//------------------------------// // Between a Diamond Dog And a Hard Place // Story: The Changeling Wars // by Alkonium //------------------------------// [youtube=rHqJ4berKYM] "Twilight? Twilight?" Twilight heard faintly as she regained consciousness. She slowly opened her good eye to see Derpy standing over her, and the two of them appeared to be in some sort of desert. "Thank Celestia you're alright. You've been out cold for three days; I can't believe how lucky we've been," Derpy exclaimed. "Lucky? Lucky?! We're stranded in the middle of a desert and I'm missing an eye! How exactly are we lucky?" Twilight demanded. "First of all, you're lucky Flam shot you with his horn and not a gun, because this way you don't have to worry about losing any blood. Second, we're lucky I was able slow us down enough to land safely," Derpy explained, then adding, "About your eye, take my eye patch. You need it more than I do." Derpy took off her eye patch and handed it to Twilight, who then magically put it on over what was left of her right eye. Thinking that she probably looked similar to the "Future Twilight" whom she met once, the unicorn chuckled for a second. However, that chuckle died away quickly, when she remembered that her eye patch was going to stay on her face forever this time. "What is it?" Derpy inquired. "I was just remembering how about four months ago, I was visited by myself from the future, and she, or I, looked a lot like I do now. I even asked her if there was some sort of epic pony war in the distant future," Twilight elaborated. "She tried to warn you about this?" Derpy asked. "No. As it turns out, she was from the following Tuesday, and she only looked the way she did because of a bunch of random injuries over the week," Twilight finished. "Now, where are we?" "Well, the last town I saw before we landed was Appleloosa, but it looks like a four day walk from here," Derpy answered. Twilight wasn't sure how to feel about that. Chrysalis had evidently managed to launch them from one end of Equestria to the other. On the other hand, there was no way the Changelings could have made it this far yet. "Let's get moving then," Twilight finally said, before hearing her stomach grumbling. "You wouldn't happen to have any food on you, would you?" "Well, how do you feel about cactus?" Derpy asked, producing some from a makeshift saddlebag and passing it to Twilight. "Eh, better than nothing." Twilight replied, taking a bite out of the desert plant. After finishing, she said, "Come on. I know some of the ponies in Appleloosa; I'm sure they'll help us get back to Ponyville." "Listen, Twilight. I'm sorry about what happened to your eye. I know what it's like to lose part of your sight." Derpy said, taking a more sombre tone. "You had nothing to do with it, Derpy, and you saved my life. The main thing I feel for you right now is gratitude." Twilight replied, reassuring her friend and second in command. "I thought for the most part, you could see just fine." "I can now, but I was born with a condition that nearly blinded me. It's not something I like to talk about, if you don't mind." Derpy explained. Two Days Later The two mares pressed on, tired and weary from two days of walking. Despite having plenty of daylight left, Twilight raised her front left hoof, motioning for Derpy to stop. "What is it?" Derpy asked. "Can't you hear that rumbling?" Twilight replied. "You're right. It almost sounds like it's coming from ... below us!" As Derpy made that realization, she quickly pushed Twilight out of the way, and three massive tank-like vehicles drilled their way out of the ground. The three tunnellers then formed a circle around the two mares, guns ready to fire. The lead tunneller's cockpit opened up, and a Diamond Dog climbed out. Twilight immediately recognized him as Rover, one of the Diamond Dogs who kidnapped Rarity a year and a half earlier. "What do we have here? Ponies, and ones that have seen battle, no less. They will make excellent prisoners for Chief Boldheart," Rover commented. The cockpit on one of the other tunnellers opened up, this time revealing a bison. "They don't look they're from Appleloosa. The one with the eyepatch is a unicorn, and the grey one's a pegasus," the bison pointed out. "No matter, we take them anyway," Rover replied. The back door on the last tunneller opened up, revealing two rifle-toting Diamond Dogs. They quickly ushered Twilight and Derpy into the tunneller, tying them to their seats, and making sure to bind Derpy's wings and cover Twilight's horn. After the back door closed, Twilight and Derpy had to rely on guess work and their sense of hearing to figure out what was going on. It sounded as though the tunneller was moving, and had gone back underground. About an hour later, the tunneller took a sharp and unexpected turn, slamming Twilight and Derpy's guards into the wall. "Um, who's piloting this thing?" Derpy asked, but there was no response. After that, the background noise got a lot quieter, as if the vehicle had surfaced, or they had entered an existing tunnel. It was difficult to tell which it was without a window. After a couple more hours, the tunneller stopped. "End of the line," Twilight commented, a resigned tone in her voice. However, when the back door opened, they weren't greeted by armed diamond dogs and bison, but by the ponies of Appleloosa. "Get those two out of their restraints," Applejack's cousion Braeburn instructed, and two ponies entered the tunneller, freeing Twilight and Derpy, and then dragging the unconscious diamond dogs off. Twilight approached Braeburn, and said, "Thanks. I thought the war hadn't made it this far yet." "It hasn't, but as I'm sure you're already aware, Appleloosa's got its own problems," Braeburn explained, as Little Strongheart leaped out of the tunneller's cockpit. "The bison aren't cooperating?" Twilight asked. "Worse. The bison aren't cooperating with each other," Braeburn clarified. "I heard them mention a Chief Boldheart, but I thought Thunderhooves was still leader of the bison tribe," Twilight commented. "I am," Chief Thunderhooves stated, stepping out of the crowd of ponies and bison. "Then who exactly is Boldheart?" Derpy asked. "My brother. He disappeared three months ago, and when he returned, he was ... different. His coat was nearly black, and his eyes had an eerie green glow about them. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. He spoke of how bison had no stake in a pony war, and how the bison should sever ties with the Appleloosans. He was always deeply proud of his heritage, but he would never push the bison to civil war like this." Thunderhooves explained. "You think the Changelings replaced him with one of their own?" Derpy suggested. "No. An impostor would not look so flawed. If the Changelings are involved, they did something to him, but I'm sure it's him." Thunderhooves clarified. "We should continue this discussion at the tavern; I'm sure our friends here could do with a stiff drink, after what they've been through." Braeburn then suggested, to nearly everyone's agreement. The Salt Lick Sitting down with a mug of ale in his hoof, Braeburn asked Twilight, "I thought Ponyville was Ground Zero for the Changeling attack; what are you two doing out here?" "We were betrayed from within. The traitors killed the mayor and shot out my eye. Then, Queen Chrysalis hit me with a repulsion spell. If it hadn't been for Derpy, I'm sure I'd be feeding the buzzards right now." Twilight explained, taking a sip of her own ale. "So Ponyville's fallen. I need to know, what's happened to my grandmother and my cousins?" Braeburn then asked, taking a more desperate tone. "Granny Smith and Apple Bloom were evacuated well before the Changelings hit. As for Applejack and Big Macintosh, their gunship was still in the air, but that was almost a week ago." Twilight answered. "I can only hope they're alright." "They will be. We Apples are survivors." Braeburn commented. "I'm sure you understand that we need to get back to Ponyville as soon as possible; is there anything you could do to help?" Derpy asked. "Normally, we run supplies out to Dodge Junction by train, but with the bison at each other's throats, they're needed more here, and it'd be a waste of fuel to send the two of you out with no cargo." Braeburn explained. "Unless you can somehow get the bison to resolve their differences, there's nothing I can do." "Actually, I've been thinking about that. The Changelings tend to be proficient in mind-altering magic, and if they're manipulating Boldheart into turning the bison against each other, it wouldn't work if he knew of their involvement." Twilight said in response. "You think they've erased part of his memory?" Thunderhooves asked. "Exactly. If I can get close enough, I should be able to cast a memory spell on him." Twilight explained. "Any supposed injustice inflicted by the Appleloosans would pale in comparison to the idea of being manipulated by the Changelings." Thunderhooves commented. "The rogue bison have diamond dogs working with them and providing them with those tanks, and they're not going to be as easily persuaded. They've never seen eye to eye with the ponies of Equestria." Derpy pointed out. "I know, but their tactics are opportunistic in nature, and we should have strength in numbers." Twilight replied. "If they don't run off, we should be able to subdue them relatively easily." "It's risky, but it's better than a stalemate." Braeburn commented. "I could use that tunneller I hijacked to get us into their underground stronghold, but they may already suspect I'm a double agent." Little Strongheart suggested. "Good idea. It looks like Boldheart will be getting his pony prisoners after all." Twilight replied. En Route To Rogue Bison Stronghold "I really don't see why we need these bindings back on, even if they are loosened." Derpy commented, from the back of the tunneller. "Passing ourselves off as prisoners is the only guaranteed way for us to get in." Twilight explained. "How exactly does hoofing ourselves over to them help?" Derpy asked. "My uncle makes a point of inspecting the prisoners personally; which will give Twilight the opportunity she needs to cast her spell on him." Strongheart answered from the cockpit. "I can see this getting really violent if things get out of hoof." Derpy commented. Rogue Bison Stronghold Strongheart's tunneller arrived as Chief Boldheart was giving a speech to rally his troops. As she escorted Twilight and Derpy out, they just caught the tail end of it, and heard him say, "My brother would drag us into a war led by ponies, to protect pony lands! But I ask you: Are we ponies, or are we bison?" "WE ARE BISON! WE ARE BISON!" The crowd shouted in response, passionately stomping their hooves on the ground. "Yes! We are bison, and we will not- I see my niece has finally returned, with the prisoners Rover promised. What kept you?" Boldheart continued, before spotting Strongheart enter the hall. "I was waylaid by Appleloosans; my diamond dog comrades didn't make it." Strongheart explained, leading Twilight and Derpy up to the stage. In fairness, it wasn't exactly a lie. "At least the prisoners are intact." Boldheart commented, before taking a closer look at Twilight and Derpy. "What happened to the unicorn's eye?" He asked. "We don't know. She was like that when we found her." Rover pointed out. Then, Twilight found the opportunity she needed, and cast her memory spell through the fake horn sheath. Unfortunately, the spell was not as discrete as she had hoped, and the bright flash of violet energy quickly drew the attention of Chief Boldheart, the crowd of bison, and their Diamond Dog guards. "Traitor!" Boldheart shouted, striking Twilight across the cheek. Motioning towards two armed diamond dogs, he said, "Throw my niece in with the rest of the prisoners." As the diamond dogs led Twilight away, she thought to herself, It's over. I've failed. However, her spirits lifted when she heard Boldheart continue his speech, and say, "We are bison, and we are pawns to no one! Not to the ponies, and certainly not the changelings! The cowards seek to rule us, and yet they dare not show their faces? They are the true enemy, and yet we bison fight each other while even ponies fight the changelings?" "No! Changelings pay good gems for ponies! If you fight them, we fight you!" Rover shouted, raising his rifle, and motioning for the other diamond dogs to do the same. "Bison! Attack!" Boldheart called out, the glow in his eyes fading and his coat returning to its natural brown. In the commotion, Derpy gave the guard escorting her a good buck in the gut, and slipped out of her wing bindings. Twilight then shot Derpy's guard with her horn, while giving her own a similar buck. With their guards subdued for the moment, Twilight looked out at the carnage. The bison had the advantage in numbers and sheer force, but the diamond dogs easily outgunned them at long range. It looked to be a stalemate. Between the pie-filled Battle of Appleloosa, the short Battle of Canterlot, and the two month long Siege of Ponyville, in which she was far from the front lines, this had to be the bloodiest battle she had ever been in. Quickly thinking up a plan, Twilight said to Derpy, "I need you to fly back to Appleloosa as fast as you can. Tell Braeburn and Thunderhooves what's happened, and that the bison here need their help." "But, Twilight-" Derpy was about to say. "That's an order. Now go!" Twilight interrupted. Derpy then flew off, back out the tunnel they came in from. Let's hope there's some bison left by the time they get here. Twilight thought to herself, readying her horn to fire upon the diamond dogs. While the diamond dogs could continue firing until their were trampled by bison or they ran out of ammo, Twilight was only limited by her own magical reserves. As she provided cover fire for the bison, she kept her eye out for Rover, the diamond dogs' apparent leader, but he was nowhere to be found, at least not in the main hall where the fighting was the thickest. Typical. She thought. Every shot she fired made it harder to maintain focus, and her lack of depth perception didn't help much either. First chance I get, I am reading up on Arcane Sight spells. Appleloosa Derpy finally arrived back in Appleloosa, her coat and mane drenched in sweat, and her wings completely worn out. As Derpy stopped a moment to catch her breath, Thunderhooves said, "You're back; did Twilight's spell work?" "Yes, but the bison there need your help; the diamond dogs have turned on them." Derpy explained. "Very well. Bison, move out!" Thunderhooves called out to the warriors of his tribe. Braeburn then motioned for Derpy to join in him in his gunship. While the gunships would be virtually useless inside the stronghold, they provided the ponies with the speed needed to get there in time. Rogue Bison Stronghold Twilight continued her barrage of hornfire, along with the occasional gun-jamming spell, but was beginning to feel the strain from the excessive magical exertion. Even with her above average magical abilities, it was becoming harder and harder to fight the urge to simply pass out. You can rest. The cavalry will be here soon enough, and we've got the upper hoof. A voice kept nagging at the back of her mind. No! You're the only one here who can fight the diamond dogs from a distance. Another voice retorted. You're pushing yourself too hard. You can help without straining yourself so much. A third voice said, sounding the most reasonable so far. For what it was worth, Twilight reduced the frequency of her shots, but she already felt like she was on the verge of collapsing, and eventually had to stop, suspecting one more shot would knock her out. Even that in mind, she felt she had no choice when she finally spotted Rover, his rifle aimed directly at Boldheart. She fired her last shot, just Rover fired his. She saw Strongheart push her uncle out of the way, and everything faded to black. Appleloosa Twilight woke up to once again see Derpy looking over her, but this time Braeburn was with her, and she was in a bed instead of on the ground. "Did we win?" She asked. "More or less. Rover is dead, and most of the surviving diamond dogs fled once we arrived. We have Boldheart's support, though he insisted on making the distinction that he and his followers would be fighting with us, and not for us. Unfortunately, Little Strongheart is in critical condition. It's hard to tell if she'll make it." Braeburn explained. "I see. Is there anything else we can do to help?" Twilight asked, slipping out of the bed. "Dodge Junction has far better medical facilities than Appleloosa. I'd feel a lot better about Strongheart's chances if you brought her there." Braeburn asked. "We can handle everything else here. If the Changelings make it this far, we'll be ready for them." "Of course." Twilight replied. "We'll get her there safely. And thank you, for your help."