Ulric stood by the cage that held the three ponies, each sitting close to one another. It was time for their interrogation, and Ulric needed to be sure that they didn't try to fight when one of the dogs took them away. He would interrogate them himself, but he couldn't speak, which was yet another task he had to complete; finding his voice. He was sure that since this world had magic, that someone or something would have the power to give him his or a voice. He just wanted to speak words that would send terror down his enemies' spines.
He heard the sound of footsteps, and he turned to see that it was Tough Rock, the general of the Diamond Dog army. He bowed once he got to the cage door, "Your Majesty." Ulric motioned his hand upwards and Tough stood straight. "Which one do you want to interrogate first?" Ulric turned, noticing that what Tough said caught the ponies' attention. The cyan and tan one simply glared at Ulric menacingly, while the yellow hid behind them. He pointed his hand at the tan one, and Tough went in to grab her.
The cyan Pegasus flew at Tough, yelling and screaming, "Don't you dare touch her, you freak!" However, Ulric instantly stepped into action, entering the cage quickly and catching the cyan Pegasus by the throat before she could lay a finger on Tough Rock. She was still throwing her fists at Tough, but couldn't go anywhere as she was in Ulric's grasp. Tough continued, grabbing the tan pony by the arm and dragging her out of the cage. Once Tough was out, Ulric tossed the cyan Pegasus to the ground, turning around and closing the cage door behind him.
The Pegasus coughed a little, glaring at Ulric, "When I get outta here, I'm going to hurt you so bad you'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life." Ulric simply chuckled, shaking his head while walking away. The cyan Pegasus took notice, "What's so funny, huh?! Huh?!" Ulric continued walking away, out of the dungeons and through the large tunnels that the dogs had dug out. He continued to walk until he came to the door that led to the interrogation room. Opening it, he took in what he had made; he had to command the dogs to dig one out, since there wasn't one. It had stone seats one stone seat on both sides, along with a little crystal that acted as a light. It would be pitch black in there if there wasn't one. Plus it adds to the gloomy effect that the room already gave.
The pony was sitting on one side, while Tough sat on the other. The pony simply glared at Ulric as he entered and stood next to Tough, Ulric glaring right back.
Tough cleared his throat, catching the tan pony's attention, "I am going to ask a fe-"
"Why are you talkin' and not him?" The tan pony asked with a southern accent.
Tough turned to Ulric, who simply nodded to him. Tough turned back to the tan pony, "You see, His Majesty can not speak because he does not have a voice. And without that, he can't do the normal things like... say; interrogations, speeches, commands, etcetera. So, I am his voice for the time being."
"'For the time being'?"
Tough gave the pony a plain look, "I am the one asking questions, not you." The tan pony leaned back, folding her arms. Tough continued, "Alright, first question; What is your name?"
"Mah name is Applejack."
"Last name?" Tough asked, leaning forward on the table.
"Ah don' have one."
Tough shrugged, "Alright, next question; What is so special about you and your friends?"
Applejack glared at him, "Why should ah tell ya?"
Tough faked a smile, "Do remember that I'm the one asking questions, Applejack. Now I shall repeat myself; What is so special about you and your friends?"
"Ah ain't gonna tell ya. Ah know exactly what you plan to do with that information!" She stated, shaking her head.
Tough smirked, "What would that be, exactly?"
"You and your varmint of a king here are gonna use what ah say against me and mah friends!" She stated, slamming her fist on the stone table. Ulric smiled behind his mask, turning around and heading back to the dungeons. What he was going to do was going to be cruel, but it would give him much, much faster.
Entering the dungeons, he stopped by the cage that held the two Pegasi. The cyan one simply glared her usual glare, asking in a voice filled with malice, "What do you want?" Ulric smiled behind his helmet, opening the cage door and walking into the cage. The cyan Pegasus hid the yellow Pegasus behind her protectively, "Don't you dare."
Ulric rolled his eyes, walking closer to the two Pegasi until he was practically looming over them. He reached down and grabbed the cyan one's mane, throwing her to the side. He then took a glance down at the yellow one, who wept at the sight of him, before grabbing her arm and walking to the door at the edge of the cage. He stopped walking to see if the cyan Pegasus was going to charge at him, but saw that she was still laying on the ground. He believed that he had knocked her out with the throw, and just went with that.
Once he left the cage with the yellow Pegasus in tow, he closed the door behind him and went on his journey to the interrogation room. Applejack seemed to care for her friends, and hopefully this would make her talk. Ulric didn't exactly want to do this, but he wants results instead of the long, boring task of prying until he or she gives.
Ulric stopped at the door of the interrogation room, taking a look at the yellow Pegasus; there were tear stains on her cheeks, along with bags under her eyes. She had obviously been crying for the entirety of the time she had been here. For some odd reason, Ulric felt sad for the Pegasus. Maybe because it hadn't put up a fight when he attacked the town of Ponyville.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he opened the door that led to the interrogation room. Applejack glared at Ulric, who pulled the yellow Pegasus inside, instantaneously getting the wanted effect...
...Applejack screamed at Ulric, "WHAT THE BUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOIN' WITH FLUTTERSHY?!" Ulric wasn't stunned, nor was Tough.
Tough spoke calmly, "Applejack, I believe I see what is going on here." He pointed a finger at Ulric, "He is going to damage your friend until you speak, whether you like it or not." He then brought his paws forward and set them upon the cold stone table, "Now will you answer our questions?"
Applejack bit her lip, folding her arms and looking away from Fluttershy. "No..." Ulric smiled, pulling out his sword slowly so that Applejack had enough time to recognize what the sound was. Ulric then brought it up to Fluttershy's neck where he proceeded to bring it closer and closer. Applejack brought her gaze back to Fluttershy, who was paler than a ghost at that point; her eyes pinpricks and she began hyperventilating. Applejack clenched her jaw and fists, before sighing and shouting, "Fine!!!"
Ulric pulled the blade away and sheathed it, still having a hold on Fluttershy's arm. Fluttershy... what a strange name, although it does make some sense.
Tough spoke clearly, "Now, will you answer our questions?" Applejack nodded, biting her lip. Tough continued, "Alright, Applejack, tell us what is so special about you and your friends."
Applejack nodded slowly, "Me and mah friends are the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, a powerful magic that not even the Princesses can beat. It can only be used on them villains that we all been fightin' lately."
"Lately?" Tough asked, and Applejack nodded.
"Yes, there have been many fights that have decided the fate o' Equestria that concerned us." She scoffed, "If we all never met each other, Equestria woulda' been nothing but ash and rubble."
"How so?"
"Most of the villains we'd fought wanted nothing more than to rule over Equestria. Like Nightmare Moon, who wanted to make Equestria live in eternal night. And there was also Discord, who wanted nothing more than a reign of chaos."
"Reign of chaos, sounds interesting."
"It was, for Pinkie at least."
"Pinkie?"
"One of mah friends and another Bearer."
Tough nodded, folding his arms, "How do you categorize these... Elements of Harmony, exactly?"
"Well, there's only six; Generosity, Honesty (which is me), Kindness, Laughter, and Loyalty."
"And can you please tell us who the Element Bearers' names please?"
Applejack sighed, "Generosity is Rarity, Kindness is..." she motioned to Fluttershy who was still in Ulric's grasp, "Laughter is Pinkie, and Loyalty is Rainbow."
Tough nodded, "And is there any specific areas that contain many soldiers in Equestria?"
Applejack looked at Tough incredulously, "And what makes ya think ah know that?"
Tough shrugged, "I don't, which is why I want you to take a guess on which ones have a lot."
"Umm... well, ah gonna have to go with Canterlot."
"Canterlot, you say?"
Applejack nodded, "Yes, Canterlot. Ah'm not so sure with others, though."
Tough nodded, "Alright, that's it. You've given enough info and may now return to your cell." Tough turned to see Ulric, who was holding out Fluttershy's arm. Tough took it, giving Ulric a questionable look. "Interrogation, Your Majesty?" Ulric shook his head, walking Applejack back to her cell. He quickly threw her inside, and made his way back to the interrogation room.
Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him and folded his arms, watching as Tough was confused, "Your Majesty, if you don't want to interrogate her, then what do you intend to do?" Ulric pointed at Fluttershy, then pointed a thumb behind his back. Tough tried to make sense of the motion, "You want to send her back to her cell?" Ulric shook his head. "Make her a slave?" Another shake of the head. Tough bit his lip, "You want to set her free?"
Ulric nodded.
Fluttershy looked up at Ulric, and for once felt thankfulness towards him. Tough, however, saw differently, "Your Majesty, may I remind you that these are prisoners of war. We can't just let them go, otherwise they may give away our plans to the enemy!" Ulric clenched his fists, which Tough noticed. "Y-Your Majesty! I-I was j-just warning y-you o-of what could h-happen!" Ulric shook his head, pointing a thumb behind his back. Tough sighed, "Outside of the forest or outside the cave?" Ulric held up his index finger, and Tough nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Tough left the room, cursing under his breath with Fluttershy in tow. Ulric knew that most of the dogs would see this as foolish, but he didn't just want to be seen as an evil tyrant, but instead a merciful king. Something that most of Equestria's villains have yet seen, judging from the history that the dogs had showed him of Equestria.
Ulric left the interrogation room and went to the throne room to see Fluttershy off. She probably was surprised by the sudden kindness, but this would be the first of few times that Ulric would decide to be merciful. The only reason he was merciful this day was because he wanted to fool the Princesses into believing he wasn't just some cruel raider, but an insane king. Sure, they may see through the deceitful plan, but there is also the chance that, when the time comes, they'll spare him if he loses to them.
Ulric scoffed; although it was a one in a million chance, there was that possibility. During his time here, he must hone his combat skills in order to defeat his enemies with greater efficiency. Another task he must complete is make plans for the assault on Dodge City and Appleloosa, to which he shall accompany the troops during the assault on the latter.
Ulric sat upon his throne, watching as Fluttershy walked in with Tough following. Ulric kept his face straight, watching Fluttershy with minor disdain. She hesitantly bowed, before raising her head and stating quietly, "Um... uh... t-thanks for setting me free... I am v-very thankful..." Her words were so soft that even an assassin's footsteps would be louder, to which Ulric was surprised he could even understand her.
Ulric nodded, arising from his throne and walking down to her. She arose from her bow and, with one look at Ulric, began shrinking back in fear. Ulric stopped in front of her, stretching out a hand. Fluttershy looked at it questioningly, and Ulric emphasized it's meaning by moving it up and down. Fluttershy realized what it was, and hesitantly reached up to his hand and shook it slowly.
Suddenly, she screamed in pain as her hand felt just that; complete and utter pain. It was almost unbearable for her, and she would've passed out, but the pain stopped as quickly as it began. Taking a look at her hand, she found that there was a symbol that appeared to be a sword that was pointed at her forearm. She squeaked fearfully, looking up at Ulric, who simply stared back.
Tough came to see what happened, looking at Ulric with a perplexed face, "Your Majesty, what is this?" Ulric pointed at Fluttershy, then to his face, then brought his thumb up to his neck and made a slicing sound. Tough's eyes widened, "Your Majesty, y-you... you marked her?"
"M-Marked?" Fluttershy asked hesitantly, her face paling.
Tough nodded, turning to Fluttershy, "Yes. It means that if you speak a word of what had occurred, or tell anyone about the interrogation, you will feel great pain for an hour, to the least." Fluttershy's face paled even more, her eyes pinpricks.
She turned to Ulric, tears streaming down her face, "W-Why...?" Ulric stared at her, before turning around and heading back up to his throne. He didn't need to tell her, and that is just what he shall do. He'll leave her to learn if the mark takes effect or not, whatever will keep her mouth shut.
Tough walked in front of her, "His Majesty doesn't need to answer you, now please leave. We must get you to the town of Ponyville. That is where you live, correct?" Fluttershy didn't answer, but instead continued to stare at Ulric as he sat upon his throne. How could he do such a thing?! He acted as though he was kind, then smashed her dreams of him changing...
...why?
Tough shoved her towards the door, "We must go, now." Fluttershy hesitantly agreed, turning around and leaving the room with Tough to go to Ponyville.
Ulric leaned back, a smile on his face; the Princesses may find it difficult to get information on what had occurred, along with that lavender pony... Twilight, was it? Bah, who cares? Nothing but useless information that he has no need for. Unless, of course, she was in the interrogation room.
Ulric brought the map that was next to the throne onto his lap, tactfully planning the assault on both cities. He'd need to spread the troops evenly, so that each side had enough to fight. Although he could remove some on Appleloosa and give it to Dodge City since he was attacking Appleloosa. Yes, that seemed wise and fair. Ulric decided that he counted as three-hundred of these worthless mutts, so sparing some to Dodge City would be nice. Next was discipline, which he would do during preparation. Training them seemed better, and if any failed during their training, he'd simply have Tough scream at he/she. He set the map aside; perfect plans and preparations, so there would be no chance of them losing. Unless... no, not possible. The Princesses shouldn't receive any information in the next two to three days.
Ulric arose, getting to the barracks with a smile on his face; time for some high-class discipline!