Dear Princess Celestia,
As you know, two days ago, we captured a white female Diamond Dog (or Howlite Howler, as I will refer to her) outside of Dragon-Shy Cave. We had come looking for Spike, who had gone missing, and found this diamond dog utilizing a strange form of magic to murder the pony Beast Breaker.
At first, I thought that the Diamond Dog was some kind of monster. But an investigation proved that the murdered ponies had been engaging in unspeakable acts of brutality and abuse towards her and – according to her account – dragons, griffons and other forms of life. Spike would have joined them if not for her timely intervention.
However, before you could pass judgement, the diamond dog escaped. We tracked her to the edge of Diamond Dog territory, where Rarity had previously been a… guest… of their kind. And there… we found several ponies recently freed from Diamond Dog enslavement. When we questioned them, we found out the Howlite Howler had personally freed them.
We aren’t sure how to respond to this, and currently, we have several returned citizens of Equestria to tend to. Please let us know what you would like done with our new guests, and what should be done with the Howlite Howler.
I look forward to your quick reply.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.
Princess Celestia re-read the letter several times, to make sure she understood it correctly. In front of her, Princess Luna stood, fidgeting and rubbing her hooves.
Celestia finally sighed through her nose, folding Twilight’s letter.
“My sister,” she finally said. “Did you not say that these canines were said to worship your moon? Was that not the reason why I allowed you to question her?”
Luna ducked her head. “I-I did,” she admitted.
“And how did you handle this creature that should have looked to you as a goddess?” Celestia asked. Her tone was questioning, yet Luna looked up in defense.
“I-I thought she was lying!” Luna said, her voice cracking. “I thought she gave me nothing but falsehoods and claims that ponies had committed unspeakable sins upon her!” She turned away, clearly not believing her own words. “But then I looked into her mind... and I saw the truth." Her eyes closed. "I saw what she was put through."
Celestia's cold look faded at the sight of Luna's regret. Though her ears pricked as Luna's eyes opened, narrowed in anger.
"And I saw Blueblood’s face in her memories. Ordering her torture.”
Celestia narrowed her eyes.
“It is unfortunate Shiva had such an… adverse reaction to his presence,” Celestia noted. “Until he has recuperated from his injuries, I will not be able to question him.”
“Then what is to be done in the mean?” Luna asked. When Celestia looked at her, Luna inclined her head. “I assure you, Celestia; I see the error of my ways now. I had come to the wolf expecting a monster, and found only a scared woman. It is a mistake I will not repeat again.”
“Granted, the fear she has gained is not without reason,” Celestia admitted. “Though it is hard to maintain sympathy for those who deliberately poke at the eye of the beast.” Her head hung. “Even when they are my little ponies,” she added sadly.
“Then I ask again,” Luna said. “What’s to be done?”
Celestia was still quiet for another minute, gauging her sister’s reaction. From the flick of her ears to the tremble in her hooves.
“Find Shiva,” Celestia finally ordered her sister. “And learn what she is up to.” A quill and paper floated over to her. “I remember Twilight’s last report on the Diamond Dogs. They gave up Lady Rarity, yes, but only because she was too much of a handful. If Shiva is offering them something better than work horses, I want to know exactly what she’s given them, and if it will threaten our borders.”
“And if it does?” Luna asked worriedly. Celestia didn’t even hesitate.
“Inform me immediately,” Celestia declared. “And scared woman or not, we will ensure that Shiva commits no further harm to our subjects.”
Luna nodded and left the throne room with a flash of light.
#
Shiva yanked the tendril hard, pulling a mine cart full of gems from the tunnel. Other diamond dogs, all glowing with the links of Shiva’s magic, easily tugged several more carts along. It had only been a few days since Shiva had overthrown their Alpha, and yet they were raking in more jewels and food than they knew what to do with.
“Still miss the work horses?” Shiva asked a nearby Diamond Dog.
The dog grinned at her. “Let them stay in Equestria,” he declared. “We got the Howlite Howler.”
“The Howlite Howler!” the other dogs cheered, yanking more gems from the depths of the earth.
Shiva turned, spotting Luke back in the treasure horde. As his silver eyes found her brown eyes, he nodded in satisfaction.
Shiva’s tail wagged as she gazed upon her new pack. A part of her worried for what the ponies might do, but for now, she was able to dismiss it.
These dogs appreciated her. They loved her. With them, she almost felt like she had Master back.
Her heart throbbed at the memory of her lost Master, but then she remembered: Master wasn’t really gone. She was a part of her.
She was the Master.
Huh, Shiva thought happily. I like how that sounds.
She would protect this new family with everything she had. They would live happy, fat and free. And if the ponies wanted to stop that from happening, then they were clearly bad, and would deserve to be stopped.
Yes, Shiva decided. That will work.