The Black Fog and his companion, Icicle, were slowly walking through a tunnel. The Black Fog was leaning heavily on Icicle and he had fresh scars from muzzle to hooves that still oozed blood. Black let out a moan of pain as Icicle's tail accidentally swished over one of the most painful scars.
"Black, are you sure that your going to be okay this time?" Icicle asked her eyes glittering with concern.
"I'll manage as far as......... we have to go," he croaked weakly. Icicle frowned at how sick Black sounded and how slow he was walking, compared to his normal brisk pace. Soon the two were approaching the hole they used to go in and out of the tunnels when they heard voices whispering in concerned tones. Black pricked his ears and could tell that there were at least four ponies talking.
"I don't know," one of them murmured in a low voice, "He could have been trying to trick us." Who in the world is 'he'? Icicle wondered.
"I think we should wait and watch," another declared, "When The Black Fog shows himself then maybe we can ask him if that stallion was actually hurting him." Black had to stifle a gasp of horror that they had seen Dummau giving him the daily lashes. Icicle gave Black the 'lets tell them were here so they can help you' look. He shook his head and gave her the 'they know I killed Spike and will kill me as payback' look. Icicle grinned mischievously and The Black Fog knew what that meant. Icicle's going to let the four ponies know that Black and her are there. Black mentally face-hoofed. Black rolled his eyes at her and mouthed 'fine'. Icicle then purposely kicked a stone and it made a loud 'clack' as it bounced further along the pathway.
"Who's there?" one of the ponies called out. Black leaned against Icicle again and hoof-step by hoof-step they slowly walked along the stone path until the two reached the other ponies. In the short time it had taken them to get to the hole in the roof, Black had fallen unconscious from the pain in his wounds and the effort of walking. When Icicle became visible to the ponies, practically carrying The Black Fog the four mares gasped in amazement.
"Why are you helping him?" a purple colored pony asked Icicle. She recognized the pony as Twilight Sparkle from Black's descriptions. Icicle crouched down to let Black slowly fall off her shoulders and then she stood up straight with her chin lifted high.
"I'm helping Black because he's a friend," she glanced back at where he was lying down on the ground, "a good friend." Icicle purposely lingered on the word 'good'. The four mares blinked in surprise.
"Why have you shown yourselves to us?" Twilight asked.
"Because that stallion that was hurting Black is Dummau. He gave him too many of the daily lashes today and I don't have any medicine to treat his wounds with," Icicle stated flatly.
"Wait, DAILY, lashes?" Twilight and her friends gasped, suddenly scared for the number of ponies Dummau was hurting daily.
"Yes, daily," Icicle answered them. "Please help my friend," Icicle pleaded again with a note of desperation in her voice.
"And you don't even like Dummau?" Twilight questioned Icicle.
"You think I do?" Icicle snorted. Twilight mentally hit herself. How could anypony like someone who likes what Dummau was doing? "But," Icicle stopped Twilight before she said anything else, "We will be your allies. None of us who works for Dummau likes him because he mind controls us to do his bidding."
"Celestia will kill me for this......." Twilight muttered, her voice trailing away. "Fine. I accept being your ally. Your a brave pony." Twilight told her formally and then said "And I'll help you and The Black Fog defeat Dummau."