It wasn't a pretty sight, but as I was being hauled to my prison by the Storm King's mindless drones, I observed my surroundings of this town. I could see fish-like creatures running around, and ugly pigs in a similar fashion. None of the inhabitants looked pleasant or trustworthy, but if they promised they would be able to free me, I would have done any unpleasant things for them to do so.

This is the last time I'll ever see anything besides a cell. I sadly thought to myself - still trying to maintain my composure around my enemies. I wanted them to think that this imprisonment meant nothing to me, but all I wanted to do was burst out in tears.

The prison was what you would expect: a long, cold, damp, concrete corridor littered with holding cells with bars made from the same metal as the cage I was being carried in.

Very quickly and cautiously, the brutes tossed me in my cell - closing the gate immediately. I could have acted angry and blast at the cage - the only thing my horn seemed to be good at now - but I decided to act as if it was a minor annoyance.

“You don’t want to upset the mole by damaging his property, do you? I’m already still damaged from yesterday.” I sternly stated to these imbeciles, hoping to make them worry - it seemed to work. They bowed their heads in apology, grunting as a form of communication. It put a smile on my face and they soon left me to myself.

Looking around in my cell, I was actually surprised how spacious it appeared. In the very back was a large wooden door with no handles. Hanging close to the side wall was a punching bag. Their was a pile of hay and a blanket at the right corner. On the adjacent corner, there was a spout on the wall with two cords to the sides of it - I was guessing that this was the shower. Below it was a drain for the water and a chamber pot.

I was on the brink of sobbing until I heard the cage open. When I turned to look that way, I saw Verto pushing a small, but pudgy, hedgehog-boy with white quill-like hair and a dark blue coat similar to the soldiers. "I hope you're liking your accommodations, Miss." That hideous mole-rat cordially said. "If you win as many fights as I know you will, you'll get an upgraded cell in no time."

"For now, though, this is where you'll stay." He then pointed to the hedgehog. "Grubber here is going to be your new personal servant. He'll look at your wounds before battle and do whatever you tell him to do - or else." I noticed the sudden chills running down the hedgehog's back when informed the last part and could only imagine what they would do to him.

"Well, that sums up everything for now. I'll have Grubber tend to you while I go prepare your first battle. It should be in a few hours. You'll know when it's time to fight when the door behind you opens up. If you aren't there fast enough, you'll be 'asked' to comply. Have fun, you two."

As he walked off, it disgusted and frightened me how calm and business oriented he was about all this. There was death and torment all around him, and while he was acting hospitable to me, it was obviously more with the intention to stay on my good side. I could tell the lives of everyone here meant nothing to him. It made me wonder what his fate would be on the other side of these bars.

"Uh...excuse me, Miss." I hadn't realized I had zoned out, and my attention was at the hedgehog I completely forgot about. He looked really nervous to me, and from the first sentence, I could tell his speech had a lisp. He did seem kind of cute, though, but I didn't trust him for a second.

"What do you want, hedgehog?" My tone was harsher than I meant it to be and the little guy began to cower in fear. I simply sat down a waited as patiently as I could to see if he would eventually respond.

After a minute, he noticed I wasn't attacking him and he continued to speak. "I...I just wanted to ask that you hold still and let me examine any injuries you acquired since yesterday."

While it’s understandable that he was doing his job, in my mind, I was blushing hard and embarrassed that a boy my age, and that I met only today, was going to be touching me. I gave him a glare that screamed death if he put one finger on me - igniting my shattered horn for more intimidation.

Once again, he cowered to me, but this time was a little different. He continued to approach me regardless of his fears, “Please, Miss,” he nervously spoke, “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

It was clear to me that he wasn’t a threat, but I wanted him to know that I was. As he reached his hands out to me, I slapped them away and pushed him down.

He didn’t get up at first, and I was feeling satisfied with that. It was then I heard sobbing - he was sobbing.

Considering he was a grunt for the Stom King, I found it strange that he was so nonagressive. I approached him, curious about him now. “Hey,” I softly spoke, which got his attention, “what are you crying for? I know I didn’t hit you that hard.”

The weak little boy looked at me sadly, and yet, attempted to act tough. He was still in tears, but I could clearly hear what he said to me. "Please...I need to look at your wounds. They said they'd kill me if I didn't."

As I saw the innocent eyes gazing at me, I understood that he wasn't some grunt from the Storm King. He was just another victim enslaved and forced to do whatever he was told - in this case, assisting me. I pitied this weak little creature. He wasn't very brave and didn't seem capable of protecting even himself.

I sat back down and signaled him over. He happily came over while I was just sulking about it. "Thank you, Miss." The hedgehog gratefully whispered.

“Tempest!” I frustratingly said, making the timid thing nervous again. I calmed myself down and attempted to speak a little more softly. “You can stop calling me Miss. My name’s Tempest. Your’s was...uh...Grubber, right?”

“At your service, Miss Tempest.” He said, having a sudden calmer tone. "I promise I'll have you feeling good as new in no time."

"I hope so, and try not to make me feel uncomfortable during this, please." I looked away from him when saying that. I felt that I was blushing and I didn't want him to see me vulnerable.

"Of course, Tempest," The boy obediently said, "I live to serve only your wishes. Anything else you want from me?"

It was a bit alarming how submissive this hedgehog was. I never had a servant before, and I wasn't sure what else for him to do. "Well..." I said, trying to think of something to say, "I have a few hours to kill. Why don't you tell me more about yourself."

"Oh..." he said, so surprised, "nobody's asked that from me before. I'll tell you what I can if it pleases you?"

I nodded my head in approval and he began to tell me his story.

Author's Note

Well here's another chapter. I'll be doing a chapter of this and then a chapter of The Equestria that never was, so I might not be as fast as you would like. I do intend to finish it, however, so I hope you enjoy the chapters when they come out.