//------------------------------// // S1: Ep. 5 - Dog Eat Dog // Story: Raging Star // by Kaf_Kraked_Poni //------------------------------// Raging Star slid down the gravely slope of one of the many hills the gorge contained. He had escaped the confines of the forest and dearly wished for the shade of the trees again. The stone and granite underfoot cut at his feet, despite their callous dexterity. He coughed as a cloud of dust invaded his lungs, wiping his eyes for the nth time from the gritty debris. His slide ended as he set foot on another road. He peered over the mountain taking note of the steep decline below. So far he had relied on the natural slope of the gorge to get down. The closer he got to the bottom however, the steeper the roads became. “Damn, I have to follow the road,” Raging Star complained. He looked to his left, and then to his right, unsure of which way led down. “I really wish I could fly,” he moaned. The boy stared at his feet, waiting for his body to do… something. He had flown before he thought. How else did he punch Terrano that high into the air? “I didn’t fall on the ground either. I had to have flown!” Raging Star looked over the edge again, considering the consequences of falling. The next road was quite a ways down, and if he missed, he would tumble past it for sure. His sight extended beyond the canyon road however and towards his goal, a flowing stream of water at the bottom. “Too bad Terrano’s river dried up. I hope that water is as good as his.” The boy perched over the edge, mesmerized by the allure of the stream. Two days had passed since he last had something to eat or drink, however he felt the call for thirst override the need for food. Raging Star swallowed what little moisture remained in his mouth and sniffed the air, taking in the refreshing scent of the water. His nose stuck out a little too far however, and he suddenly found himself reaching for the edge of the cliff. “Wait; no, no, no!” Raging Star tipped forward, unable to remain balanced. The wall of the gorge quickly became directly vertical with his body as he found himself in a terrifying free-fall. “Come on! Fly, fly, fly, fly,” Raging Star screamed all the way down, pushing for something to come out. He concentrated hard, but to no avail. As he opened his eyes, the ground became clearer and he tried again. “Stop!” his cry echoed throughout the gorge, but that did not work either. Failing to muster the latent power he had demonstrated many times before, his body collided with the ground, creating a small crater in the gravel of the gorge floor. “OWWWWW!!!! DAMMIT THAT HURT!” Raging Star clutched his head and scrunched into a fetal position within the small hole he had created. He rocked back and forth, shedding a few tears before painfully removing his arms from his cranium. The next area he inspected was his legs, which stung, but were miraculously unharmed. The boy’s arms felt a little sore but they were fine too. “Well… at least I didn’t die,” Raging Star was able to force out. The pain still shot through his body, but it was far better than the alternative. A few miles of walking and he would be okay. As he stumbled about to try and recalibrate his senses, the scent of water invaded his nostrils again. He turned around and climbed out of the small crater and into the tiny cool stream. “Thank you… whoever,” Raging Star sighed. His face submerged, albeit not that deep, but just enough for him to take in some water. “Gah, it’s bitter.” Raging Star spat out some sand but dipped his head in again. It was bitter, but it was also water. Before he was able to lift his head, Raging Star felt the weight of his head dip into the mud of the stream. The boy struggled out of the grime, floating into the air suddenly. He flung his limbs about wildly as the tension at the back of his skull increased. “Feisty little one!” a raspy growl said next to the raised child. “Little what you mean,” said a smoother sounding voice. Raging Star escaped the grasp of his captor and faced his opponents readily. “Bring it on then,” Raging Star exclaimed putting his fists up. “I killed a dragon so you better watch out!” “He speaks like a warrior, yet looks like a wimp,” the first voice chortled. The iron clad bulldog crossed his arms and snarled intimidatingly. A crudely shaped blade hung at his side. Adjacent to the gray dog stood a slimmer figure. She too wore the same makeshift armor, yet her paws were garbed with brown gloves and she sported a blue cape behind her form. Both wore a spikey black collar, however each held different jewels as tags. The female dog smirked at the boy’s ferocity and drew her rapier in response to Raging Star’s challenge. “What a strange little creature you are. If you’re so strong, then show Roxie your dragon killing!” the white coated poodle challenged back, taking her stance. “You’ll be sorry you messed with me,” Raging Star shouted charging forward. Roxie sneered at her opponent, side stepping as Raging Star bulleted by. The monkey screeched to a stop and turned around, charging again. Roxie turned around and flashed her cape, catching Raging Star within and tossing him around her body in a swift pirouette. The disoriented boy stumbled out of the other side and fell to the floor. “Dragon slayer? Pink primate is more like Dragon fodder,” the bulldog teased. “Bo is right. You are beneath Roxie little monkey,” the Diamond Dog said, sheathing her blade. “Roxie will fight you with her claws instead. More fitting for the monkey to die by her paws than her sword.” “I don’t care how you fight me, I’m going to kill you right now,” Raging Star threatened standing up. Roxie charged first, taking off with astounding speed. Her rush caught Raging Star off guard and her paw slammed into his face. The boy flew back, skidding along the ground violently. “Monkey’s head is hard…” Roxie said smiling. She caressed her paw before running towards the child. “Stupid bitch,” Raging Star said and jumped to his feet. Roxie attacked again, throwing several jabs into Raging Star’s torso. Despite her power, the child endured each hit, the dog’s blows failing in comparison to Terrano’s assaults. Raging Star waited for a pause in between her hits and tossed in a few punches of his own. Roxie dodged each attack, countering the boy’s last punch with a high kick. Again the child stumbled back from his opponent’s blow. Raging Star’s head teemed with pain, but his opponent winced as well, clutching her hind leg. “Why are you hurt? You hit the monkey!” Bo shouted. “Shut up Bo! Roxie needs to concentrate,” the poodle groaned. Raging Star recovered from his injury faster than she expected. “Why does Monkey not have injuries?!” Roxie wondered bringing up her arms in defense. She ducked and dodged every one of Raging Star’s feral strikes, however refused to throw another punch herself. “Roxie is not fighting back?!” Bo called out suddenly. “Roxie is thinking of a strategy!” she barked back spinning over Raging Star. “Little boy is giving you problem. I will deal with him!” Bo shouted rushing in. “Go away Bo!” Roxie commanded, but the bulldog did not heed. He barked wildly and bared his canines at Raging Star. The tailed boy took his attention off of Roxie and faced his new opponent. Bo drew his bastard blade and swung down at Raging Star. The boy raised his arms instinctively, covering his face. Bo’s blade crashed into Raging Star’s skin, shattering upon impact. “W-what?” Bo cried, shaken beyond belief. Raging Star stood awed as well, unsure of what just happened. Taking advantage of the lull, Roxie jumped forward and slammed her fists into the back of Raging Star’s skull. Raging Star cried out in pain as he stumbled forward. The boy gave one last swing before falling unconscious on the ground. “Monkey boy broke my sword,” Bo growled angrily. “Monkey did not. Bo broke his sword, monkey just has tough body,” Roxie said flexing her wrists. “Roxie wants to use the boy. Bring him back to camp,” she said clutching her paws. “You’re the boss,” Bo said and lifted Raging Star onto his shoulder. “And get Roxie some ice.” *** Raging Star awoke, though he had to blink a few times before he was convinced his eyes had opened. His head stung, but not as badly as his nostrils did. He covered his nose in disgust, wondering what had to have died to stink worse than Terrano. He sat still, trying to gather his thoughts and recall what had happened. As he stood he found the ceiling lower than expected and knocked his head once more. “What is it with this place and head banging?” Raging Star shuffled forward, recognizing all too well that familiar metallic scrapping against the floor. He shook his arms, confirming his fear. The rattling chains chimed throughout the pitch black cavern heightening his anxiety. The boy continued forward, walking until his face collided with a cool metallic substance. His hands grabbed onto the slender poles and he felt out bars of iron as well as a cage door. He roared angrily and shook the bars of his prison. “I just got out, why did you throw me back in?!” Raging Star called into the darkness. “Got out? I’ve been the only prisoner here for ages,” the darkness answered. Raging Star squinted into the dark, his eyes finally adjusting. He saw what appeared to be a body of equine form. Her mane was messy and she was covered in filthy rags in substitute for proper clothes. Despite the squalor of her body, her face revealed itself as supreme beauty. “You have nice eyes,” Raging Star commented out loud. Staring at this mare was somewhat nostalgic, though he couldn’t understand why. “You can see my eyes?” the mare asked. She began to approach to the cage unrestrained unlike Raging Star. “It’s pitch black down here. How can you see anything?” “My eyes I guess,” Raging Star replied. “Impressive. You don’t seem to embody any magic of some sort, yet you can see clearly in the dark.” “Well, my eyes have to get used to it first,” Raging Star said flatly. “That’s not important, where am I?” he asked suddenly recalling his situation. “Underground,” the mare answered stepping closer to the cage. She had no difficulty navigating in the void. “You are in Roxie’s den, the leader of the Diamond Dogs.” “Roxie, that’s that stupid mutt that fought me at the gorge!” Raging Star released the bars and slumped on the floor. “You fought against Roxie?” the mare asked sitting as well. “How did you keep up with her?” “What’s that on your head?” Raging Star asked then, catching the pony off guard. “Oh, this? It’s a horn. I use it to manipulate magic, I’m a Unicorn.” “Magic? Mr. Satyan mentioned something about spells when he made my chains,” Raging Star muttered lowly. “I’m sorry, we haven’t introduced ourselves,” the Unicorn said brushing her mane back. “It’s getting a little awkward speaking to each other like this. I’m Viololá. Viololá Lulamoon.” “They call me Raging Star,” the boy answered back staring oddly at the Unicorn’s extended hand. “They who?” Viololá asked. “Minotaurs,” Raging Star answered in a snort. “I escaped and then ran into Roxie. Now she’s trapped me!” “Minotaurs, amazing…” Viololá’s voice trailed off a little. “You escaped from Minotaurs and went head-to-head with Roxie. I’m surprised that such a small creature could do so much.” “What’s that supposed to mean?!” Raging Star shot up and bared his teeth. “I’m stronger than I look lady. I even killed a dragon!” “Well, I didn’t mean to offend you Mr. Warrior,” Viololá said chuckling a little. “I honestly wasn’t poking fun Raging Star. It’s just a little difficult to see a…” “I don’t know what I am,” Raging Star finished for the mare. Viololá merely nodded. “Roxie had to have cheated if she beat you then,” the Unicorn said. “Her friend attacked me,” Raging Star continued. “I think she called him Bo. He hit me with his sword.” “Sword? But you didn’t have a cut on you when they brought you in.” “It broke.” The boy rattled the iron bars again. “I noticed your tail, that’s very odd. A monkey tail attached to a hairless monkey.” “That’s what the Minotaurs called me too,” the boy responded pulling at his chains. “How come you were chained up before Roxie found you?” Viololá asked after a long pause. “I don’t know,” Raging Star answered. “I worked hard and Mr. Satyan said I was unwanted by my family.” Silence engulfed the room then. Neither one spoke, Viololá waiting for Raging Star to continue and he waiting for her to prod more. Finally, Raging Star broke the silence. “As long as I could remember I was stuck in chains. I didn’t have a life before.” “I see,” Viololá replied. A soft blue light poured into the room. The tailed boy lifted his head in amazement. His mouth gaped open at the shining orb within Viololá’s hand. Her horn also lit up with the same hue. Raging Star had to squint at first, but through the light he could see her face more clearly. Her mane was more than messy. In fact, it seemed as though there were parts that were torn off. The rags covering her body did little to hide her exposed coat, and her hooves were caked with dried mud and dirt. “I feel sorry for you,” she started to say, but received a violent scare from Raging Star. “Don’t give me your pity!” his voice clamored throughout the entire cavern, forcing Viololá to reel back. The bars he had slammed his body against bent outward some, dislodging a few bolts. “I did not mean it like that,” Viololá quickly apologized. “I only meant to agree with you, to agree that you are a very strong individual.” The mare’s voice cracked a little. She brought her light down and snuffed out the magic. “I couldn’t imagine being born in captivity.” “Where are you from?” Raging Star asked, still upset but not entirely enraged. “I’m from a city called Manehattan. It was a place in the land of Equestria, home to the pony race,” Viololá began. “I was separated from my family many years ago, when a strange monster attacked the city. At that time, Equestria was unstable, and many neighboring nations took advantage of our rulers’ plight.” “So, you had a family?” Raging Star interrupted. He couldn’t tell if she nodded, but a small sigh escaped her lips after he asked. “While the city was being rebuilt a band of pirates attacked and carted off some 400 ponies. I was among of them. They sold us across the country, and I was shipped over here.” Viololá began drawing in the dirt. “The princesses didn’t do a thing. It’s not like they could anyway. A whole city vanished and a giant monster came and gone.” “What about your family?” Raging Star softened his tone. “My daughter and husband,” Viololá chuckled at first. She said nothing for a moment before resuming, “they’ve no clue as to where I am. I don’t know if they’re even still alive, and the same could be said for me.” “So what do you do here?” Raging Star asked changing the subject. “I look for gems and the like. Roxie’s made a killing since she bought me. I remember her saying that one of her competitors was a Minotaur named Satyan,” Viololá replied. “I busted up rocks for Mr. Satyan. I guess Roxie is going to make me do that here,” Raging Star deduced. Before Viololá could speak, a loud clang resonated throughout the area. The mare jumped back as the sound rang again from Raging Star’s direction. “What are you doing?!” she asked lighting up the cave once more. Raging Star had pulled his chains free and was beating against the cage door. “I’m getting out!” he cried. “Those are steel bars. You’ll never break them,” Viololá gasped. “Watch me,” Raging Star said. Viololá gawked at the unbelievable strength the boy possessed. Each hit loosened the bars more and more, however she knew the noise would stop eventually. Another light source flooded the cavern then, forcing Viololá to drop her spell. The orange glow spread throughout the room and fell directly upon the violent child. “Stop it,” an iron wearing mutt barked. Two more guards bolted into the room with spears and chains, confronting Raging Star. The cage had not been knocked down yet, allowing the dogs time to unlatch their metal whips. One of the guards jabbed his spear into the cage only to have it jerked away from him and snapped in two. “Bind the monkey!” the other guard shouted releasing his whip. The metal chain shot through the prison bars and wrapped around Raging Star’s wrists and neck. Both dogs tugged madly at the boy but failed to cease his assault. Raging Star pulled in the opposite direction, sending both guards headfirst into the cage bars. “I need backup,” the remaining guard howled. “Pony,” he shouted then glaring at Viololá. “Pony, stop him! Use your magics!” Viololá nodded and held out her hand. Her horn lit up and a blanket of magic wrapped itself around Raging Star. “What?!” Raging Star glared angrily at the pony and roared expletives as he struggled in the wrap. “Why are you helping them? I thought you were a prisoner too!” “I am,” Viololá began but was drowned out by a squad of heavily armored mastiffs. The troupe stormed into the room and ripped the door off of the worn cage. Raging Star writhed around violently on the floor, scattering the guards about the room. Noone knew how to handle him. “Use your stronger magic Pony,” the same guard from before commanded. Viololá obeyed and intensified the binding spell. Raging Star tensed up even more as the blanket tightened around him. “V-Viololá!” Raging Star screamed out. One of the mastiffs moved in, gripping the flailing boy in his paws tightly. He still fought back however, squirming vigorously despite the level of capture he was in. “More power,” the guard commanded. “That’s as strong as I can muster,” Viololá said. Raging Star pushed against the spell with all of his might. A warm sensation enveloped his body suddenly and his arms and legs began to loosen. Viololá’s magic flickered suddenly, and she collapsed in pain. Her hold remained, but Raging Star pushed harder. “What is this?” the mastiff holding the boy shouted. Raging Star roared louder, causing a visible flame to appear over his body. The red energy burned the dog and he dropped Raging Star whimpering in pain. “The monkey is using magic,” another guard said. Raging Star gave one final push and broke the spell binding his body. Viololá screamed in pain as her magic forcefully ceased. Raging Star now free launched a strike at the nearest guard, breaking through the armor and knocking him into the wall. The remaining platoon charged all at once only to be blown away by an invisible wave of energy. “We need Roxie,” the mutt at the entrance whined tucking his tail between his legs. Raging Star eyed him next, causing the mutt to flee. Only Viololá remained, and Raging Star’s anger burned hotter than ever. He ran over to the pony and latched onto her neck. “Why did you help them?!” Raging Star’s voice thundered throughout the cave. “I… was forced…” the mare sputtered out grasping at her captive’s arm. Her mind raced for a solution as the oppressive tyke bore down harder. She couldn’t believe she was being subdued by a child. “You’re a liar!” Raging Star yelled forming a fist with his free hand. “No, wait!” Viololá pleaded. Tears streamed down her face and her breath began to fade. Raging Star stared at her with bloodthirsty eyes, ready to strike. Before he could raise his fist however, his mind flashed to an earlier memory. Viololá’s face was illuminated by the light of the outside, flooding Raging Star’s mind with the compassionate countenance of another mare. This was not the pony before him, but one of a darker coat and ethereal mane. “You…” Raging Star said, loosening his grip. He dropped his fist, subsequently forgetting his anger and halting the previous flow of power. Viololá was able to inhale and coughed heavily while holding her throat. Raging Star backed away slowly still gazing upon the pony’s appalling state. “Thank… you…” she coughed out. Raging Star did not reply. He simply growled in frustration and realized it had happened again. He lost control and felt something from within. The feeling had left as quickly as it had come, and the boy hated it with a passion. “Watch out!” Viololá suddenly shouted. Raging Star looked up from his thoughts and found a powerful kick colliding into his face. He did not have time to even recoil as his back suffered several powerful strikes at the base of his spine. His assailant did not hesitate, even robbing him of the ability to cry out in pain as a swift jab slid into his throat. Finally his opponent swept the balance away from under him, bringing her paw furiously into the boy’s gut. Within a matter of seconds Raging Star was again out cold.