Jordan was currently huddled behind a table he flipped over. The Ponies were standing off to the side, well most of them. He peered over his improvised cover and quickly ducked his head, narrowly dodging the bolt of lightning. Twilight had snapped. Apparently being told that there was a source of nearly limitless knowledge existed and that you'd never get to see it again really irked her.

So here he was, sitting behind an overturned table while eating his caramel sundae. It was just too damn good to leave wen the mares dove for cover. He quickly peered over the table and saw her. A twisted grin that would even make the Joker proud adorned her face. Her left eye was twitching too, real fast. He figured that if he just sat there she'd run out of juice sooner or later.

Just as he was about to take another bite of his delicious treat, a bolt of magic impaled itself onto the table, sinking through the wood and hitting his ice cream. ''...........,'' Jordan looked at the floor in front of him. The ice cream could not be saved and Twilight's soul wasn't going to be either. Sil and the others perked their ears and watched Jordan intently from the other side of the room.

Jordan stood up slowly and looked at Twilight, ''You fucking bitch.'' Twilight, the insanity of a thirst for knowledge egged her on to fire a bolt of lightning. Without even blinking, Jordan focused pure nature magic around his hands and basically bitch slapped the bolt, launching it back at her.

Jordan was pissed, very pissed. One does not simply destroy ice cream fit for the Gods and gets away with it. Not without paying the price that is. The bolt slightly staggered Twilight, seizing this opportunity he kicked the table at her. Twilight shook her head and aimed a blast of pure magic at the table, blasting it into a shower of wooden splinters and dust.

She readied her horn, expecting Jordan to follow up from the front, but only met empty air. Before she could scan the rest of the room, her body jerked forwards and she slumped unceremoniously to the floor. Jordan walked forwards, shaking his hand out. A quick chop to the back of the neck could do wonders in a fight. Jordan walked over Twilight's unconscious body and grabbed a chair. He sat down and called towards the shocked couple behind the counter, ''Mind if order another Sundae?"

They numbly shook their heads and both walked into the kitchen. Jordan tilted his head wondering why it took two Ponies to make a Sundae. The Princesses and the mares shook their heads out and rushed towards Twilight's side. ''What did you do?" asked a mortified Rarity. ''Relax, all I did was just knock her out, she'll wake in a few minutes. Plus she attacked me first and I held back,'' he answered before the Ponies could say anything else. Luna stepped forward and bowed her head, ''We wish to apologize for Twilight's behaviour.''

Jordan waved a hand casually, ''Don't worry about it, I won't hold it against her.''

''Are you some kind of ninja or something?" asked a curious Rainbow Dash as she poked at Twilight's face. ''I'm half Asian, so pretty damn close,'' he answered. The couple came out of the kitchen and Jordan walked over to them and took his ice cream. He happily dug in, Jordan is very fond of ice cream even during the Winter.

Jordan looked at his phone, the time read 2:45. He figured that he could at least get the Diamond Dogs to join him before he'd have to turn in for the night. He sighed as he started to eat his ice cream just a tad bit faster. He turned towards the Princesses and said, ''I'm sorry but I need to go, I want to at least have the Diamond Dogs as an ally before nightfall.'' The Princesses nodded in understanding, ''How can we contact you?" asked a curious Celestia. He hummed quietly, ''I dunno, do some freaky shit with the sky I guess, like raise the Sun and Moon at the same time or something. Meanwhile, I suggest you notify the allies you already have about this war.''

He finished his Sundae and placed the cup on a nearby table. He looked at the Wolves and motioned with his head for them to follow him. They complied and trotted over to his side, ''Well Princesses and Mares, it was nice meeting you and your tattooed butts and all, but I got work to do.'' He waved his hand over his shoulders as he left the quaint bakery, leaving 7 pairs of eyes staring at the door he just exited from. ''He was pretty cool,'' Rainbow Dash casually stated as she resumed eating her ice cream. ''Ah reckon he is, strange feller and all but ah guess he seems alright ta me,'' confirmed a mellow Applejack. ''As brutish as he seems, he seems to have an air of mannerism, I noticed that he knew table manners, like not putting your elbows on the table,'' Rarity stated while giving Rainbow Dash a pointed look who coughed and straightened up. "I thought he was nice....,'' mumbled a meek Fluttershy, hiding behind her mane. "Oh my gosh!!! I forgot to invite him to his party!'' exclaimed a frazzled Pinkie Pie as she began to hyperventilate feverishly. As the Ponies began to try and calm Pinkie Pie, something elsewhere was happening.

Jordan trudged up a another mountain, although this one seemed different from the last one. It seemed not evil, like it was just a plain old mountain. He climbed silently and it wasn't long before he and the others reached the summit. It was a flat area with a few bushes growing here and there. Other than that, it was a seemingly barren summit. He turned around and looked met the spectacular view that he was met with. Needless to say, it was breath taking. From the vast Forest, to the fringes of the visible Desert, and from the jagged peaks that surrounded the Forest. He even saw Ponyville and the river he had been to earlier. He even saw the Swamp where his Ace was laying in wait. After a few moments of taking in the awe inspiring visage, he turned back to the summit.

He asked, ''How am I supposed to talk to these Diamond Dogs, huh Sil?"

Sil and the others stood at attention with their ears perked, ''They're already here,'' he said in a deep calm voice. Before Jordan could ask a question, the rocky floor in front of them erupted blasting chunks of rock and pebbles everywhere. When the dust settled, seven large dogs in armor save for the one in the middle were standing in front of him with seven holes behind them.

'Well shit, that was actually pretty awesome,' Jordan thought quietly as he eyed the Dogs. The six armored ones were carrying spears and had short swords at their sides and seemed to have what looked like brown fur. The unarmored Dog was slightly taller than the others and stood straighter. A broad sword about the length of Jordan's arm was resting at his side. It's sheath was decorated with gems and intricate patterns that resembled Cerberus. His fur was black and he had a set of three scars on his chest.

The Leader, the one without armor, spoke up first breaking the silence, ''Ah Silent Fang, it has been too long old friend,'' he said while slightly bowing his head.

Sil bowed his head as well, ''Same to you Onyx Claw, although I hate to say that I'm here for serious matters than pleasure.''

Onyx Claw slowly tilted his head, ''Would that Serious Matter have to do with the Thing standing next to you?" he asked, genuinely curious. Sil nodded and gave Jordan a pointed look, catching the message he coughed once, ''Yes, this Serious Matter does have to do with me, the Thing.''

The armored Diamond Dogs began to slowly snarl but were halted by Onyx Claw, ''Well aren't you a strange one, tell me, what is your name?''

''My name is Jordan and I have a proposition for you and your kind,'' he said respectfully while slightly bowing his head.

''Interesting, Jordan, tell me more about this proposition,'' he replied in a interested tone while putting a paw to his chin. Jordan took a moment to prepare himself, ''Well you see, I am obviously not from around here and I'm quite intrigued with this land. I wish to explore but due to some unexpected setbacks, I can not do so. I don't know if you've noticed but a dark presence has began to reside in the Forest. I've been tasked when getting rid of it.''

Before Jordan could continue, Onyx Claw raised his paw and halting Jordan from continuing. ''Let me guess, you want my people's help? Well Jordan, I have indeed noticed what you speak of, but why should we help? My people are shunned by most races around these parts, what does it matter to us if some Ponies happen to die?''

Jordan nodded along with Onyx's argument which had valid points. ''What if I offer you gems? As many as you desire,'' Jordan said, relying on his only trump card.

Onyx Claw raised an eyebrow, ''Oh and what if we ask for a Dragon's hoard worth?'' he said challengingly. Jordan answered, ''I give you two Dragon hoards worth and you join my Alliance,'' he said confidently.

Onyx Claw smiled, he like this Jordan. There was something in those eyes and that tone, he had spunk. ''Haha very well, two Dragon hoards worth of gems and I'll gladly join your Alliance,'' he said while folding his arms across his broad chest.

Currently inside his head, Jordan was swearing up a storm. He could control rocks but gems, that was a new thing altogether. As he silently mulled over his thoughts while the Canines watched and waited for what Jordan would do next. As he began to think up of numerous plans, a voice spoke in his head, one he had not heard from in a while.

"Seems you could use a little help Jordan,'' said a calm voice.

'Yeah, you wouldn't happen to know any spells that can help me find gems would you?'

''You already have that ability, Jordan. In fact, you've already used it."

'Your shitting me, I don't remember jack.'

''You know how you've been using your Terra forming powers to fight, well you can also control gems and crystals. Anything that comes from the Earth and is made up of minerals of any kind, you can control. All you need to do is focus on the kinds of gems or etc and bring them up with your powers. All you need is focus and an open mind. I've given you the tools you need, now put them to use, don't disappoint me,'' Torva said as his voice began to fade.

Jordan silently thanked Torva, and looked at the Diamond Dogs. "Before the sun sets, I'll have your gems and you in my Alliance,'' he said with confidence. ''I just need you ready to pick them up.''

Onyx Claws clapped and laughed, ''You're an interesting one, I like you and I can't wait to see what and how you'll pull this off.''

Jordan looked over at his Pack, they nodded, believing in him, trusting him. With newfound knowledge and an itch in his knuckles, he started his race against time as the sun began to slowly decline towards the horizon.

Author's Note

Just a little something to keep you occupied while I do some more typing. Hope you all enjoy it, and remember, I am always open to suggestions and willing to listen to your thoughts so far.