I took the journey once again from the Sanctuary to my home. It was a road well-travelled by me, one I was very familiar with. Upon entering the house I found Storm there. He smiled warmly, welcoming me back home with a hug. I accepted and returned the gesture before breaking away to set my things down. "Welcome back home, Aqua."

"It definitely feels good to be back home. It isn't often I get the chance to rest."

"How long will you be able to?"

"Not long." Storm seemed disappointed, saddened almost, by my response.

"How come?"

"Well, I figured it's been about twelve years since I last saw my sister."

"Flowing Hammer?"

"Yup. I figured I should go see her, let her know that I actually am still alive." He seemed satisfied with this response, perking up a little.

"Alright. You should probably go then."

"Thank you for understanding, Storm." He nodded before we both began the necessary preparations for the journey ahead. From there I headed to the train station. Once again I was halted by security and pulled into a side room. Before they had time to ask the first question I spoke. "Look, guys, we've been over this before, several times. My name is Aqua WindStorm. Yes I am wearing armour. No I'm not planning to harm anypony with anything I'm carrying. No I am not carrying dangerous items. Yes I understand that safety is a priority. Any questions?"

They sat, dumbfounded by my statement. Those present shook their heads. "Good. Now, can I continue my journey to see my sister?"

They nodded, still unable to find words. "Thank you."

At this I arose and headed out back into the station once more. From there it was an unhindered ride down to the small town near the mountain pass. I was not stopped at this station, being a simple open platform almost in the middle of the desert. The landscape in this part of the land was dry and dusty, generally of high heat as well, making me thankful that I had the controlled conditions inside of my armour. Regardless, I started out on hoof at this point, making my way across the dry land. After some time I arrived at the verdant little valley that rested in the only opening of the colossal southern mountain range. The sheer vicissitude of this oasis was starting every time I was in it. Once I set hoof out of this peaceful valley I knew I'd be subjected to the overwhelming privation of the Badlands. Knowing this I took a few minutes more to appreciate this oasis. I always felt tranquil and carefree while I was within this place, vividly contrasting the feeling of the life I had led. A few moments more to breathe in the purity was all I needed.

As much as I would have liked, indeed preferred, to have stayed there I knew that I had to continue my march. I continued on, breaking through the line of trees to find that bare, scorched earth death bowl I had frequently seen before. I sighed at the depressing contrast, wishing to return to the valley. This was not an option, so I started forwards into the parched land. As I trotted, that unending stretch of dead terrain before me seemed to continue on forever.

When night fell I found myself wandering still. Figuring there was no danger I set up camp. This didn't turn up much as my sleep was still moderately disturbed by the recent nightmarish thing that had happened in my life. When day broke again I was found near-sleepless. I shrugged it off as I had before, broke camp and continued on my way. I could faintly, barely, see the city on the horizon.

The relentless scorching midday sun was high in its heavenly motion when I arrived. Upon entering the periphery of the town I found it not only strangely devoid of life but also frighteningly quiet. The last time I was here, just before butchering those wretched assassins in the most brutal ways possible, ponies and husks openly brawled in the streets without worry or care. Fighting was a sport to them, scars simply a mark of how fully you had lived your life. Now the streets were entirely empty. As I was trotting in I saw makeshift barricades blocking many of the alleyways. These haphazardly heaped piles of furniture and dirt were curious sights indeed. After I had passed a few of them I heard rustling. I paused, perking up to try and identify both what the noise was and where it was originating from. I could only guess it came from behind a barricade. My assumption was ratified by a voice that emanated from behind one. "To whom do you swear your loyalties, stranger?"

I still could not tell which barricade it came from. I was a bit more than confused at this point. "What?"

"Which side have you joined?" Now I was more concerned about the questions than where they were coming from.

"What do you mean which side have I joined?"

"Which cause do you fight for? Ours or theirs?"

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about."

"Then what brought you to the Torn Avenue?"

"Where is Flowing Hammer?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because I am her sister and I wish to converse with her." I heard more rustling; some of it was very nearby. I looked around, hoping to find the source. Looking behind me revealed a husk, marrow blade in mouth, charging towards me. Barbaric bloodlust was the only visible emotion as it galloped up towards me. I prepared to react, lowering a bit. It swung the sword, hopelessly watching it shatter upon my armour. Its eyes widened as it clenched up. I now had a big enough window and took it. I bucked backwards catching the flabbergasted husk and launching it airborne. I missed my mark, unfortunately, and ended up landing it gently upon the roof instead of the wall. It scrambled to its hooves and disappeared over the rooftops. I was, at this point, half turned to face it. I heard the pony at the other barricade speak again. "What is your name?"

I turned back to face him, finding him now standing atop the pile of rubbish. "Why do you want to know?"

"So we can inform Hammer whom it is that is seeking her."

"Tell her that the pony seeking her it named Aqua. She will know who it is." He nodded and quickly dropped down beneath the brim again. I sat down in the street, making sure no husk would be able to sneak up, as if it actually mattered. I waited patiently for the arrival of Flowing Hammer. It wasn't terribly long either before I heard a commotion behind the, presumably, friendly barricade. I then saw the recognisable, red chitin plated visage of hers pop up over the lip of the blockade. "Ah, Aqua, it certainly has been a while since you stopped by. What took you so long, sis?"

"Flowing Hammer, how's everything been?"

"Fly over the barricade. We can talk about it when you're safely within the walls of our refuge."

"I can't"

"Sure you can. Just use your wings."

"That's just it, I can't."

"Nonsense. You're an alicorn. Of course you can!"

"No, I don't think you quite understand. I don't have any wings, or at least not anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"I lost my wings."

"How do you lose wings?"

"They were shredded, mutilated, disconnected, removed, torn from my body or whatever else you choose to call it."

"Oh. How about teleporting?"

"I don't know the interior well enough. It could go pretty badly."

"Such as?"

"I teleport into a wall and die or telefrag one of your followers, as I am not the lightest individual."

"So then what?"

"Surely you have a door?"

"Two blocks up, one alleyway in on the left." I nodded before trotting in the direction she had signalled. I made my way as directed, navigating a dark maze-like alleyway. Upon reaching the end, I found a scrap iron wall blocking my path. Set in the wall was an equally rough metal door. Moments after I arrived the door opened and I was urgently beckoned inside. I did as directed. Once I was inside the door was locked and barred behind me. I was still confused about what was going on as I was plunged deep into these tunnels. The buildings closed off together where the second floor began, leaving a short, sunless maze of alleyways. These were dimly lit by blue magical flames. I was soon snapped back to the task at hand by Flowing Hammer. "Come, we have much to discuss."

I did as ordered, following her through the complex headquarters they seemed to have established. The only creatures inside this place were ponies; not one husk was to be found. Nevertheless their faces, disheartened and anguished, stared at me expectantly as I passed by. When we arrived at her quarters, her planning room, she closed the door behind us. As I wandered in and gazed around I noticed many murals, maps and models. These all plotted out the layout of the city. Scattered all over the maps were sandy yellow pebbles and grey metallic shards along with both white and brown barricade markers. I was intrigued not only by the detail and depth of it all but also by what it could mean. Flowing Hammer must have been able to tell that I was curious, so she spoke. "A bit complex, isn't it?"

"Oh yeah. What is it?"

"The city."

"I kind of figured that to be the case, but what do all the markers and tokens stand for?"

"Well, we're in the middle of a civil war right now. We 'regular' ponies are fighting to stay here in our lands of inheritance. The husks are fighting to drive us out once and for all. We are the grey markers." I took a moment to look again. What I found was a stark and startling contrast between the tiny number of grey shards and the seemingly endless sea of yellowish pebbles. I grew a bit worried. "Things have been going downhill fast as of recent. I'm glad you showed up when you did. I feared their next attack would be the end of us. We have too many wounded, and those not injured don't have enough morale to fight back. You've been the only hope I've managed to instill within them."

"What do you mean?"

"The expectation of your return has done much to hold their courage fast for many years."

"Why?"

"They know how well you fight. They know what you can do. They know that you could win this for us, even if by yourself. The thing is, though, you never came. The losses stacked up, both in lives and territory. Now here we are staring down extinction on every front."

"What needs to be done?"

"We can't stay in here or we'll all die. We need to take the fight to them, to put them on the defensive for once."

"So how do we do it?"

"These white markers are their walls. As you can tell they've walled in a lot. We need to break them down."

"How thick are their buildings' walls?"

"Not that kind of wall. We need to break their bone walls."

"Bone walls?" I tried to imagine what it would have looked like. I couldn't manage, or even try the think of what effect it had on those here.

"The husks have been collecting all who have perished, consuming their flesh and leaving the bones to sun bleach before stacking them up as we have with dirt and furniture."

"How many have died?" My tone was hushed, slightly fearful and awestruck by the possible count. Looking at the white bars and, figuring the piles to be tall like unto a one story building, I couldn't even fathom a number.

"The population of the city has been reduced to a little under a tenth of what it was. The majority of the losses have been from our side."

"How long has this gone on?"

"Longer than a decade."

"Since I left..."

"Slightly after you did. They've used your name as justification for slaughter ever since."

"I will put an end to this. It's time I fixed what I had wrongly started all those years ago."

"Good to have you back on our side, sis. Now, we will be clearing them sector by sector until we-"

"Where is the heart of their operations?"

"The arena. Why?"

"I'm there."

"That's suicide."

"A lot has changed since I left, my sister. Don't underestimate what I can do now that I have grown and our father's side has matured exponentially within me. I have more now than I ever could have had before."

"Aqua, you're literally the exact same as you were before, stature and everything. What are you talking about?" I retracted my helmet, showing the more-than-apparent draconic features that showed in this large form. "By the light of the sun...what happened to you sis?"

"I told you a lot has changed. I'm nigh invincible now with these scales. I will go to the arena and I will return with their leader's weapon as a sign of our victory and his surrender."

She sighed. "Be careful, alright?"

"Don't worry. I will."

"Go to; win this war." I nodded before leaving quickly from her quarters. I did my best to retrace my steps, eventually finding the entranceway. When I arrived I heard repetitious, echoing impacts against the metal door. Those nearby had drawn their swords fearfully, trembling. I stood before the door and drew a blade. It hummed with electricity as the blade superheated. Once ready I turned to a nearby guard.

"Open this door."

"What? Are you mad?! We'll all be slaughtered like the others were!"

"I don’t care about your opinion. I gave you an order; I told you to open the door, so open the door or I'll do it myself!" My presence outweighed that of the husks without. He swallowed hard and trotted over, fumbling with the lock. "Now!"

He jumped before finally getting it opened. What met my gaze was a veritable wall of unrecognisable creatures, more warped and deranged than I remembered them to be. Upon seeing me they began yelling behind them in a new guttural language I'm sure they had developed in my absence. They were all trying to turn about to flee. As soon as I could I bolted towards them. "Get over here, wretches!"

What followed next was nothing short of a slaughter. Swing by swing the alleyway filled with the cauterised remains of those deplorable creatures. Within minutes silence fell once more, leaving the two door guards frozen in awe. After a few moments of me looking over the corpses one spoke. "So...it is true."

I turned to face them, confused by the statement. "What is?"

"My parents and Hammer told tales of your ferocity and skill in combat. I thought they were just making things up to make us feel good." He must have been too young to remember the butchering of the assassins. "But no, you're the real thing."

"I am. I will end this needless bloodshed. Maintain the base. It's time I crush theirs." I turned and left the speechless guard behind. When I broke out of the shadows of the alley and into the scorching light of the avenue I turned myself towards the arena. I could see the top of it poking out from above several of the before-mentioned bone walls. The sight of the walls put me on edge. To see the remains of that many creatures, nonetheless of my own kin, heaped up was unsettling to me. I could only imagine the mental strain it put on those that were less accustomed to seeing horrors. I shook my head and snorted, steeling myself. After scuffing a hoof several times in an act of bravado, to pump myself up, I broke into a mild gallop. As I approached the first wall I lowered my head and burst up my speed. I rammed straight into the wall, hearing nothing but the deafening roar of many clattering bones. The wall was shattered and my way cleared as I stumbled and recovered from the impact. I repeated this process through the next four atrocious edifices.

As I recovered from the last hit I looked up. Suddenly my heart missed a beat or two and my stomach churned heavily. The wall before me was two stories tall, extending from one side of the wide avenue to the other. It shared the appearance of the last few, being a mere pile of marrow. I could only estimate the remains of over a million dead to be the building blocks herein. A little ways behind these bones lay the arena. Knowing my goal was this close I started again. I saw archers perched atop the wall, nocking and drawing their bows. I simply upped my speed until I couldn't move any faster, even with hydraulic help. When they realised my intentions they began to flee, scrambling wildly down the wall. Upon reaching the wall I leaped for as much extra force as I could afford. I rammed the wall face first, getting lost in the ensuing avalanche of bones.

For several moments I was deaf, dazed, and disoriented. Not even the light of day pierced the sun bleached fragments of the dead. I squirmed until I managed to determine what was up and what was down inside of this dread wall. I arose against the crushing weight and began making what motions I could, feeling like I was flailing more than anything else. Crack after audible crack passed before my ears as I slowly ground my skeletal prison to meal. I would work my way out eventually.

How long I was within the wall I know not. All that I know was that, until I broke out, my actions were frantic, almost panicked. I could only have remained submerged so long before things turned sour. The light of the low afternoon sun bolstered my resolve, granting me new strength. As I cleared the last part of the blockade I shook the last remaining bones from my back. Hundreds of those indistinguishable husks ran around before me. Several larger ones commanded their forces, organising them in front of the arena's entrance. I glanced behind me to see the carnage I had left. A large divot left their main wall breached, the arena's exterior now vulnerable. A large mound of the dust of crushed bones curved over a decent height of the hole in the wall. With a chuckle I turned back to face the small wall of warped creatures that now blocked my way into the interior. I stared at them momentarily before scuffing the ground. As they clung to their weapons it was easy to see the terror in their eyes. I prepared to barrel over top of them to get inside. It was then that a huge shadow darted over top of us. My stance relaxed as I quickly looked up. Not very far up in the air above us was a dragon circling around like a vulture. It was of no concern to me until the numbers began increasing, until more arrived. One soon became five, which ended at around a full score of them. I suddenly looked back down at the husks, almost with urgency. "Clear the way! I must speak to your leader."

One of them managed to speak in the most foolhardy bravado I have seen yet. "No."

I lowered myself down again, repeating the scuffs. "Suit yourselves."

I began charging. The speed in which the group before me parted to let me through was absolutely incredible. I very soon found myself standing within the walls of the Arena. They had stacked up crates and other materials, covering it all with cloths and other such tarp-like coverings to create a makeshift shelter. Towards the middle were the, seemingly, immortalised streaks of blood I had left from those I had murdered here. A quick scan over the turning husks revealed one that stood higher than the rest, one that was adorned in apparel that made it appear more important than the others. The remaining husks began charging but ceased when the larger one spoke one word. It stared me down for a short while, almost gauging my strength. Not wanting to waste time I spoke. "You. I must speak with you."

It looked me up and down before speaking in a deeper voice than the others. "You? Who are you to demand an audience with me?"

"I just bulldozed your grand wall and managed to thwart an assault from your forces in solitude."

"Impressive indeed, but you have yet to-" His sentence was cut short by panicked shuffling and cries from outside. One bloodcurdling scream resonated, causing all but myself to react.

"That's why I demand audience. Leave this pavilion and see the raging calamity your troops are in." In quick motions we were outside to witness the carnage. The scene we beheld was grisly at best. Whosoever was not being bathed in the fiery breath of the dragons was being carried off in their claws. I turned to the husk once more. "End your petty war and organise your forces to take care of this issue."

"You brought them here, didn't you?" His tone rang out in a condemning manner as he marched over. Now that he was actually beside me I could measure his size. He stood possibly a little taller than I did and was certainly broader. His presence certainly was a fearsome and commanding one. "You called them here to help your side win. All you pretty little wretches want is to kill us and take the town for yourself!"

"My murderous streak knows no bounds, whelp. Ponies, husks, gryphons, dragons, any that cross my path are subjected. Have you so soon forgotten who started all of this mess in the first place? Have you forgotten the blood soaked sand?" The chaos ensued around us even as we spoke. The occasional jet of flame would merit a move from him to dodge it, once or twice bathing me in flames with no response or harm caused to me.

"That one monster that butchered the assassin's guild."

"The same stands before you. Those were not your kind. They were mine. Now get your forces organised and do something about the threat bigger than ponies."

"I will not take-"

"Before we all die! Move!" He swallowed before nodding solemnly. I kept a watch from where I was as he moved forwards to begin ordering the husks. It was then that I saw a dragon swing down for a pick out of the crowd; it was headed straight for him. I quickly darted forwards, ramming into the large husk. It tumbled him by a couple of yards. I, myself, didn't have enough time to react. I heard the claws grasp my armour. This was followed closely by hard wing flaps and with that I was no longer grounded. I watched the husks reorganise, a confused look on their leader's face, while I was lifted ever higher. Before long they became nothing more than specks. I was hopelessly out of range now.

Night had fallen as our journey continued. As the first rays of dawn broke on the horizon below us the dragons dipped the angle of their flight, heading for the southernmost mountains in the land. We were headed for a mostly dormant volcano, it seemed. Flames were still present, as was lava, but it was inactive in respects to eruption. As we neared, the dragons began dropping us into a small alcove that was open on the top. This near bowl-like structure seemed like it had been used frequently. Some places were so far scratched, hammered and rent that several pools of lava had formed in the lowest portions of it. I, of course, made the largest impact, almost shaking the crater. The husks were scrambling to climb up the sides of the alcove by the time I had risen again. No sooner had I done so than a very loud and prominent thud shook the whole of the mountain, causing us all to drop back down into the bowl. When next I arose I looked around. Several of those that were with me had ceased trying to escape, locked in fear. Others began the scramble again. One had fallen into the lava that had risen a little farther. This flailed in vain before grotesquely ceasing to be any kind of a recognisable shape. I then looked up out of the alcove to find the largest dragon I had ever beheld. The size thereof was easily larger than a castle. Red scales lined the gargantuan creature. It was built very squarely; it was wide and bulky. The strength, and mass, of such a creature was unmistakeable. Its countenance was one of peaceful wrath, if such a thing even exists to describe it. The face was so full of fury and spite, yet held so regally and in such a stoic manner. When the deep voice thundered I thought it possible to hear it miles away. It clearly was not pleased with what was before it. "This is it? This is all you have brought me? Two score whelps? Where are the others that you brought so frequently? Where are those with meat? Where are the ponies?"

One of the nearby dragons fearfully responded. "There are no more. We have emptied all of the villages. Even their city is nearly devoid of all life."

"You lie!" The massive dragon swung a claw as he bellowed. The smaller dragon was unable to move fast enough to clear the large spread of the paw of the bigger one. With a massive thud the ground shook, knocking a few of us over again. I remained standing, watching as the colossal creature carried the relatively small body of the dragon to his mouth. In one swift motion the corpse was gone, swallowed into the gullet of the monstrous dragon. "I suppose that will make up for it. Now, come here, whelps!"

The husks were screaming or fleeing, whichever seemed to grip them more. I was, with heart pounding, strategically manoeuvring so as to avoid being within the dragon's grasp. Despite their attempts, throughout the midst of their panic, they were devoured one by one. I alone was now left as the target of this behemoth of a dragon. When his attention turned to me he stopped and spoke. "And what is this little treasure they have brought for me?"

My heart raced faster than it had before. "How cute. You think your armour can save you? From those wretches, yes. From other dragons, perhaps. But they are no longer of any concern to you, now are they?"

A thought popped into my mind as I anxiously and inwardly begged for some kind of escape from the imminent. Perhaps my own draconic nature could cause him to spare my life. I folded my helmet back, suddenly being hit by the dizzying heat of the slowly rising lava. "Destroy me not, for I am of your blood."

The dragon reeled, crying out in rage. "Bastard child! You defile the very scales that adorn your tainted frame!"

"You carry a hatred for ponies. Look at me, for I am not entirely pony."

"Yet neither are you entirely dragon. Your muddled blood has left you nothing more than a wretched crossbreed than never should have survived." I put my helmet back on, since that idea didn't work. I was cooled off moments later.

"What do you mean I never should have survived?"

"All those times in your life when it seemed like death was the only thing before you, all those times that you fought and squirmed to tackle tasks that sunk you in over your head, do you really think those were freak accidents? that they were mere encounters?"

"Yeah, actually, I did."

"Then you thought wrong. That evil presence that stalked you in the forest night and day was sent by my word, spoken to Erazul, to ensure that you remained alone and forsaken until I could recover fully. I paid the assassins to kill Bane, although they failed more than I had anticipated; they ended up killing your parents instead of the pony that would save you time and time again. Although, I thank you for properly dealing with them for me, by the way. It was I that sent that greedy dragon to that wilderness to assure that you perished, yet it only hoarded you as treasure, ultimately sparing your life. I spoke dark lies and evil words in the ears of Shade to corrupt him, to turn him against you, but you were too powerful by then. While you lay comatose for that time in the Wastes of the gryphons I sent the black magic and corrupting presence that warped the wildlife with an unnatural bloodlust, causing them to slay all moving creatures. As I can see now these puppets have not been enough to kill you. Graciously, now, I have been given the opportunity to take you out myself."

"Why do you want to destroy us ponies so fiercely?"

"It was your wicked kind that drove us to the brink of extinction. Your vicious kind were they that drove us from the lands of our inheritance. Your filthy kind exterminated all of the elder dragons I knew of with only one exception: me. It was your perverse kind that murdered the Great One in cold blood. You and your kin have committed sins unpardonable. Now is the time for retribution for all the wrongs and it all starts with you." There was no consolation to be given him, as talk simply drove his stoic face further into raged expressions. "You, yourself, are an abomination of nature and have been from the day of your conception. Now, as I have watched your pitiful life roll on I've seen you become the 'Defender of Equestria', as vile of a taste as that name leaves on my tongue. Your prowess is unmatched by far for your kind in recent years. But the age of alicorns has come to an end. The day of heroes has passed. The black of night will over shadow your kind. With you out of the picture no more shall my children perish in this abhorred waste."

He raised his massive claws. Seeing as it was, most presumably, an attempt to destroy me I quickly mobilised. I bolted, scrambling up the rocky ledges out of the lava filled divot we had been in. I had barely crested the brim when his claw struck. It narrowly missed me but nonetheless sent me tumbling because of the pure force. His claws were sucked into the lava as the divot collapsed. Once I stopped tumbling I was unable to recover due to the ensuing quakes. As they finished I arose, noticing the lava level rising and, equally so, the smoky ash began building up around me. All of the other dragons had now taken flight, fleeing the now active volcano. It was becoming difficult to see at this point, making my current task that much more of a challenge. I, myself, was fleeing from the centre of the crater when I was struck suddenly by a nigh debilitating force. As my new flight path continued I noticed the tip of the tail of the dragon. Suddenly he stopped in his rotation, causing me to hurtle far across the crater. I bounced and skidded like I was nothing. The impacts with the ground became fiercer as my path caused me to begin ascending the fringes. As dizzy and dazed as I was at that point I managed to get on my hooves once more. The ground shook violently now as the lava continued building up around us. When I looked up to see what the colossal dragon would do next the only thing that came to my view was his gigantic head. The titanic jaws opened, revealing several large glands in his mouth. I turned to flee and, as I took my first step, heard an eruption of flame. With hammering force the combustible fluid, now alight in fire, pinned me to the rocks. From this face-down vantage point I could see the rocks around me turn white hot before melting into lava that would soon feed the active volcano. At temperatures like this I knew my armour wouldn't last. Not only was the rising lava level threatening to engulf me but the very rocks around me were trying to envelop my body. Thankfully enough the fire-breath stopped, but I got the urgent feeling that I needed to move. I teleported as quickly as possible, guessing his next move, and moved as best as I could. The resistance of the armour now, being half-melted, seemed close to being too much to overcome. I felt the massive impact that had been meant for me, the impact that caused the whole mountain to shake violently. When I looked back he was pulling his paw out of the molten mountainside. He faced me, rage showing clearly on his face. "You can't run forever, crossbreed!"

The volcano was on the brink of eruption and his one step towards me caused just that. In less time than it would have taken me to blink I was catapulted into the sky, my hearing now having been cut to nothing more than deafening screeches. My ears shot with pain and I could not even hope to try and catch my bearings until it had stopped. My equilibrium was nonexistent until later when the migraine inducing screeches became monumental ringing. I opened my eyes again, finally able to concentrate on sight. All I found was my view turning from land to sky and back again very rapidly. I flailed my tail as best as I could manage in a hope to counteract the spinning motion. I eventually slowed enough to determine two things: I had been catapulted far from the volcano and I was now very rapidly approaching the ground. I braced for what I figured to be imminent death.

Either to everypony else's eventual joy or to my own frightful disdain the impact did not manage to kill me. The combination of how I landed paired with what padding and armour there was left did not allow such. When I hit the ground I heard only a resounding thud but felt the sharp stinging pain of fractures. The impact caused me to rebound and catch air once more. I tried to use my tail again to slow my spins. What met my efforts was a sharp wall of pain insurmountable; it was very possible that the hips or spine had shattered on impact. After the numb response from my tail I stopped trying to spin. I was now about to helplessly bounce and tumble my way to an agonising stop.

Five more times I limply got tossed back into the air before my flight pattern converted into only tumbles. Here was when my armour really began falling to shreds. Each skidding roll hurled shards and scraps of plated material streaking across the scorched earth. The whole of my protection, all of my unbreakable plated armour, had shattered and scattered long before the rolling had ceased. After the last several yards of skidding I simply sat there in unquenchable, inexplicable agony. All I wanted to do at this point was die, succumb to the overwhelmingly wrenching pain of my lower body. The pain within my front shoulder was unbearable as well, with several other places numbly pulsing in agony. I closed my eyes and pictured home; Storm would both know of and be able to get me to the care that I needed. With the image of my home town in mind I began channelling and exerting what energy I could into my pearl. As I was doing so I heard the selfsame thunderous voice echo across the darkened wasteland. "You will rue the day you came into this world, wretch! The claws of Flametread have not passed from over you yet!"

The spell finished preparing and cast. When I opened my eyes I found myself lying on the grass of the park not too far from my home. At this point, unfortunately, I could not even exert the effort to call out for assistance. I was too drained and numbed by pain to try. All I could do was await the painstakingly slow process it would be for somepony to finally find me here in the grass.

It wasn't terribly long before some passerby found me. The stallion rushed over, trying to rouse me. Walls of paralysing pain prevented me from reacting further than looking at him and breathing heavier. When he saw that I could not get up he panicked, arising and galloping away after telling me to stay there. I was once again left along in numb expectation. The agony I was feeling in that moment, and the longer I felt it only added, made me nauseous. After, presumably, a few minutes the stallion returned with an entire entourage. Many of those that arrived were average everyday citizens of the town. Several were in matching uniforms. These were they that carried me away. They managed to roll my massive body onto something that would allow them to transport me easier. It consisted of very thick material attached to two parallel rods. I could tell that those who took me away struggled immensely to do so. After a while I was brought to the medical centre, from where they began preparations. The doctors rushed around, preparing every needful thing. It was then the idea dawned upon me to transform back into my smaller, more manageable form. When I did so it certainly bred shock and apprehension. They eventually calmed. It was as they drew near to begin the procedure that my grip on reality slipped and I passed under.

When next I managed to open my eyes a new room filled my view. The room was bare of the machinery that had been present in the last place. As I went to look around I was halted in my attempt to do so. It was as if my body was not responding fully. I was sore and tired, possibly to a degree beyond what I had already felt in the past. On top of this my senses were dull and my grip on reality was blurry at best. As best as I could faintly tell there was some kind of commotion from just outside the room. Suddenly the door burst open and a group of ponies flooded the doorway. The one in front declared "Where is she?"

The room fell utterly silent when he took note of my presence. He then slowly trotted over. As he approached I recognised him as Storm. When he arrived at the bedside he sat. After a few moments he spoke. "How are you feeling?"

It took some time for my response to complete, as my breath was slow and shallow. "Exactly how one catapulted many miles from a volcano would feel like."

Confusion showed clearly on his face. I chuckled. Violent waves of pain shot through my body with each chuckle, causing me to thoroughly regret my decision. When it calmed I spoke again. "That was one crazy trip to visit my sister."

"But you're safe now?" I looked at him for a short while.

"That would be a private chat." Storm turned to those that stood behind him. He signalled for them to leave, waiting until they did so before turning around again to face me.

"Alright, continue. I'm listening."

"No, I am not safe." His countenance immediately dropped.

"What? Why?"

"I'm being hunted, and I have been for a very long time now, indeed, since before I was born."

"By what?"

"A dragon."

"That's it? I will easily keep you safe."

"You have no idea what I'm facing here. You don't know what kind of dragon is hunting me."

"That doesn't matter, Aqua."

"Yes it does Storm."

"Why?"

"Picture your average large dragon."

"Ok. No problem still."

"Now imagine something capable of smashing and grasping it in one paw before consuming it."

"What?"

"This dragon consumes other dragons in one bite like it was nothing."

"Well, it shouldn't be too hard."

"Storm."

"What?"

"Look at me."

"What about you?"

"I'm a wreck. I got more than walloped."

"And?"

"The reason I'm like this is because he demolished my armour like it was nothing. That armour was the best shot any of us had, but it wasn't enough." Storm was deep in thought. "It's like we need something bigger, something stronger. We need something more...more..."

"Feral."

"More feral?"

"Something on his calibre."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going to talk with Galaxia. Stay right there." He arose quickly and turned to head for the doors.

"Wait, Storm, what do you-" The doors closed, he having left in a rush. "...mean?"

Stay right here. With all things considered, including the full body cast, it wouldn't be terribly difficult. Still, my mind was caught up trying to imagine any plausible outcome from his words. Again and again rang the words 'something more feral'; they echoed relentlessly. The notion worried me considerably. Perhaps he meant one of the creatures under the control of Galaxia. Then again, perhaps he had it in mind to turn me into an actual dragon. This concept, however, made little sense to me. The image of that unfortunate dragon being smashed like a play thing with no forethought flashed in my mind to demolish this idea. So then what were his plans? I searched fervently for an answer, finding that only those first two ideas actually made any kind of sense. Just as I was ready to shrug his comment away, and return to rest, the door opened. Storm trotted in. As I spoke the door clicked and closed behind him. "You had better explain what you meant by what you said earlier."

"I don't have to." I shot him a venomous look before the door opened and Galaxia came in, quenching my frustration for his response. "She can, and she will."

I simply cocked an eyebrow, for that was about all I could do, and awaited her response. "So, Aqua, tell me of this recent development."

"You didn't watch it?"

"No." I was a bit surprised, as hitherto now she had taken an intense interest in my life. "Enlighten me."

"I was launched from a volcano."

"By what?" I looked at her momentarily, awaiting her response to the obvious. None such came.

"The eruption of said volcano."

"What caused that?"

"Seismic activity?" I could only guess that either she was playing me or she really had no idea.

"And what caused that?"

"A pretty big dragon."

"How big?"

"Bigger than any I've seen before."

"How so?"

"It ate another dragon like it was nothing."

"Ah. What colour were the scales?"

"Red."

"Hm...It’s definitely an elder dragon."

"Elder dragon? He had mentioned something about it but I figured it best not to ask him."

"Yes, elder dragons. They were some of the first dragons to have lived, being the first generation of offspring of the Great One, the supposed first dragon to have existed. These dragons were venerated by a group of deranged fanatics in a day forgotten by time itself. These cultists, through their rituals and magic, granted unto the Great One and the elder dragons immortality in the hope of exchange for unparalleled dominion over the world. They did not complete the promise, killing the cultists before spreading over the planet. Some of them lived in the regions nearby Equestria for eons with their broods. Then, during the Era of the Alicorns they were driven out by a large group of alicorns wielding magical power beyond even what I can imagine."

"Oh..."

"The only one that was left anywhere nearby was Tidecrusher because he was simply too far away when the alicorns conquered the dragons. The thing is: he was blue..."

"So then what?"

"What was the dragon's name?"

"You think I asked?"

"Knowing you, no."

"He has a pretty huge grudge against ponies if that helps."

"Most of the elder dragons did. They were uprooted, remember?"

"Well, he hates crossbreeds and regards us as abominations."

"Slightly less did, as they were split on the subject. Some thought crossbreeds to be an improvement to ponies while others as a shame to dragonkind."

"He was in a volcano in the Badlands."

"Tidecrusher inhabited those mountains before and is ultimately the cause of those arid conditions there."

"He ended up killing my parents?"

"To be honest, several had been trying."

"Oh. Well...hm. Is any of this helping you figure out who it is?"

"Kind of."

"He's hunting me before he conquers Equestria."

"There we go. A select few, four or five I think, inhabited the land before the alicorns came. Was it Tremorstep?"

"No."

"Steelpaw?"

"Nope."

"Flametread?"

"That one sounds familiar."

"And you say he's seeking to destroy Equestria?"

"Bingo."

"He'll go for Canterlot first. The city is on the mountain that used to be a part of his lair."

"We have to stop him."

"This might be beyond my own forces." I looked at her for a moment, hoping she hadn't just said that.

"What do you mean?"

"If Flametread is hunting you there's good reason to fear. Still, not all hope is lost." Again I hoped she had not said that.

"So you'll help?"

"Only as I can. My forces will not and cannot fight this for you." My hope was crushed. In a more desperate tone I responded.

"Then what am I supposed to do? That marvellously strong armour I had was absolutely demolished by him. How do you expect me to defeat him alone like that?"

"You can change forms, correct?" The question caught me off guard, causing me to simply sit and stare at her. "You can shift between different forms, am I not mistaken?"

"Yeah."

"Excellent. We're about to ramp that up tenfold. Are you ready for this?"

"No."

"That's rather unfortunate, then. When you have recovered and are set free from the hospital we shall immediately begin work. I'll see you then, Aqua." She turned and left, leaving only Storm and I in the room. It was only another moment before he arose and bid me a loving farewell. My curiosity still burned as to Galaxia's plans for me.

"What is she planning to do?" He simply looked back at me as he left. "Storm, what is she planning to do to me?"

The door closed, leaving me alone in my frustration once more. For some reason nopony would tell me what was going to happen. I was left to try and cast the prospect out of my mind in order to rest.

It was about a month or so later when I could finally move unaided. It was also moments after I had left the doors of the hospital that Galaxia came, almost half kidnapping me and removing me to her realm. When I finally managed to ask her what she was doing I got the kind of response I'd expect, or had come to expect, from her. "It's time for your training to begin. It cannot wait any longer."

"What training? What else is there for me to learn?"

"How to fight Flametread. He's amassed every dragon within the range of several continents. He plans to attack soon. We need you capable of fighting him almost immediately, so that is why we are here in the Chronochamber."

"Okay, but I still don't know what I'm doing."

"I'm assuming you remember how to shift forms?"

"Of course. Why?"

"Good. Now, your capabilities have grown with age but I fear they have not grown nearly enough. So, we're going to subject you to some magically simulated situations, see if we can't find some kind of trigger for what we need."

"What are we even looking for?"

"You are going to become a dragon." I nodded solemnly, not entirely sure how I would manage such. Galaxia stepped to a far corner of the chamber and her horn began to 'glow' as it does. A faceless pony soon appeared before me but was quickly removed again. Several large and menacing creatures, not unlike some I had fought before, appeared. With ease I transformed into my larger self. The shapes disappeared shortly thereafter. "It seems that won't quite be enough. Let me try something else here."

I shifted back down and awaited the next creature or creatures' appearance. Not too much time passed before a full sized adult dragon appeared before me. Again I took up my larger form. The dragon charged in, bidding me to do the same. As I neared it the dragon swept me aside with a claw. As I stopped tumbling and attempted to right myself it pounced upon me. I was now pinned on my back, trying to break free fruitlessly. The dragon roared, sharp fangs barring. I tried to raise my hind legs to buck it away but, by then, it was already too late. It darted in to rend my throat. As it did it vanished, leaving me to try and calm my nerves. I eventually stood and shifted down again before Galaxia spoke again. "It's not good enough. That form is too small, too weak, to properly handle an enemy that big."

"It can. It has before. I just need to act right." She simply looked at me for a moment before conceding with a sigh. I suppose she was going to let me learn the hard way here.

Several miserable failures passed slowly before I figured enough was enough. I arose once more, changing back into my smaller frame. Each failure ended with the dragon consuming me in form or another, so I turned to Galaxia to figure it out. "Alright, then, tell me what I have to do to beat this thing."

"Try and focus more on being a dragon and less on being a horse. Disregard my counsel I gave you with Erazul at this point, as you have done anyways; defeating Flametread is more important in this situation."

Something inside of me was more than reluctant to try. I swallowed before nodding to Galaxia. She nodded back and cast the illusionary dragon again. As it started charging I put it all on the line. Focusing with all energy of soul I pictured myself as a dragon and transformed. I felt different this time, far different, but there was not enough time to explore my newfound body before I had to react. I blocked the swipe of its claws with my right leg and took a swipe of my own with my left. My claws sank through the windpipe of the other dragon. I then quickly pounced upon the reeling creature, bowling it over and doing as it had done so many time to me previously. It then disappeared from view, dematerialising. Shortly thereafter I fell out of form, almost collapsing. I felt completely drained. Galaxia came over. "Well done, there is hope yet."

She helped me up out of my sitting position. "Regardless, there is no time to rest. We must continue trying. Prepare yourself for the next test."

I wanted to cry out, to plead for a break so I could recover. Knowing that time was limited caused me to stifle my desire, my need, and prepare for the next trial. When Galaxia was back in her original position she channelled. Before my view arose a dragon almost equal to Flametread, though its appearance marked it as another. Mustering what strength I could I changed forms, ending up as the small dragon I had recently discovered. Within a few mere moments I was smashed, left to recover as I shifted forms again. This repeated a few more times, each ending in the most pitiful failure possible. By the last time the illusion played out I could not even manage to change into my larger equine form. As I lay on the floor nearly crippled after another, literally, crushing defeat and the most recent failure Galaxia came over and looked down at me. Disappointment showed clearly on her face as she spoke glumly. "You need rest. Perhaps there is tomorrow."

She helped me to stand once more. Almost as soon as I rose another illusion came to my view. I stood upon a ledge very near the peak of the central mountain of Equestria. Before my view below me was Canterlot, very accurately depicted compared to the real thing. There was one difference, and it was very clear: Canterlot was aflame. The castle town had been razed and now burned clearly in the dusk hours of the illusion's day. I turned quickly to try and find Galaxia but was unable to do so. At this point I didn't even feel her presence. I could receive no explanation, as I was completely alone, so I merely turned back and looked on. Suddenly to my view came Flametread. He passed over, shooting huge streams of fire upon the already ransacked city, before curling back around to perch atop the mountain's peak. His face drew very near to me, completely overshadowing me. I figured it to be another attempt at my transformation, and thusly was ready to simply fail again to get it over with, until Galaxia's voice penetrated the air. "Aqua? Aqua? Speak to me! Storm, hurry. Call Flare. Something is wrong. She is seeing some kind of illusion and I have no control ov-"

Flametread snorted, blocking out whatever else she had to say and submerging me within the now horrifyingly frightful nightmare. "You're too late, horse. Canterlot has been destroyed, the mountain reclaimed as my own and dragons are pouring all throughout the land even as I speak. We dragons shall possess our bounteous lands of inheritance once more. You weren't there to stop us. You have failed. Breathe in your disgrace."

He turned his head back down to Canterlot to admire the view. Knowing this was not Galaxia's doing, matched with the stark realism compared to her previous illusions, caused deep sorrow to eat away at me. Perhaps it was a vision of the future that I had to suffer through. I was not sure. As I sat watching the burning city the sorrow slowly turned to rage inexplicable. The massive dragon's head turned back to face me once more. "Aw, look at the adorable little abomination getting all worked up. Face it, horse, your pathetic race never stood a chance after the alicorns left, and all of this because you ran like the coward you have always been."

I let the words sink in to further fuel the quickly growing fury. In a bout of unbridled wrath I transformed, almost with some fragment of the broken hope that it would work. My eyes closed as I started exerting my soul fully to shift forms. When it stopped I let out an immense roar and opened my eyes. To my surprise I found the two of us to be about the same size. As he reacted in surprise or fear I lunged in, ready to rend his miserable frame in twain for what he had done to the city. As I was about to land upon him the illusion suddenly vanished, leaving me staring down at Galaxia as I caught myself. She was tiny, almost the size of an ant. She spoke, but it wasn't to me. Flare was nearby Galaxia, Storm standing a ways off in awe. "Have we recovered her? Do we have a secure hold again?"

Flare answered. "Yes. Remember this day, Galaxia, for hope has risen again."

Galaxia looked up now, happiness on her voice. "Aqua, you did it!"

Upon hearing this my anger subsided and, accordingly, my frame. I shifted quickly back down to my smallest form. A moment more I stood before falling to a sit. As the three came over, Galaxia the quickest, I tipped over onto my side. Flare trotted over with the same unfazed expression. Storm galloped over, filled with relief. Galaxia sprinted in carrying an entirely uncharacteristically vibrant joy. I'm not sure which of her two emotional outbursts scared me more: this lively display or her vindictive fury when I first used the pearl again after my enslavement. She came over and half fell on top of me and half hugged, also a frightening experience. Galaxia's normally somber expression was entirely overcast by her surprisingly warm smile. Storm arrived shortly thereafter and the two helped me up. All three helped me out of the chamber to put me to rest.

It was a few hours later when I finally awoke and was capable of functioning once more. Nopony else was within the chamber and, after a few moments of lonely waiting I decided to quietly arise. Using the skill I had learned during my slave days I snuck towards the door. As I approached the chamber doors I heard talking. As I went to open them I heard Galaxia speak. "...if she found out it was then there'd be no hope. Whatever you do: do not let her see Canterlot."

Assuming she simply meant the burnt ruins of what it used to be I took no thought on the subject matter. I opened the door and it fell silent. Storm and Galaxia stood a little ways off and looked at me for a short while before coming over. He spoke first. "How do you feel?"

"Sore and tired but ready nonetheless." I knew there was no more waiting, as every moment was another moment passed that could signal Flametread's ultimate destruction of our race.

"Alright. Well, to the Badlands we go." At this point I didn't care how I felt. So heavily was the image of Canterlot's flaming destruction pressed upon me that nothing could detain me. I was more than ready to administer death to the last elder dragon. As I prepared to turn back to ready myself, Storm spoke again, begging my attention. "Now, Aqua."

"Yes?"

"Please be careful. Anymore, recently, I've lost you more than I've had you. You worry me, a lot."

"I'll do what I can to be cautious, Storm, but this is beyond me. The fate of our race is in danger here. Not me, not you, not Ponyville, not even just Equestria but our entire species is in danger here. With that much on the line I'm not going to hold anything back. Know this, though: should I fall, fail, and the task remain incomplete Flametread will be weak, wounded, fatigued, and, on top of it all, vulnerable. Do not hesitate to strike with everything the two of you have. If not, and if Flametread survives, my death would have been in vain. Am I clear?"

"Crystal."

"And Storm?"

"Yes?"

"Take good care of Lazuli, as she is practically my daughter. Also make sure that Cam and Lance are always doing well, and that the Order continues to grow and serve faithfully."

"You're saying all of this as if you expect to die."

"I almost do."

"You won't Aqua. You're better than that."

"You at least have instructions. See them through at the end of it all." Storm was crestfallen and downtrodden at best, depressed and hopeless at worst. I could clearly see it in his eyes, so I spoke again to cheer him. "Know this: I took oaths during my lifetime to protect others. It was my duty to help the helpless, to save the doomed. This is different. Defending you isn't out of duty. It is because of love. You, Lazuli, Flowing Hammer, Cam, even Lance, all have a special place in my heart. Lance and Cam were my pupils, rescued by my own hooves and trained to fill any absence I might have left. Flowing Hammer is my sister; of course I'd keep her safe at all costs. Although Lazuli isn't actually my daughter I treat her as such and she likes being designated in such a way. But you,"

I lifted his drooping head to look at me before speaking again. "you are completely different. You are my partner, my mate. You have never left me, well, almost never abandoned me."

He looked away, most likely thinking on times such as when I first returned after my eleven year absence. I had to pull his attention back, pausing until he looked at me again. "Look at me, Storm. No matter what happened you ended up being there. You've helped me more times that I can ever hope to count, but this isn't a number game for deeds done. This isn't a brownie point shop. This isn't just a trust thing. This is more. When I was ready to give up you were there. Time and time again it happened. You know what? It's my turn now. You have sacrificed so much for me because I was recklessly heroic. I now return the favour. How much I will have to sacrifice I know not. All I know is that you don't have to sacrifice anything this time."

He was still clearly saddened. "But I have to sacrifice you..."

"I go to this knowing that death is possible but that doesn't matter anymore. The fear of death, its victory, has all fled from before this desire to finally sacrifice for the most important pony in my life: you. So take courage, Storm. Even if I pass all is not lost. You can be at ease, for him who wished me dead shall feel his own sting. Lift up your heart. I go now to meet fate, whatever that may be."

He was fighting back tears as Galaxia trotted up and spoke. "It cannot be any other way, Storm. Aqua, I will take you to the Arena in the Badlands. If I am not mistaken you have some unfinished business to tend to, no?"

"I do, Galaxia." I don't know how she knew about the civil war since she didn't know what had caused me to nearly die when I went there last time. I also didn't know why but each passing moment brought an emotional pain I hadn't felt in a while. It was sorrow mixed with fear, the feeling of signing one's life away, the pain of apprehensive sadness. Words still fail to describe it.

"Once that has been accomplished go out into the wilderness and let vengeful wrath consume you. Find then the one responsible for this mess. Defeat Flametread and claim victory as your own."

"I plan on it."

"We believe in you, Aqua, and you are all we have left." Her words only fuelled the soul wrenching emotions swirling inside of me. Regardless, I nodded. Galaxia drew close and began casting a spell. In a few moments we were back in the arid Badlands, standing in the middle of the sandy arena floor. Coincidentally enough we stood upon the traces of the very blood trails that started all of this over a decade ago. When next I turned to look Galaxia was no longer there. I was now completely alone for the end of my trials. I was quickly approached by one of the husks. Fury rode upon his visage. "You! What are you doing here? Get your filthy kind out of here!"

"We ponies are not leaving."

"Not the ponies, you dolt! The dragons!"

"That is what I came for. Where is your leader?"

"He's holed up with the ponies. I got separated out here when the city fell. I don't know why I'm hiding anyways, for all is lost!"

"Don't you dare say that!" My sudden harsh tone caused him to shrink back a little. "Take me to him."

"Are you crazy?! I'm not going out there again!"

"Then the dragons stay."

"No-no-no! Okay! Okay! I'll take you!" I smiled as he quickly turned and began heading out cautiously, leading the way. Once out in the clear he bolted, forcing me to quickly pursue. We arrived at the garrison in a very short frame of time. When I navigated my way through the fearful crowds to Flowing Hammer's chambers I found her and their leader engrossed in a very bitter argument. Insults were being flung about as much as actual arguing occurred. They were completely oblivious to their surroundings. I removed my helmet and approached. Finally sick of their arguing I tried to jut in.

"Hey!" No response. "Hey!"

It was louder this time but merited nothing. Again, and more aggressively, I tried. "HEY!"

Even this turned up no response. I could not take any more, nor was there enough time. With a heavy swing I slammed my hoof down on the large table in the middle of the room, nearly breaking it. In a colossal shout I followed up. "ENOUGH!!"

The room fell silent as the two looked at me startled and afraid. I'm sure my countenance was burning as angrily as was my frustration. "That's enough from both of you! I'm taking things from here."

The commander of those near-corpse creatures marched over angrily. "By what authority?"

"By my own."

"You have no authority here!" I kicked him in the muzzle as he was finishing his sentence. He stumbled backwards a step or two before dropping himself into a seated position. Blood began to seep from his nose.

"Unless you want another demonstration on what authority I'm acting under I suggest you sit there and shut it!" He nodded, whimpering quietly. I saw Flowing Hammer in the corner of my eye as she went to add something to what I said. I turned and addressed her accordingly. "That goes for you as well. I am taking full control of both sides. There are to be no ifs, ands or buts. Remember: I can beat the tar out of either one of you with ease and I will do so if need be. Do I make myself clear?"

They both nodded emptily. I finally lowered the volume of my voice, maintaining the same intensity. "Good. First thing is first: end this pathetic quarrel between the two sides. Dragons are threatening to destroy this city and neither of you could manage to put your childish pride away long enough to realise that this petty war made you easy prey. While you are ignorantly bickering about whatever minute detail you might be fighting over a dragon larger than the whole of the city has been gathering forces. We needed to be teamed up, not bickering like a bunch of oafs! That time, however, has passed because of your combined idiocy. You two, together if I might add, will evacuate the city and take its inhabitants to refuge in the fertile valley until the massive dragon falls. Have I made myself clear?"

Again they nodded. "Then get to it, and if the two of you fight I will beat you both senseless until your blood colours your hide!"

They hurriedly arose and left, not a word spoken between them. I hoped that the chastisement of the two had made clear my point. Another thing hoped for was that they would spread that spirit of reproof and fix the situation with their forces as well. Regardless of what they did one thing remained certain and unchangeable: the time had drawn nigh. My fight with an elder dragon was at the doors. The closer it got the less prepared I felt to confront it.

Swallowing my fear and insecurity I worked my way calmly out into the streets once more. Creatures fled, speeding past me as I slowly trotted in the opposite direction. So vivid was the contrast that, by the time I reached the outskirts of town, I could not see them on the horizon. As I trotted into the wastes I took a deep breath in, preparing myself. I then saw it: Flametread airborne. He was approaching from the bordering mountains in the south. The sight of him brought vividly to my remembrance the memory of what I saw in Galaxia's Chronochamber. With the image of Canterlot ablaze still painfully engraved in my mind, anger began building rapidly. It didn't take too long before I was furious enough to expend the effort to transform. As soon as he passed was when I had finished. I moved quickly to catch up, as he flew near the mountains while I was further in. Wanting to catch him here in the Badlands I billowed out at him in my newfound voice, hoping to get him to turn. "Get back here, Flametread!"

He merely glanced my way. I suppose he mistook me for some other dragon, as he didn't pay much mind. "Bronzetail, come and aid me in destroying these pitiful creatures."

His pace slowed while he talked, but all the while not looking over. A moment or two flew by as I approached. I was now dangerously close to him. As I had not responded he turned to address me. It was then I leaped, swinging a set of vicious claws. "Bronzetail-"

The blow connected, sinking my claws deep into the side of his head behind the ear. As my motion finished it left four rake marks down to his muzzle. The force knocked him out of the sky. After a skid or two he got back up, shocked but angry. "Bronzetail, what was that?!"

"I am not Bronzetail, miserable whelp! For decades now you have tried to murder me. It's my turn now!" He was backpedalling furiously, escaping my reach.

"The abomination?"

"The name is Aqua WindStorm." I ceased trying to reach him, as he barely managed to evade me every time. It was left to words for the moment.

"How did you...?"

"Did you really think I was a useless, miserable halfbreed stuck to be a horse my whole life?"

"You were just a pathetic sack of flesh for the last century. What happened?" It almost seemed as if his tone changed, as if he was more accepting of me now. It was almost frightening.

"After that failed encounter with Shade I was subjected to a massive burst of arcane energy. It mutated me, made my father's side more prominent."

"You have taken the true form of a dragon. It is impressive."

"I didn't come here for flattery, whelp!"

"Shake your Equestrian chains from you. Together we can lay waste to these oppressive ponies and a new day, a new brood, of dragons will reign supreme upon the face of the land again."

"I will do no such thing!"

"Embrace your draconic heritage."

"The only thing I will do is reclaim my father's inheritance, the one that should properly be his!" I had begun hissing and spitting my words in fury.

"Your father gave up his inheritance when he became a filthy scoundrel and a worthless vagabond!"

"Yet he was more respected and more valuable than you ever were or will be."

"That is a lie!"

"At least my father didn't need to hide like a coward to accomplish his work. You really are just a pathetic waste of scales."

"Enough!" In fury he now lashed out. He charged, ready to take swipes. I, myself, reared up, using my hind legs and tail for balance as I had so frequently done before. My experience sword fighting would serve me well here, I could tell. He brought his first swing from the right, aiming for my side. I swatted his claws away and brought my other paw down. He collided with me with more force than I could resist. A fall was imminent, forcing me to react. I sunk my left claws into his back and used my right to forcibly change our falling trajectory. I had pushed and squirmed enough that we both fell on our sides simultaneously. I brought my hind legs up and kicked. Whether it was to shove him away or inflict damage I'm not sure. Either way my claws sunk in slightly as the two of us were shoved apart. We both got up, standing on our hind legs. In a very animalistic fashion we took one swipe after another at each other. Several of his connected, dealing a fair bit of damage that was disregarded. A few of mine hit for lesser impact. When we finally dropped back down we both stepped back a short distance. He then dropped his head and began to charge. I lowered mine in due fashion and braced for the impact. As he drew close I jutted forwards, thrusting my head out to butt it against his. Our skulls rang out the echoing impact as we both stumbled backwards a short distance. I looked up quickly, expecting to see him charging again. I found him instead just barely recovering from the impact. As he brought his head up I noticed the many punctured wounds that now adorned his head. He then shook himself while bulking up. I didn't know what his next move was until he did it. Regardless, I was closely copying his actions.

Flametread opened his maw and I saw his flammable fluid shoot forth. It caught fire as I went to mimic him. Right before the flames hit, my own streams shot forth. To my astonishment it was neither fire nor flammable. What was being ejected from my own glands was water. This spray steamed and, ultimately, extinguished the stream from Flametread. Defeated, he ceased trying to breathe fire, causing me to stop as well. We stood a short distance from each other at this point, too far to engage in melee. "A water dragon. Your appearance would denote that of a bronze or copper dragon. Only blue or sapphire dragons, along with sea serpents, would be able to breathe water like that. You're an even greater mutt than I had imagined."

"Your words are going to be the death of you, mangy cur!"

"Speak for yourself, runt."

"Murderers such as you earn what you deserve."

"Murderer? Have you so soon forgotten that your forsaken race nearly eradicated us all in an unjustified holocaust?"

"And yet look at where you are. You are no better, no more justified in your genocide."

"I am here to exact justice, abomination."

"I might be an abomination of nature but it's better than an unprincipled psychopath."

"I'll make you eat those words!" He began charging in again. I turned myself about, swinging my tail heavily. The solid mass of muscle connected with the skull and shoulder of the rapidly approaching dragon. As I was about to withdraw my tail in preparation to lunge upon him I felt, in a point-by-point sequence down my tail, two claws' worth of punctures grip my tail. I then felt myself being yanked backwards. I could not resist the force, ultimately losing my ground. We both began tumbling but he recovered first. In the time it takes to blink he was upon me. He threw swipe after feral swipe, trying to tear into me. Several strokes left gashes upon my belly and chest, others on my sides and shoulders. As quickly as I could I got my legs underneath him and kicked as hard as I possibly could. He was forced off, catching air and leaving me to squirm to a stand. With a colossal thud he hit the ground. Sparing no time I charged over. By the time I arrived he had barely recovered. I rammed into him shoulder first, bowling him over again. After a short stumble I picked up my speed again, arriving before he had prepared. I leaped, extending my front claws out, and caught his exposed chest. When he was pinned he began fighting more desperately. He flailed, claws first, in a wild fit of attacks. At the same time I ferociously bit down on his neck. The metallic taste of blood quickly washed over my tongue. As he continued scratching wildly, sending immense walls of pain shooting through my sides, I continued wrenching at his throat. With one last yank I attempted to rend his throat but was unsuccessful. I then took several barbaric and powerful swipes at his neck and face. He kicked me off after around a dozen landed swipes. I arose, as did he, to find a decent distance between us. I looked him over, gauging what strength he had left. He was coated thickly in his own blood as I imagine was my own condition as well. At this point I simply felt sickly and dizzy, ultimately signifying my own enormous loss of blood. He must have felt the same, as he hesitated to continue fighting. The silence broke when he spoke. "You're better at fighting than I imagined. If you joined me we'd be unstoppable."

"I would never join such a malevolent, malignant cause as yours."

"Perhaps if you stepped down from your ivory tower you'd see what I'm really trying to accomplish."

"Climb out of your childish dugout first and see just what havoc vengeance wreaks." Having taken offence to my words once more he charged in again. I ducked down into a low squat, preparing for what came next. He ended his charge by leaping into the air, swinging a paw in a mighty effort. I took the signal, practically jumping at him headfirst. His paw, originally aimed for my head, tore deep into my side, sending waves of pain up my body. My head connected horns first into the shredded, fleshy part of his neck and his jaw. His body weight collapsed down upon me while I was trying to avoid it. When I finally separated from him he tried another few swipes. His breath was short and raspy, causing his strikes to be nothing more than gentle slaps. At this point I was fatigued and disoriented. When I finally caught hold of my bearings he had risen. I approached with the intent of ending his life. As I, relatively, heftily swung my tail from the left he got airborne. I missed, eventually skidding to a halt. When I turned and found him again he had flown a considerable distance towards, what I could only assume to be, the south. Hoping to discourage him from returning I billowed out at him. "Running off like a coward?"

"This isn't the last you've seen of me, horse!"

"Leave this land and never return! Next time I won't go so easy." My bravado worked; he continued his trajectory. As he disappeared on the horizon my rage began to subside. Eventually I couldn't manage to hold this form anymore. I transformed back down, finding myself far too drained to even hold my larger equine form. Ultimately unable to remain upright any longer I collapsed. As I lay entirely drained on the scorched earth I knew my time was severely limited. Using what little energy I had I called out to Galaxia. I tried my best to remain conscious but, soon thereafter, the world fell dark.

When next I awoke it was in the presence of Galaxia and Storm. Surprisingly enough I was not sore or incapable as I normally was after an experience like that. Accordingly I tried to sit up. Deep, indescribably pain shot up my body, causing me to collapse back down and let out a grunt that ended up being more of a squeak than anything. I searched for the cause, finding the only reasonable explanation to be the thick wad of bandages wrapped about my midsection. That was probably it but I needed to see it for myself. Looking at Galaxia I finally spoke. "Show me."

She connected the dots quickly. "Aqua, that would not be the best course of action."

"Let me see it."

"They must remain wrapped up."

"I need to know."

Storm spoke this time. "Aqua, please, listen to what Galaxia says."

"Storm, I need to know how bad it actually is, especially after that fight." Storm looked over at Galaxia in concern, who herself looked a little defeated. She let out a sigh.

"Go ahead and remove the bandages. I can get Flare to cast the spell again." With that she turned and left, presumably to contact her counterpart, the other demigoddess, Flare, whom I had little contact with. Storm was left to do the ugly task. As he unwrapped the bandages it became clear it was going to be messy, The more he removed the more crimson the next layer was, As he was undoing the last layer, once open air hit the wound, the remainder of the bandages collapsed in on it. My side was sunken further than any nightmarish image I could have imagined. As the rest of the dripping bandage left my stinging side I got to view what grisly sight was left of my body. A large portion of my torso had been carved out messily, presumably by the raking claws of Flametread, until the ribs remained visible. Blood seeped continually from the nauseatingly fleshy area, pooling up within the little cavity. I continued looking on in sickened disbelief, wondering how I was alive, nonetheless awake. Not many moments later, as I was feeling more tired and dismayed, the doors to the chamber slammed open. Flare came storming in with Galaxia in tow. It was clear that Flare was not happy. "I told you two that, under no circumstances, were you to remove the bandages!"

Galaxia responded calmly but defiantly. "If you knew her better you'd understand why we did so."

"I don't care who it is! If I give an order I expect it to be completed. Simple. Now, move out of the way and let me work." Flare took the bandages from Storm roughly before using her magic to prepare them once more. Her tone had calmed by the next time she spoke. "Galaxia, knock her out. We don't want her to be awake while I repeat this."

She nodded before her horn glowed in that selfsame strange, light absorbing manner it usually does. Within mere seconds an overwhelming sense of drowsiness overcame me. I had no option but to succumb.

My next awakening was within my own house. Storm was the only one nearby. I could tell he had been eagerly awaiting my awakening. I went to get up, which caused him to draw near quickly, but the overwhelmingly sharp pain dropped me back down onto the bed. "Hey, easy now."

His tone was very soft and concerned. When he got over by me he placed a hoof on my shoulder gently. "How long have I been out?"

"To make sure you didn't over exert yourself too soon Galaxia put you under for a full month." He knew what my reaction would be before I had time to react. He kept me down with his hoof and spoke once more. "The Order is fine. Ajiin took it over again."

"That's not comforting at all."

"What? Why?"

"He knows." As much as speaking hurt my sides I had to convey my point.

"Knows what?"

"He knows what I did."

"What thing?"

"The slaughter."

"The slaughter? You mean the slaver thing?" I nodded. "Considering what his job consists of I would think that it wouldn't matter as much to him."

"Apparently it did."

"That would explain why he didn't even pass by." His statement made me curious. Who had passed by and when? Just as I was about to speak he did so instead. "Oh, by the way, you had visitors a few hours ago."

"Oh? Who?"

"Cam, Lazuli, some pony named 'Nancy' that spoke of a caravan, even Battlescar and this 'Sparky' character all came by." The last three names on the list surprised me. The mare I had helped in the caravan a very long time ago, the barbarian whose place I stole in the Order and the mare that had trained with me in the combat school had all passed by. They were all acquaintances from a very long time ago, yet seemed to think very highly of me. How they remembered me I’m not sure. If nothing else the news warmed my heart.

"Good to know I matter to some small group of ponies."

"That you do. Well, rest up Aqua. Before too long you should be good to go." I nodded, spirits having been lifted, before closing my eyes to embrace sleep once more.

Next Chapter: 7. Dangerous Games Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 18 Minutes