The Refugees

The Refugees
by neorenamon

Big Macintosh was called over to the barricade when he was told there was someone wanting to negotiate with them.

"What do y'all want?" he asked firmly.

"It seems that we have reached a stalemate," came the reply, "You may have our bitches and your friends, but we can keep you holed up in there as long as we want. We know you can't just live on breast milk forever."

"So what all is yer offer?"

"I propose a duel of our finest warriors," came the reply, "one on one. No help from anydog. No rules. If your champion wins, we let you all go free. If our champion wins, you all get conditioned and sent back to your proper stations with no fuss or resistance of any kind."

"And who might you be to make such an offer?"

"Why I am Rover, the chief of the Diamond Dogs," he replied.

Several bitches whined softly, as they knew exactly what that implied.

"That don't sound like tha chief at all," said Applejack.

"If Rover is our chief now," whimpered one of the bitches, "It surely means our old chief is dead, most likely killed at the hands of Rover himself. That is the Diamond Dog way."

"That just plain ain't right!"

"Then ah'll battle yer champion fer us. I want y'all to back away from the barricade, and then I'll come out to face ya."

"What? Don't you trust us?"

"AH-NOPE!"

"Very well then. We shall pull back while your champion comes forth."

"Some of these dogs know not of the honorable way," said Jifar, "so please take care if living is the way that you wish to stay."

"Don't y'all worry yer pretty little head bout me," he replied, "It's mah fault we's here, and it's mah duty ta get us out."

A few of the miners came up to help Big Mac open the barricade, and then close it up again behind him. He cracked his knuckles as he looked around. He could see a dozen or so dog warriors creeping their way back towards him and the barricade behind him.

"So who all is the lucky dog I git ta dance with?"

"MONGREL!!" called Rover.

From the back of the line came the second largest dog warrior Big Mac had ever seen. He was about six inches taller and perhaps a good 50 pounds over and above his own weight.

"Mongrel is just little cog in big machine," he grunted.

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN!" called Rover.

Big Mac and Mongrel didn't waste any time. They went right at each other.
...

Princess Celestia and her troops managed to break into the mine entrance before the growing hailstorm could seriously injure any of them. She just hoped the Pegasi she left behind to manage the magical storm would be alright as they created a tornado safely above the clouds. Looking around at the splintered wooden barricades, she knew that Bulk Biceps and Acacia performed their task as well as she expected them to.

Down the tunnel, she could hear the sounds of her troops beating back the dog warrior defenders.

"The entrance is secure, Princess," said Flash Sentry as he ran up to her.

"And is everyone safe?"

"Minor injuries. Nothing to worry about."

"That's such a relief."

Then a young dog make and a naked young dog bitch were dragged before her and dropped to the stone floor.

"What's all this then?"

"The spell casters controlling the storm outside," replied a random guard.

Kneeling down to touch her control collar, she observed, "I didn't think the Diamond Dogs trusted their females with magical powers."

"Please don't hurt us," whimpered the male, "We're just the Shaman's apprentices." He glanced at the bitch as he added, "Sometimes, magical aptitude is just too strong to ignore. She's better at magic than me, but she has no free will of her own. If I could, I'd take her far away from here where we both could live free. I want to be her mate and live with her for the rest of my life."

"So your hailstorm spell is done?"

He nodded. "It should fade away in but a moment."

"Good. Perhaps I can help you two out once all this mess is over."

He smiles as he looked at his mate, and she smiled back.

"Shouldn't you take that collar off her?" asked Luna.

The dog shook his head no as Celestia explained, "It's not that simple, little sister. This collar is locked in place with a powerful spell. One that takes much time, effort, and magic to undo even by the one who put it on her in the first place. When all of this is done, then I can take the time and effort to remove this collar safely."

"This may sound like an odd request," he said, "but I would feel safer if our hands were tied and we were muzzled until all of this is over. You should probably keep us on leashes as well."

Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"We are slaves to the Shaman," he explained, "and he could use either of us against you at any time." He said the last part as he looked right at the bitch's control collar. "He doesn't even have to see us directly to exert control."

"I understand you," she replied as she looked to her guards around her, "Bind them as he requested, but don't make it tight enough to cut off circulation to their hands."

"As you command!" replied Flash, and the two dogs were muzzled with rope and had their hands tied behind their backs.

"They both seem so honorable," said Luna as she looked at the two.

"I promise you both here and now," said Celestia as she looked at the two dogs, "that I shall find you both a new home somewhere in Equestria where you will live as free as you choose to." She attached leashes about their necks and handed the ends to Luna.

"This is for us?" asked Luna.

"Until this matter is settles, I trust you most to keep them safe and out of the way, little sister," she replied.

"We shall surely do our best, big sister."
...

Rarity led her small troop through the tunnel without direction as they searched for their missing Rainbow Dash. The way was illuminated by the soft glow from the unicorn tailer's horn.

"Does anypony even have a clue about where we're going?" asked Spike.

"We're just winging it," replied Rarity.

"Oh no, I'm positive we're on the right path," said Pinkie cheerfully.

"How can you..."

"Pinkie-sense," answered Spike.

"Oh... right..."

"I fear my heart if full of dread," said Bakabaka softly, "I hear chanting sounds ahead. From this noise that I can tell, I think somepony casts a spell."

"Then we must approach with extreme caution. I'm talking to you, Pin... NUTS! Where did she go?!"

"HEY DASHIE!" called Pinkie from ahead.

They rushed in to see quite a sight. There was the dog shaman with a stunned look as he stared at Pinkie, and there was Rainbow Dash. She was laying naked in the sand on the floor except for a thick studded collar about her neck. Her hooves were now paws, and her face was more canine that pony. But she was still blue, had feathered wings, and her flanks still bore her cutie mark.

"YA SCHMENDRICK!! YA GONE AND DONE MESSED UP MY SPELL!! IT AIN'T RIGHT THAT YOU SHOULD SNEAK UP ON OLD DOGS AN SCREAM AT THEM LIKE THAT!!" screamed the Shaman.

"DASH DAHLING!" yelled Rarity dramatically, "THIS IS THE WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!" Her horn glowed as her fainting couch slid up behind her, and she fell face down onto it.

Everyone stopped to stare at her.

"Too much?" she asked as she looked around.

They all nodded.