Dragon Heart: The Rise of Chaos

[Valencetiger]

-Weaponsmaster Cloudmane, at the Ascendant's Circle in Canterlot's northern edge, with his dragon-partner, Tundra, and the novice Stygian-

The sun shined brightly against the deep, cool blue sky, its rays of light bathing Canterlot and the rest of the land around it with a brilliant golden hue. The autumn wind brewed from the mountain above, chilling those who felt its passing. Indeed, it felt just like it did the year before, and the year before that. As the Academy's weaponmaster, it was his duty to escort the new Novices up onto the Scalehearts' special mountain-top sanctum. Breathing in the refreshing air, he smiled to the black-and-gray garbed colt beside him, who gazed quietly at the main street leading up to the circle. Yesterday, the Festival of Roaring Skies had taken place...and the event's chosen younglings were to arrive here shortly, so they could begin their first day of Novicehood.

With the same warm and content smile, the medium-sized frost drake Tundra leaned her head against the young unicorn Stygian motherly, and opened her maw to speak. "...so, 'Mr. Heartless', are you excited about your first day as a true member of the Order? Now the other novices will have to recognize you as an equal...if not as a superior." The onyx-colored colt looked at the female dragon calmly, shrugging in his response. "Let others think as they will...it matters little to me at this moment. I only came here for sake of tradition...and to study whom I'll be dealing with." Cloudmane's smile turned into a grimace upon hearing Stygian's words.

"...either those are the instincts of a warrior or politician I cannot tell. However, you do know that the new Novices are not your enemies, young Stygian? They are your future squadmates...future dragon-partners, even. Learn to make attachments, Novice. They will save your life one day." The colt lowered his eyes upon listening to Cloudmane, humbly apologizing. Now with that matter settled...he could finally focus on the growing crowd, all whom eagerly awaited the arrival of the new Novices.

[FermataTheBasse]

An adolescent dragon made her way up the street that led into the circle she was to meet her fellow novices in. Not because she had been instructed to do so by those watching the participants yesterday, but because she had received the instructions to do so. A circle upon the ground, in the brilliant light of the disc that she took to recognize the sun, a solitary point of shade in the center of a burning bright landscape with no features but endless illumination. For Pupil, a circle represented the shadow of something, she realized from the vein of her previous dreams that the intent of her visions was guiding her to the idea of the dragon taking flight, casting it's shadow upon the ground. Dragons had taken flight yesterday, accepted into the legendary Scaleheart order, their wings to be tested in service of Equestria for the first time... It would be for many a strange logical thought process, for Pupil it was par for the course.

Her footfalls were light, elegant in their own way, her dull eyes looked ahead, speaking of no emotion. She was only partially in the moment at the moment, her thoughts already spawning all manner of strange abstractions that she felt it was important to puzzle out. More important than watching her way, it seemed. She was an elephant, running roughshod over hooves and tails on her path toward the main square of Canterlot. Only the curtest of apologies were made, if at all, when she hurt others.

[TheBritishBrony]

A knife was thrown, and it hit it's target. Blood poured from the target's chest. His chest. Lightning was shaken awake by his friend, reminding him that he was expected somewhere. He must have been daydreaming again. The black colt stood up swiftly and made his way towards the ascendant's circle. As he trotted down the street, he received some cautious and wary glances from nearby citizens, of course, a spikey haired colt with a headband pulled over his left eye was not a normal sight in this part of town.

Soon enough, Lightning reached the circle. As the crowd's eyes fell on him though, there was less than a welcome in store. Murmurings of dissent rang through the gathered audience, how did this colt end up getting accepted into the order? Lightning however, simply ignored these remarks, sighing and putting on a blank expression as he began the walk into the world famous landmark. He noticed two other novices here, a dragon and.... Well, that was the colt that he had heard about, nicknamed 'the heartless.' He cleared his throat, a little nervous, and walked over to join the other two.

[TotalEcplise]

>[colour=#008000] Ultvara[/colour] (Inbound to Ascendant's Circle)

His eyes peeked over the spine of the book he had been studying, Control of the Darker Magicks. Ultvara made a mumbling sound at the tome in front of his face, the dragon was extremely disappointed with what the book revealed to him (a whole lot of nothing). Instead of becoming frustrated he simply chalked it up to the fact that dragon and pony magic worked differently and shrugged it off. The dragon rolled over on his back, his sharp scales rending a few patches of grass as he moved. He had spent the day on a hill far outside of the city, Canterlot was beautiful, but it just wasn't something he was use to, much too active and much too loud for the young dragon. Not to mention he wasn't exactly comfortable with his level of mastery over his abilities and any 'accident' involving a misfire of his 'skills' would be far beyond the scope of oopsie. Tis the burden of a hellkite.

His greenish black scales blended into the hilltop almost perfectly, he wished he could just stay there all day and loaf about, but he knew that if wanted to be expand his horizons his lazy days would have to end. He drug his claws across his chest in a pathetic attempt to bide time. I wander how many other novices will be there, what will they be like? He questioned. After staring at the sky for almost ten minutes he decided that he should probably at least pretend to try and be on time. He rolled back to his feet and shook like a wet diamond dog, he hoped the action would jettison the weariness from his mind, the same way it would remove water from a ponies coat. As expected he felt the same, albeit a little stupider for having thought that shaking could clear his head. The dragon reached behind him a placed his book back into his satchel then snapped it shut. He didn't bring anything out here with him so he was ready to go.

All it took was one flap of his mighty wings to get him off the ground. Ultvara definitely wasn't a large dragon by any stretch, but he was noticeable. On all fours he was at least as tall as a cow, and when sitting on hind legs he could look a diamond dog in the eyes. It also wasn't an uncommon event for him to be able to touch two of a room's walls with his wings if he unfurled them. Once airborne he decided to gain a bit of extra altitude so that he could just soar the rest of the way to the Ascendent's Circle. As he cast his shadow over the streets of Canterlot bellowed, a primal roar like in the old times when dragons were the monsters that stole your sheep and burned your homes. A few of the ponies shrunk under the massive shadow and vicious sound. Ultvara could barely hold back his snark laughter.

He arrived the Ascendant's Circle and there was already a decent sized crowd forming, and a few of novices had shown up. He landed near the other novices and to his right and left.[colour=#00ff00] [/colour][colour=#008000]"Wait, wait, wait. I'm not late?"[/colour] He said as he cocked his head. [colour=#008000]"This has to be a sign, of what..."[/colour] He shrugged his shoulders. [colour=#008000]"No idea!"[/colour]

[ONWARDconwardicus]

(I had posted, but it apparenlty didn't show up for some reason)

Reina Gladhoof had a bigger spring in her step than usual. Her happiness grew as she approached the circle, which she had practiced walking to the previous day, and she saw the crowd of beings that she might share a good ammount of time with while becoming a Scaleheart. While she knew her chances were about as good as the other's, she was happy enough to be here to see others going onto a bigger life. No being truly led a better life than others, but improvements could always be made.

She saw an empty space in the crowd, next to a spiky haired pony, and locked on to her target. After a hop, skip, jump, and for good measure a flip, she landed in the middle of the space next to the spiky haired pony. The warhammer on her back almost hit another pony in the head while sailing over to the clearing, but she twisted a bit so it only grazed their mane.

She turned to the spiky haired pony and smiled the smile she had practiced in the mirror at home, along with a little wave, then turned her attention to other happenings. There were so many beings here. She hoped she could make an impact on at least some of them in this short time.

She again turned her attention to the spiky haired pony. [colour=#ffff00]"Hiya there. I'm Reina Gladhoof. Nice to make your acquaintance!" [/colour][colour=#000000]She noticed a sash thing around one of his eyes, and noted that in the back of her mind. The injury, if it was one, could be from a heroic deed, a heroic battle, or for blood money. It didn't matter. What mattered was the opportunities and lessons he got from it.[/colour]

[TheBritishBrony]

Lightning barely noticed Reina until she spoke to him, as he was daydreaming again. "Oh uh... Hi I guess. Lightning Shadowgarb." He blurted out, a bit surprised. The colt shook his head and blinked a few times, clearing the cobwebs from his head. He raised his eyebrow at the giant warhammer she was carrying on her back, but then noticed that she was staring at his eye. "It's nothing. I just...... Prefer to keep it covered."

In truth, Lightning hated his Sharingan eye. It had caused him nothing but grief throughout his entire life. Nopony wanted a red eyed freakish monster of a colt anywhere near them nowadays anyway.

He then tried to re-focus on the present, turning his attention back to Reina's warhammer. "You lug that thing everywhere? It's huge." He asked, slightly impressed at how mobile she was even while carrying the burden. Lightning could fight with one, but he was more skilled with lighter weapons like daggers and short swords.

[ONWARDconwardicus]

[colour=#FFFF00]"Nice name there, Lightning. And yes, i go mostly everywhere with my hammer. I've had it for quite a while now. It's mainly about momentum. Weight is nothing if you put it in the right direction.Got it from my Seirka, who trained me." [/colour]She noted.

Lighning was interesting on the outside. And she bet she would find out a lot more from him if she got to spend more time with him. She kept her notes on him in the back of her mind, remembering her rule of not making judgements withing twenty four hours of meeting anything.

[colour=#FFFF00]"Who here do you think is going to make it?"[/colour] She asked with a smile.

[Valencetiger]

As all the new Novices assembled, Cloudmane spread out his wings...drawing silence from the growing crowd. Tundra let out an earth-shaking roar, the sky appearing to split as a large aurora bloomed into being. Gazing up at the sky, the pegasus lowered his wings and affixed each Novice with a cold gaze. Now, he was no longer the kind, gentle trainer they will later come to know, for it was time to make a display to the normal audience...and instill a special respect from the gathered Novices in the power of a Scaleheart. This was his favorite time of year...and he felt honored to have been chosen by the Grand Master to shape these young souls into the future heroes of tomorrow. Of course, there was never a certainty that they all would pass, or even survive, their terms as Novices. Nevertheless, it was his and several others' duty to prepare them. Clearing his throat, he began to speak the ceremonial words, his voice booming across the large city circle.

"...today, five Novices stand before the gateway of Fate, each chosen by their families and friends to represent them, each having proven themselves to the Grand Master Spike and the Upper Circle. With the coming of this sacred day every year, the young warriors and mages of tomorrow offer oath to their service toward Equestria and beyond. Apprentice Scalehearts...today, you enter a world few will ever see in their lives, if at all. The path will be filled with danger...and the chances that you will fail or die before becoming one of the Order is high. There is no promise that you will fulfill what Destiny has planned for you...so if you wish to turn back, now is the time. No one will blame you, for few can ever understand or know the suffering we Scalehearts endure. For those of you who stay...you must take the Oath of Service."

Cloudmane went silent, as Tundra took up her share of the speech, her own voice sending echoes through the Circle and Canterlot's streets. "...if you choose to take hold of the Scaleheart's fate, then Swear now and hold to your promise. Novices...do you swear to uphold the law, preserve the peace, and to remain as a neutral power in this world divided by race, nation, and home?" Stygian kneeled in his spot toward them, his head held low and his eyes to the ground. "...I swear upon my ancestors to uphold the laws of the land, preserve the peace we have forged, and to remain unconcerned by the pettiness of every race." Cloudmane blinked at the young unicorn's formal version of the Oath...it seemed that Stygian had even studied the introduction ceremony. Looking back at the other apprentices, the white pegasus waited in silence for their responses.

[ONWARDconwardicus]

Reina's head snapped away from Lightning and towards Cloudmane and Tundra. She gazed eagerly at them, drinking in every word. She didn't judge them of course, but in terms of respect they were heavy on the scales. And they had all of the power here. She was nearly going to explode with sheer excitement when the speech finally ended.

Taking a deep breath as she prepared to say her prepared oath that she had practiced along with her smile back at home, she was one of the first to announce, [colour=#ffff00]"I, Reina Gladhoof, swear by my honor and family to uphold the law. preserve peace, remain nuetral, and remain loyal to the Scalehearts."[/colour]

[TheBritishBrony]

Lightning snapped to Cloudmane and Tundra as they spoke, a small smile adorning his face. In truth, he thought speeches and the like we're a tad silly, even if they were traditional, but had prepared his own just as well.

Soon enough, it seemed like it was his turn. With a clear voice, Lightning spoke his oath. "I swear to uphold justice in all of Equestria, and act as a link between pony and dragon kind, both physically and spiritually, remaining an equal in both races." Lightning looked up as he finished, hoping he hadn't done too bad. Well, nopony was glaring at him, so it was a start.

[TotalEcplise]

> [colour=#008000]Ultvara[/colour] (Ascendant's Circle)

It was time, The pegasus and his partner called the crowd to attention with a flair of wings and a roar that would commanded the same respect as that of Ultvara's father. The Pegasus spoke with strength and stood with absolute confidence. The young dragon couldn't help but be captivated by his voice. Cloudmane's speech was meant as a warning, and an intimidation, likely to weed out the weaker hearts. Ultvara stared up the pony as he spoke, he wasn't intimidated. He wouldn't turn around, he was where he wanted, no needed to be. The pegasus dragon partner spoke up, and offered them all an oath.

Oaths bind you to a purpose son

They are irrevocable promises upheld by honor

The only thing more deplorable and dishonorable then breaking one's oath,

Is taking the oath in the first place and not meaning it

His father's words swirled around in his mind for a moment. His father was as wise as he was powerful. If he took this oath it would be with him for as long as he drew breath, no matter what happened.

He stepped forward and joined the other novices in their vows.

[colour=#008000]"I Ultvara, son of Darigaaz, the Igniter, swear on the ancient bloodine of the wyrmkin to up hold what is just, preserve the peace born from our ancestors, and to remain unswayed by the motives and ambitions of outside forces." [/colour]Ultvara let his wings droop to the ground and bowed deeply, a sign of submission among dragon-kind. This is what he had been waiting for, a chance to be apart of something greater and focus his attention towards something that mattered. The oath had his heart beating at lightning speed. His scales glowed faintly and stone beneath his feet started to hiss and melt. Bringing his emotions and his magic back in line, he stood there, bowed with his chin inches from the ground and his eyes closed.

[FermataTheBasse]

The circle darkened. She was there. Well, if Pupil bothered taking any account of her surroundings, she'd know that anyways. The circle grew, it surrounded herself. They would be unified, shadows of power, shadows of their great wings soaring through the sky and smiting the enemies of the sun. Words came to her, pictograms burnt across her mentalscape. The scales, symbol of law, of balance, of harmony. The dove, the bird of peace, taking nest in the thick of their shadows. The scales would be weighted between them, would tip and turn, but would never fall to one side.

The scale. [colour=#008000]"I take upon myself the law of this world, grant it to myself and my comrades as the fist of our shadow." [/colour][colour=#000000]The dove. [/colour][colour=#008000]"I take upon myself the peace of this world, grant it to myself and my comrades as the heart of our shadow. Our shadow shall never be split, never be divided, our wings will take flight through Equestria and protect all equally before us." [/colour][colour=#000000]With that, Pupil for the first time actually took a look at her fellow novices, her strange eyes sweeping over their own.[/colour]

[Valencetiger]

Cloudmane nodded to them all, raising his head and beginning once more. "...very well. Each one of you has taken an oath of which hundreds before you have kept to their hearts till their very last breaths...know the severity of your promise, and the consequences upon breaking that oath. The five of you are now united in a common purpose...and from this day forth shall work together to survive and grow from the rigorous challenges that await you all. Welcome, Novices...and be embraced by the heavens above." As soon as the words left his mouth, the bands of light in the sky from the aurora drifted down and began to entwine themselves around the five young beings.

The crowd watched in awe as the symphony of colors melded with the Novices, their magical energies entering their bodies and strengthening them. They could feel their Oaths being joined with their hearts and minds, sinking down to their very spirits, the promise in which each of them knew they would never break. It continued for several moments until the lights finally receded, and the aurora in the sky was no more. Cloudmane stood there for a bit, watching them quietly, before his bluish face widened into a smile and he made a mentorly bow toward them all, as did Tundra. "...from this day forward, you have shaken off all ties that linked you to the affairs of the mortal world. Now, you are amongst a new family...one that you will come to love in time, as it has loved you since before you ever arrived. Welcome, dear ones...and be proud of who you have become."

[ONWARDconwardicus]

Reina was amazed at the power the oath had in it. It felt incredible how the words she had just spoken created this power that bound her. And the best part was, she still felt just as limitless as she had before.

After the light disappeared, Reina looked at her hammer. It was still her hammer yes, but some of the significance had gone away. She felt she had lost something, but she knew she had just gained something few could ever obtain. She looked at the other four, observing their reactions to the light and oath.

[colour=#FFFF00]If only Seirka could see me now.[/colour]

A cloaked figure in the crowd nodded and walked away, a similar looking warhammer to Reina's on his back. A smile crept across his lips, and he knew he had done his duty. [colour=#00FFFF]Go with pride, Reina. Go with pride.[/colour]

[TheBritishBrony]

Lighting was amazed by how real the oath felt, how it was felt like it really was now entwined with his very soul till the end of time. He blinked a couple of times, hoping the light show was not just his mind playing tricks on him. The expression on the crowd's faces was proof enough. The colt rubbed his eye, checking if his sharingan was still working.

He looked around at the other novices, they were clearly amazed by the sheer magical power of the oath as well. Rumour had it Twilight Sparkle herself had made it. He took a step forwards nervously, looking up at Cloudmane with determination in his good eye. "So, when do we start?" He questioned.

[Valencetiger]

Stygian's body convulsed a bit as the oath was absorbed into him, the magical energies entwining with his spirit. When the sensation passed and his body calmed, he shuddered inwardly. Yet another promise he had to obey...yet another he couldn't afford to break. Opening his purple eyes, he gazed at Cloudmane a moment, before grimacing and standing aside. He knew what was to happen next...he might as well let the other Novices get a better look. The unicorn colt trotted over to Tundra, standing at the side of her wing.

Cloudmane gave a light chuckle at Lightning's enthusiastic question. "...why, we take you all to your new home, and begin your lives anew. I hope you all said farewell to your families like you were advised to do...you will not see them again for some time. In either case, we have a long day ahead of us! Stygian, help Tundra with the teleportation preparations, if you please." The black-coated Novice nodded, following Tundra over to the circle's center and both of them fell into quiet, gathering their strength and magic. Cloudmane turned his back to the two and eyed the new novices. "...any questions before we depart?"

[ONWARDconwardicus]

[colour=#FFFF00]"Yeah are we allowed to carry our weapons on us? I mean, all the time?" [/colour]Reina piped up. [colour=#FFFF00]"I just don't feel natural if I don't have my hammer on my back. It helps with stability. Not really physical, mainly mental. Oh, what is the food like there? How are we going to find our heart partner? Are there good restroom facilities? And what is the process for becoming a better Scaleheart?" [/colour]She stopped there, despite the looks she had started getting halfway through her inquiry.

[TheBritishBrony]

Lightning nodded his head as Cloudmane answered his question, walking back over to the others. When the pegasus mentioned saying goodbye to their family though, he sighed and dropped his face a bit. He had visited the place where his parent's ashes were scattered yesterday, a small forest which he loved to visit.

The colt looked over at Stygian and Tundra, frowning as they prepared the teleportation spell. He had assumed that the Stygian was at least able to perform advanced magic, but teleporting a large group was something else. But he had been living with the very dragon himself that had made the legendary pact. As Lightning thought this, his mind began to wonder again. He had seen Spike briefly at the festival, but apart from that, the world famous dragon remained a mystery to him.

[TotalEcplise]

>[colour=#008000]Ultvara [/colour]

The feeling of the oaths magic was like nothing Ultvara had ever felt, it was as if he was bound by some unseen force and even though it had no physical presence it was still very real. He let the magic sink into him, not once thinking of resisting the foreign magic touching him intimately. The first step of his journey was completed, he looked at the path laid out before him. He would do his best to become more than what he was now, more than anyone expected of him even.

Stygian and Tundra prepared the group for teleportation, that would be a new experience for Ultvara. He looked forward to being tossed through time and space and instantly reappearing elsewhere. Maybe he could learn to teleport? Cloudmane addressed the group, Ultvara wasn't paying attention at the moment but the chance to ask a question came up and he wouldn't hesitate. Sadly, in the time it took him to think, the mare with a war hammer on her back had already released a barrage of inquiries.

[colour=#008000]"Yeah, i'm curious about getting some food, I didn't eat anything before coming out here."[/colour]

[FermataTheBasse]

Pupil perhaps had the unique ability to ignore the very powerful sensation of power flowing into her, for the sole fact that she happened to have not been paying attention once more when the oaths were made. She just stood there, staring out into space, for the longest of moments as the rainbow-colored aura descended upon her and made accurate the first of her many self prophecies. She came to just as they were preparing to teleport. In contrast to the mundane questions the others had- perfectly understandable of course, as they were still creatures of the body versus a creature of the mind as she had become over time- Pupil had other questions to ask:

[colour=#008000]"What do you think we shall be called upon to do? In our tenure as Scalehearts?" [/colour]

[Valencetiger]

Cloudmane felt a bit overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, willing to admit that he was surprised by the sudden enthusiasm. Clearing his throat, he began his long explanation. [colour=#008080]"Well...yes, you can bring your own weapons, however you may receive a new one later in time once you have become full Scalehearts. Each dorm has its own bathhouse, and all meals are served in the Apprentice's Hall of the Academy. Once we arrive, I'll escort you all there and we will enjoy an early lunch...before your classes begin. Officially, you all won't become Scalehearts until your term as Novices ends. Until then, you will have the simple duties of a Novice. For awhile, you will attend instruction together and learn what it means to be a member of the Order...once done, you will be given tasks together outside of the Academy, usually under the supervision of one of our senior Scalehearts. It often takes the average Novice five years to become a full member of the Order, however there have been exceptions...so you should strive to do your best. Understand?" [/colour]

As soon as his tirade was finished, a bright, swirling blue mass of energy erupted from the air behind him, drawing in a few stray pebbles and dust on the ground. Stygian opened his eyes and stepped up to the portal, sending a glance back to the Dragon and Pegasus Scalehearts. [colour=#4b0082]"...I will wait for you on the other side, Master of Arms, Mistress of Skies." [/colour]Before waiting for their response, he stepped into the magical hole and faded from sight. Tundra shook her head a bit, letting out a snort of icy air from her nostrils. Cloudmane simply eyed the portal quietly, before gesturing to it for the other Novices. [colour=#008080]"...go on through, young ones. Everything will be fine, however...make sure to keep a hold of your insides, for a few unlucky souls are known to become nauseated after portal use. Tundra and I will follow you."[/colour]

[ONWARDconwardicus]

After listening to Cloudmane,she nodded intensely and said [colour=#FFFF00]"Understood."[/colour] Then she saw the portal open, which made her eyes widen in exitement, to say the least. She would finally see what she had wanted to see since she had the thought that she might have the chance to see it. That's how it turned out in her mind anyways.

Abruptly, she yelled [colour=#FFFF00]""ONWARD!" [/colour][colour=#000000]and raised her hoof in the air, pointing towards the top of the portal. She then proceeded to gallop towards the portal, entering it's swirling blueness headfirst, her trusty hammer bouncing on her back.[/colour]

[FermataTheBasse]

Pupil nodded curtly. [colour=#008000]"Then we shall be one of those exceptions. It is written in the stars." [/colour][colour=#000000]Pupil's visions spoke of acceleration, movement, winds through the mountains. Theirs would be the time of change, of growth, of loss. Pupil supposed she was blessed to be one of the number destined to bring it about. She just wished she could understand more. So much time, so much time she needed. And yet, her own reality beckoned.[/colour]

[colour=#ffd700]"ONWARD!"[/colour]

[colour=#008000]"Silly." [/colour][colour=#000000]Pupil giggled, and equally curt and abrupt, and followed suit after Reina, slower and calmer in her own gait.[/colour]

[TotalEcplise]

> [colour=#008000]Ultvara[/colour]

Training and classes started today, great these guys don't dilly dally, but at the same time, **** they don't dilly dally. For a moment he worried that he might not be able to keep pace with their schedule, but after a moment of reflection he figured that it was nothing he couldn't handle. Now he would have to combine loafing with study, that shouldn't be too difficult.

[colour=#008000]"I was moving once the words "early lunch" were spoken."[/colour] Ultvara adjusted his bag and held it close as he stepped into the light after after the bubbly pony and reserved dragoness.

[TheBritishBrony]

Lightning grinned as the portal opened, his heart thumping with excitement over the fact that this really was it, once he stepped through that portal nothing else would matter anymore. He laughed as Reina yelled, and began to ready himself to charge as well.

Lightning made sure his headband was wound tight over his forehead, and stated quietly, "Here goes nothing!" With those last words, Lightnig plunged himself into the swirling mass of blue energy.