“It's not actually that complicated, really,” Rarity remarked as she trotted into the room, a steaming pot of tea held aloft in her magical grip. “A simple distraction combined with a second team finding the egg and getting out before the beast knows it's been bamboozled.”
“There is a bit more to it than that, but Lady Rarity isn't wrong,” Daisy exclaimed, taking the pot from her partner’s grip and filling four cups.
Kanathara nodded slowly, her gaze drawn to the rather sparse living room they were sitting in. Little more than a collection of chairs and a single coffee table, the space wasn't completely uncomfortable. Her demonic bulk was roughly equivalent to a diamond dog’s, so she could even sit upright without having to first take on her slightly smaller pony form.
“Like what?” Rainbow Dash asked, taking a sip of her tea. “Let me guess, its chaos magic is going to be an issue.”
“Simply put, it's slippery. Unless you got a bunch of anchor stones, the beast can just disappear whenever it feels cornered,” Daisy explained.
“Quite right. From what I’ve been able to gather from the field guide, the grootslang’s magic is intuitive. Which basically means that so long as we don't leave it any other option, it won’t use its strange abilities,” Rarity remarked.
“And attracting it will likely mean summoning some manner of chaotic energy, correct?” Kanathara inquired.
Rarity nodded. “It perceives these bursts of chaos as a rival grootslang in its territory, which, provided it isn't mating season, will be attacked on sight.”
“It isn't mating season, right?” Rainbow Dash asked somewhat hesitantly.
“It is not,” Daisy declared. “Though with the moon making them think that the surface is underground, you may never know.”
“Don't jinx it,” Rarity cursed, punching the dog in the shoulder.
Daisy shrugged. “Hey, at this point all bets are off.”
“Well, at least we don't have to worry about her egg hatching,” Rarity exclaimed. “We haven't seen a male, and they only lay after acquiring new territory, fertilized or not.”
“Very interesting,” Kanathara muttered, sipping her tea.
“So it's definitely not going to hatch then?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Rarity scoffed. “Of course not. I doubt it's fertilized and even if it is, a grootslang’s egg requires a very obscure set of events to occur in order for it to hatch.”
“And these requirements are completely random too,” Daisy added.
“Then it is probably unlikely,” Kanathara declared.
“Right, I don't suppose you can cast some sort of fancy chaos spell, eh?” Daisy grabbed a broken and burnt wand from a nearby shelf. “‘Cause we’ve used up the last of the magic in this thing.”
“I can, though it's not anything super powerful,” Kanathara warned. “Chaos magic takes decades of study and generally isn't worth it, given just how, well, chaotic it is.”
“That's fine,” Rarity quickly replied. “This wand merely detected chaos magic, and it was enough to grab the grootslang’s attention in seconds.”
“Good, because even casting that relatively simple spell still knocks the wind out of me,” Kanathara bitterly remarked, shaking her head in disgust.
Rarity drained the last of her tea and pushed her cup aside. “Now then, darlings. I am rather exhausted and our people will need rest before they move out. I would offer you the spare bed, but I’m afraid this is all I have.” She gestured to a mound of blankets and pillows folded on the cold hard ground.
“They are demons. I’m sure they can either find a better place to rest, or don't even need to do so in the first place,” Daisy exclaimed.
“Nah. We’re pretty well-stocked on energy for a while,” Rainbow Dash replied, patting her stomach. “But I’m sure the boss lady is just itching to go check out that cool castle thingy.”
“I don't want to distract myself while we are on such an important mission,” Kanathara corrected.
“Well, if you're bored, then feel free to take over guard duty for the tunnel we entered in on. The other side was easier to fortify, but we haven't gotten to the north entrance yet,” Rarity exclaimed.
“We could do that. Hopefully a couple of those butt ugly eels come up here,” Rainbow Dash declared, pounding her armored hooves together.
Daisy rubbed a paw over her stomach. “That would be good eating if you had some leftovers.”
“Tsk, meat eaters,” Rarity remarked. “Now come along, dear. We must get our beauty sleep.”
“More like I do, if you got any prettier, the pack might think you're a gem,” Daisy exclaimed, the dog lopping alongside her partner.
Rarity giggled and batted the other creature’s shoulder. “Oh, you can be so romantic when you want to be, you know that?”
Kanathara tuned out the rest of the conversation and turned back to Rainbow Dash, who was still clearly gawking at the pair. “Give them a little privacy, why don't you?” Kanathara half offered, half commanded.
Rainbow Dash blushed slightly and rubbed the back of her neck. “Sorry, boss. Seeing Rarity with a female, nevermind a diamond dog is a little weird. I know we didn't talk much, but I sure got the feeling that she was waiting for Mr. Right. If you catch my drift.”
“I don't think our host cares much for gender at all. Only that they can sweep her off her hooves,” Kanathara remarked.
Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Any race or gender can be a knight, I suppose.”
“Quite true,” Kanathara agreed before rising from her chair. “Now that I’m thinking about it, perhaps we should take Rarity up on her offer.”
Rainbow Dash followed after her mistress as she walked to the door. “Really, boss? You don't strike me as the guard type.”
“Ha, no,” Kanathara exclaimed with a chuckle. “Though I am feeling rather peckish.”
“Now you’re talking,” Rainbow Dash excitedly declared. “So, what do you want to go hunt first? An eel? Or maybe another hydra.”
“Let’s go after an eel first, we can use it as bait to catch something else while also doing Rarity a favor,” Kanathara replied.
Rainbow Dash nodded, trotting through the open door and kicking it shut behind her. “Sounds like a plan. Say, do you think its eyeballs would taste any good?”
Kanathara smirked. “Only one way to find out.”
Rarity frowned as she glanced around the cavern, her eyes narrowing. “I could have sworn they would be out here,” she muttered.
“You don't think they took off, do you?” Daisy asked.
Rarity shook her head. “Absolutely not. Those two may be many things, but cowards they are not.”
“I still don't like trusting demons, but if you’re sure about this…” Daisy exclaimed.
“I am,” stated the unicorn. “We need their help. Furthermore, they need our help. It seems like a simple… transaction?”
Rarity, Daisy, and the small band of armored diamond dogs walking beside the pair stopped upon spotting the demons in question. Along with their mostly consumed quarry eel and partially eaten pile of demon corpses, as well as a stack of wolves that had been slightly nibbled on. In the midst of it all were Kanathara and Rainbow Dash, one reclining against the rib bone of an eel while the other lay on the floor, tossing an imp’s skull in the air.
“It seems as though we have company,” Kanathara remarked without opening her eyes. “Feel free to take as much of our leftovers as you would like. It's not like I’m going to carry it around with us.”
Rainbow Dash tossed the skull in the air and caught it in her mouth, the demon’s powerful jaws shattering it utterly. She then proceeded to chew the broken bones and swallow what was left, rising up from the ground with a smile on her face.
“Just make sure to do something cool with the eel skull like mount it on the wall or something,” Rainbow Dash declared.
Daisy was the first to snap out of her stupor and turned back towards town before shouting. “Get the store houses prepped, meat's back on the menu, boys!” she shouted.
A distant, yet exuberant shout alerted all to the fact that the command had been heard, and soon a group of dogs were running over to them. While they cleaned and carried away the carcassess, Rarity stepped forward, a somewhat forced grin plastered on her lips.
“Well then. That certainly was… a thing,” Rarity murmured. “Are you done with your lunch break, or do we have to continue without you?”
Kanathara slowly climbed into a stand. “Sorry about the mess, we can go. Oh, but before we do, you should know that you won't have to worry about any demons showing up.”
“And why is that?” Rarity demanded.
“‘Cause this lot was going to raid you last night. Or this night, whatever,” Rainbow Dash answered, waving an armored hoof over the pile of demon corpses which had been stacked next to a pyramid of severed imp heads.
“How utterly repugnant,” Rarity exclaimed, turning her nose up.
“She meant to say, thank you,” Daisy quickly interrupted, stepping between the two parties. “How about we keep this moving, huh? It's only getting colder out there.”
“Ready when you are,” Kanathara agreed, joining the dog along with her familiar and the rest of their party.
All save for Rarity who groaned in disgust. “How uncivilized,” she muttered to herself.
With great effort, the unicorn did her best not to look at the severed heads, the entrails which had been spilled, or anything bloody. It was difficult, and she failed several times, nearly slipping, but eventually she emerged onto the other side. Now with a frown on her face, and an angry twitch in her left eye, the pony hastily trotted after the departing group.
“Wait for me, you barbarians!” Rarity shouted.
“Okay, we're here, now what's the plan again?” Rainbow Dash asked, leaning idly against a large jagged rock sticking up from the ground.
“It's simple, really,” Daisy began, flipping her mace around and using the butt of her weapon to draw in the dirt. “Over here is the grootslang’s lair.” She made a circle in the soft dirt, then pointed over the boulder and towards a distant cave.
“Rarity and Rainbow Dash will go a good fifty feet, then hide in an alcove.” Daisy drew a long shaft extending from the cave entrance and added two Rs halfway down it. “After you’re in position, Kanathara here will use her spell and draw the grootslang out of its lair.”
The diamond dog then drew an X and surrounded it with small circles and two larger ones. “She and I will then do our best to distract and contain the beast for as long as possible while you two sneak inside.”
“Where we grab the egg,” Rarity declared, slamming a hoof into the ground. “And make out like bandits.”
“I’d prefer to make out like the French,” Rainbow Dash remarked, only to receive a sharp elbow to the side. “Hey, what's the big deal?”
“I warned you about the puns,” Kanathara retorted. “You’ve been making too many of them lately, and I will not see you turn into another Tirek.”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
Daisy cleared her throat and flipped her mace around. “Now then. Does anyone have any questions?”
“I got one,” Rainbow Dash declared, waving a hoof. “Why do I have to go with Miss Prissypants?”
Rarity scoffed. “I’ll have you know that these are not pants. They are greaves.” She slowly turned in place, extending her legs and showing off the shimmering silver coat that hung over most of her body. She also made sure to display her reflective leg protectors which were complete with tiny gems resembling her cutie mark.
“Yes it's all very color-coordinated,” Rainbow Dash replied while rolling her eyes.
“You look wonderful, my lady,” Daisy exclaimed.
Rarity batted her eyes and brushed her mane aside. “At least someone appreciates the effort I put into it. Do you have any idea how hard it is to create a stylish ensemble that is protective without becoming garish? It's darn near impossible, I tell you.”
Kanathara chuckled. “Fashion aside, I am curious as to why you’ve split us up like that.”
“It's simple,” Daisy began. “You can communicate psionically which helps both teams stay in contact with one another. Also, Rarity has heard our scout’s reports about the interior of the groostlang’s lair. She will be able to point your familiar in the right direction.”
“While I stay out here to create the distraction,” Kanathara concluded, nodding along. “That makes sense, though I don't see why you can't simply tell Rainbow Dash about what's inside.”
“Hey yeah. Why don't you do that?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Because the interior of a groostlang’s lair is filled with traps which Rarity’s keen beautiful eyes can detect,” Daisy exclaimed.
Rarity giggled and bumped her hip against the dark-furred dog. “Oh, you are such a charmer sometimes.”
“Sharp eyes or not, Rainbow Dash can avoid nearly every trap in there,” Kanathara pointed out.
“Even the chaos magic ones that adapt to whatever and whoever is nearby?” Daisy replied.
Kanathara grimaced. “Point made.”
“So long as we only use normal methods to bypass them, the traps won't evolve or become more complicated. Thus why you need me to help you through,” Rarity declared.
Rainbow Dash sighed. “I don't like the baggage, but I suppose it couldn't hurt.”
“If anyone will become someone’s baggage, it is you becoming mine,” Rarity exclaimed with an angry harumph.
“Isn't that a bit much, my lady?” Daisy exclaimed.
Rarity wilted. “You’re right, darling. That little display earlier has put me rather on edge as it were.”
“Don't worry about it,” Kanathara interrupted. “Let's just get this done so we can all get what we want.”
“An excellent idea,” Daisy declared, rising up to her full height. “Let us know when you two are in position.”
Rainbow Dash’s knelt down. “You better mount up then.”
“My word! I am not interested in you like that. I am a happily married mare!” Rarity exclaimed, her voice rising several octaves.
“She means hop on her back,” Daisy whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.
Rarity cleared her throat. “I knew that.”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as Rarity awkwardly stepped onto her back, forelegs quickly wrapping around the demon’s neck.
“You say you’re not interested, yet you’re choking me. Curious,” Rainbow Dash remarked.
Rarity’s already red face grew ever more crimson. “I didn't…. You… I…”
“Relax, my lady. She is teasing you,” Daisy whispered in a calm voice, paw laid on the mare’s shoulder.
“You’re right. I should stop getting so flustered. I fear all this excitement is getting to me,” Rarity muttered.
“You’ll be fine. Just stick with Rainbow Dash. She won't let you come to harm,” Daisy declared, the statement sounding a whole lot like a command leveled at a certain vengant.
“Totally,” Rainbow Dash declared somewhat half-heartedly.
“Ready?” Kanathara asked.
“Ready,” Rarity exclaimed.
“Then let's go!” Rainbow Dash shouted, launching into a sprint.
“Slow doooown!” Rarity screeched as the demon exploded into motion.
Within seconds the pair were airborne, with Rarity screaming bloody murder the entire time, leaving Kanathara standing there somewhat awkwardly in front of a glaring diamond dog.
“Nothing will happen to her, right?” Daisy asked.
“Rainbow Dash just likes annoying people,” Kanathara dismissed. “I’m certain she will hold true to her promise.”
“Let's hope so. I don't wanna die, but if it meant spitting in the face of Lady Rarity’s killer I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Daisy remarked, watching as the vengant and her rider disappeared into the distant cave.
Kanathara paused and glanced curiously at the dog. “You must really care for her.”
Daisy plunked her helmet over her head and pulled the grille down over her face. “The events which brought us together may have been rushed and chaotic, but they were some of the most memorable of my entire life.”
Kanathara hummed thoughtfully as she felt her familiar take a sharp turn, Rarity’s screams echoing into the gorge. The demon couldn't help but feel a small sense of respect well in the space where her heart should be. Then she quickly stamped it out and reminded herself that she was here for a mission, not to make friends.
“Remember,” Kanathara began. “Do not look at me or anywhere near me until several seconds after the spell is complete. It may seem like a simple burst of colors, but witnessing that which should not be will render most mortals mad.”
“Most? So what happens to the rest?” someone asked.
“The exiled god that lives between realities will extend a part of itself into the mortal’s body and make them into an extension of his will,” Kanathara exclaimed.
“Don't look at the scary demon lady. Got it,” murmured the curious dog.
“Does that really happen?” Daisy whispered.
“Nah, they just shit themselves while puking their guts out,” Kanathara replied.
“Ah… Well, whenever you’re ready,” Daisy exclaimed, stepping away and pointedly looking at the ground.
The rest of her soldiers quickly followed suit, either by putting their back to the keeper of secrets, or covering their eyes completely. Either way, it wasn't long before Kanathara was certain the collateral damage would be minimal, and she lit her horn. The spell itself took a bit longer to prepare than usual, but after a minute of careful concentration, Kanathara was certain it was ready.
The pulsing, angry kaleidoscope of colors swirled up the base of her long blade-like horn where it gathered into an orb. It grew and shrunk as quickly as it changed colors, undulating violently before at long last it was released. Shooting only a few metres into the air, the ball exploded, showering Kanathara’s immediate area with an otherworldly rainbow.
“Oh, that's actually kind of pret-” muttered a dog before violently expelling the contents of his stomach into his helmet.
“Gods dammit,” Daisy muttered, staring down at the dog who was convulsing on the ground.
Kanathara shook her head as she watched the male violently ruin both his pants as well as the rest of his clothes.
“I warned him,” Kanathara remarked.
“Should we put him out of his misery before he turns?” whispered another of the diamond dogs.
“It's fine. Just place him on his side so he doesn't drown in his own puke,” Kanathara replied.
“Rex, Rudy, you two are on defence. I don't want to have to worry about this dumbass getting in the way,” Daisy exclaimed, lightly kicking the vomiting dog in the stomach. “As for everyone else. Look alive, our target should be here any-”
As if on cue, a powerful, high-pitched roar shook the ground, causing every mortal to clasp their paws over their ears. Kanathara, however, was mostly unaffected, allowing her to pick out the distant sound of what seemed like a second bellowed cry. It didn't last long, but it was enough to make Kanathara nervous, and she glanced over her shoulder back towards the north end of the gorge.
“Here it comes!” yelled one of the dogs.
“Get the nets ready. Kanathara, can you distract it while--What are you looking at?” Daisy barked.
“It seems as though we have attracted more than one serpentine beast,” Kanathara replied, pointing towards a horde of quarry eels slithering towards them.
“Damn it all. I hope Rarity is having more success than us,” Daisy remarked.
The high-pitched keen rattled the stone walls of the tiny alcove Rainbow Dash and Rarity were hiding in. The demon was unmoving, while her mortal companion covered her ears and squeezed her eyes tightly shut. After the scream died down, Rainbow Dash heard the thunderous crash of the approaching grootslang.
In mere seconds the beast had ascended from its home and was nearing their hiding place. Rarity remained surprisingly steadfast throughout it all, staying quiet and still even as the monster passed them by. Which was an event so brief that there was only a short flash of color before it was over.
The sound of its passage reverberated down the cavern for several seconds, Rainbow Dash remaining ready to leap at any moment. When the grootslang didn't return, she released a sigh and stepped out into the cave.
“Come on. We better move,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
We have complications over here. Move quickly, Kanathara mentally exclaimed.
“How are you so calm?” Rarity whispered, hastily trotting after her companion.
“This doesn't even rank in the top ten most dangerous things I’ve ever done. Now come on, the boss mentioned that things are already going sideways, so we gotta speed up,” Rainbow Dash declared, taking off at a trot.
“Right behind you, darling,” Rarity declared.
Together the pair hastily trotted down the winding cave at a surprisingly rapid pace, their speed increased by the easily traversed terrain. The ground was smooth, and there were no stalactites or stalagmites, only a fine layer of gravel that appeared every few feet. Rainbow Dash deduced that the stone spikes had likely been destroyed by the grootslang’s passage, as had most of the cave’s other features.
Thankfully it wasn't long before they reached the end where a large double door stood waiting for them.
“You didn't say anything about a door,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
“There shouldn't be one,” Rarity murmured. “The report indicated that it was an old dragon lair, and that it was just one big room.”
“Something is definitely wrong,” Rainbow Dash muttered.
“The chaos magic must have shifted the caves around somehow,” Rarity reasoned. “Either way, we have to press on, darling.”
Rainbow Dash willed her armor to extend over her body. “Whatever you say, lady.”