Dash and I woke as the sun spilled through the partially closed curtains, signaling the beginning of a new day. I didn’t bother opening my eyes as I tensed up and stretched in bed. Dash simply mumbled softly about it being too early, and ducked her head against my chest. Sometime in the night we had managed to push the covers all the way off the bed, and her wings had withdrawn to her body.

Blearily opening my eyes, I took in a deep breath and twisted my neck to the side, feeling any residual tenseness working its way out. Once I was done, I looked down at the mare in my arms and felt the usual sense of affection blossoming in my chest. Reaching a hand up, I brushed a few errant locks of her mane back behind her ears, before slowly trailing a finger up the outside of her ear, and back down on the inside. I could only grin as her ear slowly tensed, before flicking back and away from my hold. There was a small laugh from my chest, and her limbs slowly began to wiggle as I repeat the act.

“Dom...” Dash lightly whined as her ear flicked again, and her head shook side to side.

My smile turned into a smirk, and I pulled my finger away from her head and instead placed it on her neck, slowly stroking her fur...

I only pulled my hand away when the need to use the restroom made itself insistently present. I withheld a groan as I began to pull away, but knew it would be better to be ready for the day sooner rather than later.

“Where you going...?” Dash asked tiredly, her eyes cracking open as a yawn left her muzzle.

“Restroom, I will be back soon.” I responded, looking over and seeing her gaze lingering on my nearly bare body. The moment her eyes were on my own, I gave her a wink that set her cheeks ablaze.

Stepping into the restroom, I looked around, and felt my eyes fall on the large tub, with an assortment of soaps along the edge. It literally looks like a five star hotel spa tub... down to even the tiny square of wrapped soap. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the designer was a human.

After relieving myself and washing my hands, I left the bathroom and returned to dash, finding her still lying on the bed. Smiling, I moved over and got onto the bed and lingered over her form, her head turning and her eyes gazing up into my own. The blush on her cheeks had nearly diminished, but now it was returning in full force as I leaned down and planted a kiss on the end of her muzzle. I pulled away and asked, “There is a bath big enough for me to fit in, care to join?”

Despite the length of our relationship, the amount of times she has seen me completely bare could still be counted on a single hand. So I could only find it amusing when her jaw fell open, even if I felt a tab bit embarrassed myself.

She nodded slowly, and I could only grin when I heard her audibly swallow...

Looking across the table, I lowered my fork as I said evenly, “I understand your concerns, Hidden Claw, which is precisely why I am refraining from sharing blueprints, or even knowledge of the production of my world’s firearms. Despite the beliefs you hold, you and those you are responsible for will be much safer with using weapons such as swords and arrows. If you wish to better safeguard gryphon interests, that can be better achieved through differing vectors.” His scowl only increased, and I shrugged my shoulders as I lifted my fork and took another bite.

This time, the gryphoness spoke, Medias Claw, “Mister Wild, we aren’t asking you to hand over the knowledge of your weapons.” I felt myself simmer just below the surface as I looked towards the creature in question, but I saw her eyes were looking downwards at a sheet of paper, with a set of glasses resting on her beak as she continued, “We are prepared to pay you, or even offer you services or a living, all you need to do is make an offer. Be it wealth you wish to have at your disposal, we can pay you. If you have no need for funds, you can live anywhere of your choosing, and we will finance your lifestyle...”

My answer was unchanged, but I still hesitated...

I didn’t want this world to have access to my homes weaponry for very good reason, even though they were already on the verge of the birth of basic firearms. However, that fact also meant I could divulge the most basic of information, and make enough to retire off of...

Shaking my head, I quickly banished the tempting thoughts as I said, “The desire for progress is understandable, but I must still decline. I will keep your interests, and your offers on mind however should I ever decide to change my mind.”

Medias frowned softly, but eventually relented with a nod as she wrote something down on the parchment in front of her.

Maybe not firearms... but maybe I should introduce this world to pencils and pens, that way they don’t need to constantly use quills and ink. Hell... maybe I should start ‘inventing’ stuff that can be useful. Heh... pony shaped erasers would make a killing...

Looking over towards the Alabaster mare, I saw her chewing on her own meal, her gaze unreadable as she watched passively. Her gaze did briefly flicker to mine, but it was a dismissive acknowledgement.

The doors to the dining hall opened, and Emperor Talonus strutted in, a smile already plastered on his beak as he looked at those at the table. Once he sat down, a plate was deposited in front of him, along with a wide rimmed mug. He whispered to the waiter for a moment, before looking first to me and asking, “How were the accommodations, Sir Dominic?”

“They were, uh... frankly perfect. Thank you for the room, Emperor Talonus.” Despite the borderline argument from speaking with Hidden Claw earlier, I felt genuine gratitude for my host.

His grin was infectious as he turned to the other side of the table and greeted all the gryphon’s in turn, and only afterwards acknowledged the princess.

Guess I’m not the only one that has less than stellar relations with the princess...

“Forgive me sir Dominic, but I have business today that requires my delegation, so we will only be able to converse briefly this morning. I will be available after noon, but until then, I believe Hidden Claw wishes to speak with you today.” The waiter returned, and placed a large plate of bacon in front of the emperor, and then was gone once more.

The Emperor grabbed a thickly sliced piece as he asked, “I had an errant thought before I went to sleep last night, and I feel foolish for not asking this sooner, but who was the leader of your government. Do you use kings or queens, Princes or princesses?”

Placing my hand on the table top, I could only rap my knuckles against it as I answered, “My country’s form of government is democracy,” At the confused expression, I could only smirk as I continued, “Once every four years, unless something happens to our leader, the population gets together to elect our leader, or president. Around four hundred years ago, my ancestors left a country called Britain, and they were lead by a monarchy, that at the time, was used to having power over the known world. Skip forward by a century and half, and my nation went to war with them, and by the late seventeen hundreds, we declared independence, and formed a democracy.”

“That is impressive... but hardly believable. How was your country, if it was so new, able to rebel and win against another that was much more established?” Hidden claw asked from across the table, a disdainful scowl stretched across his beak.

Feeling my mood drop, I smirked despite my aggravation, and pointedly gave him my full attention, “Because, much like yourself, they were prideful, and that lead to their defeat. Their armies, their navy... was defeated by a ragtag militia compromised primarily out of farmers, and those they thought to oppress.” Anger tainted his visage as what I said seeped in, and as his scowl deepened. Grabbing my mug, I raised an eyebrow and added, “They thought they were strong and powerful, and acted like it, but then us Americans kicked their asses, and then declared our independence, and became a powerful nation ourselves.”

“I see you have a great pride for your nation, Dominic.” Looking over to Emperor Talonus, I saw him glance at Hidden Claw, before giving his attention back to me and adding, “Hidden Claw can be... coarse at times, but please show him the same respect you would show me...”

The flame deep in my chest flared for a brief moment, feeling a hateful sense of déjà vu, but I couldn’t place where the strong feeling came from. I nodded briefly, before I added softly, “I understand, Emperor Talonus... but respect is earned, and so far only you have shown you are to be respected.”

For the first time since I arrived yesterday, his smile fell into a more neutral one, and he asked, “But do you not respect Princess Celestia? And you two, from what you said the day before, haven’t spoken much.”

Looking over at the princess, I saw her gaze look over to my own, and I frowned slightly as I said, “She has a limited amount of respect from me... I feel I show her the same amount of respect that she shows me. No more, and no less.” Feeling a bit mirthful, I began raising my mug as I said, “We do converse every so often... she typically sends me these marbles, although I haven’t received any for a week or two at this point.”

I barely missed the twitch of her eye, and I could only chuckle quietly as I raised and drained my mug.

“I see,” Talonus said, before he inclined his head towards me and added, “Please make it a point to try and tolerate him, if you would...” Giving a stiff nod towards the Emperor, I forced myself to calm down while leaning back in my seat.

There was a clearing of a throat from the other side of the table, as well as the sound of shuffling paper, before the gryphoness spoke up once more, “It has been a pleasure, Emperor, but I must take my leave early today. I will have those numbers to you before the end of the day.”

“Thank you, Medias.” Talonus said.

There was a clink of silverware from beside me, and I looked over and saw Celestia dab at her cheeks with a napkin briefly, before she turned and spoke to the Emperor, “Talonus. I will speak with you later, regarding the business you wished to discuss, but for now I must speak with my subject, Rainbow Dash.”

I felt a pang of annoyance, but I was resigned to the fact I couldn’t really interact with Dashie right now anyways. We locked eyes for a moment, and she offered a small smile and nod of her head, before she eased out of her chair and turned to follow after the princess.

“If you are finished, Dominic, I would be inclined to ask you to follow me as well.” I looked over to Hidden Claw as he spoke. His sneer was gone and replaced with a bitter frown, but I was already coming to understand that he was a literal living personification of the Grinch himself.

Letting out a soundless sigh, I stood up and turned towards the Emperor, “Thank you for hosting me today Emperor Talonus. I will do my best to follow your advice to the letter.”

He offered me a brief smile as he nodded.

Looking out across the courtyard with a look of disdain, I half listened as Hidden Claw spoke to me in low tone, almost as if he was intending to be threatening. It felt like an eternity had already passed, and yet I am sure it was probably only closer to an hour since we left the dining hall.

“...as such, we don’t want much, but if you are willing to give assist us in our development, we would possibly be inclined to give you a measure of power yourself, starting with your own command of a platoon or two of soldiers for whatever needs you might desire...”

Never wanted to lead a platoon before, still don’t want to now...

“That is a generous offer for you to make, but I will once again have to decline.” His feathers puffed up and his beak twisted down into a frown once again. Turning and facing him, I decided to try and nip this bud at the root once and for all, “Understand when I say I am getting far past exhausted of saying ‘no’ about giving you any kind of design or knowledge of my worlds weaponry; no matter the bribes or offers you make. I am not willing to give you the power to wage war with whomever you decide, simply to make my life more comfortable...”

Flames danced behind his eyes as his talons dug into the wood beneath his feet, and he looked away for a moment as what I said slowly wormed its way through his stubborn mind. The only sound was occasional ring of metal on metal in the courtyard from sparring individuals, or the blowing wind. Yet after a few moments of no more words being spoken, Hidden Claw growled ever so quietly.

...

My wings ruffled once more as I shifted in my seat, looking both ways down the corridor as I huffed softly to myself. No matter how many times I tried to reassure myself that everything would be fine, I couldn’t help but shake the uneasiness from my mind as I waited for the Princess to come out of the... a quick glance at the golden plague said ‘treasurer Medias’.

Shaking my head, I shifted once more, before looking left, and then right.

I have never heard him that mad... and now he is alone with the same one that made him that angry...

My wings tensed, ready to put me into the air, but I took a deep breath how Twilight would do, held a hoof to my chest, and then let my air out slowly. The moment after, I felt ridiculous...

Ugh, why does she do that?

My cheeks burned as I ducked my head and looked both ways; glad for once the hallway was still empty.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I lowered my gaze back to the floor, once more thinking about Dominic. The last time he was even close to that kind of mad, it was at his party with that colt fooler, and even then he was only annoyed...

I looked up when the door finally opened, and I saw the Princess finally step out of the office. I stood up and went to offer a bow, but she gave me a stern eye that stopped me as she said softly, “None of that Miss Dash. Now, let us be on our way.”

I nodded slowly as I quickly followed beside the princess. I wet my lips before asking, “So, where are we going princess?”

Princess Celestia hummed softly, her head tilting and her eye peering down at me as she said, “We are off to find where Dominic and his newest friend are... and if Hidden Claw is as predictable as all males, they will be near the sparring rings.” She turned back forward, one hoof moving in front of the other as she continued walking at a leisure pace, “While we are alone, Miss Dash, I would like to ask you a few questions about Dominic.”

“Um... yes, what do you want to know?” I asked, unsure what I could tell her that Twilight wouldn’t have with her interviews.

“I understand that Dominic has a good understanding of technology, even if he has yet to share any knowledge with us... but what are his aspirations? Does he want more from his current life?”

“He’s happy,” I said without thinking, but paused afterwards as I thought about what to say next. Even I knew the princess would want more information than that. Swallowing, I felt my chest constrict as I added, “I don’t know if he wants anything, he has always been content to work at the spa in Ponyville.” Princess Celestia looked down to me, and another memory came to the forefront of my mind, “I think he is sad that he can’t fly anymore... I know if I couldn’t fly anymore, I would be too.”

The princess hummed once more, before nodding her head, “Yes, that is true. The opportunities are few and far in between, but I still enjoy my occasional flight. Seeing as how Dominic doesn’t have his own natural wings, I can only imagine how it must be for him.” She looked back forward, “What about his Technology, is there anything you can tell me about where he came from?”

I could only chuckle, thinking about last night, or rather what little I could still remember, since I was already super tired. “Dom told me that they have this thing called a phone, and he said it is the size of his hand, and it can play movies, music, and it has pictures on it. He said if he had one, he could show us proof of his world and everything he talks about... but, I think it is obvious that he won’t be able to get one again unless we can figure out how to send him home.”

There was an ache in my heart as I said that. What if sending him home was a one way trip...? What if when he went home, he wouldn’t be able to return?”

The princess stopped and faced me, “Movies? Music...? And pictures, as in more than one?” Her face openly showed astonishment, something I have never seen before. I nodded hesitantly, and she asked again, “and it is the size of his hand?” I nodded again, and Celestia’s eyes widened, before she looked down the hallway, “That is truly incredible... alas, let us keep moving, the sooner we find him, the less trouble he can potentially get himself into.”

We were walking down the hallway once more, before we made a turn at the next intersection. We were about midway between the last and next intersection when something from breakfast popped into my mind, and I looked over and asked, “Princess, can I ask you a question?”

Princess Celestia smirked as she looked at me, and said humorously, “Why miss Dash, you just did.” I felt my cheeks burn, letting out a small chuckle. The princess smiled a bit wider, before she inclined her head and said, “But you may ask others, if you wish.”

“Ok,” I said quietly, before clearing my throat and speaking up, “Dom mentioned at breakfast that you send him these marbles?” Her smile fell, but she nodded slowly. “What are they? I found some, and I may have broken one... or five...”

There was another quiet laugh from the princess, but for some reason... it felt forced. Her wings ruffled as she said, “Dominic and I had a disagreement over something that, I will admit, I overreacted to... the marbles are just mementos for him about that disagreement.”

What could Dom and the princess have been talking about that she would overreact...?

The princess stopped and turned to a door, before pulling it open with her magic. With a gesture of her head, I stepped through the door and immediately felt the wind pulling at my feathers as we stepped onto a balcony, with a stone stairwell down towards the lower level ground. I stepped forward and stretched my wings, before hoping into the air and hovering a few feet off the ground.

“Ah, yes... there they are.” The princess said, I looked back at her, before following her gaze and finding Dominic... slightly hunched forward as the Gryphon he was with seemed to be speaking with him. They were far enough away that I could barely make out there expressions, let alone whatever was being said between them.

I watched wide eyed as the gryphon flared his wings wide and reared up on his hind legs and punched Dom in his face. My blood boiled as tension shot through my wings, and just as I was about to fly over, I felt and saw the Princess hold me back with her magic. I turned to say something to her, but her eyes were as hard as rock as she looked past me.

“I understand your desire to rush over and help your friend, but this is a matter between the two of them. If Hidden Claw takes it too far, I will personally step in...”

...

The sucker punch to my gut had come as a surprise, and as such, I was stunned as I was forced forward. I clenched my gut, even as hidden claw wrapped his claws around the back of my neck and held me down to his level, “You dare to think you are better than us? You even dare to look down on me. Our offers have been nothing short of ridiculously exuberant for some creature such as yourself, and you dare to decline us still?”

My anger flared, and I jerked my head up and out of his grasp, feeling his claws rake across the back of my neck as he pushed himself up and delivered a swift jab to my jaw. I stumbled back into the railing, and tried to quickly get my bearings, only for Claw to grab me by my hair and jerk my head down as he growled out, “No more asking, no more offers, you will give us designs to your worlds weapons, do you understand me boy.”

Hit me once, shame on me. Hit me twice, shame on you...

My gut stopped hurting enough that it wasn’t crippling, and the ache in my jaw, along with his words stoked my rage. My vision was narrowed as I formed a fist, but I took in a deep breath, before reaching up and grabbing the wrist area of his leg, and tightening my hold as I forced his claws away from my head. I could feel the blood on my neck... I could feel the pain in my body... and my mind screamed at me to beat this arrogant bastard down. His entire demeanor reminded me of nothing but that traitor that brought me here...

“I... advise you to not do that again.” I all but growled out, before throwing his wrist away.

He growled as he remained in an upright position, before he said, “If you will not listen, then I will just have to use that little blue Pegasus you have taken a liking to, to force you to give up those weapons.”

Dash...

Just as he swung his fist for my jaw again, instinct took over, fueled by the smoldering rage I felt burning deep in my being. I moved to the side and grabbed his wrist, pulling him as I spun on the spot. I followed the motion and threw him against the wall besides the railing, hearing and feeling the crack of his wing hitting the stone in just the perfect way. Instead of following up with a jab or two to his rib cage, my rage dictated that I grab this fucker by the neck... so I did. It wasn’t the hold I wanted, nor was it what he deserved, but I couldn’t choke him how I desired; he was still half cat, and like a cat, I didn’t want to see if he would gore me if he was facing me.

“You dare to lay your hands on me, you stupid feather-,” he attempted to screech, but I tightened my hold on his neck. I followed up with a viscous jab to his chest, forcing him to wheeze for air as he attempted to curl in on himself.

Without even a shred of thought, I reached up and grabbed him by the feathers on his head and yanked his head back, making his beak face skywards as his hateful beady eyes glared at me. I growled as I leaned forward and said softly, feeling my anger simmer down to controllable levels as I said, “I was willing to let you get away with those two hits, but if you ever attempt to hurt that mare, I swear I will make you pay for it in blood.” My rage began to bubble, my fingers tightening around the front of his throat in a way that I knew would be painful more than suffocating. When the rage passed, I lessened my hold, before adding just as softly as before, “You forget, you aren’t the only predator here.”

As I turned, I released his feathers to grab his wing, and as I twisted my body, I used his weight and threw him at the ground as hard as I could muster.

I noted only after that at some point he had grabbed onto my arm, and now there were several thin cut marks on my arm from when I had thrown him down. Those will be difficult to hide...

Stepping closer to the injured gryphon as he slowly got up, I noted with satisfaction that his wing wouldn’t, or couldn’t fold back into place. He glared up at me and took a hesitant step back as he held his chest with one paw. I made it a point of squaring off against him, silently daring him to try to hit me again. When no such move came, I jabbed a finger at him and said, “You threaten me or her again, and I will remind you of your place...”

Turning and walking towards the double doors, I grabbed one and pulled it open. I was about to take a step into the expansive halls, but I turned to regard the gryphon for what surely wouldn’t be a last time, and as he looked over, I spit a someone bloody glob of saliva on the ground, before giving him a final parting, “Bitch...”

Stepping into the hallway, I looked right, before looking left, and making my way down the hallway. I needed to find any of the ponies I came here with, cover these cuts, and take a piss... not necessarily in that order...

Author's Note

So... I am not the best fight scene writer, but this was meant to be short, like a light scuffle. Regardless, let me know what you thought, and how I can potentially improve it?

I am attempting to write more. Sorry if this chapter seems lack-luster.