Several Years Ago

The King of Maretonia looked down upon the great cavern beneath him, smiling in satisfaction as he saw his men ensuring the great work he had ordered of them was underway.

His guards, wearing turquoise armour, watched intently as they stood, making sure the diamond dogs they had captured continued the hard work of digging and shaping the cavern walls, forming a massive castle and statue decorations from the very stone of the cavern itself.

The King of Maretonia chuckled. “Excellent work. Soon my great palace will be complete. It will be a grand edifice to my stature indeed, and keep me out of that DREADFUL sunlight.” He frown in disapproval as he looked down, seeing a tiny diamond dog sitting on the ground, looking tired and worn out. “WHY is THAT one NOT working?”

“My king, I believe that one is too tired to work.” One of his guards answered. “It’s probably not as resilient as the others due its size.”

The king huffed, eyes narrowing in annoyance. “Well I didn’t tell it to do that. Make it go back to work, I’d like my palace ready sometime before I die of old age.”

“Yes my liege.” The guard replied, the order being relayed until a pair of guards marched over to the tiny dog and starting kick him roughly, shouting angrily at him until he got up on his feet and walked, shakily and in pain, back in a line of dogs and went back to digging, whimpering weakly.

A particularly tall, female Diamond Dog snarled as she saw this, glancing up at the King is disdain. The pony who used his money and power to enslave her people.

If only they had the same thing...she would show him what she thought of him.

The King glared. “That one is looking at me. I do not like such disgusting things doing that. Make it stop.”

The female diamond dog growled as she was surrounded by guards, who struck her hard with their rod-like weaponry, battering and bruising her body.

She was deemed the ‘trouble one’ and so was used to this treatment. She took it, she had long since realised fighting back was no use. Not when she was starving, worn out and overworked while they got to relax and eat and not have to work 24/7.

The only thing driving her was the hope that, one day, someone would save them.

Of course, nopony did.

Present Day

Twilight yelped as she was shoved into a small building, looking around she saw other ponies sporting collars similar to her own, sitting around tables and eating meagre meals of very simple salads.

“Wha...?” The purple unicorn started to say.

“This is one of the places we put ponies like you.” Rover explained, folding his arms behind his back. “You’ll be staying here until you work off your debt.” He sneered. “IF you can work it off, of course.” He turned and walked out, leaving Twilight in the small building, the other collared ponies gazing at her sadly in sympathy.

Twilight got up, looking around. “...well, I guess I gotta...get to work then?” She gave the other ponies a reassuring smile as she started to turn to trot off.

“You’re just...accepting this...?” A white coated mare spoke up, a tiny bit taller than the other ponies, a gold collar much like Twilight’s around her slender, white neck. “...I guess...not even one of the Elements of Harmony can stand up against the Rock God…” She gazed downcast, looking fairly depressed from this situation.

Twilight turned to the mare, smiling. “It’s unfair and me and my friends are absolutely going to do something about this, but for now I’m just gonna have to work and get through it till we got a plan! Don’t worry, everypony, we’re gonna fix this! But first, I’ll just go work, I’m a farmer, I’m used to working hard!” She grinned widely, stepping outside. “Now, what to do first?”

Pinkamena grumbled as she walked along the hallway of the large main building, which more resembled a castle than the office of a resort. She stomped to a large golden double door and shoved it open with her hooves, stepping into a large room decorated with golden statues, a large chandelier above with expensive paintings decorating the walls, bright red carpeting on the floor. At the very end of the room was a large golden table an audacious purple leather chair upon which sat the resort’s owner, Crunch.

The diamond dog grinned widely at the mare. “I see you found my head office easily enough, what brings you here, Miss Pinkamena?”

The pink pony growls and stomps towards the diamond dog’s desk. “What they hay do you get off, enslaving ponies who lose money in your resort?”

Crunch grinned. “Ah, you saw someone lose it all? That’s just the luck of the draw....”

“I’m supposed to just ACCEPT the fact you LITERALLY ENSLAVE anyone who you deem as ‘losers’ in this messed up place?”

“Some lessons are harsh and need to be enforced harshly.” Crunch took a deep drag from a golden cigar, blowing smoke into Pinkamena’s face. “When you have the cash, you have it all,and if you don’t...then those on top stomp all over you. You ponies would do the same to US if given the chance.”

“Everypony thinks those ponies are MISSING.” PInkamena hissed. “How the hay are you getting away with this? You shouldn’t even be able to RUN this place with what’s going on, let alone be able to somehow HIDE IT.”

Crunch leaned back in her chair, grinning coldly as she spun her cigar in her paw. “Let me lay it down you for you then: I have three ‘weapons’ in place. Firstly, the Rock God. As long as we have it contained here, all’s good, but if this place were to shut down, it might be able to break free and cause havoc. Secondly, We have customers with enough political power, mostly through their wealth, who don’t WANT this resort to go down even IF they are aware of what’s going on here to the ‘losers’, and if that WOULD be a problem? I have eyes and ears EVERYWHERE, little pony, I can tighten some screws to make them understand getting any royals or their guards involved would land THEM in...hot water themselves.”

Pinkamena’s eyes narrowed. “Blackmail.”

“Thirdly,” Crunch continued as if the pink pony didn’t speak, “I have a...special trick to make sure nopony TALKS.” As she spoke the large crystal dangling from her collar glowed meaningfully. “Honestly, I’m surprised. We’re both businesspeople, we both know how the world works. Honestly, you should be wanting to work together with me.”

Pinkamena glared at the diamond dog. “I’m not a nice pony. I don’t really want to make friends or bother with other ponies, and yes I can be a harsh businesspony. But I’m not CRUEL, and I don’t DO CRIMES. Not to mention you stole from me.”

“Stole?” Crunch got up slowly, chuckling. “I think I’d remember doing such a thing.”

She snarled. “I KNOW you’re the one who stole a majority of rocks and land from my farm, not to mention you kidnapped my friend’s baby dragon!”

Crunch chuckled, stepping front of a large window that overlooked the resort. “A strong accusation. I’m sure you have some strong evidence of this crime I supposedly committed?”

PInkamena’s eyes narrowed icily. “My pinkie sense tells me you’re at the heart of this. That you stole from me and kidnapped Spike.”

“Pinkie sense? Doesn’t sound like solid evidence.” Crunch smirked. “Miss Pinkamena, is that ALL you have? Little more than ‘vibes’, as the kids say these days?”

PInkamena glared.”Say what you will, you and I both know what’s going on.”

Crunch laughed. “OH, I doubt THAT. But, sure, let’s SAY I stole from you AND kidnapped this...’spike’ person, can you imagine why?”

Pinkamena gazed silently.

Crunch smirked, looking out through the window to her side that showed a grand view of the El Dorado resort, her hands behind her back. “You’ve been making quite a name for yourself in the business world. You know, one of El Dorado’s side ventures is as the largest source of metals, minerals and precious stones in Equestria. There’s a mine beneath this very resort. So, imagine how troublesome it would be hearing about how a no-name pony, from a no-name town had SOMEHOW managed to gain a supply that actually rivalled our own? Why, forgive me about my honesty, but it seems to be me quite fortunate to me if someone managed to deprive you of your source of income. I can’t have anyone cutting into my business ventures, no matter how small.”

“Monopolies are not good for anyone.” Pinkamena bluntly said.

“I beg to differ.” Crunch turned back to the pink pony, grinning widely. “The truth is, I have my fingers in a LOT of pies and I don’t like seeing ANYONE, especially a darn PONY, sticking their hooves in and taking profit from ME. And if I DID rob you, well, I DARE you to do something about it.”

Pinkamena glared coldly. “I am. I don’t know why you took Spike, and I don’t care. I’ve only been here a short time but between what you did to Twilight and other ponies and what you did to ME, I’m going to make you cry.”

Crunch laughed uproariously. “Oh how rich! You aren’t the first to say something like that to me, but you know what? I have THREE weapons that put a stop to such talk. Firstly, Celestia wouldn’t DARE risk doing anything that could cause the Rock God to rampage through the land, she worries oh so much when supernatural entities are involved especially if they could harm her ponies. Secondly, I have LOTS of rich, influential ponies who don’t want this place to go under, and even if some WOULD try and take me down I have enough dirt on EVERYPONY to shut THEM up too. Thirdly, I have enough money to buy anything and EVERYTHING I want. For example, I know somepony who’d LOVE to buy that plot of land your friend Applejack currently resides on. Even if Applejack opposed me, even if the MAYOR HIMSELF opposed me, I could EASILY take that land from her without anyone being able to SAY or DO anything about it.”

Crunch’s grin grew wider as she continued. “Try and search for that dragon of yours. You won’t find ANYTHING. NOPONY will help you, not if it means earning MY ire. Even if you manage to find SOMETHING, YOU’LL be the one facing trouble, not ME. Because Money makes the world go around, and I’m the one who makes the money move.” Her grin immediately dropped into a disdainful scowl. “Now get the hay out of my office.”

Pinkamena growled, hoof shaking, but she turned around and trotted away. “You probably think I did something fruitless, coming here...but you’re wrong. Anyway, before I go….nice jewellery you got hanging from your neck. I wonder how you got your paws on such a rare gemstone. Must make you feel like a god or something. Anyway… bye.” She trotted out, the door slamming behind her.

Crunch snarled, gripping the glowing gemstone hanging from the collar around her neck. “Could she have...?” She picked up a small red device and held it to her ear. “Rover, keep an eye on Miss Pinkamena. She’s too smart for her own good, she could be trouble.”

Twilight walked over to a black coated mare with a grey mane, handing her a plate of pancakes decorated with whipped cream, strawberries and edible gold dusting. “Here’s your dessert, ma’am!”

The mare huffed, taking a bite from her food.

Twilight smiled a little forcibly. “I...ummm...you know you could...umm...would you mind giving a...tip?”

The mare merely glared at her, looking at a watch wrapped around her forehoof. “Hm, I should get going.” She thoughtlessly pushed the plate to the side and got up slowly. “The auction’s starting soon.”

“Umm...auction?” Twilight asked.

The mare simply got up, shoving Twilight aside as she trotted forwards down the street.

Twilight looked at the amre, and the barely touched plate of pancakes. “Uhh, miss, what about your food?”

“Leave me alone.” Cease, attorney at law, snapped irritably. “I have more important things to worry about than the HELP.” She continued walking along, leaving her food behind.

Twilight looked at the plate, stilled piled high with strawberries and pancakes. “Well...that’s a waste. I hope WE weren’t like that when we were rich...oh wel, I can bring these to the employees for lunch! It’d be a waste to throw this away.”

A shadow fell over her body as a voice growled. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Twilight turned, seeing the red vest and sunglasses of Rover. “Oh! Well, a customer decided not to finish this so...”

Rover shook his head. “Employees aren’t to take a customer’s property.”

“But she’s not eating it! It’s just going to get into the trash otherwise!” The purple unicorn protested.

Rover folded his arms, snorting. “Don’t try and justify it. It’s theft, no matter what, and while on the job too? That’s gonna be a hefty fine.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “F-fine...?”

“And since you’re an employee...well, guess that fine’s being added to your debt. I’d say....mmnnn...3000 bits.”

“Th-three thousand!?!?” Twilight’s eyes widened, face pale.

Rover sneered. “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the time, is that not so?”

“B-but I didn’t...”

“Now,don’t make a scene. That just means more to pay off in your debt.”

Twilight looked down, closing her eyes as she breathed deeply. “Yes, sir...”

Rover smirked and chuckled. “Good girl. We’ll have you behaving yet.”

Jet Set and Upper Crust wandered around a far part of the resort, noticing several rather notable figures walking along together at a steady pace.

“Where are they all going, I wonder?” Jet Set wondered aloud.

“I daresay this might be that thing Blueblood told us to be on the lookout for, is it not?” His wife responded. “You know, that ‘suspicious activity’ thing.”

“Hmm, indeed, I think you are absolutely right, my dear.” He gave her a bright grin. “Mayhaps we should perform some skulduggery and follow along?”

“Oh, darling, this is quite exciting, it’s like we’re in a spy novel!”

They both grinned before trotting over, watching the procession casually walk along toward into a dark alley. They stuck from a distance and in the shadows, being careful not to be seen as they managed to see the last of the line step through an opening in the wall at the far end of the alley, rushing forward as they see the opening start to close.

As they ran forward something grabbed them from behind and pulled them back, the wall closing suddenly, leaving a seamless wall at the back of the alley. The pair squirmed and struggled, looking behind themselves.

They saw a brown pony stallion, holding them up their necks with his hooves. “You two shouldn’t go down there. Trust me.”

“Who are you?” Upper Crust asked. “Why did you stop us from following them?”

He set them down, standing much taller than them. “Name’s Troubleshoes. Used to be a bigshot back in the day, until I came here.” He pointed at the golden collar around his neck. “Now I’m one of the ‘employees’ here. Been here longer than most, and in that time I managed to get some information.”

Jet Set smiled at him. “What sort of information, my good sir? Something in regards to those ponies marching into a hidden door?”

Troubleshoes nodded. “Mhmm. Ya see, there’s a ‘rumour’, in so much as an open secret can be a ‘rumour’. According to this ‘rumour’, beneath the resort there’s a special ‘event’, exclusive to only the most rich, influential and shady figures who frequent this...establishment. So, naturally, said event is HEAVILLY secured. If you went down there you’d probably alert everyone and get caught before you could even get a foot further down there.”

Upper Crust’s eyes widened. “What sort of ‘event’?”

“Most folks call it the Black Auction.” Troubleshoe’s expression darkened. “Called such ‘cause it’s an auction that sells only the most illegal contraband in Equestria. Stolen relics, forbidden magic books, rare animals, anything anypony would want to buy without any regards to ethics and budget.”

The couple looked at each other, gears turning in their heads. “We...may want to check this ‘Black Auction’ out. Were helping a friend find something...not that we’re too sure what that IS exactly, but we’ll know it when we see it.”

Troubleshoes looked them over. “Hmm...assuming that ‘something’ is something at the Black Auction, yeah I may understand a little. I do think I another way in, but it’s not gonna be easy.”

Jet Set grinned widely. “Whatever it is, we’re fine with it. Just lead the way, Mr Troubleshoes.”

The stallion looked the pair over with a raised brow. “No questions?”

Upper Crust giggled. “Well, we have no reason to distrust you, what with that collar and you pulling us out of danger. So, where do you wish to take us?”

Troubleshoes gave them a look. “Well...this may sound nuts, but the Resort’s Head Office. That’s where we can find an ‘alternate route’.”

Jet Set chuckled. “Goodness! And this is meant to be the ‘safe’ route?”

“I never said THAT, but if we’re careful we SHOULD be able to get through without too much trouble...hopefully.”

“Oh darling this vacation has been so STIMULATING!” Upper Crust cheered excitedly, earning a puzzled look from Troubleshoes.

Spike tugged at the chain hooked his collar to the wall, grunting and growling.

“Yeah that was the first thing I tried.” Garble, the dragon in the cage near his, spoke up. “Dunno what any of this is made of but yeah there’s no pulling it out.”

“Well I have to at least try something!” Spike retorted, huffing in frustration. “…sorry if that sounded kinda harsh, I’m just…really annoyed about this.”

Garble shrugs, leaning against the bars of his cage so he can look at Spike over his shoulder. “It’s fine, I know the feeling. I hope those friends of yours you mentioned will help us…if they’re looking for you.”

Spike pressed closer to the bars of his cell, trying to look over at the other prisoner as he spoke to him. “How long HAVE you been here anyway?”

“…I don’t remember….probably like six month or so, I guess?”

“Why would they kidnap you and keep you locked up for six months?”

“Dunno, All I know is I’ve been here forever and outside of food I barely see anyone until you were brought here.”

Spike frowned. “What they hay are they planning with us?”

“Again, dunno. Not that it matters, I haven’t heard anything about my so-called friends trying to save me, let alone the Dragon King or such.”

Spike perked up. “Wait, there’s a Dragon King? I didn’t even think dragons had, like, a society, let alone a king.”

“Ehhh, it’s not like the ponies and their princesses and stuff, dragons just go do what they want, the dragon king, or dragon lord, or whatever we call them, is the biggest, strongest dragon around though and basically bosses us around. The Dragon King nowadays stops us from going on rampages like the old days and makes us chill out.” Garble tried to avert from Spike’s gaze. “Some of us don’t really…play nice with other races. Most dragons spend time lazing around in the mountains together, or lazing around in their hoards. And some of us cause trouble for ponies and the like, if we’re bored. N…not that I did, of course.”

Spike chuckled. “Riiighhht, sure. Just…make sure you don’t. Some of my best friends are ponies.”

Garble blushed a bit. “Y-yeah, sure, right, ponies are nice right? Messing with them is just…mean, right?”

“Right.” Spike nodded. “And anyone else who didn’t do anything bad to you first, okay?”

“Y-yeah.” Garble nodded rapidly. “A-anyway yeah so most of us live together in a group of mountains, but it’s not like a ‘dragon city’ or anything, it’s just a place we hang out when we got nowhere else to be, some dragons found their own places. The Dragon King sometimes calls everyone together to his mountain when he needs to tell everyone something important. He does like some CALL thing that just tells everyone “hey get over here losers”.”

Spike nodded. “I’ve…never really thought much about other dragons. I never knew any growing up, and the last one I met recently was…” He looked down, shivering as the image of a black maned dragon entered his vision. “A monster.”

Garble frowned. “Well…I dunno about that, but, ummm, if you’d like I could…show you some dragons and dragon stuff if we get out of here….you know, if, umm, if you wanted.”

Spike looked at Garble, smiling. “Sure, that’d be nice, Garble.”

Garble blushed deeply, body stiffening. “Y-yeah I’m...I’m plenty nice…”

As the pair talked they blinked and looked out into the dark hallway visible through their cages, a small diamond dog in a pink dress walking over, looking around nervously.

Garble growled, glaring. “What do YOU want, DOG?”

The tiny dog whimpered, clutching something in his hands as he walked over to Spike’s cage, holding up a key to the lock. “I-I...I should have done this ages ago...I’m so sorry…”

Spike blinked, eyes widening. “Wait are you trying to free me?”

Garble raised a brow sceptically. “Why the hay would he?”

Spot looked down, pushing a key into the lock, only to freeze at hearing a voice speak up behind him.

“Yes, do enlighten us as to why you suddenly decided to betray me, SPOT.”

Spot and the dragons looked down into the darkness of the hall as the figure of Crunch walked over and struck Spot to the side with her paw, knocking Spot into a wall allowing her to grab the key out of the lock as she looked down upon the diamond dog with a cold gaze.

“I ASKED you a question, SPOT.”

Spot looked up nervously at his boss, ears low. “I...I just think selling people is too far. I mean, what were doing already was…”

Crunch leaned, gold teeth glinted dangerously as she smiled humourlessly. “Spot. Spot. Spot. Spot. I’m not selling PEOPLE. I’m selling DRAGONS. They’re no different from monsters or animals. They’re just another product to be peddled, the fact one of them can be used to lure in those Element Bearers is just a bonus. Honestly, you never had a problem with this before.”

Spot looked down guiltily. “Y-you had me and the others convinced all the ponies are the same...but...I-I’ve been thinking that’s wrong...that purple pony didn’t seem like him...none of the ponies we’ve….employed...do. B-But...I was...I was too…”

Crunch’s eyes were steely. “SCARED? Why, SPOT, why would you fear ME? We are FRIENDS, after all. I SAVED you, remember?”

“B-but this...all we’ve been doing here….” Spot looked up at Crunch, tears in his eyes. “I-it’s just like the King of the Maretonia! I don’t want to see you act like HIM!”

With a jolt Crunch pulled spot by his collar and tossed him hard into the floor, beating him brutally with her fists, claws and feet as she bared her teeth in rage.

“Don’t you DARE compare me to HIM! ALL ponies are alike! They espouse about FRIENDSHIP and KINDNESS and worthless LIES but all that matters is MONEY, regardless of who they have to CRUSH to get even a SINGLE BIT more than they already GOT! THEY DESERVE TO SUFFER LIKE WE DID! WE HAVE TO BRING THEM DOWN TO WHAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH! I AM DOING THIS FOR YOU, YOU UNGRATEFUL, LITTLE PIECE OF GARBAGE!”

Spot whimpered in pain and fear, curling up as he glanced up at Crunch, tears in his eyes as his tiny paws clutched at his tattered dress. “I-I’m...I’m sorry Crunch….”

Crunch stood straight, gazing down at Spot without even an ounce of remorse or pity, only condescension. “Just watch what you SAY, Spot. You KNOW I don’t like having HIM mentioned around me. Just do your job and DON’T try and mess with my business, especially so soon to auction time. Just keep being a coward and keep your BLEEDING HEART to YOURSELF. Now scurry along and do what you’re SUPPOSED to.” She huffed and turned to Spike, grinning coldly, not paying Spot any mind as the smaller diamond dog whimpered and scurried away quickly. “SO sorry about that display, I wasn’t expecting him to act up like this. He’s always been so OBEDIENT.”

Spike inched back. “You...you really shouldn’t treat your friends like that…”

“Oh like you care. You didn’t utter a PEEP when I...disciplined him.” Crunch admonished, stepping closer to Spike’s cage.

“You guys kidnapped me, I’m not exactly on either of your sides….”Spike pointed out.

Crunch chuckled. “So hostile. Spike, is it? No need to be like this, I have something for you. A gift. We have something big in the works and you’re the main attraction, after all, we’ll need you presentable.”

“h-huh…?”SPike gazed up at the diamond dog, confused.”What are you talking about? And what do you mean you have a gift for me…?”

Crunch grinned widely, pulling something from behind her and tossing it into Spike’s arms: a simple looking teddy bear. “See? Isn’t it adorable? It’s all yours, yours and yours alone, and I have many gifts for you?”

Garble blinked, tilting his head. “What the hay are you doing…? What’s with this all of a sudden…?” He trailed off as he noticed the look in Spike’s eyes, like he was entranced, focused entirely on the gift. “Uhhh...Spike? You okay?”

Spike gazed at the teddy. “Mine…? All...Mine…?” A green glow sparked in his eyes as a change began to occur.

Garble gasped, backing away as Spike’s body began to grow. “What the!?”

Crunch chuckled, opening the cage. “Come along spike...I have many more gifts for you...you need to fill your hoard and grow big and strong after all...we have a LOT of people excited to see you!”

Pinkamena walked along the backstreets of EL Dorado, having wandered into the more remote areas of the resort. She looked around and dug a hole into the ground, dropping something into the hole before closing it back up again.

“What are you doing over here Pinkamena?”

She looked over her shoulder to see Twilight approaching her. “Won’t you get in trouble being here?”

Twilight shrugged. “One of my jobs is to make sure the guests are taken care of, and you ARE one of the guests here, after all.”

Pinkamena rolled her eyes. “Nice loophole, but that’s not gonna help you, you know. Those dogs can decide what you’re allowed to do and I doubt a loophole like that would work with them.”

Twilight smiled, shrugging away her friend’s concern. “It’ll be fine...really, I’m just curious what you’ve been doing all this time. What’s with the digging?”

Pinkamena looked down at the spot where she had been digging. “Part of a plan of mine. I would’ve preferred to have found Spike first, but I haven’t really seen any sign of him here, and freeing everyone is a priority….”

“Everyone?” Twilight chuckled. “You didn’t strike me as someone so altruistic, Pinkamena.”

“I’m many things, but I’m NOT someone who approves of slavery.” Pinkamena said sternly. “The ‘rock god’ is clearly just a smokescreen, this resort is enslaving ponies and ensuring that noone can rescue them, so barring Crunch suddenly changing her mind, I’m gonna destroy everything.”

“Destroy…?” Twilight frowned. “How…?”

“You wouldn’t understand, you may be a farmer, but you’re not a rock farmer. Besides, they might used that collar to make you tell them, you never know with magic. Plus if you knew the details you may try and stop me.”

Twilight frowned. “There’s NOTHING you think I can do?”

Pinkamena thought for a moment before nodding. “yeah, it slipped my mind, but you should be able to try and tell everyone to gather as close as they can to the front gate.”

“The front gate.”

“Yeah. It’ll ensure as few people are hurt by my plans as possible.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes, her frown deepening. “So your plan could hurt everyone…?”

“Not if you do as I told you.”

Twilight closed her eyes and after a while she nodded slowly. “Alright. You’re my friend, and you are right that this is an extreme situation, but I’m not sure I’m fine with this…” She opened her eyes again. “But what about Spike? You really didn’t find him anywhere?”

“Well I doubt they’d have him just out in the open anyway….” Pinkamena sighed. “Some adventure I’ve taken you on, huh?”

“Well, we’ll find a clue somewhere, maybe in the main building?”

“The gaudy tower through which Crunch watches everyone from above?” Pinkamena shook her head. “I was there not long ago, giving the manager a piece of my mind, and I didn’t see anything out of place, let alone any hint of a dragon being there…..”

“We could ask Jet Set and Upper Crust for help?” Twilight suggested helpfully.

Pinkamena’s eyes narrowed. “The rich idiots on vacation? Not only do I doubt they have ANY skills that would be of help, they’re the exact people who could face a lot of trouble if they get Crunch’s attention. They might end up in your position too.”

“Well, yeah but, the same could be said for you too!”

Pinkamena shrugged. “I’m willing to take the risk. Besides the Rock God wouldn’t dare. Trust me, its better if we just leave it to me and not get any random fools involved.”

“Well, I suppose you have a point there, maybe…” Twilight sighed and looked down. “Where the hay is Spike….? Why did they take him…?”

Pinkamena looked down with a frown. “I’m not sure….I think it was to lure us here for some reason but they could have done anything…”

As the pair talked their ears pricked up as they heard tiny feet running towards them, looking in the direction of the sound they saw the tiny diamond dog in a blue dress.

“That’s one of Crunch’s sidekicks…” Pinkamena muttered.

Spot ran up the pair, panting, covered in bruises and bandages. “Ah...man I’m winded….You two...you need to come with me….”

Pinkamena tilted her head. “Why? Does you boss want something?”

Spot jerked up. “No, no! In fact we need to hurry to stop her! It’s...I know where your dragon friend is!”

Pinkamena stepped right up to the tiny diamond dog, face close to his. “WHERE IS HE!?”

Spot yelped and stepped back a little. “I...There’s a...there’s a THING we do here, it’s meant to be a secret, only those in the know...well, know about it.”

“A ‘thing’?” Twilight asked.

Spot nodded slowly. “It’s….we call it the Black Auction. We, um, sell things to important people through it. Stuff we...normally wouldn’t be able to sell in Equestrian lands….”

Pinkamena’s eyes narrowed to pinprick, twisted in fury. “Are you SELLING SPIKE IN AN AUCTION?!?!”

Spot yelped. “I didn’t want to! I’ve...I’ve honestly been against all this, but I’ve been with Crunch for years! She...she always seemed to know best...but this is too far! We have to stop her! I can’t see her do this!”

“So you’re fine with her enslaving the ‘losers’ here, but THIS is where you put your foot down!?” Pinkamena growled.

Twilight stepped forward, placing a hoof on Pinkamena’s back. “He said he wants to stop it. I think we should give him a chance, this IS our only lead.”

Pinkamena growled and glared at the tiny dog but nodded. “Fine, so what are you going to do?”

“I’m taking you to him of course!” Spot said. “I know you can save him! Just follow me and I can take you down one of the secret passages we use! Quick, the auction’s about to start, we need to hurry!”

Pinkamena stood over the diamond dog. “Then show me already!”

“r-right!” Spot turned and ran as Pinkamena followed

Pinkamena looked over her shoulder to Twilight. “You stay here and do what I told you!”

Twilight blinked and nodded. “R-right! Good luck Pinkamena!”

Pinkamena huffed, focusing forwards as she followed Spot. “I don’t believe in luck…”

Jet Set and Upper Crust look around like typical tourists as Troubleshoes lead the pair into the main administrative building of the resort, the large room decorated with paintings of Crunch and large golden statues flanking a set of crystal stairs going up to the higher floors of the building.

“So there’s a secret passage here?” Jet Set asked casually.

Troubleshoes gazed at the pair. “Hey, keep it down, we don’t wanna get caught…”

“it was just a simple question…” Jet Set muttered softly.

“Heh, don’t bother.” A voice scoffed as the red vest clad Rover stepped into view from behind the staircase, flicking his sunglasses up to show his glaring, yellow eyes as he smirked at the trio. “I’ve been watching everyone in this resort the entire time. I’m head of security for a reason. Now, why don’t you be good little ponies and GET OUT.”

Upper Crust looked at the dog in puzzlement. “However did you do that!?”

Rover snickered and snapped his claws, several tiny dogs the size of the baseballs rose up from the ground around him. “We’ve got these guys keeping watch everywhere, and this,” he gestured to his headset, “lets me communicate with them, so everything they see and hear will be relayed to me, including the schemes of a trio of ponies plotting to ruin our auction.”

Troubleshoes lowered his gaze. “Kinda dumb to show all that off to us…”

Rover laughed. “It doesn’t matter, you three cannot get past me. You’re gonna be punished, Troubleshoes, and as for those two with you...well, I’m sure the boss could use a couple more employees.”

Troubleshoes huffed and gave the dog a stern gaze. “Over my dead body.” He rushed forward, raising a hoof as he charge to punch the diamond dog.

A wall of the tiny dogs sprung up from the ground, catching Troubleshoes’ attack as their tiny paws hold his foreleg in place, the stallion struggling as Rover slowly walked around the makeshift wall and stepped to Troubleshoes’ side.

“If the rest of your Anarchists are like you, Troubleshoes, I pity them. As for you...you should’ve just stayed in your lane, or did you forget that you’re stuck here cause you just bring misfortune to everyone around you?” He sneered in cruelty as he lifted his leg and slammed hard onto the stallion’s back, making him crying out in pain and crumble to the floor.

“Now see here!” Jet Set called out. “That was EXTREMELY unsporting! Do you know no rules of conduct, sir!?”

Rover chuckled. “So I SHOULDN’T defend myself when someone decides to pick a fight with me? I suppose you uppity types love to throw around rules and such in your luxurious houses, but the rest of us? We know that the only thing that matters is the result. My apologies, but it seems your vacation is going to be cut short...after we give you a thorough interrogation and find out WHY you’re trying to sneak around. You’re certainly not after that dragon….”

“Dragon?” Upper Crust asked, looking at the diamond dog quizzically.

“Slip of the tongue, it’s no business of yours.” Rover cricked his neck, striding past the struggling form of Troubleshoes who while conscious was slightly winded by Rover’s attack. “Now...whatever will you two do?”

Jet Set glanced at Troubleshoes and gave Rover a bright smile. “My apologies, but we made a promise to a friend to look into your business and find a way to get all the ponies you’ve captured home. Thus, I’m afraid fisticuffs is called for.” He pulled out a tennis racket, spinning it in his hoof.

“And as his wife, I am afraid I must stand beside him!” Upper Crust smiled.

Rover rolled his shoulders, chuckling as he folded his arms. “You ponies are so SIMPLE. Very well.” He smirked and pointed a paw towards the couple, four Dig Dogs leaping from the floor at high speed.

“Oho!” Jet Set exclaimed jovially, jumping to the side as he batted a couple of the small dogs to the floor, his wife giggling as she swung her handbag with force to send the other two flying into a wall.

Rover sighed in annoyance, holding out a paw to his side, a Dig Dog leaping up into his open paw for him to grip firmly. He sneered as he threw the dog with powerful force, the tiny dog using this opportunity to fly into the walls and bounced the room at wild speed.

Upper Crust chuckled, swinging his racket as he kept his eyes on the small dog. “Do you really think that’s a clever ruse, sir?”

As he swung his racket a second Dig Dog flew from the ground and charged into his hoof, making him yelp in surprise as the attack loosened his grip and made him nearly drop the racket, which served as enough of a distraction to let the other Dig Dog hop onto the racket and fly directly into Upper Crust’s face, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Ah! Darling!” Upper Crust cried out in concern.

Rover sneered coldly and dashed forward, extending his arms outward to attempt to grab the mare by the neck, Upper Crust suddenly giving him a stern look as she hopped up and spun in the air, kicking Rover into the face and sending him flying. “Let’s see how YOU like it, you jerk!”

Rover snorted as he was pushed back, shaking his head to get his bearings as he snapped his claws, dig dogs rising up from the floor the form into large piles. “Yeah that was a little foolish on my part, I should have made sure you’re BOTH down before I go in for the kill!”

He grabbed large handfuls of Dig Dogs as Jet Set got up from the floor and his wife stood close to him protectively. Rover growled before tossing several dig dogs at once, with each toss he would grab and throw more and more and more until the room was full of bouncing little dogs. “Surely you two can’t handle so many at once!!”

Jet Set and Upper Crust did their best to knock away as many of the bouncing dogs as they could, but several manage to get by and strike their bodies hard, the couple soon panting and struggling to stand as Rover tutted. “You see? You’re just a couple of yuppies who can’t stand up to puppies. Just give up and accept your fate, like that purple unicorn, or the others we’ve managed to employ.”

The dog sneered cruelly, stepping forward slowly as the two ponies gazed at him, giving him a smirk as their horns glowed, an orb of magic surrounding the pair and they vanished before his eyes.

“w-what!?” Rover gasped, looking around. “How….why…!?”

He hurriedly gestured, the Dig Dogs rushing up to form a wall around him, but they were barely halfway done as the couple reappeared standing at his sides before driving their hooves into his face, shattering his sunglasses and headset.

“That little trick can take a lot out of us, we’re not QUITE gifted in magic despite being unicorns.” Jet Set said, chuckling.

“So we deign to not use it unless we really need to, since it can take a whole day for us recharge, as it were.” Upper Crust continued. “Of course, you don’t care, do you? Because you’re unconscious.”

Rover groaned as he collapsed, the dig dogs burrowing back underground in fear.

“Do you think those little ones wish to fight?” Upper Crust pondered.

“I think not Darling.” Jet Set replied. “They seem more the type to not know what do without someone to order them around. Perhaps that thing he wore on his head also had something to do with it. Either way, they seemed to have run with their tails between their legs, as it were. Anyway, where were we?”

They walked towards to the prone form of Troubleshoes and pulled him up, Upper Crust gently waving her tail over his fast. “Upsy daisy, Mr Troubleshoes, we still need you to show us that passage.”

Troubleshoes groaned and slowly opened his eyes. “Dang...what happened….?”

“oh nothing to be concerned over.” Jet Set said reassuringly. “We just had some ruffian try to get in the way. More importantly, we still need to find that auction you mentioned.”

Troubleshoes nodded and pulled away from the pair, walking ahead of them. “Right...yeah...just follow me, folks, it’s not far.”

He lead them to the back of the stairs and tapped on the wall five times, causing the wall to open like a door.

The couple cooed at the sight, Jet Set pulling out a camera and snapping a picture. “Marvellous!”

“Follow along folks.” Troubleshoes said. “Cause down here is the Black Auction...the real star attraction of this cursed resort.”

An audience set in stand seats that rose up towards the ceiling in a dark, underground room, the stands surrounding a large arena with a golden podium. As the audience watched with great interest a spotlight shone above the gold podium and a whirlwind of stones flew above it, forming into the massive, powerful form of the Dog God.

“Greetings, great and powerful ponies of Equestria! It seems we have quite the gathering today!” The Dog God called out theatrically. “From Zebica, Generalissimo Zig!” A spotlight shone above one of the audience members, showing a zebra wearing sunglasses and a green military cap. “From Canterlot, Cease of Cease and Desist Law Offices!” A spotlight shone over a black coated mare with a white mane, rolling her eyes at the theatrics. “Duchess Ruby of Saddle of Arabia!” A spotlight shone over a camel in a regal dress. “The Brotherhood of Shadows!” A spotlight shone over a group of four figures dressed in purple robes that hid their features, one clearly smaller than a filly and another so large the robe did little to hide its reptilian form. “and of course many other would despots, criminal masterminds, warmongers, thieves and wanna be tyrants!” Spotlights shone over all of the audience members at this point.

The Dog God grinned as they continued to speak. “You are all here for one reason and one reason only: while the rest of the rich and famous bask in their splendour and wealth, YOU are here to get your hands on things only I can provide, without the royal guard or Canterlot’s royals any the wiser, nor the other leaders of the various kingdoms within it. Powerful magical artifacts, treasure worth millions, weapons of various makes and sizes and, most special of all, something brand new….”

The Dog God gestured before themselves and a trap door opened up, a small stage rising up from below showing a giant purple dragon roaring mindlessly as it stood chained and shackled in place, a smaller more bipedal standing red Dragon chained opposite it and looking at it in concern.

“Yo, Spike!” Garble pleaded desperately as he struggled in his chains. “Snap out of it! You should still be in control of yourself! Why are you like this!?”

The Dog God chuckled. “The purple dragon has only just been exposed to its greed based defence mechanism, so its a little...unruly. But that just means it doesn’t have any free will in this state to make it defy any who wish to use it. Imagine, a powerful, magic resistant dragon, untamed unlike its brethren, capable of destroying all who stand in your way. I’m sure you can make use of the other dragon, too, though its far more ornery. I’m willing to give the purple dragon to you for the starting bid of 20 million bits.”

“30 million.” The zebra, Zig, called out instantly.

“60 million.” Came another voice.

“90.” Came yet another from the crowd.

“How about you DON’T try and literally buy my FRIEND, you FREAKS!”

All eyes looked towards the source of the new voice, unfamiliar and reeking of poverty to their ears, seeing a pink pony with a long straight mane running through an opening on the side of the back wall of the arena, a tiny dog in a dress running with her.

The Dog God’s eyes narrowed as they snorted disdainfully. “It seems we have a gatecrasher, ladies, gentlemen, and others. Perhaps they can provide a...demonstration to you all.”

The Dog God moved behind Spike, tossing a small gemstone towards Pinkamena to get him to look in her direction while the dragon’s restraints were removed.

“Kill her, she seeks to steal your treasure.” The Dog God said.

Spike looked at the tiny pony and the gemstone at her feet and roared like a beast, managing a single word in his current state. “MINE!!!”

Author's Note

Apologies for the long wait, all, been...overwhelmed as of late, and suffering poor time management.

I hope this was a good go, I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to go with this. I’m sure some may find this going a little too fast, or that Twilight’s plight and the resort itself could use a little more focus. But, this was what I could come up with at the time and I didn’t want to spend too much longer on this. Hopefully I’ll finish this and Season 2 of the RiMverse as a whole in a timely manner (of course there’s still season 3 to do…)

Hope you all enjoyed it and please comment c: