“You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.” -Robin Williams

Three days had passed since the fall of Hoovetown. Karl had already explained to the pack leaders why he had made the decision to attack earlier. Needless to say, the talks went without a hitch. The dogs had already transformed the little town into their new home. Ponies from the town were enlisted (although in a few cases, “accosted and impressed” may have been a better term) to help transport the dogs’ gems from their caves.

Karl had also requested (i.e. forced) them to help with the upgrading of town defenses and the construction of some artillery.

However, this was not without a minor crisis of conscience. The more Karl thought about it, the more he realised the ponies were being treated as slaves. He assuaged his agitated moral compass with the mental insistence that this forced labour would only be temporary and that in the end, the ponies too would benefit from having better defenses and weapons.

He shook these distracting thoughts from his head. As always these days, more pressing matters were at hand: the delegacy, transport or whatever they called it that the Diamond Dog government used for the collection of debts would be arriving soon. What with the recent events, it was not unlikely that an attempt might be made to capture the caravan.

Rover alerted him this morning that a messenger had arrived and told them that a transport would arrive in three days. He also said that, going by word of mouth, one of the High Alphas had sent his daughter along with it and she was reputed to be… quite the sight. (Karl didn’t know about this last statement, but he figured he would trust Diamond Dog aesthetic standards.)

While this last bit was more of a rumour than actual fact, Rover seemed to be quite convinced of its truth: Dogs normally didn’t wear anything beyond their vests, nor did they care much for clothing, seeing as their fur covered them quite well enough. Thus it was rather noteworthy when, upon hearing of the impending arrival of the transport, Rover quickly placed several urgent orders to some tailors for himself, Fido, Spot and even Karl.

Although he didn’t care very much, Karl was aware that his pants looked absolutely horrid. His jeans had actually been long on him before his change, but now they barely came to his knees. They were also filled with various holes and cuts, although luckily these were only inflicted upon the legs instead of other, more embarrassing areas.

Initially, Karl, while not terribly enthused about getting new clothes, did not object to the idea. Now, however, he was beginning to regret his decision, as the damn pony that was taking his measurements was so nervous that she kept pricking him with the needles she was using to make adjustments.

After several annoying minutes, she finally stopped and allowed him to leave so she and her colleagues could work on the outfits. Rover was waiting outside.

“Well, well. I see you enjoyed your visit to the tailor.” he said with a smirk.

“Your jesting is not appreciated.” Karl mumbled under his breath, causing Rover to chuckle.

“Why do you guys need clothes anyway? You don’t exactly get dressed up on a regular basis.” Karl asked, curious for the answer.

“Normally we don’t wear clothes besides our vests and armour, but just like in pony society the higher ranking dogs do wear some more clothing, mostly for special occasions.” Rover explained. “And if the Alpha’s daughter is going to be here, I would say that’s an occasion.”

“Interesting. And while we’re on the subject, can you tell me a bit more about the daughter of Alpha What’s-His-Name?”

“High Alpha Tenlon…” Rover corrected, “… is one of the eight High Alphas and the Minister of Finance for the Diamond Dog Confederacy. His daughter, Kalia, is his only child.”

“I see. So if I am going to meet her what should I expect?”

“Well, she is elected as the 16th most beautiful female dog in the confederacy.”

“That’s, uh… interesting...”

Karl wasn’t really looking for that kind of information. He also wasn’t sure how prestigious 16th place actually was, but he decided against divulging his apprehensions.

“Would you also happen to know what kind of personality she has?” he asked, hoping that a more specific question would elicit a more informative response.

“How am I supposed to know? I never met her personally, although I did hear that she is quite kind and smart.”

Karl groaned internally, as the information Rover gave him was not useful in the slightest. He was looking for something of a bit more import. Was she quick to anger? Was she impulsive? Was she shy? Things that would be important to know to ensure a smooth first meet and amiable future diplomatic relations.

“So what’s on the agenda for today?” Karl asked, curious as to what Rover had planned for them.

“Not much Fido and Spot are taking care of the gem transport.”

Karl sighed almost inaudibly (Rover seemed to be a fount of unwanted and useless information today), but it had been heard by the dog, who started grinning before adding. “That means that we are left with all the… fun stuff in town.”, putting an ominous emphasis on “fun stuff”.

To say Rover had managed to pique Karl’s interest would have been an understatement. Karl knew that if Rover said something like “fun stuff” in such a tone, then it almost certainly indicated that something truly enjoyable was about to occur.

After locating a folded parchment, Rover led Karl through the town, straight into what he recognized as the guard station. The two descended into the cell block where Karl saw the cells being occupied by some nobles, each of whom had some kind of device strapped to their horn. The deposed aristocrats were furiously bickering with each other and complaining to the guards, but instantly abridged their disputes upon the arrival of Rover and Karl, irked by the Diamond Dog and absolutely terrified of the Outsider.

“Say, what are those things attached to their horns?” inquired Karl.

“Those are my brainchild.” replied Rover. “There’s a certain mineral we have in our mines. When it’s just lying around it doesn’t do much, but we’ve found that if you get it close enough to a magical source, it actually absorbs and nullifies any magical energy. We put some in those devices and affixed them to the unicorn horns with a nearly insoluble resin. So in short, no more pesky attempts to levitate the guards’ keys!”

“Handy.” replied Karl curtly, although he was rather impressed with Rover’s creations.

“Hey, how’d you guys figure that thing out about those rocks anyway?”

“It was a few years ago, actually. Let’s just say it involved an uppity unicorn foal and some miners with a refuse cart full of the stuff. We just never had the capacity to use it in an effective way until now.”

Rover was cut off by a guard dog approaching the two, saying “Sirs, it’s a pleasure to meet you two. May I ask what business you have down here?”

“We have come to bring these ponies before the judgment of the pack.” Rover replied, electing another wave of muffled whimpers and disconcerted cries from the captive nobles.

A devilish grin crept across the face of the guard as he heard the news. Karl couldn’t blame him for it: the poor dog had probably been forced to put up with the nobles and their pathetic complaints for hours. At least he looked like he had been here for hours, if the guard’s features were anything to go by.

Rover noticed this as well, asking “How long have you been down here guard?”

“Half an hour sir, but it feels like hours.” the guard said, surprising Karl, although Rover not so much.

“Very well guard. I suggest you take a little break to get yourself back together.” Rover told the guard, who literally sprinted away after thanking his superior profusely.

“Alright now. Who’s first on our list?” Karl asked, eager to begin the judicial process.

Rover unfolded his paper and scanned the list of names. “Which one of you is Topaz Crown?”

A pony with blue fur and a blonde mane hesitantly raised his hoof.

“Alright guards, send him this way.”

“Oh please, no! I swear I will never trouble you dogs again! I promise!!!” The noble cried hysterically, trying to break out of the iron grip of the guard dog that forcefully dragged him out of the cell. It was extremely amusing to watch how the noble tried to break free.

The dog almost threw the noble in front of the duo. The noblecolt immediately started quivering on the floor, breaking down into a pathetic mass of whimpering flesh whilst reciting what Karl guessed where prayers to whatever god or goddess he worshipped.

“Jeez. This guy’d better not piss himself.” Karl whispered to Rover who nodded in agreement.

“I hate it when they do that. Ponies make quite a big mess.” He whispered back.

Karl nodded (and paused to consider the implications of Rover’s statement) before turning his attention back to the snivelling aristocrat.

“What are his crimes against the pack?” Karl did not address anyone in particular, but another guard handed him a list with crimes and general information correlated to the names of the accused.

“Let’s see what you have been up to.”
The pony started pleading inwardly.
“Well, well, well. It seems like we got ourselves a busy little fella over here! I mean look at this: rallying the populace against Diamond dogs; publicly making racist comments against Diamond dogs; voting in favour of the recent military attack against the Diamond dogs; and falsely accusing Diamond dogs of various crimes including theft, property damage and assault.”

By now the noble was shivering from fear as the guards in the room would growl louder and louder at him each time Karl named something new.

Karl decided to omit the last two items on the list, fearing that the guards might string him up right then and there. Not that he really cared should that happen, but he felt the need to go through the due process. Besides, he had already thought of some more… creative ways to deal with the noble and the rest of his kind. Reminiscing on these brought a thin, unpleasant smile to his face.

Rover broke him out of his daydreaming, asking, “Do you have some creative punishments in mind or should we resolve to those of the pack?”

Karl turned to Rover, giving a look that asked “How did you know?” before saying. “Why, as a matter of fact, I do have some rather entertaining castigations planned. After all, perhaps we should show some mercy on these poor souls.”

Karl said it in a tone that did not predict much good, but the noble did not seem to notice it, as he instantly got an expression of relief on his face. Karl noticed this immediately.

He laughed inwardly as he doubted the noble would keep that happy face after he told him what the punishment would be. “Is there anyone who wants to assist in giving out the punishment, or would you prefer to be judged by the pack?”

It was quite amusing for Karl to see how fast the nobles accepted his offer. Those poor fools didn’t have a clue as to what Karl’s creative mind could come up with.

****

“You know Karl, I must admit that I really like your ideas.” Rover said happily as both he and Karl were relaxing on chair with a cooled drink in their claw or paw.

“Hehe, I don’t think everybody would agree on that.” Karl said as he smirked at the nobles who had gotten the honour of entertaining the Diamond Dog pups. Boy, those little buggers had a lot of energy.

“Now remember son; aim for the head.” a diamond dog said as he gave his son a pat on the shoulder.

With the same smirk on his face, Karl turned again to Rover.

“You know, if there’s one thing my race has learnt in its long history of doling out retribution, it’s that nothing quite measures up to public humiliation.”

The little pup nodded happily as he took a pie from a nearby table and made his way over to the throwing area. Once he arrived, he started aiming at a noblecolt who had been dressed up to look like a clown (much like the one Mayor Mare was dressed in for Nightmare Night). The noble was also firmly attached to the stage by chains so he would not attempt to dodge throws from participants.

“Please, don’t do it.” The noble pleaded, only causing Karl and the adult dogs to smile even wider as right behind the noble stood a big sign saying. “Aim for the head!”

The pup was obviously a good shot, as he hit the noble dead in the face. The pup howled happily upon seeing that he had scored a direct hit, and his parents clapped their paws in applause for their son’s achievement.

Karl was certainly proud of himself for coming up with such a punishment. He had figured that since public executions or imprisonments could potentially make these nobles into martyrs, alternative methods were required. So instead of mutilating the nobles he opted for humiliation, and what was more embarrassing for nobles than to serve as entertainment for young pups or foals? Yes, Karl had allowed for the ponies to also join in this wondrous occasion as a way to form a bond with them, discouraging a revolt and making his own position seem more agreeable to the recently conquered, a tactic the pony leaders would have been wise to embrace. Also, he had figured out that some ponies probably wanted their fair share of humiliating some stuck-up aristocrats.

Turns out he was right. The little, uh…. Fair he guessed it was, earned the approval of both dogs and ponies (minus the nobles who served as entertainers).

And so a relaxing and fun day was made for almost everybody. Karl did wonder how the nobles would react to the 200 hours of forced labour he would later assign them.

What? You didn’t truly expect Karl to have only given them a day of humiliations, after they sent an entire garrison of the Equestrian army after him and the dogs. Besides, the hard work might do these soft, lazy rich folks some good.

However, Karl still felt like he had forgotten some kind of detail concerning the ponies of Hoovetown, but what?

****
Meanwhile in the dungeons of the old Diamond Dog den, two dogs stood guarding a big cell. The prisoners within began to make some inquiries of the guards.

“Hey, you guys did say you won right?”

“And that you took over Hoovetown?”

“And that you have committed a peaceful takeover?”

“And that nopony was to become a slave?”

“Yes, yes, yes and yes. Now could you shut up?” one of the dogs barked annoyed.

“Then how come we are still prisoners?” asked one of the pony guards that Karl had captured.
“How are we supposed to know? Do you think somebody tells us about everything involving captives? No! They just say ‘Guard ‘em’ and that’s it. So be quiet!” the second dog replied, earning a deep sigh from all of the captive ponies, who sat brooding on their discontent.

****

It was the day that the transport would arrive to collect the pack’s debts and Karl had finally figured out what he had forgotten: the captive guards had been transferred from the old den to the town, but so far had not been released from imprisonment even though he had told them that they would not face prolonged punishment.

Karl had just put on his suit (it had arrived near the end of the previous day) in preparation for the transport’s arrival and was just talking a bit with one of the maids. Ever since Karl had put on his new clothes, Rover had insisted that he stay inside to ensure nothing bad would happen to them, however seeing as no one exactly knew when the transport would arrive, it turned out to be a very long, boring wait.

So Karl, bored to death and forced to stay inside, had done what everyone else in his position would have done. He had searched for the most adorable pony that he could find within the town house and had taken her with him to the office to have a chat.

This particular maid turned out to be the sister of the boyfriend of Quick Service, and she went by the name of Sun Flight (although Karl had dubbed her Sunny). Sunny was a yellow coated pegasus with a fiery orange mane and as a brand (Karl refused to use that absolutely idiotic term “cutie mark”) she possessed a sun with a pair of wings.

The ponies however, didn’t take kindly to this re-phrasing.

“Okay I’ve got one! How about ‘talent mark’?”

Sunny just shook her head as a sign that she didn’t like it, earning another frown from Karl. Karl had, for the last eight minutes, done nothing else but give suggestions for possible alternatives.

“Argh I give up!” He exclaimed, throwing his claws in the air, earning a small giggle from Sunny.

“Don’t you think for a second that I will give up finding alternatives, but I believe a small break is necessary.” Karl stated.

Sunny jumped out of her chair and walked over to him. She jumped on the couch and laid down next to Karl, allowing him to rub behind her ears. Karl had found out that ponies truly loved getting ear rubs and much to his surprise he found himself enjoying giving them, so it really was a win-win.

“So Sunny, what’s your job around here?”

“Well, I used to be the assistant of the former mayor. Right now I just work as a maid around here. Cleaning, organizing, that sort of thing.”

“Used to be?” Karl questioned.
“Yeah, I once called a noble… what was it… Oh yes, an insufferable prick, and, well, you already know the nobles got quite a lot of power here because of their money, so they put so much pressure on the mayor that he had to fire me after a while.” Sunny explained, obviously saddening as she remembered the event.

“You liked your job as assistant?”

“Yeah. Beats being a maid any day.”

Karl got a big grin on his face, saying “You know I need an assistant. You think you’re up for job?”

“Eh? What…why me?” Sunny stuttered, surprised by the sudden offer and not sure which kind of jobs he would give her. With the mayor she could more or less predict what her next assignment would be, with the Outsider not so much.

“You won’t have to worry about the tasks. Nothing you can’t learn on the job. You can start immediately with your first assignment: greeting the Diamond Dog delegacy… speak of the devil.”

Karl spotted the Diamond Dog caravan enter the town almost as soon as he finished speaking.

“Let’s go Sunny: time to meet the bigwigs.”

He heard Sunny say a few things, but he didn’t really listen. He just picked her up and brought her along.

Meanwhile, Sunny was trying to comprehend what had just happened. She had just become the infamous Outsider’s assistant! Oh boy, would her brother give her a lecture when he heard about this. Probably something about why she was not supposed to become the assistant of a big, scary and most likely insane creature.

Rover, Fido and Spot could only watch with their mouths open as they saw their new friend coming towards them with a… pony over his shoulders?

“Uh… this might sound like a stupid question, but why do you have a pony with you?” Spot asked, unsure of what to make of the situation.

Karl came to a stop a few feet before the dogs and put Sun Flight back down right in front of the three dogs who stared at her in confusion. Needless to say she did not feel very comfortable.

“Hello, boys. Meet my new assistant Sunny. Sunny, meet Rover, Fido and Spot” Karl said proudly, making Sun Flight blush as he used her nickname in front of the new rulers of Hoovetown.

“Hm… So why didn’t I know that you were in need of an assistant? Actually why didn’t I see anyone enter that doesn’t already have a job?” Fido asked.

“Well, it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. You know?”

“So you just picked a random pony didn’t you?” Rover stated bluntly.

“Well, if you put it that way it makes me look like I was desperate to have one. No, I chose my assistant using particular rules.”

“And what, pray tell, may these rules be?” Spot asked.

“He/She needed to have experience in being an assistant and he/she needed to be cute and Sunny is cute isn’t she? Isn’t she?” Karl cooed as he gave Sunny an ear rub making her smile in joy whilst the three dogs face palmed.

“Ugh, whatever. So now you’ve got your assistant. Can we please greet the delegacy?” Fido asked.

“Yes, yes… Where are they?” Karl asked whilst waving his left claw dismissively.

“Right over there.” Rover said as he pointed to where the delegacy was.

The transport had just arrived on the town square and Karl saw that the dogs looked differently than those he had met so far. There were Diamond Dogs that resembled Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Huskies and wolves mixed in with dogs that looked more like the ones he had already seen.

However, he did notice that many dogs wore a beaten expression on their faces as well as showing signs of fatigue combined with some wounds. Karl guessed they had been involved in a battle. The others also noticed it. The leader of the transport walked up to them and all the dogs saluted each other.

“Greetings Alpha Rover, we have come to collect your pack’s dues to the high Alpha council. Allow me to congratulate you on your pack’s victory over the ponies, although I hope for your sake that it hasn’t stood in the way of gathering the required amount of gems. ” The lead dog said.

“Thank you captain Malgo! I am happy to tell you we can pay back our debts without delay, but if I may say, your men look rather beat-up and I don’t see High Alpha Tenlon’s daughter with you. Didn’t she come with you?”

At the mention of Kalia, Karl saw Malgo frown slightly. “Some pony officials came around looking for her and got arrested on some trumped-up criminal charges. I know for a fact that she could not have committed the crime of which she was accused, and we attempted to keep her hidden, but someone managed to kidnap her and sell her to the authorities. She’s currently being held at a high security prison near Ironhoof.”

Karl had no idea what Ironhoof was, but he knew the words “high security prison”, and where he came from, they meant nothing good.

“My troops got a bit beaten up in some skirmishes against the ponies, but we couldn’t stay behind for her. We have gems to collect.” Malgo explained.

“Quite unfortunate. Is she just being left behind?” Karl asked.

Malgo turned his attention to Karl, (somehow) seeming to notice him for the first time. He first appeared shocked, but his visage quickly simmered down into a sort of poorly-disguised disgust.

“Well, you must be the fabled Outsider. I hear that you were instrumental in the capture of this town, but don’t let it go to your head. I’ll have you know that the situation as it stands is rather out of our control! Storming a small town like this is manageable, but Ironhoof is a big city with a big military camp in the vicinity, not to mention that the prison is a fortress on its own.”

“Jeez dude, cool off!” Karl interrupted the Diamond Dog’s rant, earning him some growling from said dog. “It’s not like I told you to storm the place!”

“Well, how else would you break someone out of a maximum security prison than from the outside?”

Karl raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I get that. But who said you had to launch a full-on assault? You can just sneak in and out so that they don’t even notice!”

“Yeah; there’s your problem! The exit! If the other prisoners can’t get out, what makes you think you can?” Malgo retorted, annoyed at what he found to be a waste of time.

“I have already informed her father of this unfortunate turn of events, so he can start the negotiations about the terms of her release.”

Karl opened his mouth to say something, but was instantly silenced by Malgo.

“Look, I get it: you think you’re some kind of big-shot because you conquered a few bumpkins, but you’re in over your head here. How about you stick to your business and let us deal with ours, alright? I can see you’ve got a good thing going here. Don’t make me ruin it.”

Karl was certain that he could take the Diamond Dog in a fight, but had no interest in catapulting himself out of the dogs’ good graces. He reluctantly took a few steps back in concession.

“Looks like you’re not as dumb as you look.” Malgo said before turning around and walking away from the group.

Karl’s eyes were narrowed onto the dog. If looks could kill, then Malgo would have already died a dozen times.

Sun Flight was still sitting down, glad that she had not been introduced.

Rover sighed.

“Aw, crap. This isn’t over, is it?”

“Hm?” mumbled Karl, trying to appear uninterested.

“Oh, don’t you bullshit me. You’ve got that look on your face that just screams ‘I’m not through with you yet’. What’s the big deal anyway? He’s always been a prick like that, but he’s going to leave soon to rescind our debts, and Kalia’s going to be out of prison in no time if the negotiations go well.”

“I don’t trust him.” Karl replied after a long pause.

“What do you mean?” Fido asked.

“Call it a gut feeling, but I don’t think he told us the entire truth.”

“Are you sure you aren’t just pissed at him?” Spot suggested.

“Think about it: one of his countrymen, or… countrywomen, a very high-profile individual, was supposed to be traveling with him, but she got kidnapped and sent to prison by some shills in some sort of inside job. This is pretty big news, yet he didn’t even bring it up upon arrival: he had to be asked about it. And even when it was out in the open, he seemed way too concerned about stifling rescue plans. I might be overthinking this, but something underhanded is going down and I think Malgo knows more about it than he’s letting on.”

“You’re not actually planning to go to Ironhoof are you?” Rover asked worriedly. “Even if he is involved in something screwy, he does have a point. There’s no way you can get in and out of that prison… and on top of that, they’ve probably got an arrest warrant out on you.”

“Good: that means less work to get in. I’ll work out the details later.”

“Are you serious?” Rover asked, beginning to get distraught. “I never knew you cared so much about proving a guy wrong that you would intentionally get yourself arrested!”

“I’m not doing this for revenge. Kalia is an important person within your society… and if I save her perhaps she will do something nice for me in return.” Karl stated.

Rover smirked and shook his head.

“You’re one crazy, conniving bastard, you know that? Look, you can do what you want, but I suggest you not go alone.”

“I wasn’t planning to. I already have the perfect team in mind.” Karl said whilst looking at Sun Flight with an expression that made her uncomfortable. “Tell me Sunny; have you ever participated in a prison break?”

Author's Note

Well, I am sure of it that working for the Outsider will not be a boring job for Sunny.

Well, I got an announcement to make. The end of the school year is closing in!!! I got one week of exams left, however next weekend I am going to go on a small trip with some of my buddies to celebrate the end of the year.

This of course means that in order for you guys to have a chapter next weekend, I have to find time to write and my editor to edit. I will try to the best of my abilities to make time to write, but I can't promise I have that time and I dont know if my edior has time to edit. Just to notify you guys from this development.

Also please let me know whether or not you liked Karl's creative punishment for the nobles?

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and if you did please leave some support behind both for me and my editor:
-Editor: Vlasislas32
-Author: TheShadowOfZama