A dark shadow sped across the Celestial Sea, speeding westward towards Equestria. The sky was clear, aside from a handful of cloud to the north, and the winds calm enough to give Gaums no trouble and little turbulence.

On the Dragon’s back was a large, cuboid backpack, its straps hooked under his forelegs. The backpack was constructed from enormous plants in Gaums’s homeland, wicken together to give the look of a large scale version of a smaller creature’s backpack. Though its lid was closed and sealed with a buckle, parts of a blanket big enough for a Dragon spilled out through its lips. Inside the backpack, a very comfy room had been set up. The blanket padded the walls, floor and ceiling, sealing out the violent air of the outer world. Furniture was spread throughout, including a table with chairs around the centre, a couple of bed rolls in a back corner away from the entrance, a compartment the other side of the back for ‘waste’ disposal (accompanied with some sanitiser), a trunk of dry food closer to the entrance in the opposite corner of the bed rolls, and a typewriter with padding glued to various parts atop a writing desk nailed to the floor on the other side near the entrance. At the very back, the crates of gold were stacked. This was the one piece of furniture which didn’t jostle and move about as Gaums flew, aside from the waste compartment. Though stability was an issue, it certainly made sitting at the table an interesting experience.

Though the backpack was massive, the room was quite small considering it needed to house four people. It had been designed in part by Do herself, and she had never expected it to house more than two people at a time. She adventured solo, but she had her dreams. Having four people trying to live in it for around a week pushed the mobile base to its limit, though one of its occupants being a shapeshifter did help. Unsurprisingly, rocks took up little space. As to how in the world Changelings were able to become inanimate objects, let alone rocks of all things, none of the others knew. Whenever asked about it, Mawr refused to answer.

“Victory!” Kufn cheered, slamming down his last card. “[That's my seventy ninth consecutive win!]” Cloud rolled his eyes and dropped the Uno cards in his telekinetic grasp onto the table.

“What's that you ask?” Cloud said to a nearby rock. “How will I win the next game?” Mawr said nothing, as she was a rock. “Sedimentary, my dear Mawr!” Mawr turned back to normal to slap him, then into a rock once more.

Cloud and Kufn had quickly become friendly, and the former had offered the latter a few lessons in Ponish. Kufn had picked up common phrases fairly quickly despite Cloud being a bad teacher. He was far from fluent, but had certainly taken a first step into the language. In turn, Kufn had taught Cloud how to play Uno. Kufn saw this as a fair trade.

Mawr had been largely inactive and secretive as they had travelled by sky. Using the lack of space as an excuse, she had kept the form of a rock for a large portion of the journey. On the first day she started as a potted plant but after not too long she changed into a rock after Cloud had an existential crisis thinking about the implications of Changelings growing fruit in plant-form. Mawr had a terrible feeling that their misadventure wasn’t quite as close to over as the others believed. That said, even if she did agree with the others, she had something she needed privacy to do. Rock-form allowed her the most privacy possible, so in rock-form she stayed.

Meanwhile, across the room, Do sat at her typewriter, mumbling under her breath as she typed up her latest adventure. Inspired by Cloud's idiocy, she had decided to name this latest novel 'Daring Do: The Self-Admiring Sun Shepard and The Lunatical Lime Loser'. Her hooves pitter-pattered across the buttons of the typewriter, accompanied by an occasional ding as she came to a new line. Pages were messily stacked up next to her, already hundreds of pages deep into her story. How she kept it organised was anyone’s guess; every jossle of the room sent the stack flying. With so many days having passed, Do had relaxed some around the others. Despite starting off as a hostage, that position had rather quickly been forgotten about and soon enough they treated her with the same buddy-buddy attitude as they treated each other. Of course, she suspected it was a ploy to begin with but it didn’t take long for her to realise… they were idiots.

For some time, Do had been concerned about the state of the magical artifacts she had been forced to leave behind. While that concern never fully left her, she was at least glad they were in the competent hands of the authorities-

Bravura glanced over the cult’s logs once more before looking again to the stacks of artifacts.

“{Yep,}” he said to himself, “{there’s a bunch of stuff missing.}”

-and this fact was enough to calm her heart. She had settled on the idea of writing as they flew, and time flew with it. She was several chapters deep into the story, though said chapters were only on their first draft. As much as Do liked to be truthful in recounting her adventures, truth was a hard sell. At the very least, details needed to be rearranged - if not for the sake of profit then for the sake of her public image. After all; in this particular instance she would be framed as a villain. It was absolutely necessary that her readers knew her intentions were good… which is why she had switched herself and Cloud.

“...And so she decided to take a stand against the corrupted Unicorn and Horse,” Do muttered, “though she had to convince the cowardly Zebra to join her, for he was too anxious to go alone even knowing about the captive children…”

All of a sudden, a dull glow shone up from the ground.

“...Why is the floor glowing?” Asked Cloud. Before Kufn had a chance to make a comment about context, the room suddenly lurched sidewards and the four were thrown to the ground. “What the hell is happening?!”

“W-we’ve changed course!” Cried Do. “Gaums! What are you doing?!”

Gaums did not reply, and seemed to lean farther and farther to the left.

“[Seems our destination has changed,]” said Kufn, laughing. “[It’’s never a simple job, is it?!]”

Mawr said nothing, as she was a rock.

Princess Celestia ate a slice of cake.

“Yep,” she said to herself, “this is cake.”

Three hours had passed. The room was still crooked as Do’s morality, but everyone had otherwise gone back to what they were doing. Do was using Mawr the rock as a paperweight to hold down her stacks of pages, and Kufn and Cloud had gone back to playing Uno.

“[So…]” Started Cloud. “[You said you were from Scarftown?]”

“[Indeed I am!]” Kufn grinned, playing a green three. “[Saddle Arabia’s one source of neck warmers!]” His grin dropped into a cynical smile as nostalgic anger lit up his eyes. “[And a popular breeding pool for child slavers.]”

“[Well that’s a loaded answer.]”

Kufn snorted. “[Isn’t it just?]” A moment passed, filled only with the distant clicking of Do and the occasional fwip of a card being placed, until… “[Let’s save that story for another time,]” he said with a wink. “[It’s not a story for high spirits.]”

“[Fair enough,]” Cloud said with a nod. He smiled in return. “[I’d regale you with my own ‘tales of valour’, if I could remember them.]”

“[Heh, the gesture is appreciated…]”

The room began to shake again, and sloped forward. Furniture was again toppled, papers were again tossed about, and Mawr was flung to the far reaches of the room. Finally, there was a colossal THUD and the room evened out. They had landed.

The Spirits of Harmony stood agape having just heard the final stages of Twilight’s plan.

“Yep,” she said to her friends, “this might kill me.”

There had been a lot of rustling and shaking as Gaums removed the backpack. Though things were now still, the exit remained closed.

“[...What now?]” Cloud asked. “[Should we go out and see what happened?]”

Do shook her head, and spoke in a low voice, “[I have a bad feeling about this. This is the first time he’s ever changed course while flying me somewhere; he wouldn’t do so without a damn good reason.]”

“[I hear you loud and clear,]” nodded Cloud, “[I’m gonna look outside to see what happened.]”

Do turned to him, ready to spout all sorts of profanity, but stopped as she saw him sit and close his eyes. Slowly but surely, a Shade Circle formed before Do’s eyes. Out of its depths climbed Cloud’s ghostly decoy. It seemed to almost stagger as if it were dizzy or confused before its white eyes snapped open. It looked to Do, sending a shiver down her spine, then nodded. Cloud willed the shade to descend into the ground, and then to move forward. He opened his eyes to see how close it was to leaving the room and then remembered it was underground. He blinked dumbly.

“Oh, right.”

He willed it upwards once more, just enough for its head to be above ground, and then moved it towards the right wall. It was at this point that Cloud realised he didn’t need to watch the shade if it could see. Cloud took a moment to congratulate himself for being such a clever boy. Finally, he closed his eyes again and phased out of the room. He dipped lower, so only the top half of his head was poking out of the ground, and looked around.

The land was arid and dry. The sky was an unpleasantly dull blue, then darkened further by a blanket of smog. The landscape was craggy and mountainous; in the far off distance Cloud could see an active volcano accompanied by glowing tendrils of lava seeping down its sides. Most of the land was stained bittersweet. In the sky dozens silhouettes flew back and forth. Though for a moment he mistook them for birds, a distant roar told Cloud all he needed to know: Dragons…

Cloud turned, and saw the backpack lying on the ground. The landscape continued all around, and there was another volcano off in another direction, this one darker. Gaums was nowhere in sight. Cloud looked skyward, hoping to spot Gaums in the air. No luck. Cloud dismissed the Shade Circle and opened his eyes.

Kufn was playing solitaire with his Uno cards, but looked up as Cloud stood. “[How was it?]” He asked.

“[Cloudy, that’s for sure,]” Cloud replied.

“[You should probably see a doctor.]”

“[...What-]”

The clear sky was littered with stars and filled with an enormous luminescent moon, lighting up the grassy field and making it sparkle against the dew. Princess Luna stood atop a hill, her mane blowing in the wind.

“You are in luck,” Princess Luna spoke aloud. “I’ve had my best set up a camp within the Dragon lands. As an informant, he is…” she clicked her tongue in annoyance, “bothersome, to say the least, however he shall suit your needs as an additional escort.” She turned to face Mawr who stood before her on the grassy slope.

“Very well, ma’am,” Mawr bowed.

“Your reports are worrisome, I must say. This ‘Ra’ you spoke of - if such a plebeian is able to gain powers so easily in this day and age, especially one of such an unmagical race, it is not unlikely more have discovered the power of artifacts.” The Princess paused. “You say you are with Daring Do?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What is your opinion of her?”

“I believe she would make an effective agent, ma’am,” Mawr replied, “though I suspect you would have trouble controlling her. She’s… to borrow your words, ‘bothersome’.” Knows how to show a mare a good time though…

“Why am I seeing images of her sitting on your face?”

Mawr blinked. “...All official work, ma’am, I assure you.”

“If you insist…” Princess Luna shook her head and regained her focus. “One moment, I shall inform the agent of your need.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Mawr bowed again as the Princess vanished. Stupid dreams and stupid reading thoughts, invasion of my damn privacy…

“Yes, but it is oh so effective,” the Princess’s voice echoed in her head. Mawr rolled her eyes. “I saw that!”

Unbeknownst to most, Princess Luna could do vastly more with the moon than simply raise and lower it. While many knew of her abilities as a dreamwalker, few knew how this was accomplished. The proximity of the spell she used was not too large, only spanning about the area of Ponyville. However, by casting the spell on the moon rather than a person, she could use it as a transmitter to extend her reach to all ends of Equestria. This could only be accomplished at night though, and while the ends of Equestria were easily reached, places further than Equestria - such as Zebrica or Saddle Arabia for instance - were an impossibility.

During the flight, Mawr had changed to rock form for privacy and had again and again tried to contact the Princess. She was eventually able to get through, and gave a full report of her journey and current status. Sick and tired of the unquiet journey, Mawr had also asked for assistance now that she was in range of the Princess’s influence.

Princess Luna reappeared. “He already has a visual and is on his way. He shall be with you shortly.”

“Thank you, your majesty,” Mawr bowed again. “Oh, and Princess?”

“Yes?”

“About my promise to the swordsman…?”

“I shall see to it he is paid in full,” Princess Luna nodded sagely.

Mawr smiled. “Thank you, ma’am.” Darkness filled Mawr’s vision as she slipped from the dream and back to reality.

As Cloud finished telling the others about what he’d seen, Mawr returned to her normal form in a flash of flames.

“[Shut the fuck up,]” Mawr said curtly, pointing to Cloud before he could say anything. He frowned. “[You,]” Mawr pointed to Do, “[you need to come with us when we go back.]”

“[What?!]” Do cried. “[Why would I-?!]”

“[Shut the fuck up,]” Mawr cut her off, curt as before, “[you’ve been ordered by the Princess.]”

“[Which Princess?!]”

“[The only one that matters. You,]” Mawr pointed to Kufn, “[I’ve confirmed you’ll be paid the amount I promised.]”

Kufn grinned. “[Goody!]”

“[Shut the fuck up. You,]” Mawr pointed to Cloud again, “[someone’s on their way to meet us shortly so we can get you to Canterlot faster.]”

Cloud’s frown turned from one of anger to confusion. “[What do you mean-?]”

“[Shut the fuck up.]”

As Mawr finished being curt, the ground burst open. All but Mawr quickly adjusted to fighting positions, Cloud lighting his horn, Do cracking her whip, and Kufn unsheathing Riptide. The dust quickly cleared to reveal a brown Diamond Dog with white splotches in his fur as well as a blue Unicorn with a deeper blue mane clinging to the Dog’s back.

“Howdy ho!” The Unicorn greeted cheerily. “You folk must be Mawr and co.! I’m Night Light, and this is Bob, pleased to make your aquaintance!”

Cloud blinked. “Oh.” He relaxed his stance and put out his horn. “Okay.” Seeing Cloud relax, Kufn did the same, though he kept Riptide drawn. Do did not relax.

“State your business!” Do exclaimed, her whip pulled taut. “Or prepare to face the consequences!”

“My my!” Night Light chuckled. Bob’s face remained stoic, his gaze unfocused. “Rather dramatic, aren’t you?” He looked to Mawr. “Shall we be off, then?”

“The sooner the better,” Mawr nodded. “[We’re going with them,]” she said to Kufn.

“[Alrighty,]” Kufn replied. He turned to Night Light with a smile. “Hello! My Equestrian bad, but nice to meet!”

“Likewise!” Night Light smiled back. “[I have little Saddline, but little, will try to clear be!]”

“Thank!” Kufn sheathed his sword.

“Right then, let’s be off!” He tapped Bob’s shoulder and the two vanished into the earth leaving a dark hole behind. Mawr lit up her horn, and shot a look to Cloud to do the same which he did.

“[Let’s get going.]” Mawr climbed down into the hole, and the others soon followed.

A horde of Dragons were gathered within a deep but vast canyon. Their colours and sizes varied, but all were large and ferocious in stature. Upwards they looked, to the top the of the rock wall, where the largest among them sat: Lord Torch. His size was immense; standing at the same height as an Ursa Major. His scales were a dull green, and the underside of his wings as well as the spines on his back a wicked orange. Gigantic horns curved down his face, decorated by bands of gold and platinum. Across his body were thick plates of metal forming a breastplate, and atop his head was a crown of the same metal and rubies. The metal was something of a Dragon creation: Tungsten carbide.

The Dragon lands were rich with tungsten, a rare metal in Equestria. Through a vicious process, the metal could be shredded and pulverised by Dragon claws and combined with various types of itself. One of the combinations was tungsten carbide; a ludicrously strong metal with a hardness close to that of diamonds while also being extremely heat resistant. Though few Dragons cared to use armour, the few that did used this extremely powerful material. Lord Torch was one such Dragon.

The Dragons before Lord Torch were bare of armour, though Dragon scales themselves were not to be taken lightly. Though tungsten carbide could brag a nine and a half on the Mohs scale, Dragon scales could still reach up to eight. Hardly something to sniff at, and far hard than a Changeling’s chitin, which sat at five.

“SOLDIERS!” Torch boomed. “THE TIME HAS COME FOR BATTLE!” The Dragons cheered together; a deafening wave of roars. “THOSE ARROGANT PONIES HAVE GONE ON LONG ENOUGH DEPRIVING US OF RESOURCES, AND NOW EVEN HAVE THE AUDACITY TO DEFILE MY DAUGHTER! NO MORE! ON THIS DAY, IT IS TIME TO TAKE BACK WHAT THEY HAVE STOLEN; AND MORE! WE WILL BURN THEIR CAPITAL, AND RIP THEIR PUNY PRINCESS TO PIECES!” The Dragons cheered again, but their roars couldn’t begin to reach the volume of Lord Torch’s voice. “NOW, TAKE FLIGHT! WE FLY TO CANTERLOT NOW!”

Dozens of wings unfurled, whipping up windstorms as the hoard of Dragons took flight. Among them flew Gaums, dabbing furiously.

Mawr popped her head out the hole. They had arrived at Night Light’s base. Camouflaged tents were set up all around, and various Diamond Dogs and Thestrals wandered around busy with their own tasks. Mawr quickly spotted Night Light and Bob beside a carriage.

Mawr smirked. “Perfect…” She clambered out of the hole and helped the others following her. She pointed to the carriage. “[Shut the fuck up and let’s go.]” Cloud and Do rolled their eyes and followed. Kufn followed happily. As they walked, Mawr transformed into a Gryphon in her usual flash of fire.

“[You’re flying us?]” Cloud asked. “[I thought-]”

“[I’m more than enough, though you’ll need to refuel me before we go,]” Mawr replied. She glanced to him with a sassy smirk. “[Going by last time, that won’t take long.]”

Cloud blushed and looked away. “[S-shut up…]”

“Here we are then!” Cheered Night Light. He opened the door to the carriage for them. “I’ll be joining you on the way, Bob here’s going to take over for me while I’m gone!” He patted Bob on the head. Bob continued his thousand-yard stare. “He’s excited about it!”

“Alright, give me and him,” Mawr pointed to Cloud with a talon, “about thirty seconds in there.”

Cloud blushed harder and stared at his hooves. He quietly went inside the carriage and then went inside. A few seconds later, Mawr came back out of the carriage looking refreshed.

“Disappointing but filling.” Mawr gave a satisfied sigh. She looked to the others. “Get inside, get him to stop crying, and let’s get going. It’s time to go back to Canterlot.”

Cloud was having the softest of hard times.

Author's Notes:

DRAGON WAR TIME! WEEEEW!