Infiltration

Wergal was doing his job remarkably well! On our way into the mountain, Wergal had made sure to stick to tunnels where the least amount of slavers resided. I had only seen one or two slaver-guards adorned in their rag-tag iron plating and helmets as we infiltrated the warren.

I was sickened by what I saw.

Corpses...in the fucking walls. It sounds just as bad as it looks too! Griffins had the largest ratio by far, with over half the tunnel housing their still decaying cadavers in their stone. The corpses of minotaurs were in a close second, which surprised me because I honestly expected more ponies than the big lugs of muscle.

“I can’t believe there are so many dead bodies! Do your Alphas kill just for the fun of it or what?” I whispered into Wergal’s ear. He stood about two inches lower than I did, so I didn’t have to bend my head down or anything.

“...Yes.” And that’s all he said. I was taken aback by his answer as a startling revelation took hold of my brain. This is supposed to be the world where friendship is practically stuffed down your throat! What the hell is death and slavery doing here!? It sickens me to no end.

The Alphas, I have to know more about them.

“Tell me about your,” I stopped and nearly shrieked as a pony’s skeleton came swinging in front of my face. I let out a deep breath behind the hand I had clasped over my mouth, before stepping around the slowly dangling cadaver. “Alphas. I want to know what I’m up against, should this discreet mission of ours take a turn for the worse.” I quickly caught up with Wergal, who was waiting for me.

Once he turned around and began walking, he answered me. “Alphas, cowards. Take mountain with numbers. My mate, defeated. Brothers took over. Slaves and gems belong to them. Pups killed and ate. Many tears. Many deaths.” We had traversed the improvised graveyard with ease and had exited the tunnel. There were now many holes before us, each going in a different direction.

“Don’t the diamond dogs have their own country? How did you guys end up over here?” I whispered, trying to keep my voice low so I couldn't be heard conversing with Wergal. The Beta turned right and began walking down the tunnel with me following close behind, the many orange torches on the wall letting me see some crazy shit.

You ever seen a spider with twelve legs and a stinger? No? Good.

“Gem Fido, homeland. Brothers enslave us, joined their clans and took over. Brothers fear Griffin Pirates, who free slaves. Lead by demon griffin, fight like possesed. Rumors say, kill six dragons at one time over sea. Brothers usher Granite Podium west, past Zerbra Isles. Kept going, found minotaurs. Voyage, two years. Third of clan died.” I raised my eyebrows at that. This ‘griffin’ sounds pretty badass if he waxed six dragons at the same damn time! Gotta meet him/her one day!

“I’m sorry for your loss. Can you tell me what the Brothers are like? I know nothing about them and I’d hate to find out they can do some freaky shit like turn into flesh-eating tentacle demons or something.” My query hung in the air as I stepped over a jagged pebble dramatically. Wergal had successfully brought us into another tunnel that was more narrow than the previous one, but it was dimly lit. The torches were doing nothing to keep the darkness at bay, but I could see Wergal well because of my natural eyesight now that I’m a dragon-thingy.

I said it once and I’ll say it again; I fucking love being an alien!

“Dreggen is worst from three. Cold, smug and mean. Take pleasure in torturing slaves and guard. Quick thinker, always alert and sadistic.” Wergal had lead me out of this tunnel as well, bringing us to another tunnel that sloped downwards. He pointed into it twice then at himself once.

“What?”

“Guard down there, his station. Asshole, me no like. I kill, then throw body up. Catch and hide.” Wergal whispered quietly, making me nod. We were doing so well too! I was hoping the only deaths today would be from the Brother's Grimm. Wergal’s claws dug into the rock as he quietly climbed down, the guard below him none the wiser. I had bent my head to get a better view of the oncoming violence.

For something standing a little over six feet tall, Wergal was moving like a specter. The guard was just standing and whistling a tune to himself, but it was ended on a high note as Wergal’s claws dug into his head and neck. I heard a snap as Wergal jutted his claws deeper. There’s just something magical about seeing a dog swing another dog’s lifeless body up to you.

I grabbed the body just as it appeared through my side of the hole. I stuck out my tongue in disgust as I noticed the missing scalp and right eyeball on this poor guard. I shrugged dismissively and placed the body next to me.

Then I tried extending my claws, but quickly found out that I hadn’t the muscle memory to do so. I quickly ‘felt’ around the hand area mentally, searching for anything that differentiated itself from the structure of a human hand. I found something instantly and projected my will to apply pressure to the point in my hand.

*Shik.*

“Alright~!” I sang mentally, smiling as I began scratching out a hole in the wall to accommodate another cadaver.

“What take so long!? Silas, hurry!” Wergal called out, to which I facepalmed. Does he not understand the concept of stealth!? Seriously!

“Shut up, idiot! You’re gonna get me caught!” I whispered into the hole harshly. I heard a bemused grunt come from Wergal as I removed my head from the tunnel and went back to digging my hole.

“I am a dwarf and I’m digging a hole! Diggy diggy hole! Diggy diggy hole!” I gave a chuckle as I scooped some dirt out from under my claws. I then picked up the body and placed it in the hole, shoveling dirt into it until the body was no longer noticeable. A couple packing motions later and I was all done!

“Silas....” Wergal called out, making me facepalm again at the sheer stupidity of this mutt.

“Fine, Mom.” I blew a bang out of my face as I responded, looking into the hole only to come face to face with a greyhound’s green eyes and muzzle. Wergal was looking at me like I had sprouted another face.

“What’s up? Did ya’ see something?” I tried looking past him, but he kept moving his head to intercept mine as it moved. I was going quickly annoyed with his antics, but he wasn't showing any signs of letting me see what was beyond him. I grew really annoyed when I gradually increased the speed of my head movements, only to have him match me.

“The fuck are you doing!? In case you haven’t realized it, we’re on a secretive mission to rescue your family and Sunset Shimmer! Please don’t make me kick your ass again!” I glared at him.

“Don’t...move.” His voice was quiet and focused. I raised an eyebrow apathetically as he slowly lifted a massive paw past my field of vision. He then quickly retracted it, making my eyes widen with what he held between his pointer claw and thumb. It was one of those spider things.

“You’re kidding me, right? That shit was on me!?” I pointed to it for confirmation. Wergal nodded and PROCEEDED TO EAT THE THING IN FRONT OF MY FACE HOLY SHIT THAT THUNDEROUS CRUNCH!!!

“Ish tashty! Shcorpeewehbs good!” He swallowed that thing mightily, licking up some green goop that had missed his maw. I shuddered and shook my head. I like spiders and other things that people would torch their house over, but those...Scorpewebs are the straw that breaks my back!

“One, you’ve officially disgusted me. Two, turn around so that we can finally finish infiltration. I have a feeling we’re getting close to the Inner Sanctum, am I wrong?” Wergal nodded in response to my question and did as I told him to do. Now my face was filled with diamond dog anus. Splendid.

We traversed this tunnel for what felt like hours before an orange light let us know the end was in sight. We picked up the pace simultaneously, my scrapes against the tunnel making no noise as we military crawled onwards. Wergal turned and looked at me with a serious expression on his face as he held up a hand, telling me to hold my position silently. I nodded quickly to which he returned the gesture.

Wergal turned his head back around and with grunt of effort, released his hold on the walls and dropped through the awkwardly angled hole. I waited for any sort of sign that it was okay for me to move up, but none was given. I crawled forward and stuck just the tip of my head out of the hole, instantly catching Wergal talking to another guard as if they’ve been buddies forever.

Then I saw what it was that made Wergal hesitate in calling me. There wasn't just a guard, oh no! There were about twenty of these burly mutts lazing around down there! How the hell are we supposed to get through this sneakily! Please come through for me, Wergal!

“We take corpse to catacomb. Dump off then eat roasted pony. Come with, Beta?” One of the armor-covered guards asked.

“No. Have task from Dreggen needs doing. Have fun!” The dogs embraced in a hug and handshake before parting ways. I felt my blood run cold as a bead of sweat formed on my nose and threatened to drop on the departing guards. I tried craning my head in time to catch it, but it was too late.

My heart plummeted into my chest as the droplet fell in slow motion, inching towards an iron helmet that was directly beneath me. I closed my eyes and waited for the inevitable and cliche call of ‘STOP RIGHT THERE, CRIMINAL SCUM!’

I think I’m gonna shit myself!

*Plip.*

I cracked an eye open and saw the drop resting on a pointed piece of rock. I sighed in relief, but immediately cried out softly when my breath hit the droplet and caused it to fall again. I reached for my sword as the guard didn’t get hit because he walked off?

Damn I’m lucky!

I heard about twenty or more clicking of greaves against dirt as the company of guards walked off to places unknown. I waited a couple of seconds before trusting the area below me to be clear. I let go of the wall the same way Wergal did and fell onto my feet, bending down to absorb the five foot drop.

Wergal was propped up against the cave wall, looking at me with a calm expression. He was still in ‘Nightmare Hound’ mode though.

“How much further?” I asked him, to which he lifted a paw and pointed towards the multiple rope-bridges in front of us. I looked over the side of the rock outcropping we were on and saw a massive spire of rock in the middle of the ground. Yep, this is definitely where they keep all the slaves.

I gave the air a couple of hard sniffs a the scent of something burning filled my nose.

“You smell that, Wergal? It smells like burnt cabbage. Ugh...” I pinched my nostrils together for a couple of seconds and fanned the space in front of it with my other hand. Wergal chuckled but wrinkled up his own nose as well.

“The Podium. Torture slaves with beam from sun. Make them work harder. Disobedient slaves roasted. Set dry leaves and twigs on fire, burn slave to crisp.” Wergal stated, making me grimace at the newly acquired thought that I was now inhaling the skin particles of another being. Thanks Brain, I knew I could count on you!

“Ouch and ew. How do we get down? I’m willing to venture a guess and say that Sunset Shimmer should be down there somewhere, no?” Wergal shrugged, making me drop my jaw. “What!? What do you mean, ‘Beats me’?”

“Newer slaves taken to tunnels near Podium. Best slave mixed in with newbie. Help get used to new life. Seasoned slaves up, newbies down. Pony you want in tunnel closest to Podium, me sure. As for how get down...climb. Quicker that way. Meet you at bottom, Silas.” Wergal dug his claws into the wall and sped off towards the ground. That dog could haul some major ass!

Considering we were in the air about eighty feet up, the fact that he had already reached the bottom made me wary about howfast a diamond dog can be. It’s a good thing the Alphas are a bunch of sissy pushovers, or else I would’ve been in over my head!

Wergal may’ve had the balls to climb but I had the biggest of the bunch for doing what I’m about to do. I peered over the edge once more, setting up my target mentally. I was aiming for the middle of The Podium, using it as a runway of sorts.

I took a couple of steps backwards and calmed myself, taking deep breaths and exhaling just as deep. I waited and waited until I felt a tingle in my spine, making me snap my eyes open and run.

I jumped off the edge.

“Wings don’t fail me now!” I snapped open said appendages and expected them to catch me. When they didn’t, however, I began flapping them madly. Flying looked so fucking easy for the birds on Discovery Channel! Why can’t I OPEN MY FUCKING WINGS!!! At this rate, I’m gonna go splat against that granite midget-mountain!

I slapped myself mentally, realizing that the birds had a rhythm to their wingbeats when I watched them. With a look of bemusement on my face-which is impressive to pull off when there are wind currents hitting you in it-I began rolling my shoulders in an invisible rhythm, feeling myself lift up a little. I smiled when my death-plummet turned into a graceful glide down to the center of The Podium.

Once I made contact, the initial force of the landing forced me to skid along the smooth face of rock. I slid completely off the side and landed next to Wergal with a shit-eating grin on my face.

“You don’t have to tell me I’m a badass. I already know it.” I rose from the ground and kept my grin up as he frowned.

“Humility is a virtue, my friend.” My jaw dropped as he put on a look of confusion. “Silas, okay you? Land hard, hit head?” Wergal asked in a concerned manner, making me drop my look of disbelief.

“Uhhh, what? I’m sorry Wergal, but did you just talk!?” My inquiry was left unanswered as he walked forwards, heading into another tunnel.

Did I ever tell you guys that the rock in here is purple? I’m just gonna chalk that up with magic. Yep, better to avoid possible brain seizures during life.

“Diamond dogs have brain. Diamond dogs talk, Silas. Rude.” He turned his nose up as I followed him into the tunnel, noticing many griffins and ponies slaving away. The smell of armpits, dirt and body odor hung in the air like a cloud. Some of the slaves stopped and looked at me, or what they thought was me!

I fucking love magic.

We eventually came to a suspicious gap in the wall, where two sets of shackles and chains were laying on the ground. Wergal growled for some unknown reason, making me cast a curious glance down both ends of the tunnel.

All the slaves were looking at me and Wergal. Nah, they weren’t looking at me.

“Everything alright there, Wergal? You look like you’ve cornered an injured boar or something.” I watched as he bent down and picked up a sliver of something from the ground. He rose back up and presented it to me with a heavy frown on his face.

It was a piece of hair. A measly lock of red and yellow. My eyes widened in fear as the air in my lungs became trapped within.

“Excuse me for speaking out of character, but how well does Sunset Shimmer handle physical labor without the use of her magic?” Wergal’s voice was dripping with emotions I couldn’t describe. There was fear and anger and some other ones.

“Umm...like a normal unicorn, I guess?” I shrugged my shoulders but kept my undivided attention on Wergal. So the bastard can talk!

“Then they’ve already been taken to The Rough, Diamond and Sunset that is. If we don’t make haste, those two will become the playthings of any guard feeling frisky enough to shag something. Here in Granite Podium, that’s quite often!” My eyes widened as Wergal did something completely unexpected.

The Beta reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He then went up and down the adjacent tunnels, unlocking shackles and untying magic restrictors.

“Unlock every slave. There’s not to be a single one left in bondage. We’re causing an uprising, just because the Brothers decided to send out mates to The Rough!” Wergal handed the keys off to a minotaur who quickly went to work on unlocking every pair of shackles in this tunnel. He then went off somewhere, probably to unlock more shackles and spread the word. Good.

“Listen up! This is officially the first day of the rest of your lives! Join the greatest drake who’s ever lived in earning your freedom! You’re no longer needed here! This is an empire of slave labor, and should the Brothers lose their backbone, then the body will fall! YOU are that backbone! YOU can change the monotonous days you’ve spent in servitude! It’s all. Up. To. YOU!” Wergal ranted to the plethora of slaves flanking us.

“Wergal, I’m sure that would’ve been a great speech, but you forgot something important. I casted a spell to obscure me from their brains! They can’t see who’s supposed to be leading them.” I put my hands on my hips and tapped my foot.

“Y-yeah we can! Are you the drake that the diamond dog was talking about!? Are really going to get us out of here!? I can finally be with my family and friends after so long!?” An earth stallion completely caked with dirt and gem bits was practically crying the dirt away. I was pulled into his brown eyes as he stared at me, peering through the fibers of doubt that remained from Wergal’s claim.

I could feel it. I could feel my blood boil in every vein! This is what I’ve dreamed about! For years I was treated like nothing, like garbage! They called me everything but one name; a name that I came to love based on what it entailed...A hero. They wanted a hero and damn it I’m gonna give them one!

“You no longer have to be afraid! Wergal and I will personally see to the defeat of the Alpha Brothers! You will all be set free, but I need something from you all in return. I need all the unicorns in this tunnel to come forth!” There were about ten of them that came both the left and right of me. My ranting had brought slaves from neighbouring tunnels around me as well. Perfect stage!

“Listen close, unicorns! I’ve worn myself out magically, so I need a quick recharge. Do all of you know how to focus magic into gems?” The group of fifty unicorns gave nods of confirmation, to which I nodded with a smile and unsheathed my sword. A collective chorus of ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’ rung out as it gleamed in the torchlight. “Good. Then I need you to focus some of your magic into this. I’ll take a large some of the collective amount gathered inside the gem, but leave some for reserve power. Think of it like a giant battery; a battery that fuels your savior!” All the unicorns nodded and waited until the magic restrictors- which were actually ropes tied against their horns with a rock wedged onto the tip-were taken off.

I listened as the jingle sound from the show rung out fifty times, with all the unicorns aiming their horns towards the tip of my sword. My sword began floating up into the air, surrounded in a rainbow of colors, matched only by the auras of the casters. Everyone watched as the magic surrounding my sword began a rainbow-colored vortex, a harsh *wooshing* filling the air as the manes, fur and feathers of everyone present whipped about in the impromptu tornado.

The diamond became a disco ball, shining different spots of colors onto every single orifice in the tunnel. The sword was now hovering in mid-air, rainbow wings coming off the sides of it. Everyone whistled in amazement at the sight.

My mouth was hanging wide open as I reached for the pommel, the unicorns stopping their flow of natural magic into the sword as I did. I took it from the air and heard a dull hum coming from the blade. I touched the rainbow-colored feathers of the wings, feeling each one up. A warmth traveled up my body as I drank from my sword, feeling the combined might and potency of fifty unicorns well in my body.

I AM FULLY CHARGED!!!

“Words cannot explain what I just witnessed right now. That was...awesome.” Wergal’s voice was actually high-pitched, letting me know that he was some sort of adolescent diamond dog. The older ones have deeper and more scraggly voices, which he was lacking. He hid it pretty well with that fake ‘Dumb’ speech he was using.

“You’re telling me.” Came the collective response of everyone present, which brought about a round of laughter from everyone as well. I even chuckled a little. For the first time in my life, I don’t feel helplessly alone and outcast. It’s a nice feeling, being wanted that is.

I cleared my throat, grabbing everyone’s attention immediately.

“I am an alien. An alien who, just like all of you, was beaten and told he would never amount to anything; that I was just another Draconian to the rest of the world and I wasn’t special! Over time, I began to believe them and lived out my life according to the way they saw me. Does this strike a chord with any of you?” Heads nodded. “Do you know what I did when I got tired of it?” I asked the assembly. Heads shook.

I dramatically swung my sword into the air, making everyone snap their neck up to follow it.

“I unfurled my wings and soared! I shook down those pillars they placed on my back, refused to run away when they came en masse and ultimately seized the day by piercing the heavens with hope! Now this alien comes to you not as an alien hero, but as your brother; your brother in freedom! This is the day that marks the end of Granite Podium and all the cages that bind you down here! This is the day where you'll finally be free! This is the day...” I trailed off as I softly spoke the words ‘Offundunt luci gladium meum!’ under my breath. My sword let off a beautiful array of colors when I spoke the phrase.

“This is the day THE BIRDS TASTE THE SKY!!!” A warcry above any other rung through Granite Podium’s many tunnels as the slaves took off to fight back. Wergal smiled at me as I observed the “Shining Wings of Hope” mode of my sword. Huh, not a bad name!

From this moment on, my sword will be known as Hope! Hope for a brighter day that only a HERO can bring! And THAT’S how you take the first step in doing what you always wanted to do! Of course, most of that speech was taken from a certain show I know, but he had the whole ‘Hero’ thing down packed!

You can’t be a hero withou-

“Right, I need to get going.” My smile will never go away! Never! I’ll keep smiling and spreading hope to those that need and seek it. I’ll stomp evildoers underneath my heel and drag the monsters down to hell! This world and even myself needs me; the HERO in me!

What planet has a need for a grumpy, hate-filled teenager anyway!? I can't believe I let my memories from Earth drag me down like that! Not anymore! Consider Justin gone, because Silas Epista the Hero is here, and he’s ready to kick some ass!

And right now, there’s about three asses I want to kick the most.

I tore out of the tunnel from where I entered, only to stop in my tracks. I walked up next to Wergal, who had tears in his eyes. My own eyes quickly pooled as I stared in disbelief.

On top of The Podium stood three diamond dogs dressed like sirs. In the middle was the largest one, whose very presence seemed to chill the room. He had chestnut fur and dark-brown eyes. a cane with a unicorn pony’s head carved out of diamond.

Both dogs flanking him were holding bodies both Wergal and I recognized.

“It...can’t be.” Wergal and I said at the same time.

One was of a diamond dog, who’s female based on her eyelashes and curvier body. She looked like a siberian husky body-wise and had blue fur all over her body save for the feet, hands and eyes which were shut.

The other was Sunset Shimmer, who looked liked she’d been soaked unevenly. Both of them were unconscious.

“Acuunt Ferrum Mea!”

*SHING!*

“What the hell did you do to them!?” I asked as I grit my teeth together and growled, making the dogs snort in amusement and look at each other, giving small snickers to one another. “Answer me damn it!” Based on their answer, they’d either die slowly or slower.

The one in the middle stepped forward with a knowing smirk on his face. “Ever heard of gloryholes?” He taunted before his brothers tossed the women off The Podium. They thudded on the ground, making me give an angry roar.

I ran at the Alpha Brothers instantly.