Dangerous Dog and Pony Show

The others, and in particular Twilight, were getting very worried about Rarity and Spike. The pair had gone off first thing in the morning hunting for gems, and nopony had heard from them since. Unfortunately they had not advised where they were heading and nopony apart from the fashionista knew where the best gem mines where, so they had no idea to even where to begin searching.

The five of them were sat in Golden Oaks Library when suddenly Spike came through the door, collapsing to the floor as he did. Twilight rushed over to her number one assistant, and picked him up in her aura. He was blooded, bruised and beaten, and obviously tired from making his way back to town.

“Spike, what happened? Where’s Rarity?” Twilight asked

“Dogs…” was all Spike to muster to say, his voice indicating he was exhausted. Fluttershy brought over a glass of water, which she had put in a few ground leaves she had in her bag. Spike sipped the drink, and the water and herbs had an almost instant effect on his voice “Thanks Fluttershy…Rarity’s been abducted!”

“What?” the others cried out.

Spike explained that they were about 14 miles east of Ponyville, hunting for gems in the mountains, when they were suddenly confronted by five large dogs. They said they had seen the pair working together to get gems, and wanted to capture them so they could use them to gather gems for them.

“Rarity and I started fighting off the dogs, but they were much bigger and stronger then either of us. She was able to use her magic to fight them off, but couldn’t protect me at the same time. I was taking a number of bites and cuts from their teeth and claws, but nothing I couldn’t handle” the dragon looked down at his battered body, not sure if anypony was believing him.

“I told Rarity to get out of there, to leave me, but she wouldn’t abandon me. One of them then grabbed my be the throat, lifted me off the ground, and started choking me…”

Spike broke down at this point, and was being comforted by both Fluttershy and Pinkie. The other ponies had their hooves over their mouths at this tale of violence against such a young creature as their dragon friend. After a few moments, Spike regained a bit of composure and continued.

“I couldn't fight him off, and was starting to lose consciousness. I heard Rarity cry out for him to stop and she said she would go with them if they let me live. The dog dropped me to the ground…” Spike started crying some more “…and I watched helpless as Rarity was grabbed and carried off with them”

“Well girls, let’s go get her back” Rainbow Dash broke the silence that had fallen over the library

“Wait! No, we need to get backup first. From what Spike has said, these creatures seem to be dangerous, willing to kill for what they want.” Twilight ordered.

“There’s no time to wait for backup, Rarity needs us!” Rainbow snarled, and started flying towards the door.

Applejack grabbed the pegaus by the tail and yanked her back down to the ground “Hold on there sugarcube. I may not like it either, by Twi’s right. We don’t know anything about these creatures, how many they are…or what they are willing to do” the farmer gulped at the end. The five ponies just looked at each other – Nightmare Moon had put them in danger and the dragon could have attacked them, but these dogs seemed to be willing to kill all too quickly.

“Right. Girls, have a look for any book that may tell us more about these gem loving dogs whilst I write to the Princess for help. Twilight grabbed a quill and some parchment, and quickly penned a letter to the Princess. Spike managed to just about to squeeze out enough fire to send the letter, and then collapsed back down exhausted. After a very short time, they received a response, which Twilight read aloud

“Faithful Student, and Friends

It is indeed a most serious situation. I am arranging for three battalions of royal guards, some of mine and Luna’s finest, to be sent to Ponyville shortly.

However, a full out assault by the guards is likely to be very dangerous for Rarity, and must be a last result. It would also be wise for Luna and I to stay here in Canterlot. Diamond Dogs may not have magic, but I believe they would sense our arrival and not only put them on alert, but may cause them to do something foolish.

I fear it is up to you and your friends to rescue Rarity. Be warned, these animals are dangerous, in some respects more than any wild creature. For they are pack animals and intelligent like ponies, but they are greedy and remember the dark times when ponies were considered an expendable tool for other creatures to use. This is a highly dangerous combination.

The guards will be sent to the edge of the mountain and will await your commands, Twilight. If you also need me, of course I will come with no delay. But I fear stealth and cunning is what will save your friends, not raw power. Luckily, due to all of your connections of friendship to Rarity, your presence should go unnoticed by the Dogs senses until you are in sight.

I attach a list of books you should review before starting the rescue, which must wait till tomorrow. Dogs have better night vision than us and will be expecting an immediate response. If none comes tonight they will think Rarity is alone, and their guard will fall.

We await your news of a safe return of Rarity

Princess Celestia and Luna

“You heard the Princess” Pinkie was the first to speak “Lets grab those books and study”

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The next morning, having read up on everything known about these Diamond Dogs, the five pony rescue party was being led by their baby dragon guide to where Spike last remembered they were.

On the edge of the mountain they were greeted by one of the Captains of the royal guard, although Twilight was disappointed it wasn’t Shining Armour. She had thought that the colt would have been the first pony to respond after hearing what had happened to his little dragon brother.

“Twilight Sparkle – Your brother sends his regrets but the Princess was worried that he would be too emotionally involved to be here.” The captain of the guard started, as if reading Twilights mind “As I think the Princess explained, only the six of you would be able to get close without the dogs knowing. But I doubt Shining would let you or Spike go in alone, so he was held back by the Princess…literally.”

The captain smiled a little “I probably should say this, but your brother was so insistent on coming it took the Princess and eleven guards to actually stop him…he really must care for you both”

“That’s why he’s my BBBFF! But family aside, what can you tell us?” Twilight got right back to the point, showing the leadership she always had.

“I’m afraid we haven’t been able to find out where they are exactly from our aerial scouts…we dare send over too many in case it arouses suspicion.”

“They will be back underground” Twilight responded “They won’t resurface for days in fear of an attack in response. But they will feel safe in their caves, and that will give us the element of surprise. Just make sure your guard is ready to respond if things don’t go to plan”

“We await your signal” the captain signed off with a bow.

As the five ponies, with Spike on Twilights back moved off, Fluttershy turned to Twilight “Why did the Captain bow you?” she asked

“Oh, that. Well, as the Princess Protégé I am technically treated by the guard as Royalty, just under the Princesses themselves. They have to protect me and do anything I say, as long as it’s not a counter-command to any of the three Princesses.”

“I never knew that…so couldn't you get them to help me around the farm?” Applejack laughed

“That would be an abuse of my power” Twilight laughed a response

“Oh, and ordering Shining to give you his hayfries, or half of his desert, at every family meal isn’t?” Spike questioned

“Not at all”

“Oh, whys that?” Rainbow asked

“Because he’s my big brother - He has to do what his little sister says anyway!”

The six friends trotted into the mountains, outwardly smiling and giggling but all worried about what lay ahead.

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Spike had soon led them to where the fight took place, signs of the battle still on the ground and some of the stains of green dragon blood were still visible. Fluttershy and Applejack used their tracking and hunting skills to find and follow the trail of the five dogs. They worked out that Rarity had been carried by two of the dogs (there paw prints were deeper than the others, suggesting the extra weight). They knew they were on the right path as every so often they found a single Indigo hair.

“Rarity must have remembered to leave a trail. I’m glad she has remembered her training” Twilight mused, levitating a hair in front of her.

“What? When do you teach her that?” Pinkie asked

“As us unicorns aren’t as physical as you Earth and Pegasus ponies, we get taught at a young age some things to help us if we get foalnapped. Leaving trails, how to try to win over your captors etc”

“So, Rarity will be able to handle this then?” Rainbow asked

“The problem is, all the tricks that may work on a fellow pony, even an evil one like Nightmare Moon, aren’t likely to work with these creatures.”

The six picked up their pace, and soon came upon a cave entrance. They were a little surprised to find it unguarded, but then all pony knowledge of the canines suggested that after a few hours of no response, the dogs would think it was safe. Quietly, the friends ventured into the unknown...

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The five ponies and dragon companion were slowly closing in to where they suspected Rarity to be. Twilight had used a very discrete finding spell to give a rough idea of where Rarity was – she couldn’t use too many spells or it may tip off the Diamond Dogs that a rescue was on it’s way

They were trotting through the caves in near darkness, when suddenly a group of dogs surrounded them and jumped on their backs. Applejack quickly bucked off the one on her back, with Rainbow Dash flying quickly to throw off hers. Twilight cast a repulsion spell to break some space round her, whilst Spike was throwing flames in all directions. Pinkie was just bouncing around, too quick for any of the dogs to actually get their paws on her.

The element of surprise was all the dogs thought they would need, but it was not so. Unlike the Earth ponies they had captured in the past, the unicorn they had captured the day before and this lavender one in front of them were too much for them to handle. The same was also true for the blue Pegasus, whose speed and flight had them at a disadvantage. The two earth ponies were also much quicker or stronger than anything they had fought before.

The tide of the fight was starting to turn in the ponies favour, not at least due to Spike. With his precious Rarity in danger, he was using his flames to hurt the dogs. He hadn’t caused any pain to any creature before, and he felt wrong doing so, but with the most beautiful pony in the land in trouble, he was feeling different than usual.

“Stop fighting, or this yellow one dies” one of the dogs suddenly screamed above the noise. The four other ponies looked over to see a sharp metal object against Fluttershy’s neck, the timid pony frozen in fear. Twilight took a split second to decide a plan.

“Girls, Spike, stop fighting, they’ll kill Fluttershy” she announced, discharging her glowing horn.

The three other ponies stopped for a second, looking over towards their unofficial leader. Noticing the seriousness in her eyes, they stopped fighting or moving

“That’s a good pony” The lead dog rasped “No fighting, nopony gets hurt”

Each pony was then grabbed by a large dog “Yesss…No fighting, no magicks, no fire” The lead dog hissed, pointing to Twilight and Spike at the end. “Else we hurt this one, and the white one”

A couple of dogs approached carrying lots of equipment, and dumped it to the floor. The dogs started putting saddles around the ponies, teaming up to overpower some of the resistance from the ponies. Rainbow and Fluttershys wings were forced painfully against there body’s by the saddles, making flying impossible.

The five then felt bridles being put around their heads and metal bits were forced into their mouths. There were some natural resistance from the ponies at this, but a few threats against Fluttershys safety soon got them all to comply. The bridles and saddles were tightened a little too hard and painfully, but the dogs didn’t seem to care if it hurt or not.

Spike meanwhile was being held by one of dogs, before another came up with a small cage. The Dragon was squeezed into the cage, and it was locked shut. The cage was clearly too small for the Dragon, with his tail and arms sticking out of the bars, but there was nothing him or any of his pony friends could do about it.

The dogs then put chains around the hooves of the ponies, long enough for the ponies to walk but not to go faster or to fight. Four of the dogs then mounted the ponies and they were ridden onwards. Fluttershy was being led with a knife still at her throat, with Spikes cage being placed on her back.

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Twilight looked over at her five friends worried about their mental state. Of course, if she wanted she could get these things off of her via a simple magic spell. But for her earth and pegasus friends, there would be no way of getting out of the binds – you needed either magic or nimble claws to undo the buckles. Perhaps a free mouth would do, but with bits in their mouths making grabbing anything impossible, basically the four were now helpless.

She expected Applejack and Rainbow to be suffering the most, being the two who would normally be in charge of protecting the others – this meant they could do something silly. Fluttershy had probably retreated mentally away from the situation, whilst anything could be going through Pinkie’s mind. Spike might be able to fight his way out, or help with his claws, but he wouldn’t do anything to risk Rarity or Fluttershy.

With growing worry about what her friends may do in fear or panic, the unicorn was torn. She could send a rescue beacon out, knowing that she could probably protect the six of them for long enough for help to arrive. But she still had no idea where Rarity was and the Princess warned against a full out attack.

She had to try to keep on top of the situation, but as they couldn't talk she thought about using a mind connection spell to comfort her friends. However, she knew she couldn’t risk the Dogs seeing her cast any spells. As she passed under a torch, she cast the spell as quickly as she could, taking every magical shortcut possible. She hoped her rider didn’t notice and was relieved that none of the dogs said anything – she guessed their eyesight couldn’t notice her very quick aura compared to the extra light from the torch.

Girls, can you hear me Twilight reached out with mind

Twilight, is that you? Rainbow replied first

Yes, I’ve created a mental connection between us. It may drop out every so often as I can only boost the spell when none of the dogs are looking

I’m scared Fluttershy meeped

Don’t be sugarcube, we’re all here for you!

Twilight, can’t you use your freaky magic to get us out of this? Rainbow asked

Yes, but if I do I worry about what will happen to Rarity. We’ll have to be patient until we find her

This dogs heavy Pinkie moaned I can’t bounce with him on my back

Is that all you can think about? Rainbow snarled

Well, I bet you’re thinking about how you can’t fly

How did you know that? Rainbow and Fluttershy responded in unison.

It’s pretty obvious Pinkie retorted

Girls. Focus! Applejack snapped We can all bicker when we get Rarity back

We were bickering, I’m sorry Fluttershy responded.

Twilight was glad to hear (or was that think) her friends were being their usual selves Fluttershy. I promise nothing bad will happen to you. I can protect us, we just need to wait

With that the connection dropped, and the five ponies trudged on in silence. After what seemed like an entirety at the slow hard journey, the ponies were guided into a large chamber, where they saw Rarity for the first time…