Chapter 10: Tied Together

Von and the girls continued to talk on their train ride back from Appleloosa. "Hopefully the elder got my letter." Von said. Twilight smiled. "I'm sure it did. I'm sure Princess Celestia sent it to Dragon Mountain, so don't worry." With that out of the way, an interesting question was brought to Von's attention. "So what was with that giant sneeze y'all did earlier? When y'all came onto the train." Applejack asked. Everypony looked at him expectantly. "...I'm not sure. I've never done anything like that before. It felt like some strange power welled up in me as I prepared to sneeze." Von answered.
Twilight looked at him and smiled. "Looks like you have a breath that's different from other dragons, just like Spike does. Except rather than using fire, you're using wind." Von's eyes widened and the girls nodded in agreement. "I agree. It felt like a tornado appeared briefly. It was so scary...oh! I'm sorry...I didn't mean it like that. Please don't be mad..." Fluttershy mumbled. Von just smiled and patted Fluttershy's mane. She squeaked a little and began blushing. The girls just looked at them and laughed. "But I agree, darling. That was a very strong gust of wind. Perhaps it's a sign that you're maturing." Rarity said.

Von didn't actually consider that. Maturing...I'm getting stronger...I wonder what the elder would say, Von thought. Just thinking about it filled him with confidence. In that moment, Rainbow Dash patted his back and laughed. "Don't let it go to your head. It looks good, but I think it can get stronger. You'll just have to make it stronger." He smiled and nodded his head. Pinkie Pie looked over at her. "Don't let it go to his head? DIdn't Twilight say something like that before we dressed up as Mare Do Well?" That stung her pretty badly as she recalled the events that transpired then, causing everypony to laugh but Von was the only one that didn't understand. "Who's Mare Do Well?" He asked.

The girls giggled and looked at him. He stared in confusion until Twilight was the first to answer. "Mare Do Well is a hero that we came up with after Rainbow Dash let her fame get to her head." Von blinked. "Fame? How did she get famous?" Applejack grinned. "She saved a baby in a carriage from going off a cliff. After that, she started tryin' to save everypony. But after a while, she started lettin' it go to her head and was too stubborn to listen to us." Rainbow Dash sighed and glared at her. "Alright alright. No need to bring up anymore. He doesn't need to know..." Before she could finish, Pinkie cut her off. "It was so much fun dressing up like that. We got to do some really neat things. I got to save a pony that was in a hot air balloon." She said happily. Fluttershy blushed and smiled a bit. "Oh yes. It was actually kind of fun. Plus, the costume felt pretty comfortable. It was so soft."

In an instant Von knew who to turn to next and he looked at Rarity, who appeared to be smiling confidently. "Well, I AM one of the best fashion designers in Ponyville. If you wouldn't mind Von, I still wish to try making clothes for dragons and I'd like you to be the one to try them." She said. Von smiled and nodded in agreement. "Sure. I'd like to do that once we get back to Ponyville. I'll come over to..." Von quickly stopped himself from finishing and remained frozen. The girls looked at him with deep concern. "I-is something wrong, Von?" Fluttershy timidly asked. "...I'm not sure. I just felt a chill run up my spine. It feels like something's wrong." He said. Fluttershy hid her face in her mane, Rarity comforting her all the while. Twilight looked at him and looked down at the floor. "I can feel it, too. Something's wrong in Ponyville."

The train stopped at the station and everypony got off and looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, but the sky looked as though it were painted red with blood. The ponies hadn't felt this nervous since Discord's awakening. Rainbow Dash flew up into the air and looked down at the gang. "What are we waiting for?! Let's go!" They all nodded and went off to the center of Ponyville. If anything, they knew that something would be happening there. Von flew behind Rainbow Dash, just barely keeping up with her. To him, it was quite an improvement but he didn't have time to think about that now. The chill he felt earlier came back but now it was worse than ever. I don't know what this is, but I'll help to the best of my abilities, he thought. He smiled and continued flying towards the center.

Upon arrival, they noticed everypony in Ponyville was starting to gather around. They also felt the ominous presence that Von and the girls felt. They were in a bit of a panic, trying to find out what they were going to do or what was coming into Ponyville. Twilight was about to speak up, but a flash of light shined in front of the crowd and at the same time, a blue mist began swirling around. When the light vanished, Princess Celestia stood in its place and Princess Luna formed out of the mist. Everypony lowered their heads in respect, Von included. "Princess Celestia. Do you know what this feeling is?" Twilight asked. Celestia looked down at her. "I wish I knew, Twilight Sparkle. Not even I know of this presence." Rarity looked up at the princesses. "Discord didn't feel like ANYTHING compared to this." She looked scared and the other ponies nodded their heads.

"Whatever this is, my sister and I can be able to handle it." Luna said. "I'm quite certain that..." Celestia cut her off and looked at her sister. "No, Luna. Though our magic is strong, we can no longer wield the Elements of Harmony. That kind of power was passed on to Twilight and her friends. And it was given to them for a reason." Luna looked over at Celestia. "But sister!" Celestia looked at Luna and gave her a sharp glare, letting her sister know that she had heard enough and Luna kept quiet.

Everything went silent. Nopony knew what was about to happen next. Von looked at Celestia and as he was about to speak, the flapping of giant wings was heard. Von had heard this kind of flapping before. "A dragon..." he said outloud. Fluttershy squeaked and curled up, hiding behind Pinkie Pie. The flapping of the wings grew louder, meaning that the dragon was getting closer. Nopony could see where in the sky it was coming from. They felt like it could appear at any moment. Rainbow Dash started yelling into the sky. "I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" Von looked around, the chill growing worse and worse. Everything fell silent once more. Von then looked up into the air and saw a black figure come diving down and it landed in the center of the crowd. Its landing caused dust to fly up and the ground beneathe them to shake. When the dust cleared, they all looked at the figure and saw the black dragon.

"Well well well. Doesn't seem like Ponyville has changed at all. Heh. And here, I thought that you would have changed at least one piece of this pathetic place." the dragon said. Rainbow Dash was on the verge of rushing at the dragon, but Applejack held her back. The black dragon then looked over in Celestia's direction. "Ah. If it isn't the tyrant princesses of the sun and moon. Long time, no see. How have you been, Celes?" The dragon asked.

Luna was aggravated by the fact that this mysterious dragon was speaking to her sister with such familiarity, in addition to not calling her by her proper name. "THOU SHALT SPEAK TO OUR SISTER WITH RESPECT, YOU WORM!!!" She said, going back into the Royal Canterlot voice. She attempted to attack them dragon, but before she could get much closer he whipped her with her tail and sent her rolling across the ground. The ponies gasped and Celestia looked at her sister in shock. She was bleeding. This was the first time anypony had ever seen somepony bleed and it frightened them greatly.

Von reeled back in fear, but he knew he had to do something. The black dragon looked around. "So this is what Ponyville is reduced to. A bunch of fucking foals that can barely even protect themselves. Just look at your princess!!! She didn't stand a chance against me and those two are supposed to be the strongest of you all?! Don't make me laugh. You ponies could never stand a chance in hell against me!!!" He spit on the ground after finishing his sentence. Celestia looked at the dragon. "Who are you?" The black dragon grinned smugly and looked at her. "You really don't remember me? Well then. Allow me to refresh your memory." he said before getting closer to her. For the first time ever, Celestia began to back away from the dragon. None of the ponies, even Twilight, has ever seen Celestia back away from an enemy in fear. "I was the one who ran away." Celestia's eyes widened when she realized who he was and he smiled. "My name is Nova. I am the new elder...sorry...LEADER of the dragons now."

Von looked at him with anger and stepped forward. "Stop lying!" Nova looked down at Von. "Von...so you really are here. Regardless, you can deny it all you want. Your precious 'elder' is gone now. He's dead and now I've taken his place. I even have the letter that he..." "Stop lying!!!" Von shouted, interrupting Nova.Twilight, Rainbow Dash and the other ponies looked at him in shock. Tears were running down his cheeks, but they could tell he was trying his hardest not to lose control.

Spike peeked out from the crowd and looked at Von. "Von? Are you ok?" Nova looked at Spike. "Another dragon living amongst the ponies?! Have you no shame?! We do not belong here with these grass eating beasts! Are you two fucking idiots or something?!" Applejack glared at him. "Now you listen here, ya lousy varmint. Now ah ain't interested in fightin', but I will kick your flank for my friend. You got no right to..." Before she could finish, Nova whipped her with his tail and she rolled on the ground and laid there in the same condition as Luna. Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs seeing her friend like that and she ran to her side. Pinkie and Fluttershy joined her, while Twilight and Rainbow Dash stayed by Von. Spike ducked back into the crowd, frightened of Nova and his power. "Believe what you want, Von. It is the truth. As is this." Nova said, lowering his head to Von's eye level. Von was shaken up. Nova was much bigger than him, bigger than his elder. He was used to adult dragons but not one like Nova. "I am here to take you back to Dragon Mountain where you belong."

The girls' eyes opened wide, as did the rest of Ponyville and Von. "No way. You can't make me! You're not..." "I am your leader now!!! You seriously wanna stay here with ponies? Are you sick in the head or something?!" Nova asked angrily. "Listen. Did the elder tell you anything before he died? Before you left the mountain?" Von shook his head. "I thought not. Then how about this? Why do you think I'm so concerned about you? Why do you think I want to take you back to the mountain, other than the obvious?" Von sat and thought for a moment. He didn't know why Nova was so concerned. The only dragon that was so concerned was his elder. "You idiot. Let me break it down for you. You and I are connected. That's why I knew who you were so easily." Nova said. "What do you mean? How do you know me so well?" Nova laughed at him and stepped closer. "Nice to see you again, little brother."

Loud gasps filled the air. Von backed further away from him. A brother?! No way. That can't be true, he thought. Rainbow Dash looked at Von. "You have a brother?!" "...No. There's no way! I don't have any family except for the elder and my new friends!" The girls and the rest of the ponies smiled at him. Nova made a gagging sound. "Oh please! You make me sick, befriending these ponies. It seems that you won't come back willingly. If that's the case..." He stopped suddenly as flames started to seep from his mouth. "...I'll FORCE YOU TO COME BACK!!!" He opened his mouth and let out a stream of black fire. Von closed his eyes and braced for impact. But the fire didn't come. He opened his eyes to see Celestia and Twilight standing in front of him using their magic to put up a barrier. "Celestia! Twilight!" he exclaimed. Nova laughed as the fire was still coming out of his mouth and he breathed in through his nose and out his mouth and the fire pushed against the barrier more and it started to crack until it broke.

The flames dispersed and the force of the barrier breaking caused both Celestia and Twilight to be sent flying onto their backs and they went outcold. "Are you really that fucking stupid?! Is this someone's idea of a joke?! I told you. You don't stand a chance against me." Nova gloated. Rainbow Dash glared at him. "Alright! That's it! I can't take this anymore. I'm gonna buck you up big time for this!" She said as she flew at him and bucked the bottom of his jaw. He reached up with his claw and rubbed it. He glared at her and Von knew what was coming next. "Dash!!! Look out!!!" But it was too late. Nova swung his tail down on Rainbow Dash's back and sent her into the ground. His spikes dug into her back and she was bleeding badly as he held her in place.

Von growled and his eyes flared. Nova laughed but he stopped and looked at Von in surprise as Von charged at him and leaped up and bit into his neck. Nova winced just a bit and grabbed Von and tried to pull him off, but Von didn't let go. He kept digging his teeth in more and more as blood was starting to draw from Nova's neck. Nova growled. "You're beginning to piss me off, 'brother'." He raised his right claw up and he jabbed Von in the back, all four of his claws digging and grinding in his back. Von yelled in pain, tears falling from his eyes and the moment he lost his grip Nova threw him to the ground. Nova lifted his tail off of Rainbow Dash, who laid there moaning in pain and walked over to Von. "This could've been worked out easier if you had just obeyed. But now I have to teach you where your place is." Flames began to seep from his mouth again. Von struggled and got up but he was off balance as he was losing alot of blood. Von breathed in and out and looked at Nova.

Nova glared down at him and let his fire breath loose and as he did, Von let out his wind breath and it collided with the fire but it was barely holding it back. Von kept breathing as long as he could but he was struggling as he was using his new found power while Nova wasn't even breaking a sweat. Von's energy was starting to give out and Nova grinned. All of a sudden, the wind Von let out of his mouth began to die down and the flames Nova breathed out shot at Von and he was consumed in the fire.

Ponyville was quiet. Only the wind blew as the flames died down and Von lay on the ground unconscious. "Hmph." Nova grunted. As he began to walk over to Von's passed out body, several ponies stepped in front of him and impeded his advance. Not even a second later, other ponies began to form a live shield in front of Von. Nova glared at them. "Move aside." The ponies didn't move. They just stood in place, glaring at him. "Are you serious?! Why are you defending him?! We are dragons! We're your enemies!!! What, do you think you ponies can really make a difference? If you do, then you're even bigger dumbasses then I thought. We dragons will never forget the scars you left in our hearts that day." Nova growled and shook his head. He looked like he was about to panic as he saw all the ponies in front of him. He looked down at Von. "You got lucky today. But i'll come get you again and when I do, I will burn Ponyville to the ground. Punishment for what you did to..." He remained silent, but had a mixed look of sadness and anger on his face.

Rainbow Dash mustered up enough strength to stand up a bit. "What...what do you mean 'punishment'? What do you mean 'that day'?" Nova looked at her and looked at Celestia and Luna, who had recovered from their injuries and glared. "Maybe you should ask your precious princesses." With that, Nova spread his wings and the wind created when he flapped blew a few ponies back and he took off into the sky.

When he faded from view, Applejack and Twilight recovered as they along with Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie ran over to Von's side. Spike ran over to him as well and looked at him. He suddenly gasped. "He's not moving!" This grabbed Rainbow Dash's attention as she went over to Von and nudged his head. "Hey! Von!" He didn't respond. "Von, you better not be joking with me! I'll buck you up if you are!" She said, starting to burst into tears. Twilight and the others looked down. "Von! Wake up!" They all cried out. He still didn't respond. "Von! Please! Wake up..." Rainbow Dash cried. "VON!!!"

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