//------------------------------// // Search for a sentry // Story: Spiders and Magic: The Harmony Avengers // by andrew7 //------------------------------// Within the Tambelons dark and cold quarters, somewhere in the distant west wing, Catrina the Feline Sorceress was within her own personal laboratory that was lightened by eight burning candles on a metal spiked chandelier, studying and listing through a large book written in a weird writing resembling scrawls or runes, that would be impossible for anyone else to read when not knowing or being familiar with the language, being placed in a wooden book stand with a burning candle lightening it, while there were some more other books lying on a near working table with a burning candle flashing, more likely making some sort of research of sorts. From that big or more likely a faithful night when Grogar had his evil plan by luring Spider-Mane, Twilight, Luna and the Avengers into a trap into the ruins of Crystal Mountains and by nearly brainwashing them, intent to make them his mindless servants, as well as with Logans, unwilling and unintended though assistance managing to kidnap Princess Celestia via Catrinas teleportation/draining device with an aid of his dim-witted yet loyal Diamond Dogs servants and energy orb like relay and then also wanting to suck every drop of Sun Goddess power and using it for his own evil purposes. However, that master plan would surely come to a success, if the Avengers with an aid of Wolverine didn’t intervened just in time, overwhelming all the Diamond Dogs forces, subduing Catrina, Rover, Fido and Spot, destroying the machine and saving Princess Celestia. That however wasn’t just nothing compared what followed up next. Worst of all….The Avengers taking on, beating and humiliating Grogar the evil ram necromancer and the ruler of Tambelon himself, wounding his pride and making him look like a fool by escaping along with Princess Celestia before though leaving a little present behind…..Catrinas own jamming like device that Spider-Mane by the way reprogrammed and making a little improvements on the sophisticated device that worked like a sonic bomb, that nearly destroyed the entire laboratory along with the entire west wing along. Such miserable defeat and humiliation Grogar didn’t mean to suffer in the slightest, especially when that insignificant comical costume dressed stallion once again dared to oppose, with that little dragon brat daring to lay his scaly hands along with that mutant like freak leaving some nasty wounds right on Grogars pride, literally. From that moment, Grogars demeanour became significantly way more darker, becoming a way more embittered yet turning a way more determined than ever in his quest to rule the Equestria and being burned with the desire to get his revenge on the Avengers. And thought the entire laboratory was reconstructed via combination of magic along with Diamond Dogs making some repairs and tiding the entire place up that by the way took the entire day, despite it looked like good as new and like there was no rampage on the first place, there was still a somewhat a bleak atmosphere felt within the laboratory. And Catrina, the prod and suave Feline Witch also being tormented by defeat and with a wounded pride by that wench Black Cat also became more determined than ever, also being burned by the inner desire to get her claws on Felicia. For the entire night, she had been doing nothing but just studying and listing though dozens of her magic books, making a research, by which she might even be on pair with Twilight. And yet finally, as she turned yet another page, her emerald green slit eyes widened as well as a coy smirk forming with her fang exposed by the peculiar sight, obviously finding what she was seeking for that long. And in the instance, the felines ears perked out by hearing a loud crackling sound, as the large main doors of the laboratory slowly opened wide and no one else then Grogar himself, the master of the Tambelon with a company of Rover entered the room like a boss. However, not seemingly that surprised, it was obvious that Catrina was more likely expecting the visit from her partner as she had some important matters to discuss with him. “Ah. Lord Grogar.” Catrina politely greeted the ram necromancer with a calm demeanour and out of respect bowing to him in a lady like way by slightly bending her head down and slightly pulling the skirt of her elegant dress up. “Rover told me that you wanted to see me and having some important matters to talk about.” Grogar spoke off in his trademark deep gruff voice yet sounding surprisingly low and gentleman like, while though denying a stern glance to his middle-sized Diamond Dogs servant, who merely nervously whimpered in a very uneasy like way by the look of his master evil red eyes and intimidating demeanour before luckily Grogar shifting his attention back to Catrina, closing his gap between himself and cat lady. “Very well then…..What is this about, Catrina?” Clearing up her throat, Catrina spoke off by going right down to business. “You see….I have been thinking. You have been so generous and willing to offer me your partnership as well as sharing your power with me, not to mention offering me that Witch Weed storage to replenish my magical abilities…..I have decided to return a little favour to you, Lord Grogar.” “How very nice of you, Lady Catrina….I guess.” Grogar spoke off in a very and rather uncharacterized impressed and surprised like demeanour, with his last words though sounding a little in disbelief, yet remaining patient and deliberated for then, wondering how it would evolve. “Go on….” “You see….” Catrina went on. “You are just seeking that so called and infamous…Gem of Darkness of yours as you put it, is that right?” Grogar merely nod his head in agreement. “Therefore, you actually created it from your very own essence and flesh to manifest and amplify your own dark powers, you are bonded with that gem via your very soul, being able to feel its presence. Yet….after thousands of years you have nothing but a little idea what happened with it or where did that end up?” “Hurm….Yes?” Grogar simply replied, nodding his massive horned head, wondering where Carina would head to with that all, yet although it was visible that an enormous rams patience was loosing slipping away, prompting the feline witch to better get to the point.  “That way….I believe that I just might have a way how to find it for you.” Catrina replied, her tone sounding both smug and promising simultaneously. “You….You do?” Grogar blurted out quite in astonishment with his gruff tone, his elderly brow twitching and his heart within his chest, well in evil rams case, if he even had one started pounding, though being able to maintain his confident and serious composure nonetheless before addressing Catrina with an curiosity and hope present in his voice. “And just….How? If I may ask?” “With his help.” Catrina simply chuckled, stepping on the side and pointing her clawed index finger right on the open book, prompting Grogar to take a look. So, the demonic ram simply and cautiously step closer by taking a closer look into the book and his expression quite stiffened what he just saw in there. Ove the entire page, there was a picture of a strange and bizarre looking creature that looked like a giant dog with a bulky yet monstrously enormous frame that was formed and being composed entirely out of rock, yet strangely bearing some facial resemblances with Diamond Dogs themselves. He had a massive and powerful jaws, posed by teeth resembling sharpened rock stalagmites, yet black eyes with yellow irises and enormous powerful front paws, quite opposite from his significantly smaller hinder legs. All things considered…..It more likely resembled and looking like a golem. “What….Is that?” Grogar casually asked while with his gaze never lifting from the picture of rock dog in the book, with his voice on the other hand sounding promising with an undercurrent of interest. “That is Crunch the Rockdog.” Catrina simply replied with a smug grin on her feline face, referring a rockdog like golem in the book. “Crunch the Rockdog?” Rover who was so far keeping his distance and being silent however, by hearing by the name whispered under his breath, his voice though sounding somewhat low and apprehensive, his fur slightly getting on standing position and his green eyes widening by the mention. Was he….Actually familiar with or even knowing that supposed….Crunch the Rockdog personally? “Crunch the Rockdog?” Grogar calmly repeated, trying the strange name of the rock formed dog on his tongue before finally averting his gaze from the book to Catrina with his curiosity and interest steadily rising. “Just like….What is this? Some kind of golem or sorts?” “You are apparently right, Lord Grogar.” Catrina affirmatively nod her head. “You see….No one truly knows the details about his origins, but in the ancient times, Crunch had been created from stone by an unknown magician so he could serve as a guardian of the mystical gem known as Heart Stone, that was situated deep within the living mountain for which the magician specifically created Crunch for the task.” “However, being a faithful sentry as a golem as you put it, Crunch was created without the mind of his own, unable feel emotions or fear, having only the instincts and therefore being created for nothing else than follow orders and being fully obedient and fiercely loyal to the one who created or the one who brought him to life.” “And for his inability to feel emotions and having no conscience, not to mention having an enormous brute strength and being near-invulnerable due to his rock formed built, he proved himself a way too dangerous for his surroundings as well as everyone else. So eventually, he was just deprived of life, being buried and restrained deep under Badlands Mountains themselves, so he was left forgotten and would stay there for all eternity.” By the time Catrina finished her narration, Grogar who was quietly listening and analysing every single word about that supposed Crunch the Rockdog, seemed to be deeply interested about the golem like bulldog with diabolical schemes forming within his mind. “How very interesting…..A rock golem that will simply listen every single command his master gives him without any hesitation or without scruples. Not to mention such a brute strength, power and fury. But….” Suddenly, Grogars demeanour darkened, accompanied with disbelief and scepticism. “I still fail to understand how exactly would that monster help me find the Gem of Darkness anyway?” “I forget to mention….” Catrina surprisingly trailed off, her tone sounding promising. “According the legend, Crunch, being created as a sentry for jewels and other rare and valuable treasures had an exceptional and magically altered sense of smell with a gem/mineral searching spell. Whit that, he was able to easily recognize the particular aura or molecular structure and find of any gem or mineral and on miles away. That way, by having Crunch on our side, by sniffing your very own dark essence, he just might find your gem for you.” Catrina explained with her expression forming into a more snide one. “Not to mention having an extremely powerful golem rock like monster on your side by the way….” “A magically enhanced sense of smell for searching gems? Yeees…..” Grogar declared with a snide and promising tone with a tempting thoughts coursing through confines of his mind and tapping the tip of his hoof over his chin. Catrinas idea was indeed unique and tempting. Having a Crunch the Rockdog, a superpowerfull golem like monster with tremendous brute strength, near-invulnerability and ability to sniff any gem or minerals a miles away would indeed make the rock dog golem a valuable enforcer in Grogars army and power to be reckon with on his side. However, there was though one problem…. “However….” Grogar though declared in a more sceptical tone and his expression darkening even further with doubts. “In order to awake the golem, there is needed a very special magical item….A shem in this case, that needs to be placed right in the middle of the forehead to bring him to life. Every magician knows that. Without that shem, there is no other way how to awaken Crunch.” “What a coincidence. I….Just might have the thing.” Unshaken by Grogars disdain at all, Catrina though once again spoke off with a promising yet also quite unreadable tone, earning quite a curious expression from Grogar yet on the other hand a baffled expression from Rover before without saying no more word walking to a near large decorated chest at the wall with a large window above it and opening it. She was digging in it for a while before finally finding what she was looking for and closing the chest. The Feline Sorceress then gracefully turned around, having a snide smirk on her face and holding yet another though this time a smaller decorated golden box in her arms and extending it forward so Grogar and Rover could take a better look on it. “What is in the box, Catrina?” Grogar asked, his voice remaining even while curiously staring at the peculiar small box of interest. “This.” Catrina grinned as she closed her gap between herself and demonic ram and opening the box. Grogar peeked inside and his elderly brow furrowed with a gleam of interest flashing in his evil red eyes by seeing a small dark blue ball with small strange markings being carved into it and being placed on a small red pillow inside the box. “A shem…..” Grogar trailed off with a slight bewildered gaze, yet keeping his voice even and deliberated, yet deep down an evil ram necromancer could resist but wonder before averting his gaze from the box to Catrina. “Where….Did you get it?” “It had already been a very long time.” Catrina replied rather casually by trying to recall a little back. “Some magician trade it to me years ago back in Sumnambula for some magic statue. I…Had never hoped to ever find some use for this….Until now.” The Feline Witch then though chuckled smugly speaking with a more humbler and gallant like demeanour. “You may….Consider it as a small gift for your generosity that you proposed to me.” “I am the most impressed by your very own generosity, Lady Catrina. And you may count that I will use your gift well. Whatever the outcome.” Grogar, being impressed by Catrinas generous and willing offer and speaking with an uncharacterized calm and deliberated tone and strangely acting like a true well-mannered and cultured aristocrat. “But….” Catrinas demeanour suddenly darkened with her tone turning into a concerned one. “Finding Crunch might present rather a challenge. You see….Badlands is a vast and dangerous wasteland about which mostly everyone knows little as well as usually trying to avoid the place. And the underground system below is a large and complex maze of tunnels and caverns where when someone enters, would get lost forever and never coming back.” “Pchm!” Rover, who remained silent and keeping his distance for quite some time surprisingly barked in a complacent like way, earning the attention of both Grogar and Catrina alike. “Speak for yourself. Me along with Fido, Spot and the other Dogs grew up there. As well as dug lots of our own tunnels there. I can guide us.” “You…..Know the way in there, Rover? Mmm…” Grogar asked, addressing a middle-sized bulldog somewhat affected yet with an undercurrent of sheer interest, yet strangely also accompanied with a slight hint of doubt in his voice with a realization struck evil rams mind. “Therefore….You must also know where exactly is Crunch the Rockdog finding himself, mustn’t you?” The question however and somehow quite stricken Rover s demeanour with uncertainty, but in his lords and masters case, the Diamond Dog tried to explain himself further, despite in a rather hesitant like manner. “You see, Lord Grogar…..We Diamond Dogs, have been guarding and hiding Crunch the Rockdog from the outside world and also worshiping him for centuries, my liege, as our very own deity and mighty protector that holds the entire Badlands underground complex at balance.” “Oh. How convenient.” Catrina scoffed sarcastically, evidently not being much thrilled by Rovers testimony. “Curious….” Grogar on the other hand, who unlike the Feline Sorceress seemed to become more and more interested about Crunch proceed coldly yet with a faint sign of suspicious. “Just….Why have you dogs been worshipping a lifeless golem for such a long time and that you have just abandoned your task?” “Echm…You see….” Rover chuckled nervously and scratching the a back of his neck with his large paw, hesitant how to put it. “Superstition you know. No hard feelings and by the all respect you, my lord, but…..Bringing a golem back to life had always been a sign of misfortune you know.” “HmmHmmm….MUHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Grogar however and out of the sudden and by hearing Rovers response, which though was rather an excuse burst into a diabolical laughter that echoed throughout the entire laboratory. “I….Have missed the joke?” Rover murmured in disbelief, not getting what made his lord and master laugh or what was so funny out of the sudden in the slightest, despite and as usual the Diamond Dog was evidently a little intimidated by demonic rams laughter that would usually send chills into others spines. “You are the joke.” Grogar scoffed amused. “Bringing a golem back to life isn’t the superstition about the misfortune in the slightest. On the contrary….It is quite a true you know. And I shall bring that misfortune on the Avengers and everyone who dares to stand into my way again…By bringing Crunch to life with the shem from Catrina. And you…..” Evil necromancer addressed Rover with a both amused and commanding tone. “And you will have that honour by taking us right to him.” “Eghm….Yes, Lord Grogar.” Rover stammered, yet bowing out of respect to his master, showing that he understood the request. “Good boy.” Grogar grinned smugly. “Assemble a small squad! We are heading to Badlands first thing tomorrow!” “As you command, my lord.” Rover humbly and obediently nod and placing his enormous paw on his chest before heading right to the main door and exiting the laboratory. When being alone, quite a late realization sparkled within confines of Catrinas mind. “Oh, Lord Grogar! One more thing…..” “Yes Catrina? What is it?” Grogar quite surprisingly yet patiently asked, expecting what was his she feline partner about say, yet knowing it would be something promising. Catrina held her silence for a while, listing through several pages in the book before a devious smirk formed on her face. “Have you ever heart about….Magic Heart?” She trailed off deviously, yet her voice sounding very promising and pointing out her index finger into book. “A Magic Heart….” Grogar trailed off slightly taken aback by Catrians response, leaning his massive horned head forward to the book as his red eyes landed an image of a very beautiful precious rounded emerald gem, yet having a lime green circle with a symbol of magic in a form of a star in the middle. Whatever the jewel was, it must have held some great power of a seemingly magic origins, otherwise Catrina wouldn’t just show it to demonic ram for nothing. “Of course. I have heard about that magic item too, a very long time ago.” Grogar declared in quite an awe and keeping his gaze on a magic gem. “It is a mysterious yet powerful magic artifact, that by according the legend serves something like a drive unit to elementals, especially golems for instance” “You are apparently right.” Catrina merely nod her head in agreement with her partners statement. “Therefore, golems are artificially man-made statues, the Magic Heart is supposed to be build right within its chest in order to hold it together with a magnetic force like magnet, as well as then after reviving, proposing the titan vast herculean strength, near-invulnerability as well as immunity to most magic effects.” “Yet however….And as you have already mentioned that before….In order to active the Magic Heart within golem to bring it to life, is needed a very special key like device in a form of a shem as you put it, needing to be placed in a specific hole in the middle of elementals forehead.” “Yes, yes, I know….” Grogar calmly stated, yet his tone turning into a more promising one as a dark thought filled the tyrants mind. “Curious though….By serving as a drive unit and by holding the elementals frame together via magnetic form as well as proposing them such abilities via magic, the Magic Heart is indeed a powerful magic item, possessing a way different yet tremendous magic potential far beyond any magic gems or atrifacts, that by the way might be even compared to the potential that of my Gem of Darkness, as well as other Elemental Stones. If we gathered all of them…..” “Yes. I suppose…..” Catrina merely nod her head by taking in and listening Grogars very tempting words, though yet, the Feline Sorceress just couldn’t help but wonder where her partner was actually getting at. “Would you….Actually…..Use that power of Magic Heart somehow?” “Maybe…..” Grogar responded thoughtfully, yet a very devilish fanged grin formed on his muzzle and his red evil red eyes gleaming maliciously. “But lets just not being hasty and just see what time will reveal…….” The next day, as the sun was slowly rising and showing itself behind the horizon, once again greeting another day with its shining and warm sunrise, yet on the south side of the Equestria, in a vast land of Badlands, a flash of a bright yet dark light erupted in the middle of the land and soon revealing Grogar, Catrina, Rover along with two Guard Dogs as an escort, as they teleported themselves right the way out of Tambelon to Badlands just like they agreed in order to find Crunch the Rockdog, a legendary golem sentry, who was seemingly buried and hidden somewhere below the Badlands mountains, somewhere in the complex maze tunnels. “So….This is it, alright.” Grogar cooly declared while looking around to check his surroundings, yet knowing that they reached their destination alright. “A Badlands.” The Badlands, a mysterious and for mostly everyone the least explored place in Equstria was indeed and rather nothing but a desolated, dusty and inhospitable wasteland, with only some rocky formations standing around and being bounded by a rough mountains and rocks. Yet there somewhere, should be a supposed entrance into the underground, just like Rover put that. “Yup….” Rover though exhaled in a joyous like way and taking deep intake of air of the desolated and dusty atmosphere that was hovering over the wastelands, yet it even looked like that two Guards followed their leaders example by arguably sharing his passion. “There is no place like home.” “Pchm. At least someone can fell like home here.” Catrina sarcastically huffed, not evidently sharing the Diamond Dogs enthusiasm and brushing a swung dust from her elegant sleeve. “Well, Rover….” Grogar though addressed the middle-sized bulldog inquiringly. “Where to next?” “Let me see….I need to coordinate myself.” Rover murmured thoughtfully while climbing up on a near rock and start looking around, checking the surroundings prior trying to recall the right direction as eventually his green slit eyes widened as he pointed his large paw with his index finger aimed right on a very specific and distinct rock formation in a distance. “Over there!” Rover exhaled, waving his paw prompting the others to follow him as the bulldog proceed trotting towards the mountains as Grogar, Catrina and two Guards followed in process. The group reached their destination to the rock formations within ten minutes. There, however and much for everyones awe, yet especially for Rovers dismay, on the edge of the mountain was a very large pile of rocks and debris. Arguably a lame blocking something. “And just like what is this supposed to mean?” Grogar grumbled while starring at the rock, dirt and debris like blockage before sharply shifting his gaze and addressing Rover sternly. “Rover?” “This is the place alright, Lord Grogar. That’s the entrance right into the underground.” Rover nervously stammered, reporting and pointing with his paw right at the supposed cave that was unfortunately blocked. “Yet…Eghm….It would appear that there must have been…Eghm… a recent landslide, causing the blockage of the entrance to the underground.” “How unfortunate….” Catrina scoffed with a mix of contempt and sarcasm present within her feline voice, and yet….There was appeared a hidden hint of amusement within, as the Feline Sorceress was evidently mocking the middle sized bulldog for the complications. Grogar though shared a brief glance with two Guard Dogs standing be his side. His stern glare intact, who merely nod their heads covered by their helmets and lowly grunting in response, yet confirming that Rover indeed had a point and that was a right place, before returning his attention back to Rover. “Well then, what are you waiting for you fools? Remove that obstacle!” Grogar ordered his minions to remove the rock blockage immediately aloud, with an utmost and undeniable authority. “Y-Yes, Lord Grogar.” Rover stammered incoherently out of fear and himself turning to both guard dogs. “Come on, Dogs! You have heard the master! Dig!” Rover ordered and pointing his massive arm right to the pile, as both armoured strong bulldogs lowly barked in an obedient like way by obeying the orders, marching close to the pile and started digging with their massive powerful paws in order to remove the pile blockage of rocks and dirt that was blocking the entrance. “Eghm….Lord Grogar.” Rover surprisingly intervened and though a little hesitantly addressing Grogar in a both nervous yet also urgent way, obviously having something important to tell him, while both mutts continued digging. “I know this is not a good time, but…..Would I have a little word with you if you please? Eghm….Private?” “You….Want to have a word…With me?” Grogar declared somewhat affected, his voice though sounding rather irritated and sceptical with his expression darkening, of course making Rover feel uneasy about his choice. Yet despite being visibly annoyed, a giant demonic ram eventually huffed defeated, merely shaking his massive head, prompting Rover to step aside from the group so they have some privacy. “Hurm…..Alright. What is it, Rover? This should better be worth it.” Grogar growled yet keeping his tone low.  “You see, my liege….Eghm….Its about Catrina.” Rover stammered before finally trailing off. “What about her?” Grogar dully asked, finding his patience slowly and steadily growing short. “Well…..” Rover trailed off, managing to give himself some courage and confidence to finally speak to his lord and master. “Just yesterday, Catrina invited you into her quarters of her laboratory, showing you Crunch the Rockdog in a book and then….It turns out that she just has that little…eghm…thingie…” “The shem.” Grogar growled in an irritated manner, reminding Rover. “Oh yeah…Shem alright….” Rover muttered awkwardly before going on. “That she just has a shem that as you said can bring Crunch back to life…Doesn’t this sounds a little bit….eghm….suspicious to you? I mean….Have you even considered the possibility that that feline witch just could turn on you by reviving that monster on her own and dethroning you so she could rule the Equestria by herself?” Listening Rovers suspicious statement as well as a certain disdain that the Diamond Dog arguably held towards Catrina earned quite a collective gaze as of Grogar with mixed feelings, yet considering Rovers words cautiously. “Your suspicious and doubts might be either overrated……Or also commendable, Rover.” Grogar surprisingly spoke off with an odd mixture of contempt yet a grudging respect at the same time, partly actually agreeing his Rovers doubts, before turning into his more serious and self-assured side. “Yet I can assure you as well as standing up for Lady Catrina that her intentions, though seemingly questionable, yet they are pure.” “Eghm?” Rover however sighed dumbfounded, still not being quite and fully convinced. “Just….Trust me….I know people like those very well. I just could feel it about and it just could be seen in Catrinas eyes.” Grogar growled quite agitated in response,  yet assuring Rover that there was no need to be concerned about Catrina trying something dirty. “And besides….Even if she tried something stupid that by the way she would later regret….I have put a simple locking spell on the shem yesterday. So, I would be the only one to touch it. Otherwise…..She would stab me into my back a long time ago, don’t you think?” “Mmm….I guess so…If you think so, Lord Grogar….” Rover nod his head, thinking and got to admit that his master actually had a point, not to mention thinking about and being one step ahead. “However…..” Grogar although growled menacingly with his fangs exposed as his expression darkened. “I hope for your sake that you indeed know the way, Rover. You along with Fido, Spot and other mutts have already failed me enough during our confrontation with the Avengers. So, you better do so, otherwise you are no use to me.” “Ughm…..As you wish, my liege.” Rover stammered with a slight whimper out both of resect as well as fear from his master. Grogar simply snorted in response as he proceed walking back to the group with Rovers obediently following from behind. Several minutes later, a pile blockage was completely removed and being reduced to nothing but a mere dirt around, with guard dogs making a very good job about that, revealing a large cave, arguably an entrance leading right to the underground, where a supposed Crunch the Rockdog was finding himself somewhere. While standing at the caver, Rover was shaking two flint stones at each other in an attempt to light up a prepared torch, before finally, after several attempts several sparks sparkled from the flints and igniting the torch, with orange and yellow flames blazing. “Alright. Stick close to me. If you wander off, you might get lost forever.” Rover cautiously instructed his two guard companions, Catrina and Grogar and signalizing with his large paw the group to follow him closely and slowly descending into the darkened cavern first ahead. “Vrrr.” One of the guard lowly snarled, glancing upon by the edge of his eyes that thought were covered by his helmet centred on Catrina standing aside, bearing quite a venomous expression. “Feel free to wander off.” However, by perking her feline ears, Catrina obviously a much for the armoured bulldogs must have overheard their schemes, the Feline Sorceress hissed on the fullest in a very cat like way, having all her claws extended and glaring at the mutts with her emerald cat slit eyes, literally resembling a basilisk, causing much stronger and bulkier bulldogs to whimper like a puppies and cringe back. “I have heard that!” Catrina snorted in very unladylike manner, huffing contemptuously before proceed walking her way into the cave. Grogar, who was watching the spectacle aside, yet surprisingly, without lashing out or scolding his minions, just merely smirked deviously, being arguably quite amused by Catrinas scaring the mutts off. “Chrm! She has indeed showed you, alright. Now move out!” Grogar grinned deviously as he closed his gap between himself and the guard dogs, being evidently enjoying their abuse, before though sternly ordering them to march forward into the cave. The tunnel was quite deep, but Grogar along with Catrina, Rover and two guard dogs with a Rover in managed to reach the bottom within five minutes. Rover rose the torch up, whose light tore through the darkness and they found out that they indeed entered some kind of underground maze full of crossing passages, dark caves and intricate rooms, just like Catrina mentioned it. The maze looked huge and quite complicated, yet quickly orienting himself by looking around his former and supposed domain, Rover pointing on the nearest tunnel, showing the group supposed right direction. Grogar merely and stoically nodded, yet deep down being quite sceptical and hoping for his servants sake that he really knew the way throughout the underground maze and not getting them lost. Extended underground sculpture was silent like a grave. Grogar, Catrina, two guard dogs were walking with Rover in lead through the darkened passages, the torch was lightening their way and scared bats were beating into villains heads with their wings. They were passing the cavers, where the walls were cracking and they were plunging into the dark caves where the mod and rot blew. There was complete silence everywhere, only mice run around at times, hiding in to holes against the villainous visitors and spiders were running out of ripped webs. One hour later, the group cautiously made their way across a magma stream waterfall, with Rover and his two armoured brethren nimbly jumping from one rock to another, while Grogar and Catrina on the other hand, not obviously wanting to spare their energy by mimicking their dug minions simply teleported themselves across the magma stream to another side. “I haven’t signed on for the sightseen tour, Rover!” Grogar growled, agitation being strongly present within his voice as evidently his patience was slowly running out. “You have got us lost, haven’t you?” Catrina huffed contemptuously, sympathizing with Grogars own rising exasperation and patience dropping, along with a steadily rising disgust and contempt that was building inside her. It was more than evident that the elegant cat lady didn’t found the deserted and wet space cavern system of the underground quite….fitting to her natural charm and beauty. Rarity, would even and exceptionally agree with her. “Don’t worry, Lord Grogar.” Rover nervously blabbered by assuring, yet feeling a rising pressure as well as fear from his master was slowly taking a toll on middle-sized bulldog, not even wanting to imagine a possible punishment that the demonic dictator stored for him, though trying to concentrate on his task nonetheless. “Its not much further. Just got to pass this tunnel…..” The group continued marching through the long passage, before they eventually reached its end. There was large gate like entrance with a pair of a large armoured door. They were closed tight, blocked by an enormous barrier as big as a log. Obviously blocking something dangerous from ever getting out and whoever locked it away, they must have had a very good reason for that. “Boys….” Rover glanced upon to his two dog guard companions and merely pointing and signalizing his head to the gate. And like out of instincts or empathy in a better word, by understanding their leaders intentions, two armoured bulldogs grunted simultaneously as the approached the gate, together grabbing the handles of the barrier that back blocking it, using their combined might to slowly remove it from its pants. Then, the mutts each grabbed a large metal handles of each door and pulling with all their might, as the doors were rackling yet slowly and steadily opening on each millimetre, while Grogar along with Catrina were merely standing behind and watching their dog servants doing. When the doors were fully opened, Rover merely exchanged a somewhat respectful glance with his companions before cautiously turning his attention Grogar and Catrina behind and waving his paw.  “Lord Grogar. This way.” The bulldog proclaimed somewhat and in a very blunt like way before proceeding to walking determined inside. Although feeling somewhat affected by his middle-sized bulldogs henchman attitude, Grogar however soon followed in pursuit with Catrina following from behind, wondering how this would all evolve eventually. The group found themselves in a huge darkened chamber, which though more likely and strongly resembled an ancient rock tomb. There was though a single hole within the rocky ceiling, enabling a single beam of light to pierce through the darkness, as Grogars, Catrinas, Rovers and two guards collective and awed gazes landed on a strange thing of interest that was finding itself in the middle of the cavern. There, the light was landing and revealing a strange, giant statue that looked like a giant bulldog, being made from nothing but a rock and stone itself in strangely a lying like position. It had a massive head, with powerful jaws with razor sharp stalagmite like fangs, bulky frame of monstrous proportions and enormous powerful front paws, quite opposite from his significantly smaller hinder legs. And yet further, in the middle of his forehead there was a small hole, like dug or from bullet or something. Yet strangely, there was a large metal muzzle placed all over rock dogs enormous rocky mouth along with a large black hard leather collar posed by metal spikes around its neck, being bind on a large strong metal chain that strongly bind on the metal handler, being stuck firmly on the edge of the cavern wall. Despite being long deprived of life for ages, the chain and muzzle served something like an insurance, binding and disabling the enormous rock golem dog at bay and ever from escaping. Maybe out of paranoia, though whoever did that must have had a pretty good reason to seal that monster like that. However and strangely, there was also a large thigh-bone and large bowl on water in a dog like style lying near the rock golems lying position. All things considered…..It more likely resembled and looking like a golem. Yet in Grogars, Catrinas and Rovers case, the description of the statue set perfectly just like from the book, being exactly what they were seeking for. That, was Crunch the Rockdog himself, a legendary yet a powerful and dangerous golem guard dog indeed. “Behold….Crunch the Rockdog.” Rover declared, his voice sounding low and cautious, yet also quite apprehensive, bearing an undercurrent of undeniable hidden fear filling his tone. “So….” Grogar calmly stated as he step forward by joining his dog servants side and staring at the imprisoned lifeless rock frame of the golem in front of him with an stoic and somewhat unreadable expression. “Crunch the Rockdog. So its true.” “Indeed. And it looks pretty….Preserved, I assume.” Catrina added a little offhandedly while also stepping forward, yet eying the enormous dog golem cautiously, not yet quite being sure what to think about it. “I have told you that I would get us here, Lord Grogar.” Rover trailed off with an odd mixture of boast and humble alike as the Diamond Dogs was evidently satisfied with himself and his efforts, yet not forgetting to bow out of respect to his master as usual nonetheless. “Oh, kiss up!” Catrina scoffed sarcastically and in a very unladylike manner. “You have done well….Rover. You will deserve a prize.” Grogar stoically addressed and appreciating Diamond Dogs effort, yet there was also a slight yet hearable hint of hesitation in his voice. Yet nonetheless, evil ram concentrated his thoughts as his magic bell fixed on his collar once again started ringing on a very well familiar and unfortunate campanology like music, with Grogars horns glowing with a dark aura, and in the instance, three blue, orange and green precious gems right from his very own treasury materialized into existence, levitating the orange bigger one to Rover and the other despite smaller ones to both guards for their effort. “Thank you, master. You are so generous” Rover exhaled joyously with his green eyes gleaming momentarily as he snatched though not too big yet precious gem with his paws, yet not forgetting to humbly bow out of respect to his master for his…..generosity. “Whatever…..” Grogar rolled his eyes and huffing in indifferent and rather exasperated manner before shifting his gaze to two guard dogs standing behind. “You two….Get that ridiculous muzzle from Crunchs mouth. He wont be needing it anymore.” “Yes, Lord Grogar.” Both armoured dogs simultaneously and obediently replied as they put their spears and down and cautiously matching to chained and lifeless dog like golem. Despite their combined hesitation and apprehension, the guard dogs nonetheless by obeying their masters order unlocked the belt of a large metal muzzle from behind the back of Crunch rock temple and steadily taking it off golems enormous mouth posed by sharpened rocks like teeth with a combined effort. “Lady Catrina….” Grogar calmly and gently addressed Catrina standing by his side while taking a few steps closer to rock dog golem in the middle of the chamber, as two guard dogs better step away from their masters way. “The shem if you please.” Merely nodding her head, Catrina step closer to her partners side, pulling out the same decorated small box, opening it that was containing a so called shem, a magical item that according the legend should bring golem back to life by placing it in to the middle of its forehead. Grogar and Catrina exchanged mutual and respectful looks among each other, yet with Rover and his two companions, bearing a suspicious looks centred on cat lady, stood alerted and better being ready for anything in a case and as Rovers own suspicions, if Feline Sorceress showed any sign of temptation or possible betrayal. Using his telekinesis, Grogar engulfed small magic ball with his dark aura and slowly levitating it from Catrinas box while alone stepping even closer when being just a mere several meters away from Crunchs position. “And now….Lets turn this lifeless lump of rock into a weapon….Of total destruction!” Grogar spoke off somewhat with quite a solemn and expecting like tone, while keeping the shem levitating within his dark magic grasp in front and standing right facing Crunch. Then, once again came the odd and strange moment when like everything and all came into a sudden and volunteer like halt, going numb with the reality and time freezing at place, also with everyone present in the cavern having their breaths held, as Grogar swiftly levitated his shem forward and hitting it right into the hole in the middle of Crunchs forehead, creating a small spark by the impact. For a while, there was an awkward silence yet as well as sense of uncertainty could be sensed in a steadily intensifying atmosphere, although so far nothing was happening. Yet then, eventually, Crunches rocky gloomy eyes, lacking any sign life, suddenly disappeared behind a glow of a blinding light, nearly flashing the entire cavern and causing everyone standing around to shield their eyes. After glow eventually faded, Crunchs rock forming brow turned into a nasty scowl with his eyes morphing into a shade of yet black, leaving only yellow gleaming irises. A low yet ferocious feral growls and snarls escaped right out of the golems throat as the rock monster, after eons of deep slumber and imprisonment started moving with a crackling like sounds, resembling the falling rocks, slowly and clumsily lifting his monstrous rock form on his massive legs resembling a stone pillars, towering itself in all its weight. A thunderous, groundshaking roar escaped out of the monster throat, echoing throughout the entire chamber with a potential to shake it in its every centre, making Rover and his two armoured companions cringe and tremble with a whimper, as the roar passed and echoed through the entire underground cavern complex, making it all shake way and even escaping outside the cave. It was like an earthquake passed through the area, Snarling and growling menacingly with an unbound fury and by stomping with its massive and powerful front paw into ground, Crunch send another series of tremors vibrating through the entire cavern room, small crackles forming on the walls and nearly causing the ceiling to collapse, as Grogar, Catrina, Rover and the guard staggered, nearly losing their footing by quakes. Finally, by finding itself bind with the metal chain on its spiked collar attached in the wall, Crunch started thrashing its massive head, struggling fiercely with all of his might, as the golem eventually with a few more sharper bursts managed to break a massive steel strong chain in half like a wreath of sausages, setting himself free. Crunch then looked around, with more feral growls and grunts escaping though his mouth, steam fuming from his nostrils, the rock made behemoth looked around, checking his surroundings as his bleak gaze landed on a group, eying the intruders intensively. Reacting out of instincts, Rover frantically pulled out his metal shocking rod and extending it into its lance like size with electrical sparks escaping from its pitchfork like edge, as well as both guard dogs pulled out their energy crossbows from their backs, aiming them and having their index fingers on the trigger, while Catrina herself took and unplugged her bottle with a Witch Weed potion hanging around her neck, everyone being cautious and ready to defend themselves in a case of a possible upcoming rumble. However and seemingly unshaken by rock beasts monstrous and intimidating composure and demeanour, Grogar, unlike his peers, though remained standing and holdin his serious composure firmly on the place, completely calm, calculated and indifferent, bearing a determined look and denying a piercing cold glare to the Crunch. And then, the most unusually thing happened…..Despite his constant snarls and intimidating frame, Crunch, a monstrous golem like rockdog, much for everyones awe actually bowed in front of Grogar by obediently sitting like a loyal dog. “What are your orders, Master?” Crunch spoke off in a very deep, rough, gravelly voice, expecting orders from Grogar, who by the way actually became his master from this time. Eying and listening behemoths simple yet so much meaningful words, Grogar was just dully staring at rock made golem, yet steadily his own demeanour darkened, with a devilish fanged grin formed on his features before bursting into a diabolical laughter, its echo sounding thought the cavern room. Catrina had a devious smirk of her own on her face while Rover and two guards of the other hand stood rather baffled with a bewildered expression what they were just witnessing. Then, Grogar edged closer to Crunch as the hot breaths coming from golems nostrils brushed against him, yet rising his large hoof and patting a monstrous rockdog over his snout affectionately, before turning into his peers behind. “I think, we should better show our pet his new home.” Meanwhile, back in Tambelon, on its large courtyard specifically, Guard dogs were performing their annual and usual routine according the schedule, with each troop performing different task, like training for battle, hand to hand combat, marksmanship practise and regularly exchanging guards to guard the empire under a supervision of both Fido and Spot as a substitute in Rovers absence. However, suddenly and without anyones expecting, a burst of light erupted nearby, causing all the Diamond Dogs in its proximity to shield their eyes from a blow. When a light eventually faded, Grogar, along with Catrina, Rover, two guards and for much everyones utter shock and bewilderment, Crunch the Rockdog, a monstrous golem on the place. “Lord Grogar. Lady Catrina. Rover…You are back.” Fido humbly addressed and came closer to welcome his ram master back home carefully, yet a bulky Diamond Dogs stop in his track, gasping bewildered and yellow eyes widened like two saucers by seeing a companion they brought along. “Holy guacamoly!” Spot exhaled even more with nearly every breath leaving his lungs, stammering incoherently by finding himself staring at an enormous dog made of rocks bleak yet black eyes, as the golems monstrous frame dwarfed tiny bulldogs own frame significantly, literally like a mountain. “Is that a….eghm….?.” “That’s Crunch the Rockdog, man. We have found him” Rover simply replied hesitantly to his small Diamond Dog companion, yet his voice sounded quite apprehensive on its own, also feeling himself somewhat uneasy in a giant golems presence, despite that actually being officially one of them and on Grogars side. “Then you all should be pleased. From this day, Crunch the Rockdog is our new enforcer as well as my personal bodyguard from now on.” Grogar declared the news to all his Diamond Dog minions, a decisiveness as well as pride with a perceptible hint of boasting was filling evil necromancers voice before shifting his attention to Crunch. “Now come, my pet. We have important matters to discuss.” With that, Grogar started nonchalantly and like a boss marching his way through the courtyard right to his castle with Catrina and Rover following from behind, yet Crunch also started following his new master in pursuit shortly, like an obedient and loyal dog indeed. Though, every Diamond Dog better and for their own sake get out of the monstrous rock golems way, whimpering lowly and cringing, being evidently afraid of Crunch alike as they both feared and respected Grogar in the same time. Within the throne room, Crunch was sitting obediently in the middle of room, expecting the orders from his master Grogar with an immense and seemingly endless patience, with four more Diamond Dogs guards, standing guard at the main door and at Grogars throne stairs were though staring at the golem questioningly, most likely out of both fear and respect, while Catrina along with Rover were standing aside, despite Feline Sorceress expression remained stoic and intact, the middle-sized bulldog on the other hand still looked like somewhat defensive about giant rocky monsters presence. Grogar, however and without any hint of hesitation and interest closed his gap between himself and his newfound rock made servant. “Its said, that you Crunch possess a very exceptional and magically altered sense of smell, enhanced with a gem/mineral searching spell. That you can easily find any gem or mineral on miles away. Tell me….Is it true?” Grogar asked in an utmost curiosity present in his voice, expecting what the answer of monstrous golem would be. “Affirmative, Master.” Crunch simply replied. “I can distinguish over thousands of different auras and molecular structures of a specific gem and then finding them, no matter how far. Either jewels, minerals or priceless artifacts, I can find it.” “Excellent.” Grogar declared somewhat complacently, grinning smugly. “Now, for your mission….” And in the instance, Grogars magic bell fixed on his collar once again started ringing in its campanology like music melody, as a very fiery dark aura with dark blue flames flared up and engulfing evil rams entire monstrous body, making Rover and the dog guards whimper nervously, as once again their masters intimidating demeanour as well as his dark magic managed to nearly get the best of the Diamond Dogs. “Now, Crunch….I want you to sniff my very own aura.” Leaning his massive rock head forward, Crunch took a couple of sniffs, clearing his nostrils and catching the specific scent of Grogars very own dark essence, with some of the dark blue aura flams entering rock dogs nostrils, yet seemingly unfazed. “I have got your sent, Master.” “Very good.” Grogar calmly stated as the dark aura that was engulfing his entire frame slowly dissipated, as the evil ram dictator extended his massive front hoof as his magic bell started ringing once again with his rolled horns glowing with a dark aura, concentrating his thoughts, as a strangely shaped stone materialized right within his hoof before the necromancer extended and showing it right to Crunch. The rock was shaped and resembling a octagon-rhombus like shaped gem, as Grogar held it cautiously up close right in front of Crunchs muzzle, so the monstrous dog made of rock could take a better and proper look at it. Whatever it was all about, it must have been very important task as well as a part of Grogars plan. “Now listen up…..” Grogar declared with a more rougher and demanding like tone. “Go. And find me an exact gem that looks completely identical and having my very own essence and dark magic.” Grogars demeanour though steadily darkened even further yet a malicious fanged grin formed on his muzzle, as a large paper, which was a photo with Spider-Mane, Twilight, Luna, Sunset Shimmer, Spike, Black Cat, Spitfire and wolverine image materialized into existence in a flash of light. “Those are the enemies. If they ever get or cross your way…..Destroy them.” Grogar proceed venomously while holding the image of the Avengers within his telekinetic grasp that started trembling, with an evident anger and frustration was slowly associating with unfortunate and bitter memories about the heroes defeating and humiliating an evil ram necromancer. Reacting and like being in sync with his masters thoughts and own growing frustration and thirst of vengeance, with a feral snarl Crunch opened up is large mouth and with a loud clamp sounding like two giant rocks clashing together snatched the image of the Avengers from Grogars magic grasp and with a malicious snarling and growling literally tear the paper on little pieces by sharply thrashing his head from side to side, making Rover and other Diamond Dog guards present within the throne room cringe and whimper nervously. Even Catrina herself looked like somewhat taken aback and feeling apprehensive. “Uuuuh. Effective.” Grogar who was on the other hand and unlike his peers unshaken and otherwise seemed to be deeply impressed and prizing Crunch for his ferocious and brutal nature, before yet immediately shifting back into his more commanding and authoritative like side and denying a golem a stern look. “You have heard me then! Go! Search through the land! Destroy everything that comes into your way or decimate the entire city if you have to, but….Find me and bring me my gem! The Gem of Darkness and don’t ever come back without it! Go!” “I obey.” Crunch simply and without any hint of objection responded to his masters command, grunting in response, shifting and turning his immense rocky frame before started walking towards the main exit from the throne room with every step making the ground shake a bit. But, instead of and not even bothering himself to open and with tow guards better getting out of the way, Crunch simply went through the door, literally, by crushing them to pieces and wooden chips falling. “Hey! Next time use the door!” Grogar bellowed, scolding after Crunch for just mindlessly knocking out the main door, yet it was for naught as the rockdog golem was already long gone. “And you also wouldn’t mind just to open the door, would you?!” Grogar scolded both guards for their incompetence, deciding to vent his anger at least on them before turning his attention to Rover. “Rover….Take those two idiots and fix those darn door.” “Eghm…Yes, Lord Grogar.” Rover stammered nervously yet nonetheless complying his masters order and proceed marching outside the throne room with his two armoured companions at the door following. “You know, Lord Grogar….” Catrina spoke off while being alone with the ruler or Dark Empire, her voice sounding a little sceptical while considering the sets of events. “That rock muscle had may have rather rocks for brains. Literally.” “It was worth it, thanks to you, Lady Catrina.” Grogar replied back to cat lady reassuringly, yet prizing her for her very own effort to begin with, while nonchalantly rising upstairs and comfortably taking a seat on his throne, smirking maliciously. “With Crunchs brute strength, unquestionable obedience and loyalty and destructive potential, he might be just great enforcer in my army and more than a force to be reckon with, that destroys anything in its path. And….If he indeed can search gems with its magically enhanced sense of smell, as you have already and him mentioned it, I shall very soon have my Gem of Darkness once again in my possession for all that time. And then….Equestira and the Avengers….Beware.” “But.” Catrina suddenly blurted out in objection when a sudden realization just struck cat ladys mind. “What about that Lavan, the Fire Elemental that had jus awaken early. Destroying the entire Changeling hive in Macintosh Hills. And yet….The Avengers managed to defeat him….For then.” Feline Witchs demeanour though darkened by considering the situation even further. “He….Might present quite a problem as well as an obstacle in your plan to conquer Equestria. Not to mention with those other Elementals might awake also. Or more likely sooner then we think.” Grogar, however and much for Catrinas surprise and despite being known for his outbursts of rage remained absolutely cool and calculating with a devious grin on his muzzle intact and waving his hoof in a dismissive like gesture. “Patience, Catrina. I have a way different plans with them.” Grogar paused for a while before going on. “And from now on…...We shall just wait for an opportunity to rise. Actually….It perfectly suits my plans into the future.” Catrinas brow though furrowed at Grogars last statement of words with her head slightly shifting to the side. Both inwardly wondering yet also not being too sure about her partners plans into the near future, that by the way were getting a way more twisted than ever. Only the future would tell…..  To be continued……..