Chapter 3

                                                                  The Contact

                                                            “Ta lose yur honor, yur integrity is ta lose yur way.”

                                                                                                               Granny Smith

‘Damn good ale’ Flash Sentry thought as he brought his mug full of honeyed ale to his lips and took a sip. He currently sat within a crowded tavern in Ravenhoof. He and his companion Dustwind a short tan Pegasus mare, were waiting for a pony named Moondancer. She had contacted him through a good friend of his Dr. Whooves who he smuggled slaves across Stormwing territory for. She had wanted him and his platoon to join her revolution of sorts after hearing of how he had led a group of ponies to defect from House Earthborn. Flash had scoffed at the idea of another faction throwing its hat into the ring. The way he saw it this House Brightflame was probably just as bad as all the others lead by another power-hungry schemer wishing to bring yet more suffering and violence to Equestria to further his own twisted agenda. But after some coaxing from the Doc his reluctantly agreed and had a meeting set up and now he waited. Flash glanced at Dustwing, whose wings were twitching slightly betraying her anxiety.

“They’re late, that’s a bad sign right?” She asked nervously as her fore hooves gripped the edge of the oaken table. Flash chuckled as he took another sip of his ale.

“They’ll be here. The Doc’s never been wrong before so calm down Dust.”  

“Yes sir,” She mumbled as she took a sip of her own drink, a stiff cider.

Flash turned his attention to the ponies that sat mingling and drinking in the tavern and saw two cloaked figures walk into the bar. One of the figures spotted him and mumbled something to her companion as they made their way toward Flash Sentry and Dustwind.

One of them pulled their hood back revealing a beautiful fuchsia mare with silver eyes and an auburn mane.  

“You must be Moondancer,” Flash said extending a hoof toward her. She took it and gave it a firm shake.

“Yes I am it’s an honor to finally meet you Flash Sentry.”

“From what the Doc says about you likewise I guess. This is my second in command Dustwind,” He said tilting his head toward the tan mare beside him. She gave Moondancer a nod, her once nervous demeanor replaced by a steely gaze that betrayed no emotion.

“Who's your friend?” She asked glancing at the pony beside Moondancer who had yet to remove his hood.

Moondancer smirked and dropped the illusion spell that hid her horn granting her a look of surprise from the two pegasi. She cast a quick spell and in just as quickly as the horn had appeared it disappeared.

“A unicorn color me surprised,” Dustwind said regaining her composure just as quickly,” What did you do?”

Moondancer chuckled,” Just cast a spell that will keep prying eyes and ears away while we conduct our business here and as to whom this is.” She turned to her companion as he pulled his hood back revealing a purple scaled dragon with toxic green spines and bright emerald eyes.

“Meet Lord Pryequill master of House Brightflame.”

Flash Sentry and Dustwing both shared a look at pure shock as they looked around the tavern to see if everypony else were seeing what they were seeing but no one paid any heed to the dragon as though he wasn’t even there.

“Shocked I see,” The dragon said as he sat down on his scaled haunches.

Flash was the first to find his voice.

” Sure as hell wasn’t expecting for you to be a dragon. Well I can honestly say I’ve seen everything today that’s for damn sure. So what the hell could you want with me and my ponies that you can’t get yourself.” The orange pegasus said still not believing the situation he’d landed himself in.

The dragon chuckled, “Contrary to popular belief we dragons aren’t immortal. We have massive lifespans yes but we can be killed. Besides that I need ponies to join my cause that won’t kill anything that their superiors point at. I need a pony with honor and a good sense for tactics on the battlefield.”

Flash cast a glance toward Moondancer and took a long drought from his ale. Once setting the mug down, he fixed the dragon with a hard stare.

“And what exactly is your ‘cause’ Pyrequill,”

A dark look flashed across the dragons eyes as smoke came out of his snout.

“I want to see all the ponies responsible for tearing Equestria apart brought low but above all else I wish to see House Moon and Stars burn.”

Flash had seen that look in many ponies’ eyes before and he knew what it meant this dragon wanted revenge but among the anger in his eyes the orange pegasus noticed the sorrow hidden under it. “Tell me what spurred this along? This need to destroy House Moon and Stars.”  

The dragon was silent for a while a pained look crossing his face until he sighed morosely and said, “I allowed someone I loved like a sister turn into the monster that started Equestria’s downfall. What’s more she then locked me away like an animal, some loyal dog to do her bidding when she needs it. So I began to plan and bring together ponies who wish to help me set things right and bring an end to this bloody war.”

The dragon then met Flash Sentry’s hard gaze.

“I need someone that has proven that his integrity is not something he casts aside. I need someone that can lead an army into battle and win with his honor and the honor of the ponies under him intact and I believe you are that pony. So Flash Sentry will you help me bring these tyrants to their knees?”

“Sir I believe we should consider their offer.”

Flash looked at his second-in-command she was always cautious when it came to decisions, a quality that led her to being his right hoof mare. Flash inclined his head toward her allowing her to continue.

“With things going as they are, this war will just get worse until there is no more blood to be shed. We may have taken a stand of our own but we are too few to make a difference.”

Flash sighed then remained silent weighing his options until he arrived at his decision.

“We’ll join you but we are not your lackeys understand.”

The Dragon grinned at his answer and extended his claw toward Flash. “Allies?”

Flash met his claw with a hoof and shook it wearing a smirk of his own.

“Allies.”  

Twilight Sparkle glared at the seraph before her," What do you mean you couldn't find him?"

"Just that Archmage we lost the trail above Whitetail Woods."

"He is fourteen stories tall," Twilight replied coolly," how could you loose the trail of a creature of that size and of that magical presence?"

Just then the doors to Twilights chamber opened. The purple unicorn looked up to see Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence as she often preferred  walk into the room. The pink alicorn was adorned in a light blue crystal dress.

"Leave us," Twilight told the unicorn before her who promptly turned tail and rushed out of the room. Cadence trotted up to Twilight and embraced her.

"I came as soon as I heard. I am so sorry. are you aright?"

"I'm fine Cadence. Just a bit shaken up,"

Stepping back the pink alicorn studied he sister-in-law's face and saw almost no emotion. Over the past few years she had fretted over the unicorn. Both her and her brother hadn't been the same since their parents death. Both had become hard in some cases cold toward others and often each other.

"The only thing that concerns me at the moment though is Canterlot's safety," Twilight said as she made toward the door," I must find Spike or we lose our trump card."

A confused look crossed Cadence's face," Trump card? He is a living soul Twilight not a trump card."

" He is the one reason Canterlot has yet to be a target. As well he is mine," the purple mare said with a cold tone," and as such I wish to have him back."

Cadence stomped a hoof," Twilight Sparkle he was your friend and assistant for years shouldn't that count for something. He even forsook the one he loved for you and yet he is just an object to you. Why?!"

"Enough!" Twilight boomed ,power oozed off the purple mare's frame as she amplified he voice with magic," we will speak no more of this matter Princess. Am I clear,"

Cadence simply nodded.

"Good. Now then shall we make way to the dinning?" Twilight said with a commanding tone still in her voice," I'm sure you are famished from your trip."

The pink alicorn stiffly left the room with the puple unicorn close behind.  Cadence didn't know when she had started to fear the once adorable bookworm she had loved but now more than ever she found she genuinely feared Twilight Sparkle. Next Chapter: Dragon's Blood Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 18 Minutes