Prolouge As night crept into the wind swept valley, Novajin sat on a hill overlooking the beautiful transition from day to night. For as far back as he could remember Nova came to this spot to watch the colors of pink, azure and crimson to bathe the valley in golden splendor. But it was not just the setting of the sun but its reflection off of the lake giving the whole scene a picturesque feel. But even that paled in comparison as one’s eyes drifted up to where the mountains of Equestria sprouted out of the rolling hills far off in the distance. The whole scene seemed to bask over the pony in such a way as clear his body, mind and soul. Still, he knew, or felt; that this was not the lot he should have been given. Still, even as he turned to gallop back down the other side of the hill to return to his friend, Shadow’s, home. As the last few moments of light washed over the valley, he wondered if, when he was young, he had stumbled into the wrong cutie mark… or was that too just a trick of the light. As Novajin crossed the well-worn path to his friend’s home a thought crossed his mind: how was it Shadow, who lived in isolation from his family could still find time to walk his land, rob the rich, write letters to all of his kin to ebb their fears of his life style choice and still find time to trot over his entire property regularly. This was also not to mention his very active social life among the other people of the town that was so small its name was, and still is, a subject of unimportance. These were the thoughts that Novajin entertained as he walked the well-worn path. It was one of the more modest Apple family farms but the home at its center was far from modest. It was a massive structure filled with all the amenities a pony could ask for. Many just said the farm was for show. Many more said Shadow paid for the lavish lifestyle though grand cappers. Still, more said he paid for it all by swindling guards out of their coin in card games. The truth to the matter was that all three were (and are) perfectly correct. Shadow, as on many nights, didn’t bother to sleep indoors. The pony simply piled into his favorite cart and through a thick tarp over himself to fight off the cold. With a shake of his mane, Novajin jumped into the back of the cart giving the kind of start that could only have happened to one who has all too often been the flank end of one of Novajin’s many, all be it cruel, pranks. It was on this particular night Novajin wanted to have a little bit more fun so as Shadow rose rapidly; his head was greeted with the thicker portion of a board that happened to be lying around. With a wicked Novajin trotted around the cart as Shadow shook his mane, all to desensitized to the pranks played on him by his friend. With a fading grin Nova called back, “So, what is the latest piece of work you have for the two of use?” Shadow shook his mane, “I’ll be able to tell you just as soon as I can remember where I am.” With a few more violent shakes he was back to normal, “Ohh!” he looked up, now not at all affected by blunt trauma to his very thick skull, “It is just a quick, easy job. It’s even on the up-and-up.” With a warm beaming smile, one that Novajin despised as it meant nothing but trouble for him, Shadow went on to explain, “It should only take a few days to finish. All we have to do is slay some monsters who have taken up in a cave to near to our happy town. So, are you in?” With a mild sneer Novajin slammed his hind hooves into a tree and caught an apple, “That depends solely on the; the who’s, the what’s, the where’s and, of course, the when of the job.” The juicy apple was quickly devoured in only a few bites. Novajin then jumped in the cart next to his friend who only stayed down for but a second. But, the truth was, Novajin hated the idea of working with mercenaries. The idea Novajin hated most about them is that they followed the money whereas a thief will at least try to save his friend if he or she is in over her head. The Shadow was out of the back and rushing about putting together the harness for the cart, “So,” asked Nova, “When ‘do’ we leave?” Novajin knew Shadow was in over his head. In less than a breath, Shadow was off down the road, “Right now!” As Novajin held on for dear life he looked back to the valley, “One day….” Was all he said to the fading sun as the two road on to glory… or at least legal coin. Chapter 1: On the Down-and-Down A dirt caked, red hoof slammed into the rock soil at the maw of a massive cave where the diamond dogs had locked themselves up. All Novajin and Shadow had been told to do was enter the cave, scout out best attack location, find out the number of the dogs (less than twenty-five) and, if at all possible, sabotage the diamond dogs armor and weapons. Sabotage was a skill Shadow had mastered at an early age. However, Novajin was not a fan of the notion of Shadow and he leading the first (and only) was of nine ponies into the cave. Shadow had signed up Novajin and he for this rather foolhardy exploit and the leader of the nine mercenaries agreed whole heartedly and even suggested a pay increase for the two. One thought went through Novajin’s skull as he talked to the pegasus leader, one cannot spend their fortune if they are dead. But, even this rant to his friend Shadow’s, the decision to enter the cave first still stood. And to Novajin’s dismay he found himself galloping right next to Shadow as the bounded off into the bleak darkness of the cave. In truth, Novajin didn’t feel all that bad about it. But there was one thought that passed though his head at every bend of the cave, why had the queen not only allowed them to make this raid, but was backing up the raid with two of her own personal guard against the small band that had, to the surprise of the ponies, gathered a large fortune of gems and gold in the heart of the their cave complex. It all seemed a little too off. And Novajin despised the idea of rushing in unprepared. Chapter 2: Not to Fast Now Not too many problems occurred as the ponies made camp in the caves. The band made their camp and swapped stories with one another. The biggest problem was the lack of warmth, for, the ponies dared not set a fire least they give themselves away to the diamond dogs. It was, on this perfect occasion, that Novajin pilfered the information he so desperately wanted. The dogs were using their vast gem mine to supply the food for a most foul dragon. In exchange the dogs were given gold and the best pick of gems. Novajin’s heart raced as he thought through his mind at the notion of fighting a dragon, a creature of power and mastery over fire. This was the only error that Nova could find in the logic of their raid. To fight a dragon was almost unheard of. At least, the deed was not out of legend. But the notion, now, seemed to be novelty to Shadow and himself. If they could slay a dragon, exceptionally one with a fat bounty on his head, could give Nova the thing he so wanted for so long: respect. In all his memorable days Novajin wanted respect. Now that it was within reach, did he really want it so badly? Even then it was only known that the dogs were mining gems for the dragon. What are the real odds that the band would rush in as the dragon came in for a bite to eat? To the passing darkness of the cave Novajin made a pact, that as long as blood coursed in his veins he would adventure on. A smile came to his mouth as he thought of the paradox he had set before himself. Chapter 3: Pointy Objects Hurt The first two waves of dogs came on them as they rushed into the compound. It was really rather productive. The traps Shadow had placed were doing their job. Seventeen of the dogs were left unable to fight, unconscious, at the feet of the ponies. As soon as the dogs were beaten out of consciousness they were tied up and thrown into a makeshift cage. Now only Novajin and Shadow were out of the camp. The dragon had decided to show up for a bit of exercise. His long golden wings spanned the entire area of the cave. This size was still no grand feat for a dragon. In fact the dragon was quite young but the thing that unnerved Nova was that he knew this dragon. Now be person but by deeds and title; Rimracer the Tyrant of Nevershadow who had kept Novajin’s home town under his thumb for years with fire and claw. Racer had turned winter to summer on a passing fancy, had burned the crops of the town for years and had even tried to openly fight Princess Celestia. This however led to his own failure. Now he had to raid the diamond dogs, or in this case stick up a bargain. Novajin looked around the rock he hid behind to eye the mean beast. To Nova’s surprise, however, he not only saw a dragon but also a pony hanging from a stalactite. How, in the name of Equestria, had Shadow climbed up to those heights? Novajin shook his mane; he knew what he must do. With barley a thought in his head (for if he had had one it would have told him to run the other way) Novajin rushed around the rock dagger in mouth. The dragon eyed him with passing interest. Though muffled speech Novajin shouted, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be leavin’ now!” It was on a rare occasion Novajin’s usually master grammar failed him. The dragon simply laughed and was rewarded with a dagger to the chest; which, in turn, bounced off harmlessly. Novajin swallowed hard as the dragons laugh hit new heights. Then in a display of great heroism (or massive stupidity) Shadow dropped onto the dragons head, slamming his mace down repeatedly. Each strike sent a jolt through Novajin that, before long, had his eyes closed as tightly as he could manage. The dragon too was now subdued. The remaining diamond dog, having seen this act, eagerly turned themselves in. It was good that they were all left unharmed (except for the dragon who would have a bruise for some time) the reward was going to be much more plentiful. Epilogue In a few weeks Novajin was back in his home. A small three roomed house that seemed to pull what little air it had in it from the hottest confides of some unknown place. This however did not break his happy mood. He would never have to sleep here again. Nova was moving out. With a, now massive, chest of treasure and his favorite nick-a-brack he was going to move out. He had purchased a nice plot of land outside of town. All in all, it was a nice place to move. A house not too big, but not too small for a pony of his size, that is. Still, he felt it a move in the right direction. Now as he struggled to load the last of his things (or rather got someone else to do it for him) into the cart he trod odd into the sunrise, and a new home, though not too far from his old one. To be continued….
