Bite Down, Don't let Go

Chapter 8:

The Dog, Pony, and Hyena show

Biting hard.

Mane6

They were exhausted. lugging gem packed carts from the prairie was tiring, but they were happy and together. Rarity had regaled them with how she tricked(annoyed) the diamond dogs with the simple things that made her Rarity. They'd laughed good naturedly along with spike who'd spoken of his own heroics.

Upon reaching Ponyville they came aware of the hushed silence. A cart, planted in a cottage wall. citizens were whispering as the six friends traversed the cleared streets. Words from the townsfolk buzzed around them; rampage, run away fillies, and demon diamond dog were the words that stuck most.

Upon getting close to the town hall a light pink mare, Lotus trotted up to Rarity quickly explaining a story she heard from a third possibly forth hoof account. She spoke of how a Diamond dog like creature chased three young fillies into the market then was stopped by two mares, when he had been about to attack a cart ran him over and the three fillies took a chance running away in the direction parallel to the road they just traveled. When the beast recovered he was blocked again by the same mares. The Dog then threatened to eat the mares before running after the fillies. The two mares, after discussing something between them, ran after him.

When the six heard that, they acquired different reactions. Rainbow Dash immediately flew back to the prairie, Rarity brought out her fainting couch and fell on it,  Applejack kicked the dirt spouting words about that no good carnivore, Pinkie pie was...speaking in Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy protested quietly, her words on the character going unheard, Twilight had Spike inscribe a letter to Princess Celestia on the actions that were reported. in her mind Twilight wondered-

Why had Oberus done this?

"What's Bite's?" Questioned Sweetie Bell. Most of the Diamond dogs looked shocked, Octavia, Vinyl, the CMC confused. Only Oberus and the Strangely dressed Diamond dog looked disturbingly pleased. The smaller Diamond dog answered the tiny marshmallow.

"The game of Bites is a thing between Hyenas and Diamond dogs though Hyenas far prefer it. Its a duel of sorts, both opponents hold an arm to the others mouth and both bite down. The game is ended when one let's go the other, screaming in agony or dead from blood loss." He explained.

"That's dreadful!" Octavia cried. Vinyls eyes widen beyond compare, the CMC in shock.

"Dreadful huh?" Spoke the strange one he smiled wicked long pearly fangs gleam in the luminous stones. " What is a game amongst relatives?." The musicians looked to Oberus his face stony. he was related to the Diamond dogs?

"Oh no, not by close blood-" a rather thin Diamond dog spoke. it was tall as well so it kinda seemed sickly. "Were related by a similar ancestor, our lines diluted when the original Diamond dogs met the Terra hounds, the original Diamond dogs if you will."

"Hmm...." Oberus stated flaty.

"Mister Oberus?" Apple Bloom spoke. She was crying, she was afraid...of him, of thos whole situation.

"I'll get you home to your sisters and your guardian Scootaloo." Oberus brought a paw to his chest to his eye. "Cross my heart...and hope to fly...stick a cupcake...In my eye." He smiled. Not a malicious or blood lusting, but one of kindness. The fillies smiled, the two mares unsure. Stepping forward the strange one came before him. "You to be my opponent?" The strange one chuckled in response.

"Yes...though a halfbreed like me could never measure up to a pure blood like yourself." Oberus snarled deeply.

"Halfbreed?" Questioned Vinyl. She looked at Oberus and the 'Half breed' got on their hind legs and brought up a foreleg/arm. Oberus his left, the strange halfbreed diamond dog the same. A guard responded to Vinyl.

"His mother was assaulted by a Hyena-" he whispered. Octavia and Vinyl gasped. " played around with her for three days I heard-" he nodded to Oberus. " even if you do escape us do you think he'll just let you go for nothing?" They gazed between the Diamond dogs and the single Hyena. Was he truly with them or did he mean to harm them himself?

Eyeing the halfbreed before him, Oberus calculated his odds. While most Hyenas have great pain tolerance, that's because of the drug and the constant torture sessions their put under. They were all actually kind of wimps. He hasn't taken it in years, and compared to his time there the roughing he'd been doing was the lap of luxury.

"Ivory Bring."

"Hm?" He stared into the coal eyes of the next body to his pile.

"My Name is Ivory Bring." They brought arms forward. Octavia signaled the CMC to close their eyes. They did so. Bring smiled viciously, Oberus only seemed annoyed. A guard stepped forward.

"Ready?" He asked. A nod of heads. "Set marks!" Maws opened wide, aligning sharp teeth to soft tissue. "Bite!" Mouths snapped shut, skin pierced, veins nicked, bones already cracking under pressure. Grunts and groans were heard from the two, blood leaked to the ground as a small puddle began to form between them. Vinyl and Octavia gagged, the smell horrendous to them. Vinyl ran Back to the entrance, vomiting on the outside. The cellist's olfactory were burning with the salty smell. Oberus snarled aggressively trying to increase the pressure he exerted. The halfbreed, Bring flinched ever so slightly, the maniacal grin increasing in creepiness. It beat Oberus own.

Oberus inhaled deeply, planning to use the breathe to force a harder bite. Something small rubbed the back of his throat, he coughed inwardly, plagued by a fit, his bite slacked completely till a large cough forced his mouth open, hacking violently. The Diamond dogs cheered loudly. The Mares gasped, the CMC looked to see what happened.

Oberus lost.

"Well it seems like some gem dust got on my fur, whoops." Bring smiled cruelly. Taking control over his breathing, Oberus let the back pack slip down and began rummaging through it. Pulling out a roll of bandages. He began binding his arm. "I want the fillies taken to the other sides of the mine I want them ready to be sold to the hyenas, and the mares..." He trailed off, leering them up and down. "I will enjoy them right now." Octavia balked in disgust.

"Have you no shame?" She yelled.

"yeah!" Vinyl added, "something like this happed to your mother, don't you respect her?" Ivory Bring chuckled then went to full blown laughter. He was still losing blood but slowly his wound coagulated.

"My mother?" He questioned. "Why should I care for my mother? Why should I care for a dead dog? A dead dog I put down!" They gasped, ? Oberus looked bored he went back to his back pack for something else. "What? I'm only following the rules of hyenas, there are no friends or family only tools" he yelled.

"No!" cried out Scootaloo. " That's not true Oberus isn't like you!" She screamed.

"He's nice, kind-" started Sweetie Bell.

"And Mr. Oberus works hard, and doesn't do anything he doesn't believe he can't do and isn't right." Continued Apple Bloom.

"He's the Guardian of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and he'll never gives up!" the three chanted. All occupants looked generally surprised Oberus included. Bring laughed.

"Maybe I should teach how useless hope, is starting with-" Bring found his way blocked by a spotted mass. "Get out of the way! You lost fare and square what ever I choose I get!" He yelled.

"How about I give you this instead." Oberus held up a small clear jar between his thumb and index.

"No I want them!" Bring argued. Pointing to the fillies. Oberus tossed the bottle shrugging his shoulders and moving out the way. The CMC cried in surprise, The musicians silent in shock. Bring brought out a large key, slipping it into the lock he gave a twist. The click of the tumbler sounded swinging the door wide open. The monster stepped closer then stopped. grabbing at his chest he began heaving, eyes full of confusion, then morphed into shock,  mouth a gape. He pounded at his chest five times and fell to his knees. Bring grappled at his collar like it was choking him, sweat glistened on his coat. He then fell on his face and didn't move.

Oberus grabbed an ear and lugged Bring over to the side, out of the way of the CMC. They ran quickly out, past the diamond dogs, past Octavia and Vinyl and out the door. Vinyl and Octavia looked to each other then followed suit. Oberus was the last one out a new limp slowing him down but in no way hindering him. He left five diamond dogs in complete silence, wondering what just occurred.

Exiting the system the Hyena met a welcome party in the form of two mares and three fillies. Running up to him the CMC pounded on his chest and arms, cries of 'meanie', 'jerk' and other such insults. Then the pounding became hugs. Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom had either leg, Scootaloo his neck.

"Thank you." Spoke the orange Pegasus.

"Thank ya Mr. Oberus." Added the young Apple.

"Your a Prince!" Yelled the mini Marshmallow. That moment just died.

"Well-" he started. "After that speech I couldn't really leave you girls." Oberus gave a big smile. Then it turned into a frown. "I would appreciate it if that tid bit of info wasn't told."  They all whined.

"Why not?" Asked Apple Bloom.

"Yay-" interrupted Scootaloo. "If we tell  the others we know a prince then we'll totally become popular!" The other two cheered.

"After what you heard about the Hyenas, and what almost happened cause of it, you really think that title means anything good?" They got quiet, looking at the ground. "Didn't think so, now pinkie promise." Groans of protest were proclaimed. "Do it." He commanded. They did it. "The same goes for you two." He looked at the musical mares. Vinyl groaned.

"Ah come on I want to tell ponies I know royalty!" She begged. He glared. "Fine! I promise."

"Pinkie promise." Vinyl actually seemed surprised. She slowly did it. He gazed to Octavia. She seem distracted by something in the air.

"Tavi!"- called Vinyl. "You got to promise."

"Oh, I promise."

"No,no,no-" cried Sweetie Bell. " like this." She showed the proper way to Octavia. She repeated the motions,  Oberus gained a satisfied look.

"Hey maybe you three could get a cutie mark in enforcing promises?" The CMC let out a gasp.

" Cutie Mark Crusaders Promise Enforcers!" they bounced up and down.

"Hey Mister Oberus?" Asked Apple Bloom. " could you watch us again?"

"Sure why not." He replied. If most of the trips would turn to this he'd always have an alibi and a stress relief.

"You promise to watch and guard us and take us on trips as Guardian of the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Spoke Scootaloo. He saw where this was going.

"I promise."

"You have to pinkie promise!" Urged Sweetie Bell. Oberus groaned but did so. They cheered taking off to Ponyville. Vinyl and Octavia watched the scene.

"Isn't that cute?" Mocked Vinyl, she looked at her best friend only to see her staring into the fading evening sky. In the distance was a line of Rainbow heading toward them.

"Its Rainbow Dash!" Called Scootaloo, waving down her idol. Oberus eyed the Cyan dot that that was quickly reaching terminal velocity, and didn't seem to be slowing down at all. Her trajectory implied that....!

Quickly strafing he was clipped by the rainbow beam that threatened to smash him to bloody paste. On the ground. When she curled around her face showed an insurmountable rage.

"The Tartarus is your problem you rainbow retard!?" He yelled, temper flaring. Every good deed just keeps screwing him over.

"I'm going to get you for what you did in Ponyville, and the CMC you jerk!" She immediately flew forward giving no time to respond. The CMC yelling in the background for her to stop. Getting low Oberus got close to the earth, pain surging through his injury, letting her pass over him.

Shooting himself up he checked Dash, sending the mare in a spiraling heap to the ground. He was already at a disadvantage, his fore leg still hurt and his teeth were out of the question. Any other day he could handle this horse shit.

Just not today.

Starting forward hoping to talk with the Pegasus before she got momentum again, Oberus found a rope around his upper body. With a tug he was sent fly arcing into a rock somewhere behind him.

"Get away from Rainbow ya no good varmit'!" Demanded his employer. Red started to cloud his vision. This wasn't how the day was supposed to go. Standing up he found a gem explode from the earth slashing his cheek.

"Take this you ruffian!" Called Rarity. Distracted he didn't dodge in time as Rainbow Dash took his legs from under him sending hi snout straight to the ground. Pain was the only thing registered, Pain and Rage.

The three Mane six, The CMC, and the Musicians, watched the Hyenas fur blackened, spots becoming more a gray color, his pupils had shrunken so much only the color was visible. A low dark chuckle escaped a sickeningly sweet smile. He soon  began biting at the rope that held him.

"Oh no you don't!" Cried Applejack charging at him. Snapping the rope Oberus surged forward, dipping his head beneath applejack's. Lurching upward he smashed her lower jaw into her head dazing her, grabbing her by the forelegs he twirled, tossing the cowmare into Rarity. Rainbow seeing her downed friends flew forward intent on smashing the Hyena. Oberus jumped up, catching The weather mare sending them both into the ground. Tumbling for a good while, they rolled till momentum was lost, with The enraged Hyena atop of the Rainbow mare, teeth poised above her neck. Laughing wickedly he reared up the goal of ripping out her throat.

"Stop!" called three small voices. Turning his face he suddenly found himself blasted by pinkish purple energy. Slamming to the ground. Searching around he spotted Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy had appeared each looking ready for a fight as best as they could. Oberus fur faded into a reddish brown. He was mad but lucid, he looked to the CMC all shocked and teary eyed.

"I'm done." he said down to Rainbow Dash. Hopping off he had every goal to just leave. Said route of escape was blocked by a goddess of the sun and some guards. "What do you want sun butt?" He asked curtly.

"Oberus Vermilion you have broken our agreement!" She spoke in authority.

"Oh, you mean the agreement YOU made and I didn't agree to?" He spoke scarily calm for someone who was just in a rage. "What did I do exactly?"

"You have destroyed property in Ponyville and threatened the lives of my little ponies, then and now." She matched his eerily calm voice.

"What idiot told you that crock?" He responded.

"You know exactly who sent me the letter." She spoke anger clear in her voice. The Royal guards seemed nervous. Was this guy really pushing her buttons?

"Well I was trying to be polite but since lying is a bad idea, why did that IDIOT Twilight Sparkle send you a load of crock like that?" An indignant cry of "Hey!" Was vocal in the back ground.

" I've had enough of your games Oberus Vermilion. You shall be punish and banished back to the Hyaendom." Now Oberus was wide eyed and panicked.

"You can't send me back I was exiled! Do you know what happens if I'm even on the other side of the border?!" He was on the verge of hyperventilating. Fur becoming sandy white.

"You should have thought of that before your actions in the village and here only moments ago." Her horn glowed a blaze with golden light. The glow surrounded the bracelet wiping away the already unreadable scrawl and a new set began writing itself out. Slowly metal chipped out symbols being made a new. Oberus whined low unwilling to cry out. Red symbols began writing out two lines parallel with each other. The right side of the Hyena began glowing hazing for a split second.

"Wait!" was the cry. Celestia looked at the two mares one white coated the other gray that came forward blocking her view of Oberus who'd actually began weeping silently. Tears mixing with the blood of his jaw.

"My lady-" spoke Octavia bowing quickly. "There appears to be a misunderstanding." Vinyl continued from that point.

"Chomper there." Oberus twitched at the nickname. "Didn't do anything wrong!" Celestia let the aura of her horn fade.

"Explain." Vinyl started with how they met in the market talking, then when Twilights assistant came back panic on his face and no Rarity the CMC charged to go look for her, Oberus had tried to stop them but a cart got in the way. Octavia took over stating that when he'd run off they followed after, to help get them back. She left out how he tried to slaughter some guards, instead getting on to how they found the CMC locked up in a cage. Rarity gasped and cuddled her sister, Applejack rubbed at Apple Blooms mane comfortingly. Rainbow Dash was nursing a wing, Scootaloo just saddled up next to her.

And when she was about to mention Oberus-

"You Pinkie Promised!" Five of the mane six, the CMC, Princess Celestia, Vinyl and Octavia, and the Royal guard stared strangely at the party mare. Oberus smirked its what he counted on.

"What was Pinkie Promised?" asked Celestia the CMC appeared rather conflicted.

"It doesn't matter Celestia." Oberus spoke with finality.

"Show respect!" Demanded Royal guard #1. The others raised their spears.

"Tell it to someone who cares." He sneered. "Besides, its something she already knows." The musicians and CMC got wide eye, she knew? Celestia only nodded, then motioned to continue. Apple Bloom took over.

"Then Mr. Oberus came in and asked to get us, a weird lookin' Diamond dog told em we were being sold Mr. Oberus told em they could play a game a' Bites-"

"You would play such a sick game!?" Celestia yelled. Oberus held up his bandaged foreleg.

"I got them didn't I?" He Stated.

"You lost." Spoke Vinyl. He shrugged.

"Details."

"How did you get them then?" Inquired the sun goddess.

"I leave nothing to chance." He showed off his teeth.

"Well none of this would have occurred if you simple watched them like you were supposed to!" Yelled Rarity.

"Oh! And you know I was watching them...how?"

"Twilight light told us on our way from the diamond dogs lair." She stated.

"That's right you were captured, and your sister did the one thing that was natural, and I did wrong? Cause I didn't even want to watch them in the first place! Why don't you blame the fucking librarian's assistant that brought your distress to her attention!" Oberus was getting mad again, fur darkening.

"You can't blame Spike,  I only wanted to help you understand friendship!" Retorted Twilight,

" Noooo, that was you setting up a situation that I couldn't back out of so you could finish organizing books, So please prove the Hyena's Golden rule."

"What in tarnation is the Hyena's golden rule?" Apple was angry the guy she trusted put her sister in danger.

"There are no family or friends only tools, and tools when broken are thrown away, or eaten." They were all silent. Twilight spoke up after a few moments.

"If that's what you truly believe then...your unwelcome in my home." She stalked away with her piece said, the others following. Applejack pulling Apple Bloom along, Rarity carrying Sweetie Bell. Scootaloo, escorted by Rainbow Dash.

"You only have a single chance left." Spoke Celestia. "You will continue your stay in Ponyville. Fall again you, will be punished and sent back to your land no matter what the consequences maybe." She flew into her sky carriage as her guards pulled it up into the sky. Oberus drug his claws roughly in his shoulder blood trailing down his arm. He way their seething in rage.

"Um..." He turned to see Vinyl and Octavia still in their spot watching him bleed. "If you don't mind, we have a couch in our residence that you may acquire if you'd like?" Oberus nodded but stayed silent. They left in silence. Oberus stared blankly out into the open plain, then to a hole some twenty meters away. An ear poking out,

He hated eavesdroppers.

Mane6 and CMC

"But Applejack-"

"Not another word Apple Bloom!" This argument had been going on for some time since they left the open plains. The fillies trying to share their piece, only to be stopped. " he put y'all in danger trying to get ya by himself."

"Wait!" screeched Sweetie Bell. They quirked an ear up. "Your only mad cause he didn't come and tell you?"

"No Sweetie bell, were upset because instead of asking for help he ran off on his own and only had back up do to the fact he was followed." Twilight explained. the five mares gave her a look. That was a lie. She turned around face contorted in a happy smile plagued by twitches and jerks. She was not happy at all with what had occurred between the princess and her house guest.

"So ya plum left em' ta with out a place ta stay!?" Asked Apple Bloom.

"Are you kidding?" intervened Rainbow Dash. "The guy is dangerous! Who can still fight like that on a injury that bad?"

"Somepony that doesn't want to become a grotesquely flat pancake." SB Whispered to Scootaloo.

"Its not like he wanted to deal with family or anything." Countered Scoots.

"(Gasp) he has family here-" started Pinkie pie. " were they all mean like Oberus or did they smile really nice (gaasssp) maybe they came to visit cause he's been gone for so long!" She was bouncing a circle around the group.

"No, not other Hyenas, the Diamonds dogs are distantly related to Oberus." The group stopped dead where they stood. Fluttershy spoke after a brief pause.

"I'm sorry....but Oberus fought family to get you three and the other two out?....why?"

"That varmit' was in cahoots with them Diamond dogs probably." AJ accused.

"No! That ain't it at all!" Cried Apple Bloom. "He was really steamin' when a really weird lookin' Diamond dog talk about sellin' us to the hyenas." Rarity scoffed.

"Obviously that ruffian was only planning to harm you innocent heads with his own claws, and those awful spots, ugh!" any words of protest died as a chorus of pained howls, whimpers, and screams echoed off in the distance. They heard the pounding of hooves rushing in their direction, Vinyl and Octavia came galloping passed.

"You guys shouldn't dilly-dally!" Octavia yelled, they didn't stop.

"What about Mr. Oberus?" Questioned SB. Vinyl Slid stopping with a audible screech.

"Something tell me that screaming cause of Chomper." The group looked at one another.

Was he really taking this whole incident that badly he was picking a fight? with a pack of Diamond dogs?

"Come on Rainbow Dash he might need some help, iffin' he wants it or not." Spoke Applejack. Rainbow wanted to protest but only let out an inaudible "fine."

Zecora's Place Everfree

an hour later

*The Zebra heard a slow, angry, pounding at her door. Zecora stopped mixing a medicinal concoction, the amber colored liquid spun in a weak whirlpool.*

*"Who ever could that be, so angry to see me?" Leaving her project the zebra trotted over the inner wood of her home, loud clacks resounded within her abode. Cracking the door open she found a grim Oberus, blood soaked from head to toe, back to front. Zecora took notice of the bracelet around his wrist and the new inscription that adorned it.*

*"May I come in?" He asked his eyes were blank. Like dulled windows they muddled up the view of the inside. She put a hoof to her nose.*

*"Can you do me a favor first, wash off the blood and of course." Giving a long heavy sigh Oberus turned and walked away. Several minutes later he returned slighty tinged but other wise clean. "What may I do, to soothe what ails you?" Giving a brief and basically censured happening of the days events he gave another heavy sigh.*

*"Do you know the hyena's dominance mix?" He asked. She tapped her chin thrice.*

*"What possible good could a drug, do for one with the courtesy of a thug?" She quipped. Oberus raised a brow. "Yes I know the mix, but what purpose for an attitude fix?" For a third time he took a deep breath and sigh.*

*"Celestia was putting a new spell on this punishment band-," he waved the bracelet. "and because its incomplete the bounds of the spell weren't set, so now im being affected while I'm awake not just my sleep like it should." Zecora raised an eyebrow. "The mix is so I can distance myself emotionally, that way spell wont affect me as much."*

*"I have all the ingredients but one, I'd need to make a quick run. Why not talk with the goddess of sun, perhaps maybe these dreams could be made fun?" Oberus chortled lowly.*

*"This is simpler." He stated. The medicine maker shrugged putting her cloak on she went to the door.*

*"Lay down on your chest, I'll be back soon take a rest." With that she shut the door.laying down Oberus stared at the cursed jewelry, red scrawl glaring angrily. He glared at, but past it. An image flashed: blood, teeth, claws, hearts, intestines, lungs, and other organs littered gray cave floors, green grassy plains, and a small home the bodies of a family of ponies strewn across reddish wood planks. Then others began flooding his mind, these not his own.*

*"Shoulda ripped out her throat."*