//------------------------------// // Bad Blood // Story: Diamond Dogs // by zelkova48 //------------------------------//          "Blood alone moves the wheels of history" - Martin Luther * * * Rover just couldn’t believe his luck right at the moment. Of all the ponies he would meet on his trip here, he just had to run into the elements of harmony themselves. His last run in with them a few years ago left them on shaky grounds, considering that he and everyone else in the pack had to keep up their charade. That, sadly, left the girls with a negative impression about him and his kin.         “You have got to be kidding me...” he thought to himself. It’s not like he could openly speak out about him being here or about when they last met three years ago. Unless some greater power comes in and intervenes, he had no choice but to keep to himself and ignored the glares that he was receiving, hoping that they would leave him alone in turn.         “Hey! Just what the heck are you doing here anyway!” Rainbow Dash shouted from behind as she assumed an aggressive stance “What’s a diamond dog doing in here of all places? Shouldn’t you be back at your hole?”         “Crap...” he knew it was a stretch for them to just up and leave around him anyway. He just shrugged his shoulder, continuing to give the six the silent treatment as he felt his patience wearing down. Celestia better get here fast, otherwise he won't be held responsible for what he’ll do if this situation spirals out of control.         “So, acting quiet, are we?” Rarity piped in “I’ve dealt with ruffians like you before” she said with a sing song voice “All I have to do is speak like this and you diamond dogs will just run away” she complained. For the record, it wasn’t whining, it was complaining. Rover’s ears wiggled back and forth a bit from hearing all of her complaining, Rarity took notice to this and assumed that she was being successful in annoying the hell out of him. She went on with all of her complaining for the next few minutes, only to be shocked when Rover let out a loud yawn. She stared at him with a dumbfounded look, he wasn’t even paying attention to her.         “Hey! You know it’s rude to just ignore somepony like that!” she yelled, but Rover paid no mind to her. He just sat on the stairwell with his legs crossed and his paws behind his head in a relaxed demeanor. He appeared to enjoy beating Rarity at her own game. If only she knew how skilled he really was “Are you even listening to me! I am talking to you! Look at someone when they are talking to you!”         “Ugly mule” was all that he replied.         “Whuah!? D-did you just call m-me u-ugly? A-and a m-mule!?” Rarity spoke rather shakily. Within the span of only a few seconds, she broke down instantly and began to wildly sob in the corner of the court as Fluttershy did her best to comfort the poor unicorn. A smirk appeared on Rover’s face, it felt good to put someone so who acts so pompous in their place, even if they were instrumental to defending Equestria from evil deities but that’s not really his department. His talents lie elsewhere.         “Element of generosity my foot, what’’s so generous about giving dogs headaches...” he thought to himself. But just as he was relishing the moment, a cyan blur rushed it’s way up to his face, and it looked very angry. “Grr... apologize to my friend, right now! Or get ready to have your butt whooped!” Rainbow Dash threatened. Rover wasn’t at all fazed by Rainbow’s threats, he just shrugged his shoulder again and spoke out. “And why should I apologize to someone who annoys others? What have I done so far to warrant any punishment? Surely it can’t be because I’m a diamond dog, is it? Or was it about what happened all those years ago?” Rover replied while in his relaxed state, his face never once betraying the current emotions that he was feeling. “Surely you of all ponies, one of her closest friends must know what it’s like to have her go on and on without regards for your nerves” he finished. Rainbow was taken aback by how right Rover sounded, and that annoyed her to no end. “Grr... don’t dodge the subject! You hurt my friend, apologize!” she shouted “Or els-” “Or else what!” Rover interjected as he towered over the shocked pegasus “You want to know why I’m here pony!” he began to snarl at Rainbow as he pulled out the letter “I was summoned here by your princess to handle a delicate matter that I assume you and your guards failed to accomplish!’ he threw the letter on the ground and watched as the girls around him traded nervous looks. “T-that’s preposterous! Nothing of the sort happened!” Twilight objected, although even for a newly coronated princess she did a terrible job at hiding her hesitance “B-but more importantly, why would the princess ever call forth someone like you, a diamond dog!” she shot back, hoping to get the advantage in the argument “What good could a gem digging brigand like you do for us!” “Obviously what you, the elements of harmony, couldn’t” Rover replied with a subtle smirk behind his face. “Even so, how do we know that this isn’t just some forged letter!” Applejack cut in “I know your kind, you’re all nothing but thieving scoundrels!” without missing a beat, Rover reached into his pocket and flicked out the golden medallion towards the mane six who were stunned to see it in his possession in the first place. “Thieving scoundrels don’t own these medallions” said Rover “Only special individuals who are entrusted by the crown may have the honor of owning these proofs of service. There is no way to copy these and stealing one is hopeless considering all of them are enchanted and are tied to their owners. I’m sure you have one as well, don’t you princess?” he asked Twilight. She was speechless, she didn’t know what to say. “But I didn’t have to show this to you, did I?” he continued “You can tell almost immediately that the letter you’re looking at was created using Celestia’s personal stationery. She personally wrote and sent this letter to me herself. Quit lying to yourself oh wise and powerful princess, I’m here for a reason and I’m here to stay until further notice” “NO!” Twilight shouted back “I... I don’t believe you! This... this is all fake! Princess Celestia would never involve someone like you, we’re perfectly capable of handling our own problems. You don’t belong here and we don’t need your help!” she yelled defiantly. “Oh? So she never told you about the truth about the diamond dogs then?” Rover shot back “You, the newest princess of Equestria, Celestia’s most faithful student, the pony that she had told everyone time and time again about how you were practically like a daughter to her, still doesn’t trust you enough outside of her own sister about the secrets of your nation” he finished. “W-what?” Twilight reeled back from his response “What on Equestria are you talking about! She’s already told me everything that I need to know now that I’m a princess, what else would she hide from me? From my friends? From Equestria?” she asked, hoping that Rover wouldn’t have the answer. Much to her dismay however, he did. “How about almost everything you believe in?” he said in a mocking tone “Everything you think you know about the diamond dogs, everything you believe about your pacifist ways and how friendship and harmony have conquered all is all one big lie. Courtesy, of none other than Princess Celestia and Princess Luna themselves” “Y-you’re wrong!” Rainbow Dash shouted “The only one who’s lying around here is you!” “Oh, am I?” Rover continued “Did Celestia ever tell you how those elements ended up in that old castle in the Everfree forest? She didn’t say anything did she? The only thing that mattered was that her sister and the elements were back along with you six becoming heroes” he said as his face shifted to a scowl “So long as you were fat and happy, the details didn’t really matter, did it?” “Have you ever wonder why artifacts of such power were simply abandoned in an old decrepit castle in the middle of the Everfree? Power that was instrumental to the defeat of Nightmare Moon? Power that stopped that incompetent jackass of a villain, Discord? Well? Answer me!” he roared. “They were left there because... because the elements were inactive!” Twilight answered “They were nothing more than useless orbs of stone until my friends and I awakened their power! There’s your answer you diamond dog!” all of her friends rallied beside her, each one with a victorious look in their face. Even Rarity broke away from her crying long enough just so she could rub it in Rover’s face. “You didn’t answer my question” Rover replied flatly “I didn’t ask about how or why you six reactivated the power of the elements. I asked you that if the elements were so valuable, then why weren’t they stored inside this castle where it was much safer than the dangerous Everfree where a skilled thief could've made off with them?” he said. Just as Twilight was about to answer again, Rover raised his paw to stop her. “If you say that it was all a test by Princess Celestia and a method for you to make some friends, then you’re only half right” he said “You had to make that trip, to uncover the powers, true. But it was at the cost of the blood of several diamond dogs that risked their hides to find the elements to begin with!” he roared. The girls just all stared at Rover with a dumbfounded expression, just what the hell was he talking about? “K-9! That is enough!” a voice bellowed from behind. Everyone’s eyes turned away from the diamond dog and towards the two tall, slender figures that were in the shadow of the doorway. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were standing in the golden archway of the court, around them were several high ranking officials of the royal guards, including Shining Armor himself. “Well it’s about damn time!” Rover shouted “Do you have any idea what I had to go through while I was waiting?” “I apologize of any inconveniences that you encountered during you trip here, K-9. We will have the meeting soon enough and I’ll be sure that you won’t receive any more harassment” Celestia calmly replied which brought forth looks of confusion from everyone in the room, save for her sister “Please meet us at the barracks, I have something that I must discuss with the others” “Fine, but you better not screw me over this time you backstabber! I’m watching you” he snarled. Without so much as another look from him, Rover stormed out of the room. Many guards have attempted to try and convict Rover for speaking so poorly to the princess but was stopped by Luna. “Don’t, his time will come. For now, make him comfortable” she instructed as all of the guards nodded accordingly. “Celestia? What’s going on here? Why was that diamond dog here?” Twilight asked “He told us about how you called him, and something about the elements. You didn’t actually call him... did you?” “I’m sorry, Twilight. But yes, I did” she replied which caused all of the girls to collectively gasp “Ever since Shining Armor reported to me about how we failed on the western border of Equestria, he had requested for some reinforcement. So, after hours of careful thinking and planning, I had come to the conclusion that we are incapable of handling this situation on our own” “What!” Applejack exclaimed “That’s a load of hooey princess. So we screwed up this one, we’ll get em next time. There’s no need to call in help from these ditch diggers, this is pony business, and we can handle it ourselves!” she announced with fire. “I second that!” Rainbow Dash joined in “We can handle this on our own! We have the elements, we have the royal guards, and we have the princesses of Equestria on our side! There’s no way we can fail next time!” “There isn’t a next time for us, Rainbow Dash” said Princess Celestia “We had our chance and we failed. Choosing whether or not to call in K-9 was a hard decision enough as it is. But now that he is here, he and the rest of his pack are going to handle the situation from now on. This is non negotiable, no matter what you do or say I cannot repeal my decision” “B-but... I refuse to let that mutt be involved with us!” Rainbow shouted back “What makes him so special anyway? We kicked his butt a few years back and we could probably do it again!” “He’s very special, let’s just leave it at that” Celestia replied “But what I have to say next is important. Whatever he says, don’t believe him. He will try to slander my name, he will try and make you confused, that is his way simply because he and I don’t see eye to eye on certain things. That is why no matter what, I can entrust the six of you to remain faithful and ignore all of his lies. Can you do that?” she asked. “I knew he was up to no good” Twilight muttered beneath her breath “Don’t worry, I can promise that we won’t fall for any of his lies” she said with utmost diligence. Celestia and Luna smile gently at the girls before they all motioned for them to follow. “Come now, there is much to discuss” said Celestia as everyone left the room. * * * Somewhere far on the opposite end of the castle itself was the barracks of the royal guards itself. Several buildings and facilities pertaining to the guard all dotted the small plateau on the side of the mountainside, each as white and as plain as a block of tofu. However, there was one building that separated itself from the rest. in the center of the barracks stood a tall and massive building. When you compare it to the rest of of the buildings it was basically like a tiny castle that’s all cooped up in a fort. That was the main headquarters of the royal guards. The HQ was massive, almost double the size of the surrounding building with some of it’s own unique quirks. The building itself had beautiful gold trimmings on almost every corner, it also had a multitude of flags and banners around the walls of the building. There were several towers around the corners as well, with the largest and the tallest being the one in the center. Normally the HQ would be the place where all of the paperwork was done. However, it also acted as a war room of sorts when the situation becomes dire enough for ponies to use. Sitting on a big chair inside the bowels of the war room with a depressed look on his face was Rover. He knew his way around the barracks, he had been there before back when he was still active. But now that the diamond dogs have been called back, the burden of his kind had increased upon him tenfold. He only continue to reminisce like he did before until he ran into the elements. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breathe, he then began to envision of a time long since falsified. * * *         A thousand years ago... why is it such an odd, even number? So round, so simple, so believable when spoken about. Call it a legend, then make it into reality and everyone will believe it. It’s all a lie, a lie that has had a thousand years to grow and to take root in the mind of nearly every pony everywhere. It was propaganda on a massive scale, and Rover was powerless to do anything against it.         One thousand years ago, or so they say, the dogs came into contact with the ponies. It was a question of whether who casted the first stone, but war erupted between the two regardless. Skirmishes among the landscape blistered out of control. It was a constant tug of war, victories and defeat were equal on both sides. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months eventually became years. For three years, a shadow war raged on in Equestria. The nobility in Equestria had to keep the entire war a secret from the masses about the barbaric invader, but soon the secret was out, including how desperate the war effort became. The ponies, while adept in magic, flight, and overall endurance were losing badly. Though the amount of ponies numbered nearly quintuple that of the diamond dogs, there were obvious difference in technology and tactics as well as overall tenacity. The dogs, though limited, were simply the better fighter with the better tools, the better tactics and had the will to fight to last breathe. For each one dog the ponies slayed, they retaliated with the destruction of an entire company.  But as the war dragged on, a young Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stepped up to find a more peaceful solution than war. A notion that should be commonly associated with the regal and altruistic princesses of Equestria. Although, their talents for deception were still as incredible as they were all those centuries ago. They had a hidden agenda, and the dogs were merely another cog in their machine. K-9, a title that only the leader of the diamond dogs could obtain, was approached by the two princesses a millenia ago and was offered an end to the war, a chance of coexistence to benefit from each other. A compromise was met, and the dogs would fight alongside the ponies as their silent guardian in an effort to live in harmony with each other. But all was not as it seemed.  Celestia and Luna never had any intents of integrating the dogs into their perfect society. To them, the dogs were nothing more than a resource just waiting to be exploited, and they exploited a dog’s most valuable trait, their loyalty. They say that history is written by the victors, and though a compromise was met, the dogs most certainly lost. For a thousand years, the dogs had been doing all of the wetwork for the princesses so that their clean hooves wouldn’t be stained of the blood of thousands to keep their subjects safe and unaware of the dangers of the outside world. For a thousand years, the ponies have been living blissfully unaware of their lives, while countless dogs died in the background to preserve the mirage of peace and tranquility. For a thousand years, the dogs had been subjugated to an eternity of service, even when others came to realized the severity of their situation, they realized that it had already been too late. And to add insult to injury, the dogs were kept in line with gems for centuries. Thus the term diamond dog was coined. Although in Rover’s opinion, blood diamond dogs would have made more sense. The cover story for their people had be used against them as the years flew by. Over fifty generations of K-9’s, fifty generations of loyal soldiers and mighty warriors had been reduced to nothing more than an expendable resource. In a world like Equestria, what is the death of a few dogs when compared to the safety of the ponies? If anything, the world would be a better place without them, but that is not before they fulfill their role as being obedient meat shields. But the worst came when he became the next K-9... * * *         Rover opened his eyes slowly, remembering everything about who he was and what he was capable of made him incredibly groggy. As he came too, he noticed that everyone had started to gather around him. Each took their respective seats as they awaited for the meeting to start.         “Ahem, everyone is here now” said Shining Armor “We can continue with the briefing...”