The Monster in the Hills

//When I said soon, I meant SOON. (I know some people don't like exposition, so I'll leave a marker for the juicy stuff (Nar Lore). Don't feel bad about skipping to the marker. I have a hard time reading exposition sometimes too.) The lush, green grass, and abundance of flowers that covered the hills to the east of Ponyville would lead you to believe they would be a popular place for the citizens of the town to visit. Sure, that was the case last year, but ever since the attack these hills have largely been undisturbed. At first, it was because the citizens simply didn't have time for leisure. They had to focus all of their efforts on rebuilding. Yet even when things were starting to calm back down the hills still remained untouched. Untouched that was, only on the outside. Only two months prior to the disappearance of two townsfolk rumors of a beast in the hills was beginning to spread. The first to disappear was a florist searching for new stock for her shop. The other was one of two young explorers who decided to see if the rumors of the beast were true. Neither have yet to be found. Now, it was Nar's turn to investigate these rumors. It had been about two weeks since his encounter with an Oni. Thanks to the help of a kind, but oblivious merchant Nar's wound had healed enough for him to explore once again. With a pack full of rations, and exploring gear Nar sets out for the hills at dawn. With his current pace he'd reach the hills in just under an hour. The trek to the hills proved to be rather quiet. The woods around Ponyville weren't quite like the Everfree forest he had explored just two weeks prior. After his short hike Nar emerges from the treeline on the Eastern edge of Ponyville overlooking the vast expanse of hills. The rising sun crested over the largest hill, about a mile away as Nar exits the treeline. It was truly a breathtaking sight. Though Nar isn't here for sightseeing. He has a rumor to investigate. Walking through the hills on his way towards the distant, larger hill reminded Nar of his homeland. Large, open expanses of land filled with hills and trees. All that was missing was the cold climate, and distant mountain that reached far beyond the clouds. Oh, and the ferocious wildlife that would maul you if you didn't have a weapon, or couldn't use magic. That, he didn't miss. The closer Nar got to the hill, the more he realized just how large this hill actually was. It wasn't just some small hump of dirt kids would roll down for fun. This hill was almost like a small mountain. Seeing as how there were no mountain ranges nearby this was perplexing to the foreign Nar. All he could remember about Ponyville's surroundings was the open fields, and small hills. He couldn't remember any hill this large when he lived here over a year ago. Even more confusing was the complete lack of wildlife in the area. From his experience back in his home country a lack of wildlife was typically a sign of trouble. Which meant the trouble here must be very big. A thorough sweep of the hill's base reveals an opening in the north side of the hill. It's just large enough for a creature the size of a bear to enter. Upon lighting a torch, and holding it in front of him in a magical grasp Nar heads into the opening. The opening continues straight for about 2 minutes before suddenly angling down at a slight decline. The decline lasts for about 50 seconds before leveling out again. Halfway through the decline the dirt tunnel gives way to stone. Nar can't see anything other than the stone of the tunnel. There are no markings, or carvings in the walls, but judging by how smooth the ground,and walls are Nar is certain this tunnel isn't natural. Nar spends 5 minutes navigating the expanse of the tunnel as it twists, and turns seemingly at random. Then, the stone tapers off about 50 feet ahead. Ahead of the stone he can see nothing. It's too dark. (MARKER: EXPOSITION END) Nar steps out of the stone tunnel onto a cobblestone pathway. The light of his torch reveals a cobblestone walkway 5 feet wide, with green grass on both sides of the walkway. Nar places a hoof on the grass to find that it is in fact, real, and alive. Now confused more than ever Nar wracks his mind trying to figure out how the hell this is even possible. He doesn't know much about science, but he does know he's never seen grass underground. Was Equestrian grass just different or something? FWOOSH A set of chandeliers, torches, and candles burst to life. Nar shields his eyes for a moment as he is forced to adjust to the new lighting. After some blinks, and a few seconds of rubbing his eyes Nar's vision becomes clear. He freezes solid. A dragon. There's a dragon staring down at him, and it can't be more than 80 feet away. It's not an Equestrian dragon either. This dragon is MASSIVE. It's at least 3 times as tall as him, and 10 times as large. He stares up at the dragon, and she stares back at him. After a few seconds, and a few expressions from the dragon it smiles. She speaks with a voice more fitting of an evil monarch, than a dragon. "Oh my. It's been so long since I've seen you last, little wyrmling. Come embrace your mother." The dragon outstretches her wings, as if opening them for a hug. "What the hell?" Nar shakily exhales. "What the hell!?" Nar drops his torch, as he recoils. Now that he's got a good look at the dragon he notices the color of her scales. They match the color of the scales covering part of his body. The dragon's smile fades for a brief moment. "Oh? You seem... revolted. Have you not seen a dragon before, wyrmling?" Her smile then returns. "I should have expected such. You were raised by ponies after all." Nar's shout echos through the chamber. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" His mind swirled with all sorts of thoughts, and questions. Mother? 'Little Wyrmling?' Better yet, what was a dragon of this size doing inside of a hill RIGHT NEXT TO Ponyville? Was he going to have to fight her? Could he even do anything to her? Was she possibly friendly? The regal voice of the dragon interrupts his thoughts. "Oh dear. Do you need a moment to think little one? Perhaps your small equestrian brain is incapable of comprehending your current situation." "What the hell is going on? Why are you just talking to me? Why haven't you just killed me yet? And why are you talking to me like I'm a child?!" Nar shouts in response. The dragon frowns, and shakes her head. "You poor thing. So afraid, and confused." Her wings fall back to her side. "I'll give you a moment to calm yourself." A moment, ended up being much closer to 10 minutes. After countless confused thoughts Nar eventually calms himself down, and is able to speak without shouting. "Alright. I have a few questions." The dragon once again smiles. "Ask away little wyrmling. I will answer any questions you may have." "First of all. What do you mean by 'little wyrmling.' And what do you mean by 'embrace your mother?" The dragon answers. "It's quite simple wyrmling. I am your mother. You are my son." To which Nar responds. "My mother is an earth pony, and she certainly doesn't live in a cave." The dragon chortles dismissively. "You're not very observant are you? Kylin Kazunah is but your step mother. You are my son. Born, and delivered to your father so you could be raised properly. I didn't quite have the skills needed to raise a young equestrian. Are you not aware of your own powers? The ones I passed down to you?" "I had always thought my powers came from an ancestor, not an immediate family member." Nar's statement is quickly shot down with another laugh. "The unlucky ones, yes. You, however, are different. You have inherited your power directly from me. You are one of the most promising sorcerers in existence. A marvel of magic, and strength. You could not begin to fathom how proud I was to hear of your exploits." Nar shakes his head. "Hold on. Exploits?" The dragon nods slowly. "Of course. Your face is all over the world. 'The dragon who attacked Ponyville.'" The dragon heaves a sigh. "If only you had been able to destroy the town in it's entirety. No matter. Now that I have found you, you'll grow much stronger. You'll become the instrument of destruction you were born to be." Now the dragon is grinning. She seems, excited. "Instrument of destruction? N-No!" Nar shouts up at the grinning dragon. "I swore I'd never hurt the people of Ponyville again! They didn't deserve what I did to them!" This causes the dragon to become confused. "You what?" another laugh. "Oh young wyrmling. You have no reason to feel remorse. Destruction IS your purpose. It is the reason you were born. You exist, to destroy." "Exist to destroy?! Fuck no! I'm not some unthinking monster, or some weapon of mass destruction! I'm not going to just destroy things as I please!" There's a significant tone of anger in Nar's voice. The dragon responds by scowling. "Do not raise your voice at your mother, insolent child!" Nar cuts her off before she can continue. "No! I'm not a selfish, greedy, asshole! I'm not going to-" This time Nar is cut off. "Silence insolent child! Do you not understand?! You exist to destroy! YOU EXIST TO ENACT MY WILL!" Nar falls silent as the dragon continues. "Your only reason for existence is to please me! To destroy what the equestrians have built over MY land! They have STOLEN what is rightfully mine, and you WILL help me re-claim it!" "I'm not going to destroy any more homes! Or tear apart any more families! I've caused enough suffering! I don't have to do what you say, just because you say you're my mother! I can think on my own! I can choose what I want to do!" "Fool! Do you think you can just ignore who you are? That if you just run far enough you can escape your heritage?! You're the spawn of a dragon! You will do exactly as I command!" Nar turns away, and begins to head out. The dragon growls before a smirk re-appears on her face. "Fine. Live in this little fantasy world of yours. I'll be here when you finally come to your senses. Then you'll live the life you were meant to."