//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight: Down the Doggie Hole // Story: Strokes of Fate // by Silbern //------------------------------// Link Celestia stood patiently and with absolute silence. Her constantly moving mane gently caressing against her back as her judging eyes observed the sleeping pony below her. The air about her was still as the morning light has yet to grace the bedroom windows. She watched for a moment as the stirring pony below her slowly awoke to his surroundings. “Good morning, Dusk Breaker,” Celestia greeted with a calm voice. Dusk jolted as he heard the voice that disturbed his already vexing dreams. Blinking several times he slouched slightly to the disturbance knowing full well of what brought the Princess to his bedside. Dusk waited for a moment until he disturbed the silence with a long exhale of his breath and a dim magical aura to pull the blanket away from him. “What do you want, Celestia?” Dusk asked as he decided to ignore any formality. Celestia didn't smile which easily set the mood. “Your Zerg creatures murdered over a dozen Diamond Dogs. You know I cannot let this sort of behaviour to go unpunished,” Celestia explained with ease as the two ponies exchanged steel gazes. “Even if your intentions were well meaning for the Apple family's assets it is still a crime of a high degree,” Celestia pointed out. Dusk simply cracked a smile and stretched his legs before levelling his vision back on to Celestia. “I won't lie, Celestia. I ordered my Zerglings to attack the Diamond Dogs, true, but without my intervention then the Apple family would have lost a certain percentage in their farm now wouldn't they?” Dusk asked with a small smirk starting to grace his face. “But,” Dusk relented as he raised his two fore hooves up slowly. “I am guilty of the crime. Arrest me and let us be off,” he resigned to his fate as his eyes never wavered from Celestia. Moments of silence past as Celestia continued her locked gaze with the Stallion who still laid comfortably on the bed “We are to leave for Canterlot as soon as possible,” the Princess spoke as if regarding the royal court. Celestia made her way to the door before pausing to turn her head back to Dusk who gave a low whistle. “You have yet to find the cows, have you?” Dusk enquired as his devilish smile grew wider. “You just love to toy with me, don't you?” Celestia relented as she turned to face the stallion once more with slight irritation edging her voice. “Oh come now,” Dusk Breaker started as he waved a hoof at her dismissively before getting out of bed. “You do not give yourself enough credit, Celestia. The only reason I'm not in chains as we speak now, is because you are wise enough to know that I may have an inkling of information as to where the cows actually are. Am I right in assuming that much?” Dusk asked as he stood face to face with Celestia, nearly coming to her full height. “Plus you're cute when you're flustered,” Dusk toyed with her again before pushing the door open with his magic. “Stay your tongue, Dusk Breaker!” Celestia warned angrily as she slammed the door shut on Dusk's nose. “Do not assume that you have all controlling power over myself or Equestria, Dusk Breaker!” Celestia stared daggers into Dusk who suddenly felt much smaller then he was. “I let your new found species live solely due to my caring nature for all living things! You broke that rule when you massacred over a dozen Diamond Dogs! Do not test my patience or I will see the Zerg race burned in the fires of the Sun!” her threats rung true as each one made Dusk back up until his rump connected with the bed. “Do I make myself clear, Dusk Breaker?” Celestia asked. Dusk felt very weak against such a onslaught of threats. Years of parent obedience to the all knowing Goddess of the Sun had taken it's toll on his conscious. Slowly he began to stand up stiff as he regain composure of both his body and mind. With one shaky breath he nodded his head as he witnessed the Princess' facial expression do a one eighty as a soft smile spread across her face. “Glad we have come to an understanding, Dusk.” Celestia opened the door to the Library. “Come now, we have things to discuss,” she invited the stumbling Stallion as he quietly made his way out of the bedroom. Dusk paused as he witnessed not only his sister but all her friends surrounding the lone wooden table. He could see the bags underneath their eyes and the way they slouched around the table that fatigue was obviously setting in. He'd smile but knew by the general mood that the mares are all worried for both Applejack and the still missing cows. Not even Pinkie Pie was in her usual ecstatic mood. Applejack was the first to react as she trotted to confront Dusk not bothering with any formality. “Ah don't care if ya killed them Dogs or not,” Applejack said as she let out a small shiver at the mental thought of the gruesome scene. “All Ah care 'bout now is my cows. Princess Celestia said ya knew where they are, please, ya got to help me, Dusk,” Applejack pleaded as she removed her hat to place on her chest. Dusk easily studied her eyes and found his heart about to burst if he said anything but yes. “I'm sorry, Applejack. I am currently under arrest for counts of murder,” Dusk frowned as he rested a hoof on her shoulder. I hope you're ready, Celestia. “Princess, you have to help us here!” Rainbow Dash began to plead the royal figure who stood by the sides watching with a neutral expression. “Can't you let him help us for just a small bit?” Rainbow asked the Princess but gathered no answer. “Ah know you have your reasons Princess but please, if there is any chance to rescue my herd from the Diamond Dogs, Ah want to take it!” Applejack changed her gaze from Dusk to the Princess. Dusk only smiled as he soon realized that all the attention was placed upon the Princess. You threaten me yet you need my knowledge to save some of your precious creatures? It's on your head if they live or not, dear Celestia. Dusk watched as the Princess was surrounded by her faithful ponies. Multiple cries and pleas went unanswered for a few moments until Dusk loudly cleared his throat. “I may have an inkling about where your cows may be, Applejack,” Dusk started before levitating an apple to his mouth from the bowl on the table. “However with my arrest looming over my head, my memory is a little foggy,” Dusk spoke before taking a rather large bite of the apple. “Can't you just tell us, Dusk?” Twilight asked as she trotted closer to her eldest brother. “We followed their tracks until it lead us to a dead end. We need anything you can tell us, anything!” Twilight tried to pry any information out of Dusk but soon frowned as his lips remained sealed. “Remove the arrest on both myself and the Zerg,” Dusk offered as he threw the finished apple into the nearby garbage bin. “After that is done, then I'll take you there myself,” “So you do know where they are!” Applejack pointed in accusation. “Of course I do,” Dusk rolled his eyes at the small cat and mouse game he was playing with Celestia. He almost forgot how much Twilight's friends were actually in the dark about the Zerg. “What is it going to be Celestia, save Applejack's friends or lock me in prison?” The Princess narrowed her gaze at the opposing Stallion. The Captain fought with all his being and training to remain standing still while the Lunar Princess shuffled papers around her desk. The moon did a marvel at the amount of light that was shinning through the large window although Shining Armour was sure that Luna planned all of it out. His eyes darted quickly left and right to soak in the rather dark atmosphere of the room where tapestries of astronomy and planets lined the walls. “Bored, Captain?” Luna spoke softly without lifting her eyes from one of the document's that littered her desk. “No, your Majesty,” Shining quickly stood at attention once more as his gaze was glued to a single spot on the wall behind the Princess. He listened as the only sound to fill the room was of the wind from the nearby ajar window. The wind, at first relaxing, was now becoming slightly an unnerving agent plotting against the Captain as he simply waited for further orders. Usually he'd be slightly more open to Celestia but when it came to Luna, all bets were off. “You have questions though,” Luna spoke once more but with less regal tone and more care. “You may ask away, Captain,” Luna allowed as her vision shuffled from one paper to a scroll then to another parchment. Shining Armour shifted his vision slowly to the Princess as he found her deep blue eyes observing his every movement. He swallowed once before resting his gaze fully upon her. “Why was I pulled from protecting Princess Celestia to come back to Canterlot, your Majesty?” Shining asked with the most confidence that he could muster. “I suppose such a question was bound to be bouncing in your head considering the amount my dear sister actually explained to you,” Luna pondered out loud as she let her current document fall from her magical hold. “You have too much emotional attachment to the subject 'Dusk Breaker'. I put forward the notion that you return with me back to the castle to prepare for the Grand Summoning. Are you disappointed at my decision?” Luna asked as her eyes that were filled with youth, despite her actual age, gazed over his form. Yes. Shining stomached before answering “No, your Majesty,” “You're lying, but I find your loyalty to the point where you try to spare my feelings adorable. Perhaps you will be thrilled to hear that your beautiful wife shall be here in a few hours by train,” Luna divulged in information that she would have expected him to know but when she witnessed the inkling of expression of surprise she smiled. “As the Crystal Kingdom expands its borders upon being a vassal to Equestria, my sister deemed it necessary for Princess Mi Amore Cadenza to attend. Come now, there must be more questions that cloud inside your helm,” Luna verbally prodded for more as she levitated a wine bottle as she appraised it for a moment until she gave it a satisfied nod, immediately commencing to open and pour herself a glass. “Would you like to participate, dear Captain?” Shining Armour found himself in a dilemma that seemed very similar to when he was first tasked to guard Celestia with his life. Celestia sat him down on the grand deck outside of her royal office and simply offered him tea. He declined politely as he could but he soon found that the Solar Princess simply giggled at him. After a few years of service did he find out that the Princesses usually only have a very few subjects that they could talk to privately, guards being a large portion of them. “If it would please you, your Highness,” Shining watched as the glass levitated over to his edge of the desk where it was generously filled, more then what he would've liked. “Thank you, your Highness,” Shining politely responded as he levitated the glass near his nostrils where he gave the dark blue liquid a slight sniff. A precise smell of southern Harker berries made him wince as he had a guess as to the brand of wine. “Please, Shining, stop with all those formalities when we are alone. I have enough politicians to kiss my rump as it is, more then half of them would love to do it too,” to this Luna smiled deeply before taking a draw from her glass. “What's next on your mental checklist, hm?” Luna asked as she leaned further back in her lavish chair, a deep seated smile on her face. Shining took a moment to collect his mental well being as he gazed at the Princess who seemed to be taking to the effects of the wine quite easily. Clearing his throat he levitated his own glass back to the table before speaking “Thank you, Luna, for both the cut to formalities and the well received news about my wife coming back to Canterlot,” Shining thanked easily with a nod of his head in the Princess's direction. “I would like to know what is to happen to my brother however. I know this Grand Summons is to decide ultimately as to his fate but what do you suspect?” “He will hang from the Gallows,” Luna stated without a single moment of hesitation as the blunt response shocked the Captain to his roots. Shining was speechless as his mouth hung open for a few moments at the very mental image of a limp Dusk hanging from a rope dangled over the edge of the castle tower. The very idea made him cringe with pain constricting around his heart. If Mom or Dad witnessed that it would destroy them. Oh Celestia, what about Twilight? Shining swallowed as he opened his mouth to respond but was silenced by Luna raising one of her hoof's. “You've seen what he has become. There is no turning back from this point on Shining Armour,” Luna said as she finished her glass of wine and immediately began to pour another. “Would you have us bring him to Canterlot to place him under heavy surveillance and medical expertise? I suspect the council to agree with my very same sentiment. Something that dangerous should be kept in Tartarus,” Luna spoke her mind freely. Shining simply excused himself as he left the office with Luna's permission. Outside of her door he let himself take in a rather large breath at which the two guards that flanked the door gave no heed besides a crisp salute. The moon's light filled the long castle hallways as the heavy thoughts weighed the Stallion's movement to a mere foal's pace. That thing is not Dusk Breaker but to just have him executed? Celestia wouldn't let it happen. The argument continued back and forth until the battle scared plain was nothing but one big migraine for the Captain that found a soothing voice through an ajar door at the end of the hallway. The stallion halted for a moment as he observed the flickering candle coming from within his own personal quarters. “Didn't your Mother ever teach you not to keep a Lady waiting?” Cadence said with an alluring gaze from the crack of the door. Dusk sat happily as he tossed another apple into the nearby garbage bin. His fore hoof gently running over one of the nearby Zergling's who seemed pretty content with the petting. On the other side of the table sat six unhappy Mares and one ticked of Goddess. Dusk simply let a content sigh leave his lips as he spotted Rarity roll her eyes at him. Rarity's act attracted a growl from one of the Zerglings which made Dusk simply chuckle. Smart enough to know facial expressions and behaviours? Too funny. Applejack cleared her throat which gathered much of his attention back on to her. “Ya said ya knew where they holdin' up, so why we holdin' up?” she asked with a tad of aggression displayed on her voice. “Patience, Applejack,” Dusk said as he tapped a hoof on the edge of the table. How much longer on the Infestation? Almost complete complete, Hive Mind. By the time you arrive to the Hatchery, both the Hydralisk and infested Diamond Dog should be ready. Shall I send the Overlord to pick you up or should he continue his watch on the Hatchery? No, no, keep him there. I'm bringing guest along with me before we hunt down the last of these accursed dogs. Prepare for another fight. Everything will be prepared by the time of your arrival, Hive Mind. Dusk opened his mouth to speak until Celestia cut him off. “Time to go, girls,” Celestia informed her subjects as they all stood except for Pinkie who went for hoping on the spot instead. “Where are we going, Princess?” Twilight asked with confusion as she followed her friends out the front door of the Library. “To the forest, Twilles,” Dusk spoke as the last one out of the Library. His two Zerglings jumping around him like Dogs excited to go for a walk in the park. “Down boys,” Dusk scolded the two creatures as they immediately went quiet and stood ready for action. “so you know when I talk with my Swarm, do you, Celestia?” Dusk asked as he slowed his movement until he was walking beside the Goddess of the Sun. “Perhaps,” Celestia answered without giving Dusk any sort of look. Oh boy, this will be a fun walk. Oh look at those nice trees, pretty exciting huh guys? Oh of course, Dusk Breaker! Look at the stars! What a beauty! Your sister does amazing work, Celestia! She sure does, Dusk! Dusk let out a long sigh which disturbed the rather tiring quiet that the group held. I'm going insane. The rest of the trip into the usually considered creepy forest went with ease as every living thing gave the Stallion more then enough space. A fact that made the mares more then happy if they knew exactly what was actually keeping the Timber Wolves at bay. Everything was quiet until a shake from a nearby bush made the mares gather together as they watched with sudden terror until more then one bush began to shake. Fluttershy's 'Eeks' and 'Eeps' were heard at each rustle until multiple figures burst out at the same time. A sudden shrill scream filled the air as the girls opened their eyes one by one to find the same creatures that accompanied Dusk around suddenly surrounding them. Celestia still stood with a less then amused face as she turned to look at the only sound still remaining. Dusk couldn't handle it. He rolled around loud fits of laughter with each leg kicking wildly in the air. “That's not funny, Dusk!” Twilight called out with a raising anger accompanying it. Her outburst only made the stallion laugh louder for a moment before starting to calm down. An act that Applejack didn't take too kindly too considering the way she was stomping up to him. Dusk brought himself back up on four hooves as the Mare closed the distance between the two with ease. “Lives are on the stake an' ya play stupid pranks!” she shouted with Rainbow Dash right behind her just as peeved. This action however was not well received as Applejack soon had several Zerglings stalk up to her side each of them with saliva dripping from their mandibles. The Mare backed up a step as her gaze shifted from one Zergling to the other, quickly noticing how out numbered she actually was. “They won't hurt you Applejack,” Dusk reassured the mare as he witnessed a sense of relief set within her. “Unless I want them too,” He spoke before turning back to the hatchery but not before seeing the poor Apple farmer go stiff and wide eyed. “Come everypony, time to collect our guide,” he instructed as his easy pace begun to walk over the black spreading carpet that easily overcome any grass or other natural occurrence. He witnessed the large group of Zerglings race forth as they circled the Hatchery once before returning. The idle Drones turned to Dusk's arrival as they came to his side as quickly as they could to await his instructions. Celestia watched the Elements of Harmony with slight amusement as all the sights registered in their mind in varying ways. Twilight had already seen most of the Hatchery so her surprise was far from surfacing as she placed a hoof upon one of the Drones at Dusk's beckoning. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were rather excited as they pointed out all the activity and the weird growth the was on the ground. Applejack and Rarity kept together as if afraid to touch, or be touched, by anything remotely different then the norm. Fluttershy however was the most astonished but Celestia followed her trail of vision. Uh oh. “It was you!” Fluttershy suddenly accused as her hoof pointed directly at Dusk. The Stallion raised an eye brow in curiosity which made Fluttershy only point towards the lack of trees surrounding what used to be a small lake. “You cut down the Trees and completely remove the Lake! Critters needed those to live! I have three new bird families at my cottage because they said someone had cut down their homes!” her voiced flared with anger towards the destroyer of her friends homes. “Their Birds, Fluttershy. They'll find another Tree in this Forest,” Dusk pointed out as he started to defend both his decisions and his Swarm. “That doesn't give you the right to just demolish where ever you want!” Fluttershy shouted which caused most of her friends to gather behind her except for Twilight who was split between her Brother and her Friends. “Actually, I do,” Dusk smiled before shifting his gaze to the Alicorn who was simply watching the display like a jury to a court case. “Isn't that right, Princess?” Dusk nodded at her which made her frown slightly. “I have been given this small slate of land to act as a sort of Embassy between nations. This is Zerg land you're stepping on, Fluttershy,” Dusk explained as the Mares turned to their Goddess who only nodded at his explanation. The soft Fluttershy shook for a second before trying to hide behind her mane. Rarity and Pinkie Pie rested beside her in their best way for comfort. Dusk simply rolled his eyes at the whole ordeal. I could have eaten the damn birds. Be thankful, Fluttershy. His pace quickened to the side of his Hatchery as he came face to one of the entry points. I'm waiting. Shall I send out both the Hydralisk and Diamond Dog? Yes, yes. The quicker I kill these Mutts, the quicker we can achieve vengeance. The group waited for a moment as they studied the darkened interior. Everything was quiet and still until Dusk let a smile break from his face. “I introduce to you, our guide into the Diamon Dog nest,” Dusk explained as he waved a hoof to a slow moving figure approaching them. The mares went pale. Out from the darkness stumbled a vague remainder of a Diamond Dog. Large bulbous sacs filled with a bright green liquid have grown from the hunched over Dog. Multiple patches of fur was missing along with a broken arm that had refused to set back in place, the bone freely showing from the skin. The dog's lips moved slightly as it managed to mumble something towards Celestia. Celestia could hardly believe what she was seeing before her. Even with all her years of over watching Equestria she had yet seen such a monstrosity done to any being. She could see it on the poor things face at how much pain it was going through. Seeing that it was trying to speak she closed the distance until she stood right beside Dusk. The infested Dog simply muttered his truest desire. “Kill me,” “Your a monster,” Celestia muttered under her breath as she stepped away from both Dusk and his new creation. Pure hatred vision was now placed upon Dusk as simply chuckled at the accusation. “How dare you disturb nature in such a way beyond yourself. Do you think yourself a God?” She asked with a sudden displeasure that exceeded her previous thought. “A God?” Dusk mused for a second at the idea. “No, I would think not. I'm simply a pony who is trying to make his mark,” Dusk said in response as he gave the Princess just a shrug. “You're not a Pony any longer, Dusk Breaker,” Celestia said officially. The Mares looked to their Goddess with sudden shock before looking back at Dusk Breaker who now wore a face of concentration. “All titles and land shall be stripped from you. You are to be placed under arrest immediately and escorted to Canterlot to await further prosecution.” Celestia decreed as Twilight's jaw hung slack. “I'm not a Pony any longer?” Dusk growled at the Princess as his lips lifted to reveal a set of large canine teeth exposed for the mares to see. “I'm deemed to be a monster then! So be it!” Dusk shouted as the Mares watched with sudden horror as another, much larger figure, came from within the Hatchery. This beast extended it's large talons out as it slithered up behind Dusk before screeching loudly. Zerglings suddenly flanked Dusk as his gaze never shifted from the Goddess who was shifting her gaze to the rising number of foes. “Stop, Dusk!” Twilight tried to plead as she witnessed her friends all starting to back away from the slowly approaching creatures. “We can work this out in Canterlot! I promise that no harm will come to you!” Twilight tried anything as tears started to brim around her eyes. “So you can have me rot away in some Dungeon?” Dusk spat back. “I'd rather die here with my children then in some dark hole!” Celestia knew know that she could possibly win this by magic alone but with her little ponies at risk of paying the consequences. Please, Twilight, bring him to see reason! “No, Dusk!” Twilight tried to reason with him until she felt her rump finally back into her friends who all stood near Celestia. “We can work something out which will give you and your Zerg freedom away from harming innocents. You don't need to shed blood to prove your point today!” she pleaded once more fearing it was her only chance as the distance between the deadly creatures and herself was becoming very slim. One Zergling was about to leap for Rainbow Dash's throat until a sudden order bared it to back down. “Leave,” Dusk ordered with a low voice as his hoof stomped upon the floor leaving a rather loud thump to echo through the forest. “I will fetch your damnable Cows myself and return to be held Prisoner,” Dusk reasoned as he nodded his head towards the more barren hills outside of the forest. “I will return back to the Library before Dinner of which I demand one last rendezvous with Fiddlesticks. After that you can take me away to deal with as you wish,” Dusk agreed to the terms although he felt like as if he had just grind most of his teeth into dust. Barkin paced for what seemed like the thousandth time as multiple Dogs scurried about their tasks. The Den had been prepped to be moved further along the Hive network until every Dog had stood still as a unsavoury smell wafted through. Barkin narrowed his eyes upon the main entrance as he knew this smell to be only one thing. Diamond Dog Blood. “Greetings Mutts,” Dusk spoke as he levitated his latest kill in and deposited amongst the floor in one large mess of limbs. The razor swarm had neatly cut such a large canine so each limb had been severed with ease. Some may have called it barbaric but Dusk could only protest such a point. He did aim one of the razor's to the head so it was rather painless. “You have something of mine that I would dearly like back,” Barkin watched with slight horror at what was left of some of the guards he had posted. Had one pony actually infiltrated his vast network so quickly since the kidnapping? “Where is my other pack from the raid night?” Barkin called out as his Dogs rallied to his side with large arrangement of weapons. “Cat food,” Dusk replied with a chuckle. “Do not play with me, Pony!” Barkin called out in anger as his Dogs began to bark out for blood. “Play with you?” Dusk chuckled with devilish ease. “You are nothing but playthings to me!” Dusk shouted to the effect that it easily echoed among the tunnels. “Bow to me!” Dusk commanded with a slam of his hoof. Barkin didn't know what to think of this strange Pony. Did it honestly think it was just going to get it's way because it said so? “I'll give you to three seconds to bow before me, Mutts,” Dusk called out as he stood his ground confidently. “One!” Barkin snarled before waving a paw at the pony to signal two of his guards to apprehend him. The Alpha watched as the two Dogs closed the distance with ease before he caught a flash of something coming from behind the pony. Two yelps sung out as the Dogs dropped to the ground laying still. “Two!” All rage was starting to fill into Barkin's head as he gave a large howl and waved his Dogs to attack. “Bring me that pony's head!” his order barked out as the entire pack charged forth at great speed. “I was hoping that was going to be your answer,” Dusk smiled as his swarm burst from the dark tunnel behind him. One Zergling bent his strong legs and leaped right over his Hive Mind to tackle a dog to the floor before taking a large bite out of the Dog's throat. The Hydralisk gave a large screech before entering the fray with a hail of large spines that eagerly dug through any armour the Diamond Dogs mustered. Most of the spines reached such a speed that they simply pierced straight through their prey and stuck into the stone floor. The few of the enemy that managed to engaged the large creature soon found that the range attack was not it's only one as the large talons splintered shields and spears. The Hydralisk's large snake like body even managed to constrict one foe foolish enough to try and attack from behind. The Dog whimpered as loud audible snaps were heard until the rib cage was the final thing to give way. Dusk didn't even move one hoof as he stared the leader down. Barkin soon found the tides of battle were being turned against him. He had numbers but his foe were disciplined and experienced in combat. Whenever his warriors managed to out number one foe it simply screeched to it's comrades. Systematically they destroyed smaller groups of his pack with skilled precision and brutal passion. Barkin was held fast in his spot as he watched everything he fought to get to suddenly and violently ripped from his paws. It was a grasp on his leg that ripped his eyes away from the battle to see a wounded dog looking up to him for some sort of assistance. It was short lived however as a large, blood covered talon pierced through the dog's abdomen to silence him forever. Barkin watched for a moment in horror as he realized his life was next as the Hydralisk pulled his talon back to strike. Barkin waited but he still held on to life securely. The Hydralisk relaxed his form as it slithered in a circle so Dusk could approach the Dog face to face. There was a silence as each being studied the others face for any sort of expression. Dusk held onto his smile until he huffed slightly. “'Tis a shame, Mutt,” Dusk spoke as Barkin quirked his head to a side in confusion. Dusk ignited his horn which sent a single razor to inflict a large gash along Barkin's leg. The effect made the Dog yelp before dropping to one knee. Dusk was quick and efficient as he grasped onto the Dog's head and quickly twisted it until he heard a satisfying snap. “Gather the Cows!” Dusk ordered as multiple two Ling groups spread out to find the assigned creatures. Magnificent kill, Hive Mind. You flatter me so. Send Drones at once to gather the Diamonds that these Mutts already acquired. At once, Hive Mind. Dusk let out a long breath before his mind switched to his next task as the Hydralisk came up to the Pony's side, an action that was rewarded with a hoof grazing it's carapace side. Not only was he to be imprisoned but how was he to explain it to Fiddlesticks? Things were about to get difficult.