(Authors note:  Yay for pony creation mythology)

“Stand perfectly still! It reacts on movement.”

“That's from Jurassic park!”

“Do you have a better idea?”

He didn't.

He could barely think at the moment. The dragon was just so enormous! How could a creature so large even exist? It didn't make any sense, Karon was barely as big as one of it's talons. What did it eat? How could it keep itself from collapsing under gravity? And what kind of fucked up loopholes in the laws of physics existed for such a creature to be able to fly?

“You could always ask it.”

“If that thing wakes up we will die.”

“I am already awake stranger.”

The thought rumbled within Karon's mind with the grinding sound of an earthquake and the power of an exploding volcano, and with the timeless presence of a mind that had seen mountains form and fall into dust as if they were nothing more than spring time flowers.

“Holy shit...!”

“I would question thee so that I might understand what forces have decided to bring thee here to my home, but gleamed from thy mind I have seen the deceit of the trickster god thou was fooled so skilfully by. Before my inner eye, visions of thy adventures and struggles have played out, and the purpose of thy visit is clear to me.”

The power behind the dragon’s thoughts was so immense that Karon was stunned beyond belief. Celestia and Luna had been like fire and ice, the power of the sun and moon behind them, but it had been limited. They could only wield as much power as they could channel, like a dam only letting a small amount of water through.

This dragon had no such petty weakness, he was the water. He was POWER.

The dragon's sleeping form had remained the same and not moved at all. It didn't even open its eyes, not that it needed to. Karon was convinced it could see him either way.

“Then please tell me, why am I here. Because I swear to you that I had no intentions of disturbing your rest.”

“Thou has not disturbed my rest. If I were to allow myself to fully wake thy, mind would quiver in true fear.”

Karon did not dare try and imagine what it would be like to see the dragon wake if it was only sleeping now. It already felt like there was nothing in the world that could stop this creature from doing whatever it pleased.

“But that is not my will. Upon thy soul and mind I can feel the mark of this world and its ancient predecessor.”

What the dragon had just said made Karon so curious he forgot he was supposed to be terrified for a moment.

“What do you mean?”

“Thou has upon thy soul and mind received a blessing. One is a blessing of life, and the other is a blessing of validation. Both are signs, omens, for what is to come. Tis the reason I have not yet greeted thee as an uninvited guest should be greeted.”

Karon swallowed a lump in his throat.

“You are speaking of the Everfree Forest and Equestria.”

“Those are names for them yes, very fitting ones. The world of the ponies, the world ruled by the powers of harmony, has bestowed upon thee its gift of life, but beware the meaning of this, never has it done so unless it needed the services of the blessed. I can see it now, thy arrival here was met with hope. Equestria marked you as it's own, for in thy future I behold a time to come where thou shall serve it.”

“Why would Equestria need me? It already has plenty of protectors, and a protector is not my role to play.”

“Thy ignorance is plain in the words that thou speak. Equestria knows its future, and if it has chosen thee to act on it's behalf, tis because the protectors thou speak of will fail.”

“So what about the Everfree Forest? What do you mean it blessed me with validation?”

“That which thou has named the Everfree Forest is the remaining cradle of this world. Tis what came before the rule and birth of the ponies, when its forest stretched from sea to sea without end. It was a time so distant from the now that only those dragons who were born of the sun remember it.”

“I mean no offence by my words, but could you explain perhaps in clearer terms? I feel there is much that I am missing.”

From the dragon came the sound of a landslide. But it was nothing more than the grumbling of an ancient being displaying its disappointment in the inability of the lowly creature before it to understand what it said.

“I shall explain to thee all thou need to know, and then I shall give to thee what thou need the most ... power.”

                             ********************************************

Twilight raised her hoof and knocked on Carousel Boutique's front door. After a few seconds she heard a singing voice call out to her.

“It's open.”

She stepped inside and saw Rarity standing at her desk. She wore her glasses and looked to be drawing up some new designs. She looked up from them and she smiled nervously when she saw it was Twilight visiting.

“Twilight!...I wasn't expecting you. I am terribly sorry I have been too busy to say hello lately, but I received an order for an entire collection due this week.”

“It's all right Rarity, I know how important your work is. I was just wondering if you had time for lunch with a friend.”

“Well ... There is so much left to do.”

“You still have to eat right?”

Seeing no escape from Twilight's logic she levitated the glasses off her nose and turned to her friend.

“I guess it can't hurt for me to take a little break. You can't rush inspiration after all.”

“Great, how about we go to café Bucking Stars?”

“Sounds delightful.” Rarity responded carefully. She had been avoiding both Twilight and Karon for three day's now and suspected Twilight knew something had happened. She really hoped Karon had said nothing to her. Then again he was a gentlecolt, and a gentlecolt does not gossip about private matters.

Both unicorns walked in silence towards the popular café, with Twilight considering which conversation starter to use. She had found several in a book on social interaction Spike had given her for her birthday, hinting in not so subtle a manner she might have use of it.

The really infuriating part was that he was right, it had proven to be very useful.

Rarity was occupied with similar thoughts, but they moved in the direction on how to dodge Twilight's questions without arousing suspicion. She would act casual and as her usual self, she would comment on what the other ponies were wearing and complain about the seats. Twilight would have no reason to suspect a thing.

They passed by several ponies on the way, giving them polite greetings. Ponyville was a small community and even though Twilight and Rarity did not know everypony, that did not mean that everypony did not know of them.

Being a wielder of an element of harmony comes at a heavy price towards one's anonymity.

When they arrived at Bucking Stars, they sat down at an outside table and both ordered the salad special and coffee. Rarity pretended to be busy observing the other ponies around them, while Twilight was still trying to decide upon a smooth ice breaker.

“Did something happen between you and Karon?”

The question slipped out before she could stop herself, but when she saw the reaction it had gotten from Rarity she decided to wait for a response before saying anything else.

Rarity had frozen after Twilight's question and her eyes darted from side to side in furious consideration of what to answer with.

“Twilight I have no idea what you are talking about. Aside from making him those marvellous clothes, we hardly spoke. Why, has he said anything?”

“No, but he didn't need to. Rarity, I know you're hiding something and Karon practically fled out into the forest the morning after he came home early looking upset. So just tell me, did he do something to you?”

Rarity squirmed a little in her seat. She didn't think she could stand the embarrassment of admitting what had happened would bring.

“No Twilight he did absolutely nothing at all ... that's the problem. Oh I can't believe I'm saying this!”

Rarity took a dramatic look around as if checking for eavesdroppers before she leaned in a little closer to Twilight and whispered loudly.

“You see, Karon and I were talking and it was really pleasant. He knows a lot more about fashion than anypony could have expected from his first appearance, but then I asked him something very personal and he said something so horrible I couldn't help but feel guilty and....”

“...Twilight I want you to know that I don't know why I acted like this. It's almost like he can see right through me. I have never meet another pony that understand me the same way Karon does. I know he is not like us, but I can't really help it. He is better than any stallion I have ever met before.”

“Rarity ... are you sure you're not overreacting? I know Karon can be a bit hard to read and you might have gotten the wrong impression of him.”

“Twilight I am no foal. I know very well much of his gentlecolty manner is just him being nice to me, but I can't see anything wrong with that when no other stallion even tries.”

“So this is just about prince Blueblood then.”

“It is most certainly not! All I am saying is that besides Karon, only Spike has ever treated me like a lady should be treated, and he is not a pony either, so I see nothing wrong with feeling a little attracted to Karon since all stallions are acting like nothing more then colts!”

Twilight sighed quietly. Rarity had decided what she thought about all of this and wouldn't be swayed. Twilight had been inside Karon's mind and seen how it looked. He was more like her than like Rarity. She just couldn't imagine what they could have in common. Karon must be playing a game of some kind.

“Rarity ... what was it that happened between you two?”

Rarity didn't respond at first since the waiter had arrived with their orders. She looked down at her salad with a tiny frown.

“If you really want to know ,then I guess I will have to start at the beginning.”

                             *****************************************

“My birth was the same birth as that of our sun. Uncountable millennia ago, the sun and all around it was a spinning disk of rock, metal and ice, but as it grew heavier and that around it collected closer to it, it also grew in heat. Until finally it ignited in a brilliant explosion of power, and a wave of its new born power swept out shaping a large rock into the egg that would one day become the world thou now stand upon.”

“It was in those brilliant flames of a new born star that my brethren and I came to be. As the wave of power swept out, songs could be heard all around, and it was in these songs we took shape and gained our names. As the great celestial powers began shaping this world, we rested upon its fiery being. Dancing upon it's charred surface and swam along the currents of the molten blood of the planet.”

“The time it took for the planet to shape into a world that could support the life of lesser creatures is beyond your capacity to imagine, but we waited patiently and grew in power and awareness of our selves. It began ever so slowly and in the tiniest forms, but life as you know of it took form and began its growth. We watched as the earliest creatures grew, some were created and others came to be all by themselves. Most did not last long, and those that did were young and foolish, they craved our power and understanding.”

It was hard to judge, but Karon thought that the dragon’s telepathic voice sounded sad, regretful. As if mourning the creatures that had looked upon them with envy and greed.

“It was a tale with its end already written in stone, but they brought war upon us still. At first we attempted to reason with them, but they would close their minds to our wisdom. They chose to be blind, and because of our hesitation the world burned, but she was not ready to die yet. She had barely had time to breathe life into herself. So a decision was made.”

“The great forest burned, but from it's ashes new life would grow to be. But this time it would be different, for many great powers from places even I cannot comprehend came to us in aid, and they shaped the new life so that our mistake would not repeat itself. Many species were birthed, but one in particular was special. They were the origins of what you know today as ponies.”

“Five kinds were created, the earth bound, the sky bound, the star bound, the sea bound and also the life bound. Today thou call them the earth ponies, the pegasi, the unicorns, the sea horses and the alicorns. The earth ponies were given reign over the ground, and upon them the task to care for the life and nourishment it provided fell. The pegasi were given reign over the sky, and upon them the task to shape the weather to aid the earth ponies in supporting life fell. The unicorns were given reign over the unseen current of magic and energy, and were to use this power to aid both the pegasi and earth ponies in maintaining life. The sea horses began as the water ponies, and they were given reign over the seas. Upon them the task to support all life beneath the ocean surfaces fell, but they soon grew tired of the surface world and withdrew to the depths. There they still maintain their duties, but in isolation from their kin. And lastly, the alicorns were given reign over all the ponies. And upon them the task of guiding and aiding their lesser brothers and sisters fell.”

“This was so decreed by the world itself, and what you know as Equestria took shape. But it wore a different name then. Harmony would be the force that guided the ponies in their work, and although there were times where they forgot their kinship, they always returned to their rightful places in the harmonic cycles of this world.”

“But not all of the ancient forest had burned and not all creatures before the ponies had died. Those that remained were banished to the forest remains and it was dictated that it would remain upon the land as a lesson of what had come before, but it would not be ruled by the ponies. It was not of this new world. Merely an echo of the past, so it remains the forest of the Everfree. Separate, yet still connected to the world of Equestria.”

“We dragons remained as well, giving aid at times to the ponies, but most of all we sleep. Waiting for a time we are called in service once more.”

Karon had barely noticed how he had moved into the cave and sat down before the still sleeping dragon. His legs folded beneath him as he had listened with rapt attention as the dragon told of the founding of this world. It explained so much Karon could only have guessed at, and he would have guessed wrong.

“So what does it mean then when the forest has blessed me with a validation?”  

“The forest of the Everfree remains as a place where the lessons of old are kept. The lessons that stretch beyond the casual boundaries that pony harmony can reach, may be learned. To have been blessed by the forest means that thou have come here to learn, and since thy path brought thee here, it can only mean I am to be thy teacher.”

Karon could not hide the fact that having the ancient and powerful dragon as a teacher was an exhilarating thought. The things he could learn and master....

“What am I to learn?”

“All that thou need to learn, lessons of power they shall be. But beware, I am no gentle teacher. And thou shall either master my lessons or forfeit your life in failure.”

“Seems a bit ... harsh.”

“No choice has been left to thee.”

“Very well then ... Let's get started.”

                                               ***********************************

Twilight had been paying close attention to Rarity as she had started to tell Twilight of all the times she and Karon had been spending time together. It was not as bad as she first thought, that was until the very end.

“I don't know what came over me really Twilight, I just wanted to give him a comforting hug, but the way he had those long arms around me, oh and his smell. It was all just so very strange, so very different. I couldn't help but feel a little excited as I began thinking about how it would be if Karon and I would ... you know. And then I think ... he was thinking of the same thing, but all we had done was some harmless flirting. Surely there could be no harm in seeing if there could be more between us.”

Rarity gave of a nondescript sound of wounded pride and continued.

“But no, instead he ran out on me before anything could happen. Oh the nerve of that human, to leave me in such an undignified way. He didn't even try to make up a proper excuse.”

For some reason Twilight felt very relieved to hear that Karon had been the one to break the situation and walk away. It must be because now she knew he wasn't planning anything nefarious towards Rarity.

Yes, that must be it.

“I think he made the right choice. You barely know each other Rarity. What if he turns out to be completely different from how you think he is?”

“I know it is very rash of me, but I simply can't help it. Karon has spoken and acted in a way I would have thought only a dream stallion would. Even better, before meeting him I would never have thought that the dark and mysterious type would suit me, but I was wrong. I have seen absolutely nothing that says Karon and I would not fit together. Oh Twilight, please help me decide what to do, I feel so torn.”

Rarity put a hoof to her forehead to demonstrate how terribly unbearable the situation. Her voice had grown increasingly dramatic as she spoke and at the finish sounded more like something that belonged in a play at the theatre.

“Rarity what were you thinking? What ARE you thinking? He's not even a pony, there's just no way things would work for you two. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do.”

“But you must! Where else could a pony turn in her time of need if not to a friend?”

“Rarity I keep telling you, it is a really bad idea.”

“But he knows me so well Twilight. He understands me in a way I never thought a stallion would. Please tell me what I should do, please, please, please.”

Rarity's melodrama had kicked into overdrive and she was waving her hooves around in grand gestures as she spoke. Twilight didn't know if Rarity had noticed all the other customers staring at them.

“Rarity, I don't have any answers. I certainly don't know anything about romance between two different species. I don't even know anything about romance between ponies!”

“Whatever shall I do? I'm lost to those perfectly symmetrical amber eyes. A slave to my uncontrolled feelings and urges. Oh the shame, the disgrace! If any pony would discover the truth I would be ruined, RUINED!”

“Uhm, Rarity ... You know you've been kinda shouting for the last couple of minutes right?”

Rarity froze in the middle of her dramatic pose meant to conjure an image of utter despair and looked around. Every single customer, and even some ponies outside of the café, were staring at her.

“Maybe this would be a good time to leave,” Twilight offered and put a few bits on the table.

“Quick, before they hear anything else!” Rarity responded and moved as fast as she could without losing her image of dignity and poise.

Twilight went after her and they both began walking back towards Rarity's boutique.

“Twilight, I understand that you think this is very strange and I can't blame you, but besides the fact that he isn't a stallion, Karon has turned out to be almost perfect. He cares just as much as I do about keeping himself fabulous, I mean he wears cloth every single day! And they look stunning, not surprising since I made them, but still ... and the way he arranged that party for Pinkie Pie just because he felt bad about not enjoying the first one. And the way he rescued you. Honestly Twilight, I am surprised you haven't developed some feelings for him as well.”

“Rarity, all of this makes no sense at all. Karon is just too different.”

“Twilight one day you will meet a stallion that can make you feel like Karon makes me feel and you will understand perfectly then.”

Rarity pouted. This whole conversation with Twilight had been mostly her admitting her feelings, but now that she had, she was at a loss at what to do, especially after Karon had reacted so badly to her advances.

“Twilight, do you think I could perhaps walk with you to the library instead. I think I will need to speak to Karon about this.”

“Didn't I tell you? He went into the Everfree Forest three days ago.”

“WHAT! You mean that when you said he fled out into the forest he actually went out into the Everfree Forest? He must absolutely hate me to do such a thing.”

“Actually he had been planning to do it for several days, I just think he did it earlier than planned after ... he came back from your store.”

“What would ever possess somepony to spend several days within that dreadful place?”

“He said something about there being some kind of mystery or hidden magic in the forest. I think he wanted to explore and see if he could find it.”

“Now that is strange. I wonder what could be worth so much trouble?”

                         **************************************************

It was impossible to gauge time within the caverns, but since he had collapsed into sleep three times by now Karon reckoned that it must have been around two or three days since he had entered. The dragon had been merciless in his training of the poor human. Karon had thought Varsif was tough when it came to teaching, but the old man was outclassed by the dragon.

The first time training had been spent solely on enhancing Karon's ability to memorize things, pay attention to detail and similar mentally focused practise.

When Karon had finally been unable to continue, he had been allowed to sleep. For how long he didn't know, but it had felt like it was not nearly enough. The hard stone he had slept on might have contributed to that.

And hunger had asserted itself strongly. At first he had been worried about that, but the dragon had dismissed him.

“Thy life shall not be relinquished to starvation or thirst by a few days of fasting. Mastering thy hunger is but another step to mastery of power. To control the world, thou need first control thyself.”

Karon had been told the same thing by Varsif and he hadn't liked it any more then, but it was not like he had any choice in the matter. Either he obeyed the dragon or he died. He had briefly considered fighting the dragon but it was not a serious thought, he would have died almost instantly.

The rest of the time had been spent on more mental enhancement, but then the dragon had thrown in physical exercise as well. The most painful ones combined the two.

“Master first thy mind, then thy heart, then thy body. Thou are a lesser creature and easily broken, thou must make thyself as strong as thou can be.”

Finally, after two or three days now, the dragon told him he was done with that part of the training.

“I do not consider thee powerful, but thou came here to learn from me. This is enough to show thee just how small and weak thou are. The rest thou will continue on thy own. You are no warrior, despite thy former masters attempt at making thee one. I shall not fail in this. The game of power is violent. If thou cannot bring or take violence then thy life will be stolen. I shall summon to thee food and drink. Thy stomach shall be full and then thou shall fight.”

Karon had no time to ask what he meant by fighting before a table appeared before him, laden with fruit and vegetables of all kinds. A large bowl of a dark drink stood in the centre.

He threw himself at it all and devoured all he could put his hands on with ravenous appetite. He shoved handfuls into his mouth and it tasted so good his mouth screamed in pain from all the flavour. He ignored it until he picked up the large bowl of liquid and drank, but he promptly spat it out as soon as he tasted it.

“What is this!?”

“Tis the blood of the beast the wolf pack thou fled from brought down. Blood is all that remains of it, the rest has been devoured by the pack.”

“Why? Why not water?”

“Tis thy lesson. The wolves chased thee from the feast and now blood is all that remains. Had thou fought, thy table could now be strewn with the flesh of the beasts.”

“I would have died!”

“Then a pack of wolves are thy superiors, I shall train no such pathetic creature. Thy next task is simple, return out to the forest and hunt the hunters. Slay the beasts and return to me, I shall bring their still warm corpses here and then thou shall feast upon them.”

“You can't be serious!”

“I am, but thy kind has moved away from thy animal past. So I will not deny thee a boon. There are many treasures within my home, and many of them are remnants of wars long past. Take with thee one weapon of thy own choosing. Then hunt, armed with thy magic and weapon, mind and body thou shall bring down thy foes or die.”

Karon could not argue, he had no say in this. The forest would not allow him to escape back to Equestria. Perhaps he could have managed it if it was just the forest opposing him, but he knew the dragon would be watching him. He would have no chance at escape.

He would have to succeed.

His appetite had fled after having received his next task. The thought of ending up as food could quell the strongest of hungers. So he walked around the table and approached the dragon, it was still hard to comprehend just how big the thing was.

Underneath it was a bed made out of the most beautiful treasures imaginable. Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, sapphires and things he couldn't even name were just lying there. Here and there he could see a sword, a shield, and other weird weaponry. He would have thought it strange there were no weapons that looked to be made specifically for pony use, but after having heard the dragon's story he wasn't surprised.

Ponies were not made for war, and the thought of making tools designed for nothing other than killing would probably be so outlandish and horrible to them they would never even consider doing it.

No, these weapons were made by other species, and they would work perfectly for Karon.

He stepped uneasily over the treasure and searched closer. He dismissed all shields and heavy weapons like maces or clubs. A sword might do, but he had received little training with those.

Then he spotted something. It stuck out from the pile of treasure, and it looked like a staff or cane of some kind. He climbed over to the pile of treasure and looked at it closely.

It seemed to be made out of some kind of dark grey metal, a curving pattern followed it from the tip and down. He grasped it and felt satisfied at its heaviness, it would work well for breaking bones.

He pulled it out of the pile and blinked in surprise, it wasn't a staff it was a spear. He had been holding the lower end when he pulled it out. At it's end there was a spear tip as black as midnight attached. It didn't look like it could be removed so he asked the dragon.

“What is this spear made of?”

Karon received a rumbling sound in response, it sounded like the dragon was laughing.

“That was forged 1600 years ago by a jackal tribe to slay me. They coveted my treasure when my lair was upon their lands, located to the far east where the deserts lie. The tip is of black diamond, though how they made tis beyond my understanding. The jackals have never been a skilled or intelligent kind, but they managed it anyway. They thought rightly that it could pierce my scales, but they neglected to consider that tis still only a small stick with a pointy end. It would hurt me no more then a small needle would hurt you. I killed them all, then ate their remaining tribe.”

“......................”

“You won't mind me taking it then?”

The dragon laughed again inside Karon's mind.

“Take it and may it serve thee better then it served those fools.”

Karon gulped nervously and walked towards the cave entrance. He had no idea how he could possibly pull this off but he needed to.

He steeled his resolve as he stood at the opening leading into the forest. Once he walked out there, he would be fair game for the wolves and all else.

“But so will they.”

The thought actually did much to calm his nerves. He was a hunter now too. The wolves were just as easy to kill as he was. Well, maybe a little less but still. What would separate the winner from the loser in this chase would be skill.

He stepped out from the safety of the cave and looked around. There was no sign of the wolves, but that was to be expected.

He stretched out his senses and carefully felt if his connection to the forest remained. It did, which was very fortunate for him. It would give an additional edge that could make all the difference.

The forest allowed him to search through it awareness of everything within it. He felt the trees and plants, and between them he felt the life forces of the breathing creatures moving around. In one location he could feel a pack of wolves.

At first he was unsure if it was the same that had hunted him, but then he felt the alpha and he was certain it was them. It would be impossible to mistake that creature for anything other than what it was, a beast. A terrifying beast dwarfing its brethren in strength and size ... and viciousness.

It was not that far off, maybe an hour's walk. He could see no point in prolonging this more than what was needed, so Karon set off towards them. Moving as silently as he could beneath the massive trees, he split his attention between moving forward and using the forest's awareness to scout for danger.

It was incredibly difficult, and had the dragon not spent so much time on training Karon's mental faculties he would not have been able to do it. Had the dragon known he would need it all along?

His feet were carefully placed as he moved forward, making sure he avoided all twigs and weird looking plants as he moved through the dark forest.

It definitely took more than an hour, but eventually he had closed in on the pack. This part of the forest was sparser with the trees, and several outcrops of rock were strewn around. He circled around the wolves' location so the wind wouldn't carry his scent. He felt nine in all, most of them must be sleeping, but that was hard to tell.

All he could sense was that they were lying down and weren't moving.

He stopped behind a tree when he felt they were less than a hundred meters in front of him and considered what kind of tactics to use.

“The wolves' greatest strength are their numbers. We have to separate the individuals, otherwise they will only do what they always do, distract your front then attack your haunches.”

“It won't work to try and lead them astray with conventional means. I will have to use magic somehow.”

“What kind? Manipulating their emotions will do nothing. Their perception is a different matter though.”

“Perhaps we could turn them against each other? Create confusion then pick them off one by one before they can recover.”

“Worth a shot. Which one should we begin with?”

“The alpha.”

Karon breathed deeply and summoned a bit of energy from his core, he weaved a simplistic pattern meant to make the alpha hear what he would think was a challenging howl from two of his pack mates. If the alpha was as cruel and merciless as Karon thought he would react with violence without hesitation.

He finished the spell and released it. He could sense the alpha twitch as the spell hit and then spring up at the imagined howl, believing two of his pack mates had just challenged his position as alpha.

It went perfectly.

Karon smiled as he sensed a confused pair of wolves barely having time to react before the leader of their pack charged at them. He bit into the throat of the first one and tore it out with a powerful twist of his jaws.

All the other wolves had woken up and watched as the alpha tore into the other one, quickly dispatching the imagined foe.

Karon almost laughed with glee before he constructed the same spell again and sent it to the alpha once more. This time the angry beast believed that three more of the pack were challenging him and with a snarl so loud even Karon could hear it he tore into his pack mates.

He ignored their questioning whines and had already killed one of them before several of the other wolves attacked their leader, thinking he had gone mad.

But those that did not instead attacked what they perceived as traitors for attacking the alpha, no matter how strange his behaviour. It took only a few moments before the entire pack was tearing into itself, wolves slaughtering wolves. Chaos reigned in the small clearing and all other sounds were drowned out in the cacophony of howls, snarls and whimpers coming from it.

Karon felt a certain joy at hearing the pitiful cries of the creatures that just a few days ago tried to kill him. Vengeance is sweet indeed.

But all his joy disappeared instantly when he realised he had laughed out loud with malicious glee.

And the joy was replaced with fear when he felt that three wolves remained standing, but they didn't move.

Then he heard the alpha howl. It was a hateful howl of pure rage that echoed far into the forest. He knew he had been duped, and now he was coming for Karon.

Wolves can run really fast.

Barely a few seconds had passed after the remaining wolves had charged at him before they were standing exactly where Karon had been hiding, but it had been enough for him to climb up into the tree, clutching a branch like it was the only thing keeping him alive.

He still had his spear in his right hand, but it would not be enough

He shakily constructed the spell again for the third time and flung it at the alpha, but he didn't move. He didn't take his hateful glowing yellow eyes off Karon for a moment. He knew it was Karon's doing, and he would not fall for it again.

Sitting on top of that branch, looking down at three pairs of yellow eyes filled with hunger and hate was a memory that would never leave Karon for the rest of his life ... Nor would the memory of what he did next.

The branch he sat on was a large sturdy one, so he sent out a bit of energy designed to weaken its integrity where it connected with the tree.

The he stood up and jumped down on it.

Right below him one of the wolves gave off a tiny whimper before both the human and branch crashed down on her, breaking her neck. Instantly the second wolf threw itself at him as Karon knew it would.

He brought up his spear and the wolf impaled itself on it, blood trickled down along the handle.

The alpha was smarter.

It had waited for the human to use his spear, making sure he would not have time to pull it back out. The alpha dodged around his impaled kin and opened his jaws wide to tear out the foolish humans throat.

Karon dropped the spear and threw up his arms in pure reflex and the alpha bit down on it. He screamed a horrible scream of pain and fear as he felt its long sharp fangs break through his skin and enter his shoulder. Biting down on his flesh, his muscle, his body.

It was a shock, having something ravage your body always is. Philosophy could argue all it wanted about humans being more then just flesh, but the body was still an important part of who you are. Breathing, eating, sleeping, mating, all things we do with it and so much more.

And now a hateful beast was trying to tear it to pieces.

Karon's fear turned to anger and the pain only heightened it. He roared as the great wolf lifted him up in the air and threw him away. He landed badly on his side at the foot of a large rock. A burst of pain in his leg told him something was either sprained or broken.

The alpha didn't care, it walked towards him in a slow pace. Savouring the sight of the helpless creature before him. Karon looked deep into the eyes of the beast. He could feel its hate and its animal power, but most of all its defiance. Uncountable generations had been born and died since the time before the ponies, but the defiance of those that came before remained ever as strong, always defiant to all that would deny them power.

Ever free.

Karon knew what would happen. Varsif had hammered much information into his skull during his tutelage. One piece of that information was simple, Felidae go for the neck. Canidae go for the throat.

He summoned power and constructed a hasty spell. Power was the important factor here not intricacy. He released it as the wolf tensed up readying itself for the kill.

Nothing seemed to happen to it.

The wolf jumped at him and opened it's jaws a final time for the kill, only to pass right through Karon and smash into the unyielding rock behind him.

The spell released its hold of the wolves mind and its altered perception and Karon disappeared.

Because the real Karon was standing behind the wolf with a large rock held above it's head.

The dazed wolf didn't have time to move despite it's instincts screaming at it before the rock came down. With a sickening crunch its head caved in and it gave of a final whimper before its legs started twitching.

Karon didn't stop. He brought the rock up and down again and again accompanied by splatting sounds. Turning the wolf's entire body into nothing more then a mush of blood, bone, flesh and fur.

His red robe was splattered with his own blood as well as the wolves, there was even some brain matter at his sleeves. Seeing this, Karon fell down on his back and laughed from hysteria, it was just so ridiculous.

“Rarity is going to be furious when she sees this. It is a crime against fashion!”

“So take it off ... preferably right in front of her. Then the rest, tell her she should punish you for being such a bad boy. Ruining her beautiful creation like this.”

“Ooooh I can't stop laughing. Why can't I stop laughing?”

“Does it matter, we've earned a little laughing time.”

“You're right ... Oh holy fuck I didn't think that would actually work.”

“Well I'm glad you took my advice so it did.”

“Advice?”

“Yeah, as I said before. It doesn't matter how tough the bastard is, if its head goes splat it's down for good.” Next Chapter: Chapter 14: The power to kill Estimated time remaining: 21 Hours, 38 Minutes