Late morning light greeted Pom at the end of the cave.

“Eager to get on your way, I see.” Churl chuckled as she rushed by him.

Pom stopped and turned with a shy grin. “Forgot my manners: thank ye for showing the way.”

“You and your friends helped me just as much.” Churl exchanged a nod with Papa as the dogs filed past. “It’s a long way to the Tapirs, but there’s a small cave to the right side of the river that should be close enough for tonight if you don’t dawdle. We didn’t find anything useful there, but it’d be a good place to stay the night.”

“Och, thank ye.” Pom said.

“Just don’t forget to come back with the clue. I’ll have a proper welcome waiting for you then.”

“Ye can count on us!” Pom smiled with the dogs seconding it with barks and huffs.

“That’s the spirit!” Churl stretched. “Well, I’ve got a cave to patrol. See ya then!”

“Thanks!” Pom waved as they went their separate ways.

From the elevation of the exit, she could see the river sparkling off the rising sun as she ran downhill to the riverbank.

She waited for the dogs there as they left for their first hunt, taking in the view of the water and the mountain looming overhead.

Hadn’t thought of all the beauty I’d get tae see. Never had a reason tae leave the Meadows.

With the exertion of the fight earlier, Pom happily accepted Papa’s offer to ride on his back again as they made their way down the river.

But she remembered their old mistake and kept an eye on the sky, frowning as she confirmed that clouds threatened to blow in.

“Looks like a storm is coming, could be dangerous,” Pom called from Papa’s back. “We should pick up the pace to get to that cave. ”

“Huff!”

She couldn't nap with the bouncing of his gait, but she knew they could get there sooner without being slowed by the puppies’ pace or hers.

Still, she felt guilty weighing them down as they stopped to pant throughout the day.
Mercifully, the rain did not come immediately as the clouds blew over, but they all understood the danger of the darkness.

We have tae be getting close now!

As the rain started to fall and the sky darkened with the unseen sun setting, Pom looked up to check for lightning and saw a strange glow she couldn’t identify moving in a line.

Is that a shooting star? That makes no sense! But then what…

Pom gulped as she noticed that it was following them down the river, and rapidly closing… And getting closer to the ground?!

“Something’s tailing us in the sky!”

Momma gave a surprised bark when she turned to check, and, after a glance back Papa broke into a full-on run through the mud.

But the light grew close enough for Pom to clearly identify it as fire: fire around some… thing covered in scales?!

“It’s a predator!” Her breath quickened suddenly as she wished she wasn’t exposed to the sky.

With a final burst of speed, Momma and Papa turned into the empty cave and unloaded their cargo, moving to block the entrance against whatever may be following them.

They did not have to wait long as it struck the ground, sending a wave of fire that made them both flinch before knocking Papa on his side with a spinning kick to the head.

It flipped away just as quickly as Momma snapped in retaliation before its fiery wings appeared again and it kicked her down in the same way with a strange battle cry.

“Eeyaah!”

The puppies charged in to help, but Pom was too frozen with fear to act, cowering from its fierce, slitted red eyes in a corner.

Tuft skidded to a halt as it breathed fire and nearly singed his whole coat, but Ruff clamped on its forelimb as it shouted from the attack.

A flaming swipe from the other forelimb dislodged him, but as it prepared to breathe fire again, Momma caught its hindleg in her jaws and flung it through the air.

It spun and hit a wall hard, but managed to stabilize in the air on its wings above Woof’s attempt to snap with a jump.

Puff flew in to keep up the pressure, but a rising kick caught her with a falling kick taking her out of the fight with a hard landing as they both returned to the ground.

Pom did her best to work up her courage as she watched in horror.

I have tae do something! Maybe if I sneak up.

Papa charged in to bite, but it caught him with a sweeping kick that knocked him in the air, sending him higher up with another strike before slamming him down with a falling kick.

Unfortunately, Tuft did not move out of the way and was knocked out alongside Papa as he landed on him.

Fire trailed its forelimbs as it moved them in a circle together.

“Ran Shao Feng!”

Its wings blazed brighter than ever with an eruption of flame that sent Ruff flying as he tried to bite while Woof circled, getting a shocked bark and snarl from Momma.

Momma growled and coiled as it dashed forward, but it feinted to land and rocketed toward her with a flaming kick.

She tried to block and withstand its assault, but it grew faster as it seemed to attack from all angles: suddenly in the air, kicking from her side after a blink at the flames, and finally taking her out of the fight with a blazing uppercut.

Seeing its back exposed finally snapped Pom out of her panic and she ran to try to subdue it, not seeing Woof running ahead of her.

This may be my only chance!

But it whipped around at the last second with a savage kick, sending Woof flying mid-pounce right in front of Pom.

As Pom looked into its red eyes, driven to desperation and rage by its attack on the dogs, something in her snapped.

“BAAAAAH!”

“Leave them alone Leave Them Alone LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!”

When her vision cleared she somehow was pinning it to the floor with no memory of how that happened, and its eyes were full of shock and—

Wait, that’s not—

“I am so sorry.”

Pom pulled a hoof back as it spoke and her confidence evaporated; that was all it needed to pull free.

Before she could process what happened, it was leaping from the mouth of the cave with its burning wings carrying it into the rainy night.

Papa stumbled up too late to catch it, and took to barking angrily at the sky before Momma stopped him with a whine and a paw on his shoulder.

What was that thing? What just happened?!

Pom shook her head.

Nevermind, they need my help now!

Momma and Papa guarded the entrance until it was their turn as Pom checked on the puppies, applying salves to burns and bandages to scrapes. They were all battered and bruised, but, thankfully, there were no serious injuries.

“I’m sorry!” Pom frowned as Woof whined at the sting of her washing a scrape. “If I wasn’t such a coward, this wouldn’t have happened!”

“Woof.” A gruff sound and a head shake from Papa showed his disapproval, though he kept his back turned to her as he watched the entrance.

“Okay, I did something, but that got close because I was scared!”

Woof rubbed against her with a whine as the other puppies joined.

Momma and Papa huffed something to each other before Momma walked over and pulled her close.

“...Thank ye all, for everything.” Pom took a breath. “I promise I’ll get stronger. I won’t let this happen again!”

From a hill across the bank, the figure stared back at the cave with only the leaves of a tree for shelter from the pouring rain.

I have weakened them and potentially alerted predators. I must ensure that they do not come to harm on my account.

Pom awoke to find that the dogs hadn’t given her a watch shift again, and was torn between relief and guilt from not feeling reliable.

Whatever that was, I hope tae never see it again!

The clouds were clearing as they left the cave, heralding another bright and beautiful morning, though Pom couldn’t help but dwell on last night.

With the safety of the sun, Pom wandered to clear her head as the dogs hunted.

But was that even a predator? It had scales and teeth, but all the others looked like shadows! Are different ones getting through now? But what kind of predator says sorry?

Her thoughts were thankfully interrupted by spotting a small mulberry tree, and she let herself forget her worries as she snacked on the mullberries, enjoying their sweet and tart flavor.

So she didn’t notice the green figure sliding towards her until after it stopped nearby, crouching, flameless, and with a lowered head.

“Honored sheep, I have—”

Pom gasped as she turned to see it and raised her head to shake her neck bell.

“Please, do not be afraid!” Its eyes widened. “I come to make amends! In the rain and dark, I mistook your dogs for a pack of wolves, and my instincts blin-blind-ACHOO!”

It sneezed.

“—blinded me.” It sniffled. “I am at your service until my debt has been repaid.”

Pom stopped and steadied her neck with a soft ring from the bell, but took a step back and pointed with a shaking hoof.

“Wha-what are you?”

It blinked and sniffled again. “I am Tianhuo, Captain of the Guard and Champion of Huoshan, in service to Her Royal Highness, Empress Longestma.”

“I mean, what are you.” Pom hesitated. “Are… Are ye a predator?”

Pom cowered as anger flared on Tianhuo’s face, but it was gone as soon as it came.

“I am a longma, and we stand with our ungulate kin against these invaders.”

Pom blinked with confusion overpowering fear.

“Then how do you have those teeth?”

“From our honored mother.” Tianhuo insisted with a scowl. “We are proud of our heritage, but we do not consume flesh: to call us predators implies a wretched crime.”

“Sorry.” Pom bit her lip. “Um, who is your honored mother?”

Tianhuo looked more offended at that as her tone shifted to an order. “How has word of our kind not reached you?! State your name.”

“Pom, tae champion of tae meadows.” She straightened at Tianhuo’s command, but did not speak with much confidence. “I’ve never seen or heard of anything like you, but I hadn’t really left the Meadow before this week.”

Tianhuo blinked twice. “I have heard that the Meadows are a peaceful place, so why have they chosen one as young as you to be a soldier? Has the danger grown so dire there that they recruit children?”

“Sol—” Pom blinked. “Oh, we don’t have soldiers.”

“Perhaps you call them guards.” Tianhuo raised a hoof as her brow furrowed.

“Well, we have sheep who handle crimes.” Pom scratched her head. “But, really, the dogs do all the fighting.”

Tianhuo made an ‘O’ with her mouth as her head spun. “...So you do not have a military?”

“What’s that?”

The sincerity of Pom’s response caused her mouth to fall open, getting a small wince from Pom as she saw her sharp teeth.

“So you rely entirely on dogs for safety?” Tianhuo spoke slowly, like she suspected she was missing something.

“Pretty much.” Pom nodded.

“Do you even know how to fight?”

“...No, not really.” Pom rubbed her foreleg and looked away.

Tianhuo took a deep breath to gather her thoughts, breathing out fire through her nose. “Then it would be my honor to te-tea-ACHOO!”

Pom’s eyes widened. “Are you sick? Were you out there in the rain all night?!”

Tianhuo licked her nose with a forked tongue. “I have endured worse. Do not concern yourself with it.”

But Pom was already checking her. “Hard tae say if you’ve got a fever with the scales and, well, fire, but that sneeze sure sounds like one. I may not be able tae fight, but I know illness and medicine. Ye need tae rest!”

“I am honor-bound to complete my mission!” Tianhuo stared back. “I have strength enough for the journey.”

Pom forgot her fear as she ordered Tianhuo like a lamb refusing medicine.

“It will only get worse and last longer if ye ignore it, and it’s dangerous tae be sick with the predators about! Let’s get tae the cave so you can rest, then I’ll fetch water.”

Tianhuo blinked three times, taken aback by her sudden demands before bowing.

“I pledged my service until I make amends. So if this is your wish, so be it.”

Pom rummaged through her supplies. “Do blankets actually help, or does the fire…”

“Yes, they help.” Tianhuo sniffled. “Creating fire consumes energy, which can tire the body and delay recovery. Longma usually suppress their flames while sick.”

“Got it.” Pom draped the wool blankets over her patient, before sliding the only pillow she brought to her.

“Comfy?”

“...Yes.” Tianhuo said. “But I am strong and ready to travel. You do not need to stop and look after me.”

“But you’re sick!” Pom protested. “I can’t let a fellow champion risk that. Now, would you like something tae drink?”

Tianhuo looked away for a moment. “...You wouldn’t happen to have tea, would you?”

“Coming right up! Peppermint tea is perfect for a cold.” Pom chirped and went to fetch the kettle.

She is quick to trust what she feared.

Tianhuo thought:

Is this kindness how the sheepdogs came to be? How we came to be?

Though she hid it as best she could, Tianhuo was exhausted.

After flying far and fast to get ahead of the rain grounding her and the strenuous fight, she had spent the night cold and wet.

She had been running on sheer willpower, but, as she finished the tea, she saw little reason to stay awake.

The lamb put her trust in me after I attacked; it is fitting that I do likewise. If I am going to honor her wishes, wasting my energy staying awake now will not help anyone.

With that, she closed her eyes and let herself succumb.

“Would you like anything tae— Oh!”

Pom smiled at Tianhuo sleeping peacefully with even breaths.

“Sleep well.” She whispered, but she couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a closer look at her.

She doesn’t seem so scary now. I guess she didn’t have anyone tae keep watch for her at night. It makes sense tae sleep in the day then.

Pom stepped out to ring her bell twice, showing the dogs where she was, before laying by Tianhuo and snacking on nuts.

She heard the dogs return with happy barks that shifted to growls as they sniffed the air; she ran out to quiet them.

“Shh! She’s sleeping.”

Momma tilted her head with a confused whine.

“She’s a Champion, like me. Just confused you for pr— Well, the bad predators.”

Papa huffed.

“She said sorry! And she’s sick, so we need tae let her sleep.”

Papa gave a confused growl at that, and pointed to the cave and then down the river.

“No, we’re staying the day.” Pom put her hoof down. “I’m going tae make sure she gets better so she doesn’t get hurt out there. It’s the least we could do.”

From his growl and eye roll, it was clear that Papa didn’t approve of losing time and taking risks to help their attacker, but he agreed with a stiff nod.

Momma gave a gentle huff to the puppies and motioned to the cave with a soft whine and a head tilt.

“Och, sure ye can see her. Just don’t wake her up!”

The dogs crept into the cave quietly on their paw pads. Papa took some quick sniffs before laying down as far away from the stranger as possible, but Momma and the puppies swarmed around her.

Momma had to huff at the puppies to back off a few times, but Tianhuo slept through it all.

Tianhuo awoke as the sun was starting to set, spotting Pom biting on a rope, tugging it away from two of the puppies.

As Pom made eye contact from peripheral vision, she released the rope in shock and the puppies went tumbling back.

“Och, you’re awake! Are ye feeling better?”

“Yes.” Tianhuo checked the sky. “Though it would be wise for all of us to wait until next morning to travel.”

Is this how the Champion of the Meadows trains? Playing children’s games with dogs?

“Of course.” Pom nodded. “Let me formally introduce you tae the dogs! This is Woof, he’s Ruff, he’s Tuft, her name is Puff, she’s Blen, though everyone calls her Momma, and he’s Max, but we just call him Papa.”

The dogs took their turns walking up for greeting sniffs, aside from Papa, who huffed in the corner.

Tianhuo stared back at him. “I did not ask to stay here! I told your master that I had the strength to travel, but she insisted on my rest. As I had already pledged my service to atone, I was bound to accept.”

Papa raised his head and huffed again.

“What do you mean she is not your master? Who is in charge of this squad?”

Pom’s eyes widened and darted between them as Papa answered.

“Then if she is in charge, is she not your master? And of course I can understand you! You are speaking the common tongue.”

“What?!” Pom’s exclaimed as the dogs crowded around.

Tianhuo blinked. “What is surprising to you? Do you not consider yourself their master?”

“No, but that’s not what’s surprising.” Pom pointed a hoof. “You can understand them?!”

“Yeess.” Tianhuo spoke slowly again.

“Like, you heard them say words, not just tone of voice and body language?” Pom pressed.

“Of course.” Tianhuo looked at her like she was insane, but her eyes widened as she saw the same shock from the rest of the dogs. “Wait, you really can’t understand each other?!”

“They understand others just fine.” Pom shook her head. “But I’ve never heard of a dog speaking words before, and I only heard huffs and barks there.”

Tianhuo’s mouth hung open as she processed that. “So… You are telling me that the sheeple live amongst the dogs and trust them completely with their safety, but have only ever heard barks and huffs?”

“And whines.” Pom scratched her head. “And some other noises. I’m usually pretty good at sorting it out, but we can’t exactly hold a conversation.”

Tianhuo rested her head on her hooves as she muttered to herself.

“Is this some strange sorcery? Our records on the Meadow are clearly inadequate.”

Woof interrupted her with a bark.

“Translate?” Tianhuo looked from her to Pom. “Very well, we have some time to talk.”

Tianhuo smiled as Woof barked.

“She says she loves you, and thank you for playing tug-of-war.”

“Aw, thank ye!” Pom pulled Woof into a hug. “I love ye too.”

At that, the puppies swarmed Tianhuo with barks as Momma barked at them to calm down.

Tianhuo pushed herself up with her forehooves. “Stop! I cannot hear you all at once.” She pointed. “Form a line, single file!”

They scampered into a line, with Ruff making it in front to bark first.

“He says he'd like to do the training game again.” Tianhuo nodded. “I must agree: I would like to see this game to begin your training.”

“My training?” Pom said.

“Yes. You said that you do not know how to fight, and it would be folly to continue as Champion without learning.”

“Ye don't have tae do that. I'm sure ye have more important things tae do.”

Pom couldn't look away from the resolve in Tianhuo's eyes as she spoke.

“I have many important things to do, but repaying my debt and ensuring the safety and efficacy of a fellow Champion is my most important duty now. And besides, you insisted on me staying with you to recover, and you are risking another night to help me. How could I do less?”

“Och, fair point.” Pom scratched the back of her head as she came up blank on a rebuttal. “And we should do the game, Ruff. It was fun!”

“Bark!”

“He says ‘great!’” Tianhuo translated.

Tuft came next, but he whined before yelping and running off.

“He says he forgot.” Tianhuo sighed.

Puff barked last from the air.

“She asks if you like her flying.” Tianhuo repeated.

“I thought it was strange at first, but it's clever and useful.” Pom looked up at her. “Keep it up!”

Puff smiled at that and landed with a small stumble.

“Perhaps I can give some pointers later.” Tianhuo tilted her head. “Though in all my years, I have seen nothing like it.”

She flinched as Puff licked her, getting a giggle from Pom. “That means she likes ye.”

“Well, I like you too, Puff.” Tianhuo said hesitantly, getting a happy bark as Momma and Papa approached together.

Tianhuo and Papa locked eyes for a moment as he started talking, but her expression grew solemn as she translated.

“You have told us many times that you feel like you are too weak, like you need to do more, but we want you to know that we have always been proud of you, and that we would choose you over anyone else in the world.”

Pom’s eyes shifted from Tianhuo to Papa as if questioning the translation.

“But why me? I'm still just a lamb, and a weak one at that.”

Papa shook his head as they continued.

“There is more than one kind of strength. You are brave, smart, and most of all, you care. We know that you would not allow us to get hurt if there was anything you could do about it, and that demands the same loyalty from us. I swear to defend you with all my strength until the Meadow is safe again.”

Tianhuo nodded in approval as she finished speaking, looking up to Papa with newfound respect.

She translated for Momma next as she sat down and made slower, clearer huffs.

“You've called us Momma and Papa since we had our litter, but I want you to know that you are like family to us, and that we will always be there for you.”

“Thank ye!” Pom sniffed and took her offer for a hug. “You’re all family tae me, too. I wouldn't have made it this far if ye weren't there for me.”

Tianhuo suppressed a round of coughs as she let them have their moment.

One who commands such respect could be a fine leader, and they may need one soon.

Pom and Tianhuo grazed together as the dogs hunted, and through some ancient herd instinct, both felt more at peace with one another.

“Your dogs put great faith in you.” Tianhuo swallowed and broke the silence. “What did you do before becoming champion, if I may ask?”

“Oh, I'm a dog watcher and a doctor, really an apprentice to old Woad, but he says I know most of it.” After a pause to think, she added, “The roles sort of go together: just keeping everyone healthy.”

Tianhuo nodded. “And how did you come to be champion? Did the dogs choose you?”

“No.” Pom shook her head. “Sheeple vote on everything, and the dogs aren't really part of the vote or subject to the votes.”

“So who commands the dogs?” Tianhuo asked.

“We kind of just ask them when we need something.” Pom shrugged and bit off another mouthful. “Though I guess Papa’s their alpha, technically. Biggest dog in generations.”

“A leader who fights on the front lines.” Tianhuo smiled. “I like him.”

“Is Captain a high rank?” Pom asked.

“The highest in our military, short of our Great and Benevolent Daughter of Heaven Empress Longestma, of course.”

“Does she fight?” Pom winced as Tianhuo shot her a look. “Sorry…”

“No,” Tianhuo took a breath. “It was a fair question, one Honored Father would have asked. Her Royal Highness Longestma is immense and powerful, but her body, longest among longma, is not well suited to fighting in the tight caves where predators wish to hide; and even with my absence, the longma soldiers are more than capable of dealing with them. It is not from a lack of concern that she does not fight; none care more deeply about the fate of Huoshan and Fœnum than she does. And she has full confidence in my abilities as champion.”

Tianhuo beamed with pride at that before continuing. “She has intervened in wars in the past, when fighting took place in the open, but such a thing has not happened in my lifetime.”

“Och, that’s fair.” Pom raised a hoof. “How long is she, though?”

“Longer than you would believe if I told you.” Tianhuo gave an unexpected chuckle. “But since you were not voted by the dogs, why did the Sheeple vote you specifically to be their champion?”

“Because I insisted that we needed a Champion.” Pom looked away. “That if we didn't pick one, we'd all be in danger and the dogs would be the first to pay the price.”

Tianhuo put a hoof on her shoulder, and Pom looked up to see a proud smile. “Then I see why the dogs trust you. When I am done with you, you will make a fine Champion.”

Something in her eyes made Pom gulp, getting a laugh from her that was cut off by more coughing.

“Do not worry, I have trained worse recruits into fine soldiers. But come, we should begin.”

Pom blinked and followed her.

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

Tianhuo watched their training routine in silence with an unnerving focus, insisting on Pom demonstrating her current regimen.

She finally spoke up after another round of Pom blocking the circling puppies.

“Allow me to perform the drill with all of them, as their target. I believe a demonstration would help.”

Woof whined as the puppies glanced between each other and Pom.

“I promise not to strike you or fly.” Tianhuo interrupted. “This is a strictly defensive demonstration.”

That calmed the puppies down as they looked to Pom for guidance.

“I trust her,” Pom said, and they formed a ring around Tianhuo to start.

But first, Tianhuo walked around, dragging a hoof.

“If I leave this circle or fly, I lose. Do not hold back.” Tianhuo turned to Pom. “Watch closely and count us down.”

“On three. One, two, three!”

The first difference Pom noticed was how much Tianhuo moved.

She stepped between Woof and Ruff as they circled, then feinted a step back to the center before flipping over Woof and sliding under Puff’s air dive.

The second was how she blocked: instead of covering her head in her arms, she pushed Tuft away as he pounced before flipping over Ruff’s second attempt.

“Five. Time!” Pom called as the puppies grumbled. “That was incredible!”

“You fought well little ones, but you lack coordination. While another leads the opponent, the others must cut off their options.” Tianhuo turned to Pom. “For you, proper defense is not just reaction and standing your ground; it requires prediction and initiative, or you will be locked down until the foe inevitably finds some weakness.”

Tianhuo covered more coughs and laid back down.

“It is getting too late to teach new techniques though, so I will instruct you in this drill.”

“Circle wider!”

“Step to the side or jump, do not just stand there!”

“You must follow up the grab faster, remember how you let me escape!”

“Good, but I know you can do it faster. Again!”

Pom flopped on the ground, exhausted, when dusk finally came, surrounded by panting dogs.

“That will be all for today. You are making good progress!”

“I've never worked that hard in my life,” Pom mumbled.

“Take heart, it will grow easier with time.” Tianhuo patted Pom’s back as she groaned. “Now, we should forage before night falls. Since you have worked hard and I slept much of the day, I will take the first watch.”

Pom was too tired to object.

Author's Note

Tianhuo finally joins the story: getting her relationship with Pom right is crucial to me.

The ideas on the military differences between the Meadow and Huoshan stem from this wonderful story, alongside other parts of their meeting.

EPom's Chapter — A Novelization of a Story That Doesn't Yet Exist

• MLP: FiM
• Them's Fightin' Herds
• Adventure

An adventure detailing Pom's unwilling journey through Foenum for the Prophet's Key.

• Other

AIPomgeon · 45k words  ·  33  0 · 843 views

Interested in your thoughts, as always.