The Scholary Bard that is Gnoll

Ch 2: Oh well, I have to work with what I got.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

As I hit the earth with my pickaxe, my mouth gives out a sigh, a sweat come down my brow, as temporary stop, and wipe the sweat off my fur forehead. When I pick up my slack from the sound of whip, my eyes notice a gem sticking out, my right paw grab it, and place it in the bucket. You know it's quite simple really, despite being a hard job, you just dig until you find a shiny rock, place it in the bucket, and keep doing it. It is so easy, even a idiot can do it. Well, more like even the average Gnoll can do it.

However it can only last as long as the idiot keep his attention at it. Never-minding the long lasting hours you have to keep digging, and working. I've been in this place for about a good two weeks, or at least I think so. It's sorta hard to tell how long I been here, considering my nails aren't useful to scratch at the cage for me to know how long I've been here. But thankfully, they give us food for a day, so at least that shows how long I been here, sure it's only old bread, and dirty water, but at least I'm not drinking my piss, I take dirty water any day than my own piss.

Still, I somehow manage to know some of my fellow 'workers' here, sure it's a small number, but hey at least it's better than knowing no one. But I wonder why they like talking to the likes of me, probably of what happen over the two weeks. Still, even after all of this I still haven’t seen my eyes yet! I know I can just ask one of the guys, but I want to make sure I don't come off suspicious, and asking about my eyes is pretty damn suspicious. Honestly, it's unbelievable that with all these gems around me they don’t work well as mirrors!

And lets not forget that most of them are too small, and there isn't enough light in this Grey forsaken place for me to use them! Getting off topic here, I manage to talk a few as you heard me before. It's actually a good idea to think about how I met them all, what else am I suppose to do to think beside working?

***

Flashback: two weeks earlier

So when I first start 'working', I'm given a pickaxe, throw straight here with the other workers, and they basically say to me 'dig male, or feel our lash'. Although my wrist and jaw are still tie up, probably don't trust me since I'm smarter than the average Gnoll. A sigh escape from my mouth as I start my work. At least I don't have that damn muzzle on me anymore, so I guess I should be grateful for small blessings. I've been pick for a good five minutes till my eyes glance at a gem, it's stuck inside the earth as my bound paws pick the earth off of it. My ears don't hear any type of talking, probably because no one wants a whip lash on their backs, or worse the bitches might assume someone is slacking they would get punished.

You know the bitches may say we're 'workers' for a 'good cause', but I don’t care what they say in this cave system, but I know for a fact if you have something, or someone against their will its call slavery. And since I'm the newest 'worker', that means I’m a slave, ugh. What I wish for a good old beat down right now. Unfortunately for me it happen, just not the way I expect it.

There's a whistle sound ranging  through the caverns, my eyes glance as I notice the others are  dropping their picks or shovels. Which means it's break time, so I follow the crowd as we move through the caves, the walls are widening as we keep moving.  We exit out to a large area where all the other 'workers' are at, and from what I can tell food is being serve. The only good thing about this place is that there is enough light for me to see everyone else. However before I can move on ahead, an arm pop before me, I turn my gaze to a Gnoll male. He's a foot taller than me,  usual brown fur, yellow eyes, and a look saying 'Oh good. Fresh meat.'

He outfit is the same as mine, loose shorts that are grimy, not to mention he look like someone with superiority issues, or a bully. And judging the way he look at me, and the three member posse behind him, I'm probably going to get a beating. Unless I'm really quick on my feet, and mind. Sadly though my snout is still in a bind.

That quickly change when the arm goes down, and the head honcho of stupidity, order his lackey to undo the ropes on my muzzle. I move my head, smack my lips, and soon speak.

“I take it you are the boss of this place right?” He arch an eyebrow, and grin. Yep, definitely someone who think with their balls, and not with their head.

“Look like we got a smart one here, eh boys?” he say in a stereotype bully voice,  as he monition his band to laugh along with him, making them thinking they are better than anyone else. ”So here is what going to happen, when they give you food you will give us our portion of it. And in return we won’t have to, we'll be force to do something drastic.” he tell me.

Oh yeah, trying to make me a weak thing by intimidating, and threatening me. I know I'm a foot smaller than you, but that doesn't mean I'm weak, and it's time to show this one quite soon. Judging from what I can see, only ones who back up this fool are his lackey. My eyes glance to some other Gnolls who look away, even some ponies, and griffons. Which means that not only will I show that there's a new guy around, but that the others here in this large cavern might become potential allies.

I may be able to kill two xenomorphs with one grenade. But I may have my work cut out for me, they might not be so easily impress. *sigh* ah well.

I merely move away and pretend to think about it, while in reality, I'm trying to figure out how to deal with them, and at the same time making sure I come out alive. “Well judging on how you three are his fellow lackeys, means that you are just mindless idiots. But the sadder thing is that your boss thinks he smart, and try to get what he wants by bullying, and making threats. On one paw I could do it, or in another I could do something different.” I reply as a few of the other slaves are snicking, he growl as he comes up snout to snout, and letting his ears lay flat. I notice that others are actually paying attention what is happening between us, good, means that they have something to talk about.

“What are you going to do, weakling?” he say to me in a dominating tone, my expression to him is a simple smirk. The plan follow through as he realize he doesn't noticing my claws are by his ‘pride’.

“This.” I then grab, and squeeze the life out of them.

His eyes goes small, and he cries out like all of fans of a Avatar Airbender saw the worst adaptation that enter upon the universe. My head moves back, as I use gravity to do it's job as my skull headbutts to his, my paws let go of his balls as my body moves toward his, my paws grab his neck, turn his back to my chest, put him in a choke hold with my wrist ropes. I'm just thankful I can use this as an advantage.

“Back off or your boss will go with his ancestors.” I snarl at the three, they know I'm not joking as they hold their place.

My mouth moves by his ear, as my voice give out a menace and dark tone in a whisper. “This is what is going to happen. You are going to do your job like everyone else, going to take orders like everyone else. And above all stop acting like a self-righteous prick. Because you are trash. So if you tried this stunt again on me or on anyone else here or wherever you go, and if I hear about it. I will find you. I will hunt you. And I will do something something.”

He starts to shake as I hear him piss himself, ugh, I may need to wipe my paw off of something later on. Don't know why he's so afraid, either it's the way I'm speaking, the pain of his balls, or he may never had a actual challange before. Either way I'm making a point.

“And trust me when I say this. When I do something something those who feel the effects of it are not coming out with all their parts, physical and mental. Are we clear?” I ask to him, he nod his head with such speed, that he might go  overdrive. Good. I let him go, and he falls down on the ground. He moves away from me while he's on four, including his tail is between his legs. I crack my neck for good measures, I turn to the others that saw our display.

The reactions are different for each race, the ponies are out right afraid of me, considering that they're a prey group, I'm not surprise. Some of  the griffons are impress, and only because someone finally show the idiot his place, the dragon, wait they manage to capture a dragon? Gonna find out how later, but he may not be able to speak with that muzzle on him, but he is expressionless, and the same goes to the changelings. My snout give a snort as a bag of food drop by my paws, my eyes look up to see a stone balcony with heavy armor Gnolls, and strange crossbows, it doesn't take me long to realize that whatever those crossbows are, they'll kill us quickly. My body lean down as my paws grab the bag, and walk away from them all.

Deciding it's best for now to isolate myself from them, my tush sit down by a wall, and my paws open the bag. It's fill with a piece of bread, and a water container. As I grab the two in each paw, I make a small prayer, in slight hope that I can talk to the one who brought me here.

“Grey I hope your listing, because if you are then get me out of this mess so I can beat the living shit out of you.” I whisper.

I finish as my teeth bit gently on the bread, and it's not bad, a little hard, but better than moldy bread. As my jaw chew, my eyes scan the entire area to know how far I am from them, and how big this place is. If I guess, then we're about fifteen feet from each other, and that's counting them as one group, each group are spread apart. The Gnolls are to the west wall, the ponies to the south east, the dragon is to the north, the griffons to the east, the changelings to the north east, and me to the south. The size of this place is big, considering that each group is only apart by ten feet, not to mention how high the ceiling is. Not only is this place has one entrance, but it has no exit, if we try to fight back, we be easy pickings for the females. This is the largest cell, I ever been in, can’t say how, considering that I’m not a math genius.

I eat my food in silence. Hmm, if I can stretch my food I can make it last probably a week or two, depending on good this thing still is. I wonder if they do handle out old food a day? Might be a week of food, but then again they need to make sure we aren't slacking. my mind thinks, however what not only bring me out of my thinking, but surprise me as well, is when my ears hear hooves coming near me. My eyes turn to see who has the courage to actually come to me.

And it's a changeling. I'll be honest I only glance at them, so right now I'm getting a good view of this one before me. This changeling look like all other changelings, black chitin armor, green-blue eyes, including that blue thing on it's back, and with holes on it's hooves. However there seem to be an air of uncertainty around this one. Don't know if it's hesitant because I'm a Gnoll, or perhaps of my show earlier. Honestly the only reason I know it's hesitant, is because the eyes are moving back, and forth.

My eyes move to the size, it seem small, it can be smaller than the average changeling, or perhaps it's a female, only way to know is when the changeling speaks. My eyes soon move to her own, with one of my eyebrow going in a arch. The changeling, who I believe must be a she, since there is no way a guy can be that small, and lean.

“So, any reason your here to meet me?” I ask to her to break the ice of awkwardness.

She look at me with surprise, or at least I think it comes off as surprise, hard to say considering I can't read face expression, especially one of another species. She thinks for a moment, move by me, and soon sits down as she look straight at me.

“I never seen anyone done what you did before.” say the now confirm female changeling, I arch my eyebrow again, and reply to her.

“Well probably because no one was crazy enough to do it.”

She gives off a small laugh to that comment, which reminds me, it's odd to hear a changeling laugh, it's like an echo appear from that laugh.

“The names Firny. Me, and the other changelings been here for at least three months. You?” she introduce herself, I'm about to reply until my muzzle shut tight, and my mind thinks for a moment. Since I’m in a new body, and a new world doesn't that mean I need a new name?

Ah screw it.

“The name is Ardelio, Ardelio Vates.” She just look at me with confusion, and my muzzle give a small sigh. “It means Meddler Bard. In another language, my teacher thought it would be good to have an exotic name.” She gives an ‘ah’, however my mind ponders.

Okay going to have to make a story on how I met my 'teacher', maybe try to use that BS story, but add what my teacher was, and how a language that probably doesn't exist now, can just suddenly show up out of the blue. Honestly I may be a bit piss at Grey, but at least I'm thankful I learn a few Latin from him. Just have to remember to punch him in the face. Many times. But my mind can't think anymore, as my attention is now turn to the female changeling as she speaks again.

“Nice to meet you, so how did they capture you?” My muzzle give a smile, as I woven my tale of my 'life', just like I done so with the Clan leader.

Flashback ends

***

And since that encounter, things have been going good, not to mention some of them are coming to what is know to be call 'The Gnoll Crew', which is odd, I admit, but hey it's not that bad. In fact I learn a bit about her ever since she been at my side at day one. Apparently she, and her fellow changelings are consider 'Gypsie' after this invasion that became a failure. I don't want to step on something personal, considering she has a pain look whenever she even mention the word invasion. And she even tell me, don't know why, but I'm not picky on information, that the only reason they all manage to survive in this place, is because they made a 'deal' with the griffons, and ponies.

Why did that word invasion, and her shivering remind me of something? I don't know what, but it's on the tip of my tongue!

Anyway, I know changelings eat emotions, but even I know that they aren't comfortable rutting with species that have a dislike to them, only reason they agree to a deal is because they want to imagine being with their love ones. And from what I hear, the changelings also shape-shift to be able to digest the food, and not be involve with the rutting. Most of the time.

The entire group of changelings want to do nothing with me, and I'm content with that, if it’s their choice to not come near me, then so be it. Yet Firny is the only one that decides to come to me, each day around our one meal. I'm probably glad that she decide to be around me, but I worry that because of me, there is tension with her, and her fellow changelings. Their 'disagreements' however, aren't that quiet as they argue in the 'Hall' as I dub it, better than calling it 'the large room where we all eat our old bread'.

Even though they may be arguing in a different language, I have a pretty good feeling that it's me they're talking about, one time they argue so bad, that when Firny march to my side, I can not only see them glaring at me, but sense their anger at me. I honestly have no idea why they don't want her associating with me, earlier I ask her what happen, but she just reply in a anger tone.

"Trust me, you don't want to know."

I'm not stupid, I know I'm consider a 'danger' to them, since they're a cautious lot, and I can't blame them. But just because I can respect their decision of watching out for their own, doesn't mean it hurts my feelings a little bit to me with their distrust. Oh, and that reminds me, turns out female changelings who aren't Queens are call nymphs, and the guys are call drones I think? I try to paying attention to Firny when we work, but it's a bit hard to do when the bitches keep using their damn whips on my backs.

However while doing my monologue, and concentrating on my digging, I fail to notice a 'member' of my group. I don't know how he does it, he just sneaks up behind me without me knowing it, and it's damn annoying!

“Hey Ard.” a male voice speak up, 'Ard' is consider my nickname, since pronouncing it tends to confuses my group most of the time. However let it be know to all beings, that when both my physical and mental haven't jump, and scream like a little girl. That hasn't happen, at all. But what happen, is that my paws grab my pickaxe, and almost strike at the owner of the voice in pure rage, not fear, rage. And when my eyes look on the owner, they look at the black griffon. I kid you not, black everything, from feathers, to talons, to even his smug beak. Not to mention his lower half seem panther-ish, his eyes are amusing yellow.

Sometimes, I really want to choke this bird.

My paws lower the axe-pick, as piss look control my expression, and my muzzle nearly snarl at him.

“Damn it Sarbin! I thought I told you to never sneak up on me! You almost gave me a bloody heart attack!” He gives out a small chuckle in response of my moodiness.

“Apologies guv. Never thought I see the day you scream like a little female chick.” he say in a mocking British tone.

My mouth huff some air. “I have no idea what you're going on about, for one I didn't scream like a little female cub, two you surprise me, and three I can't help but be paranoid. It's not easy to be relax when you don’t know what could stab you in the bloody back for being unprepared.” I say to him, he merely roll his eyes. “So why you here? Thought you be with your sis?” I ask, before he can reply, we both feel the lash of the whip on our backs. Not to mention a terrible sound, the sound of a moody bitch.

“Get back to work!” we both begin picking, and digging. However she feels like we owe another whip mark, and so does the whip hit it's mark, but as soon as she goes away, he speaks to me. In a whisper of course, just in case the bitch doesn't come back, and whip us again.

“My sis can handle herself, but the reason I'm here is because we might have a new member. A pegasi." he say, my eyebrow raise themselves in surprise. The ponies never try to interact with me since the day I enter in the Hall, sure they look, but never try to have a conversation with me. "It's a mare, don't know her name yet, but we'll find out soon." add Sarbin as my head nod to him.

“Well that's a surprise, wonder what change? Did those idiots try to bully the ponies, and the lot are in need of my help?” I ask in a sarcastic tone, we both know that ponies tend to avoid something different, and I'm the most different thing in this whole bloody place as far as I know.

He snort through his beak as we keep digging the earth.“Yeah right, as if those idiotic fools try to do anything with you around. Which reminds me, I heard why they're here to being with, turns out that the leader try to reach the top without permission. Don't know what top, but I suspect it's some hierarchy thing. So they’re stuck here until their Clan leader think otherwise.”he tells me, my head nod from this new info I gain, I take a gem out with my right paw, and place them in the bucket.

Turns out that after a while, they let me be unbound, which is at least a week from what I remember.

“I remember they remove the others off in three days, wonder why they left yours on for a week?” he ask, my shoulders shrug as I give my own theory to him.

“If you remember correctly, I'm smarter than the average Gnoll here, so to the bitches, 'smart' means 'a problem'. Insanity, I'm lucky that they allow me to have my muzzle-holder off." I say to him, he nods his head as we keep working, but my mind is thinking of this new member of ours. Still a pony, either some of them want me to take any problems away, or there are some that are tired of just looking at me with fear, since I done nothing to them lot. Which reminds me, I wonder why the others decide to 'join' my little group? Oh well, maybe I can ask them when I figure out what to do.

“So I notice that you haven't ask me, or my sister, on how we gotten capture.” he speaks, guess he wants to fill the silence of our working, beside looking for gems.

“Only because I know it's rude to ask personal lives, except without knowing them a little bit. So are you going to tell?” I reply back to him, as my eyes notice another gem. He chuckles for a bit as he nods his head.

“Good point, well it's not as epic as your story," he say, my snort intervene of how 'epic' I am to him, he shakes his head as he went on. "Well me and my sis were traveling, we're adventures doing whatever we wish, mostly leaving our 'great capital'," My eyebrow raise to that comment. Hmm, look like bitter history there. my mind comments to itself. "however we sorta underestimate the Clan here, and when we gotten to close to a hunting party, and they decided to make us work for our trespass. That was four months ago.” A nod from me as I understand that luck tends to run out time to time, and soon there is nothing to talk. Yet.

You know, now that I think about it, maybe this is normal for this Clan? And different for others, it's not that far fetch, different clans with different rules. Still though, why are we picking gems in the first place?

“No offense, but I'm surprise that you griffons haven't gone crazy from the lack of meat. How do you do it?” I ask as we keep at it, if I had been in my old body, I've been fatigue already, but due to my body being change into something else, it isn't that tiring at all. A blessing in disguise.

“Well, some of the griffons here went crazy since some have been fed with meat all their lives, don't remember how many, but they're usually around three to five at least. But me and my sis? We've been training our bodies to eat things other than meat, so we have a better chance at surviving. Anyway can you check on Jade? I'm a little concern for her right now.” he plea to me, my eyes roll around as they give a quick glance to a griffoness a few feet away from me.  Jade name is her color, literally, she's jade everywhere except for three places, her beak which is light brown, her dark brown talons, and her light green wings.

Which reminds me, I probably don't want to look at her lower half of a lioness for two reasons. One she isn't my type, and two Sarbin tends to be a over-protecting when it comes to his sister, ironically he's the youngest of the two. Still, she’s working with a pick as she isn't going to be tire out anytime soon as she keeps on digging. My attention turns back to Sarbin, with a worry look on his expression.

“She's fine, I swear you're such a worry hen. Don't need to see why you need to be worry about her.” I say, he sighs as he  shakes his head.

“That's because she's my sister you screaming chick." he retorts, before I can give a comeback, we hear the  whistle signaling as it’s time to stop working, and head to our cages.

It's bed time.

We both drop our pickaxes, pick up our buckets of gems, and jewels. We walk with all the rest as we each drop our goodies of our findings in a large cart, on the other side we place the buckets on the table, now one will think that someone may have a chance of picking a gem or two, but two things hinder anyone.

One is that we don't have pockets, and second the bitches keep a good eye on each of us as we exit into our 'beds'. My eyes manage to get a glimpse of moonlight up in the ceiling, but I can't look anymore as I'm force to crouch down in my 'bed', and unlike the other male Gnolls, my collar is connect to the cage. Even better? Whenever I enter in, it latches onto me, and forces me to look at one place, the ground. If I don't? Well it'll do that choking thing till I put my looking direction back to the ground.

Not to mention that the cage can 'sense' us coming in, the moment we're in it, the doors are close behind us. I'm just bloody thankful that there's no muzzle that latches on my jaws, otherwise I won't be able to talk. But it's a damn shame that there's no pissing pot around here, most of the times I had to piss my only piece of clothing's on me, thankfully no one is giving me any problem because of it, likely because they have to piss somewhere that they don't want to piss at.

“Hey you still awake Ard?” ask Sardin after a moment of silence, a chuckle escape from my mouth as I reply. “Yeah, still awake. Thankfully they didn't put on the blasted muzzle on me. What you want to talk about?” I ask.

There seem to be a small silence on his part, then he speaks. “Well I want ask you something. Have you ever consider leaving this place?”

My eyes dart around the area to see if there are any bitches around, it hurts my neck, but better to have some pain that'll go away, than a quick thrust of death to the heart. Fortunately, my fears are at ease when I hear Jade voice.

“Don’t worry, they usually go to bed, not much sense of using valuable warriors to guard us if our magic is cut off, and the keys are hidden from our eyes.” assure Jade, a sigh escape from me as I gather my breath.

“Hey Ardelio, you okay?" ask Firny, I know she can't see me, but nevertheless my head nods.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just thought we were all screwed for a moment. Anyway as for an idea, not here. We all need our sleep, ask me tomorrow in the Hall, by then I'll have my bearings together everyone, night." I say, I hear responses from my pals as my eyes slowly close down, a yawn escapes, and my mind goes to dreamland.

***

I'll be honest, I'm surprise that he's here, he took his sweet time though, honestly I sorta expecting him a bit sooner, wonder what took him so long?

“Greetings boy.” say a male voice, my eyes soon look around my surroundings, for one I'm not in the cage, second I'm fully cloth, and finally I'm in a great stone hall, don't remember this place, but it'll come to me. However what is on my mind, is the being before me. My kidnapper, the guy who ruin my life. He's the same height that I am, however he is cover by a cloak of darkness, usually he never does that, so that means he's taking a great risk in contacting me. I can't even see his eyes for that matter, considering they're cover by darkness as well, but I do know one thing. That is his face, which I will punch right now.

“Now then I notice-,” he starts, but before he can finish, my body rush toward him, raise my right paw, and punch him so hard, he fall down to the ground. Remember all that pent up anger and panic I put in that bottle? Now I'm releasing it, including what happen to me over the past two weeks.

"TASTE MY RAGE MOTHERFUCKER!"

He goes down, and a few minutes later he takes out his right claw of metal as he check for his jaw, and moves it a bit. He spits out blood, smack his lips, and soon goes up as he reply to my 'complaint'.

“Okay, I deserve that. Totally understandable. I took you away from your home, your world, all you knew, and made you dead there. Okay, I get that you’re angry. I would be to if I was in your place but still-,” I punch him again with my right paw as he goes down once more.

He become silence until he goes up once more.

“That one I deserve as well. Now that we got that out of the way-,” Third time the charm, He’s silent once more, and soon reply in a hurt tone. “Now that one I didn't deserve.”  But I ignore him as I climb on top of him, and keep punching for a good ten minute pace, until I become tire from the punching, as I leave his body, he sighs, slowly gets up, and soon speaks. "Done?"

My head nods to him. "Yeah, done. But you know you deserve that, you son of a dragon whore.” I snarl at him, he sighs, but doesn't response, knowing that I am full in the right in this conversation.

“Sigh I know. But look boy, I told you in that note, I didn't want to do this, but my claws, were literally tied up. I couldn't interfere in your life at all! I don’t expect you to easily forgive me, by me, I wouldn't forgive myself if that happens to me! But I had no bloody choice! My time of bargaining came back, and bit me in the ass. I'm so sorry kid, but there was no one else to turn to! You literally were my only shot! My chance to find a way out of the mess I was force into!” he explains to me.

If there's one thing that I like about this god, is that he owes up to his mistakes. “Okay, my logical side is agreeing with you, but who in the hell, did you bargain to?” I shout at him. He looks away as he mutters out a few words.

"Some higher powers, that I'm not allow to say."

"What?" I ask, he sighs as he speak up a bit more.

"Some higher powers, that I'm not allow to say."

I sigh. "How high?"

"High enough that their reputation is bigger, and so are their domain. In the totem pole, their big like the hotshots back on Earth, that's all I'm allow to say." I sigh as my body decides to sit, stone chairs form under me as the two of us begin to talk it out.  “Listen boy, I consider your as my last resort, if I used one of the few followers I have, it would of been consider to be cheating, and if I ask one of the guys', then something would smell wrong to them. And there was no way I, would ask anyone I don’t trust out in the whole multiverse!” he say to me, I growl at him.

“I call on your bullshit. There are plenty of beings out there that could ask, they would of gladly sign up for this thing you're wrap up in. Why couldn't you use your contacts or some mortals that you like.” He sighs as he explains.

“Key word: like, not trust boy. There’s a major difference between the two. And listen to me,  I know you're still piss at me, but calm yourself. If I just send anyone, they might get themselves dead quick! I have a short amount of friends that I fully trust, and they're all mine, kid you're about the only mortal that doesn't follow me, well technically you do, but that's beside the point. The point is, that I trust you with this job, you're the only one I can rely on for this thing."

I interrupt him. "But come one! I know you trust me, but there's have to be another reason!" He sighs again.

“Boy, you were the only one, that came to me when I went to your world, not many mortals do that you know. You were the only one that listens to me back then, sure you're a tad bit crazy, but who isn't? Beside there's a small need of crazy like yours here kid. You want to survive, and that's a good trait as well, not to mention that people like you, sure you're not that great in getting friends so easily, but when they see the real you, they just can't help but be by your side. Like that small group of yours, sure they stick around because they're curious about you, but one day they will appreciate you. I swear it.” I give a sigh as my head nod to his reason. Sometimes I hate it when he's logical.

I may not like it, but he is right. I want to survive, I want to live, but I don't want to partake something I have no choice in.

“You didn't need to force me.” My voice cry out to him, I keep my anger, my panic in that bottle, but what I forgotten what else I put in there, grief. Sadness, and regret. “You didn't need to whack me over the head, didn't need the hassle of making me dead back home, kidnapping me from everyone. I didn't even say goodbye!" Tears are coming down my face as my paws grasp my head. "If I didn't knew it was you, that you brought me here, I would of lost it, I would of gone insane from the shock of being on another world, of having a new body."

My head raise up to see his hidden face. "I never ask to be in this game, I never ask to go to another world! Maybe if you just *ask** me, instead doing this low BS, then I would of agreed, I would of say goodbye to my family, and to my friends. Now I'll never see them all again." My entire body shakes as my mind give in to the painful, and horrible truth. I'll never go home, I'll never see those I care, I'm trap here forever, being a plaything to some high power, and not knowing what to do next. I'm not even going to stop the tears, they run freely down my face, down to my lap as my body move into a fetal position as my heart cry out in misery.*

There's a moment of silence as I cry, and cry. He soon gives a sigh, as he gets up from his seat, walk by me, and cover me with both his cloak, and metal claws as he comfort me. I'm not even going to fight it, my body move as my head rest in his chest as my tears keep on flowing.

“I’m so sorry, so very, very sorry boy. I’m sorry that I did this to you, I-I panic my boy. I was so wrap up with my own problems that I forgotten that you have a subconscious level of fear, the fear of change. I done you wrong boy, so much wrong. I never want you to be put in harms way, damn me. You're like an adoptive son to me, and I'm sorry I put you in this position boy.

"I know it will take a long time for you to forgive me, and I understand that. I never meant to cause so much trouble upon your mind my boy. But know this, what’s done been done. I can’t send you back no matter what I do or say. You're dead there, but there is something I can do.” he assure to me in a calm, and relaxing tone full of sorrow.

After crying for a good half of hour, of him comforting me, I manage to wipe the tears away. My body lets go from him, as my eyes look up to him revealing his face to me, most of it is cover by his long raven hair but there is a soft smile under all that hair.

“I'm not allow to fully aid you kid, but that doesn't mean I can still advise you, even though a higher power or two 'owns' you, I can make sure that they won't abuse you, that none of the other high powers will try to do anything harm you. I will try to make sure you have openings, but I can't give any promises, I'll try to protect you, but I'm a minor power kid, not much I can do. And I'll be there to remind you that no matter what happens, that I will help pick you up whenever you fall.” He gives a grin to me.

A smile slowly forms on my face, as he wipes away my tears.

“It’s the least I can do for you boy. So, what do say? Ready to get this mushy stuff out of the way, and focus on the bigger picture of the thing we call life?” my head merely shake as a small chuckle escape my muzzle, we let go as my body raise up from the seat. My paws wipe the tears off of my face. “You are an idiot, a jerk, and above all an asshole.” He shrugs. “True, but I’m also the guy who want to make sure your survival is my greatest importance.”

I roll my eyes from his comment.

“Alright, I don’t forgive you, not yet. The wound is still fresh from it, one day perhaps. But for now lets focus on finding a way out. Any ideas my adviser?” I ask, he thinks for a moment. “I need to check up a few things. But for now my advice? Build alliance’s and create your own Clan.” I give him a ‘are you serious?’ look.

“And how in the name of Insanity, and all of that is Holy am I going to do that?”  I ask.

He gives a big Cheshire cat grin. “Be yourself.” is all he say as the darkness cover everything.

***

My eyes open as my ears here one of the most annoying sounds ever. The shouts of the bitches as they demanding us to wake up, thankfully I manage to use the pissing pot, so that's something good to think about, still my day is the same as every other day, grab my bucket, walk to my spot, grab a pickaxe, and dig.

I'm not going to go into great detail of my digging, but I will say that a few hours past when the whistle is blowing. So I went my merry way to the Hall, to see each groups by themselves, with the exception of the dragon with my group. Now I'll be honest, I haven't pay much attention to him when I first enter in the Hall, but after awhile I know what he looks like. Probably because he's been hanging around with us. A bag of food drop down by me, I grab it, and move toward my group.

Finry is there, so is Sarbin, and Jade. Now Melkor, who is the eight feet dark red dragon, is there as well. He notices me first as he turns to my direction, now I'll be honest, I actually thought he was a female dragon. Thankfully Sarbin can under crude language that is made by a single claw, which helps clear up misunderstandings, but for some reason I can't understand written words, and that worries me a bit. Don't know why I can't, but I have a pretty good feeling that my missing glasses will fix that problem.

His underbelly scales of dark yellow are pointing in my direction, but why can't he turn his head, I don't know, but what I do know is that the fella has not only his wings, but his muzzle clamp by metal, not to mention runes of some sort. I may not be a magical being, but those runes are use to make sure poor Melkor can't destroy them so easily. His orange eyes look at me as he points them to the two newest beings in the Gnoll Crew.

I look at them, a familiar Gnoll, and a pegasi, then back to him to let him know I do see them. He turn his head as he taps Jade gently on the arm to let the others know I'm coming. Jade turn to my direction, and speak out.

"Hey guys, make room! Ardelio is finally here." she say, while her brother makes a joke.

"Well he took his sweet time." he say in a mocking tone, I merely roll my eyes as space is being made for me, beside me is Melkor on my left, while Firny on my right. Jade and her brother are apart of each others on Melkors and Firny opposite sides. Now if I remember correctly, Sarbin mention a pegasi the other day, if so, then this is her. Surprisingly she has the same fur type I do, however she has something I don't have. Something on my head. her mane has full white on it, but with lines of yellow coming upwards, almost like a lighting bolt. And I don't know why, but she is laying on her stomach, and curl up in a laying position. I don't know if she is purposely showing her what her cutie mark is, but the less I say, the more safe I be.

Hmm, a cutie mark of a lighting moving as if it's dancing. Well I seen stranger things. Now onto her left is someone I quickly recognize. One of the former lackeys of the idiot squad. Now this a surprise. Wonder what made him change his mind? my mind ponder, my eyes look at the fearing Gnoll, don't know if it's me he's afraid of, or Melkor here. I'm betting it's the big guy. Hmm, dusty brown fur, and brown hair, his cloths seen better days, I'm surprise he even has cloths, but then again my attention was a certain idiot those weeks ago. Can't tell his size, but if I can guess, he's about the same as the idiot leader, but about five inches taller, I may be wrong, but hey I might be right. And hey, blue eyes, that something you don't see every day. However when I grab my food and water out, they all look at me. So after a second, I sigh and speak.

“Okay, I’ll asked the dumb question. Why are you all are staring at me?”

“Well we're wondering if you had a,” Sardin say as he look around, and whisper to me. “A plan to escape?” The others nod their heads to me, it comes to my mind that I realize that they imagine that I have something plan out. Problem is that there's not much to plan without knowing the details.

“Well before I say anything, mind letting these two new beings in our small group introduce themselves? No offense or anything, but I'm not willing to tell anything till I know who you guys are." I say, as we all look at the two. The pegasi clear her throat as she speaks.

"I'm Lighting Dancer, nice to meet you all." she say, her voice sounds of a newly develop female, or mare as it's the right term to call a pony. We turn to the Gnoll male, he gulps as he stutters.

“I-I am, Garor.” he said, we all nod our heads, after a moment of introducing, my throat clear itself.

"So I have to ask, what made you decide that you wanted to hang around with us? I mean sure we're an odd group, but still." I say, while Lighting ponders, Garor replies very quickly.

"Because I want to be better." he say, my eyebrow raise itself.

"Better?" I say, he nods his head, but he doesn't say anything more, I'm guessing it's something he isn't comfertable with, so my attention turn to the pony.

"Well, I guess I was getting tired of sticking with my own lot, considering we're stuck here, I might as well meet new friends." she replies, a snort comes out from me.

"Funny, that's how these guys decide to hang around me," I say, they chuckle as we let out a little laughter. "Okay, but serious here's the thing." they soon become serious, and start looking at me. "We know that these bitches wouldn't just let us leave in our merry ways, we are going to need a bloody good plan, so not only we all survive.

"We need information, anything will do, from plans of this entire cave system, to even minor gossip, you can never tell when gossip could be of use, Tools, anything we can use to make weapons, or even steal it, we need to defend ourselves when the time come for our escaping. And we're going to need to steal alot of gems for profit."

“Profit?” interrupt Sardin.

My eyes roll around. “How else are we suppose to travel without money? These gems are the closest thing for currency till we get some real money, not to mention we can use the gems to get ourselves some supplies. Now I'm going to say this once, and only once." If they aren't looking at me seriously, they're looking at me with a serious look right now. Gulp, okay cool it Ard, damn it! Now Sarbin have me saying it too! Ugh, play it cool dude, no need for them to know you're not some leader figure.

“Now then, there is a huge chance of this failing. Since we are quite outnumber, out class, and basically are going to die if anything screwed up.” I start to say, they know that I'm being honest with them, if we all don't do this right, then things will fall apart just by one simple mistake.

“So we are going to make sure that we have everything. One information. Sardin and Jade, since you two are one of the few, who have been here with the other griffons you know quite a few things. I need to know how long do they change guards, how much break are given, how dangerous it is if there is a spy among us in the Hall." This grab their attentions. I bet they all are thinking the same thing. 'A spy? Here?', my head nods.

“Yeah, there's bound to be someone who think that if we do what these bitches say, then things will be better. I practically expect a being or two in the Hall to have these thoughts, that's why I want you all to be subtle in your asking. Now  we need to have others to watch, and hear of anything that can be of use to us.

“Now we might need weapons when things look rough, even our pickaxes can be helpful, basically anything that could aid us if we are come to face a problem. I don't know what your stance you guys have with each other, but we need to work together in this situation. I don’t care if a pony have a problem with a changeling, or a gnoll having problem with a griffon. If I see that kind of stupidity from you guys, we might as well give up, and do what they say for the rest of our lives."

They must have the message in their heads, with both the way I sound, and how my eyes are glaring at them all.

“There are two ways I see this, either we all be free in death, or us running the Insanity out of here. But I know which direction I want to go, and it's not stabbing my neck. So maybe you guys dislike each other, maybe you want to not work with them, either way I don’t care if you all have problems against one another. I'm not asking you all to be buddy-buddy, I'm asking for you guys to put personal feelings aside long enough for us to escape, then you can go kill each other for all I care. Got it?” They all nod their heads on that one, honestly I have no idea if they actually like each other, but best to say that in case they do hate each other.

“Now lastly is this, I don’t know if we'll  get out alive, even if we deal with the cave guards,  even if we escape the caves, we have an entire Clan to deal with. So we need to trust each other, or at least as much as you can, I don't know if you all do trust each other, but I'm asking that we trust one another as long as we can till we get out, and go on our merry ways.

"So we need to find a way to not only escape, but to make sure the Clan won't chase after us. I'm going to be straight with this to you all, I don't have a clear idea if any of us are going to make it, but if there's a slight chance of escaping, then I'm going to take it."  My right paw outstretch to the circle of our group.

"Who's with me?" I ask.

I look at each one of them, some have doubts, others uncertainty, and I bet that they are all thinking if this the right choice. Finally one of them make a decision, as Firny takes out her left hoof, and place it on my paw.

“I am.” she declares, the siblings have this look on them, as if they're talking by looks, and weighing the pros and cons. Soon enough, they take their talons as they place it over Firny hoof.

"Why not?" say Jade. "You have one life after all, best make the most of it." agreeing Sarbin.

Lighting thinks and soon nods her head. "Sure," she place her hoof over the siblings. "And I'll do my best to see if the other wants in, I'm not going to make any promises though." she say, my body shrug as if I reply 'better than nothing'. And Melkor just shrug as he place a single claw on Lighting hoof, we all turn to Garor as he's the only one who's hesitating, and I don't blame him. He look like he's having a conflict in his mind, but after a good three minutes of thinking, he nod his head with a look of determination.

"I'll join." he say.

A small smile appear on my muzzle, we drop our limbs as we begin planning. “Good, now then lets discuss what we need.”