//------------------------------// // 13 - Darkening Skies // Story: In Duty's Name // by Cloudhammer //------------------------------// Chapter 13 – Darkening Skies As the group approached the gates into Teneca, Cloudhammer was pointedly reminded of how big the city actually was. The earthen wall was easily twenty hooves high, and had zebras patrolling along its length. There were two more of the hulking guards standing in front of the actual gate as well, and as they drew up to it one of them growled a string of words to Okoro. She glanced at Cloudhammer and replied, their exchange becoming more heated until Okoro finally yielded and walked back to the group. Looking at Cloudhammer, Okoro sighed. “I am told you must remove your helmet and surrender it to the city guard. Only those serving Teneca may carry weapons within the city.” Everypony tensed, not looking forward to the confrontation that was about to ensue. Twilight remembered the fire in Cloudhammer’s voice as he spoke of his family keeping the helmet for a thousand years. She knew that he would refuse to turn over the helmet for any reason. Confirming her fears, Cloudhammer’s expression didn’t change at all. “I understand, but must respectfully decline. This helmet is an heirloom that has been in my family for generations.” Twilight shot nervous glances to each of the two guards, whose expressions grew steadily darker as Cloudhammer stood his ground. Looking to her friends, she could see they were just as worried as she was. When Cloudhammer continued speaking, they were stunned to hear his next words. “Twilight, Rarity, I need your assistance for a moment. I need you to remove my helmet blade.” Twilight honestly couldn’t believe what he had said. “Excuse me?” “I don’t believe I stuttered. I need the helmet blade removed. Rarity is skilled enough with magic to remove the actual blade. I need you to prevent the protective enchantment woven into the armor from reacting to Rarity’s magic.” Cloudhammer turned and looked her square in the eye. “Now, Twilight, there’s no other way.” Twilight swallowed hard and nodded. “Of course, Captain.” Cloudhammer looked to Rarity. “Will you do this Rarity?” “I’ll… I’ll do my best.” The fashionista replied. Taking a few steps closer, her horn lit with an azure glow that reached out and embraced the helmet’s blade. Almost immediately orange sparks began to flicker within the field, moving steadily towards Rarity’s horn. Gasping in shock, Twilight’s horn lit with its own purple glow and merged with Rarity’s magic, grasping at the orange sparks and tossing them to the ground. Twilight’s eyes twitched as her magic touched each spark, feeling as if they were burning red-hot. She then noticed that as each spark hit the dirt, it actually sizzled for a few seconds before extinguishing with a puff of smoke. As Rarity’s magic separated the joining holding the blade to the helmet, the number of sparks increased until there was a steady rain of orange between her and Cloudhammer, pockmarking the ground with dozens of tiny craters. Finally, Rarity’s magic severed the last of the joining and lifted the blade free. The cascade of orange sparks ceased almost instantly, and Twilight sagged a little in relief as her horn’s light went out. Cloudhammer craned his head around and pulled a small bag out from under his foreleg. He set it on the ground and pulled another bag from it, this one larger and more rectangular. He set it gently on the ground and took the blade from Rarity, lifting the edge of the bag and sliding the blade in. Picking up the bag by its drawstring, he pulled it shut before turning and holding it out to Twilight. “Keep it in your saddlebag, the bag is enchanted so nothing can pierce it without a lot of effort.” Cloudhammer turned and picked up the smaller bag, and looked back to Twilight. “Can I ask you to hold this for me as well? It’s admittedly difficult to put back without taking off the armor.” His voice sounded steady, though Twilight swore she heard a slight waver in it. But she shook her head and nodded, her horn lighting again as she tentatively took the bag with her magic. This time, no sparks came and she tucked it into her saddlebag. Cloudhammer nodded smartly and then turned back to Okoro, who had watched the process with interest. “Will this be satisfactory?” Okoro turned to the guards and spoke briefly with them before turning back. “It will suffice, though you will of course not remove the blade from the bag for the duration of your stay in Teneca.” Cloudhammer nodded. “I will of course follow your laws while within the city.” Okoro translated this for the guards, who glared at the group for a few more seconds before taking up their positions again. Okoro relaxed slightly before motioning for the group to follow her. The mares, after a few glances at each other and at Cloudhammer followed suit. As they walked through the streets, Twilight couldn’t take her gaze off of Cloudhammer’s now bare helmet. It seemed such a small thing, but without it he seemed… reduced, less of a pony than he was before. She contemplated talking to him before she realized that the sense of unease pervading her mind wasn’t just coming from Cloudhammer, but from the town around them. Looking around, she saw that the mood of the city was completely different from the settlement before. No foals played in the street, and whenever she met the gaze of any of the zebras passing by they shied away. Edging closer to her friends, she could see they were noticing the same thing. Spike, nervousness written across his scaly face, climbed up onto her back. “What’s wrong with this place Twi? I don’t like it here.” Spike huddled closer against the back of her neck, something he hadn’t done since he was a hatchling. “I don’t know Spike, I suppose we’ll just have to see.” Twilight didn’t want to admit it, but the town was getting to her too, her unease getting worse by the second. “I admit the air of this city is thick with fear, I wonder if something has recently happened here?” Zecora muttered to nopony in particular. “Ooh! Maybe they could use a par…” Pinkie Pie’s trademark answer to everything was cut off as Applejack put a hoof to her mouth. “Sugarcube, Ah know ya’ll think a party can fix everything, but now ain’t the time for one Ah reckon.” Pinkie Pie pulled Applejack’s hoof away from her mouth. “Now that’s not true Applejack!” Pinkie looked at her friends, and then at the zebras giving them odd looks. “Well, I’ll put it on hold, but mark my words everypony; there will be a party here.” Further conversation ended as they came to a large intersection and Okoro drew to a stop. Another pair of zebras barred their way, their expressions grim. After a short exchange, Okoro snorted in irritation and turned back to the group. “Teneca desires to speak with the one called Cloudhammer at once. The rest of your group will be put into a reserved area for outsiders.” Her eyes narrowed as Cloudhammer took a step forward. “I appreciate Teneca’s offer, but I am afraid I must insist that Twilight Sparkle accompany me. As Princess Celestia’s personal student, her presence is not only proper, but required.” Twilight winced as Cloudhammer finished speaking and the glares of the zebras present turned to her when Okoro finished translating. The seconds crawled by like Spike on Reshelving Day before the zebras finally snorted and turned away. “Please, follow me. My shuganaji will escort the rest of you to your tent in safety.” With a terse command, the eight zebras formed up and herded the rest of the mares down the street to their left. Spike in particular seemed nervous, but managed to keep a brave face on for Rarity, even putting himself between her and one of the zebras he thought was getting too close. Zecora seemed especially nervous, but the other mares kept her in the middle of the group. As they rounded the corner Applejack shot a look back toward Twilight and nodded reassuringly, before disappearing from sight. “Twilight, focus. I want you to pay attention to everything you see when we meet this Teneca, and to keep an eye out for any magic at all. Though do not let them see you using it if you can manage it.” Cloudhammer whispered as they followed Okoro down the street toward the large structure that towered over everything else in the city. “R-right. Not a problem at all.” Twilight stammered as the guards in front of the tent, who could have passed for the twins of those who were guarding the main gate, examined each of them before returning to glaring steadily at the rest of the town. Passing through the doorway, the first thing Twilight was aware of was the smell. The air inside the tent positively reeked of various kinds of herbs, and thick bands of smoke lazily drifted through the air. The second thing Twilight noticed was that the tent was very dark, no natural light making its way through the thick walls. The only real illumination came from a roaring fire in the center of the tent, the flickering flames making the shadows jump and twist as if alive. There were more hulking guards, spaced evenly around the outside edge, except for the far side. Peering closer through the flames, Twilight could see that there were four guards standing two on each side of a massive stone throne. Lifting her gaze, she felt her heart stop as she finally beheld Teneca. The zebra easily towered a head over any of the zebras she had seen, and could have given Celestia a run for her bits in terms of stature. However, where Celestia was slender and graceful, everything about Teneca radiated raw physicality. His frame was layered in slabs of heavy muscle, his barrel as big around as one of the Apple family’s barrels of cider. Scars wound their way back and forth across his body, one in particular directly over his heart. But all of this was not what terrified Twilight the most. It was when she met his eyes that she wondered if her heart would give out right there. The eyes that stared back at her were perfectly calm, yet practically burned with a desire to do violence. She suddenly felt her knees waver and almost collapsed before she felt another body press against her, steadying her. “Easy Twilight, do try to remember to breathe.” Cloudhammer said levelly, though he felt himself shiver slightly as Teneca’s eyes twitched towards him. He had seen more than a few frightening things during his life, but this zebra was easily in the top three, perhaps top two. Abruptly wondering if bringing Twilight with him was a good idea after all, he gave himself a mental shake as Teneca stood up and stepped off the throne. Pacing silently around the fire, the massive zebra finally stopped directly in front of the pair, staring down at them impassively. Twilight shrunk back slightly, while Cloudhammer stood his ground and stared calmly back at Teneca. Both jumped however, as Teneca abruptly burst into booming laughter and scooped Twilight up in one massive foreleg. Twilight squealed in shock and fear, and Cloudhammer tensed, spreading his wings to jump before remembering he didn’t have the helmet blade nor could they afford to offend the zebra leader. Teneca finally set Twilight back on her hooves, the unicorn staggering as her vision swam. She finally sorted out the room and sat down heavily. Cloudhammer folded his wings back in with the rasping of steel on steel, the precise mechanics of which she’d never understood, and moved to steady her again while his eyes stayed locked with Teneca’s. “It is a rare pleasure indeed to receive visitors from as far as Equestria, and rarer still given the station of six of those visitors. Twilight Sparkle, bearer of the Element of Magic, welcome to my city and country. I trust your journey here was a pleasant one?” Twilight shook her head to clear the last vestiges of dizziness from it and looked up at the giant zebra, smiling hesitantly. “Y-yes, the trip went fairly well, thank you for asking.” “Good! I am pleased to hear it. Now, I have heard rumors of strange happenings from Equestria, though I have not heard the details. Perhaps you or your armored friend here could enlighten me as to the reason why you have traveled so far from home?” Twilight started to speak, but fell silent as Cloudhammer took a step forward, spreading his wings as if to settle them, subtly pushing against her chest with his left wing as he did so. Taking the hint, she took a step back and settled down. With a start, she remembered what he had asked her to do and cast out the barest wisp of sensory magic. She couldn’t feel anything actively being cast, but as the magic flowed outward, she felt it being gently drawn into narrower and narrower channels until it was locked into a circular pattern on the floor. As she released the spell she felt her eyes drawn to a hunched form, wrapped in blankets with only the barest hint of eyes and a muzzle visible. The form gave a slow shake of its head, and Twilight decided not to try and cross it any further. She looked up as Cloudhammer finished explaining their reason for being here, and started as she saw that Teneca’s expression had changed once again. Where before it had been jovial and almost kindly, now it was once again that same terrifying stare as before. “So you have come to my land to ask for us to help you? You ponies, who have never, not once answered our requests for aid, for tools, for trade? Where were you when the great brushfires came and turned half of our home into a wasteland? Where were you when the time of the Burning Sun scorched the land and dried up our water? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE DIAMOND DOGS AROSE FROM THE SOUTH!?” WHERE WERE YOU!?” His bellows of rage shook the tent, and Twilight noticed the other zebras in the space shrinking back. Not that she could blame them; she was on the verge of wetting herself in fear, bolting, or both. The look of calm in his eyes was gone, replaced only by a blind fury. Cloudhammer stood still as a statue, resolutely weathering the storm of hate and spittle washing over him. When Teneca was finished screaming, he lifted a foreleg, wiped a glob from his face and looked back up. His eyes were hard, his expression unchanged from the usual stone-faced look one associated with all Guards. “I am sorry if my request has offended you. However, I do not have knowledge of any prior communication between your race and mine. That is something left to diplomats and politicians. I am here to seek aid that will stop not only a threat to Equestria but to this entire land, yours included. I am certain that given your gesture of goodwill, my Princesses will be more than willing to negotiate…” Cloudhammer was cut off as Teneca turned away. “No. I will not permit any of my tabtaki to assist you without you providing me with something first.” Teneca growled. “What are your demands?” Cloudhammer asked evenly. “I am told that you encountered a diamond dog raiding party on your journey here. For too long they have proven a bothersome irritation. However, recent events have driven the matter to a boil. I have therefore decided that the diamond dogs are not worthy of existing in my lands at all. We know there has to be a main m’kazai that they live in and launch their raids from. If you desire the aid of my tabtaki, you will help me find it and destroy it and every single dog that dwells within.” Twilight was horrified; if she hadn’t already been sitting she’d be falling to her hindquarters now. What Teneca was proposing was… genocide, she remembered the word from an ancient text she’d read in the Canterlot Library Archives. Surely there had to be some way to persuade one of these tabtaki to sneak out of the city with them and back to Equestria… “You have a deal. We will find this settlement and assist you. However, I want your oath in return to allow one of your more skilled tabtaki to return to Equestria with us once this is over.” Cloudhammer’s voice was like ice, his eyes unreadable. “Cloudhammer, you can’t be serious! You heard what he said, what he wants us to help him do!” Twilight hissed, only to recoil as Cloudhammer turned those cold blue eyes onto her. “I understand your concerns Twilight. However, this is not about us, this is about our duty to Equestria. I pledged to Celestia and Luna that I would bring a solution back and I will, no matter the cost.” Twilight shrank back, unsure now of whom the pony staring back at her was. “I misjudged you Captain. I thought you a pony of honor.” She turned and looked to Okoro. “I wish to go back to the tent now. Please take me there.” Okoro looked to Teneca, who nodded once before turning back to Cloudhammer. “Very well, follow me.” As they trotted out the door, Twilight cast one last look back at Cloudhammer, who was standing side by side with Teneca as a large map was being unrolled in front of them. She ducked her head so that nopony would see the hot tears stinging her eyes as she exited the tent into the hot summer sun. … An hour later, Cloudhammer nosed open the tent flap, a map held gently in his teeth. He rolled his wings to loosen the tight muscles and trotted into the tent. He never saw the flash of magic that blinded him coming, nor the follow-up rope that lashed out and snared his legs. Blinking hard to clear his vision, he saw 6 angry mares, a zebra, and a nervous dragon surrounding him. “It true? What Twi told us you agreed to?” Applejack growled, anger burning in her eyes, the other end of the rope around her foreleg and pulled tight. Cloudhammer glared at her and then turned his flinty eyes to Twilight. “Miss Twilight, I need you to…” He was cut off as Applejack hauled on the rope, turning him back to face her. “Now hold on a pony-pickin minute! Ah ain’t done with you yet!” Applejack brought her head in close, her breathing hard. “Ah don’t know what ya’ll was thinkin, but there ain’t no way we can throw in with somepony like this Teneca fellow.” “Applejack’s right!” Rainbow chimed in hotly, the cyan pegasus moving to stand beside Applejack. “I understand the difficulty of the situation Cloudhammer, I really do…” Rarity mollified, only to fall silent as Cloudhammer looked at her coldly. “Do you, Miss Rarity? Do you really understand what it was like, to stand inside that tent and look into that madpony’s eyes? To hear him speak casually about wiping out another race? To have to agree with him in spite of everything the Guard is supposed to stand for? DON’T YOU DARE TELL ME YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE!” Everypony involuntarily jerked back at the outburst, and the rope around his legs loosened. Cloudhammer kicked his legs free and rolled to his hooves. Flaring his wings, he leapt into the air, directly at Applejack. The farmpony started to throw a leg up to block, but he flew over her head and landed behind her. Standing there for a moment as everypony turned to look at him warily, he spoke again, his voice now very quiet. “I suggest that you never do that again Miss Applejack.” With that, he made his way wearily to where the map had fallen. After picking it back up, he made his way to an empty corner of the tent and lay down, spreading the map out in front of him. Everypony looked back and forth at each other for a few minutes, before Applejack finally sighed in resignation. Coiling her rope back up and setting it on top of her saddlebags, she slowly crossed the space to stand over the map beside Cloudhammer. His ear twitched slightly, but he continued to study the map closely. Looking down at it, Applejack could see that it showed the savannah from an overhead view, villages marked out in dense circles. Roads stretched between the cities like threads of string, and several of the roads had X’s marked out. “So what am Ah looking at?” Applejack finally asked, having gone through a dozen apologies and discarding them all in turn. Cloudhammer continued to ignore her, and she was about to give up and let him continue to sulk when he finally spoke up. “A map of the zebra lands, along with the recent diamond dog attacks. I think there’s a larger pattern at work here, and I think I can figure out where the diamond dogs are launching their raids from. Miss Twilight, I need you to bring everypony here and cast the spell you used during the hydra attack.” He said the last part so quietly that Twilight almost didn’t hear it. Everypony looked quizzically at each other before moving closer. Twilight’s horn lit and a translucent dome appeared, settling over everypony before fading from sight. Their breathing suddenly sounded oddly flat, and Cloudhammer looked at Twilight for confirmation of the spell’s success. As she nodded he sagged a little before straightening up. “Alright, now that the charade is over, I need to talk with all of you.” The statement threw everypony off guard, prompting a round of questions that gradually tapered off as Cloudhammer raised a hoof. “I admit to having feelings that something was amiss, and your words now make them too hard to dismiss.” Zecora said as she peered at the map. “To start, I don’t think Okoro is telling us the whole truth about the diamond dogs. Or at least she doesn’t know the whole truth.” Cloudhammer admitted, taking a writing stick in his mouth and looking at the map for a few moments, before starting to draw lines connecting the different X marks. “So what do these X marks mean already?” Rainbow finally blurted out. Cloudhammer looked at her levelly before turning back to the map. “Remember when the diamond dogs ambushed us? The big one that jumped over me in particular?” Everypony nodded as Cloudhammer briefly remembered seeing that huge form thundering towards him, before leaping over him with so little clearance he could reach out and touch it’s chest. He frowned as he remembered time slowing down, allowing him to count every rib not covered by armor. “What about him?” Twilight asked, seeing that Cloudhammer appeared lost in thought “It looked like it hadn’t eaten in a long time, and patches of its fur had fallen out. However, I started getting a bad feeling when I was getting this map from Teneca. These X marks show caravans that have been attacked by the diamond dogs, and I asked about what was actually taken. Okoro said they were after weapons and supplies, but only 2 of the caravans struck had weapons. The only common thing they all share is food.” Everypony’s eyes widened as they started to grasp what Cloudhammer was getting at. They looked at each other silently for a few minutes, twitching in surprise as Cloudhammer dropped the writing stick onto the map. It now bore a slew of lines crisscrossing it, but several large areas had no lines anywhere near them. He continued to stare at it for a few moments, not even acknowledging the mares as they all surrounded the map. “I suspect that the diamond dog camp will be here or somewhere like it.” Cloudhammer gestured with a hoof toward one of the areas close to one of the major trade routes, only a day’s journey from Teneca. “Why not over here? Wouldn’t it make sense to hide further out over here?” Twilight indicated with her hoof to one of the wide open areas. “That was my thought too, but think about it. Diamond dogs have an advantage over ponies in their ability to burrow. I suspect that the zebras may have thought of that as well, though I wonder if they’ve considered that the diamond dogs would set up so close to Teneca.” Cloudhammer mused. “You think well, Cloudhammer of the Royal Guard.” Everypony’s ears flicked back as they turned to see Okoro standing there within the field of Twilight’s spell, giving Zecora a snide look before turning her gaze to look at the map. Her eyes narrowed as she traced the lines Cloudhammer had drawn. “I have suspected for some time now that the dogs are smarter than we have been giving them credit for. It makes sense that they would set up their camp as far away from our m’kazai as possible, but despite many patrols through the barren portions of the savannah, no trace of a camp was found. For a time, it was thought that the dogs were simply moving their camp between locations, but that was proven false as well.” “Well, I have been feeling a little sore lately, perhaps a quiet stroll with a few friends would help stretch my legs.” Cloudhammer quipped with a wry scowl, though the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Okoro looked confused for a moment, then smiled her own wry grin as her eyes lit in realization. “I suppose you might like a tour guide, the savannah has many sights for visitors.” “Might you happen to know somepony who could serve as such a guide?” Cloudhammer’s scowl was turning upwards into a warrior’s grin, one matched by Okoro’s own. “I think I have an idea.” … The sun was making its way down from the top of the sky as the four ponies walked down the dirt path leading to the city gates. Okoro led the way while Cloudhammer, Twilight, and Applejack followed closely. As they approached the gate, the guards eyed them suspiciously, but a few terse sentences from Okoro got them through, the guards laughing snidely at the ponies as they left the city. “What exactly did you tell them?” Twilight asked as she looked back over her shoulder at the guards, who were still snorting their amusement. “Oh, just that a couple foolish ponies wanted to watch the grass grow.” Okoro laughed as Twilight and Applejack’s eyes both narrowed, their ears flicking back. “Now wait just a pony-pickin minute…” Applejack was cut off as Cloudhammer shouldered his way past her, shooting a glare at her as he did so. “Miss Applejack, do recall that we’re supposed to be going for a stroll. Behave yourself for the moment.” Applejack shot a look over her shoulder to the city gates as they crested the hill, soon losing sight of them as they traveled down the opposite side. Snorting her disdain of the whole place, she swung her head forward to see that she was about to trot right into Okoro’s backside. Pulling up short, she heard a harsh chortle from the zebra. “Sorry, you aren’t my type.” Okoro only laughed harder as Applejack’s face turned a bright scarlet. Turning from the flustered farmpony, she looked at Cloudhammer. “So now what is the plan for our approach?” “We’ll approach to within a few hundred hooves, then I’ll go in alone and see what I can turn up.” “That was not the deal. The diamond dogs are our problem and the glory of finding their main encampment shall be mine!” Okoro protested hotly, her dark eyes boring into Cloudhammer’s blue ones. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t give one bit about your desire for glory. I think I know how the dogs can track your caravans and patrols, and it’s so simple I’m ashamed I didn’t figure it out sooner.” “Then how are they doing it? Some sort of spell perhaps?” Twilight mused, while Applejack tapped a hoof impatiently against her forehead, her eyes narrowed in concentration. “Nothing so complicated as that. Twilight, if you could please put your ear to the ground for a moment.” Tilting her head in confusion, Twilight nonetheless lowered her head to the ground, swiveling an ear until it was flush with the dirt. Once she had done so, Cloudhammer turned to Applejack, still tapping her hoof against her forehead. “Applejack, tap your hoof on the ground near Twilight’s ear.” Applejack looked even more confused than Twilight, but walked over and started drumming her hoof steadily on the ground. A few seconds went by before Twilight finally lifted her head. “Look, this isn’t getting us anywhere, all I can hear now is the sound of Applejack’s hoof in my ear…” her voice trailed off as her eyes widened. “Now you have the idea.” Cloudhammer nodded gravely, while Applejack and Okoro both simply stared. “What in the world are you ponies talking about? All the orange one did was stomp her hoof on the ground.” “Ah agree with Okoro ‘ere. Ah don’t get what all that was s’posed tah prove.” “It’s so obvious AJ! The diamond dogs must be able to listen in on the subsonic vibrations caused by impacts with the dirt!” Twilight was giddy now, the thrill of puzzling out the means of the diamond dog’s tracking ability making her bounce in place like Pinkie Pie. “Uh, Twi? One more time in normal Equestrian, please?” Applejack put her hoof to her head, Twilight’s technical explanations always gave her a headache. Okoro nodded her agreement, her head tilted to the side as she tried to piece together exactly what most of what Twilight said meant. “I’ll explain. Put simply, the diamond dogs can hear hoofsteps over their heads while they’re underground, since the ground vibrates slightly. It’s how I heard the hydra coming back in the Everfree Forest.” Cloudhammer stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “That’s what I just said!” Twilight protested, to a small chuckle from Applejack. Cloudhammer shook his head and looked back over at Okoro. “I’m going to fly ahead and see if I can find anything at the first marker on the map. I’ll signal if I find something.” Flexing his wings, Cloudhammer took off, spiraling up into the clear sky. Leveling out, he angled to the south, flapping his wings occasionally to maintain altitude. Looking down, he could see the savannah spread out toward the horizon, the wind-blown grass waving in unison like an ocean of gold. The illusion held his gaze for a few seconds before he shook his head and looked back and forth as he neared his destination, where a beaten trail ran from Teneca to split at one of the large trees that dotted the landscape. A caravan traveling past on its way out of Teneca had been struck by a raiding party and had some of its food stolen. From the vantage point of thirty feet up, he could see a large patch of ground that looked like it had recently been disturbed. Circling a few times, he decided to try and get a closer look, curving down to land on one of the tree’s thicker branches. Looking around to make sure he was alone, he turned his head back to stare at the ground. Sure enough, the dirt showed signs of having been recently dug. He spread his wings, preparing to head back to the others when he heard a creak from behind him. His wings started to sweep downward to launch himself forward and away, when he felt something rough land across his back. He squirmed, before seeing that it was a weighted net as it finished falling around him. He heard a growling laugh from behind him as a dog jumped over him to land on the branch. The creature was wearing a cloak made in a similar fashion to the zebra’s, though his seemed much cruder. It’s short fur was a dark brown in color, and armor covered it’s chest, forearms and upper legs. Its brutish face split in a toothy grin as it moved toward him, pulling a bag from under the chestplate. Cloudhammer struggled some more against the net, but couldn’t work himself free. “No use pony, Iron Fang make good net. You be still now.” The diamond dog grunted as it pushed Cloudhammer off the branch. Watching the world spin around him as he fell, he wondered if the ground below him would be softer than it looked. It wasn’t. … Rarity hated it here. The fashionista could practically feel the dust and the grime crawling into her coat while she sat there in the tent. Looking around, she could see the others were just as uncomfortable… except for Pinkie Pie, who as usual was bouncing in place and pestering Rainbow about something or other. Fluttershy was taking a nap in the corner, having finally managed to get to sleep despite the oppressive atmosphere the city seemed to wallow in. Zecora had settled down as well, spreading out some of her herbs and preparing some sort of concoction. “I do hope Twilight and Applejack get back soon. I absolutely cannot stand this place and it’s filthy, filthy dirt.” “Rarity, if you keep complaining, I swear I’m going to… to… well I don’t even know what I’m going to do. I can’t even think straight with all this whining and Pinkie being Pinkie.” Rainbow fluttered irritably around the tent, Pinkie Pie following here like a lost puppy. “… so what do you think Rainbow? Dirty dust or dusty dirt?” As usual, Pinkie not only had her boundless energy, but her seeming immunity to dirt getting on her coat. Rarity had always wondered about it, but had never gotten a satisfactory answer from the party pony. She looked down at her own coat again, flinching as she spotted some grime that had managed to slip past her attentive gaze. She let her magic flow out from her horn and slide under the dirt, lifting it gingerly away from her coat before dropping it to the ground. It was as she let her magic lower that she realized the shadows in the empty area of the tent were no longer unoccupied, a hunched figure shrouded in robes looking quietly at her. With a dignified shriek Rarity tried to bolt in two or three different directions at once, but ended up falling backwards onto her rump. Settling for an unladylike scoot, she backed up from the strange figure, her horn lighting as she took hold of some of her fabric. While she wasn’t as talented as Twilight at general levitation, when fashion was involved none could best her. Looking to her side for a moment, she could see Rainbow and Pinkie giving her odd looks before turning to look at the same corner. Rainbow was predictably the first to react, leaping into the air and rushing the figure. “Who do you think you are, spying on us like that?” She demanded angrily, only for a voice to cut across the room like a knife. “This is a face I had not thought to see, you are as resilient to time’s touch as the mbu tree.” Zecora spoke softly as she crossed in front of Rainbow, her expression unreadable. “And you are as impertinent as ever, though to hear your voice again is a true pleasure.” The figure replied, slowly lifting its hood to reveal a wizened zebra mare, her black stripes shot with grey and her eyes slightly clouded. Zecora crossed the remaining distance with a few faltering steps before embracing the ancient mare, a few tears making their way down her muzzle. “Aheca, I am glad to see you’re alright. After I fled, I feared for you many a night.” “All is well little one, I appreciate your concern. But it speaks troublingly of what prompted you to return.” The elder zebra turned her head towards the other mares, but her eyes remained staring forward as she did so. Rarity realized that the mare was blind and after coaxing a shaking Fluttershy out from under her blanket, the five mares and Spike were gathered close. “Indeed all is not well, strange fields that destroy magic have begun to appear; they threaten to take away all that Equestrians hold dear. Ancient records showed our race’s ritual lines could offer a cure, so the tabtaki’s help we sought to procure. However, Teneca has given us an impossible condition, one that leaves us paralyzed with indecision.” “I know of the choice that gives you pause, however what you do not know is its cause. Teneca has not been well as of late, recent tragedies have slowly corrupted his mental state.” Aheca coughed softly and Fluttershy instinctively moved to assist the old zebra. “M-maybe you should sit over here, where it’s more comfortable… if that’s alright, that is…” She trailed off, nearly jumping out of her skin when Aheca touched her shoulder with a hoof. “Though I appreciate your worry, it is nothing over which to get in such a flurry. Now, who are these ponies I smell, and if I’m not mistaken a dragon as well?” “My sincerest apologies my dear, I am Rarity and you are standing next to Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash has already so rudely introduced herself, and wait a moment, where is Pinkie?” Rarity looked around the tent and her dread only deepened as she couldn’t find the pink mare anywhere. “I’m right here Rarity, sheesh you’re bad at Hide and Seek.” Whipping her head around, she could see Pinkie sitting next to Aheca, looking intently into the zebra’s eyes. Fluttershy was poking her head out from beneath her blanket again, her shivering at Pinkie’s sudden appearance dying down. “Pinkie, one shouldn’t intrude on somepony else’s personal space like that. It’s downright unseemly.” “Alright, all this talking is so boring! So tell us what’s goin on with this Teneca already!” Rainbow floated around the room, hooves pressed to her head to massage her pounding temples. She thought having one rhyming zebra was tough enough to listen to, but two of them were proving more than capable of inducing a painful headache. “Rainbow Dash, I am surprised at you! Even for you, this behavior is absolutely unforgivable!” Rarity’s eye was beginning to twitch madly, but her anger subsided as she heard a dry, rasping laugh coming from Aheca, who stretched for a moment before settling back into her hunched position. “Very well impatient one, soon you shall see; I will tell you the tale of how Teneca’s hatred of diamond dogs came to be. Teneca used to have a son, Kaheka, born tall and strong. By his fifth summer his name could already be found in song. As time went on, it became clear that the son would follow his parent; but during the spring of his fourteenth year newcomers to the savannah became apparent. They called themselves the diamond dogs and pledged to live in peace, but in time tensions began to rise and would soon make it cease. Diamond dogs have their pups more often than zebras have foals, and soon our two races found themselves with different goals. The dogs began to request more and more land on which to live, but their demands in time were too much to give. Soon acts of violence began to occur, and for the expulsion of their packs many zebras called for. However, Kaheka began to call for a peaceful solution, and the number of zebras listening made Teneca fear a revolution. Heated was their fight, and Kaheka soon left for the dog camp to prove he was right. However, events elsewhere in the savannah were setting the stage, and soon forever gone would be any chance for a peaceful age. A patrol of shuganaji was under orders from Teneca to track a diamond dog pack, and they came across what he thought was a perfect place to attack. A camp so heavily guarded could only hold vital supplies, and thus did the zebra plan to strike them with surprise. His plan worked perfectly and he burned the camp to the ground; but picking through the remains, food and supplies was not what he found. For instead of fruit and grains, the charred bones of pups littered the remains. Eager to report home they left the scene in great haste, and did not see the survivor hidden among the waste. For his brutal act the warrior was well praised, to Teneca’s personal guard was he raised. The survivor took word to the diamond dog's main base, and the news that was told made them red in the face. Kaheka’s heartfelt entreaties for peace were for naught, and their leader in his feral rage struck him down without second thought. This has broken Teneca’s mind, and he has since declared war on all diamond dog kind.” Everypony’s faces all echoed their inner revulsion at the thought of burning down a camp filled with infants, and Rarity shook her head slowly as a creeping dread began to make itself heard in the back of her mind. She opened her mouth to speak, but Zecora beat her to it. “This is truly grave news, and there is no time to lose. A warning to Cloudhammer must be sent, a tragedy we can still prevent.” Aheca tilted her head in confusion “What has you in such a hurry, surely there need not be such worry…” “What Zecora means is that they took Okoro with them. If the diamond dogs hate zebras as much as you say, I don’t know what they might do!” Aheca’s eyes widened as Rarity finished speaking. “That is indeed cause for alarm, if the dogs catch Okoro she will certainly come to harm.” … Cloudhammer opened his eyes, wincing as yet another pounding headache made itself known. Trying to move his limbs he found himself bound hoof to hoof, with more ropes pinning his wings to his sides. The air was heavy with the smell of fur, sweat and worse things, and he snorted the dirt plugging his nose as he lifted his head to get a look around him. The space he found himself in appeared to be a large cave, though looking up he could see the roof was made from hollowed out dirt and rock. Crudely fashioned wooden beams secured the roof, making the place look almost like a mine. As he continued to look around the room, he could see a few dozen clustered groups of hunched figures, the sounds of crunching confirming that they were eating. His initial surge of concern was dispelled as one of the figures turned, holding a pawful of gemstones. It glared at him for a few moments before turning back to its meal. A harsh bark caught his attention and he turned his head almost upside down to see that behind him was one more cluster, but this one was composed solely of diamond dogs like the giant one that had ambushed them in the savannah. However, the figure standing in front of them was easily taller than they were, maybe even taller than Celestia, though it’s hunched posture made guessing its height difficult. It took a few steps forward, looming over him in silence before suddenly lashing out with its arms. Cloudhammer flinched despite himself, only to feel the ropes loosening. Giving his wings a sharp flap to remove the ropes holding them down, he pushed himself to his hooves and turned to face the figure. “K’rik admits he is surprised that a flying pony would come so far from home. Tell me, who are you and what do you seek by spying on the pack?” The figure’s voice was thick, guttural and definitely male; almost sounding like two stones grinding against each other. “I am Captain Cloudhammer of the Equestrian Royal Guard. I seek a way to prevent my homeland from falling into chaos. My Princess charged me with finding a solution here in the zebra homelands. I was flying and noticed an odd patch of dirt that looked to be recently dug. I decided to investigate and was attacked by one of your people.” Cloudhammer spoke evenly, noting that the diamond dog, who he assumed to be K’rik, flicked his ears back and his upper lip pulled up at the mention of the zebras. It’s teeth were large and pointed, forming an ordered row that looked perfect for crunching both gemstones and bones alike. “That is a lie, we know you come with others, and that two of those companions along with a zebra followed you to where we caught you.” Cloudhammer’s eyes narrowed and his wings fluttered in tandem with his rising anger. K’rik grinned toothily and flexed his claws. “I would welcome the contest, though it would end quickly.” “You’re right in that, dog.” Cloudhammer’s voice was razor-edged, his cold blue eyes boring into K’rik’s dark green. The staring contest went on for a few moments more before K’rik burst into a peculiar barking laugh. “You have true warrior’s fire in you, unlike the cowardly zebras. Now, I have not heard an answer to my question. Why were you trying to find us? Lie again and your companion’s lives are forfeit.” Cloudhammer’s eyes narrowed even further as he weighed his options. He knew that should he reveal why he was looking for them, they’d change locations and take even longer to locate. But if he lied and the dog even suspected him of it, Twilight and Applejack would be in danger and he couldn’t allow that. He finally made up his mind and sighed heavily. “Teneca has refused to aid us unless we assisted in locating your encampment and destroying it.” A series of low growls echoed as the other dogs stopped eating and drifted over to surround him. He ignored them and continued to look directly at K’rik. “And did Teneca explain why he wants to destroy us?” K’rik’s voice was different, much quieter. “He only said that recent events made him decide your race did not deserve to live on his lands anymore.” “It was because I killed his son.” The room went silent at this, the other Canids all looking away or at the ground. Cloudhammer found himself rooted to the ground, his mind blank. In that instant he knew why Teneca had seemed to be so unstable, and was so driven to exterminate the dogs once and for all. “Is there nothing you can do to relocate? Or even try to seek peace with the zebras despite all of this?” Cloudhammer’s head impacted the side wall of the cavern with a dull thud, his vision going black for a few seconds. He felt himself picked up by the neck, his armor keeping him from choking at least, but the claw held at his throat told him trying to fight would be a very bad idea. Blinking his eyes to clear his vision, all he could see was K’rik’s snarling muzzle. “PEACE?! THERE WILL BE NO PEACE WITH MONSTERS SUCH AS THEM. THEY AGREE TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH US, THEN DRIVE US FROM THE LANDS THEY GIVE US AND MURDER OUR PUPS. IF TENECA WANTS WAR, THERE WILL BE WAR!” K’rik threw Cloudhammer roughly to the ground, “Go, tell Teneca K’rik will personally slay him and all he holds dear.” Cloudhammer staggered to his hooves and faced the diamond dog leader. He could tell at least two of his ribs were bruised if not cracked, and there was an odd ringing in his ear that refused to go away. “I will not. I understand your feelings, as a father I truly do. However, if you go to war Teneca will destroy you, there is no way that you can defeat him.” “Then we will make a stand against him and die with glory. If I see you in my way on the battlefield, I will not hold back again.” K’rik turned and started to leave. “What if there was another way, a way to prevent Teneca’s madness from consuming both your races and causing unnecessary losses on both sides?” Cloudhammer’s wheezing shout rang through the cavern. K’rik stopped, though did not turn around. “And just what way would that be, Cloudhammer?” “I have an idea of how to make it work, but I will need to bring my companions here to expand on the details, including the zebra. I first require your word that she will not come to harm from you or anypony under your command.” K’rik turned at that, a dark chuckle reverberating around the cavern. “What do you think we are, a bunch of zebras?” … It had taken a considerable amount of persuading, but Okoro finally agreed to accompany them into the heart of the dog’s encampment. The diamond dogs for their part kept their word to not hurt her, though several growled threateningly at her as she passed. Twilight and Applejack were predictably nervous about being underground with so many angry creatures, but they had settled down somewhat as the full extent of what the zebras had done was explained. Once everypony was brought up to speed, the map Cloudhammer had been given was retrieved from Twilight’s saddlebag, and now lay spread in the middle of their group. They had spent the last hour developing a plan, and finally decided that it had a chance of working if everypony held to their roles. Cloudhammer finally turned to the weakest link in the chain “Okoro, will you hold to this plan? I wish there were a different way to resolve this situation, but Teneca goes too far…” Okoro raised a hoof sharply. “I do not like this plan. I swore my oath to uphold Teneca’s ideals long ago. But, you are correct, there is no better plan. The Teneca I swore to follow is no more, and so I will spread the word amongst my shuganaji. They will not like it either, but once I explain the atrocities Teneca has been hiding from us all, they will follow this plan.” “Alright then, Twilight, Applejack, do you understand what you and your friends will need to do when things begin to get moving?” Briefly, Cloudhammer had considered ordering them to remain within the city to make sure that they’d be safe, but he had to admit that Teneca could order them killed, or that one or more of them, a rainbow maned pegasus in particular topping his list, could decide to interfere with the plan. So he’d ended up deciding to include them in the plan and just do the best he could to make sure they all came out of it safe. “I do, you can count on me,” Twilight smiled weakly, though she was relieved to see that Cloudhammer had chosen to follow the course he had. She felt ashamed that she had jumped to conclusions about his conduct like she had, “and I want to apologize for what I said back in Teneca’s tent.” “No apologies necessary Twilight. Applejack, can I count on you to keep it together?” “Sure as Ah am honest ya can. Ah won’t freeze this time, an’ ya can take that to tha bank.” Applejack stated firmly, a determined glint in her eyes. Cloudhammer nodded firmly, before turning to K’rik, who only snorted his harsh laughter and shook his head. “If K’rik had been told he’d be joining forces with ponies and zebras this morning, he’d have joined the Great Pack from laughing so hard. Nonetheless, I shall take the field with you Cloudhammer, and should you fall I shall enter your name in the packsong.” Cloudhammer nodded once, then turned his gaze to the map crisscrossed with a slew of new lines and markings. He blinked a couple times and shook his head in a vain attempt to dislodge the headache he still had from K’rik slamming him into the wall. “Alright, we’ll need to return to Teneca and inform the others of the plan. Then, we’ll tell Teneca what we agreed on and hope to Celestia that this will work.”