There and Back Again

Celestia’s feet pounded away as she darted over the ground, Twilight struggling to keep up with her. She’d volunteered to go on this mission of peace with Celestia when Luna was too busy to come, and the sisters had decided that it might be for the best if Twilight was exposed to the full extents of princess hood. Including, as it so happened, cross dimensional politics and how to make the best tea in the Expanse.

This world seemed to suggest that both those might be achieved from this trip, having shown that the various inhabitants seemed to love the hot drink as another world might love chocolate milk. Unfortunately, this was vastly overshadowed by the fact that they seemed dutifully bound to war, unlike any other world Celestia had ever seen. They never even advanced the arts, as soon as steel was discovered it had been nothing but bloodshed since.

Celestia had sought to bring peace to this world, maybe not all at once, but over time. An idea that was cast out as, upon arrival, they were immediately attacked by the town guard. Their human forms, originally to allow easy discussion, now served as the means of their powerful escape. Celestia had had several practice sessions with movement in this strange body, Twilight however, was finding it to be quite the handicap.

Luckily, as always, she was a fast learner. “Celestia!” Twilight called, her voice wavering at the needless expenditure of oxygen. “Where are we going?”

“We only need to find a moment of silence and I can send us back to Canterlot!” Celestia called back, turning down an alley way. Twilight followed hurriedly, the pounding of the guard’s growing closer. She heard the sound of bow strings going taut and she flinched in anticipation. However, the whiz of arrows was blocked out by an extremely loud clanging.

Celestia stopped to look back and Twilight did the same. A large form filled the alleyway with solid sheets of metal wrapped about it’s body. It lacked a traditional weapon, but bore a shield decorated with several spikes. Twilight, seeing the monster that had shown up, began to run away. However, as she turned, she ran into Celestia, who didn’t even flinch at the collision.

Twilight looked between Celestia and the monster curiously, wondering what had caused the princess to stop her retreat. Until it suddenly became obvious to Twilight in a burst of recognition. It was mind control, hypnotism, nothing else could explain it. She heard the war cry of the guards and glanced back to the monster, watching as several muscular warriors charged the form. “Celestia, we’ve got to get going before they get past it!”

“They won’t…”

“What?” Twilight turned to see the monster, with one single swing of it’s shield, send all the guards tumbling away, all the while standing its ground perfectly still in the alley way.

“Steel Wall… but…” The princess seemed both happy and sad at the same time as she spoke.

The massive creature turned to face them, it’s helmet slit so thinly that no inch of the face beneath could be seen. The guards looked at each other before deciding they would need a bit more help now. They left to get reinforcements and the armored form approached the princess. Twilight backed away as it closed the distance until it was only inches from Celestia.

“You died…”

The form reached an armored hand into it’s chest piece and pulled a shining medallion from inside. It held it out to Celestia and she smiled. “I guess your promises were stronger than I first assumed.”

The monster took it’s shield in both hands and slammed it into the hard packed dirt to free up its hands. Then it stooped into a bow in front of Celestia, every inch of it’s form clinking and clunking about in a very ungraceful manner.

A white orb formed on Celestia’s hand and she looked at Steel Wall with a reminiscent smile. “I guess we have a lot to catch up on.”

... So who saved Canterlot?

Twilight Velvet shared a worried glance with her husband, Nightlight. They shared a moment where they could both see the overwhelming terror that was worming up inside the other, then they quickly broke eye contact to look around their room once again, knowing full well, however, that this would only cause more alarm and angst in their minds and bodies. It took the other ponies in the room only a moment before they saw the fearful shaking of the husband and wife, and were quick to their sides to reassure them.

“I assure you, this spell will work perfectly. We have tightened the filters extensively on what is allowed to come through the gate.” The mere mention of the noun made both parents look to what he was referring to and shivers danced over their spines as their eyes gazed upon it, the same reaction they’d had when they’d first seen it as well. It was so… alien and foreign… so wrong…

Their minds went to their son who was busy with his new duties in the Crystal empire, and to his bride, their daughter in law, the crowned princess who he served beside. They dwelt on many things, but foremost among them was worry and wishes, worry and wishes that those two ponies were here now, to support them. Because, even as powerful mages as they were, they missed their family now more than ever.

Their daughter had gone to Ponyville, and who knew when she’d be back, and it was terrifyingly lonely in Canterlot for them now, in the midst of this panic and fret, worried sick for their separated children. Squeamishly, Twilight Velvet looked up to the lunar guard who had spoken mere moments ago. “And you’re sure that the princesses would approve of this?” Out of the corner of her eye she could still the scorch marks in the shape of a star.

“Without a doubt.” Came the reassuring reply, and Velvet took it to heart. She breathed deeply and let the calm and peace rest her panicking muscles, with her husband following her lead only a few seconds later. She planted her legs firmly on the outline now, and Nightlight did the same and together they looked to the guard and nodded. He responded the same and left them be.

“Whenever you’re ready.” Came the call from the edge of the room. Nightlight looked into Velvet’s eyes and together on some unspoken command they poured their magic into the glyph beneath them. Yet, despite the concentration this demanded, the duo didn’t break eye contact, not even once.

Light began to fill the chamber and the lunar guards backed away slowly, amazed at the raw magical potential of these two unicorns. It was nothing like the princesses, certainly, but it was still astounding to see from nobles. The light brightened and began to fill in the star between the pair, slow going, but steady. From the corners of their eyes they watched it fill in, watched the spell progress.

However, large amounts of magic are known for being unstable.

The spell began to waver, breaking free of it’s bindings, but Velvet and Nightlight continued on despite the cries of the guards telling them to stop. They were part of the pattern now, to try and break free would be catastrophic at best. Tears began to leak out as they stared at each other, both of them dreading what was to come. They only had so much magic, and the spell hadn’t been completed because of it’s instability. If someone didn’t act fast, they wouldn’t be living one day longer.

A voice echoed from the spell, an impossibility as it was only a collection of raw magic now, not a portal, not anything. “I guess that works.” Everyone looked at one another but there was no time to talk or shout, because the spell soon burst to pieces, sending both unicorns outwards, where they were quickly collected and healed by several waiting lunar guards.

The explosion had filled the middle of the room with smoke, and therein they could see three strange forms, shuffling about. “Hmph.” Came a voice, different from the first, and it was quickly followed by the sound a sword being moved into it’s sheath. “I was hoping to fight as soon as I got here.”

“Now now.” Came the last voice. “How rude, they have after all summoned us to help, surely we can do better than complain.”

The smoke brushed aside to reveal three tall and imposing figures. The first was clad in a large red cloak, an equally large sword resting over his shoulder and a pair of dark shades hiding his face from view. A strange jug was tied around his waist, marked with strange symbols, and his left arm was tucked nicely into his coat like a haphazard sling.

The second one looked like madness himself and a long scar marked his face as a war trophy. His hair was spiked sharply and at the end of each spike was a single bell. A white vest was worn over a long black robe and a sword rested itself over his shoulder as well, albeit battered and scarred.

The last stood calmly and straight, a small cross hung about his neck and a large sword was hung vertically across his back, the hilt making another cross and making him look all the more imposing. A black vest was worn over a red cape, much like the others, however what set him apart greatly was his eyes, sharp dagger-like eyes that cut through a ponies soul.

These three swordsman, utterly unstoppable by themselves, were the ones who had accepted the call to aid Canterlot. And, as the ponies looked at them they had no doubt they would succeed. They just hoped Canterlot would be in one piece afterwards.

Six if by Sea

Twilight looked up at the massive wooden ship that rested on the pier, ready to cross the shining water toward the changeling hive on the other side of the massive body of water. All her friends were present alongside her, having joined her at the princess’s request, and they were all prepared to leave. All that was left was to climb aboard the monstrosity of a water-going vessel and have the crew make way.

This was an assignment that would affect the entirety of Equestria for a long time to come and Celestia had chosen the bearers of the elements as the most qualified to take the task. They were to be the first recorded ambassadors with the changeling hive and they were to come up with a way that both civilizations could live in peace without fear of attack.

It had come as a surprise to both of the princesses when they had received a note from the changelings informing them of the change in their government and their newfound desire for peace. After much discussion between the solar and lunar rulers it was determined that the note could be trusted and they began to seek out a way to cross the massive body of water that split the continent down the middle, which was far too large for pegasus to fly over with the lack of updrafts over the ocean while changelings could store large amounts of energy in their wings for just such a trip..

The number of ponies with skills in sailing were not nearly as plentiful as some other jobs, not to mention a few of those who did chose to be pirates rather than traders. Even then, no stallion nor mare had ever tried to sail across the water, often choosing to stay within sight of land at all times instead. The uncharted lengths of deep ocean had been long avoided by any sailors for fear of what might live there, leaving the princesses with no hireable crew.

With desperation building to find some way to transport the elements across the sea to settle the differences of between the two they had sent out a plea to the general populace of Equestria to find someone who would accept the job. For about a month they received nothing until they eventually got a return response.

The author of the note didn’t openly volunteer for the job but he spoke of a group of hireable sailors who would do just about anything for the right price. With this being the only potential workers they sent a note to what was the supposed working building for them. In the note they detailed the immense reward of five hundred bits to each crew member as well as all expenses paid and all damages compensated. Almost immediately the princesses gotten a letter announcing that they would take the job.

Afterwards the six mares had been informed that in two months they were to leave to the pier town of Coral to meet up with their guides. Twilight had packed several books on politics as well as a few small tomes for nautical use. Rainbow hadn’t packed anything at all, claiming that she wouldn’t need anything anyway. It was okay though because Applejack had packed enough food for everyone and a half. Rarity had to be persuaded by all five of her friends to only bring two hats, Fluttershy had packed moderately with just about everything and Pinkie had, of course, packed party supplies.

The day to leave came sooner rather than later and they soon found the carriage waiting for them, to take them to the town near the water. It was a brief trip and upon arrival the town was already abuzz with the information of their arrival and they were greeted warmly by the majority of the population, though a few gave them glares as they passed. This had led to them, standing here, next to a ship, waiting for something to happen.

With a loud thunk a wooden boarding ramp hit the ground in front of them, jarring Twilight from her thoughts. An outline of a stallion was visible against the bright sky behind him for a moment before he walked back out of view. Glancing to the others Twilight started up the wooden board, Rainbow Dash flying beside her to ensure the protection of the unicorn. Behind the duo was Applejack, behind her was Rarity, behind her was Fluttershy, and bringing up the rear was Pinkie Pie.

The elements weren’t quite sure what reactions they expected when they boarded the ship but being completely ignored wasn’t quite on the list. Only one stallion even glanced at them before getting back to his work, moving around barrels or securing line. Unsure of what exactly to do they all stood at the edge of the ship, out of the way, waiting for something to happen.

Eventually a stallion walked onto the deck of the ship from out of one of the two rooms. He glanced about the ship for a moment before spotting the six mares off to the side and started his approach. As he turned it became visible that one of his front legs had been replaced with a wooden peg leg just below the middle joint. Despite this the sailor managed a steady, even, gait across the deck until he was within a few feet of the elements.

The stallion paused for a moment and grinned. His coat was a dirty white color and his mane was cut short behind his head. Atop his short head was a tricorner hat that sat at a precarious uptilt away from his muzzle, giving full view of his face to the assorted passengers. His muzzle was scared and cracked from consistent rope burn as well as some small scars and his legs displayed the same condition.

Slung across his side was a cutlass that was within easy reach of his mouth as well as an oddly shaped weapon that appeared to be designed with some kind of firing mechanism. The sailor’s grin stayed on his face for a few more moments before he turned to the assorted crew members with a determined glare.

“Be we all set to set sail you lily livered pike?” he shouted to all the ponies present with a tone of ridicule in his voice.

“Aye aye, Captain!” Came the reply from the ponies who all saluted the stallion with the tricorner hat.

“Good!” he exclaimed before turning back to the six mares. “I take it ye be our bonny passengers assigned to us by the royals?” His tone was an odd neutral as he spoke to them and the mares all paused for a moment to figure out how to respond.

“Indeed we are good sir, and may I be the first to thank you for offering your services to our cause.” Rarity was the first to speak up and the stallion grinned once again.

“Well then, I welcome ye to me ship, The Forever Going. And I suggest ye not be thanking us quite yet. Ye be havin’ to take up your end of the slack as well, a few of me crew jumped ship when they heard we be headin’ out past the Deeps. Ye lasses are gon’ be having chores that you will make up for that, so I recommend that ye be kickin’ off yer kitty boots and gettin’ ready for some real work. Be I understood?” The stallion asked with his gruff tone.

The captain received a pause of uncertainty as the mares tried to digest what they had just heard. “I said. Be I understood!?” The stallion repeated in a shout as he glared at each of the elements in turn. Slowly Twilight nodded and the stallion grinned once again. “Good, ye be gettin’ the co-captain’s quarters since that gutless coward ditched the ship. Have a good night and I’ll be gettin’ some crew mates to show ya yer work tomorrow. So enjoy yer day off.”

The elements all nodded again and watched as the captain returned to his quarters. Eventually they were awoken from their shock the slap of a mop on the deck next to them and they looked at each other in uncertainty.

“Oh boy! I’ve never worked on a ship before! I wonder if it will be fun!” Pinkie exclaimed as she started to bounce around on the deck. The elements all sighed at the earth ponies actions and slowly headed towards the room opposite the captain’s. It was going to be a long trip, the least they could do was at least get their things together and hope that it might not be so bad.

Villainy

High atop a twisted pile of metal there was a man, hated by all who knew his name. A black cloak whipped in the air behind him warning it away and his raven hair joined in the odd flowing dance with juvenile twists and turns of its own.. His body refused to move in the same way though, instead being stubbornly rigid against the gusts that were rushing about the open air. The sleeves of the cloak were long and went to his wrists, but his hands were bare of clothing, covered instead by the persistent oil smears that had haunted them for his entire life.

The man was tapping his fingers idly as he waited, yet another ghost of his past that refused to leave him be, but a ghost that he paid no heed, instead focusing his attention on the entrance to the room, a pair of large wooden double doors that were set in the wall far below him, ensuring when they entered he would have the height advantage. The air was occupied by a sort of half song mixed by the rhythmic pumping sounds of machinery and his idle tapping playing a light bass line. His face bore no smile of evil superiority, he was much too old for that, he’d grown out of that several years before, just a friendly grin of welcome, one that seemed far too forced for where he stood. There was no pride he held in this victory of his, he had grown tired of it, this all too common, flawless victory.

In fact, it was less than a minute later when the doors were blown open, black smoke curling around the site where the explosion had detonated. Snakes encircling their prey in ominous rings. Unfortunately, their lives ended as three men and one woman entered through the door, forcing them to dissipate on the wind.. The sheer magnitude of the four’s determination almost enough to affect the man who stood poised above them, yet his smile hadn’t budged and neither had he. Why would he? Everything was going to plan.

“Hello.” The tone of the man was calm, striking a dark comparison between his smile and his words. “I am ever so pleased you made it on time.” He took a step forward so as to catch the eyes of the four who stood below him. Beneath him. “Of course, that’s on time for me. If you meant to achieve your goal then you are a few minutes late.” The tone had shifted quickly, a sneer having found it’s way into his throat and carried through his speech, but he quickly shunted it away. He would not let himself fall into that cycle of pride and pain.

“What are you planning to do, Dredge?! Tell me!” It was the largest of the men who said this, his tone full of rage. As he spoke, a feeling that can only be described as a mixture of glee and guilt ran through Dredge’s body at the sound of his name, he hadn’t been called by that in a while. He wanted it to go away completely, but he knew there was no point in fighting it. Not here anyway. The response was delayed for a moment as the man took a few seconds to digest the odd emotion that had surged through him. Then, his smile reasserted itself and a glint flashed in his eye.

“You aren’t in much of a position to be making demands you know. You may think you have the upper hand, but all that means is that I bluffed far better than I thought.” He saw looks of confusion cover the faces of all but the girl, her face displaying concern. “Ah, I see that Miss Lou has figured it out already, a prodigy just as her teachers said. If it wouldn’t bother you too much then, would you kindly explain it to your less then mentally endowed companions?”

“You can’t actually be planning to do this.” Her voice was sickeningly worried about him. She always did care a little too much about people. Even the villains got her damnable pity. “It will tear you apart!”

A feeling of appeasement pushed away the feeling of being cared for as he saw each of the others look amongst themselves, their eyes saying quite obviously ‘That wouldn’t be too horrible.’ Oh it felt so good to be hated. His skin crawled and shivered at the looks and he felt the twisted smile fighting it’s way back to his face. It was harder to push it down again.

“No, Miss Lou. It would tear you apart. You may recall that I have a certain affinity for immortality.”

“Enough of this witty banter.” It was the slimmest man now, a white rifle hanging from his grasp for but a moment before he pointed the barrel toward Dredge’s head and, without hesitation, pulled the trigger. The sound of it’s explosion rocked the room as it drove the bullet powerfully through the air. Faster than the blink of an eye, the bullet met it’s target and the man was knocked off his feet and out of sight from the people at the door.

Silence reigned as high commander with it’s generals. Disbelief, Hope, Uncertainty, and Surprise. The sound of metal broke the regime in one fell swoop, wiping away the false beliefs as it filled the air. A second later and the man slowly rose from his prone position, the last of the smoke floating off of his forehead from where the bullet had make contact, but had failed to pierce. “Thank you, Ralph, for proving my point.” The force seemed to have knocked some sense into the man, his tone calm once again.

“My congratulations on your victories, you win.” Dredge said, sparing a glance toward the console to his right to confirm his guess. When he looked back toward the heroes he was greeted precisely how he thought he would. Confused. “I realize that Miss Lou didn’t get the opportunity to finish her assessment, so allow me. This is a multi-dimensional matter transporter. The purpose behind it is to take a person and force them through to their intended destination. After much tinkering I managed to set it correctly. I will be teleported to a habitable planet somewhere far away from your stupid ideals, and then you’ll be free to spread them all over this planet as you fill the power vacuum I leave behind.”

The hum of the machine intensified and a manic grin split Dredge’s face, accompanied by a flinch as the dark grin finally fought it’s way out. He attempted to hide it from the heroes below. “I will be off from here. I can’t win, after all, against you four. So I will go to this other planet, change things, set myself a life on course.”

“I can’t let you escape my judgement, you fiend! To carry your fear and terror to some new realm!” Claimed the third and final man, his templar armor shining as it always did. “I have retrieved, from the deep halls of Orginath, the one weapon that will pierce your defenses.” As he made this claim he pulled, from his deceptively small bag, a spear that shone despite the lack of light. “Taste the sharpened edge of the Justicar!”

The spear was thrown into the air, as the machinery began to spin faster. With apathetic eyes the man walked away from the heroes and towards a purple portal that had began to form in the air at the center of his machinery. Just as he was about to step over the threshold the blade made contact with the man, and it dug deeply into his flesh before flying out and away, the man’s pace seemingly unhindered by the gash.

He did let one side glance pass to the heroes, the ones who realized he was going to escape, the ones who had for so long wanted to make things ‘right’. And he looked at them with a look of deep pity that none of them would understand for a long time. In fact, Lou would be the only one who even realized it at all.

He’d tried to do what they intended to do now. And with all his power, and all his influence, he’d failed. Time and time again, he’d failed. Until, at last, he snapped, his mind splintered, he’d gone mad with a level of strength no man should ever have. And now, with sanity returning, he’d had enough of it all.

After he had passed through the portal it collapsed and the machine exploded, rendering it unrepairable. He didn’t want them following, should they ever discover a way to survive the intense pressure of the device. That would most definitely throw a spanner in the gears.

As he exited the other end of the portal he was immediately aware of his surroundings. A forest, the majority of the area was shrouded in darkness, the shade from the large stretching branches blotting out much of the light that endeavored to brighten the ground beneath them. Some light managed to get past in holes between the trees but it was generally outmatched by the dark around it. Much like the mind of the man who stood in it’s midst even now.

He hadn’t moved since his arrival, to do so without knowing his surroundings fully would have been foolish. Instead he let his eyes analyze everything around him, the trees and bushes, the dirt, the small blue plants a short distance from his feet, everything was examined and subsequently prioritized in a ranking of ‘most dangerous’. When all of it had been judged, Dredge stepped away from the plants immediately. The vividness of their colors practically shouting ‘we’re poisonous’ to the man. Plants wanted to live, not to kill. Nature would tell you when to stay away, and it would be to your own detriment if you ignored the signs.

Secondly, he turned to listen closer to the screams that were coming from a short distance off. They were high pitched, certainly, but they held a specific tinge to them that led the man to think they originated from a young male of some description. Deciding that it would be best to investigate, if only to find out how he could avoid a similar fate, Dredge set off towards the sound.

Watching each individual step he took the man approached the noise, until at last it’s source came into view. It took but a moment for the man to confirm what his eyes had seen, luckily he had expected to see odd sights or else it might have taken him longer to recover than it had. A small, scaley, purple, and bipedal creature was caught in an oversized spider web. A bright red bird next to it’s left claw. Both were immobile besides what small actions they could manage with their bodies bound.

Dredge crouched to hide himself, his dark cape swirling around him almost as if by instinct, and making his form harder to spot in the bushes. Instead of running forward into this situation like the back of his mind urged him to do, he hung back instead, waiting to see what would happen. He always preferred first hand experience when it happened to someone else anyway. Before too long the inevitable occurred, the web began to shake and the two beings caught in it’s sticky grasp froze solid. As if hoping that by some miracle that would make their predator pass over them.

Nevertheless the black creature clambered out of the trees and toward the foolish beings it had caught in it’s web. From this distance Dredge assumed it to be about twelve feet from left leg to right leg and about eight feet long from head to spinneret. “Hello. I hope you’ve had a full life my treats, for it is about to end.” The spiders talked here, that was interesting.

“Come- come on, you wouldn’t try and eat a dragon right? We have thick scales you know. Why, I doubt that your teeth would be able to pierce them.” The purple ‘dragon’ seemed to be trying to fake it’s way past the creature by boast alone. An honorable goal but foolish in all rights. Even if it was a dragon, spiders had a tendency to... get their way with their prey so to say.

“Oh, a dragon? Why, I haven’t tasted dragon in ten years, or was it twenty? Hmmm.” Panic hit the purple biped and he began to squirm against the silk bindings that held him tight. “Yes, he fought as well. Well no worries young dragon, you see, I won’t be gnawing on you like some gummy babe. I am a shredder spider, you see.” The female arachnid twirled about to show her body in it’s entirety. “My teeth can shred diamond, you see, so your death shall be swift.”

It was at this point that the man began to fight with himself about if he should leave them be or not. Nothing was keeping him there physically of course, but the pros and cons of his choice began to flow through his mind. After arguing with a nonexistent force in his head, the man sighed and stood. It would be easier to leave them be, definitely, but if someone found out he had done so before he established an outstanding reputation then things would go sour fast.

Besides, maybe saving the reptilian and it’s red feathered friend would get him some degree of sway with a nearby community or some similar reward. Of course, there was every chance that the spiders would make good allies, but he didn’t particularly like the idea of teaming up with ferocious eaters. Taking a moment to straighten his cloak and observe his surroundings for something he could use, Dredge began his approach. If he was going pretend himself a hero, he needed to look likable. It seemed a universal rule.

“My sincerest apologies good sir, but both of these creatures seem to be quite young. Surely you wouldn’t end their lives so readily would you? After all, you seem to have quite a store of food there in the corner nearest you.” His words dragged the attention of all three creatures, each of them perplexed by what they saw. Which was quite a look on the bird and quite the frightening glare on the spider.

The spider was the first to recover. “Hello to you as well, my fine fellow. I might be inclined to free them in another circumstance but, as I’m sure you would agree, it is better to have a surplus of food than to starve.” The man nodded a few times and spared a quick glance to the captives. The dragon seemed to be whispering to the bird at his side, then he made a few motions towards Dredge that seemed to ask him to distract the creature.

“But surely there is other food to be had, I imagine that such a smart and clever creature as yourself should have little trouble.” Asking nicely hadn’t worked, time to play to an ego. He had had quite a bit of experiance with heroes in his years, he knew a few of the tricks to the role. It was working as well, he seemed to have the spider’s ear. Hypothetically speaking of course. “To have caught all that other prey you must have been quite wise, and given your slow appearance here I can only imagine that you have set up several other extremely well placed-”

“NOW PEEWEE!” The purple creature shouted, catching both the biped and the spider by surprise. The small bird began to glow, much to Dredge’s surprise while the spider merely started cursing, until the web beneath caught aflame. In reaction the spider swiftly moved and swung it’s leg, severing them both from the web. Then it hit them across the midsections, to the chorus of snapping bones, and sent them tumbling backward behind the man.

It swiftly sorted out it’s web before it was completely burnt away, then it turned to face the perpetrators. “I tried to be nice, but now all three of you are my snacks.” It broke into a clicking run toward them as it’s legs darted over the ground with amazing speed, it’s vision blinded by rage as it drove onward. It’s head plowed directly into the man’s midsection, sending him flying backwards. The force of the hit strong enough to shatter the tree that he impacted with.

So it was quite surprising for his attacker when he stood from the splinters, a couple tears in his clothes the only sign that he had suffered the hit. His hand was tightly gripping a wound on his side to protect it from further harm, but something about how nonchalant he was regarding the wound told the spider that it hadn’t been caused by the attack. A glance behind himself confirmed that the duo of ex-prisoners were unconscious, after which he looked back toward the spider. “I would suggest that you ignore this prey, and you go on to other webs to see what else you’ve caught this day.” His tone was cold. He hated fighting, but being an evil ruler occasionally pressed you to battle, and heroes always fought. That was almost the entirety of their job description really.

The creature thought it over, trying to figure out how long it might take him to take down this particular foe who had already demonstrated immense toughness. It’s gaze lingered on his midsection for a long period of time. Then, with an almost imperceptible nod, it left the area. Dredge moved back into his normal standing pose and removed his hand from the bleeding wound that decorated his side. He pulled his hand away to see quite a lot of blood on his grip, and grimaced.

“He wasn’t lying, that stupid spear did pierce me.” Deciding that there was nothing to do about it given his unknown surroundings, he wiped his hand across his pants to remove the blood before he turned to face the two beings that lay out cold on the ground, probably with broken ribs. With a heavy sigh he bent down and carefully lifted them both off the ground, draping them over his arms as he looked around for the prints that the small dragon would have left in his wake during his approach. Such a thing would easily enable the man to backtrack and find out the home of the dragonling.

Eventually he stumbled upon the trail and began to follow it back toward its origin, all the while cursing himself for interfering with something that didn’t affect him. Was being evil always this hard? He asked himself rhetorically as he walked, Pretending to be a hero must be miles worse than actually being one, he concluded, on account of how much harder it was to simply not kill the spider, it had caused him to debate it, while a hero wouldn’t have had a question in their mind. They were a blind insufferable group of people, but at least they were self-assured.

Regardless, that mattered very little. He was done with his act now. The witnesses were knocked-out. And if any other monster decided to try it’s hand he would be free to seperate it into two neat halves without fear of what stories the dragon would tell it’s colleagues.

Desperate to get out of the forsaken forest and to see what exactly the civilizations were like. What’s the worst it could be? Talking horses? A short coughing laugh broke across his lips and the man straightened his back, it was time to find out what he had gotten himself into.

Author's Notes:

This was gonna be a standalone, but screw it.