//------------------------------//
// Decidedly Devious Devices 
// Story: The Diamond Dog's Guide to Engineering 
// by Tolerance 
//------------------------------//

	"I may have gotten a little over my head here, but things seem to be working out, right?" Aaron asked Mint as the group set another wooden pillar into the floor.

"I'm still trying to figure out how you manipulated these guys into letting you do this at all, honestly. Sure beats the boring 'pony pull this', or 'pony push that' anyway."

"I think it's quite simple, actually. These dogs maintain an order. They see you ponies as nothing more than cheap labor, but me, I'm a mystery."

"That doesn't explain how you intend to beat them."

"Well, that's the beauty of this plan. Together, I'd stand no chance against Boss, but individually? You said it yourself, that they get dumber when you separate them. Hence finding the biggest room in the cavern to pull this off."

"Not to be a downer, but even that's enough to slow them down mentally, how do you plan to beat them physically? I know you can run pretty fast, but there's no way you can go face to face against a diamond dog's sheer strength. Even Earth ponies are outmatched one-on-one."

Aaron had already some assumptions about the strengths the few unicorn captures had possessed. Then there was the one poor pegasus, who despite loathing the underground environment, was quite adept at handling any work that was out of reach to those on the ground. Aaron had been wondering if that put the other two sub races above the normal ponies or if there was some sort of equilibrium between the three. He made a mental note to file that little bit of info for later.

"I guess well just have to wait and see, Mint. Besides, it's not like we've got anything better going on at the moment." Aaron said, ending his pause.

"Fair enough." Mint said as he finished stabilizing the pillar and moved on to the next post-hole.

True to their word, Boss was vigilant in keeping tabs on the group. Curiosity didn't seem to be their strong suit, thankfully, so as long as every member of the work-crew was accounted for, Boss stayed out of the way for the most part.

"This not take long, yes?" Asked grey during one of their many visits.

"Um no, not really. I think all that's left is some fabrication. Oh, and rope. I need a bunch of strong rope."

"Fabri-thing, what that?" asked Napoleon.

"It's where you take raw materials and make different things from them, kind of like taking iron to make the cages and your armor."

"We didn't make those." Tawny stated.

Aaron thought better than to ask for clarification on that particular front. 'One thing at a time,' he resolved. "Right, so, uh, about the rope."

"We get you rope." Boss said before they walked away.

The next post in place, Mint walked back up to Aaron. "What was that about?"

"Beats me."

"Okay... well anyway, that's the last pole for the, uh, three pole thing, I guess. What's next?"

"That just leaves the pillar and the platform over there, then all we have to do is fabricate some wheels with grooves in them and finish up with the two disc sets."

"Yeah, about that, what are all of those for again?"

"Think of it this way, Mint, the longer it takes for you to figure it out, the better our chances at winning this thing."

~~~~~


The next two days were spent toiling over the creation of the various odds and ends that would be required. The crude tools available to the ponies meant that the majority of their time was spent on the strength test's equipment. Since it would be under immense strain, Aaron had to make sure that the gear wouldn't fail during the challenge. 

This led to sacrificing some details of the other two events' equipment, such as the stacks of discs being more square pallet-shaped objects than anything else, and the ropes had fewer-than-ideal number of knots in them. It was obvious that the Dogs passing through their workshop were getting either anxious, or excited, it was hard to tell, at the prospect of breaking up their day-to-day monotony with such an event, but more and more seemed to pass the large room than was strictly necessary.


~~~~~

By day three, the stage was set, and the crowds had gathered. The contest was about to begin. Three events, and Aaron needed to win all of them if he was ever going to get out of there. 

"You sure about this?" Mint asked as he eyed the crowd of diamond dogs sitting in the makeshift stands.

"You really need to stop doubting every decision I make, Mint. Besides, I think we've gone way beyond the stage of backing out now, little pony." 

"Right. Well then, good luck and all that."

"Hope I don't need it. Anyway, it's not exactly my strong suit, I think, but while I'm here I may as well put on a show."

"Yeah sure, don't let the fact that our one shot at freedom is being dangled, 'just out of reach', stop you. What could possibly go wrong?

"Oh, come on, don't be like that. It'll be fun, I promise." Aaron replied quietly as he headed out to the center of the stage, if one could call it that, and made his announcement. "Welcome, Dogs and well, Ponies, I guess. Who's ready to see feats of massive strength, mind-boggling speed, and incredible intellect?" Silence answered. "Um, I mean, Who's ready for a show!"

Shouts of agreement echoed through the chamber. 

"So, Boss, which one of you wants to lose first?"

"We will end this nonsense quickly. Chaser will be first." Tawny Declared, ignoring Aaron's taunt.

Napoleon, or rather Chaser, stepped over towards the center stage. "We will beat human in any race, just name the start and finish."

"If you insist. We will start at the bottom of that tower." Aaron said pointing to the large T-shaped structure with two long, knotted ropes hanging from it.

"Yes, yes, and the finish?"

Aaron simply pointed up, "The top of the tower, of course. The first one to the top wins."

"That unfair. Diamond Dogs cannot fly."

"Neither can a human, so it seems fair to me."

Chaser struggled with that  thought for a minute. "Fine, fine. I will still beat you human."

"We'll see about that. Mint?"

"Alright. On your mark."

Both contestants stepped next to the tower.

"Get set."

Aaron grabbed the rope, giving a quick, taut tug. Chaser copied him and did the same, but still seemed unsure about what he was supposed do with it.

"Go!"