Chapter 1: Unchained
Chapter 1
Unchained
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The hot sun blazed down on the barren desert land as the day moved on in the seemingly endless dessert. The heat paid no mind to the small group that was traveling across the dessert. The group consisted of two griffins that were at the front and back of the line as they lead the chained and bounded group that was in the middle of them. They kept careful watch to make sure that their merchandise were behaving properly as they continued to walk down their set path. The group continued their path as the sun slowly sank and the moon rose into the nighttime sky.
The griffins watched in amusement as the ponies and other creatures they were moving shivered in the cold. The group walked through the night in silence when the griffin in front suddenly stopped.
“What’s the matter brother?” The griffin in the back said as he slowly moved to the front to join his brother.
“I hear something Speck.” The brother said as he raised his rifle. The group listened as they heard the sound of something approaching. The sound grew louder as the Griffin holding the rifle cocked it and raised it at a large moving figure that was coming out of the woods. The small group watched in confusion as a large wagon being pulled by what a apprehend to be a hooded unicorn came into view and a coated and round hat bearing griffin sitting in the front of the wagon smiled at the group.
“Stop right there.” The armed brother said.
The wagon came to an abrupt stop as the griffin smiled at the pair.
“Good evening my friends” He stated.
“Who the hell are you” The other griffin asked.
Well I am Dr. Feather and this is my steed Bluemane.”
“What kind of Doctor are you?”
“Dentist. By chance you two would not happen to be Speck and Span Wingbeat would you not.”
“Who’s asking?”
“Correct me if I’m wrong but you purchased these slaves from the southern province.”
“Maybe.”
“Well you see in your little group of inventory I have been lead to believe there is a specimen I am keen to acquire, so allow me to do business if you will as I was wondering if any one of your slaves was purchased from the franklin plantation.” Feather said.
Silence filled the air as no one moved or spoke.
“I was from the Franklin plantation.” A voice spoke out from the crowd. Feather looked at the crowd to see where the voice originated from but saw noting. Feather then got off the wagon seat and grabbed the lantern next to him as he moved towards the line and illuminated each ponies face as he passed them. When suddenly he came across a gap between the ponies. The griffin looked down at the gap and bent down to the creature he was staring at.
“What’s our name?”
“… Spike” The small dragon replied.
“Then your exactly who I am looking for.” Feather said with a smile. “I have a few questions that I need you to answer honestly. Do you know of the Talon brothers?” Feather asked as he stared at Spike who stood there completely quite.
“Yes.” Spike responded coldly.
“If you saw them in a crown could you point them out?”
“Hey you stop talking to him like that.” Span said as he raised his gun.
“Please I am just a customer trying to make a purchase.” Feather said as he started to walk towards the brother.
Span cocked his gun. “The dragon’s not for sale now get on your wagon and go away.”
The griffin doctor let out a sigh. “Very well then.” He stood there for a moment before he dropped his lantern and quickly lifted his other talon up and loud bang and flash was heard as Span fell back with a hole blasted though his head. Before anyone could react a blinding light slammed into Speck who fell to the ground.
Spike’s eyes moved to see the horn of the unicorn who was pulling the wagon let out a small mist of steam. Before he removed his cloak reveling his face which caused Spike’s mouth to drop.
“Shining Armor.” Spike said in confusion as he stared at the unicorn who gave him a nod.
“I can’t move.” Speck shouted as he lay on the ground.
“Yea that would be the spell my unicorn friend put on you.” Feather said as he looked down at the griffin.
“You shot Span you son of a bitch.” Speck spat.
“Yes I did, but to be fair he pointed his gun at me and I reacted in self defense and I have about one, two, three, four, five, six ponies and one dragon here who can back up that claim. Now where was I oh yes.” Feather turned and walked back to Spike.
“As I was saying if you saw those brothers in a crowd could you point them out?”
“Yes.” Spike said, as he looked confused at the griffin.
“Good, so Mr. Speck I assume this dragon has sale papers that I can purchase.” Feather asked.
“Fuck You.”
The doctor let out a sigh as he moved over to Speck and bent down and whispered something in his ear. Spike watched as the dentist grabbed a thing of papers and a key out of specks coat and looked at him before he reached down and set a small bag besides him as he look the griffins talons and forced it to sign the paper. He then walked over to spike bent down a unchained Spike.
“Why don’t you go get on the wagon.” Feather said as he looked as the dragon who was rubbing his ankle. Spike slowly nodded as he made his way over to the wagon and gave Shining a nod before getting in the front seat of the wagon as he saw the griffin following him and hop up next to him As Armor began to pull the cart and they stopped next to the chained ponies.
“Well there seems to be only two real options that all of you ponies can do. One is that you take your griffin master pick him up and take him 20 miles to the nearest town.” Feather then threw them the key’s. “Or two all of you take those keys unlock yourself. One of you picks up that rifle shoots Speck and make a run for it, and in case there are no astronomy aficionados among you the Equestrian star is that one.” Feather said as he pointed his talon into the night sky pointing at a shining star before Shining Armor once again continued to pull the wagon down the road.
As Spike sat there trying to comprehend what just happened as he heard the loud sound of a gun shot go off and a large number of hooves galloping off in the distance and let out a small smile.