Prone To Sudden Fur Changes And Bloodlust

“It’s simple, mutt. You reveal the location of the warren to me, or you die...slowly. Your whines and grunts of pain are only serving to waste my time. Now talk with that defective jaw of yours, before I turn you into a pincushion.” I stood in front of the horribly mutilated form that was a diamond dog. His face was swollen in some areas, from where I had been striking him with my fists. To my knowledge, I had only delivered a total of six blows to his face. All six blows left apple-sized purple bumps, possibly from internal bleeding.

You learn much when interrogating sentient beings this way. For instance, I know the dog’s name is Wergal and he was a Beta. As I’m told by Donna, who’s real name still eludes me, this means Wergal is fit to ascend to power should one of his Alphas fall. Donna has also told me that Diamond Dogs normally have one Alpha leading a clan and all the warrens that fall underneath it, but Wergal has stated that there are three Alphas that head his clan; the clan known as Granite Podium.

We had dragged his body back to Judgement, which is the name of my house/ship if you recall. I didn’t take him inside, but  I opted to remain outside in order to beat the living shit out of him and get the location of his warren. By the smell in the air, I can honestly say one of the two objectives have been met.

Wergal was whining like a sad dog against one of the many tires the Judgement has while in rover form. He seemed distant in the eyes, if you could look at them from the crevasses of the massive lumps on his face. His mouth was bloody and bruised and his open fracture was beginning to show signs of infection, what with the ominous black spots surrounding it and the never ending cloud of flies anxious to get in there and maggot it up.

Donna prefered to wait on the other side of my house, not wanting to witness the horrible deed. Let that yellow-bellied cow do what she wants. I have no problem with carrying out my current mission on my lonesome, it’s just that help would be welcomed and would probably make the chance of success higher.

“Pain..me hurt bad. Talk...no.” Wergal wheezed out through his swollen jaw. If I were to drop this mutt back into his stronghold, I’m willing to bet that the dogs would shit themselves. But who knows what they could be doing to Sunset Shimmer right now, given that half an hour and a half had progressed from when they took her. I’m...worried.

“Fine, then you’ll mark it on this map I have.” I took the map out of my jacket pocket, where it was folded up. The map had creases in it, and was tan in color. As it turns out, I was correct in my assumption that Equestria exists on this world. But the fact of the matter is, Bullivia-which is where I am now-is an island about five-thousand miles west from the Zebrican Isles, which are about three-thousand miles west from the Equestrian soil.

Bullivia is shaped like-as you may have already guessed-a bull’s head. I was in Stonehaven, which is the third largest city in Bullivia. This archipelago is the home of all minotaurs, even if they left their homeland for something more on the mainland. I’ve already predicted that the estimated travel time between here and Equestria is approximately thirteen days and two nights. I’ve also deemed Equestria to be the place in which I will reveal my profession to Sunset Shimmer, if she’s even alive and willing to join me.

Which reminds me.

I held the map up to Wergal’s face, to which he just looked at it dumbly. I could tell by his lost expression-even though his face resembled a grey squash-that he wasn’t used to looking at maps. Seeing as how I’m wasting time, I opted to roll the paper up into a scroll-shape. I bopped Wergal on the head with my improvised dogpaddle.

“You’re fucking pissing me off. I wasn’t hitting you out of anger back then, but I’m pretty sure you remember what happens when I do get angry, right?” I narrowed my eyes as I got what I wanted. Wergal swallowed audibly, a frightened expression on his face. Fear goes hand in hand with victory. If you’re successful in demoralizing your enemy, you have already won the battle. And Wergal here looks like a broken mutt. Good. He’ll bend to my will without any resistance.

“Good boy. Now you’re going to get up and hobble your dumbass back to your warren. I’m going to be following you discreetly. Try to run, and an infected open fracture will be the least of your worries. Am I fucking understood?” I commanded darkly, hearing his confirmation in the sound of water trickling from between his legs. Fear breeds results, and right now, I’m wanting some fucking results.

“Perfect. Now stand up and get hobbling.” I stood back up to my normal height and thrusted a thumb over my shoulder. I could almost feel the dog’s pain as he forced himself up on two legs, then hopped with his injured leg in the air towards where his warren was probably located. He was moving remarkably slow, so I had some time to discuss things with Donna as he was busy hobbling.

“Donna, come here please!” I yelled out. The minotaur came around the corner with a sickened expression on her face. I also noted the mossy tiny on her cheeks, which was a strong indication of nausea. She put a hand on her hip and cocked it, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

Attitude from the door? I don’t have fucking time for this!

“I’m gonna follow this mutt back to his warren and rescue Sunset Shimmer. I want you in the Judgement, sitting down in one of the chairs. Don’t try anything funny, or I’ll have Siri fry your Agent-Smith ass. This will be a stealth mission, so I’ll try to keep the kills to a minimum and make this as discreet as possible. Once I have Sunset Shimmer, I’ll contact the Judgement via Sirios unit. If all goes as planned, I’ll be done with this mission by tomorrow morning.” I finished, but Donna’s raised eyebrow and now crossed arms made me think we weren’t done.

“A good set-up, but I fail to see how you can be stealthy, being an alien and all. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb! You’ll only be putting Ms.Shimmer in danger should they learn of your presence and connection to her! I highly advise you to not follow that diamond dog back to his warren. Sunset Shimmer is probably in the process of escaping as I speak to you! There’s no way they can keep a mare like her in chains!” Donna refuted, making my eye twitch in supreme anger. This bitch deserves the hardest backhand, ever!

“Excuse me!? Excuuuuuse me!!?? Who in the fucking FUCK of all fuckitude, do you think you’re talking to!? I know exactly what you’re doing, Donna Lehigh! With Sunset gone, you and your Agent goons can swoop in and take me by force without fear of Equestrian retaliation! I know how politics work, and attacking the friend of a pony from a different country while on your soil could possibly start a war that your government would undoubtedly blame your organization for!” I walked up to her, putting my face in hers.

“That’s my fucking friend down there! So how about you take these next words to heart, cuz I mean every single one. Fuck the minotaurs and their wonky-ass agents and fuck you, Donna. I’m going and you’re welcome to try and fucking stop me.” I turned on my heels and walked towards Wergal, who was hobbling off in the direction of the black mountain range. I didn’t even close half the distance before I heard soft crunches coming from behind me. They were approaching quickly.

“So it’s a fight you want...” I whirled around when they got right behind me and gave a sharp right hook. Donna’s head was nowhere to be seen as my careless puch floated in mid-air.

“You fight like a greenhorn, Silas.” I looked down just in time to see Donna hit me in the stomach with a left straight, winding me from the sheer force and power behind the blow. I hid it well as I staggered back, placing a hand on my stomach as I sucked in a huge amount of air.

*Gurgle!*

My eyes widened at that sound. In all the fantasy video games I’ve played with dragons in them, the knights could hear the noise dragons made before breathing their fire. It sound like boiling oil and was low-pitched. Holy shit, I have fire glands!

This bitch-if she doesn't play her hand right-is fucking toast!

Donna...did something I don’t think anyone would’ve been prepared for. She placed both her hands on her skirt and shirt, then pulled said garments apart in a display of veteran knowledge. She must of did this quite often.

Donna was now wearing a black leather sports bra, which was doing almost nothing to contain her at least Double D-sized breasts. Her legs were covered with black leather shorts, which were tied up on the sides with string. Loose, lightweight and made for movement. This bitch just got serious.

I whistled in amusement and awe as the rest of her previous ensemble was drifting lazily to the ground. I turned my head around and noticed Wergal entering the forest, still hobbling.

“STOP RIGHT THERE, WERGAL!!!” The diamond dog stopped just befre he entered the forest and turned around. When he saw how pissed Donna was and how she looked ready to kill me, his eyes widened. Wergal didn’t was another second as he hobbled into the woods.

Fuck!

I took off after the dog, closing the distance in about a minute and a half. He was still hobbling past the bushes when I caught up.

I am not pleased.

“You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve, dontcha!? You thought you were just gonna hobble off without me and doom my friend to a life of servitude!?” I grit my teeth as the battered dog sunk back in fear. I placed a hand on my katana’s pommel loud enough for Wergal to get the message. “Now get walking before I remove that infection with a bloody amputation!”

He nodded his assent to my request with a scared look on his face and tears, making smile. If Donna would’ve caused my only lead to slip, I would’ve been very angry with her. Luckily for her, my chances at finding Sunset Shimmer were not ruined on this evening.

Wergal turned around and began hobbling through the forest anew but with me tailing close. I had no idea where he was leading me, so I took out my katana and spoke the incantation softly so that he couldn’t hear it. Should a group of dogs surprise me, I don’t want them to use my weapon against me.

Which reminds me, I haven’t tried any other spells in latin. Now’s a good way to see if my theory holds true. I need to know if latin really is the base language for all magic. If it is, then I no doubt have an advantage due to my prowess in the ancient language.

The only problem is what I want to try out first, and Wergal. Eh, I’ll just wipe his mind should he overhear me. It’s not like he’s smart anyway. According to the show and by what he’s shown me, the diamond dogs seem incapable of full speech. Better safe than sorry, though.

With the matter of how to take care of Wergal resolved, I quickly set about thinking of enchantments that can be made on swords. I snapped my free hand’s thumb and middle finger in realization.

In some fantasy games I’ve played, gems were often used to store spells and magic. It’s also been rumored that a dragon’s blood is infused with magic while it’s alive; but as soon as its Spark is snuffed, the magic properties in the blood dissipate and the blood turns black as night. If that’s the case, then I probably have greater magical prowess than anyone on this planet! Oh I have to try this out on something post hast-

“We...here.” Wergal’s raspy voice snapped me from my train of thought, but I was still holding that thought in my head for use. In fact, I could probably use a spell to make infiltration a lot easier!

“Good boy. I think you deserve a treat for your hard work, dontcha think?” I asked him with a smirk, to which Wergal grimaced in pain when he set his injured leg down by accident. The flies were gone, but if you looked close enough, you can see what looked like vanilla pudding forming in his leg. Oh yeah, his shit’s definitely infected. He’s needed now that we’re in front of one of the mountains.

I’ve made up my mind. I’m healing him.

The words of the latin language can be mighty vexing for the unschooled, but it’s a good thing I’m not unlearned. A novice would’ve said something like ‘medico’ or ‘percuro’. This is wrong, because it’s not correct for the situation at hand. I’m focusing on healing and sanitizing Wergal’s wound on his leg. I’ve also got to instruct my magic to realign his bone and patch the skin. Being unspecific with your spells can be likened to knocking on Death’s door. You could overtax your magical reserves, killing yourself instantly, or the spell you would cast could continue to drain your power long after the words are said and the action done.

To be vague is to die.

It took me around three minutes, but I came up with a phrase that will get the job done.

I lifted my sword to Wergal’s leg, making his swollen eyes that were close to being shut widen in fear for the fifth or fourth time this evening.

“Calm down. I’m going to heal that leg of yours.” Wergal was still apprehensive as I brought the tip of my blade close to his leg, almost to the point of touching the knee and femur that were sticking out. I closed my eyes and focused on things that were considered healing agents on my planet. Things like meditation and medicine and blah blah blah.

I felt a warmth in my chest, a warmth that yearned to be set free. I imagined myself pushing a shopping cart filled with medicine through my body, feeling the warmth travel through my torso and sword arm. From there, I ushered the energy into the diamond and up towards the point. While all this was happening, I was taking deep breaths. You know, like the ones the doctor makes you take when he presses the GLACIER-COLD stethoscope on you?

Once the energy reached the point of my sword, I said the words. “Sanitize, et sanabo sarcirent.” This phrase literally translates to ‘Sanitize, mend and heal.”

The energy left my control as I opened my eyes, watching what looked like tiny dots of light filter into the wound from the point of my sword. Wergal grimaced at the sight, but appeared to be in no pain as the dots disintegrated the infectious ooze threatening to spill out. They then went to work with pushing the open fracture ever so slowly back into his leg, where most of the orbs acted as a cohesive agent to connect the bones and tendons again. After that, the remaining orbs created new flesh over the wound, but it was devoid of fur; probably for the rest of his life too.

Wergal let out a sigh of relief as he put his leg back on the ground, which made me smile minutely. He then began jumping up and down in joy, making me bop him on the head with the back of my blade. He winced when the new pain was felt and offered me an apologetic look. I nodded in confirmation of his silent apology.

“Now hold still while I heal your face. After this, you’re tagging along with me until I bust Sunset Shimmer out of here. You know the Granite Podium well because you’re a Beta, so I’m expecting a flawless mission. I need more information before I heal your face though.” He nodded his consent and stood at ease like how Air Force cadets would. Silly dog thinks he’s people!

“Why are you helping me? And before you say ‘Because my life’s in danger’ or something along those lines, I would like to venture a guess. I say, it’s because you house a severe hatred towards the Alphas, dontcha?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. Wergal seemed disrespected and appalled instantly, but those looks went away as a look of fury came across his muzzle.

He nodded powerfully, almost making me wince with how strong and fast he did it.

“Boss Dreggen ate pups. Dreggen dies?” Wergal practically hissed his question as he snarled and growled. I knew he was housing a hatred for someone inside of him, I couldfeel it! Holy fucking shit, I’m like a Sith or something!

“Wait, he ate your kids!? Oh, to assert dominance?” I asked with a scowl. Wergal nodded strongly again. I growled in disgust and rising anger. “Then yes, Wergal, Dreggen will die. I’ve little patience for monsters, whether they pertain to my soon-to-be new occupation or not. The hound dies and so does his brothers. I also take it that you have family on the inside?” Another nod. This guy doesn't like talking, which is why he’s quickly growing on me. “Then they too shall be rescued. Now that I know you won’t betray me, I can heal you without hesitation.”

I raised my sword again, this time resting it between his eyes. I followed the same procedure, but the casting was sped up because I had grown used to the feeling of magic traveling through me. “Medico.” The swollen parts of his face got smaller and smaller until his greyhound-ish face was distinguishable once more.

My body was now feeling taxed, so I ordered Wergal to stay put. The bloodlust radiating off him could make Jeff the Killer frown. In fact, his fur had gotten a couple of shades darker. He was now teetering on the edge of having all black fur, but the grey was still able to be perceived on his head and arms. Everything else was a very dark blackish-grey color that changed as the sunlight hit his body in different spots. If the Nightmare hadn’t been defeated once and for all by the Elements of Harmony, I would’ve thought Wergal possessed by the malevolent spirit.

Not that I’m complaining, because having ‘Nightmare Hound’ as a buddy in this mission would make it a walk in the park.

Anyways, I regained my composure and felt rested after five minutes. The sun was dipping in the western sky, bathing the area in front of the mountain with an orange glow. I looked at Wergal and he looked at me.

“Here’s how it’s going to go down, Wergal. These furballs are gonna recognize you once you stroll through the entrance, so I don’t have to waste my energy on making you. I will, however, be following you using a cloaking spell. You’ll lead me into the hollow and to anyone you know plus Sunset Shimmer. I would prefer finding Sunset Shimmer,” He scowled at me, “Only because she can help me administer the cloaking spell to the rest of your family.” I finished. Wergal’s scowl dissipated into his serious expression again, but it was better than being glared at.

“Do you understand the plan?” I asked seriously as I crossed my arms. Wergal gave his epic strong nod again. “Good, then we can begin. I must warn you though; if I come into contact with anything, my cover will most likely be broken. Keep to the less populated tunnels and the shadows. If you do this, then the only problem we’ll have will be rescuing and escaping. Infiltration will be a walk in the park.” I held out my fist, to which he looked at quizzically.

I chuckled as I noticed I brought up one of Earth’s habits. “Bump it with your own.” I kept my fist out as Wergal nodded and lifted his own. We bumped them together(BROFIST!!!)as Wergal gave a toothy grin. I chuckled at how silly this guy is and used the same fist to dra-

You know what? Let me see if I can do it without my sword. I’m pretty sure this is where my dragon’s blood come into play. I placed both hands by my side and focused on what would be best for this situation. I smiled when I thought of the perfect concealment spell for infiltration.

My mind went to work on sending that warm sensation all the way through my body, feeling my blood warm and pulse with magical energy as the spell traveled through every cell. I could feel myself becoming veiled.

“Protexisti me a mente.” Which translates to ‘Hide me from the mind.’ It’s ingenious, if I do say so myself. It’s a spell used with the intention of making me no more than a shadow in the peripheral vision of the guards we should come across. Their brains will be forced to ignore my existence, unless they’re a hundred percent sure they saw me, as in no doubt whatsoever. I’m pretty much there, but not there. Get it?

“Drake? Drake, where go?” Wergal was turning around in circles looking for me. He stopped a couple of times as if he noticed me. Perfect, the spell worked.

“Relax, I’m still here. I’m glad the spell works but against other magic-savvy beings it may prove faulty. Remain on guard for when I’m exposed and immediately claim to have captured me. You’ll be spared and I’ll still have a chance at saving Sunset Shimmer, even from within shackles. With that being said, I think we’ve wasted enough time wouldn’t you agree?” Wergal looked in my direction and nodded. Smart dog, he followed my voice and can probably see me now that he knows I’m here with finality.

“Yes, Alpha.” Wergal responded as he turned on his heels and walked off towards the black mountain face. I ran up to him and stopped when I noticed how my footprints still made noise. That’s not good.

“Wergal, stop.” I said, causing the diamond dog to give a snort of frustration as he turned around and eyed me down. “One, I’m still making noise. Two, you are to call me Silas. You’ve already had to deal with enough Alphas.” Wergal smiled from the corner of his mouth.

My new ally waited patiently as I focused on the blood in my feet and lungs. When I could feel the warmth radiating from within their confines, I muttered the phrase.”Tacitus vestigia spiritus et vocem meam.”

I felt my feet and lungs warm up before going cold. It wasn't an uncomfortable cold, but it certainly was cold! I shook my head a couple of times to try and dispel the sudden nausea I was feeling. That’s it then; until I get back to proper body weight and physical prowess, I estimate four to five spells is my limit. Good to know.

I stomped my foot on the ground and gave myself a victorious smile when my illusion spell or silence spell didn’t dispel themselves. Perfection! Now I know that my spell is not susceptible to the environment!

“Lead the way.” I said happily as Wergal’s Boss Nod-which is now patented-was once again thrown my way. He turned away again as I followed him towards the mountain face. Once we cleared the last set of bushes separating us from the rocky structure, Wergal-I shit you not-wolf whistled. It took everything in my power not to laugh as ten feet high, seven feet long slab of rock was pulled up. These mutts made their base in and under a fucking mountain!?

This is gonna take forever.

“Who go there!?” One of those armored diamond dogs from Spike’s fantasy dream came out with a spear in hand. He took one look at Wergal and immediately shrunk back. “Ruh roh! Sorry, Beta! Won’t again happen!” The guard stepped to the side as Wergal stomped past him with me following close behind. I looked back and saw the guard rubbing his eyes with a paw, as if he saw something but was unsure if he did or not.

Fucking priceless.