Canterlot Academy Trials

Meanwhile, elsewhere near the Abyssinian border between it and a volcanic region near the dragon lands…

The Abyssinian tiger man--Odu Eransa--had ventured deep into the brimstone-laced region filled with nothing but magma and ash. Eventually, through it all, he arrived at a lone shack that sat alone in the middle of what looked to be nowhere, and stepped inside…

“Heeeyyy…it’s my favorite customer,” a burgundy dragoness with purple claws and horns called out from a behind a desk where she had her legs upon. Her voice was smooth as silk, yet somewhat deep, “Need a bit more juice, huh?”

“I’m almost there,” Odu confirmed to her, “I just need a bit more so that I can start the conflict I’m looking to engage.”

“Whatever, my guy, so long as you uphold your end of the deal,” she scoffed as she reached into one of the desk drawers, and pulled out a vial of dragon blood. “This’ll keep you going for twice as long as before.”

With a quick toss, the dark-red dragon flung it at Odu and he caught it in his paw. “Good. And don’t worry, miss. I’d like to avoid the ire of Gloomtail and Bonetail as much as possible.”

“Tch, you better,” the dragoness rolled her eyes, “They’re always trying to look out for me but it comes off more like sheltering. Makes sense since they’re both older and a bit stronger than I am but still. Better not get on their bad side, you hear me?”

“Of course,” Odu replied with a nod, “And you intend on usurping the current Dragon Lord, correct, Ms. Hooktail? I’ll help out however I can once I’m done with my plans.”

“Yeah. Ember and Smolder are too soft,” Hooktail scoffed as she cracked her knuckles, “We should be out here bullying people and taking what’s ours. Not expressing our ‘fee-fees’ and other sappy nonsense.” She looked at a nearby dartboard with various knives sticking out of it that were attached to a picture of a blue dragon, "...my ex was one of them, thinking he can win with his emotions. Blech."

“On that we can agree,” the tiger man added, “Emotion is the key to the downfall of many empires. Hence why our exchange of services runs in tandem with each other.” He took one last look at the vial of blood. “And you’re certain this will make my power greater than it is currently?”

“For sure. After all…that’s blood from one of the old dragons lords,” Hooktail added with a smirk from her maw.

Odu glanced at her with an impressed expression. “...how did you…?”

All she said in response was, “Don’t ask questions you aren’t prepared to know the answers to. Now get outta here before someone realizes you’re here.”

And Odu would simply take his leave in silence, choosing not to question her any further. Unfortunately for him, someone actually was watching the situation the entire time from a nearby hill…

“...that’s the tiger guy my sisters were talking about.”

The next morning, back in the goblin’s underground cavern…

Rufus awakened, having slept next to Uziel for the entire night. The goblin girl took comfort in resting against the yak’s furry body.

“Aaaaugh…” he muttered as he awakened, and nuzzled the goblin girl’s face with his own. “...mornin’, Uzi. How are ya?”

Surprisingly, when she woke up, her demeanor was much less callous than before. “...I feel…great, actually. Amazing, even. That was the first time I’ve ever slept with a guy next to me.”

“And…how did it feel?” Rufus asked with a nervous smile, “I didn’t snore or squish you did I? I know yak fur gets everywhere so I’m not sure if I--”

Uziel interrupted him with a giggle as she stood up and stretched her arms out, “...it’s fine. I actually liked it because you were all warm and fuzzy. Yak fur is a bit different from the other pelts I’ve had over the years.”

“I could give you some of mine if you want,” he offered while brushing some of his locks out of the way of his face, “I could use a bit of a shave anyway.”

Uziel giggled as she did her hair up in its usual ponytail shape. “...I might have to take you up on that at some point. But c’mon, let’s see if any of my sisters found anything out last night.”

The two would join the rest of the group around the fire pit. Fang had awakened before them and had a few small bite marks on his chest and neck, a detail that Rufus was quick to notice.

“Uhh…”

“Don’t ask,” Fang cut him off as he gestured to an empty spot on the log next to him, “As it turns out, we’ve got quite the situation on our hands, Rufus.”

“Oh really?” Rufus sat down next to him, and looked at his fellow teammates for an explanation, “What’s going on?”

Meanwhile, Uziel had left the group to speak with one of her sister’s…

Spearklip would speak up first. “As it turns out, one of the goblins here has found out that the tiger guy is getting some sort of substance from a shack near the dragon lands. Whatever it is could be exactly what he’s intended to use to start a war between the Abyssinians and Diamond Dogs.”

Fang shuddered at the thought of a war, given his family back home. Not to mention his mother and her condition. “Rrgh…this is bad. I can’t afford to let that happen,” he huffed with a hint of fear behind what was meant to be a bold statement.

“We won’t let it happen, Jun,” Lee ensured him. She was aware that, as a Diamond Dog, his whole family could be at risk. Given her own experiences, she didn’t want him to have to suffer either. “We will make sure that nothing happens to either side. I can promise you that.”

“...Hearing that from you puts me at ease, Ms. Lee,” Fang replied, noting how sincere her words were, “Sorry…I shouldn’t let my emotions overtake me.”

Moments later, Uziel would return to the group. “Okaaaay…I’ve got good news everyone. Our target isn’t too far from here. If we leave now, we could be back before it gets too dark and cold topside. Let’s hurry.”