The impact of smashing against the hard ground shot throughout my back, the painful sensation sent my adrenaline gauge rocketing. I watched as the towering drake stepped off the wall and collided with the ground with a massive shockwave, still standing on two feet with the smithing hammer clenched tightly within his mighty grip.

As the smoke cleared, Terra began his approach on us. Each step pounded against the soft dirt and hard stone, each step sending your hairs on edge. We were now pitted against the brute within our group, and I had no intention of ending our partnership there. Terra leapt into the air and tried to slam his foot down onto my chest, but I managed to roll out of harms way just in the nick of time, but I was caught off guard as he swung his blunt weapon and managed to strike my shoulder as I tried to pull myself off the ground. I was launched from the ground and sent flying into a nearby tree. As my body connected to the trunk, the once tall standing tree was reduced to a shattered mess much like the others that I had collided with.

Everyone called out to me, asking what they should do. I expected this, what does one do when the enemy is one of your closest friends? I slowly pulled my aching body off the ground and watched as Terra constantly strode his way towards me, the face he held was malicious and frightening. “Take him down, but don’t kill him.” I shouted to everyone. Terra didn’t seem to hear my words within his blind rage. I readied myself, though I kept my weapons sheathed. I waited and waited, watching the drake creep his way through the dense forest towards me.

He was only a few steps away when Axton and Strife leapt down from the trees, attempting to pounce the drake and drag him down to the ground. Their plan failed as he swiped them away like flies. Within one fluid motion, he jerked back his hand and slammed it against my chest. The impact knocked the wind out of my lungs and shot me back. As I gasped for air, Terra took hold of my collar and lifted me into the air, holding me in place. He gazed me in the eyes and narrowed his vision, as if in disgust.

“How is it I’m supposed to follow someone that can’t even fend for himself, you’re pitiful and weak. Mortal, and useless. The role of guardian should have fell on someone strong, not weak like you.” He tossed me back towards the wall. I rolled a couple times before coming to a stop a few inches from the carven mountain wall. I laid there, gasping for air and reeling in pain.

Pyro and Intell jumped in and tried to hold the large dragon back, just enough as to let me get my bearings. Intell toned down his laser cannons into a less harmful setting, to a pony, it would have left burn marks, but since dragons have strong and sturdy scales, it would merely sting. He fired them into the drakes chest relentlessly, though it didn’t seem to slow him down, barely affecting him at all. Pyro jumped in and took Intell by the hand. While Intell faced Terra, he bent backwards as Pyro slowly eased back his metallic arm, using it as a catapult.

The fiery maned stallion cried out as he was launched towards the large drake,“Freedom!” As he flew through the air, he pulled his arm back and clenched his fist. Just as approached Terra, he shot his fist forward, making contact with his cheek. Just as flesh met scale, a powerful smack could be heard echoing within the forest. Pyro landed on the ground, panting and grasping his hand in pain, he gazed back to Terra. His head was slightly turned and a look of irritation roasted over his face as his eyes fixated on Pyro. With a laugh and a small grunt of pain, Pyro said,“So worth it.”

“I’ve no quarrel with you weakling, stand aside.” Terra turned his attention back to me and gave a bone chilling grin. “Alright, now. Where were we?”

“And let you continue messing with Dark?” Pyro stated as he slowly edged himself off the ground, holding his wrist within his hand from the pain. “Sorry man, not happening.” Just as he finished speaking, Axton, Strife, and Intell took their spots beside him. I could have sworn I had seen something, some kind of glow emanating from around them, but then again, I might have knocked something around inside my head from being tossed around like that. “So stand down, we don’t want to hurt you.”

“Hurt me? You can barely harm me with those soft mushy hands of yours.” Terra took his claws and ran them down his left shoulder, drawing a bit of blood. The scarlet liquid covered his dark talons and he licked it off with his tongue. “Come on then, I’ll give you a few tries before I take a shot.”

Each one of them looked to the other and smiled,“On four.” Axton spoke up.

“One.” Intell said.

Strife grinned,“Two.”

Pyro let a crazed smile cover his face,“Three.”

Within a moments notice, Terra was knocked out cold as a thick tree branch connected with the back of his head. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. A branch fell to the ground and bounced. As Terra hit the ground with a loud and worrying thud, I spoke up,“Four.”

Everyone looked to me with wide grins, but Intell was the first to speak up,“I thought you said ‘Don’t hurt him’, breaking your own rules now?” He said with a lopsided grin.

“I said don’t kill him, he’s a dragon after all. His scales are thicker than the armor he makes. I thought you all would at least try to defend yourselves with something.”

“Coming from the guy taking all the hits.” Strife gave a light laugh as he shook his head.

I gave my shoulder a few rubs,“Yeah, but something like this should have been dealt with sooner.”

“At the count on three?” Pyro asked with a raised eyebrow.

“There shouldn’t have even been a count, as soon as an enemy surfaces, it should be dealt with on the spot. After we get back from the mission, I’m having each and everyone of you training with the recruits.”

“Sweet! We’re training the rook’s!” Cried Axton, but his and his friends happy faces were quickly turned into frowns and irritated grunts.

“That’s not what I said, I said all of you will be training with the new recruits. Not training them. Now, each of you grab a leg, arm, or neck. It’s a long way down to Ponyville, and this sleeping dragon’s not just going to lay here.” I took hold of Terra’s arm and slowly struggled to wrap his arm around my shoulder, holding him up. I looked to the others and they followed in step. Axton grabbed Terra’s other arm, Strife stood underneath the drake, holding him up slightly. His knees began to shake and he soon felt down. I sighed and turned to Strife,“Trade me places.” Within an instant, our spots switched. Intell held onto Terra’s left leg, while Pyro struggled with the other.

“Having a bit of trouble I see?” Intell said with a small laugh.

“Oh yeah, its easy to say that using both hands. I’ve gone and sprained my wrist, so shut it.” Pyro winced a bit as his wrist knocked against the sleeping drake.

From underneath Terra, I looked back and heard their argument. I gave a small smile and said aloud,“Intell!”

“Yes?” He asked.

“Since you’re so busy talking, you can take hold of both legs, Pyro, you have tail duty.”

Intell shot out and sighed,“What? Come on! I can’t do that by myself! Sure, most of my body is mechanically enhanced but the dead weight of a sleeping dragon? That’s just unfair!”

Pyro called out,“Well, maybe next time you’ll learn to quite boasting, you know Dark hates that.”

I called out so that everyone around could hear,“Alright ladies, it’s a ten mile trudge back to Ponyville and I don’t want to be walking in the dark, pick up the pace and let’s get moving.”

Time flew and we soon arrived in Ponyville’s general hospital, Nurse Redheart was the first to attend to the sleeping dragon. We all sat in the room watching over Terra as he slept within the hospital bed, we were all exhausted from the long trudge through the forest, the fields and then through the streets of Ponyville. We did get some help from Archimedes though, he’s been staying in my house for the past while and luckily we managed to pass by and grab his attention. We sat and waited, exhausted and weary. The nurse walked in and gave Terra a quick look over.

“His vitals seem fine, but after some tests, we’ve found that he hasn’t slept in some time. Normally, dragons can stay up for quite awhile but he’s only a drake after all. He needs his sleep, and somethings been keeping him awake. Would any of you happen to know what it could have been?” She asked curiously.

I stood from being seated on the floor in the corner of the room and strode over to his bedside. I gave him a light pat on the shoulder and smiled,“The kids a hard worker, and his work has been the thing keeping him up. He’s been trying to master a different kind of metalwork on the forge for some time, and the kid is as stubborn as a rock.” I turned my attention away from Terra and set it on Redheart. “You could also say that it’s my fault. I’ve been pushing him.. hell...” I looked away and looked to everyone,“I’ve worked everyone here to the bone, trying to make this guild work. Wouldn’t you all say?” I asked everyone.

“Noo...” Axton said as he nervously rubbed his arm.

“Not even close!” Strife smiled with a worrying laugh.

“Work is all i do, especially for you Dark!” Intell smiled as he looked side to side, as if expecting something to happen.

“Yeah, I could use a break every now and then. We all could.” Pyro stated nonchalantly, earning a elbow nudge from Intell. “What?”

“Yeah, I could use a bit more breaks, brother.” Archimedes smiled. I looked to Arch with a lopsided smile.

“You get nothing but breaks.” I gave a small chuckle at his idiocy.

“I know, I just felt like talking.”

I turned back to the nurse and gazed down to Terra. “He’s not a bad guy, just stubborn is all. Just... just like me.”

A few hours passed and the night had set across the sky, changing the clear blue skies coated in white cotton candy clouds into a beautiful navy blue with small gleams of stars glittering across its surface. We all thought it best as to not separate with the group, or member. Terra slept in the bed, Axton and Strife in the chairs, Intell slept in the corner opposite to mine and Pyro tried snaking his way onto the bed, but eventually fell asleep on the drake’s large chest. Arch slept on the floor calmly breathing in and out, giving off light snores and then there was me.

I laid there, in a state of unconsciousness but still awake. I couldn’t find it in myself to sleep. The ever looming thoughts of me overworking my comrades, and what had happened because of it. I felt an inner resentment. I hated myself for what I had done to Terra, what I’ve put everyone through, all because I was too selfish. Had I spent more time working with them, instead of with my family, things might have been different. Then again, it’d be the same thing with my family. Chrysalis, if I spent less time with her, there isn’t a relationship to be had, and Moon. Dearest Moon. It’s felt like forever since I’ve seen that small adorable mare. I missed them, I missed my family. My loved ones. I also missed those I had tried to set aside, Nicky and Jess. My first family. It felt like my insides were churning and twisting at my thoughts but they were interrupted by an unexpected intruder.

“Hey, mind if I sit here?” Asked Terra.

I had my hood over my head, shrouding my face from view of the drakes vision, that and my watering eyes. I cleared my throat before I spoke as to strengthen my voice and make it sound normal,“Yeah, sure.” I looked up at Terra and asked,“Shouldn’t you be on the bed?”

“Well...” He looked up to the bed, as did I and we both found three tired bodies sleeping on top. Axton, Pyro, and Strife. All flailed around taking up the rather large, dragon fitting bed. It was large enough to house four or more ponies. I turned back to Terra and he whispered,“The bastards jacked my bed. I could easily kick them off, but I guess they can use it.” He sat down and rested himself against the wall. “Ah.. that’s comfy. So, what are you still doing up Dark?” He asked as he gave me a worried look.

“Just been thinking, about everything.”

“Just don’t stress yourself about it, and just relax. I’ve learned my lesson, and I guess it’s your turn.” Terra said as he began to rest his eyes and slowly drift into the dream realm. “Night..” He trailed off as he gave a loud yawn. “..Dark.”

As he fell asleep, I took his advice into consideration, to just relax and not stress about every little thing. I made myself a promise, and that was that after the mission was over, I’d take some time off, and spend my time with all those that I loved, who cared for me, and most of all, all those that loved me.

Rest for now, but then problems have only begun. Would I be able to handle it? Only time would tell.

So what are your thoughts so far on the story? Leave a comment and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. If you haven't already, leave a like, or dislike, your choice. Oh ok, with that out of the way, What's up kinsmen? Staying awesome I see. Not bad, not bad. So what have been doing so far?
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That's good... or bad, not sure but ok.
I've dragged this on too long.

Keep it cool, Condemned.