You're Not Feral Darling

Chapters

Chapter 1: MINE, MINE, MINE, MINE!
Chapter 2: DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG!
Chapter 3: HOME, HOME, ALONE?....
CHAPTER 4: PIECES, PIECES, LITTLE, PIECES!

Chapter 1: MINE, MINE, MINE, MINE!

It was a gorgeous day in Equestria! Unsurprisingly so with Princess Celestia in charge of it. The trees bristled with a melodic rustling ambiance, as the birds chirped and the little critters scurried about in full play. It could accurately be described as a perfect moment in time. However, for Rarity, this sort of situation was far from the ideal one, and far from perfect. "Oh by Celestia!" Rarity commented with a scowl, as she trekked through the once peaceful forest, and a loud ringing noise continued to emulate from her very being. She continued to trot, wearing a large hat over her mane and a fly cover to protect herself. Her cutie mark appeared to be going bonkers, as it only continued to ring and ring and ring. Rarity sighed heavily as she stated in frustration, "I SAID I GET IT! Would you stop that already!?"

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIING! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIING! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIING!"

Rarity fumed as she glanced back at her cutie mark, gritting her teeth as such as she tossed her hat to the ground and began stomping on it. "This is absurd! I swear! What sort of nonsense is this!? You give me no choice but to make my way all the way out here!" She rose to her two hind legs looking up towards the large trees and sky, raising both her front hooves to them. "ON THIS BLISTERING HOT DAY WITH NO CLUE AS TO WHAT I'M EVEN DOING! ANNOYING ME CONSTANTLY WITH THAT LOUD RINGING NOISE! WHAT IS THIS!? What can possibly be out here hm!? Only thing I can think of us is pests!" She glanced back at her cutie mark which only continued to ring out constantly before she sat on her rear and just sobbed. "OOOOH~ woe is me!" She laid on her belly as she began to sob.

Tiny paws slammed upon blades of grass as they blitzed forward towards a specified location. A tiny body moved through the forest bushes and between the trees as fast as it could. A brown cloak flapped along with that body, as it kept moving, sprinting, running as fast as it could. The sound of its tiny paws slamming upon the grass could be heard, like tiny thumps which in a way, sounded like an abnormally fast beat. It continued to move, to run, to blitz, eagerly hurrying towards its destination as if to let nothing stand in its way.

And as Rarity laid there, sobbing to herself, she only continued to shake her head. "OH, why oh-...hm?" Her brow raised.

Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump.

Rarity rose to her hooves, before glancing about the forest trees wearily. What was that thumping noise? It sounded strange. She just continued to peer around the forest, attempting to determine what direction it was coming from. And soon enough she did, as she turned around and faced in that particular direction with a gulp. "W-What is that?" She began to move closer towards it, a large batch of bushes blocking her line of sight for the particular thumping noise, as she used her magic to scoot the bushes out of the way.

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP!

Rarity's eyes snapped wide as she saw a tiny figure approaching her hastily as she let out a scream in horror. "EEEEEEEEEK!!!!!"

But it was too late! The tiny creature leaped into the air, diving into her and causing the mare to tumble and fall onto her back.

Meanwhile, at Twilight's castle, the rest of the mane six remained situated at a food table as they glanced back and forth towards one another. They were each currently eating breakfast, as Twilight was the first to mention. "Anypony seen Rarity?"

They all shook their heads as Applejack stated, "Nope!"

Rainbow Dash followed. "Beats me!"

Fluttershy continued. "I-I haven't, sorry Twilight."

Pinkie Pie stated ecstatically, "I HAVEN'T EITHER!"

Twilight remained silent for a moment before frowning a bit. "Well, uuuuh, don't you guys think we should go look for her?"

Applejack blinked a bit. "Ah shucks Twi, I'm sure she's out shopping or somethin. You know her, that girl always be out and about lookin for new materials for her clothes, or shucks, perhaps somethin else like gems. We don't need ta keep track of every little thing."

Twilight sighed, lowering her head. "Ah, I guess you're right Applejack. Still, wouldn't hurt to know where she went."

Rainbow Dash cut in, "Why don't you send Spike after her Twilight? Bahahaha! Sure he'd take up the task in a heartbeat!"

Twilight shook her head. "Spike's still sleeping. Although I am considering it at this point." She sighed before taking another bite out of her breakfast salad. "Well, fine, we'll give her a few more hours and if she doesn't show up by then, we'll go out in find her."

With that they all nodded to one another before going back to eat their salads.

Rarity laid on her back in the middle of the dirt trail, wide eyes locked in sight with another's. As her snout was connected to another snout as well, nose to nose, as the little creature only continued to remain pinned on top of her. "Uh-..."

"MINE!"

Rarity cocked a brow. "What?"

The creature stated again, "Mine! Pony mine! I catch pony! Pony mine! Yes?"

Rarity almost immediately shoved it off of her as she stated firmly. "WHAT!? YOURS!? Oh no no no no no! Not this again! I am not property! Nor do I enjoy being addressed as PONY, I am a lady, and my name is RARITY, RARE-RI-TY! GET IT!?"

The creature then lowered its hood before revealing a bright wide smile, wide blue eyes, a gray fur coat and pointed ears. It tilted its head to the right before tugging at Rarity's mane. "Rare-ritty? Ritty mine yes?" Its tail swayed from side to side.

Rarity blinked a bit, "EEP! A DIAMOND DOG!? G-GET AWAY FROM ME! SHOO! GO ON NOW! GO PLAY!" Rarity moved back some with a horrified expression as she gave it the shooing motion, attempting to scoot it away from her as she backed away herself.

The pup blinked a bit, before racing around Rarity in a multitude of circles. "MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE!"

Rarity growled heavily as she was growing increasingly annoyed with this pup as she stated. "I AM NOT YOURS! I've already got enough to deal with, what with this whole-" before her eyes snapped wide. "WAIT A SECOND!" She paused, glancing back. "IT STOPPED!?"

The pup blinked a bit, tilting its head to the right. "STOP? Yes! I stop, yes!?"

Rarity growled, glancing back at it. "No no, not you. I mean my cutie mark! Look, see?"

The pup made its way over to Rarity's flank, staring at her cutie mark. "Cu...teh? Mark?"

Rarity sighed before nodding. "Yes yes, a cutie mark. For some reason its stopped ringing."

The pup placed a paw over its lower lip before glancing up at Rarity. "R-....Ring...Ring...ing? Pony ring?"

Rarity let off a slight moan as she rolled her eyes. "Ugh! You creatures really are empty headed aren't you? Well, then! Go back to your family or whatever it is you call home! Now that my cutie mark has stopped being an annoyance, I, shall head into town to do some early shopping!" With that Rarity began to trot away merrily from the pup before her Cutie Mark started ringing again. "EH!?"

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!"

Rarity gasped. "W-WHAT!?"

The pup only continued to watch Rarity from its current position as it tilted its head to the left. "Ring yes? Stop, no?"

Rarity scowled as her brow twitched. "What could it possibly be!?" Before her eyes widened yet again and she immediately looked at the pup almost psychotically. "Wait a second. Don't tell me,.......YOU?" Rarity suddenly looked towards the pup hungrily.

The pup's gaze shifted from left to right nervously, before it turned around, went to all fours, and prepared to sprint away. "NOPE!"

Rarity immediately blitzed over and snatched it up. "AH AH AH! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?"

The pup began kicking its legs. "WAIT PONY!"

Rarity then used telekinetic magic to rotate the pup around, upside down, on its sides, facing the opposite direction. "Hm, what's so special about you? Why would my cutie mark react to a diamond dog of all things?" She sighed a bit before placing the pup on the ground again, ensuring to keep it controlled and in place with her telekinetic magic before backing away to experiment with it. As she suspected, her cutie mark began to ring out again as she got too far from it, only quieting down once she was a few feet from the pup. "UGH...so it is you."

The pup wore a smile again. "ME?"

Rarity placed a hoof over her face as she muttered. "What a drag. Well then, obviously you have a problem right?" Rarity lowered her head, to get to eye level with the tiny pup as she raised a brow at him. "So, what is it? Come now, I can't help you solve it if you don't tell me."

The pup just looked at her blankly, blinking every now and then. "Pony problem?"

Rarity stared at it blankly just the same. "This is never going to work." She sighed, beginning to trot around in circles before looking to it stubbornly. "Well, w-what were you doing all the way out here then!? Surely there must be a reason you found me to?"

The pup stated eagerly with hurried nods. "Yes! Find pony! Great honor! Great pony! MINE!"

Rarity stated almost furiously. "NO, I AM NOT YOURS, AND STOP CALLING ME PONY!"

The pup teared up as it lowered its head with a whine. "Yes, not mine. No pony, none." It turned around and began to walk away.

Rarity frowned a bit, and then forcibly turned it around with magic again. "Oh come now, don't be like that. Besides, I can't let you leave until I figure out why I need you in the first place. Apparently the map wanted me to come here, and it lead me straight to you. So it seems for now, I guess you are stuck with me." She sighed heavily, "I only hope your parents do not mind your absence."

The pup almost immediately pressed its paws into Rarity's chest. "N-NO! PONY! NO!" It pushed away from her, shaking its head as it wanted down, away from her grasp as it soon pressed its paws into Rarity's muzzle, pushing her away and causing her to drop her.

Rarity gasped, before looking at it scurry about on the ground. "W-Wha? WHAT in the world is the matter with you!? Now come here, we need to figure out why you're making my cutie mark go rampant! I must help you somehow! Now come!"

The pup shook its head as it backed away from Rarity. "N-No! Pony....I, pony not, un-...under-understand? Pony, no go with pony."

Rarity's gaze fastened on the pup. "Oh no no no, you're not going anywhere. I'm telling you, this is destiny alright? I NEED you to come with me, so come now it shouldn't take long. We'll go back to see Twilight and she'll help us figure this all out." She then proceeded to use her magic in order to bring the pup closer to her yet again as she wore a casual look while doing so.

But the pup soon stiffened itself, digging both paws into the dirt desperately as it then froze, and with a sudden jerk, it broke free.

There was a drawn on silence as Rarity just stared at the pup in disbelief. "What?"

The pup shook its head then began racing around Rarity in circles again. "Mine! Mine mine mine mine mine mine! No pony, no take!"

Rarity then snatched it up with a dive and a roar, literally holding onto it with a hoof. "YOU'RE COMING WITH ME WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT YOU DARN DIAMOND DOG! NOW COME! STAY STILL! BE A GOOD BOY, UH GIRL! UH! DIAMOND DOG!"

The pup twisted and turned, kicking into her, letting off hurried yelps as it pressed its paws into her face.

Rarity growled before being forced to resort to using her telekinetic magic yet again, this time, holding it high above the ground. "NOW, don't try anything funny you wild little creature! We're going to see Twilight! And then you can go about your pony finding business!"

The pup now whined before stating. "NO PONY! NO no no! More ponies! NO! One pony! YES!"

Rarity rolled her eyes as she began to trot out the forest with it. "And teach you some proper grammar at that."

Chapter 2: DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG!

"Now stay here! Don't you move alright?" Rarity exclaimed as she eyed the pup, leaving it at the front entrance of the castle.

It stood on its hind legs, only looking at Rarity with wide curious eyes as it took a moment to glance around the area. The area was beautiful to say the least on this bright sunny day, and it wasn't far from Ponyville either. But the diamond dog pup didn't seem to acknowledge that aspect, as it only then on whimpered before tugging onto Rarity's coat. It looked at her with a blank expression. "I, I no pony. Pony no go."

Rarity groaned. "No, you aren't, and didn't I tell you to stop calling me that? What's the matter with you? It's safe out here."

The diamond dog only glanced around again before stating. "I no pony. Pony no go!"

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Well, I can't help you if that's all you can say. Now don't you go anywhere. I'll know if you do, remember, my cutie mark tells me whenever you're too far. Now stay here, I have to tell the others about what is happening, as ridiculous as it is." With that Rarity made her way into the grand doors of Twilight's castle, as she ensured to shut the doors behind her.

The diamond dog pup just blinked as it stood there awkwardly, before looking around again, particularly at a field of grass, then at the distant town of Ponyville. It soon lowered itself, before sniffing about the area. "No pony. Dog, yes." It then went a bit closer towards the field before beginning to dig a hole big enough for it to submerge itself in. "Dog, yes! Pony, no. Dog, yes." It smiled to itself. Soon the pup curled into a ball, before closing its eyes and sleeping in the dirt hole, easily being able to immerse itself in the atmosphere.

Minutes passed before Rarity exited the castle, now accompanied by Twilight and the others.

Twilight glanced around, "Didn't you say it was around here Rarity?"

Rarity gasped as she shook her head. "I-I told it to stay here!"

Applejack commented. "Don't really get why ya just couldn't bring it inside ta begin with."

Rarity scowled lightly at her. "Of course not! It's filthy! A-And it's a diamond dog! Who knows what sort of trouble it can cause!"

Twilight frowned, "Now that's not very fair Rarity."

Fluttershy added in. "Y-Yes, that's not very nice. You should apologize for saying that Rarity!"

Rarity lowered her head. "Oh, fine fine fine fine. BUT STILL, why out of all the things did the map have to lead me to some, diamond dog, what can I possibly do to alleviate whatever situation its in? Be their slave again down in their pits they call a home?" Rarity then shook her head before stating, "Oh, but never mind that. Anyhow, let's figure where its run off to." She then called out, "Diamond Dog! Come, now!"

There was a long drawn on silence, only the sound of blowing winds accompanying Rarity's call.

Applejack muttered, "Sure ya didn't scare it off?"

Rarity now seemed a bit nervous. "S-Surely I didn't. I mean, I-I wasn't that mean to it. W-Was I?" She frowned heavily before appearing a bit more worried about the situation. "Oh diamond doooog! Come out now! We need to talk with you about our situation!" She puckered her lower lip before her eyes saddened. "C-Come now darling! Don't do this, I apologize, I was just upset is all!"

Suddenly popping its head out from a hole not far off would be a tiny head, as it exclaimed. "PONY, YES?"

Rarity's expression brightened as she smiled, "OH, THERE YOU-"

Before the rest of her friends bumped into her, scurrying past her themselves to the diamond dog pup, while Twilight blinked a bit at it.

Rarity's suddenly appeared annoyed, "H-HEY! What the-, WHAT do you all think you're doing?"

Fluttershy was already holding it up as she nuzzled it soon afterwords. "Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! You're a precious little puppy aren't you, yes you are. Did Rarity scare you? Well don't you worry, she's just a big grumpy head sometimes."

Applejack began poking at its cheeks. "Aaaaaaw! Little guy reminds me uh Winona back when she was just a lil'pup. Well, minus the abnormally large paws this little guy has compared to the rest of his body. Shucks, what a cute little pup!"

Rainbow Dash spread her hooves. "Let me hold him!"

Pinkie Pie gasped, "No no no! Me next, me next! I want to hold him to!"

"IT'S A GIRL!"

Suddenly they all froze, as they all looked over at Rarity.

Rarity huffed before appearing a bit frustrated. "I-It's a girl. I checked myself. S-So, why don't you put it down, and allow me to take care of my business with it already? The map did lead me to her. Surely, you're all only frightening her more by gathering around her like that."

Twilight in particular was still beside Rarity, and she seemed fairly concerned about what the mare said but didn't comment just yet.

Rainbow Dash placed both hooves on her hips while fluttering, before cocking a brow. "Um, wait, you checked?"

Applejack couldn't help but comment as well. "Yea, that sounds mighty strange Rarity."

Fluttershy held the pup closer to her before commenting, "Eep!"

Rarity flushed red in the face as she growled. "No you dummies! I-I was only giving her a thorough inspection to see why my cutie mark might've been reacting to her! Was I wrong to take notice of her gender while I was at it!? Do not categorize me with some weird pony!" At that point Rarity had lost her patience before she looked to the diamond dog pup, and noticed it was looking at Rarity with wide curious eyes, unsure what was happening or what to do, so it only continued to be held. Rarity then stated, "COME girl! Come to Miss Rarity!"

And surprisingly, the diamond dog pup actually reacted as it pressed its paws to Fluttershy's face, causing her to drop the pup instinctively before it immediately went to all fours, and scurrying over to Rarity, circling her a few times before using its large paws to climb up her flank before laying on her back and then eyeing the others with interest, tilting its head at Rarity. "Ponies, yes?"

Rarity herself was actually surprised by the sudden obedience before closing her eyes and chuckling softly, scoffing in confidence. "W-Why yes! Yes we are a group of ponies! See girls, I understand her the best, s-so, surely that is why my cutie mark reacted to her!"

"Rarity, we probably need to find out where she came from and return her soon."

Rarity's eyes widened before glancing over at Twilight. "W-What Twilight? Didn't you just here what I-"

Twilight appeared a bit concerned, worried for the most part. "It's not often diamond dog females leave their homes. Especially the young puppies, they're often carefully watched. Because they're so private, we don't have much information on diamond dogs, so the roles of the females are still very bare to us. But, I can't imagine that her pack would be very happy once they found out we've taken her away."

Rarity shook her head, "Well of course not Twilight! Which is why I came to ask you for your help. We need to find out what problem she's going through so we can solve it and be on our way. Otherwise my cutie mark won't stop reacting to her. Taking her back to wherever she came from won't solve anything." Rarity glanced back at her, "B-Besides! We obviously must be connected for some other reason."

Twilight lowered her head a bit, "Let me see her for a second Rarity."

Rarity appeared hesitant before glancing back at the pup worriedly. "W-Well alright, but be careful with her Twilight. Your magic is way more intense than mine is." She then eyed Twilight with that worried gaze as she'd given the mare permission to take hold.

Soon the pup levitated off of Rarity's back, as it kept that curious look as it eyed itself, then Rarity with a questioned look as if asking her what was happening, before looking over at Twilight with those wide eyes before just staring at the purple mare blankly.

Twilight glanced the pup up and down before asking. "Where did you come from little one?"

The diamond dog then smiled brightly with a nod. "Home! Yes!"

Twilight shook her head. "N-No, I know you came from home. I mean, where is it?"

The diamond dog replied again. "Home, yes!" Before giving Twilight more hurried nods.

Rainbow Dash snickered in the background. "Pffffft!"

Even Applejack covered her face a bit with her hat, having to look away.

Pinkie Pie raised a brow. "WELL, it's not like she's wrong!"

Twilight then eyed the diamond dog pup with a look of annoyance, before glancing over at Rarity.

Rarity commented blankly, "You get used to it."

Twilight sighed before continuing, "N-No little one. I know you came from your home, but WHERE is it? Surely you have some idea, some way of telling us where your home is? I mean, you know what ponies are. Surely you understand what I'm saying to you?"

The diamond dog pup added. "DIG!?"

Twilight raised a brow at it, a little confused. "Dig?"

The diamond dog nodded. "DIG!" Before breaking free from Twilight's telekinetic grip and hurrying over to the hole she made.

Twilight grunted, "HUH!?"

Before Rarity followed with a gasp. "AGAIN!?"

Rainbow was still beyond baffled, "D-Did she just-...did, wha?"

The pup however paid no attention to what she just did as she hurried over to the hole she dug. "Dig? Yes!" Before she'd immediately been pressed towards the grassy surface with powerful telekinetic magic, practically being crushed as she whined. "Aruuuuuuu..."

Fluttershy immediately cried out. "S-STOP, WHAT'RE YOU TWO DOING!?"

Twilight and Rarity, not having noticed they both instinctively reacted at the same time at the diamond dog pup's bolt towards her hole, had attempted to grab hold of her with their telekinetic magic. They both then released it in that moment.

Twilight's expression sunk. "W-Wait we're sorry, we just-"

Rarity shook her head as well before pleading desperately. "We didn't mean to apply that much pressure to her! She just ran so," Rarity glanced over angrily at Twilight before stating, "Y-Your magic is too powerful Twilight! You can't use it on such a tiny thing!"

Twilight shook her head. "I-I didn't mean to! Besides Rarity, you said I'd be able to take hold!"

Rarity shouted back, "WELL NOT ANYMORE! You hurt her Twilight!"

Applejack went between the two. "Now simmer down now sallies, it looks like the pup don't really care for ya two fightin one another."

And the pup really didn't care for the sudden incident, as she began circling the hole she dug. "Dig yes! Home, no!"

Twilight sighed as she glanced over at Rarity. "Rarity, sadly I believe we have to focus on the fact we've got a much bigger issue here. Diamond Dogs are not magical creatures, it shouldn't have been able to break free from my hold just now. Granted I was only used about a fraction of the pressure I could've applied, but, still, and a pup at that? There's something terribly wrong here. Maybe that's why your cutie mark lead it here, so we could all solve this together. We have to get to the bottom of this, Diamond Dogs are known for lots of abductions of unicorns, your case wasn't the first. If they build a form of resistance to magic, that could spell trouble for a lot more ponies out there."

Fluttershy grabbed hold of the puppy before looking to Twilight worriedly. "So what're we going to do Twilight?"

Rarity then hurried over to the pup as she checked over its condition first. "Oh, are you alright darling? I know I've been rough with you, but I did not mean to do that. Twiiiiilight over there is much more stronger than I am, oh yes she is." She poked its nose with a hoof.

The diamond dog pup hugged Rarity's muzzle, causing the mare to react warmly to it.

Rarity inquired, "May I Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy happily handed the diamond dog over to Rarity, "O-Oh, of course Rarity. She is connected to you afterall."

Rarity placed it on her back before looking to Twilight seriously. "And what might be your first plan of action Twilight? She already told us home was a no go, and apparently digging is our next clue. We have to find out about that, we can worry about the magic thing later."

Twilight frowned, "Rarity, listen. I'm sorry about what just happened but we can't ignore this. This is groundbreaking, maybe we can-"

Rarity glanced back at the pup before asking, "Darling, do you know how to block magic?"

The diamond dog pup blinked before speaking. "Mine? Mine mine mine mine mine!"

Rarity looked back at Twilight blankly. "There's your answer Twilight."

Twilight's brows furrowed in annoyance.

Before Rarity trotted back towards the castle, as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash followed in suit. "Now come, let us go see what we can learn about why you like the word dig. Then we can learn about the whole magic issue later! Surely, home is also just as important."

Fluttershy kept attempting to pet her as she chuckled while doing so.

Applejack approached Twilight in question, or more so, in worry. "Ya okay Twilight?"

Twilight frowned a bit as she sighed, shaking her head. "Yea, we'll figure it out with time. We've just gotta be patient with her I guess."

Pinkie Pie cheered, "PATIENCE IS MY MIDDLE NAME! Don't you worry Twilight! We'll figure it out soon enough!"

Twilight nodded in silence before glancing over at the hole with a blank stare. "Yea, we will."

Chapter 3: HOME, HOME, ALONE?....

"Rarity, we need to talk." Twilight stated firmly as Rarity appeared to be occupied in the living quarters, along with the rest of their friends. Rarity was currently observing the pup from afar with a blank stare, just looking at it as it scurried about the area happily, playing catch with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Twilight remained patient, as she had a book levitating at her side before glancing over at Rarity, and nudging her head in the mare's direction as Rarity took that moment to glance back at her. "Over here, it looks like the others will be fine."

Rarity took another moment to look at all the others play with the diamond dog again. She'd had such a bad experience with the creatures that she couldn't help but feel a little bitter in regards to it, but, watching it play; she also couldn't help but question how these could be the same creatures that would kidnap ponies and force them into manual labor underground. She frowned a bit, it was nasty; dirty, smelly, but, perhaps with a little touching up, she could come to tolerate it more. She smiled to herself at the thought before turning to go join Twilight further back, who had her nose stuck in her book. Rarity looked at Twilight with a smile, "Yes darling?"

Rainbow Dash blinked a bit, as she glanced over at Rarity and Twilight conversing in secret not far off. She gave a light shrug before smiling back down at the diamond dog pup who waited eagerly for Rainbow to toss a gem that was laying about. "Haha you like it squirt!?"

The diamond dog pup began racing around in circles. "Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine!"

Rainbow Dash burst into laughter, "Bahahaha! She's hilarious!" She'd stated with an amused expression before raising a brow at Fluttershy. But as she did so, something else caught her eye, it was the sight of something beneath the Diamond Dog's cloak, a small pendant which glistened and shined for a split second before being buried into the fur mane on her chest again. Rainbow wore a puzzled and slightly curious expression, just staring at the pup as it happily waited for Rainbow to toss the gem again.

Fluttershy commented, "A-Are you okay Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow's eyes widened before she shook her head, concentrating. "Y-Yea, I'm good! Just saw that the pup had a piece of jewelry on is all!"

Fluttershy blinked a bit, "Oh really? Well they doooo have an obsession with shiny things. W-Well, I mean, I think so."

Rainbow nodded, "Yea, you're right Fluttershy. Was just curious about it is all." She then smiled in anticipation as she gave a competitive look towards the pup yet again. "Alrighty girl, ya ready? Let's keep playing! Goooooo get it!" She tossed the gem to Fluttershy.

Twilight glanced left and right suspiciously before whispering. "Rarity, so, I know what you said earlier. That maybe we should focus on something other than the magic blocking. But, tell me, you said you inspected her thoroughly when you two first met. Did she have anything on her? Any markings? Anything at all that can give us a clue as to why she's able to do that?" Twilight paused before glancing down at the ground. "I'm trying to connect the pieces here, dig yes, home no?" Twilight's eyes widened a bit. "Could it possibly mean she isn't able to return home? Or perhaps, that she only enjoys digging? Maybe, she lost her pack? Ugh, I just don't know." Twilight frowned.

Rarity sat as she now appeared a little more than worried. "Well, not bad guesses Twilight, but if that were the case then why would I be reacting to her? I don't see how any of that has to do with me." Rarity paused, before giving a bright enlightened smile. "Oh but of course! Perhaps the map wants me to show her the meaning of true civility and class so she can pass it on to the rest of her dirty companions!"

Twilight shook her head with a sigh. "I doubt it'd be something that miniscule Rarity."

Rarity gasped, "M-Miniscule!? Why Twilight, I never-"

Twilight then cut in. "We need to take her back if it's gonna be like this Rarity. Obviously we're missing something here. Something we don't have. We have to go back to where you found her so she can show us what she was doing before you'd arrived."

Rarity frowned a bit before appearing hesitant. "W-Well certainly we can wait a few more ho-"

Twilight shook her head. "But we've gotta figure out why the map has you involved with this, don't you agree? The longer we wait and play around, the worse things get. Obviously there's a friendship problem for us to solve and we're not solving it by playing catch." Twilight then eyed Rainbow and Fluttershy tiredly, as Pinkie Pie and Applejack just watched them play as well from a distant, opposing end.

Rarity raised both hooves. "Alright alright alright Twilight. I've got it, we'll take her back to where she came from. Just, allow me to tell the others first alright? Also, where's Spike, I'm sure he'd love to meet her before we depart as well. I doubt he's seen a diamond pup before and if we figure this whole thing out before we get back, he may never get the chance to see one." She paused, "You know how often those creatures bury themselves underground. I'm sure it's not often pups come to the surface themselves."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Wait! You're right!"

Rarity blinked a bit, "Hm? Of course I'm right Twilight! This may be the only chance Spike gets! So where is-"

Twilight shook her head before raising a hoof to her muzzle, now appearing highly concentrated. "No no no not that Rarity, but, about the puppy. She should not be on the surface despite her circumstances. Diamond dogs have a natural inclination to remain burrowed or in their underground caverns, especially the young ones to avoid predators. If she's up on the surface, that could only mean one thing." She paused, "There's something troubling her underground. Dig yes, home no. Maybe it's as basic as it sounds. She can dig, but she doesn't want to show us her home? What's down there? We have to find out! I think that may be the answer to why your cutie mark is reacting to her!"

Rarity shook her head. "Twilight, that doesn't make any sense. How does any of that have to do with me?"

Twilight smiled a bit. "I think I have an idea." She shook her head then. "And Spike is still upstairs sleeping, he'll just have to hear about it when we get back. Besides, I want to keep this hidden from him. Some diamond dogs have a very awkward relationship with dragons."

Rarity raised a brow at Twilight. "Awkward relationship?"

Twilight sighed a bit again before appearing somewhat skeptical. "Well, lots of packs and dragons both seem to have an extreme love for shiny things such as gold, jewelry, gems, pearls, etc. Although dragons tend to typically be left alone, some diamond dogs are known to give a high amount of praise to dragons and their ability to gather these things in mass. Spike isn't an ordinary dragon, and I don't know much about this puppy, so I don't want the two meeting if I have a choice. If we can solve this before it comes to that, the better."

Rarity blinked a bit, quite surprised. "Hm, I see."

Twilight smiled again, "Well then, let's get a move on shall we?"

Twilight and Rarity didn't hesitate to gather the rest of the mane six some time after their initial conversation. They then lead the group out towards the Everfree Forest. However, due to the fact they were having the pup lead the way, time seemed to course on by, minutes became seconds as the day drifted away and they continued to attempt to figure out just what role this pup had to play in Rarity's life.

Rainbow Dash only continued to flutter along as she was hovering over the group, observing them as they trotted on by as she wore a tired expression. She sighed heavily before glancing up at the now orange sky. She looked back to her friends. "Guys, we've been trotting for hours now, are you sure she even knows where she's going? What happens if she's just sniffing around just to sniff!?"

Pinkie Pie even seemed a bit tired the longer they went on. "Y-Yeeeea~ this is boooring."

Twilight however appeared horribly determined. "Calm yourselves guys, we've gotta be patient. We should be happy that she's actually leading us somewhere rather than just standing there cluelessly. This is far better than nothing at all."

Rarity commented, "Couldn't have said it better myself darling."

And soon enough, the pup stopped as it immediately raised one paw and sniffed. Before glancing back at the ponies with wide eyes as it stood on its hind legs. "Dig, yes!" She nodded hurriedly before beginning to dig into the ground rapidly.

Applejack's eyes widened. "W-Whoa; she's fast! Way faster than I expected her ta be."

Fluttershy added on, "H-How does such a tiny little puppy dig that fast?"

Twilight was beginning to grow more and more skeptical regarding this pup's talents. "Hm..."

They all just watched as soon the pup dug a massive hole into the ground, big enough for all of them to hop into. And they did just that, surprisingly to find out that as soon as they did, there was already a network of tunnels dug beneath the forest. It was like an underground maze of solemn blue due to the submergance. Twilight glanced around momentarily in disbelief as she muttered softly, "W-Whoa."

The pup then began leading them down one particular direction as she glanced back at Twilight and the others with a bright smile. "Home, yes!" As it began sprinting down that pathway happily without a care in the world. The tunnels actually gave the feeling of being submerged in absolute darkness, stretching on for miles on end from the looks of it. Twilight in particular knew it was impossible for a pup to do this sort of underground burrowing all by itself, she needed some form of support. She just wondered what that support was. But as she glanced around, she noticed the dirt did give off a pale blue tint due to the amount of light which reached this point, which was practically none.

Fluttershy was trembling as she was hugging onto Rainbow Dash. "T-T-There's so, so, so many of them. W-Who knows what could be in these tunnels?" Fluttershy turned pale as she continued to peer down the blackness of the dirt tunnel. It was ironic, that her only form of comfort was in the form of a puppy whom of which happily lead the way further down, taking momentary stops to turn around, stand on its hind legs, and make sure they were all following as it continued on down, leading the way to wherever it was going.

Applejack commented, "Shucks. Reminds me of when I buck down all the apples in the open season. This is mighty impressive."

Rarity sighed heavily. "Ooooooh~ must she lead us down in these dirty nasty tunnels!? These are absolutely dreadful. I need a bath when I get back to the castle, too long have I been the victim of having nasty dirt muck and grime stick to my beautiful coat and mane!"

Pinkie Pie bounced. "Oh come on silly! Getting dirty's fun!" She chuckled with her eyes closed and continued to bounce.

Rainbow Dash frowned as she glanced up at the dirt ceiling of the tunnel with a shiver. "I'm just worried these darn stinking tunnels will eventually cave in on us! That's a lotta weight that could come crashin down on us if we're not careful down here!"

Twilight commented absently. "Don't worry Rainbow, my magic will protect us. But I agree, the sooner we figure this out the better." She said this with a blank and inquisitive expression, keeping an eye on the puppy as they trotted along, making sure to keep up with her.

As they continued to make their way through the tunnels, they came to an eventual stop.

The entire group paused, some distance away from the puppy as they peered ahead, most with confused expressions. The puppy just stood there at the end of the tunnel, or at a cliff's edge in particular. It appeared as if they came to a sudden halt in their journey, the only place to go now would be down into a black bottomless pit which lead nowhere, or back in the direction they came from.

Rainbow Dash muttered, "Ugh? Really? That's it?"

Rarity groaned as she looked angrily to the puppy. "R-Really!? You lead us down here to show us a dead end!? Bad, bad bad bad! Now come, come to Miss Rarity, it seems that we can't trust you to lead the way anymore!" Rarity stated this with a angry hoof stomp. She then made her way up ahead somewhat, absently trotting towards the puppy before glancing back at her friends with a sigh. "I'm sorry you all, I trusted that she'd know what she's doing. But, it looks like all she wanted to do was explore." Rarity closed her eyes with a scoff, "I'm starting to just say leave her! I mean we have no idea why I react to her anyhow! So, might as well right!? I mean, reeeeally? How long must I suffer like this? Smelly diamond dogs, a puppy with no clue what to do? It's like caring for Sweetie Belle in her younger days all over again." She sighed shaking her head, "Except much dirtier of course! But I guess I have no choice hm? I mean, that is generosity is it not?"

"R-RARITY!!!" Fluttershy exclaimed hurriedly.

Rarity's eyes snapped wide before she caught sight of what the rest of them were looking at. Rarity's expression sunk as she saw almost immediately saw that the pup was now awfully close to the cliff's edge, even scooting half her paws off it some as if she were about to jump. "W-What're you doing!? S-Stop! Don't you dare jump! BAD! Now come here! C-Come to me!" Rarity appeared horribly distraught as she watched the pup innocently edge its way off inch by inch, before glancing back at Rarity and the others with wide confused eyes.

Twilight also wore an expression of dread as she stated. "C-Come back to us okay!? It's dangerous over there!"

Rarity then gritted her teeth before attempting to seize her with telekinetic magic.

The pup then shook itself before breaking free from the hold, like it was shaking off water.

Rarity cringed in both anger and despair. How does she keep doing that!?

Fluttershy had her muzzle covered with both hooves as she trembled and watched.

The diamond dog pup tilted its head to the right before glancing down the cliff's edge and then back over to the mane six with a bright smile, nodding hurriedly. "Home, yes!?" She pointed down towards the black abyss with a happy smile. "Jump yes?"

They all stated in unison before preparing to charge the pup. "NO!!! JUMP = NO!!!!!!"

The pup began nodding hurriedly as she smiled. "HOME YES? JUMP, YES!" Before stepping off the edge of the cliff.

Rarity was the first to bolt ahead as she immediately leaped at the puppy. "N-NO!!! STOP!!"

And the puppy plummeted the moment Rarity arrived, chuckling as it fell down into the darkness, disappearing from sight.

Rarity's eyes went wide as her pupils dilated, one hoof hanging over the edge, reached out for the puppy who was no longer in her sight. Thick wrinkles now underlined her eyes as she just continued to peer down at that darkness, unable to say anything. Soon, her cutie mark began to go off again, but she ignored it. Only looking down, before her friends joined her and then Applejack and Twilight lifted her up.

Rainbow Dash appeared furious as she prepared to bolt off the edge of the cliff. "DARNIT!!!-"

Twilight stretched out a hoof. "NO Rainbow!"

Rainbow snapped at Twilight, "I can still catch up if I-"

Twilight shook her head. "No Rainbow, we can't see anything that's down there. There could be jagged rocks, strange creatures, and who knows what else. We can't split from the group in a place like this! Even for that diamond dog, s-she already fell too far. E-Even...even if-" Twilight's eyes saddened as she bore a guilty expression, feeling partially responsible for leading it down here. Twilight commented. "I-I'm sorry Rarity, w-we couldn't have possibly-" She shook her head, "I'll fly down and see if we can still-"

Rarity gritted her teeth before stomping a hoof at Twilight. "Couldn't have possibly have known!? T-Twilight! How am I supposed to deal with this!? It was my responsibility! I took it from the forest! My cutie mark reacted to it! If I hadn't bothered her, she'd have never been here to begin with!" Rarity began to tear up as her lower lip puckered up, "T-Twilight, i-it was just a little baby diamond dog."

The rest of them fell silent with solemn looks.

Rarity continued to speak, a small tremble in her voice, "H-How can I explain if I ever see its-"

SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!

All of their eyes snapped wide as they all immediately made their way towards the cliff's edge again, peering down in the darkness.

SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!

Rarity suddenly glanced around hurriedly, still unable to see anything. "D-DARLING! IS THAT YOU!?"

Twilight appeared horribly baffled as well as they just continued to listen. "I-Is that water!? How come we heard no splash?"

"JUMP! YES?"

They all looked to one another, absolutely mind boggled as they nodded to one another. Rainbow then lifted Applejack as she flapped her wings, as Twilight helped carry Rarity, and Fluttershy helped carry Pinkie. Rarity appeared horribly annoyed and eager to get to the bottom of this already at that point. And soon enough, they all made their way off the edge of the cliff, fluttering down deeper and deeper as Rarity and Twilight used their horns as a guiding light. As they descended deeper and deeper, soon coming into view would be a large ruby red body of water, while what surrounded it, would be even more amazing as they all just looked on in disbelief. Twilight almost immediately shot out a multitude of violet glowing spheres as she continued to glance about the area in amazement. She gulped, "T-This is..."

The improvised home was one massive underground dome of a cavern. But that wasn't what bothered the group the most, it was the amount of gems that'd been hidden in there. There was a rainbow mountain of crystal gems, all stacked high. Assortments of jewelry was mixed in the mess. With beaten pictures of ponies, griffons, and other creatures laying about as well. It possessed a foul stench, but that didn't take away the beauty of it all. About each corner of the underground dome, there were a multitude of holes which obviously lead about to different areas in Equestria. Rainbow Dash was the second to at least react openly to the awe inspiring sight with a simple, "AWESOME!!!"

The diamond dog puppy stood on her hind legs, her eyes closed as she happily spread her upper paws. "HOME, YES!"

Applejack leaped down to join the diamond dog pup happily, before she began trotting around slowly. She picked up old pictures and pieces of jewelry with interest. "Whooey, now ain't this an impressive collection? Just how in the hay did she get all this stuff?"

Pinkie leaped from the hooves of Fluttershy diving head first into the body of water. "WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" SPLASH!

Rainbow Dash flew down further into the dome before taking a look at some of the stuff herself. "Beats me! But golley is this cool! I mean, look at all this stuff!" She spread her hooves in a grand gesture to how she felt about it all. It was hard to take it all in.

But Twilight in question didn't seem too pleased for one particular reason. Her eyes were half closed as she glanced about the dome in question. Where was the pup's parents? Where was its pack? Was it really only just her in this massive cavern? What was with this puppy!? How did it manage to collect all these objects by itself!? Something was not right here, she frowned a bit to herself.

Rarity glanced up at Twilight. "T-Twilight, let me down this instant!"

Fluttershy and Twilight's eyes widened as they looked at one another, before touching Rarity down upon the stone floor.

Rarity immediately stomped over to the diamond dog pup, growling fiercely. "COME HERE!"

The pup trembled as it began to whine, lowering itself more and more as if attempting to hide itself. "Pony yes? Mad yes? Sorry, yes!"

Rarity scoffed with an annoyed chuckle. "SORRY!? You're sorry!? BAD, you're a bad bad bad bad bad diamond dog!"

The pup's eyes teared up as she continued to tremble, looking up at Rarity, her head buried in her shoulders. "Aruuuuu..."

Rainbow appeared a bit hesitant, but still wanted to say something. "J-Jeez Rarity, I think she gets-"

Rarity then immediately embraced the pup in a hug before stating. "How was I supposed to live with myself, knowing I got something as sweet as you hurt in this dark and nasty place? I am a mare of class after-all. What am I if I can't look out for one clueless little girl?"

The pup almost immediately eased up, smiling brightly at Rarity. "Kind, yes? Pony, yes? Happy, yes! Yes yes yes!"

Rarity couldn't help but tear up in both gratefulness and amusement. "Gosh, w-where does your energy come from? No matter." Rarity hugged the pup a bit tighter before giving it a soft nuzzle, and placing it on her back. "I'm starting to get used to that aspect of you as well. Now let's see if we can figure out what sort of problems you've been having down here." She began trotting forward happily.

The pup was content sitting on Rarity's back with a blank expression, allowing the mare to lead the way.

Fluttershy chuckled as she smiled. "Aw, how nice of Rarity."

Applejack added on some distance away, still looking at old pictures. "Yaaaa said it!"

Pinkie Pie's eyes widened as she was still swimming in the water, as she tilted her head with her puffed cheeks and gave a curious look to something she'd found. It appeared to be a red sparkling gem, one of which was quite distinct compared to everything else.

Twilight on the other hoof just continued to glance around the area, unsure what to think of it.

So, this was its home. But, where were all the answers?

CHAPTER 4: PIECES, PIECES, LITTLE, PIECES!

~ Five Months Earlier ~

Blackened caverns which stretched for miles on end housed what appeared to be a completely different world on its own. In its own way, it was no different from the surface, had the surface world possessed a pale yellow sky. But down below, hidden deep within Equestria, another kingdom existed, just as massive as the Crystal Empire, and just as fortified as Canterlot. This was the kingdom of the changelings, the grand domain of the one and only Queen Chrysalis. Not many, if any, casually stumbled upon her sanctuary, and if they did, they'd either ended up like most who would so foolishly trifle with her kind, or they'd ensure not to get within noticeable proximity of the guards. The changeling kingdom was also protected by a transparent green barrier, fortified by magic. It was truly a fortress to be reckoned with.

Yes, the kingdom which housed thousands of changelings was beyond frightening to say the least. It was just as fortified as those who'd dared to stumble upon it have mentioned. Just as hidden and tucked away as the race often was in public society. And just as impressive for any with the architectural understanding of how complex it was to construct such a society underground. But, something was also amiss.

Queen Chrysalis herself stepped out onto the porch of her throne room as she wore an infuriated expression, a scowl practically ingrained upon her muzzle as she saw there was chaos ridden in the streets while she glanced about. There were fires, explosions, alarms going off, as well as pony prisoners scurrying about making way for the many improvised escape routes. She stomped a hoof. "WHAT, IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" She huffed, flaring her nostrils as she grid her teeth to the point where it sounded as if they would crack.

One of the changeling guards immediately fluttered forward as it wore a worried expression. "M-My Queen, it, it is um-"

Queen Chrysalis glared back at him, fuming with a green magical aura. "SPIT IT OUT YOU IMBECILE!"

The changeling trembled. "I-It seems a tiny creature has invaded our city! And, in the chaos of attempting to neutralize it, it's um, it's managed to free many of our pony prisoners who're now rioting in the streets and making ways for an escape."

Queen Chrysalis' eyes snapped wide. "WHAT!? A TINY CREATURE?" Her expression died down, her anger now more passive and calmed, but her eyes still baring a look of unrivaled fury. She raised a brow at her companion, "Why would this tiny creature go against us? Is it so foolish to think it can topple my changeling hive on its own? Is it insane? Tell me what the sentinels have learned so far about it. To go against my glorious hive, this creature must be quite fearsome." She turned with a bump in her step, and a classy stride. "How many prisoners has it managed to free so far?" Queen Chrysalis appeared to look gravely serious about the matter.

The changeling guard shook his head. "D-Dozens my Queen, if I were to have to make a rough estimate, I'd say it's already freed both the eastern and southern district camps, and is now onto the northern district, so, hundreds. Its power grows with each pony that joins its cause. For something so small, i-it's power is truly fearsome. What must we do my Queen? How can we defeat such a creature that knows our every move and defense mechanisms?" The changeling now possessed a look of absolute dread the more it thought about the future.

Queen Chrysalis' expression sunk as her magical power leaked from her very being like an ethereal green mist. She sighed heavily as her face darkened as she stated in a cold tone. "Rally the soldiers, I will go out and contend with this mysterious foe myself, worry not."

The changeling immediately saluted. "T-THANK YOU MY QUEEN! YOUR ASSISTANCE IS MUCH APPRECIATED!"

Queen Chrysalis peered ahead again, down towards the flaming streets of her grand empire. Who are you?...

Meanwhile, in the flaming streets of the blackened city, cocoon towers were adorned with flame as stained glass windows were being shattered left and right. Ponies could be seen scurrying about the streets with pieces of broken carapace either in hoof or being elevated with telekinetic magic in defense, forming up and gathering with one another as they took the fight to their changeling captors. However, a large group paid particular attention to one little creature. The little creature had a large brown leather sack attached to its back, as it continued sniffing around the streets absently with wide eyes. Soon one of the ponies stepped forward, as she wore a serious expression and gulped, before glancing back at her companions then back to the tiny creature. "W-What's the next step in the plan, Commander?"

The tiny creature, which was revealed to be a diamond dog pup, just stood on its hind legs as it glanced back at the ponies with wide eyes. It tilted its head to the right, only just noticing now how many of them were following it. She just blinked as she muttered. "Pony, yes?"

The pony then nodded firmly as she glanced back at the rest of the group. "She wants us to free the rest of the ponies!"

The ponies then all cheered in unison as they began chanting. "YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!!!!"

The little diamond dog pup blinked a bit in confusion of the ponies reactions, as it shrugged and then continued to sniff around the area a bit more. Soon enough it dug a hole in the ground with swift speed, before disappearing beneath the surface of the city, digging even further as it tunneled its way through the ground to another particular location. "Dig dig dig dig dig dig!" It stated constantly while doing so.

Meanwhile, in another sector of the city, ragged ponies sat in their depression as they had yet to be freed. They whimpered with slight frowns, hoping for some kind of salvation, some form of light in this dark dark place. They'd heard rumors of ponies escaping, of something going wrong with the changelings. But they were too far to have noticed any sort of changes in their district. Many of the fillies and colts sniffled as they remained close to their parents, whom of which were all now significantly skinnier due to their smaller food rations.

One of the fillies commented. "M-Momma, I'm hungry."

The mare glanced down at her daughter as tears swelled in her eyes. "O-Oh I know Sweetie. Don't worry, dinner will be here soon."

Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig!

All of the ponies paused as they'd heard that repeating word. But it sounded distant, far.

One of them commented. "W-What's that?"

One of the mare's stood to her hooves. "S-Sounds like it's coming from,......beneath us?"

They all then looked to the ground for a lengthy period of time, before suddenly poking its head out in the middle of the camp, before hopping out itself, then immediately landing on all fours would be a tiny diamond dog pup. It blinked a bit before sniffing around.

All the ponies immediately looked to the absent minded diamond dog puppy with curiosity.

One of the mare's glanced at a stallion in confusion. "I-Is that? A, puppy?" She squinted one eye at it.

The stallion shook his head. "N-No, pretty sure that's a diamond dog."

The mare blinked a bit. "A diamond what?"

The stallion continued as they all continued to observe it sniffing around. "A diamond dog, most have an affeminate love for treasures of various sorts. Although, I'd never imagined a puppy would dig this deep or go this far from its pack. How strange. They aren't very intelligent creatures either, and typically the females remain cooped up in their home caverns. Wonder what it's doing all the way out here."

Soon the puppy rose to its hind legs as it looked around in place, before its eyes widened at the sight of a massive black gate. Atop the black gate was a sparkling emerald orb, as it shined with magnificence, producing a sickly green aura around the camp. A shield or barrier which kept the ponies locked tight. The orb was located on the outside of this barrier atop the gate. The puppy then nodded hurriedly, "Mine, yes!" Before it leaped back into its hole disappearing from sight, repeating, "Dig dig dig dig dig dig dig dig dig dig dig!" as it did as such.

The ponies of the camp just continued to watch and listen in curiosity.

A multitude of changeling guards patrolled the black gate from the top, ensuring that the orb was protected. But as the ponies eyed the top of the gate, soon appearing right beneath the emerald orb, having weaseled its way through the cracks and crevices of the carapace constructed defense, and right beneath the green orb would be the diamond dog puppy. The changelings all immediately paused, staring at it before it stated, "MINE!" And then snatched the green orb with ease, sticking the orb in its pack and then disappearing again like a roach.

With that the green barrier died down, as did magical collars which adorned each pony.

The ponies all looked at one another in shock, before immediately making a charge away from the area to freedom.

Eventually as time passed, and the rebellion had actually made significant progress, the ponies were preparing for their final push to the underground tunnels which hopefully would lead them into a network of tunnels where they couldn't be easily pursued. All the ponies were mustered together, practically focused on one main thing. The diamond dog puppy which continued to sniff around not far off.

One of the stallions trotted forward with a determined expression. "W-What next commander? We've managed to hold them off as long as we can. What route should we take for an escape? Surely the changelings won't give us all the time in the world to form a plan."

The diamond dog puppy stood to its hind legs as it looked at the stallion with a wide eyed curious look. Was it talking to her? She thought.

"SO, YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'VE BEEN CAUSING TROUBLE IN MY HIVE!"

The ponies all froze as they recognized that horrific voice. The diamond dog pup then peered over at said individual with a curious expression. A bug? But the longer the diamond dog puppy remained focused on this lone figure, this creature far larger and more elegant than the others, the more its eyes widened in fascination in absolute desire as it saw one thing that caught its attention. A tiny black crown shaped object upon her head. It just continued to stare at the mighty Queen with those hungry eyes, practically drooling as it did so.

Queen Chrysalis burst into amused chuckles. "A valiant effort, but the game ends here." The Queen soon touched upon the ground, accompanied by a multitude of her changeling guards. She glanced around for a moment at the chaos within her city before looking to the massive group of ponies. "Although I'm upset that you all would so casually destroy my home, I am willing to forgive and forget, for you lot are my cattle, our sustenance; but only if you agree to surrender here. So, what will it be? Will you fight and be forced into submission yet again? Or will you surrender and save yourselves the trouble of us having to round you all up? Choose wisely."

Many of the ponies all trembled before the Queen as they looked at her. They knew how powerful she was, and they knew resistance was more than likely futile. Many began to back away in fear, preparing to retreat, while some actually contemplated her offer.

Soon however, one of the changeling guards trotted forward. "M-My Queen; t-there it is."

Queen Chrysalis' eyes widened as she glanced around a bit, then squinted, as she focused and then caught sight of it. The supposed creature that managed to cause all this chaos within her domain. She raised a brow, just staring at it plainly. Soon, she began to tremble as she lowered her head, and then burst into wild maniacal chuckles. "Ahahahaha!!!!! Aha! Ahahahahaahhaahahahaha!"

Everypony fell silent as they just remained focused on the Queen's actions, even the ponies.

Queen Chrysalis raised a hoof in amusement. "THIS, is the fearsome creature I've heard so much about? A mere diamond whelp! Like a rat in a burrow? Is this some kind of sick joke!?" She leaned forward with a wide playful grin. "WHAT'S IT GONNA DO!? LICK ME TO DEATH!?" She began to chuckle yet again, unable to contain herself. "What's it gonna be, mighty creature? Will you dare face the might of Queen Chrysalis? Hahaha, you, a mere little whelp? You should just scurry, flee like the little mongrel you are, like the rest of you should. You know what, actually yes, is there ANY of you who'd be foolish enough to go against me? You all cower like children in the face of-"

"MINE! The diamond dog puppy stated with a slight hop.

Queen Chrysalis' eyes snapped wide in disbelief and shock, as she gritted her teeth in fury. WHAT!?

Many of the changelings gasped. D-Did that little mongrel creature truly just challenge their mighty Queen!?

Even the ponies looked shocked as they looked down at the little puppy.

Queen Chrysalis was practically speechless. "Y-You....you would dare speak to me as an equal? YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A TINY LITTLE MONGREL MUTT! YOU'RE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME! HOW DARE YOU SHOW ME DISRESPECT, I AM-"

The diamond dog puppy then hopped again with a bright happy smile. "MINE!" Before it started sprinting straight towards the Queen on all fours, hungrily eyeing her makeshift black crown, focused on it like a mad dog. "Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine!"

Queen Chrysalis staggered back. "W-WHAT!? IT CHARGES ME!? SUCH, SUCH INSOLENCE!" She'd never admit it, but this creature's confidence sent a shiver down her spine! I-It dare charged her head on in a duel!? W-WHAT FOOLISHNESS! Queen Chrysalis then ported forward as she glared angrily at the insolent pup. "I WILL TURN YOU TO ASH YOU FOOLISH CREATURE!" And as she gritted her teeth nervously, her horn lit with green flame as she let off a massive blast of magical energy straight towards the puppy. "PERISH!!!!"

The diamond dog pup remained focused on her black crown before it leaped into the air, and immediately dived and dug into the ground as the blast passed over it, but managed to tear its brown leather sack to pieces. But as it did so, the changeling orbs which were in the sack ignited with magical power due to the Queen's magical blast, letting off streams of powerful magical energy which surged out and around the city, breaking apart her blast and deflecting it towards more areas of the city, as if the orbs truly did act like a barrier.

Queen Chrysalis trembled as she snarled. "W-WHAT!?" I-It deflected my blast!?

The changelings were horrified, shocked in disbelief.

The ponies all looked on in awe, before they immediately cheered. One stated, "W-We can't just allow her to do all the fighting! Let's go ponies! We can take back our freedom! Together! Chaaaaaaaaaarge!" And with that, the ponies were rallied with confidence as they charged the changeling horde, determined as ever to take back their freedom, despite their numbers and disadvantage.

Queen Chrysalis looked on in horror at the ferocity of the ponies as they charged she and her subjects. She then glanced around her city, her destroyed and flaming hive, having cause the destruction with her own magical spell, duped by this master tactician, this, legendary little mongrel which dare challenged her. Speaking of it, Chrysalis backed up as she glanced around hurriedly. "W-Where did it go!?"

And suddenly bursting out of the ground right behind the Queen would be the diamond dog pup with hungry eyes. "MINE!" As it was currently in mid-air, leaping for the Queen herself, its eyes still fastened on her crown as the world seemed to go in slow motion.

Queen Chrysalis glanced back with wide horrified eyes, as she peered into the eyes of a monster. A creature the likes of which she had never seen before, this, mongrel, this tiny creature? How could such a being exist!? Which now wished to devour her very soul!? Queen Chrysalis' expression sunk as she was filled with immediate fear. She cried out before flapping her wings and taking for the skies to avoid the death grab by the tiny creature. "NOOOO!!!! R-RETREAT! RETREAT MY SUBJECTS! I-IT'S A MONSTER! A MONSTER!!!!"

The changelings then immediately rose for the skies as well, beginning to retreat as they followed quickly after their Queen. What few remained to fight eventually caught on as they to began to make way for a hasty retreat. Realizing their current situation.

The puppy touched upon the ground face first as it then glanced around hurriedly. It then peered off into the distance, seeing that Queen Chrysalis was flying away, which caused her eyes to tear as she began to whine and cry. "Aruuuuuuu, aruuuuuu..." Its crown was now too far away. The puppy then began sniffing around again, as it noticed its bag was destroyed, and it'd lost all its gems. Its eyes saddened as she still had some of the brown leather material attached to her back, now forming what looked like a brown cloak. She didn't really notice though. The puppy took a moment to acknowledge the ponies one last time, who all were still celebrating their regained freedom. It tilted its head to the right before muttering, "Po-nieees." It then turned around slowly, sniffing around at the dirt as it progressively made its way towards one of its makeshift holes before hopping inside and disappearing from sight, continuing on with her journey.

The pony captives were all still embracing one another as they cheered in unison, in complete and absolute joy. They were finally free, after so long, Queen Chrysalis and her changelings had given them back their reigns. Many looked to the tunnels which lead to the network of more tunnels, knowing one lead back to the surface. But as they all celebrated, standing there with grateful expressions, one more turned around looking for one thing in particular. All she saw now was a barren broken landscape adorned in flames, and glowing green orbs laying on the ground as well as the charred remains of a brown leather sack. The mare smiled to herself with saddened eyes as she then focused on a hole which laid not far off from the lot of them. Her eyes began to tear up as she muttered, "Farewell, Commander."

~ Present Day ~

Exploration for the current day had finally come to a close. Twilight felt they'd made sufficient progress with Rarity's new little pup for the time being. And Rarity had already accomplished much of the hard work herself. Having gone out of her way to find the source of her cutie mark's reactions; although Twilight would've preferred that she consulted with them first, she understood Rarity's situation. So as the group had already made their way back out from the underground tunnels and up to the surface, she was content. It seemed Princess Luna had also already brought out the moon and Princess Celestia had retired for the day as well. The mane six had all stood on a grassy field, right above the diamond pup's cavern home, having used teleportation magic to aid in their exiting process, as Twilight looked to the moonlit sky.

"Well, that was fun." Rainbow commented as she stretched her hooves and yawned, patting her muzzle tiredly as she glanced down at the diamond dog pup who was just sniffing about them happily as it still seemed to posses much energy. "Great job squirt! That was pretty cool. Ya got a lot of talent in gem huntin from the looks of it! Don't really see why you need Rarity's help."

Rarity gasped, glaring at Rainbow. "HEY!"

Rainbow shrugged before backing away in laughter. "Kidding, kiddiiiiing Rarity!"

Twilight muttered to herself in obvious distress. "Neither do I Rainbow."

Rarity huffed before grabbing onto the pup and then placing it on her back again. Rarity was unsurprisingly dirty as well as she closed her eyes with a heavy sigh. "Well everypony, aside from that little venture," she glanced about at them, "Well, what do we do now?"

They all looked at Rarity, all besides Twilight who still appeared horribly upset.

Rarity raised a brow at Twilight. "Is everything alright darling?"

Twilight shook her head. "S-Sorry. I just can't seem to figure out what is it that's going on." She paused, "I just don't see what it is that Rarity needs to do. I have my suspicions or theories but ultimately, none of them make enough sense to validate Rarity's cutie mark going off. It just seems out of the blue, this abnormal connection. This pup gathers gems well on its own, survives well on its own, is happy and content with itself. I just don't see what the problem could be, could it be something as simple as just,....befriending it?"

Suddenly the pup hopped from Rarity's back before running around her in circles. "Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine!"

Rarity chuckled a bit before smirking lightly. "What in the world? Yes yes, I understand." She used her magic to pick her up before just huffing a bit and shaking her head. "Well, there is no rush Twilight. For now I will take her back with me. She could use a bath anyhow."

Twilight nodded to Rarity as she still wore a slight frown but graced Rarity with a smile. "Sorry Rarity."

Rarity shook her head, "No need to apologize darling! Truly!" Rarity then went back to tending to the pup a few feet away.

"Twilight Twilight Twilight! Look what I found!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed from afar. Hurriedly approaching Twilight, she had in her own mouth what appeared to be a strange cracked ruby gem, it sparkled in the moonlight, and leaked with a slighty red aura.

Twilight blinked a bit, "Oh, what's that Pinkie?"

Pinkie shook her head. "Not sure! But I like it! See! Isn't it nice?"

And as Twilight and Pinkie talked a little bit further from the group, Rarity snatched up the diamond dog pup as she placed it on her back. She paused however, taking a moment to inspect the brown cloak the pup was wearing, and noticing it had burn marks on the edges. She raised a brow at this and muttered, "Hm, burn marks? No matter, nothing I cannot fix. Did she contend with a dragon or something?" She then raised a brow as she glanced back at the pup. "What happened to your-" before she paused. "H-Hey, what's wrong with you?"

And the diamond dog had wide eyes, her pupils dilated as she just gave Pinkie a blank stare. Particularly, she focused on the ruby which Pinkie had before she began letting off a hushed growling noise. She glared somewhat at the pink pony. "Miiiine...."