Jewel of the Everfree
Chapter 17: Odds Never in Our Favor
Previous Chapter Next ChapterI didn't carefully read through this before Publishing, but I'm too excited to not put it up right now; and I'm mostly going by memory of how well put together it is. I kinda hastily closed up some loose ends. Just let me know any mistakes and I'll fix it. Enjoy!
White Fang sat brooding on the ledge of the massive crater, while fixing the star-shaped mountain with a hard stare. His once pristine silvery-white coat was now dirty and disheveled from their recent battle with the titan beasts; leaving half of his body caked with dark mud.
The remnants of his pack panted tiredly behind him, having followed the titan beasts ushering their quarry for several hours and over dozens of miles; until the sound of raucous laughter and eager whimpers snapped White Fang out of his dark thoughts.
Many of the pack were gathered around their champion, the biggest and strongest bitch among them. The massive female posed bashfully at the compliments and mewls being whimpered and cooed her way.
The usually fearsome she-wolf was now sporting a pretty red bow that was angled attractively atop her head; while others sniffed at her fair-smelling coat, and looked love-struck at her pretty face; which was covered in colorful powders making her look very fair and beautiful, along with her coiffed fur.
White growled lowly as he stomped over to the middle of the crowd and stood before their champion, eyeing his subordinates as they either scampered away submissively, or back off petulantly.
White Fang gave their champion a stern glare as she lowered her head submissively (her shoulders were still easily taller than the Alpha), before White Fang bit the red bow and roughly tore it off her head, before throwing it on the ground and stomping on it; even giving his paw an extra twist in his step as he walked back to the precipice to sulk. Leaving the red ribbon tattered and soiled on the ground.
The big she-wolf tried to put on a hard face, before laying on her belly and covering her eyes; trying to hide her whimpering from the rest of the pack.
The other wolves looked very displeased with their Alpha, but didn't dare say anything as the bloody-rust colored wolf and the dark-muddy brown one eyed the pack intimidatingly as they parted ways to let their leader pass, before placing themselves between the pack and their chosen Alpha.
White scanned his eyes over the looming monument, before his sight waned further to the west, trailing the horizon, before landing on a jutting mountain of rock far in the distance.
White stood and addressed the pack, before telling them of his plans to head off their quarry before they leave for ground.
'Place is forbidden!' The old white-over-black furred wolf spoke out.
'Death only there!' Growl-barked another.
The two bitches supporting White Fang growled viciously to maintain order.
Other Elder wolves joined in behind the first who spoke out.
'We kill the beast!' White Fang howled as he moved to stand with his supporters.
'You kill pack more than beast!' A junior yipped in the back.
White growled lowly in frustration as he saw nearly half of his supporters move to stand behind the rebelling pack. His authority as Alpha was being challenged openly.
Most of White's supporters were bitches and sires who've lost pups to the beast; but there were just as many on the other side with pups waiting for them back home.
They'll be starving soon, just as many in the hunting party were now.
'We go.' The old white and black wolf howled, ushering the ones behind him to move. 'We follow no more.'
This only infuriated White Fang, before the white wolf lunged forward savagely to kill his enemy; to think this old wolf believed he could simply take away his hunting pack without challenging his right as Alpha.
Another Elder joined the brawl, but clashed with the bloody-rust colored bitch, which prevented him from supporting his comrade.
The dark muddy-brown she-wolf also joined in the fight, followed by others, until a civil war broke out among the wolves.
The wolves on either side charged forward and clashed with their own brethren. Wolves growling, barking, biting and rearing to dominate the other side.
The outcome of the battle would be for the sake of preserving the pack, or continuing to seek vengeance, and possibly ending their way of life.
Rarity was roughly pulled along by the prickly rope tied around her neck.
"Keep up, pony!" The dumb-sounding dog scolded her.
"I could, if you'd take this awful sack off my head; where are you taking us, I demand to speak to whomever is in charge!?" She complained.
"No talking!"
'At least the sack is filtering some of the horrid stench from our captors. Diamond Dogs... I'd hoped to never see them again... and yet here we are; captured and about to be enslaved. Well, at least I know how to deal with them... Atchmon doesn't seem to be making much of a fuss, which means he must be waiting patiently for an opportunity. Patience, Rarity, just like when he showed you how to fish with his bow... patience.'
Rarity couldn't see much through the sack around her head. Only the occasional passing of gem-light and torches indicated their progress. They walked for several long minutes through winding passageways and echoing chambers, passing dozens of other barking, whining dogs along the way; before finally stopping.
The burlap sack was removed from Rarity's head as she was pushed into a jail cell, before the metal door clanged shut and locked behind her with a key.
"Be a good little pony until our Boss is ready to appraise you," the sly-sounding Diamond Dog snickered. Killer, as Rarity learned his name to be; looked weedy, and wore a thick pair of spectacles along with a spiked black collar. A metal tag dangling below the collar was inscribed with the name 'Killer' confirming what she already knew.
Rarity reared up and hooked her hooves around the metal bars of her cell. "What about my friend; where're you taking him?" She asked, and watched as a pair of Guard Dogs chanted while swinging Atchmon's body to and fro (who was still tied upside down on a pole) and roughly threw him into the cell next to her own.
"Aww, are you that thing's little comfort horse?" Killer pressed his nose in through the bars and sniffed at her, before a devious smile spread across his yellowed teeth. "Smells like it to me!" he cackled.
Rarity turned away from Killer's advance and scoffed in disgust, which only made the dog guffaw at her expense. Even his laugh was irritating.
"Let's get some grub boys until the boss sends for us." Killer announced to his posse, as they left talking about what dog chow sounded better.
"Hey! Can I at least have my pants back, please," Atchmon shouted petulantly from the other cell. "C'mon, man!"
"Atchmon?" Rarity's voice called out to him.
"Rarity, you okay?" He asked while reaching his bound appendages through the bars of his jail cell.
"I'm fine, but are you alright?" She asked, and did the same.
"I'm good; naked as a jaybird, but good," Atchmon reached out and held Rarity's hoof outside of their cells.
"Thank goodness," Rarity sighed in relief as she felt the pressure of his touch on her hoof.
"God, it stinks in here," Atchmon said as he let go of Rarity's hoof. "Eugh! There's a bunch of poop in here!"
"You lucky, lucky dog," A voice called out across from them. "What I wouldn't give to be in the poop kennel, how many gems did you bribe the guards to get that one?" An old weathered-looking dog with a big, bushy white beard accused. The dog was stuffed into the tiniest cage, his face was mushed against the bars with his body unable to move anywhere in the small space.
"They had me on a pole." Atchmon retorted. "They threw me in here."
The dog across from them scoffed. "I lie awake at night dreamin' about being put on a pole and chauffeured around; even for just a few minutes," The prisoner dog whimpered. "They must think the moon shines from your bum, 'ey puppy."
"What are they gonna do to us?" Atchmon asked the old dog, ignoring the surreal argument.
"Oh, you'll probably be enslaved and sent to the gem and ore mines." The old dog answered casually.
"What!?"
Rarity wasn't as surprised.
"Oh yeah, without slavery this Pack would be in a right sorry mess. Strap 'em up I say! Let'em haul carts around. It's taught me to respect the rules, and that if you want to get anywhere in this life, you have to do a Dog's day's work for a Dog's day's pay!" The old Dog ranted.
"Rarity, who, or what; are these people?" Atchmon said, keeping his voice low so as not to draw anymore attention.
"You remember when I told you about the Diamond Dogs?" She hinted.
"Those are them?" he replied.
"Yep."
"Thought so. Never imagined them looking so... dog-like." Atchmon thought idly. "So no chance of them letting us go, I take it." he added, changing the subject.
"No." Rarity huffed.
"What should we do then?"
'Atchmon must be feeling way out of his element if he's asking me for advice. Now's my chance to show him what I can do. I know how to handle these louts. Don't worry Atchmon, I'll get us out of here; and with an escort to boot!'
"I think it would be best if we talked to their leader first; no need to be brash if we can talk our way out. Diamond Dogs can be quite... amenable once you understand how to speak to them. Perhaps this 'Boss' of theirs will be a little more open to suggestion?" Rarity hinted.
Atchmon was silent a moment. "You're just going to annoy them until they let us go, aren't you?" he asked suspiciously.
It wasn't a question. Atchmon was well versed in Rarity's more notable adventures, having asked her to retell the stories to him a few times.
"Complain to management." She corrected him.
"Same difference." She heard him mutter. "Well, talking isn't gonna do us any good if we're stuck in here, so listen. I saw this in a movie once. I'm gonna pretend to be sick, and you call the guards over to check on me, and when they open the cage I'll knock 'em out and get the keys to free us; then after that, you can annoy them to your heart's content, sound good?"
"Atchmon, we can't fight our way out of this, there's too many of them; besides you couldn't defend yourself against them the first time, what'll make now any different?" Rarity rebutted.
"Because now, I'll be ready for them... I'm sorry, Rarity, they got the drop on me, but I promise we'll get out of this; they don't know who they're messin' with." Atchmon finished, muttering dangerously.
"How about instead of fighting, I just use my magic to get the key while they're distracted, then we can make a quiet escape." Rarity suggested.
"But we don't even know where the exit is, we're gonna have t' ask one of 'em, or get 'em to show us where it is."
"I could ask one nicely-"
"We can hear you, ya dumb, hairless runt; and you too stupid pony." A pair of guard Dogs in armor brandishing spears walked past their cells. One rapping his weapon along the metal bars. "Dogs have good hearing, your voices echo off the walls, so we know what you's plan is, good luck trying to get out, dum-dums!" One of the guards stopped to lift his leg and pee on Atchmon's cell.
"Would you look at that, that's favoritism I say!" The prisoner Dog in the kennels across from them exclaimed.
"Shaddup, you." The other guard Dog not peeing growled.
"Sorry." The prisoner apologized meekly.
"So much for our big escape plan..." Rarity chagrined.
"Well, crap, there goes that idea..." Atchmon muttered.
About an hour later, Killer and his posse came back to collect their prizes from the kennels.
Rarity watched as Killer addressed Atchmon who was still within his cage. "Hey, who told you to untie yourself, huh?"
"No one did, but if you'll gimme my pants and boots back, I promise to be a good boy," Atchmon drawled.
Rarity watched as Killer seemed to consider this, and would glance her way every couple of seconds.
"Humans can be quite friendly, if you're willing to show a little generosity." Rarity supplied.
"Alright fine! But no funny business," Killer warned. "Once I sell you off to the Boss, you can be his problem; after that, I don't care what you do." Killer walked away before returning a moment later with Atchmon's clothing, and threw the wad of cloth into the jail cell where the human caught it.
Atchmon wasn't given a chance to pull them on before being pushed out of his cell, clutching the wad of clothing against his crotch to hide his shame. Rarity was escorted out at the same time with Atchmon following in line behind her, and they both followed Killer to meet this 'Boss' of theirs. Rarity noticed right away Killer was wearing Atchmon's blade around his hips; and the rest of the guard dogs behind them also carried their possessions. She caught Atchmon's gaze locked onto the Diamond Dog that was leading them, almost like he was studying the dog named Killer.
The pair were brought to a large double door where a large guard Dog was stationed.
"Butch, Butchie, Butcher, El Butcherino, how ya doin' ya old dog?" The leader of their captors greeted. Rarity could barely make out the figure of this 'Butch' character through the veil of her sack.
"Killer," Butch growled lowly. "Thought Uh smelled a weasel comin' my way, what've ya got this time? You know the Boss is still sore about that delivery of Cubic Zirconia you tried to pass off as the real thing... By the pale moonlight what is that thing supposed to be, some kind o' hairless mutt?" Butch sneered in disgust.
"I request an audience with the Boss, we have some rare and valuable merchandise that we think he'd be very interested in purchasing." The sly-sounding dog asked.
The dog in charge of guarding the door escorted them inside. The doors opened with a satisfying mechanical click, before swinging on age-stressed hinges. The pair were brought to a room where at least two dozen dogs of differing breeds were socializing. Many were recognizable to the human; including a Basset hound, Retrievers ( both golden and chocolate), a St. Bernard and a Great Dane in very sophisticated attire including monocles, a very flirtatious pink Cocker Spaniel danced around between the groups, and lots of Bulldogs.
They heard a band playing music in the background (or what passed for music) with more than a few dogs howling along; completely out of tune. Atchmon watched as a half dozen dogs were playing some kind of game with stone cards; a Border Collie just won the massive pile of gems and gold coins, much to the dismay of the other players. Even despite the fact that two of the dogs (a tiny little Pug and a Shitzu) were cheating, having caught one dog slip the other an extra stone 'card' under the table with its toes.
The room itself didn't lack for seating as dozens of large cushions, sofas, and chairs were strewn about; including a very sizable recliner that was currently occupied by a small English Bulldog in a tuxedo sitting at the back, providing the best view of the party that was going on. Lighting was mainly provided by glowing crystals and lamps flickering their light on the walls.
"Is this a throne room?" Atchmon blurted out with a little more excitement than Rarity would've liked. 'Doesn't he know we're still in trouble? Now's not the time to be a curious little human, Atchmon!'
"This is the 'Sofa room', it's way better than what those prissy little pony princesses have." Killer answered, and emphasized the words for everyone in the room to hear; getting a lot of jeering in return.
Not directed at him, but at Rarity.
"Stupid pony!"
"Where's your 'princess' to save you now?"
"Boo, you stink!"
"Debatable," Rarity muttered under her breath.
Atchmon watched as Rarity shrunk into herself at the unexpected verbal abuse, and moved to walk closer beside her. "Why d' ya'll have such a problem with ponies?" he asked, getting laughs in return.
"Dogs were here long before the Ponies moved into these lands; before the Ponies kicked us out of our burrows, and took the bounty which rightfully belongs to us Dogs, then built their castle which the Forest has long since reclaimed."
A white English Bulldog sitting on the large Recliner answered above the crowd, causing the room to quiet and the music to stop. "Killer, what've you brought to me today, on the day of my birth." The dog drawled in a tone that reminded Atchmon of a familiar mobster back home.
"Thank you for seeing me, Paw Father, I have some rare gifts I think you'll like," Killer then cocked his head to his posse, who roughly nudged their prizes forward.
Atchmon and Rarity stepped forward in front of the Paw Father.
"Oh, Killer, don't tell me you came here, on the day of my birth, hoping to be relieved of your debt. Did you not come here bearing gifts simply because you are my friend." The Paw Father suggested, while petting some bushy, or woolly-looking creature in his lap.
"Of course not, Boss. But if you feel so inclined to do so, I would be most grateful." Killer bowed graciously before the throne.
"Let's see what you've brought me first," The Paw Father extended his paw out, decorated with several gold and gem encrusted rings.
Killer shuffled forward and passionately kissed each one of the jewels.
Rarity could sense the precious stones with her magic, and was sure Killer managed to suckle a few of the gemstones out of their sockets, and hide them between his jowls.
Atchmon took the opportunity to pull his pants back on, and slip on his boots. As he got dressed he couldn't help but notice one Diamond Dog in a red vest was casting warry glances their way. His body language had all the tell tale signs of a dog in submission. The kind of stance that said they knew they were in big trouble.
"Hey, I remember you," Rarity suddenly blurted and pointed a hoof at the red vested dog.
"Rover, you know this pony?" the Paw Father addressed the dog in the red vest.
"I-it's her, Boss; The Annoying One!" Rover exclaimed in near hysteria. "She's come back, Paw-Father, the one we fear, she is the- the Doggo-Queen!" The red-vested Diamond Dog squealed as he ran back and tore off the tattered veil behind the 'throne'. Then shined a torchlight on a vast mural that was carved into the wall of rock behind the Paw Father's recliner.
The center depicted a large, regal-looking Unicorn mare with a curly main, blasting away at Diamond Dogs with waves of sound emitting from her voice. The dogs were running away while clutching their ears; while others bowed in submission before the regal goddess-like Unicorn, while smaller Ponies pulled away carts loaded with treasures and offerings from the dogs.
"Oi, these dogs," Paw Father started tiredly and rubbed his temple, before dragging a paw down his face and pulling his loose bulldog-like skin; making him look surprisingly younger for a moment. "I ask for a mural, and what do ya get? A doggone prophecy, s'cuse my language, missy." Paw Father addressed Rarity.
"You're excused, darling, and I must say some of the events depicted there are a little exaggerated. I'm not a bad mare, I'm just carved that way." Rarity explained while waving her hoof in dismissal.
"So I take it some of what I've heard is true, then? You have a magical ability to locate gemstones?" Paw Father suggested.
"I- well, yes. It's part of my special talent." Rarity explained.
"Interesting, you've brought me quite the prize, Killer; consider your debt paid in full." Paw Father waved him off.
Killer looked like he was about to cry. Not from relief of paying off his debt, but from giving away a priceless Unicorn mare. "Th-thank you... Paw Father."
"You should be able to make me a tidy profit in record time, little pony. I'll have Mr. Growley see to it that you're sent to the gem mines."
Rarity stepped up. "Actually, darling, I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your oh so generous offer." Rarity said in that tone Atchmon recognized as her prissy 'I'm in control' voice.
Atchmon watched as many of the guard dogs shifted upon hearing Rarity's statement. Was is just posturing, or were they really getting ready to rough them up if they showed any more resistance?
"Is that right?" Paw Father said, looking unamused (or maybe that was just his droopy, wrinkly face). "And what makes you think you have a choice, little pony?"
Rarity bit her tongue to keep from making a comment about the Paw Father's own stature. Doing so would surely defeat any chance of talking their way out of this.
"Do you guys have any idea who she is?" Atchmon butted in, while gesturing at her.
Rarity looked at him in what would be described as a 'stop talking you idiot' kind of face, but Atchmon didn't notice the look she gave him and continued on.
"This is Rarity, she's a Princess of Equestria, if you don't let her go, and word gets out that you have her, I'm sure there's going to be war." Atchmon warned.
The room was silent a few seconds, before laughter erupted among the crowd. The Paw Father had joined them and wiped a tear away, before raising a paw; calling for silence.
"Unlike most of my fellow dogs, I'm not so ignorant of the outside world, boy." The Paw Father rasped. "She's no Princess, but she is a high valued individual nonetheless. An Element of Harmony in my grasp..." he mused.
"Not a Princess..." Atchmon muttered in confusion, and looked down at Rarity.
Rarity looked up at him, a cold emptiness grew in her gut at finally being caught in her lie. And despite their circumstances, she was more afraid of losing Atchmon's friendship, over being put into slavery and forced again into hard physical labor under dirty, smelly Dogs.
She watched as Atchmon put on a hard face, and turned back to address the Paw Father again.
"So what if she's not a Princess," Atchmon started. "What your doing is still wrong. And if you really want things to get better--to make friends with the Ponies--then the best thing to do is to let us go."
Rarity's heart beat with love and adoration for the human as he made his speech. He didn't care that she wasn't a Princess, even less that she lied to him!
"My people had their lands taken away too, and we made the same mistakes you've made. We chose to ally ourselves with who we believed to be the stronger side, some of us even kept slaves; and in the end we lost our lands and had to move to new ones; but we made the best of it; and we're still a proud people. We made peace with the ones who took our lands. Now we work together, and we're stronger together than we ever have been. You can do the same, you can be proud and strong, if you make peace with the Ponies."
The Paw Father considered this, along with many other Dogs who murmured among themselves after the human's speech; until their leader gestured for silence. "If the Princesses had come to us in friendship, and maybe bearing gifts, perhaps we would have words then. But instead you stand here, and you make demands. You say, 'let us go, and we'll be friends'; but you don't ask with respect, you don't even think to call me Paw Father. If you had come to us before, then any enemies Equestria should have would become my enemies; and we would have defended Our land together. Instead, you've forced use to do business with... unsavory sorts.
"You don't really want to be my friend, do ya? And why would ya? You stayed safe under the care and protection of your Princesses... you didn't need a friend like us," The Paw Father gestured around the room.
Rarity and Atchmon shared a look.
"Please, Paw Father," Rarity started and bowed her head low, her snout and horn nearly touching the floor. "Be our friend?"
Atchmon kneeled down with his head lowered as well.
"I'm afraid the time for that has passed, little pony." the Paw Father sighed, before sporting a toothy grin. "Besides, why have friends when you can have wealth and power. And with your help, little pony, I can simply buyout Equestria in a few years." he chuckled darkly.
Rarity snapped her head up and looked from the Paw Father to Atchmon. 'He never intended to let us go!'
"Don't worry, darling; I know how to handle these louts." Rarity stepped up. Her posture radiated poise and confidence.
"Is that so? Well, we can't have that, can we? Guard, teach the lady some manners."
Rarity sucked in a breath and could barely get out a squeak, before the big guard dog stepped up and completely engulfed the unicorn's entire head in his massive paws.
"Hey!" Atchmon moved to defend Rarity, but was quickly detained by a pair of armored dogs. The human thrashed to get out of their grip, before the big dog released Rarity and moved away, leaving her head strapped in a brown leather harness with gilded golden plates covering her muzzle and horn.
Rarity tried to shake her head free of the obstruction, and clenched her eyes to use her magic; only nothing happened when she tried to call upon her power, then finished her futile attempts by trying to pull off the bridle with her blunt hooves. Only to fail repeatedly as her flat appendages slid off the straps.
"That muzzle'll keep you quiet, and the dimeritium metal covering your horn will suppress any magic until we're finished conducting our business," the Paw Father explained. "It's the same ones that storm fella used, with a little flair added for the Lady; dirty business that, but hey, whatever keeps the gems flowing, am I right?" The Paw-Father cackled as he pulled Rarity closer with the rope tied to her harness.
Rarity futility resisted as her hooves slid across the smooth stone floor, before a slap to her rump persuaded her to move.
"Hiyah, mule!" Rarity teared up at the insult and the combined pain to her flank. It wasn't the playful spank of a friend, but the cruel strike of an uncaring brute. So she did what came naturally...
She bucked. Hard.
"M-mm M-mhm mm mm m m m-hm!" (Only Atchmon is allowed to do that!)
The cur who put the harness on her, as well as slapped her flank, went down in a whining, howling heap while clutching his family jewels and rolling on the floor.
'Ha! Serves you right!' Rarity smiled behind her muzzle, before being yanked towards the Paw Father's throne.
"Whoa there little pony, I see you've got some fight left in ya," Paw Father grinned deviously. "Well, we'll just have t' break it out of ya, won't we?" Paw Father looked to his guard, and they shuffled the struggling human into position, he smiled toothily at Rarity. "Let's see how your friend fares in the Junkyard!"
The boss dog gave Mr. Growley a nod, and the forever-frowning-unamused-looking grey Basset Hound pulled a lever causing the floor to drop underneath Atchmon's feet.
The human fell as Rarity cried a muffled scream as she watched his form disappear beneath the floor.
"Let's see how Puppers likes his new chew toy, 'ey boys!?" Paw-Father cackled while tugging on Rarity's harness, and pulled a different lever next to his recliner. The sound mechanisms clicking into place followed by the sound of rock grinding on stone echoed throughout the small chamber, as the wall behind the 'throne', along with most of the floor, started to rotate with the chair.
As the mechanism rotated into its new position; the wall behind the throne revealed a vast, well lit cavern. The first thing Rarity noticed were several rows of stadium seating beneath her. As she looked outward, Rarity saw a half-dozen columns carved into busts of Diamond Dogs littering the arena floor; along with massive piles of trash.
The "Junkyard" indeed.
The Junkyard was like an arena colosseum that was made to look more like a amphitheater. Dozens of huge glowing crystals on the ceiling, flaming metal sconces on the walls, and braziers lining the arena's border provided illumination throughout the cavernous space. Several Diamond Dogs were already seated, waiting for a show to begin, while more started entering through portholes along the walls by the seats. Many of the dogs that were in the room behind them were quickly filing through to get the best seats.
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Atchmon tumble out of a chute beneath her position. He stumbled to his feet, yet managed not to fall.
"Ret's ret ready ro rrrrrumble!" The announcer--a brown Great Dane with black spots--gargle-howled into the loudspeaker in a way that only a talking dog could manage to pull off.
The bars on the far side of the arena slowly opened upward, unveiling the teeniest, tiniest legs you could ever see on a being, but that was quickly ignored as the metal bars continued to rise upward; revealing an ever increasing mass of furry flesh, and what those little legs upheld was a veritable mountain of muscle.
"Oh, no..." Atchmon sighed worriedly as his opponent stepped out into the light.
"Mm, nm," Rarity echoed in a whimper as she saw the beast her companion would have to fight.
"They have a Pitbull..." Atchmon swallowed the nervousness in his throat; knowing he couldn't afford to be caught within those powerful jaws.
The enormous grey Junkyard champion stepped out into the arena and flexed his impressively large muscles for the crowd. Especially to the delight of one who looked like a Pink Poodle-girl. Atchmon could've sworn a dozen more abdominal muscles popped forth from the dog's waist. Eliciting cheers, whistles, and howls from the spectators.
The Pink Poodle-girl seemed to cheer the loudest.
Atchmon swung his head around and darted his eyes looking for anything he could use as a weapon. Luckily there was a weapons rack set up along the wall on each side of the chute he exited from. There was an assortment of melee weapons to choose from; and many that looked far too large and cumbersome for the human to use such as: Clubs of varying sizes, axes, ball and chain, swords and halberds to name a few. Atchmon immediately went for the most familiar looking weapon he spotted first.
A spear with a wooden shaft and metal tip.
Ding!
At the sound of the bell the massive Dog charged Atchmon like a berserker!
Atchmon dove out of the way, the giant grey dog swiping at the air where Atchmon was standing not a second ago. The human took off running with the beast hot on his trail.
"Down boy!" He called back at the massive barking Dog.
"Heel!"
"Knock it off!" Atchmon roared back, before spinning around and swiping the spear against the Diamond Dog's face. The blow only seemed to disorient the larger opponent, giving the human time to flee and to hide.
Atchmon tried to be clever, and wound up a familiar box-toy he found in the pile of junk he was hiding behind. Then left it out in the open to play out its tune about monkeys-chasing-weasels-around-bushes, before the pony-in-the-box popped out of it housing and laughed merrily.
Puppers followed the sound of the music to its source, only to quickly turn and clamp his powerful jaws around the wooden shaft of Atchmon's spear, when the human tried to sneak around and thrust it at the humongous Dog-man. A game of tug of war ensued between the gladiators, before puppers quickly wrenched the spear from Atchmon's grasp with a single tug of his powerful neck; and showed-off by giving the human a good look as he broke the wooden pole to splinters with a single bite, before smiling proudly down at his competition.
Atchmon could've sworn he saw a bright sparkle ding from Puppers' perfectly immaculate, sharp, canine fangs, before Puppers went to grasp Atchmon in a crushing embrace, and trap the human between the cur's huge, rock-hard, muscular arms.
But Atchmon managed to pivot underneath the grapple, and lost his balance as he dodge-rolled on the dirt-covered floor; avoiding a hulking fist from pulverizing his body, the dog's fist made a small crater in the ground, kicking a plume of dusty debris in his wake.
Atchmon grasped a handful of dirt and slung it at Puppers face, sending the dog reeling backwards and growling angrily, while rubbing his eyes to clear away the debris impairing his vision.
"M-hm-hm-Hmmm!" Rarity cheered in excitement for Atchmon's tactics, while boos, barks, and howls elicited from the crowd. She could hear the Poodle-girl call him a 'cheat'.
Atchmon dove behind a massive garbage pile far away from the thrashing dog, and took stock of his surroundings.
He was safe for the moment, but the remains of the weapon he'd chosen was useless now and tossed it away, before looking around for his opponent. Atchmon motioned to put his hand on the ground to spy around the junk pile, but was stopped short by something small, hard, and very roundish.
He looked down to see what it was, and held up a croquet ball in his hand to his eye level. He looked around for the weapons rack, finding it was almost on the other side of the arena, before an idea sparked in his mind.
It was a long shot, but right now it was the only chance he had.
It was a stupid plan, not to mention crazy; perhaps crazy enough to actually work.
Atchmon went to take one last look at his surroundings, before his cover was lifted away by the hulking bulk of Puppers massive muscular arms.
It was now, or never.
Atchmon spun away and dove over a short wall of garbage debris, before Puppers could smash him with the pile of junk held in the dogs' arms. Trash exploded in every direction behind Atchmon, as Puppers hurled the massive ball of debris at him, hearing springs, spronged, and a bicycle bell tingle.
The human slid feet first, and stood up to grab the smallest club that was mounted on the wall of the weapons rack.
The wooden blunt object was almost the perfect size and shape.
Atchmon took the few seconds he had to line up his shot with the massive Diamond Dog barreling down towards him, before throwing the croquet ball in the air; it was all or nothing now.
Puppers followed the ball's movement as a joyous need to catch it overtook him.
Time slowed as the ball rotated in midair before returning from the apex of its flight. Atchmon kept his eyes on the ball even as the massive Pitbull charged after him; plowing through pillars of junk and causing them to collapse in a dusty heap.
Rarity watched with bated breath as Atchmon swung away. It was like the moment was frozen in time as the club connected solidly with the ball. A moment later a satisfying crack resonated throughout the silent colosseum. Rarity couldn't hear the crowd anymore, as if every attendee were also holding their breath.
Atchmon watched as the ball soared straight into Puppers' mouth and disappeared down his opponent's gullet.
Immediately Atchmon dove out of the way before Puppers could ram his enormous muscular bulk into him; leaving Puppers plowing through and completely disintegrating the weapons rack, sending splinters and bits of debris everywhere in a cloud of dust.
The monster Pitbull choked on the obstruction lodged in its throat, but still hobbled its way towards Atchmon. Intending to end the bout in a draw.
The massive dog swung at its competition with every step, but Atchmon managed to stay just out of reach of the dog's huge paws and sharp, thick canine claws.
On the first swing, Atchmon fell backwards and crawled on the floor to get away from the strike. On the second he pirouetted while still on the floor, before Puppers' claws left furrows in the ground where he just was. On the third strike, Atchmon managed to get to his feet and sucked in his tummy while jumping back, before Puppers' could spill his guts.
It was over.
Every strike Puppers threw at the human became slower and less coordinated, as the dogs face turned from red, to purple, and finally to blue.
The massive Diamond Dog choked, and retched while pulling at its gemmed collar, trying to loosen the asphyxiating obstruction lodged in its throat; but to no avail, as its raspy breaths grew weaker by the moment with the dog wheezing for breath.
Atchmon watched Puppers slowly choking to death as the big dog was brought to its knees, and finally lay on its side while Puppers breaths hitched.
He met those big, pleading, puppy dog eyes that were begging him for help. He could see the pain and fear in that dogs tear-filled eyes.
The silence which pervaded the audience started to break as they watched the human move towards their champion. Some barked and growled at him to stay away, others whimpered and whined in worry, while the pink Poodle-girl begged for the hunter to save their champion. To show mercy.
Atchmon circled around behind his defeated opponent.
Puppers lifted a shaking paw to protect himself, but gave up and let it fall weakly to his side.
"It's okay, let me help you," Atchmon squatted behind the grey, monster-sized bulldog and undid the back of Puppers' spiked black collar, before casting it aside; then attempted to lift the dogs upper torso in order to perform the heimlich maneuver.
The muscular mountain of a dog was far too large for Atchmon's little (by comparison) arms to reach around its torso; much less pick up as he struggled to lift the beast to his feet with his inadequate strength.
Atchmon laid Puppers on his back just as the dogs eyes rolled back, looking like he was about to pass out. The human quickly moved around, jumped up, and dropped his elbow on the dogs diaphragm with the full weight of his body. Puppers upper body shot up and the dog wretched.
The ball that was lodge in his throat flew out of Puppers mouth and hit an innocent spectator square in the face; who then rose up from behind the barrier holding the souvenir in his mouth for everyone to see.
The crowd went wild!
"Why?" Puppers choked. "Why you help me?"
Atchmon's chest heaved as he sat there panting in thought, before shaking his head and shrugging. "I love dogs."
"But I- bad dog." Puppers spat out the word, and looked away dejectedly.
Atchmon leaned over and hesitates as he watches Puppers watching him. The human had seen that look many times before. It was the look of a dog who was tense, frightened, yet still submissive.
"No such thing as a bad dog; only bad masters." Atchmon said evenly, while looking towards the Paw Father. Then petted the huge Dog's shoulder.
Puppers eyes teared and whimpered, before swiping the human up in a near-crushing embrace.
"Ahk, Can't... Breath..." Atchmon squeaked as he felt his spine crack, before suddenly being let go.
Atchmon caught his breath and noticed Puppers looking at him expectantly, the dog's spiked tail wagged excitedly, before the human hesitantly lifted a hand and scratched around Puppers ears; and watched as the massive dog's leg went wild.
"Mmmmm..." Rarity cooed and wiped a tear from her eye.
The other dogs in the crown whimpered and whined, while looking jealous and wanting the same kind treatment.
"What a wonderful sentiment," the Paw Father said over the loudspeaker. "I cannot in good conscience sentence the human-thing to die after such a display." Tiny barks and murmuring growls rolled over the crowd. "And so I've made my decision..." The Paw Father paused with everydog perking their ears up to hear his proclamation.
After a few moments of silence later, the sound of snoring rolled over the crowd. The Paw Father had fallen asleep in the middle of his judgement.
Mr. Growley, like a dutiful butler, brought over and lifted up a silver dome covering off a silver platter; which had a silver bowl inside that was piled high with small bone-shaped treats. He plucked one of the treats atop the pile, holding it between his thumb and index finger-paws (Is there even a name for a paw that has fingers?) ; and brought the treat directly in front of the sleeping Paw Father's nose.
Paw Father's nose twitched at the scent of the treat, and awoke with a start and a loud snotty snore echoed throughout the coliseum followed by sloppy chewing as the Paw Father ate the treat like a starving hound. Several eyes in the crowd went wide, waiting for their treat too; others either pinned their ears back and whined pathetically, while others salivated uncontrollably along with rapidly swishing tails and licking chops.
"Brrubaba- Eh!? Wh- What was I saying?" The Paw Father questioned, perking his ear far enough that a beady little eye was revealed beneath his flabby skin; while Mr. Growley caught him up on the details. "Ah, yes, yes; my decision is to put the man-thing up for... ADOPTION! May he find his forever home here in Muttsville!" Paw Father proclaimed.
The crowd roared their approval in a cacophony of barks and howls.
"Mmph! M-m-mm-mph?" Rarity asked aloud.
"What? What does that even mean?" Atchmon echoed in confusion.
"It mean, new friend get new Master. New Master choose new friend to be Master's property. Friend work for new Master forever." Puppers explained.
"So does that mean... I'm gonna be like... a slave!?"
Puppers nodded his head, and pinned his ears back in shame. "That other name pony use."
"Fuck that!" Atchmon squeaked, and could hear Rarity's typical "language" over the crowd, even as she was being lead away by the harness strapped around her head.
Or maybe he just imagined it.
"As for you my little pony," the Paw Father started salaciously.
Rarity tried to resist being tugged by her harness, but it was no use as the little bulldog yanked her towards himself. His foul breath washed over her face as he spoke. "You will learn to appreciate me," he said dangerously, and licked her cheek. Rarity tried to pull away in disgust. "Before I send you to work in the diamond mines, perhaps I'll break you in first myself; I've always wanted to ride a pony." The Paw Father cackled. "Growley, get 'er ready for me in my private chambers."
Mr. Growley did as he was told and took Rarity's harness before pulling the lever which swung the throne back into its original position.
Rarity watched as a half dozen guard dogs took Atchmon into custody. Their eyes met despite the distance separating them, before the mechanism rotated her away from his gaze.
"Back into your kennel, Puppers!" One of the guard dogs growled, pointing his spear threateningly at the massive contender that was easily twice his size.
Puppers complied and shuffled off with his head hung low.
"You too, get moving!" The same guard directed Atchmon, and he followed behind Puppers.
Atchmon sped up and walked beside the giant Diamond Dog, who was a head taller than himself. Which was off-putting, since he was usually always the one looking down on others. "Puppers, that's your name, right?" he said, keeping his voice low and cast a glance at the guards. They didn't seem to care if he made conversation with their 'champion'.
"Uh, huh." Puppers replied laconically. "What yer name, friend?"
"I'm Atchmon, listen," he checked the guards following them again. "Can you help us get out of here?"
"Get out?" Puppers questioned more loudly than Atchmon would've liked, and shushed him. "Huh uh, Paw Father will yell at me again, if I leave my kennel when I'm not supposed to," Puppers said as he shook his head.
"You're afraid he'll yell at you?" Atchmon scoffed, and imagined a yappy little hyper-aggressive little dog, barking up at a cornered huge dog with the big dog's tail tucked between its legs.
Despite the fact that Puppers was several times bigger than the Paw Father, Atchmon could see Puppers being too scared to fight back against the little Bulldog.
These Diamond Dogs might've been smarter than the canines from his world, but they still kept the same mentality.
"His bark is worse than his bite..." Atchmon muttered.
"Don't go giving Puppers any bright ideas, that runt won't even bare his fangs against his own Pack." said the lead guard dog that was escorting them at spearpoint.
Puppers pinned his ears back and whimpered at the insult.
Atchmon turned to address the guard. "Why's that?"
"Because he's weak!" One guard cackled.
"He's still just a scared lil' puppy-wuppy on the inside!" Another cooed, and the rest laughed with him.
"Puppers?" Atchmon's heart went out to the great, giant beast of a Diamond Dog upon seeing him starting to look a little upset. He wasn't expecting Puppers to say anything.
Puppers answered him, keeping the same sad puppy-dog eyes as before, like he was just barely holding back the tears. "Uh jus' want the Pack to like me, Uh won't fight other Dogs in the Junkyard, but Uh'll fight anyting else. Uh don't really like it, but it's the only place the Pack likes me..."
'I don't get it, if I was as big and strong as he is, I'd take these Dogs on and show them who's boss...' Atchmon thought for awhile as they entered through the gate where Puppers first appeared at the start of their fight. Atchmon kept double taking between the laughing guards having fun at Puppers expense, and the sad-looking Diamond Dog as he took the brunt of insults and blows to his pride and dignity without so much as batting an eye.
'Puppers won't fight at all...' Atchmon came to the conclusion after remembering what the guard had said about Puppers. It wasn't that the Dogs didn't 'like' him, they just didn't respect him at all. And how could they? When Puppers couldn't even respect himself.
"Yipe!"
One of the guards took the teasing too far and poked Puppers in the rear with his sharp spear, eliciting a pained yelp from the big Dog; much to their delight.
"Hey, knock it off!" Atchmon moved to intervene, only to put his hands up as the Dog who did the poking tried to bring his weapon to bear on Atchmon.
Dogs (the animal ones) are supposed to be able to process movement faster than a Human. Atchmon made an educated guess, and figured that the Diamond Dogs--being that they lived underground, and they wore their metal helmets completely covering their eyes--Atchmon guessed they navigated mainly by scent, rather than by sight.
A fact proven right as the human moved inside the Guard Dog's thrust and popped him square on the nose with a solid punch to the face. It wasn't a strong attack, but enough to get his point across.
The guard-dog dropped his spear and clutched his nose, then shook his head of the pain while letting out a strong sneeze. The others closed in brandishing their weapons, getting Atchmon to back off and fall in line next to Puppers.
"I hope whatever Dog adopts you, that they'll train you good!" The Dog with the bruised nose (and ego apparently) shouted at the human as he was held back by a fellow guard.
Atchmon couldn't help but grin at getting away with his little defiance.
"Thank you, friend." Puppers said in near astonishment.
Atchmon looked up at him, and put on a serious face. "You can't let them push you around like that." He stated.
"Uh know, but Uh get in t' trouble with Paw Father if I fight back, un' I don' like to fight my Pack n'ee way."
"Why are you even here, if you don't like to fight?" Atchmon asked.
"Paw Father wanted me to beat up Dogs that lost a lot o' gems to Ponies uh long time ago; but Uh wouldn't do it, so Paw Father made me a champion of the Junkyard. Now Uh fight whatever dey want me to, but not Dogs... or friends." Puppers added a second later, while looking at Atchmon.
Atchmon smiled at that, but couldn't hold it as another realization came to light. 'He's just like I used to be, except...'
Atchmon remembered a time when he was made fun of for being the biggest kid in school. He'd fight the ones calling him names, and they'd back off for awhile; but then they started getting smart. Eventually they got the adults to fight their battles for them against the 'bully in school'.
For a time, Atchmon was a bully, but only because they would bring it out of him. And for a time he felt there was nothing he could do but give up and let the real bullies do whatever they wanted to him.
He couldn't fight back, assert himself, or stand up against them without getting in trouble, and the adults never took his side... and for awhile he would do nothing... that was until his Mother introduced the 'Three-strikes Rule'. First time those mean kids tried something, he'd warn them to stop; second time, he'd tell the Teachers; third time... Well, I bet you can guess what happens then.
Everyone always thought nothing would happen at three...
Atchmon did eventually achieve some sort of balance, albeit imperfect as it was, resulting in more than a few customer complaints later in life during his working years.
But Puppers took it to the extreme. He absolutely refused to cause any sort of harm to others.
Atchmon could understand his feelings. It hurt to be the bully sometimes... when the fighting never seems to stop... when others just won't leave you alone.
Atchmon and Puppers were taken into a new room that was also full of cages. Some of the kennels were occupied with other fighting dogs who all barely cast a glance their way as the champion Dog and human were escorted through the hallway.
"Get in there," the guard dog growled and shoved Atchmon into his new cage. The human glared at the dog as the metal door clanged shut.
"Puppers, no one is going to like you, if you don't stand up for yourself," Atchmon said behind the bars.
"But dey won't like me if I fight dem." Puppers said as he pinned his ears back in shame.
"No, they won't..." Atchmon paused. "But they will respect you, and with that, they'll grow to like you. Besides, you fought me, and I like you," Atchmon finished matter of factly and with a casual shrug.
Puppers looked surprised and turned away in thought, before the guards started getting pushy, and moved their 'champion' away.
Minutes ticked by (Or maybe it was hours, hard to tell while underground) as Atchmon paced in his cell, while trying to plan a way to escape his cage, find Rarity, and somehow get out of this city of dogs.
Bang! Clang!
Atchmon tried to squeeze his head through the bars to see what the commotion was, before his vision was filled with a mass of muscular Diamond Dog.
"Puppers, you came back!" Atchmon shouted excitedly.
"Uh decided to be a good Dog, un help muh friend."
"Thanks, Puppers, you're more than a good Dog, you're one helluva friend yourself." Atchmon complimented and Puppers beamed proudly at the praise.
"Un smart too, Uh pretended to be sick, until guard Dogs came to check on Puppers un open muh kennel with the keys; Puppers is smart Dog!" Puppers proclaimed proudly while tapping at his head.
"Yeah you are!" Atchmon half-laughed. "Now get me outta here." he gestured with glee.
"Uh..."
"What?"
"When Uh tricked the guards, Uh put them in muh kennel, but Uh had 'em in muh mouth and Uh accidently eated the keys...sorry friend."
"You... what!?" Atchmon nearly pulled out his hair.
"It okay, Uh c'n do somethin' else." Puppers grasped the bars to the kennel's door and heaved with all his might. His muscles bulged and grew to staggering proportions before the hinges pinged with a loud snap of breaking metal.
Atchmon, amazed at Puppers' brute strength, was freed and instructed Puppers to release the other fighting Dogs.
"The revolution has begun!" Yipped a short Pomeranian-looking Dog dragging behind an oversized club, before being picked up and placed on the beefy shoulders of his far larger Rottweiler cellmate.
The guards came in droves to restore order and formed a defensive line just as Puppers broke open the last kennel.
The Paw Father didn't just keep Dogs in the 'Champions Quarters', but also a Dragon and Minotaur.
A battle cry echoed over the massive crowd of prisoners and guards.
The prisoners washed over the Guard Dogs defenses like rapids over smooth stones. The prisoners pressed forward while collecting armor and weapons from the guard who were either no match for the mob, or dropped their weapons and literally turned tail and ran.
Atchmon noticed Puppers was holding back as the massive Diamond Dog took his fist and crashed it atop an overzealous guards head, knocking the Dog out cold and leaving a sizeable dent in his helmet.
The human noticed many of the other Prisoners doing the same, as there was a distinct lack of bloodshed. He himself used the blunt end of a spear to strike an opponent across the face. But Atchmon couldn't tell if the other prisoners were following Puppers example, or simply didn't want to kill their brethren.
The latter he could understand, these were still their people.
The Dragon and Minotaur didn't hold back as much.
The beefy Minotaur would charge and bowl over groups of armored Guard Dogs like pins at a bowling alley, while the Dragon delighted in singeing the hair off their bums.
Everyone fought together as a unit, each watching the others back as they moved through corridors, and up flights of spiralling ramps leading up to higher levels. A few on both sides had the misfortune of falling over the edge.
The fighting force exited out a long hallway, and Atchmon found himself at a precipice overlooking what must've been the Main Chamber of the Diamond Dogs home.
Dozens of rope and stone bridges spanned between the massive winding underground gorge, whose surfaces and columns glowed from the light pouring out of thousands of roundish windows of varying colors. Hundreds of Dogs and various other creatures hauling packs full of heavy stones marched laboriously like drones along the narrow pathways.
Their rebellion spread like wildfire throughout the cavern. The first few workers threw off their packs and the rest soon followed as they overthrew their 'Masters'.
"Puppers!" Atchmon called out to his companion, who had just taken two guards and smashed their heads together; knocking them both out. "Which way to the throne room, where's that Paw Father guy!?" he shouted.
Puppers pointed the way, and the human took off at a sprint. Atchmon tried to avoid as much fighting as possible, but had to jump over a couple Dogs who were tumbling around in a ball trying to get the best of one another.
Atchmon burst through the double doors leading into the throne room. Several posh 'high society' Diamond Dogs were cowering behind and under the sofas throughout the room, including one who looked very familiar. It made sense that these Dogs would think the 'throne room' would be the safest place in an uprising.
"You!" Atchmon pointed his spear at Killer, who was holding Atchmon's blade in his shaking paws, pointing the tip around at any Dog that came too close.
"Get up you dumb Dogs!" Killer tried kicking one of his posse off the ground, but the other half dozen or so Dogs lazed about in the comforting confines of the couch they were laying on; Rarity's bags were opened and their contents splayed out on the table where the Dogs were playing with stone cards earlier. Atchmon noticed a fair bit of their food was already consumed, though he didn't recognize the colorful mushroom caps laying half eaten around the table.
"Pwetty colors..." One mumbled as he waved his hand in front of his face.
"What if Diamond Dog, really meant Absynnian..?"
"I can't feel my face..."
"I hear my hair growing..."
Another belted out a long string of philosophical questioning and reasoning that Atchmon couldn't hope to remember.
"Worthless mutts!" Killer half cried hysterically and shakily held out the knife at Atchmon to keep the human at bay, before dropping the blade and trying to make a run for it.
"Puppers, sic'em boy!" Atchmon commanded, while pointing at Killer.
Puppers only needed to quickly stretch out his long, muscular arm to catch the cowardly Dog. Puppers incredibly thick finger-paws wrapped around Killer's long, thin neck as if it were nothing more than a toothpick in his hand (paw...hand-paw).
"That's mine," Atchmon growled as he kept the spear pointed at Killers face, while the human stripped off the blade's sheath and returned it to its rightful place. "I'm gonna ask this one time..." The hunter started threateningly. "Where. Is. She?" he emphasized, while his lips trembled in unbridled fury as his face pulled back to bare his teeth.
"I- I- I- guh!" Killer could see a fire burning in the beady black eyes of the human.
"Speak!" The hunter half roared and growled; and the weasel of a Dog soiled himself.
"It's about time you toughened up, little brother." A gruff Dogs voice called across the room
Atchmon turned to see the guard Dog who Killer first talked to, Butch.
"'Ello 'big' brother." Puppers greeted his sibling laconically.
"The Paw Father's up in his room, just go up the stairs and its the last room down the hall." Butch informed them.
"You aren't gonna stop us?" Atchmon asked suspiciously, while Puppers casually tossed Killer aside.
Butch scoffed and leaned back against the wall next to a stairwell while folding his arms over his chest. "Pff, no, I'm sick of that little yapper; he's kept me as his 'Watch Dog' the last few years, and besides, I'm happy to see Puppers finally living up to our family's legacy."
Atchmon turned to Puppers for an explanation.
"Muh brother 'n Uh are s'pose t' be descended from 'Crunch the Mighty'." said Puppers.
"Imagine everydog's disappointment to find Puppers with all his strength, but none of the will to use it."
"So? Just because you have that strength doesn't mean you have to use it." Atchmon debated.
"You don't understand, Puppers is supposed to be the Alpha above of all Alphas; but instead of following our Pack's take on Crunch's story, he would rather live the other version."
"Uh like that Crunch turned into a good Dog, we should all should be good Doggies."
"The Ponies were the ones to end Crunch's legacy, you know; turning him into a puppy when he should've been the greatest of all of us."
Atchmon shook his head and moved to collect Rarity's bags before heading towards the stairs, giving one last nod to Butch for his help. "All I care about right now is getting my Pony friend back, and getting her home. So if you'll excuse us..."
Puppers followed, and shared a look with his brother.
Butch couldn't bear to meet his younger siblings eyes.
"Uh know you thought you were helpin' by lettin' the Paw Father put me in the Junkyard. Uh know Uh have ta fight if Uh wanna make things better, even if it hurts me more to fight other Dogs."
Butch couldn't help but grin through the pain in his heart.
"We's gonna be good Doggies from now on, you'll see brother." Puppers put a paw on his older siblings shoulder, before leaving up the stairs after Atchmon.
Atchmon burst through the doorway of Paw Father's room with Puppers right behind him. It was a spacious living chamber, with a four poster bed, a huge pile of gold and gems in the corner, and closet full of what looked to be the exact same tuxedo suit. And the activity taking place in the Paw Father's living quarters made the human stop with a surprised and perplexing expression.
The little white English Bulldog was riding Rarity.
Literally riding her back, like the little pony she was.
The Diamond Dog leader was dressed up in a little cowboy getup, complete with a desperado hat, chaps, a yellow flannel shirt, and spurs that jingled and jangled.
Rarity looked absolutely miserable as she cantered around the room, and was wearing a blue saddle complete with gold tassels along with her gold and brown muzzle-halter.
The Unicorn mare was cantering in a little circle around the large bedroom, while the Dog on her back cheered and 'yee-hawed' in jubilation. Mr. Growley was in the room as well, and was trying to warn the Paw Father of the impending revolution. Albeit, slowly and lethargically in his jowly monotone voice.
"Sir, the rebellion is..."
"Not now, Growley, can't you see I'm having the time of my life, yeehoo!"
"But Sir..."
Rarity rounded the room and stopped suddenly as she faced the door where Atchmon and Puppers stood. Her eyes widened in joy, before clenching them in pain as the Paw Father cruelly kicked her with his spurs.
"I didn't tell you to stop, you stupid...gah! Growley why didn't you warn me!?"
"I tried to, Sir..."
Rarity did what any good Pony would have done. She reared up, and flopped on her back, dismounting the irritating little Dog.
Atchmon moved to pull Rarity away from the runt of a Diamond Dog, while Puppers picked up the Paw Father by the scruff of the neck with one hand, the little Bulldog thrashed in his grip, his flailing little fists only hitting air around Puppers midsection.
"Growley do something, you idiot!" The Paw Father yelled.
"You know what... I believe this is a good time for me to retire," Mr. Growley moved towards the massive pile of riches in the corner of the room and grabbed a large brown sack that was twice his size.
"Growley, I'll get you for this!"
"I don't think so, good day, Sir..."
The Dog butler exited the room dragging behind the sack of riches. "I'm so happy." His lethargic, monotone voice echoed beyond the doorway.
"How do you get this thing off." Atchmon frustrated after the exchange, giving a few test pulls at the muzzle-harness, while carefully moving Rarity's head around to find the solution to their problem. There was a kind of locking mechanism which required a key.
And the key was... in the Paw Father's hand.
The Paw Father put the key in his mouth and swallowed it with an audible gulp.
"What is it with dogs and eating keys," Atchmon grumbled in frustration.
"Now let's talk business." The Paw Father sneered.
Atchmon deadpanned looked at the little Dog still hanging in Puppers grip and unsheathed his blade.
"Or- or I can tell you the way out of here, and y-you can take my personal cart!" The Paw Father stammered and waved his arms, while he watched the human test the knife's sharpness.
"Wait, friend, don't hurt 'em!" Puppers covered the Paw Father protective with his other paw.
"I wasn't goin' to... even tho the little shit deserves it." The human grumbled, before turning his attention over to Rarity. A smile spread across his face. "Gotta say Rare, that's a good look for you." Atchmon commented with barely contained or restrained laughter.
Puppers didn't have a clue what was going on, but joined in the revelry, much to the chagrin of the Paw Father; while Rarity squeaked her disapproval from the fun at her expense while pointedly gesturing at the harness to be removed.
Once the two boys finally settled down from their high did Atchmon remove the obstruction from Rarity's muzzle.
"Oh Atchmon! It was awful, it was so humiliating!" Rarity anguished, while clutching onto Atchmon's arm.
"Ha! Good luck getting out of here, my Guards will come for me, and then you'll be sorry! And since you won't hurt me, I'll never tell you how to get out of here!"
"I can help with that." Butch said as he strolled through the doorway.
"Brother!" Puppers' tail wagged in excitement, upon seeing his sibling willing to help some more.
The Paw Father hung limply in defeat.
"The sooner we get out of here, the better." Rarity commented.
"Wut we gon' do with him, friend?" Puppers asked, gesturing at the Paw Father.
Atchmon glared at the scared little pup, before a sinister grin spread across the human's face.
The metal door of the kennel swung close with a metallic clang and a squeak of metal hinges.
"You won't get away with this, you will rue the day you ever messed with me! Guards! Dogs! Anyone!" The Paw Father cried as the group made their escape, getting a farewell raspberry from the white Unicorn mare.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen." The prisoner Dog still cramped in his tiny cage heckled.
The Paw Father frowned deeply through the bars.
"What's with the long face your royal alpha-ness, least you got that lovely, spacious Poop kennel, that's a kennel fit for a king if ya ask me, ya lucky, lucky, Dog!"
The rebellion was still on with neither side seemingly able to defeat the other.
Butch brought the group through the colony, avoiding much of the fighting and only having to rarely defend themselves, thanks to Puppers ridiculous strength and restraint.
Suddenly a Pink blur streaked out of the crowd and jumped into Puppers arms. "Oh, there he is, my wonderful, darling, dream boat!" cooed the Pink Poodle-girl from the Junkyard arena, as she started to plant kisses all over Puppers face with loud "Muah!" sounds.
"Hello again Fifi, sorry I lost the fight earlier." Puppers apologized to the Pink Poodle-girl.
"Oh darling, I don't care about that, I'm just glad you're alright. You had that fight in the bag, it was that cheating runts fault you lost, with his dirty sneaky tricks and.... say... What are you doing with those two, darling?"
"We's gonna steal Paw Father's mine cart and gettin' muh friends outta Muttsville, wanna come?" Puppers asked nonchalantly.
"Oh, in that case, anywhere's better as long as it's with you, cutiepie!" she cooed.
The others stood awkwardly to the side after the exchange, while Fifi led the way.... in the wrong direction.
They made it to the an old mining tunnel. The rail tracks looked like they haven't been used in a long while, if the dust and rust were any indication.
"This route will take you near Old Pony Castle," Butch stated as he pushed a couple minecarts away from the rest of the train.
"Alright let's get in and get outta here." Atchmon cheered as he climbed into the front cart, then turned to help Rarity in as Puppers lifted her up, then stepped away. "Puppers, what's wrong, buddy; c'mon let's go." Atchmon said as he beckoned him to the cart behind him.
Puppers looked unsure as he fidgeted on his toes, before leaning down and unhooking the second mine cart.
"What're you doin'?" Atchmon concerned, double taking between the big Diamond Dog and the cart.
"Uh think Uh should stay." Puppers looked way while circling his fingers together.
"Y- Ya aren't comin' with us?" Atchmon questioned in concern.
"Uh should stay un fix things here."
"But you don't have to!" Atchmon argued.
"Uh know, but Uh think Uh owe them that, at least."
"You don't owe them anything; they kept you locked up like an animal!" Atchmon tried to pull the second cart back into place, while shaking his head. "No, no, now let's go, we're going, all of us." He gestured around to the others, but Puppers reached over and held the cart in place. The human's strength just couldn't overcome the large Diamond Dog's, no matter how hard he tried.
"Atchmon..." Rarity placed a hoof on Atchmon's arm, getting him to stop.
"Please, friend." Puppers pleaded.
Butch stepped up. "Every decision the Paw Father made has led our Pack from bad, to worse. At least with Puppers strength we can get everydog to heel."
"And he won't be doing it alone, I'll make sure our Pack listens to my big, strong, sweet, puppy-wuppy." The pink Poodle-girl cooed as she fawned all over Puppers.
Atchmon sniffed and sat down like a pouty child who was denied what he really wanted.
"Sorry, friend, Uh wants us all to be good doggies, un we will be."
Puppers gave the minecart a shove-off, the well oiled wheels smoothly rolled down the tracks. "Goodbye, friend..." Puppers said while waving his massive paw as the cart got going.
Atchmon looked back to see his Diamond Dog friend before they had to leave to bring order back to their Pack.
"Seems like you made some wonderful new friends." Rarity commented gently.
"Yeah, I did..." Atchmon sighed in disappointment, before a smile graced his lips.