Head of a Dog; Tail of a Lion

Chapters

Act I: It's a Dog's Life
Act II: The Lion's Share
Act III: A Bird in the Hand

Act I: It's a Dog's Life

Crystal blue eyes observed the sparkling corridor with military attentiveness. Scuff marks along the side of the wall belonging to two sets of hooves made it appear that somepony had been rough housing within the past four days, as the floor was buffed weekly. Swiveling ears caught the sound of lively activity in the kitchen not too far a distance away, which meant at this time of the day somepony important had ordered an impromptu snack. The faint hint of zesty orange and coconut pointed toward revani, a favorite foalhood comfort food for his sister.

Shining Armor smiled and shook his head. It seemed the Princess Summit had been more eventful than he had thought. It had probably been a good thing he had been forced to be away for the ordeal for the last three days. He stopped when he arrived at the round room with the dome shaped ceiling—he frowned, wishing he could remember what it was called and just knowing it would bother him all day—when he noticed a familiar face trudging in the opposite direction.

"Spike," Shining greeted with a grin.

Spike's head jerked up and he returned the smile. "Shining! How's it going?"

The two swiveled their heads, looking for any signs of espionage, and then initiated a complicated series of hoof/fist bumps that culminated in a chest bump for which Spike had to jump a rather impressive height for his diminutive size. They laughed good-naturedly and positioned themselves to lean casually against the wall in the standard "cool guy" manner.

"Well, the escort for the caravan was fairly uneventful, which was surprising and a little disappointing given the frequency of raids recently," Shining replied. "You look dog-tired, though."

Spike scoffed and folded his arms. "Yeah, well, there was a bit of a diplomatic incident at the Summit, and guess who had to take care of it?"

"Twiley?" Shining offered.

Spike grimaced. "Well, yeah, but I helped. A lot. In fact, I'm pretty sure I did most of the work."

Shining nodded sagely. "I'm sure you did. You've always been an industrious dragon." With a grin, he added, "Not that you need to be as a member of the landed gentry."

Spike rolled his eyes. "You're kidding. I'm Princess Celestia's ward, so she handles all the management until I'm old enough. If I didn't have something keeping me busy, I'd be getting hounded by the Canterlot nobility."

"You really dodged a bullet at the Grand Galloping Gala, then," Shining said. "I heard Blueblood making noise about how he wasted his time all evening on some friend of yours he described as 'exceedingly uncouth' just so he could rub elbows with you. You can imagine how disappointed he was when he found out you'd skipped out right after arriving."

Spike giggled into his claw. "Yeah, Blueblood's a nice enough guy with all the charity work he does, but mare, is he ever fussy."

"And here I thought you liked that kind of thing," Shining said with a wink.

Spike blushed, shuffling his feet on the floor. "Well... that's different, I guess." He frowned. "But, you know, sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I mean, I love helping Twilight, she's like... like family, you know? She practically raised me. Still, sometimes I feel a little..."

"Unappreciated?" Shining prompted at Spike's hesitation. "Listen, if this is about the Equestrian Games thing, trust me, Cadance was thinking of your best interests..."

"Oh, I know," Spike said with a flustered laugh. "I definitely know." His face became somber and he looked to the ground. "It's more than that. I know it's a bit selfish of me, but sometimes I feel like no matter how much effort I put into it, other ponies don't... recognize it."

Shining Armor's face softened and he put a hoof on Spike's shoulder. "I think I understand what you're saying. Listen... sometimes ponies get so used to others being around that they forget to appreciate how much they bring into their lives. Maybe you need to back off every once in awhile?"

Spike nodded. "I guess. Being an assistant is really all I'm good at, though. And it's what makes me happy. Besides, I'd feel like a real tool if I didn't help when I could." His eyebrows rose as a sudden thought occurred to him. "Oh. Is that why you volunteered for a three day mission?"

Shining had the decency to blush. "Heh, well... that wasn't the intention. It really was a large gem shipment, and we were pretty sure the Diamond Dogs wouldn't be able to resist. Still, I think having a life outside my wife makes my life with Cadance all the more precious." He gave Spike's head a rub as he straightened, and then he began to trot off. "Speaking of which, I have somepony precious I need to see. Remember what I said, Spike, and... take a break! I'm pretty sure there's some good sales on gems in the market."

Spike gave Shining a light smile. "I just might do that. Thanks, Shining."

The marketplace was positively bustling, which was a very positive change from the last time he had been there. Spike licked his lips hungrily as he watched the ponies walking by, but quickly shook his head and forced himself to focus on the shops. The fact that these ponies were made of crystal really messed with his head, and more importantly, made him quite hungry.

He wandered toward a stand that was selling gems, intent on filling his belly so he wouldn't be quite so distracted by the abundance of living crystal. He hadn't eaten regularly for the past few days, and the gems in the Crystal Empire were cheap compared to Equestria, which meant he was about to have a feast. He foisted over the jangles—the native coinage of the Crystal Empire, having the worth of eight bits—and received a sack full of various sculpted gems.

"Oh, man, these are almost too beautiful," Spike said, regarding a large statue of an alicorn made of a yellow sapphire. Still, it was lunch, and his reptilian tongue shot out and wrapped itself around the figure. A small gasp made him stop with his mouth still wide open and his tongue taut. He looked to his side to see a young crystal filly with a teal mane and amethyst eyes staring at him in horror.

"Are... are you really gonna eat Prince Cupid?" the filly asked.

"Uh..." Spike looked back at the figure, its sweet flavor beckoning him to devour it in one bite.

"Do... do you eat..." the filly leaned back fretfully. "Crystal ponies?"

"No!" Spike extricated the statue from his tongue and turned to the filly. "I... I eat regular gems. I would never eat another living thing."

The filly narrowed her eyes. "Really? But aren't you a dragon? Aren't dragons monsters that eat anything?"

Spike laughed and began to casually juggle the figurine. "That's ridiculous. I mean, sure there are dragons that are kind of rude, but we're sapient creatures."

"Wh-what's... sap... sappy..." the crystal filly's eyebrows creased as she struggled with the unfamiliar word.

"'Sapient'," Spike reiterated. "It just means we're not animals. I mean... we are, but ponies are animals, too, technically. It means I'm not just a dragon: I'm Spike. I can think for myself and choose how I want to act, just like anypony else."

"Oh," the filly said. A small smile appeared on her face. "That's pretty cool. Hey... can... can you really eat gems with just your teeth?"

"Sure can," Spike said with a razor sharp grin. "Just watch." He tossed the crystal alicorn into the air and chomped down on it, shattering it in his mouth. With an audible gulp, he consumed the shards and licked his lips, satisfied.

"Wow," the filly said with a laugh. "That was..."

"Glass!" came an infuriated cry. The voice belonged to an older stallion with an arrow cutie mark with similar coloration and features to the filly, who Spike assumed was the one to whom he was referring. "What are you doing playing with that crystal-eating beast!" He pulled Glass away protectively with a frightful glance toward Spike.

"But, Arrow, Spike said he wasn't a beast," Glass protested, looking up at Arrow with a plaintive expression. "I mean, he is, but he's also a sappy ant."

"It talks?" Arrow asked, amazed. "N-not that it matters. I remember what happened last time a dragon got loose in the Crystal Empire, before he took over."

"Now, Crystal Arrow," the shopkeeper, a blue mare with a silver mane and a fleur de lis cutie mark interrupted. "Don't you remember? This is the one that helped Princess Cadance save the Crystal Heart. Whatever you might say about other dragons, this one's one of the good ones."

Crystal Arrow started, but narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Yeah... I'm still not convinced it wasn't just trying to eat it like the last one... or don't you remember?"

The shopkeeper averted her gaze, embarrassed, and Spike sighed as he saw that the exchange was drawing unwanted attention. His stomach, tired of being ignored thus far, gurgled in protest, causing the other ponies to take an involuntary step back. Sheepishly, he removed a crystal that looked like a shoe from the sack. "Sorry... but, look, I have plenty of ordinary, nonmagical and nonpony gems to eat." He took a bite of what was probably quite uncomfortable hoofwear that was being put to much better use as a snack.

Arrow blanched at the crunching. "Well... friend of the Crystal Princess or no, I certainly don't have to put up with the company of a dragon, and neither does my little sister."

So why are you still here? Spike thought with a roll of his eyes.

A blood curdling howl pierced the air. From all corners of the marketplace, bipedal canine creatures wearing thick fur coats that they had obviously not grown themselves flooded the area. The panicked shoppers reared and whinnied, darting off in all directions as the dogs snapped at them. Crystal Arrow grabbed his little sister and galloped off with her in tow as the shopkeeper ducked behind her stand, leaving Spike on his own.

Stuffing the crystal slipper back into his sack and tightening his grip on it, Spike desperately looked for an escape route. He noted that it looked like a fairly clear path to the southwest exit, and he immediately waddled in that direction as fast as his stubby legs could carry him, the heavy sack of jewels swinging behind him as he carried it slung over his shoulder.

"Jewels, gems!" one of the dogs was barking. "Get as many as you can. Don't let any get away!"

Another dog sniffed the air, and he turned to find Spike’s sack swaying temptingly to and fro as it made its escape. With a howl, the dog bounded after his quarry, his tongue flapping out of his mouth in the breeze and drool trailing behind him. He leaped into the air, and came down upon Spike's head.

Spike shouted in protest as he was brought to his knees, but he kept a tight grip on his bag of gems. "G-get off me! I'm a scary dragon, you know!"

"Sure you are," the dog said with a snarl. "Never seen a dragon so small before. Sure you’re not just a large newt? You have a decent haul, though. You will be of use."

"No, no!" Spike shouted as he was slung over the dog's shoulder along with his sack of gems. "I stink at finding gems. I'd never be able to find them without help. I just dig them up."

The dog shrugged. "Also useful. You will make good slave for mines." With a leap, he joined a small pack of dogs who were also carrying away jewels and even crystal ponies, one of whom Spike recognized as the belligerent stallion from before. "Crystal Arrow?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"

Arrow snorted as he struggled futilely against the ropes that bound him. "They were trying to take my sister. I couldn't let that happen."

Spike grimaced in sympathy. "That was... pretty noble of you, dude."

"Yeah, hearing that from some dragon kid is a real consolation for becoming a slave forever," Arrow groused.

As the pack reached a marehole into the sewage system on the outskirts of the city, Spike's face lit up. "Maybe... not forever." He opened his sack and began to rummage through it while the dogs were busy focusing on lifting the marehole cover. He pulled out the crystal shoe and just before they leaped into the sewer, he let it drop to the ground.

"A Diamond Dog raid?" Shining bellowed angrily as the pegasus captain of his wife's guard stood shakily at attention. "In the city? How did anypony even let them get this deep?"

"Sir," the captain said, clicking his hooves together. "Until now the protection of the Crystal Heart has prevented anypony with hostile intent from entering the city limits. Investing the kind of ponypower needed to provide a comprehensive patrol of the border would have been a waste of resources that we could put to better use in other vital operations."

"Well, captain, protecting our citizens from foreign threats is no longer considered a 'waste of resources.'" Shining shoved his snout in the other's face. "I want a full patrol around the clock from now on. Do I make myself clear?"

The captain's eyes glanced briefly at Shining's sister, who gave him a sympathetic glance but made no move to calm her irate sibling, before looking Shining Armor square in the eyes. "Crystal, sir." He snapped a salute and did an about-face, marching briskly out of the throne room.

"I wonder what could have happened to the Crystal Heart spell," Twilight pondered aloud once the captain was out of earshot. "My understanding was that it created a complete sphere of protection that covered the entire city. Even burrowing underground wouldn't be enough to get around it."

"I wish I knew, Twilight," Princess Cadance said. "It's unfortunate that my aunts already left. They would be of great help with this."

"They only left half an hour ago," Twilight said. "If I can send Princess Celestia a letter right away, they should be able to get back in plenty of time to help out." She glanced around the throne room, her brows pinched. "Where did Spike get to, anyway? Of all the times..."

Shining sighed. "I saw him a couple hours ago. He seemed tired, so I suggested that he unwind a bit. He's probably at the..." His eyes bulged as his mind made the connection. "The marketplace!"

Twilight gasped. "Oh, no... what if he's hurt... or worse? I have to find him." She galloped across the room at full speed, teleporting to the other side of the shut door rather than taking the time to open it.

"I'd... probably better follow her," Shining said as he grinned apologetically at his wife.

Cadance nodded in understanding. "Good idea. I'll need to stay here, but be sure to let her friends know what's going on. I'm sure they'll be just as anxious to make sure Spike's okay as Twilight."

"I'm telling you, girls, she's absolutely gaga over him," Rarity declared as she relaxed on the massage table, a crystal mare kneading her back. "All that blushing and those coy looks. Of course they'll get together!"

Applejack chuckled from her position in the pony-pedi chair. "Well, I gotta admit they would make a cute couple."

"I dunno, guys," Rainbow interjected as she looked up from her newspaper. "She hardly knows anything about him. Maybe she just feels awkward around the guy since she totally acted like a dork the first time they missed."

Pinkie guffawed so uproariously, the mane stylist leaped back in shock, allowing her coiffure to bounce back to its usual poofy appearance. "She was acting pretty silly, wasn't she? I mean, she's been around good looking colts before, but she's never acted that way." She screwed up her eyes, rubbing her chin as she continued at a slow, thoughtful pace, but becoming faster and more excited as she expounded in her thoughts. "Almost like she was following some kind of script in a play where the playwright had to give her a love interest but didn't have the time to develop one without ruining the actual story and so just wrote her as getting all blushy-mushy without regard to her character for convenience!"

"That's, um..." Fluttershy began softly, but hesitated when all eyes turned on her. "That is... I thought he was... nice."

Rarity laughed. “I don’t think Twilight was blushing about his ‘niceness,’ Fluttershy.” She huffed. “Then again, she might have been blushing from this heat. For a kingdom in the Frozen North, it sure does get stuffy in the spas here.” With a sigh she continued. “Ponyville spas always have a nice, gentle breeze.”

“That’s because you always have Spike fanning you,” Rainbow retorted.

“Huh?” Rarity said, pinching her eyebrows. “Is that right?”

Applejack snorted. “Oh, come on, sugarcube. That little guy is always followin’ you around and pamperin’ you. Shoot, you never noticed? Gotta say, I wish he’d been that easy to ignore while he was tryin’ to make my life easier.”

Rarity grimaced. “Oh, well… I suppose I do recall asking him if he would be a dear and… I suppose he has kept doing that, hasn’t he?” Her ears lowered sheepishly. “I do feel a bit embarrassed. Though… he’s here at the Crystal Empire, now. I wonder where he might be.”

“We, um…” Fluttershy piped in softly. “We didn’t invite him with us this time. I mean, I didn’t think he would want to go, but… well, maybe he would have if we’d remembered to ask.”

“I see,” Rarity said, her back suddenly tensing, much to her masseuse's chagrin.

"Ladies," Shining interrupted as he burst into the spa, causing the mares within to jump at the sudden appearance of the most powerful stallion in town. "I'm sorry to disturb you like this, but an incident has occurred."

The five ponies stared at him for a long moment. Applejack cleared her throat as Rainbow gestured for him to go on with a circular motion of her hoof.

"Er, yes," Shining said, suddenly distinctly uncomfortable. "It seems there was a raid on our city by a group of Diamond Dogs."

"Oh, how terrible," Rarity commented. She glanced to her friends, who were now all looking at her expectantly, and grimaced. "Oh, come now. Just because I've dealt with them in the past is no reason to think I would volunteer to involve myself with those beasts, again. After all, what is it to do with us, really?"

"Well," Shining said. He tugged at his collar. "Spike was in the area they raided, and... he hasn't returned.

"Spikey-wikey?" Rarity and Pinkie Pie exclaimed in unison.

"That's—" Shining started.

"Wait, wait," Rarity said, waving Shining off as she turned to Pinkie. "You call him 'Spikey-wikey,' as well?"

Pinkie nodded, bouncing up on her hooves. “Oh, yeah! I was calling him that since… oh, around the Grand Galloping Gala.”

Rarity glanced about furtively. "I... see."

"So," Shining said flatly. "Spike. Missing."

"Right!" Rarity said, puffing out her chest. "Come on, girls. Little Spikey—Tikey?—needs our help!"

Rainbow shot into the air, pumping her hooves. "Alright! Lets... get... dangerous!"

Spike grunted as he was dropped roughly on the ground. Beside him, Crystal Arrow cursed loudly. The Diamond Dog pack had taken them deep into their den, and now were unloading their loot and prisoners in the dank mine.

"I blame you for this, dragon," Arrow said crossly as he glared at Spike.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Sure, why not?"

"It's well known amongst my ponies that Diamond Dogs and dragons are partners in crime," Arrow continued. "Admit it, you somehow let them in through the Crystal Heart spell so you could have them steal our gems for your horde!"

The other pony prisoners began muttering amongst themselves. Their suspicious glances made it all too clear to Spike that they were considering Arrow's accusations. The slowly rising sounds of anger from them made it even more clear that they were already being swayed.

"N-now, listen," Spike protested. "I've never met these dogs before in my life!"

A loud, deep bark caused the commotion amongst prisoners and captors to cease. A wolfish auburn-coated dog stalked into the cavern. A smaller honey-colored dog padded beside him, clad in a light blue dress and darker collar, her tongue hanging out of her mouth idly.

"Good haul, dogs," the large, partially bipedal canine grumbled, adjusting his mountie hat to gaze around the cave. "After inspection, we shall celebrate this victory with a feast!"

The Diamond Dogs cheered.

The small, fluffy dog at the presumed leader's side looked around curiously. Soon enough, her eyes locked onto Spike. Her eyes widened, and her smile grew broader. "Daddy, look!" she exclaimed, bounding over to him. "A dragon!"

The alpha dog grunted. "Precious, that is impossible. No dragon has been this far north since..." He came up short as he spotted Spike as well, who had now been tackled by the enthused pup. "I don't believe..."

Precious sniffed at Spike, causing him to giggle uncomfortably. "Ooh. He smells like dog. Very nice-smelling dog."

"Th-that's not..." Spike began.

"Lord dragon!" Precious' father exclaimed, bowing to Spike.

"Huh?" Spike said, his face contorting in confusion. He looked around at the other dogs, who were now bowing to him as well. Even his captor, after a moment of confusion and panic, now prostrated himself before him. He also saw the crystal ponies, their suspicions seemingly confirmed, eyeing him with contempt. "No... I..."

Precious wrapped her long arms around him and nuzzled his cheek. "I think we're going to keep you!"

Spike sighed resignedly. "Oh, boy..."

Act II: The Lion's Share

“Wow, this is pretty swanky,” Spike said, unable to hold back his boyish grin. The Diamond Dogs had quickly whisked him to an ornate room decorated with enough gems and gold to make him swoon.

“This is for you!” Precious said happily, her tongue hanging from the side of her mouth carelessly.

“Wow, really?” Spike said, rubbing his claws together. “You really know how to treat your hostages. A dragon could get Stockbarne Syndrome hanging out here.”

“It is our honor, of course,” Precious said. “Dragons are like heroes to Diamond Dogs.”

“Yeah?” he said, puffing his chest up. “I guess I am pretty heroic.”

"I... I mean... we would do... anything for you, Lord Dragon."

Spike turned to Precious, who was now leaning her small frame against his smaller shoulder, her muzzle a hair's breadth from his and tongue hanging out happily as she panted heavily. He raised his brow. “Uh… maybe a mint?”

Moving with the speed of mongoose, Precious shoved her fist into Spike’s mouth. Spike gagged and staggered back while she watched happily, absently wiping her hand on the front of her blouse. “Anything else, Lord Dragon?”

“What?” Spike shot her an irate look. “Why in Equestria did you…” he stopped as he felt an icy coolness overtake his tongue. “Oh… mint.” He laughed. “I guess I should have been a bit more specific.”

“Ah, I know,” Precious said, clapping her paws together. She grabbed his hand and dragged him out into the hallway.

Spike sighed contentedly as he soaked his scales in a boiling bath. A Diamond Dog servant was using a grinding wheel on his claws, his eyes thoroughly protected from the flying sparks with industrial-grade goggles. Spike, meanwhile, had two rubies laid over his eyes, while his face was coated in a crystal ooze mask. “Oh, mare, this is awesome.”

“I am so happy you like it,” Precious said as she knelt beside him. She lifted a bowl. “Would you like some emerald ice cream, Lord Dragon?”

“Would I?”

Precious blinked vacuously. “... Would you?”

“Uhh…” Spike lifted a ruby off on eye and looked at her, his brow wrinkling. “Yeah. Yeah, I really would.”

“Ah, good!” Precious lifted a whole scoop of ice cream out of the bowl and shoved it in his mouth.

Spike gasped through his nose and wriggled around before swallowing the concoction. He breathed in sharply, pinching the bridge of his snout. “Ahhhh. Headache!”

Precious zipped behind him and began massaging his temples vigorously. “Relax, Lord Dragon.”

The frozen nerves soothed and Spike sighed, sinking further into the bath. “Thanks, Precious. You’re a real pal.”

“Hopefully more than pal, soon,” she said, a wistful sigh escaping her lips as she draped herself over Spike’s shoulders.

“Huh?”

Precious sprang to her feet. “We should go somewhere! Oh, but you must not hurt your cute feet walking.” She clapped her paws together and a pair of Diamond Dog servants led in a pony dressed in full riding gear, blinders and bit chomped between teeth included.

Spike gulped as he recognized the stallion who turned to glare directly at him. “Uh… Crystal Arrow? Sorry about this…”

The tunnel to which Shining Armor’s troops had led them was dank and filthy, but the five mares bore it without complaint. The sixth complained rather loudly.

“Oh, why did I not pack my emergency edible boots for this?” Rarity screeched. “I must say, my hooves are getting completely filthy and, furthermore, I’m starving!”

“Can it, Rare,” Applejack groused. “Y’all were the one who wanted to catch up to Twi as quick as can be, so don’t be belly-achin’ about not bein’ prepared.”

Rainbow Dash nodded sagely. “Spike’s way more important than some silly dirt, after all.”

“Besides,” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully, “I brought cupcakes.” She pulled out a tray from only-Celestia-knew-where and offered Rarity one.

Rarity smiled unsurely, but took it in her magical aura and nibbled on it in a most ladylike manner. “Anyway,” she said between bites. “How did those Diamond Dogs get through the Crystal Heart’s spell?”

Twilight studied the barrier that cut through the tunnel, blocking off the limits of the Crystal Empire from the surrounding area. “I’m not completely sure. It seems to be intact at the moment, but they must have some way of passing through.” She looked even more closely at the intersection of barrier and rock and hummed.

“We can figure that out, ourselves,” Shining Armor said. “You six should be able to leave and re-enter with no problems, so go ahead and find Spike while we secure things here.”

Aquamarine magic crackled around them as they passed through the barrier. Once everypony was on the other side, they spared each other a quick glance and nod of approval before breaking into a gallop. The ponies had already decided that Rarity would lead with her gem-finding spell, reasoning that outside of the Crystal Empire, itself, only a pack of Diamond Dogs would have a significant cache of jewels nearby. While she wasn’t the most athletic pony around, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were both impressed that the speed at which the herd was going was enough to cause them to lightly lather through their coats. Poor Fluttershy was had the distinct look of a pony dead to the world after a kilometer and a half of this pace.

“Whoa, Rarity!” Twilight called, noting the condition of their less conditioned member and feeling close to her own breaking point in spite of her recently acquired earth pony stamina.

Rarity slowed to a canter, but didn’t stop. “We’re almost… there, Twilight,” she said between pants. She was obviously winded, though she didn’t seem quite as worn out as her friends would have expected of such a pampered pony. “I can feel… it in my…”

A loud rumbling filled the cavern, and the floor dropped out from under them. Rainbow Dash hung momentarily in the air, flapping her wings to stay aloft, but when she saw her friends, including Fluttershy, descending wildly into the abyss, she rolled her eyes and dove in after them.

When Rainbow Dash lightly touched down—after performing a casual Double Inside-out Loop—among the bruised bodies of her friends, she gasped in wonder at the sight before her. "Guys. You're not gonna believe this."

Rarity's head popped up, her eyes sparkling with reflected light as she gasped with delight. "Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!" Her hooves mashed against her cheeks. "So... fabulous!"

The other mares made various sounds of awe while they got to their hooves as well upon seeing the underground crystal city stretched out before them. The buildings were smaller than those of the Crystal Empire and packed closer together, but they were built not only on the ground but also up the curving walls of the cavern. Diamonds twinkled on the ceiling like stars in the night sky, reflecting the soft glow of the many torches that lit the town.

"Well, this certainly is interesting," Twilight noted as she watched Diamond Dogs casually roaming the narrow streets. "Much different from the ones we encountered before."

Rarity nodded. "Naturally. This appears to be an actual settlement. The brutes Spikey... Mikey?—uh, ran into before were obviously savage sourdoughs mucking for sparkle."

Applejack gave her a flat look. "What?"

"You pick things up working the mines." Rarity swept a lock of hair out of her face as she sniffed indignantly.

"Sorry, but halt!"

Whipping around to confront whomever had barked the command at them, the girls were dismayed to see a pack of Diamond Dogs standing at attention. They were all identically dressed in red tunics, swords strapped to their belts and wide-brimmed felt stetsons upon their brows. The Diamond Dog in the lead, whose collar and cuffs were solid blue and outlined in gold, unlike his comrades, drew his blade and stepped forward. "You lot are hereby detained for illegal entry into the great city of Spottawa, eh?"

“Eh?” Twilight frowned as the pack quickly surrounded them, and she sensed some of her friends tensing to attack. She took a deep breath and waved her group back. "It's alright girls. This is exactly what we want."

"How is this what we want, again?" Rarity crossed her forelegs as she considered the dank dungeon in which they now found themselves.

Twilight sighed, dreading that Rarity might soon go from mere complaining to full-on whining at any moment. "Listen, Rarity, we were escorted to the dungeons, and where do you think they're keeping the prisoners from the Crystal Empire?" She motioned to the rows of cells. "Right here."

"That's right!" Rainbow cheered and did a quick flip in the air. "Now Twilight just has to use her new super alicorn magic and bust us out of here, and then we can find Spike easy-peasy!"

"I'll remind you that my magic is just the same old unicorn magic it was before," Twilight said. "I can't cast anything different or more powerful than I could already... though, it seems that I can cast more spells in succession without tiring, which I assume may be from my new earth pony side."

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Well, whatever kinda magic ya got, maybe you can use it now so we can find yer dragon?"

As she spoke, a retinue of guard dogs tromped down the hall. They came to a hall at the cell containing Twilight and her friends, one growling out of the corner of his mouth. They turned toward the cell and one of them unlocked and opened the door.

Rarity turned her snout up and walked out of the cell into their captors' midst. "Well. It's about time. We demand that you take us to your highest authority figure, whomever she may be."

"Rarity!" Twilight covered her friend's mouth with her hoof, eliciting a scandalized look. "That's not very diplomatic. Gentleco—uh... gentledogs, I don't like to leverage my position like this, but," she spread her wings demonstratively. "I am kind of a big deal in Equestria. It would be in your nation's best interest to consider negotiating with us for the release of your hostages, starting with a particular baby dragon you've taken into custody recently..."

"Enough!" one of the dogs barked. "Sorry, this purple pony's droning is worse than Diamond Flank's whiny voice."

Rarity's eyes snapped to the guard, shining with outrage. "'Whiny'? How dare you, sir? Why, if you want whining, then..."

"No!" the other five mares interjected in unison.

Rarity sniffed. "Well, no need to shout."

The guard cleared his throat. "Now come, by order of His Excellency, eh?"

"My diplomacy skills have done it again!" Twilight declared, puffing her chest out proudly.

As the six mares were led down the grand hallway, they couldn't help but cringe at the terrible stone grotesques lining the jewel-encrusted carpet. Where the Diamond Dogs that they had seen in this underground city looked far more clean, refined, and altogether fluffier than the ones that had passed by Ponyville years before, these were a bit closer in appearance, twisted and distorted in expressions of fear and pain. One of the guards saw their gawking and growled at them.

"Eyes front! Sorry."

"Well," Rarity whispered. "If the decor is anything to go by, 'His Excellency' is little more than a barbarian."

They finally came to a door large enough to accommodate an Ursa Minor. It was nominally made of marble, but this was really little more than a setting for the boulder-sized gems that were inlaid upon it, which caused Rarity an unladylike amount of salivation. Two guards moved to either side of the doors. A spoked wheel poked out of a slot on either wall, which required the strength of both guards at their respective posts to turn. The groaning of axles and levers filled the corridor as the doors swung open.

“Man, am I glad you girls finally made it.”

Twilight took the lead as usual, stepping into the grand hall. “Spike!” she shouted. “We’re here to rescue you.”

“You think he needs rescuing?” A pale blue crystal pony stood in the middle of the chamber, Spike reclining on his withers, his hands clasped behind his head and his legs crossed lazily.

"Yeah, it's me." Spike opened his mouth and let an emerald fall into it. It was then that the girls noticed a young buttery furred Diamond Dog sitting beside him, her eyes sparkling as she paw-fed him gems. "Precious and the others have been taking good care of me."

Twilight opened her mouth to speak. "Pre—"

Rarity shoved Twilight aside, her face flushed. "Precious? And who, exactly, is this puppy, Spikey-bikey?"

"Oh, she's just—" Spike began, but his face contorted as he realized what she had just said. "Wait, 'bikey'?"

"I," Precious said, standing up and twirling gracefully. "Am the daughter of the Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canida! And I am the one charged with making sure every need Darling Frills has is met." She pressed her furry body against Spike and flicked one of his aforementioned frills with a finger.

Twilight pushed herself back to the center of the group. "Spike needs to come back with us."

"He also needs you to take your grimy paws off him," Rarity commented with a scowl.

Precious huffed. "Except that." She turned to Twilight with a frown. "And he is also not going back with you."

"Sorry, girls," Spike said, his cheeks reddening slightly as he winced away from Twilight and Rarity's twin glares. "I already gave that a shot. They’re wiley wardens, though." He put his claws behind his head and leaned back. "Another emerald, please!"

Crystal Arrow scowled and muttered under his breath. “Yes, you can tell he’s really suffering…”

The girls huddled closely together, whispering amongst themselves.

"So what are we gonna do?" Applejack inquired. "Can't just leave 'im here with these hounds."

"I say we bust some heads," Rainbow said with a gleam in her eye.

Rarity nodded. "For once, I think I'm in agreement on this point."

"We can't," Twilight said. She ruffled her still-new wings nervously. "They're a sovereign nation and... and I'm a princess of Equestria. If there's one thing these past few days have taught me, it's that successful leaders need to build bonds; not burn bridges."

"I... I agree," Fluttershy piped up quietly. "'You attract more flies with honey than vinegar,' after all... a-actually, that's not true... flies like vinegar a lot more than honey... but still..."

"You attract the most flies with Sweet Apple Acres Apple Cider, b'sides," Applejack declared, puffing her chest out and tipping her hat.

Twilight sighed. "I think we're diverting from the point, here."

With a nod, Rarity stepped forward. "Indeed. And if diplomacy is what's called for, that is my specific area of expertise!" She turned to Precious and settled into what could only be described as a battle stance. "Mademoiselle! I must absolutely insist that you relinquish your hostages immediately."

Precious looked up briefly, her expression indifferent. "No."

Rarity's head jerked back as if punched. "Now, see here: it is most uncouth and, furthermore, bad form to keep anypony or dragon against his will."

"Darling Frills has not complained." Precious smirked before laying a big, sloppy lick on Spike's cheek.

“I’ve complained!” Arrow interjected. “A lot!”

Rarity grunted irately and stomped a hoof on the ground. "Well, I must say that this is quite inhospitable of you. Why, since the moment we got here we've been treated like common street thugs, and now when we are finally granted an audience you refuse to even hear us out."

"Prissy Pony whines too much," Precious observed. She turned to Spike. "It’s very annoying, eh?"

Spike sighed. "Well, she does overdo it sometimes..."

"Spike!" Rarity squeaked, appalled. She grit her teeth. "Alright, little pup. If it's whining you want, then it's whining you'll get!" She took a deep breath and then let out a sound not unlike that of hoofs across a chalkboard. "Oooh, this place is so dark and damp! Why can't you dehumidify this place? Look at my mane, it's going frizz—"

A howl pierced the room, forcing Twilight and her friends to the ground as their already brutalized ears began to ring. Beside Spike, Precious had thrown her head back, and she was vocalizing with gusto, drowning out Rarity's voice. Finally, the sound stopped and Precious blinked at the other ponies.

"Sorry," Precious said. "Thought we were singing the traditional Canidian National Anthem. Owoooooo, Canidaawaawaawaaaaaah!"

"Oh!" Rarity groaned. "Please, no! Stop... stop, that's terrible."

The door behind the ponies creaked open again, and they turned to the sound of footsteps approaching them. A large Diamond Dog with an auburn coat was marching in, his face pulled down in a deep frown. "Crunch's heart, What is that racket? This is not the full moon!" He stopped three paces from the group of ponies as he took in the scene. "Ah. You must be the... guests."

"A-and who are you, sir?" Twilight piped up, her wings flared with unease.

"Red Fang, Prime Minister of Canida," he said, straightening and adjusting his jacket. "I must apologize for my daughter's rudeness, eh?"

"Daddy!" Precious barked.

"Not now, Dear," he said. "I imagine you are here for the ponies captured and for Lord Dragon..."

“Mostly for the ponies,” Crystal Arrow insisted, earning a smack on the flank from Precious.

"'Lord'?" Twilight asked, her brow shooting upward.

Red cleared his throat and walked past them and up to the pile of treasure Spike and Precious occupied before turning back to address them. "Sorry, I should explain. Over a thousand years ago, Diamond Dogs were protected by dragons. We would gather gems for their hoard and they would provide us protection. Diamond Dogs honored dragons as protectors, eh?"

"I see," Twilight said slowly. "Well, even if that's the case, why are you foalnapping ponies and why are you keeping Spike here against his will, Prime Minister?"

"That is a separate matter," the Prime Minister said. "The simple answer is that Diamond Dogs need gems. It is our livelihood. The Crystal Empire popped back into existence right on top of one of our most productive mines, cutting us off from a major source. Not only that, but they go into our mines outside of their kingdom and take our gems to sell elsewhere." He snarled and clenched his paws. "It is they who have stolen our livelihood. Is it any wonder we would try to take that back?"

Twilight nodded. "I see. I think there must be some misunderstanding, then. I'm sure Princess Cadance would never take anything from you intentionally." She smiled encouragingly at Red. "Listen, I'm a princess of Equestria and the sister-in-law of Princess Cadance. I think I can arrange a diplomatic meeting between Spottawa and the Crystal Empire. Perhaps you can come to a mutually beneficial agreement."

Crossing his arms, Red considered this. "Hm. This sounds acceptable. Arrange this, and if an accord is reached we will set everypony... and dragon free."

"Good," Twilight said, a relieved smile spreading across her face. "I knew we could solve this diplomatically, Prime Minister."

He gave the ponies a stern glare. "I do hope so, Princess Twilight Sparkle. If we do not treat two days from now, consequences will be dire, eh? Apologies, but you are dismissed.” He waved his paw and the six were led away. He turned to Spike and Precious. “Precious, you should take Spike on a tour of the town while I make arrangements. Take a few bits for shopping, eh?”

“Yes, Daddy!” Precious said. “Come on, Lord Dragon!” She withdrew a riding crop from her dress and smacked Arrow across his cutie mark, prompting him to jump forward in pain.

“You could just ask, you know!” he protested.

“Bring my daughter home by ten, Lord Dragon!” Red called after them as they disappeared through the back entrance. He sighed and plopped down on his throne.

“Prime Minister,” a voice said from behind him. He turned to see the shadow of a tail flick across the wall, the tuft on the end making it look like that of a lion. “You must not allow them to take the dragon. His capture has presented a unique opportunity for us.”

“Of course,” Red replied, gripping his armrests. “Don’t worry, eh? I’ll make sure those six mares never make it back to the Crystal Empire.”

Act III: A Bird in the Hand

Six ponies made their way up the tunnels back toward the Crystal Empire. Twilight held the map that the Canidians had provided in front of her, consulting it closely. Behind her, Rarity’s horn glowed with her gem finding spell.

“I don’t know, Twilight,” Rarity said, looking around at the hidden gems. “The pattern of gem deposits around here don’t seem to match up with what I’d expect if we were getting closer to the Crystal Empire.”

“Are you sure you’re readin’ that map right, Sugarcube?” Applejack interjected.

“Please,,” Twilight said, exasperation straining her voice. “I’m not Pinkie Pie.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Pinkie said with a sigh. “If you were Pinkie Pie, then I’d have to be Princess Twilight Sparkle, and I cannot handle the pressures of princesshood, again.”

“What do you mean, ag—you know what? I don’t want to know,” Twilight said. “I already have a headache.”

“Well,” Rainbow Dash said as she furtively glanced around the dark tunnel. “If this were a Daring Do novel, this would be about the time we learned that our enemy’s gesture of goodwill was actually leading us into…”

“An ambush!”

“Yeah,” Rainbow said, nodding. “I figured you’d get what I mean, Egghea—” she stopped as she looked ahead to see her friends frozen in front of a dozen glowing canine eyes that had popped out of the darkness. “Oh! Oh, this is one of those gags.”

“I know, right?” Pinkie said, giving Dash a shoulder punch. “It’s a real classic.”

The Canidian Diamond Dogs clawed themselves out of their own paw-dug tunnels, growling at the six mares. Their fur was matted and washed out, giving them an appearance far more akin to the Diamond Dogs in Equestria rather than the more noble looking dogs that seemed to populate Spottawa. Wordlessly, they attacked.

The ponies were prepared. Even after having walked for hours among the dank caverns, they sprang into action. Rainbow Dash and Applejack took the lead, bull-rushing and scattering the dogs. Rarity came up behind them, landing graceful yet devastating kicks and punches to the dazed attackers. Twilight and Pinkie fought with the skill and athleticism of a typical drunken brawler, but their enthusiasm and raw strength were more than effective in repelling all comers. Any dog that was unfortunate enough to attempt to attack Fluttershy quickly regretted it.

In a matter of seconds, the dogs were sent whimpering in all directions, diving into the rocks. The mares heaved sighs of relief, but it was short lived as tunnel trembled and the earth began to fall around them.

“They’re causing a cave-in!” Rarity shouted.

“Everypony get close to me!” Twilight shouted. As the tunnel collapsed, her magenta magic burst forth and a bubble formed around them, protecting them from the debris. When the rumbling stopped, she waited for a few seconds more before dropping her shield. “Is… is everypony okay?”

“A bit shaken, but uninjured,” Rarity said.

Applejack nodded. “Yeah, but can you believe those low-down cowards? We’re… we’re buried alive in here...”

“W-wait, everypony,” Fluttershy whispered. “We ponies may be alright, but… but he isn’t.” She pointed her hoof to one side of the collapsed tunnel, where one of the dogs who had attacked them lay half buried under the rocks, whimpering softly.

“Huh!” Rainbow said, lowering her head threateningly. “Serves him right for attacking us!”

“No, Rainbow!” Fluttershy scolded. “It doesn’t matter what he’s done, nopony deserves to suffer.”

“Fluttershy’s right,” Twilight said. “We should try to help this poor creature.” She lit her horn and began to carefully move the rocks.

“Careful, Twilight!” Pinkie said. “If you move one of those rocks wrong, you’ll bring the whole tunnel down on us.”

“Just… just tell me how to proceed,” Twilight said.

Fluttershy knelt down next to the Diamond Dog as Twilight continued, Pinkie bouncing around excitedly in her attempts to direct the rock moving process. “Are you alright?”

He looked at her with a pinched brow, anger and fear burning in his eyes. “Finish it, pony!”

“What?” Fluttershy asked, her face contorted in confusion. “We’re… we’re trying to finish freeing you as quickly as we can, and then we’ll make sure we get you home safely.”

“Are you serious?” He growled, eyes narrowed. “Are all ponies… as stupid as you?”

“Um…”

“Fluttershy is most certainly not stupid,” Rarity protested. “She’s trying to help you out of the kindness of her heart. Some of us might not be so willing,” she shot a glance at Rainbow, who turned her head petulantly. “But few ponies could ever conceive of hurting anyone who was already hurt and defenseless, enemy or not.”

“That’s right,” Applejack agreed. “Everypony knows you reap what you sow, an’ we prefer a nice big crop of friendship to pain an’ sufferin’.”

He snuffled. “You ponies… are all stupid.”

Twilight finished clearing the rubble, and Fluttershy gently checked the dog over before helping him sit up. “You don’t look injured. How do you feel?”

He sneered. “Can’t feel legs. Should have known before. What’s wrong with me goes deeper than cuts and bruises.”

Twilight gasped. “Internal bleeding? I might be able to stop it long enough for us to get out of here, just let me scan…”

“No internal bleeding!” he barked. He coughed and lay back on the rocks. “I need jewels. Gems. Every Diamond Dog… relies on them. Without them, we become coarse… and slow. Since the Crystal Empire returned… they have been scarcer than ever. Some stay on edge… live gem to gem. If not have enough…”

“If it’s gems you need,” Rarity declared. “Then I’m your mare.” With that, she cast her gem-finding spell, homing in on one through the solid rock wall. “There we are! Pinkie, can you help me dig right here?”

“You got it Rarity!” Pinkie said. With that, her forelock began to spin and she headbutted the wall, sending rock chips flying as she slowly drilled through the wall.

“If there’s anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable in the meantime…” Fluttershy offered.

He stared at her for a long moment. “You really do want to help me.” He shook his head. “Maybe… I help you, too. Just listen. Before…” He gestured to his legs and rapped his knuckles on them, a dull thud resounding from the gray limbs. “Before I become statue…”

"Yah!" Precious squealed. "Yah, mule!"

"I am a crystal pony!" Arrow groused. "What, you think all us equines look alike?"

Precious sniffed. "You all smell alike..."

"Dude," Spike said with an uncomfortable shift of his shoulders as they trotted along on Crystal Arrow's back. "That's kinda wrong." He shot a glare at Arrow. "And aren't mules half pony?"

He shuddered. "Truly a horrifying thought."

Spike frowned. "You're really prejudiced, you know that?"

From behind him, Precious wrapped her furry arms around his torso. "But we Diamond Dogs would never judge a noble dragon like you, Lord Dragon."

"Uh, yeah..." Sweat beaded on his scaly head at the hug. "So... where are we, now?"

"Mm," Precious looked around as if they weren't right in the middle of her hometown... cave. "This is the Central Tradepost, where most Diamond Dog commerce is done. Cool, huh?"

"Everything looks..." Spike eyed the countless gems either on prominent display or changing paws around him. "Delicious."

"Typical dragon," Arrow said as he clomped through the middle of the road. "Always looking to fill their bellies. A wonder the Crystal Heart hadn't been devoured by the time it was rescued."

Precious brought her riding crop down on Arrow's flank again, yipping as she did. "Slander! The great dragon protector would never do such a thing. It is you ponies who have stolen the sacred heart!"

"You wouldn't know what to do with it if you had it," Arrow retorted. "Your ancestors just buried it like a bone."

"It is you who do not know what the Heart means," she said. “Once the Diamond Dogs were a proud and unified race! Until you ponies ruined everything…”

“What do you mean by that?” Spike asked. “I thought the Crystal Heart was a relic of the Crystal Ponies…”

“Of course it is,” Arrow said, puffing his chest out. “It goes all the way back to the great exodus from the legendary pony paradise, Dream Valley, when our kingdom was but a twinkle in our founder’s eye.”

“Wrong,” Precious countered, folding her arms across her chest stubbornly. “It goes all the way back to the origin of our race!”

“Oh, yeah?” Spike said curiously, leaning in toward Precious.

Precious pointed to a large stone statue of a dog that towered over the Tradepost. “That is the Father of the Diamond Dogs, Lord Crunch. Long ago, he was the protector of the Crystal Heart, but he was lonely. He pleaded to his creator to grant him children. Thus the first Diamond Dogs were sculpted from stone and given life from shards of Crunch’s own heart.”

“Well, that’s a nice little story,” Crystal Arrow said, twitching his ear irritably. “But it’s just a legend. Princess Amore, herself, received the Crystal Heart with the blessings of His Royal Elevated Eminence in order to protect the ancestors of my race. It was really all very official, signed and notarized by Her Highness’ own royal hoof!”

“Wow,” Spike said, pursing his lips in thought. “Sounds like the kind of pony Twilight would get along with…”

“Well, she is Princess Cadance’s ancestor,” Arrow commented. “Her royal lineage was confirmed by the Exalted Librarian, the most powerful and knowledgeable pony in our kingdom besides the princess, herself.”

“I’m beginning to see why Twilight likes this place so much,” Spike commented with a wry smile.

Precious blew a raspberry. “Ridiculous. Your story is full of holes. Lord Crunch’s creator would never have given up his Heart so easily.”

“Perhaps he cared more for ponies than for mangy mutts,” Arrow muttered.

A growl escaped Precious’ throat. Then she took a breath and smiled at Spike. “I am hungry. How about we go back to the palace for a nice banquet?”

Spike blinked. “Uh… sure, sounds good to me.”

Precious nodded and raised her riding crop. “Yah, mule!”

Princess Cadance’s eyes tracked her husband as he paced before the throne. “Darling, you haven’t sat still since Twilight and her friends entered that tunnel. You’re making me dizzy.”

“Sorry, Princess,” he said with a weak smile as he halted in place. “I guess I’m just worried about my little sister.”

“She’s a big alicorn, now,” Cadance said with a laugh. “Aunt Celestia has entrusted her with more harrowing missions than this. You should trust her, too.”

Shining sighed and lumbered up to her side. “I guess you’re right. Just that big brother protective instinct, I gue—”

Twilight burst through the large throneroom doors, knocking back two pegasus guards, one with a coat of blue crystal and one of a normal orange. She ignored their complaints and rushed to her brother and sister-in-law, her friends trotting behind her. All six were covered in dirt and grime, their coats lathered with sweat. The most shocking sight, however, was Fluttershy carrying a Diamond Dog on her back.

“Twilight!” Cadance exclaimed. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“And what is that dog doing here?” Shining added.

Twilight shook her mane. “Look, there’s not much time to explain. We need to get to the Crystal Heart right now!”

“We… we put it back in the highest tower to keep it safe from Diamond Dog raids,” Shining Armor said. “There’s no way they can get to it without us knowing…”

Cadance sprang to her hooves. “If you say you need to get to the Heart, then I will bring you there, myself.” Her horn lit with her powerful love magic and struck the floor before the throne, revealing a heart-shaped entrance.

“Um… excuse me, Mr… uh… Prince Armor,” Fluttershy whispered as her friends descended the staircase. “Would you look after our new friend, here? And get a bowl of crystals, please.”

“O-of course?” Shining said, taking the dog, who seemed far heavier than expected for some reason, onto his back.

The seven mares made their way through the secret passage to the long staircase up to the tower. “I kept Sombra’s infinite stair spell in place,” Cadance explained. “So we’ll have to fly up.”

Twilight nodded and the two of them took to the air followed by their pegasus companions. Cadance seized Rarity in her magic, pulling her along, while Twilight did the same for Applejack. Pinkie Pie simply bounced onto Rainbow’s back, shouting “yeehaw,” much to Applejack’s chagrin.

They made it to the top of the tower in moments to find the Crystal Heart still suspended between a crystal stalagmite and stalactite, softly glowing with its protective Harmony. Twilight approached the Heart, her eyes wandering around the open air chamber. “Spread out, everypony, they could come from any side.”

“What is this about, Twilight?” Cadance queried, her brows pinched with concern.

Twilight huffed. “I’m not completely sure. We do know, however, that the raids have all been a distraction. The real target is the Crystal Heart. I just… don’t know how they plan on getting to it.”

“Well,” Cadance said with a laugh. “That sounds like quite the task for a species that can neither fly nor use magic.”

“And even if they could,” Rainbow interjected. “We’re here, and nopony’s getting past us…” She froze as the feathers of her wings felt the wind of a passing form on her left, the briefest darkening of her peripheral vision accompanying it. “Twilight, look out!”

Twilight turned, only to see an approaching stone filling her vision right before impacting with her face. She was flung away from the Crystal Heart, unconscious before she hit the ground.

“Twilight!” Cadance shouted, galloping toward her.

Lurching back to consciousness, Twilight gasped. “Th-the Crystal Heart!”

The mares looked toward where the Heart rested, but it had vanished. In its place, a single feather floated down toward the floor.

“Th-that feather… I recognize it,” Rainbow Dash declared, snatching it up. “It’s… a griffon!”

“That’s right, foals!” a rough, feminine voice said. The voice belonged to a young, hawk-faced griffoness, masked in a round, steel helmet and wielding a mace in her tail. “When your descendants tell tales of the fall of the once proud ponies, they shall tremble at the mention of the name Gael of the Roarse!” She raised the Crystal Heart into the air and then slipped it into a satchel strapped to her side before leaping backward off the tower.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Rainbow growled. She dashed after her, taking flight at breakneck speed. She saw Gael, already a speck in the sky, heading straight toward the shield that protected the shining city. “She’s fast,” she mused. “But not as fast as me.” She increased her speeds to sonic levels, a cone forming in front of her as she approached Rainboom speed.

The distance between Rainbow and Gael closed before Rainbow ever had to break the barrier. She dove for her, intent on retrieving the satchel, but a flick of Gael’s tail brought her mace to bear on Rainbow’s side.

“Don’t think it will be easy to catch me,” Gael taunted her pursuer. “I was chosen for this mission not only because I was fastest, but also the most skilled in aerial combat!”

“Oh, yeah?” Rainbow said with a sneer. “Well, don’t underestimate my fighting skills, either.” She shot forward again, overtaking Gael in an instant before lashing out with a series of quick side-kicks.

Gael roared as she was knocked back by the assault, but she was otherwise unfazed and retaliated with a haymaker to Rainbow’s face. She followed up by whipping her mace at Rainbow, catching her in the head. With her pursuer disoriented, she darted away.

Rainbow shook off the attack, turning to go after Gael, but when she spotted her, she had just crossed the threshold of the magic shield surrounding the Crystal Empire. The moment the Crystal Heart left the city, the field dropped, and the cold winds of the Frozen North descended upon her.

“Oh, Lord Dragon, you’re so funny!” Precious declared as she watched him grab a gem he had balanced on the spike on top of his head with his tongue and swallow it. She scooted closer to him and wrapped her big, furry arms around his shoulders, pushing her cold, wet nose into his cheek. “And so handsome…”

“Uh…” Spike said with a blush. “That’s… both flattering and uncomfortable.”

The door of the banquet hall opened and Red Fang strode in, his chest puffed out with pride. “Ah, Lord Dragon. Daughter! I am pleased to see you both, for I have exciting news.”

“Really, Daddy?” Precious exclaimed, her tongue flopping out.

“Yes,” Red affirmed. “Our troubles are finally over. You see, we are about to cement an alliance with a new ally who will rid us of our… present troubles.”

“Ally?” Spike said hesitantly. “Troubles?”

Red bowed to Spike. “Yes, Lord Dragon. However, I’m afraid your friends may disrupt the delicate negotiations… and—perhaps unwittingly—doom us all.”

“Wh-what?” Spike said, concerned.

“It’s hard to discuss,” Red said, his façade of confidence wavering momentarily. “Follow me and I will show you what I mean.” He turned and left, Spike and Precious scrambling behind him with Crystal Arrow in tow. They turned down several corridors until they came to a room thick with the smell of antiseptics. “Here is our medical wing,” he finally said, coming to a halt before a room with several white-coated canines huddled within. He raised his voice, addressing the medical staff. “How is she?”

The group broke apart, revealing a dog in a strait jacket standing in their midst. Her features were somewhat more deformed and her fur matted and stiff like clay. Her features were, Spike realized, far closer to those of the Diamond Dogs that had captured Rarity near Ponyville. “She’s in the final stages, I’m afraid,” one of the dogs said.

“Then you can see for yourself what we’re dealing with,” Red said to Spike, gesturing toward the restrained dog.

Spike gasped as she howled in pain. One of the doctors released her jacket straps, and the Diamond Dog ripped out of her bonds. She writhed before them, but her legs didn’t move at all. Spike realized that while most of her fur had the look of dried clay, her lower half seemed to be solid rock, and it was spreading up her body. As the rock creeped up slowly, more of her body became immobilized. First her abdomen, then her upper back, and then her arms. Finally, her neck froze in place, and her howls turned into silent screams as her face turned to stone, permanently freezing into a mask of terror.

“Celestia…” Spike swore.

Red huffed, turning his head from the sight. “Tell somepuppy to put her somewhere nice. Somewhere nopuppy will… miss her.”

Spike looked to Precious, whose head was bowed, her ears drooping sadly. Then he glanced at Arrow, whose face was a stormy mix of emotions, but it was slowly settling on horrified. “I… I’ll do whatever I can to help, sir,” he said. “I swear on my dragon code of honor.”

Red Fang closed his eyes and nodded. “I’m glad to hear that.” He turned to his left. “It seems our allies have already arrived.”

Spike turned to follow his gaze, and his eyes widened as he saw a flock of griffons approaching. One stood in front, her head black and beak petite while her chest and feline back end were pure white but for the black tuft at the end of her tail and the shiny blue tips of her wings. Directly beside her was a young griffoness with the golden brown feathers and black hooked beak of a hawk and the rear of a golden lion cub. Her poise was aggressive and proud, and when her amber eyes locked onto Spike’s, he couldn’t help but turn away.

“Ambassador Gemma,” Red greeted the lead griffoness. “I trust you’ve upheld your end of the bargain?”

“Indeed,” Gemma responded. She turned to the younger griffoness at her side with a hint of pride. “Gael came through in spite of your mangy mutts’ failure to distract those meddling ponies.”

Red grimaced toothily. “It matters not. With the sacred artifact in our paws, Canida and all Diamond Dog kind will be saved, and you… you will benefit quite handsomely for your efforts.”

Spike gulped as the griffons burst into laughter that sounded suspiciously maniacal. “And… and what, exactly, did you want from me?”

“Lord Dragon,” Red said, turning to him and bowing deeply once more. “I only ask that you do what your ancestors before you did. Protect our Crystal Heart at all costs.”

“The Crystal Heart?!” Arrow exclaimed, earning an annoyed smack to the flank from Precious.

“If you do this, you will live as a god,” Red Fang said. He looked over to Precious, who yipped happily. “And you may have my daughter’s paw in marriage.”

“Wh-wha…” Spike said weakly. Overwhelmed, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and the world blacked out.