The dead city was burning. The ruins of the Diamond Vale, shuddered from the onslaught of the invading dragons. On his cold stone throne, the Slave King sat motionless. With closed eyes he softly hummed a haunting melody to himself, not paying any heed to the invaders entering his domain. High above the broken dome of the once great city, the shadow of the Lord of Fire blotted out the sky overhead.
The prime element of fire opened his great maw and roared, sending even more of the unstable dome crashing into the ruins below. “King! You insignificant insect,” the great dragon thundered. “Come out and face me you coward!”
“Master!” cried the former Arch Duke, Fifi Le Yipyap, “You must activate your defenses, or we shall all perish.”
Beneath his heavy iron crown, the Slave King ignored his slave’s terrified pleas. Opening his eyes slightly, he looked down at an iron chain he wore around his neck. It was but a simple charm, just a few white feathers and a tiny broken light blue unicorn’s horn. Looking down at them, the Lord under the Earth looked up at the unwelcome quests and scowled.
“Ouroboros, why have you come to my domain?” the Slave King asked, with a voice both quiet and terrible. “Leave me, and your children may yet live.”
Ouroboros roared, circling overhead like a carrion bird over a rotting corpse. “Pay us a tribute in gems,” he demanded, “and we may let you live for a little while longer.”
“I think not wurm,” the Slave King growled in reply.
By now the broken city was full of dragons. All of them were busily rooting through the ruined buildings, eagerly searching for gems for their Lord. When he saw the hundreds of dragons ignoring him, the Slave King smiled wickedly. Slamming his fist down on his stone throne, the earth trembled. Hundreds of sharp stalagmites shot up out of the ground in all directions, filling the cavern full of impaling doom. Instantly, the broken dome was filled with the cries of hundreds of wounded and crippled dragons.
Ouroboros raged in fury when he saw the carnage below. “Man thing, you craven coward!” he seethed. “Even Darkpaw was more honorable then you.”
“Ouroboros, Be gone,” the Slave King commanded. “If your children are hungry, let the strong ones feed upon those too weak to fight back.”
In defeat, Ouroboros roared for his dragons to retreat. The dragons that were able, took to air following after their lord. Meanwhile the majority, too crippled to fly, crawled out of the ruined city on their bellies like snakes.
“Master,” the filthy and ragged Fifi beseeched, “perhaps, if you performed the revival of Earth ceremony…”
“Not until the last Gem Biter has been found and eliminated,” the Slave King interrupted. “Ouroboros’s pets can starve for all I care.”
“But Master,” the slave objected, “even your own diamond dogs are suffering heavily. Without a renewal soon, we shall all starve.”
“Good,” the Slave King said coldly. “It should give them motivation to find me that pup. There shall be no more gems until the Gem Biters are no more.”
“As you wish Master,” the slave said in resignation.
*****
Lord Ouroboros lay atop his dwindling hoard. At one point, the mighty volcano that made up his lair had been full of immeasurable wealth. But now, his hoard was just a meager mountain, a fraction of its former glory. Times were now beginning to get desperate for the dragons, and they were considering preying upon the weaker tribes for sustenance. Malnourished and weak, the once proud dragons of his domain were now reduced to begging for food from their Lord. Lately, raiding was returning fewer and fewer gems. Eventually, he knew that they would have to risk breaking the treaty, and start preying on ponies for food. Lord Ouroboros meditated on the situation. Somehow, he needed to gain leverage over that man thing! The sounds of flapping wings interrupted his thoughts, as a lesser drake flew into his hoard.
“Why have you disturbed me,” Ouroboros rumbled in displeasure.
The scarlet drake folded its wings and bowed its head in respect. “Forgive me Lord,” it replied. “But a messenger has come baring a gift.”
“What sort of messenger?” Ouroboros asked the drake, his curiosity now piqued.
“A diamond dog, my Lord,” the drake replied. “And it claims to have something that should make the Slave King more amiable to your demands.”
“Bring this diamond dog to me,” Ouroboros commanded.
Slowly moving towards the great dragon, a mangled and filthy poodle hobbled forward aided by a cane. “Lord Ouroboros I come bearing gift,” the diamond dog said.
Looking down at the miserable creature, Ouroboros eyes went wide when he recognized who it was. “Arch Duke, Fifi le Yipyap. Is that you?” he asked, surprised the miserable creature was still alive in his current condition.
“Yes, it is I,” the tired poodle replied.
“Why have you come betraying your master?” Ouroboros asked in suspicion. “If I find you are trying to trick me, the consequences will be most dire.”
“Death by your claws would be a welcome relief,” the former arch duke said. “However, the Slave King has decreed I shall not enter the great sleep until he says otherwise.”
“How depraved,” Ouroboros said in disgust. “Now show me the gift that will grant me an advantage over the Slave King.”
Reaching into his cloak, he pulled out a small iron box. Handing it to Lord Ouroboros, the former arch duke sighed. “Though this betrayal shall cost me greatly,” he said, “perhaps it will force my Master’s paw.”
Lifting up the lid of the iron box, Ouroboros looked inside. All he found was a simple pendant made from a few feathers and a broken horn. “What’s this supposed to be?” Ouroboros asked, annoyed by this waste of time.
“That,” said Fifi, “is the Slave King’s most prized possession. Once he realizes you have it, he will either confront you or parlay for its return. I beg you, if he does entreat you for its return, to force him to perform the renewal of Earth ceremony. That will renew the Earth for another year and buy us some time for a more permanent solution.”
Narrowing his eyes, Ouroboros grinned widely revealing his many sharp teeth. “Oh, I think he will do much more than that,” he said with a wicked laugh.
“Guards,” Ouroboros shouted, “the arch duke will be leaving now. Return him to his master unharmed, and tell him if he ever wants his pendant back he will meet me on the field of battle.”
“What!” cried the arch duke. “Ouroboros, don’t throw away your one opportunity for a respite from this famine.”
A nearby black dragon nodded to Ouroboros, then grabbed the stunned arch duke in its talons flying off towards the ruins of the Diamond Vale.
“Treasonous fool,” Ouroboros spat, “I would devour you myself for your treachery. However, any punishment the Slave King pours upon your head would be far worse. Farewell, Yipyap.”
*****
Nightmare lifted her head up when she heard the wing beats of the approaching dragon. Extending her claws, she began sharpening them against a ruined stone column. Seeing his servant’s agitation, the Slave King glanced at her. Nightmare getting the hint, returned to her place at his right hand. Suddenly, the flapping stopped and the sound of talons hitting the floor echoed throughout the broken palace halls. Through the darkness, the pleadings of the former arch duke filled the air.
When Nightmare saw the black dragon cautiously enter the throne room, she tensed up ready to strike at the beast. The Slave King stroked her fur gently, “Girl, be still,” he said in a soothing tone. Immediately the shadow beast relaxed, and awaited her master’s next command.
Nervously the black dragon approached the great stone throne of the Lord under the Earth. Bowing in humility, the dragon’s purple eyes locked with the Slave King’s. “Oh great Slave King,” the dragon said humbly, “My master, Lord Ouroboros send his greetings most wrathful one. Your servant has betrayed you, and delivered to us your most valued treasure, a pendant.”
The Slave King sat up in his throne, now paying full attention to the messenger. “I see you have returned my property unharmed,” he said, his voice deathly quiet. “I thank you dragon. Tell me, what are your Lord’s demands?”
Preparing to launch itself into the air, once its task was completed, the black dragon opened its maw to deliver the message, “Lord Ouroboros, demands that you engage with him in martial combat, with terms to be determined later.”
The Slave King leaned back against his throne, narrowing his eyes in contemplation. “Please advise Lord Ouroboros, that I shall send word to him once I’ve reached a decision,” he said, strumming his fingers against his throne’s armrest. “In payment for your service to me, feel free to take as many gems as you wish. The Earth is generous to those who honor it.”
After he finished speaking, great golden, gem encrusted stalagmites broke through the earth in front of the Dragon. It could scarcely believe its eyes. In front of it, were enough gems and gold to feed hundreds of dragons for a month. Bowing in gratitude, the dragon picked up as many of the large stalagmites as it could carry in its claws. “My clan thanks you, most generous one,” it replied in reverence. “Perhaps our next meeting shall occur during less trying circumstances.” Extending its wings, the dragon nodded its head respectfully and launched itself into the air.
Once the dragon had left the broken lava dome, the Slave King turned his attention to his returned property. “Nightmare,” he said menacingly, “I wonder, whatever shall we do with him?”
In answer, Nightmare growled deeply in her throat. With a burning hunger in her eyes, she eyed the miserable arch duke malevolently. Right before she leapt upon him, an earthen circle in front of the stone throne filled with magic. As the magic filling the circle mixed together with the earth inside, it began shifting and changing into the form of a great thorny hound.
Looking down at the wounded hound before him, the Slave King arched his right eyebrow inquisitively. “Report Scourge,” he said.
Bowing his head low to the earth, Scourge didn’t dare look his master in the eye. “Oh great Slave King,” he said in shame, “forgive this weakling, for failing you.”
His curiosity piqued by this, the Slave King looked at his hound in interest. “Explain yourself Scourge,” the Slave King demanded.
“We had the last Gem Biter, and his companion’s surrounded,” Scourge replied, “when we set upon by the winding one.”
“Jormungandr,” the Slave King replied, considering this new variable. “Hmm. Tell me Scourge, what message does he have for me?”
“That he is not your enemy,” Scourge said, “and that you are not to meddle in his affairs.”
The Slave King snorted, “Jormungandr thinks himself so clever, does he?” he thought to himself. “Now, what could he possibly be scheming? Drying up his rivers has only helped me so far, yet he aided the pup to my detriment. I shall have to carefully consider my next move regarding the last Gem Biter. This all occurred so close to Celestia. I may have to consider that they are allied now.”
Turning his attention back towards the waiting Scourge, the Slave King leaned back against its cold stone backrest. “You did well my huntsdog,” the Slave King said, praising his servant’s efforts. “Regroup with the others, and rest. I will send word with new instructions.”
“As you command oh great Slave King,” Scourge’s image replied then crumbled into the earth, when all the magic had left the circle.
Now that the interruption was gone, Nightmare returned her attention back to the cowering arch duke shivering in the corner. Raising her paw to chastise the poodle for his latest indiscretion, she licked her lips in anticipation. Right before she could begin his punishment, the Slave King snapped his fingers and pointed at her. Nightmare growled frustrated, having been denied her favorite toy. Returning to her place at her master’s side, she glared hatefully at the whimpering diamond dog.
“Slave,” the Slave King commanded, “it seems that current events have forced my hand. I can no longer afford to seclude myself any longer from the rest of Equestria. Therefore, you are being restored to your former position as the Arch Duke, of the domain of Earth.”
Arch Duke, Fifi le Yipyap could scarcely believe his mangled ears. “My Lord?” he asked in disbelief.
“Arch Duke Yipyap,” the Slave King said menacingly, “if your old responsibilities are not to your liking, I’m sure I can arrange to find a suitable replacement so you can continue enjoying Nightmare’s ministrations.”
The Arch Duke dropped to his his paws and kissed the Slave King’s feet. “N, no,” he said, “I’m perfectly happy to serve humbly in any capacity you deem necessary, oh Great Slave King.”
“Then stop sniveling on the ground like a toad,” the Slave King commanded. “You have but one task, reestablishing diplomatic ties with Celestia’s court. You shall be my eyes and ears among ponykind. You will report directly to Scourge the huntsdog, he will act as my emissary.”
“How can I possibly represent the Earth properly in this condition?” the arch duke asked. “We shall be mocked by all the other great powers. Maintaining a presence in Londwhinium will also be expensive and require a large contingent of properly trained dogs.”
The Slave King considered the arch duke’s concerns. Reaching down, he pressed a finger to the poodle’s forehead. Once he had removed it, green sparks flew from Fifi le Yipyap’s forehead engulfing his body in flames. Howling in agony, the arch duke rolled on the ground in a futile attempt to extinguish the green fire consuming his body. As quickly as the flames started, they died out leaving behind an astonished poodle. The arch duke found that his body was now completely healed.
“I have restored your body, Arch Duke Yipyap,” the Slave King said.
Looking down at his impeccable white fur, Fifi was dismayed when he saw what looked like a brand on either side of his hind quarters. Looking at his Lord in confusion, he pointed down towards the marks.
“Something to help remind you of your place,” the Slave King said. Removing the cloak he wore, he pointed to the brands seared into his shoulders. “Arch duke, so that you don’t forget, here’s a small taste of the price of failure.”
The Slave king snapped his fingers and the brand flashed with magical energy, coming to life. Flames licked the arch duke’s flesh and wracked his body in pain, as he felt his brand being freshly reapplied. Mercifully, after a moment of agony the pain dissipated and the brand returned to normal.
“Serve me well,” the Slave King said, “and you shall be spared my displeasure. Fail me ever so slightly, and what you just experienced will be but a tickle in comparison to the agonies that await you. So don’t… Fail me.”
Fifi le Yipyap still shaken from the painful experience, bowed as well as he could. “Ye, yes my Lord,” he replied. “But, how shall I pay for the expenditures? Diplomacy can be rather pricey.”
The Slave King clenched his fist; forcing hundreds of thin, jewel encrusted, golden stalagmites to pierce through the throne room’s floor. “Take what you need, arch duke. Scourge, will see to any further expenses you may have incur once you’ve reached Londwhinium.”
The poodle busily loaded a nearby cart with as many of the stalagmites as it could fit. Popping a few of the gems into his mouth, he looked expectantly at the Slave King. “What of the needed slaves, servants, guards, and other dogs required for a proper diplomatic effort?” the arch duke asked. “I have need of a large entourage.”
“You may visit any diamond dog warren or stronghold, and take whomever you need,” the Slave King replied. “Advise them, that any who question the request, shall receive a full portion of my displeasure.”
Arch Duke Fifi le Yipyap nodded approvingly at the Lord under the Earth. “What gift shall you offer Celestia?” he asked. “Reestablishing ties with the princesses will require a generous gift.”
Bending down to the earth, the Slave King began manipulating the soil beneath him into a small earthen mound. Blowing lightly on the mound, he waited expectantly. Moments later, small golden leaves began sprouting up and out from the mound. Within minutes a small golden tree had grown from the mound, baring tiny golden apples.
“Tell Celestia,” the Slave King said placing the tiny golden sapling into an ornate pot he had fashioned from silver, “that this is a token of good will between our two domains. Any who eat of the fruit, shall be blessed by the earth for a year. Additionally, offer Celestia a gift of one thousand freed pony slaves.”
The arch duke bowed to the Slave King. Placing the gift on the cart, he secured it carefully in a corner for safe keeping during the trip to Londwhinium. Now that the cart now fully loaded, the arch duke pulled the cart out of the place and out onto the snow covered badlands.
Sitting down on his throne, the Slave King turned towards Nightmare, “Make sure the arch duke doesn’t dawdle on the first leg of his journey, my pet,” he said with a malicious sneer.
With a pleased look on her face, Nightmare began stalking after the arch duke by disappearing into the shadows. Now, with the exception of the Slave King sitting alone on his throne, the crumbling palace was deserted. Leaning back against the cold stone of his throne, the Lord under the Earth closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep to dream of happier times.