It took time but after traveling many miles, we finally arrived at the foot of the mountains that housed the dragon known as Terra. Something felt wrong while we stood at the base of the towering mountains, for a cold and unforgiving wind cut through our clothes and sent chills up our spines. As the chill shook my body in place, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I didn’t know what was wrong, but I had a feeling something was amiss.

Through chattering teeth, Pyro spoke,“Scre..screw cold... It’s summer damn it!”

“I know, this is.. this is interesting.” Strife stated as he eyed the cold and lonely mountain. I was the first to make step on the slope, beginning to climb to its peak in search of our friend. We were nearly halfway up the mountain when we hit an utter stop. We were stuck at a tall smooth wall. The wall seemed to have been carved out of the mountain, blocking entrance from all sides. Through that was how Terra wanted it. To seal his house away from adventuring and curious ponies. The wall usually held a hidden lift that would slide those who knew about it up the wall and over, taking them closer to the shelter. But we searched everywhere and couldn’t seem to find it.

“Do any of you see the blasted thing?” Called Axton.

All the others called back was a simple,“Nope.” They all stopped their searching and gazed to me. Strife called out,“You’re gonna have to go on without us for the time being, Intell and I’ll babysit Axton while you’re gone. Strength in numbers, you know? You’ll be fine by yourself, right?” He gave a small gaze around. “Also, tell Terra the left is gone...I think it might have been stolen.” He said as he continued to look around.

“Eh? I’m no foul, babysit ya’ selves.” Axton sneered, earning a few laughs from everyone.

I gave a stretch and spread my wings. I gave them a few test flaps and they seemed fine. So I pushed off the ground and flew up over the wall and landed smoothly. I continued walking down the path, searching for both the lift and the drake. I crossed through trees, rocks and piles of leaves searching for Terra as the sun hung overtop me. The woods gave off an essence that felt very sinister, maybe it was just the trees playing tricks on me, maybe it was the very thoughts that ran through my head, or maybe.. maybe it was just the feeling of being utterly and completely alone. Alone for the first time in months, I always seemed to have someone with me but to be completely alone once more? It all seemed so different, so alien, so... threatening. The quiet was sharper than the finest of steel and the feeling of loneliness was constantly looming over me like a creeping shadow, waiting to snatch me off into the distance.

But that’s where a light ‘Ting’ could be heard within the dense conclosement of the echoing woods. It reminded me of who I was looking for, and ridding me of this aching feeling. As I cut through the woods, passing trees faster and faster as the ‘Tings’ got louder and louder. As I neared, I felt my heart beginning to race. It thrusted and pulsated within my chest, screaming to be around another, smiling to finally be near someone that could talk. The sounds of my heart pounded against my ears as I could finally seen the lone silhouette of Terra’s house within the distance of the forest. But as I neared it, the sound of crashing metal rung throughout the air, lingering with a malicent intent. To a normal person, it would just be the sound of a blacksmith hard at work, but the sounds that emanated within these woods could even bring tears to the eyes of the happiest of ponies from sheer terror.

Another step closer, another loud wet crack from the anvil. Another shaky breath, another chill up my spine. I finally reached the house, and I listened as the metal crashed against metal from the forge built on top of the roof of the building, under the open skies. Something within me whispered to turn around and leave, but I needed to press on. If I were to disturb Terra as he toiled away on the forge, maybe I could end the menacing clanking. I spread my wings one last time and slowly flew up to the roof. I landed onto the balcony and found the drake exactly where I thought he’d be, on the forge with a large hammer within one hand and a flaming sheet of metal within the other. He placed the scorching metal onto the anvil and raised the hammer into the air. With a mighty and fierce swing, he brought the hammer crashing down and that eerie sound echoed once again. Again, he raised the hammer and smashed it down on the charred sheet of metal, sending my nerves on edge.

“Terra!” I called out, but he didn’t respond. He just continued working, trying to shape the metal the way he wanted it, the way he needed it. He would let out an irritated grunt as the metal refused to bend to the will that he wanted. “Terra!” I called again, but as before, I didn’t get a response. I slowly began my approach, if he wasn’t going to respond to me verbally, I would make him look at me. As the hammer crashed down on the metal, I grabbed hold of his shoulder, turning him to face me. Though I wished I hadn’t. His face was dark, but mainly around his eyes. He looked extremely tired and glared at me for interrupting his work. His glare was cold, and if he were not a friend, I would have drawn my sword in precaution.

“What do you want?” His voice was low and groggy,“I’m trying to work, but I can’t work if you’re interrupting me, so speak up and say what it is you want or begone.” He tightened his fist around the grip of the hammer.

“I’m here to collect you dear friend, but it seems that I should leave you to rest. But the only way that’s gonna happen is if I pull you away from the forge. Come with me. Let’s get away from here.”

He began to sneer,“I’m trying to work... I only have seven months to master how to make these armor sets, I’m not going Anywhere.” As he gazed at me, his eyes began to narrow in anger. “I’ve come too far, and worked too hard to just be hauled away at your beck and call. Leave..” he trailed off as he let out a long exhale, coated in flames. “Or I’ll make you.”

“Terr..” I was cut off as he swung the mighty hammer. It flung me through the air and launched me far passed the ledge of the roof. I continued spiralling, back the way I came. As I flew through the air, I could hear the sounds of roaring coming from the drake. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the inevitable crash to come. I began to lose momentum and quickly came crashing down to the ground. I smashed through numerous trees, each crash slowing me down and getting louder and heavier with each stop. I could have saved myself from much pain, but the heat of the moment left my mind blank and I had forgotten completely about my wings. I eventually came to a slow roll and thought it was over, but luck was not to on my side.

I was on the edge of the carved wall, and unfortunately, my rolling wasn’t over. I nearly fell off the edge, but I caught myself as I plummeted towards the ground below. I hung to the edge of the wall with one hand. I slowly managed to grab hold of the edge with my other but then footsteps could be heard. With each footstep, I could feel my heart pulsating once more. I tried to pull myself up, but a foot placed itself on top of my hand. I let out a grunt of pain as he twisted his foot atop. I lost hold and the hand he stepped on let go. Left with just my right hand hanging above the ground, I looked up. Terra, he stood there eyeing me. “What are you...” I couldn’t finish as he knelt down and took hold of my neck, lifting me into the air within his mighty grip.

“I’m not your slave, you can not tell me what to do. I am my own, as you are yours. While I stand on two feet, you fall crashing onto yours.” He said it was a sinister smile and his grip loosened up, I fell. Crashing down towards the ground below. As I hit the ground, my vision became dark and blurred. The only things I could see were the dark silhouettes of the four with me before. Axton, Strife, Pyro and Intell. They surrounded me and asked if I were ok. But my attention wasn’t set on them, not even the pain from being launched this far. My attention was focused on the raging dragon standing on the side of the wall. Waiting.

“Dark!” Everyone called as they swarmed around me. I continued to watch the dragon, everything was pain, my head, my body, and my emotions. Though I knew what to do. I slowly pulled myself to my feet and everyone gazed up at the spectacle before us. The towering, mighty and hardest of soldiers within our guild was now our greatest opponent.

Pain was all we knew, and from pain, we found friendship. Friendship needed to be saved, but the only way to save that friendship... was pain.

Ha.. play on words for the title. Hope you enjoyed, and the fight has only begun.

Keep it cool, Condemned.