sentence as Dave grabbed his shoulders and head-butted him unconscious in one attack. Dave dropped the Pegasus aside as he hurried in the direction Steven ran.

Meanwhile…

Steven turned a corner and stopped to catch his breath, his heart racing as he struggled against the pain that attempted to drag his body down. He froze as felt a pair of hands rest on his shoulders, he turned slowly before sighing in relief.

“Oh Hank it is you,” Steven sighed thankfully. “I found out Dave’s powers and what he is capable of!”

Hank nodded to the younger man, “I saw, I made sure to keep an eye on your fight in case you were killed.”

Steven looked hurt by the comment, “B-but you should have faith in my abilities!”

“I have faith in the abilities, but not you,” Hank stared at Steven as he placed his fingers on Steven’s throat. “You failed your task and due to this you are no longer worthy to be one of us.”

A flash of light accompanied a loud ripping noise as Steven’s cry of pain was cut short by his throat being removed and the removed body part was absorbed into Hank’s own. Steven clutched at the long black cloak Hank was wearing as he slowly fell to the ground.

Hank snapped his fingers and disappeared as the sounds of footsteps approached him. A few moments later and Dave rushed past, skidding to a halt as he looked back to see Steven, face down on the floor.

“Oh crap, hold on!” Dave dropped to Steven’s side as he rolled him over to look at his injury. Dave froze when he realized that there was nothing he could do for such a large wound that was oozing blood.

Steven reached up to grab Dave’s shirt and left a bloody hand print before his body became void of life and his arm fell to the floor. Dave looked over the dead human before taking a deep breath and standing up.

Meanwhile…

Celestia and Luna were both having a meal as they prepared to switch duties. Celestia was having a proper dinner while a tired Luna was only just eating breakfast. The princess of the night yawned loudly as she slowly ate her warm porridge.

“You know sister you did bring this upon yourself,” Celestia giggled behind a white hoof as Luna gave her an unimpressed stare. “Well at least you got to see Dave before he headed to Manehatten.”

Luna groaned quietly as she yawned again, “I am just unsure as to why Dave had to go under such short notice.”

The two royal sisters were interrupted as a royal guard burst into the dining room and bowed to each of the princesses. “I apologize for the intrusion your majesties!”

Celestia gave Luna a nervous glance before looking back at the guard, “Yes, what is it?”

“Word has reported that some humans are on their way from Manehatten,” The guard kept his head low as the princesses looked at each other in shock. Luna quickly darted from her seat as she charged out into the corridor.

The princess of the night quickly ran for the castle gardens and took to the air, her ascent taking her over the castle before she flew towards the city. Luna increased her speed as she saw her destination and only started to slow when she was about to crash into the ground.

As Luna’s hooves made contact with the stone street she hurried up to a house and began bashing on the door with her hooves. As she banged on the door the sound of rushing hooves was quickly followed by Flux opening the door with a small gasp.

“Princess Luna,” Flux stepped aside to let the alicorn in before wrapping a wing around her. “You must be freezing, it is like a blizzard out there!”

Luna glanced back to see a heavy snowstorm outside, in her haste to get information she hadn’t even registered what the weather was like. The princess shook her body as any loose snow fell from her fur.

“I must see Strong Shield!” Luna called into the house, “I know you are here!”

Strong Shield stepped out of the kitchen, his eye slowly moving over to look at the cold princess. “Is something the matter?”

“Why are there humans on their way to Canterlot?” Luna walked over to the unicorn and glared down at him. “When are you going to stop using Dave for your own selfish needs?”

“Humans?” Flux looked at Strong Shield before looking back at Luna. “I thought Dave went to Manehatten to find out about Battering Ram.”

Strong Shield hummed, “His death must have been part of a plot.”

“Death?” Luna looked at the two ponies standing either side of her. “Battering Ram is… dead?”

“He was…” Strong Shield looked at Flux sympathetically. “He was murdered and Dave offered to go instead of us.”

Luna froze on the spot, conflicted between distrusting Strong Shield and her shock in knowing that a friend had been murdered. “Did Dave know about this?”

“He knew Battering Ram was dead but nothing more,” Strong Shield looked at Flux. “I am sorry I didn’t tell you earlier but I didn’t want to upset you.”

Luna looked back at Flux to see the purple mare had tears streaming down her face, the princess turned to look at Strong Shield, a sad expression across his face. Luna knew how well Strong Shield could hide his true emotions yet he had lost somepony he had called his brother.

“I am sorry for what has happened,” Luna sighed. “I shall have some guards take the humans to the castle and if anything is discovered about Battering Ram’s murder then I shall inform you both immediately.”

Flux tried to give a weak smile but even that was difficult. “T-thank you Princess Luna, we appreciate it.”

Luna wrapped a wing around the Pegasus and nuzzled her cheek softly. “I am sorry for your loss, I will make sure Battering Ram is properly avenged.”

“J-just make sure my son gets home safe,” Flux asked as she looked up at Luna. “I couldn’t forgive myself if something bad happened to him too.”

Strong Shield walked over to nuzzle Flux, “Don’t worry, I’m sure Dave is fine.”

Meanwhile…

Nitro awoke to see a pair of feet standing beside his head, he looked up to see the silhouette of a human standing above him. “Wha…. What the…. Where am I?”

“You are currently in a jail cell located in the Manehatten Police Station,” Dave knelt down as he grabbed the pony’s mane. “And they have given me ten minutes alone so I can get some information out of you.”

“What makes you think I know anything?” Nitro snapped at Dave.

“You were nearby when the fight between me and Steven happened, and had enough time to set up a trap before making your presence clear,” Dave picked up the pony and lifted him above his head. “Now what do you know about the human we fought?”

Nitro snarled as he looked at Dave, “And why would I tell you anything you disgusting freak?”

“Wrong answer,” Dave muttered as he slammed Nitro onto the floor.