Merry awoke still being dragged. It was dark out so he must of been asleep for a few hours at least.

“Hey, stop dragging me Soul.” Soul let go and stood by his side unmoving while Merry stretched as he stood up. Cracking his neck and back he figured everything was healed back up.

He checked himself over and couldn't see anything out of place or twisted at an odd angle. The only thing was his cloak was dirty and nasty looking. It seems she dragged him through some mud.

“Hey Soul, next time go around things like mud when you have to drag me yeah?” Soul simply nodded

“Yes master, any other requests?” Merry just raised an eyebrow at being called master.

“Just one for now. Call me Merry from now on.”

“Of course Master Merry.” He face palmed

“No no, just Merry.” Soul stared at him for a moment before responding.

“Ok...Merry...” Merry nodded his head

“Yes good, Now lets keep heading east. We need to find a port city to take us to the griffin kingdoms.” Soul simply nodded and fell in line next to Merry as they continued to walk in the direction she had been dragging him.

After about 5 minutes of walking in silence Merry brought out his iPod and went through his list of songs. He selected Hollywood Undead - Kill Everyone.

‘’ Hey stupid bitch, good song choice.’‘

‘’‘couldn’t you pick something with a little more cheer?’‘’

‘’This song is cheerful!’‘

‘I cant really listen to the song with you fucks being so loud over it.’

“I’m sorry Merry, I will try to be quiet...” Merry turned around and looked at Soul Eater who stopped walking and looked back at him.

‘Can you hear my thoughts Soul?’ Soul nodded her head ‘Can you hear any others?’ she just shook her head no

“I can only hear your thoughts Merry, No others.”

‘’So she cant hear us?’‘ Merry just looked at her not thinking anything for a moment

‘’‘Hello Dear!’‘’ after waiting for Soul to respond, nothing

‘So you really can only hear my voice?’

“Yes Merry, it is a telepathic link between the two of us. As long as we are both within 1 mile of each other the link will stay active. I am also linked with your emotions so I will be able to know if you are distressed or in trouble.” Merry just raised an eyebrow at that little fact.

‘’ sounds kinda scary... and Hot’‘

‘’‘Very Hot’‘’

“So basically, you know what I’m thinking and feeling all the time then?” Soul nodded her head and continued to stare at Merry.

‘’I wonder if she can feel your lust?’‘

‘’‘test it out!’‘’

‘’Think some sexy thoughts!’‘

‘Well alright then, sounds like fun.’

“How would it be fun?”

“Simple, I don’t need to speak out loud for you to understand me. I simply think it, and bam you’re on your way.”

“But how is that fun?” Merry thought for a moment and shrugged

‘You’ll find out soon.’ Merry began to think about some of his past times with Twilight and some other past sexual experiences... Nothing, she continued to stare at him with a blank expression.

“Merry, why are you suddenly filled with lust?” Merry just sighed, he had hoped for a blush or something, but he got nothing. Was she just an emotionless fiend? Only time will tell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some time earlier the guards had walked into the room they were supposed to guard and found it empty.

“We are so fired...” The guards spent a few minutes trying to figure out who was to report to Celestia about their screw up. Needless to say, they decided to draw straws... Only to be interrupted in the middle of deciding by Celestia herself and the elements of harmony, minus the element of Magic and Laughter.

Celestia scanned the room, seeing the empty bed by the window and the curtains and bed sheets missing. He couldn’t of possibly gone out the window right?

“What happened to Merry?” she looked at the guards who were nervous and somewhat scared to reply.

“What. Happened. To. Merry.” one of the guards finally broke down.

“We heard a noise and decided to come check it out! And when we got here it was like this! He was nowhere to be found!” Celestia walked over to the bed.

“Did you check out the window?” the guards looked at each other

“But Princess... that’s a suicidal drop if you don’t have wings...” Celestia went over to the window and saw the line of tied up cloth leading down about 25 feet then ending abruptly. Did he simply fall the rest of the way?

“I am going to check out the ground floor. Send a search team and some medics... I hope he survived the fall...Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy...” they both went up to the Princess “...Join me in the early search, we will find him and bring him back...” The element of Loyalty nodded with the element of Kindness as they followed their Princess out the window and down the cliff side.

As they flew down, the cliff face had obvious signs of something sliding down it around the mid point. If the trail of blood wasn’t a sign, then the small gashes in the stones along the way down were. The odd thing is, the blood trail suddenly ended and was replaced by what looked like dents in the cliff side every few hundred feet.

A huge indent in the floor at the bottom of the cliff was all they were left with.

“Where could he of gone?!” Rainbow Dash was zipping around the crash site trying to find some kind of a clue.

“Um.. There’s some blood on the um.. Grass over here...” Celestia and Rainbow Dash zoomed over to the butter yellow pegasus to inspect the blood. There wasn’t much, just a few splotches every few feet.

“Did he really just fall down a cliff side and walk away?” Celestia had a look of pure shock and a hint of excitement. She had no idea how sturdy his body was. It was already a medical marvel in it self. The only problem was the most important part was damaged... his mind.

“Quickly we need to find him! He couldn’t of gotten far!” the two pegasus nodded in agreement and began to follow the light blood trail.

After following it for a few minutes the trail had disappeared completely. They had expected to find him resting under a tree. How could he of just healed on the go like that? Or maybe he just stopped his wound from leaking blood everywhere.

Frustrated Rainbow Dash flew up above the tree line and scanned the area.

“Arg! Stupid Trees!” Celestia set her horn aglow and began to cast a locator spell, it wasn’t very strong but she hoped it would at least track his location down. The nearest thing she could detect was some strange pony, but no Merry.

“How could he just disappear like that?” Celestia put her head down as a single tear fell from her face. Pinkie Pie was right... He was gone forever...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“My legs are dangling off the edge, the bottom of the bottle is my only friend. I’ll think I’ll slit my wrists again, and I’m gone gone gone gone...” Merry continued to sing with a happy tune in his voice.

Soul Eater seemed to not care that he was openly singing about killing himself. After all, she could only sense happiness with a hint of sadness. Since she was summoned, she realized her master was full of rage and fury, but more than anything. He was filled with a great sadness and regret.

It wasn’t until the ending lyrics of the song came in that he began to stumble his words. She could feel his emotion of sadness growing as he spoke the words.

“I wish that I could fly, way up in the sky. Like a bird so high... Oh I might just try. I wish that I could fly way up in the sky. Like a bird so high... Oh I might just try, Oh I might just try.” Soul was confused as to how a song could cause an emotion such as sadness.

“Merry, why are you sad now?” Merry just wiped his eyes and cleared his nose. He contemplated telling her about his adopted daughter Scootaloo. And decided why not, she was going to be with him from now on anyway.

“Its just, the ending line reminded me about my little girl is all. She would tell me the exact same thing at times. It was one of the reason’s why I did everything I could to support her...” Soul Eater could feel his emotions begin to swirl into a torrent of love, hate, sadness, regret and shame, the biggest one being rage. Did his child do something to upset him?

“Where is she now?” Merry just looked back at Soul and sighed closing his eyes.

“Someplace she cant be hurt anymore...” Soul decided that was the best she could get from him as the emotion of sadness was starting to overwhelm even her. She simply nodded her head as they continued to walk eastward.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry and Soul had walked through the night as it was becoming daytime. They had exited the forest and found a trail leading in the same direction they were traveling in. As the sun was coming over the horizon they could see a couple wagons in front of them. It looked like they had set up camp right next to the road for the night.

“Come along Soul, perhaps we can hitch a ride if they are heading in the same direction as us.”

‘’you think we can find any action here?’‘

‘’‘Please Curse, this isn’t some action movie.’‘’

“Of course Merry.” Soul quickened her pace to stay next to him as they approached the caravan. She couldn’t let her new master get hurt. It was bad enough she aided him in his horrible escape plan. She was sure he was already dead until his voice echoed within her mind.

To her surprise he was still very much alive. And had asked her to drag him eastward instead of finding help. Now here she was, walking next to her master, who was only a few hours ago completely broken and unable to move.

To say the least, she was impressed, not many fiends could do something like that. She briefly wondered what else her master was capable of until she realized they were approaching the small group of 3 wagons. A light brown earth pony was the 1st to approach them.

He slowly walked up to them with a bit of concern on his face before he puffed up his chest and spoke.

“I don’t know what you could want with some poor travelers, but I assure you we have nothing of value worth stealing.” Merry just stood there and waved his hand.

‘’The nerve of this bastard! I say cut him down!’‘

“If you please good sir, me and my friend are simply tired of walking, and we were wondering if you happen to be heading to the nearest port town from here?” The light brown earth stallion just stood in thought for a moment.

So far so good, they haven’t attacked yet, even though the bipedal one seemed to look like one of the many mercs he had seen so far. He was far from dangerous sounding. His friend just kept a blank stare on her face as she looked between them both. He couldn’t be that bad right? He had a pony with him, as strange as she looked.

“Well, Alright then, what are your names?”

‘’Give him fake names!’‘

‘’‘no no, you should just give him your real names.’‘’

‘’Fuck that! Say your name is Five Finger! And hers is Death Punch!’‘

“You can just call me Merry, and my friend’s name is Soul. She can’t exactly speak, but she does understand what is said.” the earth pony stallion nodded his head

‘’LAAAME’‘

“Name’s Beet Hooves. Shame such a pretty Mare is Mute... How did it happen?”

‘’Like beat feet or... what?’‘

‘’‘Maybe he farms beets?’‘’

‘’wait did he just hit on our Servant?’‘ Merry just mulled over what he said quickly and made something up

“She was born that way, but I grew up with her so I can understand most of her gestures and things.” Beet nodded his head

‘’Smoooth’‘

“Aye I can understand that. I have a mute family member as well. Takes awhile but he can usually get his point across.” He sighed “Anyway follow me I’ll introduce you, one of the wagons is bound to have some space for you to rest in. By the way,we are heading toward the port of city of Baltimare, its connected to horseshoe bay.” Merry nodded his head

‘’‘So many horse puns’‘’

“Awesome, thanks for the hospitality Beet.”

“Don’t thank me yet, we have to travel through some diamond dog territory. With all the mercs running around we heard they are becoming a little antsy and increasingly territorial.” Merry just nodded his head.

‘’I SMELL ACTION!’‘

‘’‘Hopefully not, I would hate to see such nice ponies get hurt’‘’

“Well I’m sure it can’t be that bad.” The earth stallion Beet simply chuckled at Merry’s remark

“I hope so laddie.” The earth stallion lead Merry and Soul toward the group who looked on in earnest to see what they could possibly want at the literal crack of dawn.

“Thunder Hoof, and Hard Buck...”

‘’Did he just say his name was Hard Buck?’‘

‘’‘yes he did actually... hehe’‘’

“...This here is Merry and Soul, they asked if they could travel with us to Baltimare. It’s ok with me, but I don’t have any room in my wagon at the moment, think one of you can provide for two weary travelers?” Thunder and Hard gave Merry a critical eye along with Soul. After a few moments they seem satisfied.

“Are you some kind of merc laddie?” Merry looked over to Hard and shrugged

‘’Tell him yes!’‘

“Not at all my good man, this weapon of mine is simply for self defense, from said mercs. Who happen to be strolling upon our beloved soil of Equestria.” Hard and Thunder nodded their heads in agreement

‘’Bitch!’‘

“There’s always room for someone that can help defend us from attacks. You can join my wagon over on the left. Talk to my wife Soft Buck and she can get you settled in and what not.” Merry nodded his head at Hard Buck and went toward the wagon he indicated.

‘’Think we could softly buck her?’‘

‘’‘With Merry’s size it shouldn’t be that hard!’‘’ Merry cleared his throat as he walked closer to the wagon.

“Merry, why are you so polite to these lesser creatures?”

‘Its Simple, I really don’t want to walk the entire way, and I would hate to just end up on a beach far from any city. If they are indeed traveling to a port city then we can just tag along... and what makes them lesser?’

“Because they are weak and frail creatures, What is stopping us from killing them and simply taking the wagon? I could pull one while you rest in it.” Merry just thought for a moment for a response and found one.

‘’I like her... A lot.’‘

‘Well, I just like the company of them I guess. And like I said before, I have no idea how to get to the city. It works better to be polite and go along with the flow.’

“I think I understand. You are simply saving your strength for something more important than killing a bunch of weaklings.”

‘Yeah, lets go with that explanation.’ Merry arrived at the wagon and slowly walked around until he saw a mare stewing something inside a big black pot.

“Excuse me, but I’m looking for Soft Buck, Hard Buck sent me.” the mare turned around giving them both a critical eye.

“Is that slack jawed husband of mine hiring body guards now?” her tone was dripping with venom

‘’she seems like a bitch’‘

‘’‘yes indeed.’‘’

“I don’t like her tone Merry... can I kill her?”

‘No’ the mare Soft Buck just sighed

“Sorry, I’m a little on edge, with us entering diamond dog territory and all. you'll have to forgive me but I didn’t know you were coming so there wont be enough food for the two of you.” Merry just shook his head

“Oh not to worry, we ate before we entered your camp here.”

‘Wait, do you eat Soul?’

“I don’t need to eat, but I can.”

‘Alright that’s good I suppose.’ the mare released a sigh.

“So tell me stranger, how much is my fool of a husband paying you?” Merry just chuckled

“Nothing at all. We're just along for the ride to Baltimare. If anything happens, well I’d have to help right? Common curtsy dictates it.” the mare had a questioning look upon her face.

“So then, whats with the big sword on your back? You cant just tell me its for show?”

“Aye yes, I have seen my share of fight's here and there, but its mostly here for self defense.” the mare nodded her head in understanding.

“Yes with so many mercs running around these days I can understand that... anyway let me show you a spot you can rest at in our wagon as we travel.”

Soft took the pot off the fire and trotted to the wagon. She showed them around it for a bit. It was packed full of stuff. Merry assumed it was the belongings of other family members. He simply nodded his head at her explanations and noted the spot closest to the edge was for him and Soul.

“If you two will excuse me I have to wake up the youngins for breakfast. We should get a move on soon so feel free to rest for now.” Merry nodded his head

“Yes of course, thank you again for the hospitality.” Soft Buck simply nodded her head and walked away. Merry got into the wagon and tapped the spot next to him indicating Soul to get up next to him. She hopped up with no problem and sat next to him.

“What now master?” Merry sighed

‘I told you to call me Merry remember?’

“I apologize Merry, I forgot.”

‘Well don’t worry about it to much.’

‘’Isn’t it common for a master to have sex with his servants?’‘

‘Now we simply relax and wait to reach our destination.’ Soul slowly nodded her head at the thought of just relaxing. She laid down huddled next to Merry who had also decided to lay down and listen to his iPod.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, all the ponies that had gathered around to eat breakfast were looking at their new wagon mates with a bit of intrigue and interest. Especially the younger ones.

“Oh my gosh! Did you see that mares tail and mane!? It was like a lava red and fire orange combo, So cool!” one of the colts scoffed

“Oh please, did you see the two legged one and his sword? That thing was huge! I bet it cleaves Hydras in two with a single swing!”

All of the young children began to bicker over what was cooler. The big sword or the pony with cat eyes and different colored mane and tail.

Some of the older stallions could only complain that they shouldn’t of gotten married at such a young age to an “average” looking mare.

One of the children eventually pointed out that the new mare didn’t seem to have a cutie mark yet and wondered why. Soon the adults caught on to that fact, and some odd stories seemed to pop up.

Such as how she was just one unlucky mare to have no talent, or perhaps the product of some cruel unicorn playing a joke upon her.

What ever the case, there was a mix of sadness and fear. A fear that her curse could spread. And a sadness of losing such an important aspect of ones self.

While all the gossip spread around, Merry was simply relaxing with his earbuds in while Soul’s ears would twitch every which way picking up all the gossip about the two of them. At one point a stallion speculated that the two of them were lovers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The trip was pretty uneventful for the most part. Most of the ponies seemed to ignore them or be overly nice to Soul. Asking if she was ok or if she might need anything. It was funny actually, Soul would just look over to Merry and then shake her head no, each and every time.

Merry lost count after the 20th time somepony came up and asked if she needed anything. It was getting kind of ridiculous.

“Why do they keep asking if I need anything?” Merry just shrugged

“I don’t have the slightest idea. Maybe all the stallions and some of the mares think you’re some kind of sexy exotic pony.”

‘’‘are you hitting on your servant?’‘’

“While you were resting I did hear some of them speculate that we might of been lovers. But many of the stallions wouldn’t believe it.”

“Interesting... I think I could work with that...wait, how did you hear that?”

“My hearing is 4 times better then a normal pony. It isn’t hard to pick up sounds from a decent distance away...Like to your left.” Merry turned to his left and saw 3 stallions walking and talking together. “Those 3 are talking about how you must be packing heat to snag such an exotic mare.” Merry just shook his head and chuckled.

‘’BAWHAHAHAAHA!’‘

“Oh how I wish it were true. Tell me, what do you think about us being lovers?”

“It would be nothing new to me. The leader always has the privilege of mating with his herd whether they want to or not.” Merry nodded his head

“I see, but how do you FEEL about it?” Soul looked Merry up and down

“Indifferent.”

‘’BAWHAHAHA!’‘

‘’‘she basically said you can fuck her, but she really doesn’t care and she isn’t impressed with your looks. heh...’‘’ Merry decided to try something... out loud, he went through his iPod and picked out a song Escape the Fate- Gorgeous Nightmare.

“I’ve got another confession to make. So complicated, Let me try to explain. Don’t want this feeling to go away. So it stays, it stays...” by this point many of the nearby ponies had slowly wandered closer to hear what he was saying out loud.

“What are you...” Soul looked over to Merry as he continued

“Is it the way that you talk? That’s causing me to freak.” Merry was looking at Soul as he continued to sing the song only he could hear

“Is it the way that you laugh? That’s making my heart beat.” Merry bent over so his face was closer to Souls

“Is it the way that you kiss? It’s gotta be the way you taste...” Merry licked Souls muzzle and moved his head back up singing out loud.

“You’re such a gorgeous nightmare! Old habits never seem to go away. You make me feel brand new, yeah. We resurrect, its like I’ve come back to life.” Soul began to look around at the large amount of ponies that had stumbled closer to the two of them as they kept walking with the wagons.

“I feel so alive! I Feel So Alive!” Merry had his arms raised up into the air as he shouted, then brought then down and made a shrugging motion.

“First impressions are hard to erase. Etched in my mind and it just wont go away. Maybe I’m playing my cards way to safe. I’ve gotta change, change, change...” Merry walked closer to Soul until he was nearly touching her.

“Is it the way that you feel against my body?” as he sung he made it so his leg brushed against her side as they walked

“Is it the way that you act, so damn naughty” Merry ran a hand down from her head toward her flank.

“Is it the way that you shake, when your flank moves to the bass?” Merry ended with his hand stroking her flank. Soul had a light blush on her face.

‘I win.’ Merry stopped singing and just looked at Soul with a smile on his face

“Win what?! In getting everyone’s attention?!”

‘I made you blush, so I won.’ He moved his hand back up and ruffled her mane a bit before putting his hands into his pocket's. He continued to hum the tune of the song.

Merry didn’t realize that her extremely dark fur made it impossible to see a light blush, her face had become a bright cherry red by the time his hand was resting on her flank. It only seemed like a light blush had barely begun to emerge.

‘’Well, that seemed like a complete waste of time.’‘ Merry just had a smug grin on his face

‘’‘I believe he is trying to flirt with his new fiendish servant. Even though she clearly stated it wasn’t needed.’‘’

“Now everyone is staring at us...more then usual... now they all think were lovers of some kind because you sang that little song and licked me. I hope you’re happy.”

‘Oh yes, I am.’ Merry kept his smug grin on.

‘’‘was that to answer me or her?’‘’ Merry just put his other ear bud in as he chuckled and let some music take over his thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had continued like that for awhile. Merry with a smirk across his face, ear buds in. Older ponies all around spreading more gossip about the sex life between Merry and Soul. Younger ponies speaking about how Merry must be some great warrior on a quest to defend his beloved from the new villainy running around Equestria, and other such nonsense.

Soul was flustered beyond all belief. She could hear almost every piece of gossip about her and her new master. Most of it was about them being lovers or that they were eloping. At one point she thought someone had said she was carrying his foal. It was with that ever prominent blush on her face that everything came to a halt.

“Everypony, we are about to go through the Diamond Dog's territory!” Merry was looking around ear buds still in.

‘what did he say Soul?’

“We are about to enter the diamond dog territory.” Merry nodded his head and took out his ear buds.

“... Calm down, we should be able to get through just fine. Keep a close watch on your children and loved ones, stay in a tight formation.” All of the ponies nodded their heads and pulled into a tighter group.

Everyone was walking in-between the 3 wagons. 2 in the front with the 3rd in the middle hanging back a bit. Making a reverse triangle formation. It didn’t take long for every one to begin walking again, at a slightly slower pace.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, no contact with any diamond dogs. Merry thought they would get through without a problem.

“Something is approaching us quickly...” Merry looked around but couldn’t see anything yet. Until three Diamond dogs popped out of the ground in front of their little triangle formation.

“Ponies Halt! Why you trespass in our lands?” the 3 pony leaders went up front and center, still staying a good distance from them.

“We are just Passing through! We are heading to the Port town of Baltimare!” The diamond dogs face scrunched up in thought.

“You no want diamond dog lands?”

“Of course not! We are just 3 families heading to our new home.” The diamond dog put on his thinking face again

“Then why you no take train like other ponies? Train go around Diamond dog lands instead of through it like Road!” The diamond dog was obviously trying to cause some kind of disturbance or maybe just get them to confess they were after their territory. The ponies simply sighed

“Because we wanted to all travel together, and figured a nice family road trip would be fun while saving us a few bits.” The diamond dog nodded his head

“Yes, Family Pack important. Russ here understand. Ponies wait here while Russ get you Pass.” The ponies looked confused for a bit

“A Pass for what?”

“A Pass to let the diamond dogs further in know you’s ok.” the Diamond dog Russ jumped back into his hole and returned 5 minutes later holding a large quartz crystal in the shape of a heart.

“Return crystal to nearest Dog before you exit our lands. If no diamond dog present, just toss into nearest hole.” With a nod he jumped back down his hole followed by the other two diamond dogs. The hole was filled in shortly after.

‘’No action it seems.’‘

‘’‘good to know they are letting us pass’‘’

“Merry, that burrowing sound is coming from all around us, but this time it’s leaving.”

‘What do you mean, all around us?’

“Those 3 that popped out were just scouts I guess. But that noise was coming from every direction, they had us surrounded.”

‘Clever dogs... they may speak with crude English, but they seem to have a sense of battle tactics’ Merry and the group continued to travel mostly unhindered.

They were stopped a few times but when the diamond dogs saw the crystal they would apologize and be on their way. The traveling was pretty uneventful through the diamond dog territory until they were close to the end. It was starting to get dark out again.

The ponies eventually figured they should rest, with the crystal heart the dogs weren’t giving them any trouble. So they should be safe to set up camp right?

The ponies had set up some tents and had a small fire in the middle of them all. It seemed they were going to be ok, but ponies had volunteered to be guards and watch just in case.

Merry was listening to his iPod yet again next to Soul who was asleep. Though his music, he heard giggling. Merry paused for a moment and took out his ear buds listening for it again. He closed his eyes and this time it was, a laugh, coming from outside the camp. But he knew this laugh, he had heard it so many times before in the past...

‘’that sounds like...’‘

‘’‘is it truly?’‘’

Merry stood up and slowly walked outside the wagon circle looking into the distance. Then he heard it again, the familiar laughter of a filly. He spun his head to his right to try and catch the sound.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, it was Scootaloo! She was running around in the darkness and stopped a little off into the distance. She looked over to Merry and smiled, she even waved at him. Then she shouted

“Cutie Mark Cave Spelunker!” Merry’s heart sank.

‘’She’s alive! Quick go get her back!’‘

‘’‘Yes! Its dangerous in there! She’s going to need help!’‘’ Merry broke into a sprint in the direction he saw her disappear. He slowed down until he stood at the mouth of a hole in the ground. He looked inside but he couldn’t see her anywhere. Then the sound he had hoped to never hear again, her scream.

“AHHH! DADDY HELP!” Merry jumped into the hole unsheathing his blade.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soul awoke to some very powerful emotions. Fear and Hate were resonating in her Master right now. Thinking some pony did something to upset him she looked around the camp, but saw that everyone was asleep and her master was no where to be seen. She decided to contact him.

“Merry where...” She was hit with a sudden wave of rage

‘WHERE IS SHE YOU FUCKING DOGS?!’ Merry was yelling in both mind and body. She had to find him and figure out what was happening. She decided to follow the trail of raw emotions she was feeling. It eventually lead her out of the camp toward one of the many diamond dog holes... She soon started following a trail of bodies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“DON’T MAKE ME ASK AGAIN MUTT! WHERE. IS. SHE!?” The diamond dog was cowering in a corner of the room eyes wide at the monster that had come in asking about a small orange pony, killing those that didn’t know or dared to fight back.

“Please don’t kills me! I has never seens a small orange pony! We don’t take slaves!”

‘’'Hes a FUCKING LIAR!’'‘

‘‘KILL HIM TOO! THEY ARE KEEPING HER FROM YOU!’‘ Merry raised his blade up above his head to bring it down upon the dogs head when the dog shouted to stop

“Stop! I can take you Alpha! Maybe he knows! He knows everything!” Merry lowered his sword and just glared at the diamond dog.

“Take me to your alpha then.” The dog bowed and got excited at the fact he was going to live and walked down a side tunnel while indicating Merry to follow him.

“This way, this way! Alpha will know!” Merry began to follow the diamond dog down some tunnels, they were passing other diamond dogs who were looking at him with both fear and hate upon their faces. It didn't take long for them to enter a large chamber lit up with torches and guards around all sides.

‘That fucking alpha better know something...’

In the center of the room sat a large diamond dog. He was big and full of muscle, this dog didn’t have the slack jaw most of his brothers did. Covered in plate armor except for his feet, this diamond dog sat with obvious power. The reason he was the alpha was clear. Merry didn’t care how powerful he was, He simply wanted his little girl back.

The huge diamond dog sat his chair unmoving. He looked at the strange bipedal creature that walked into his throne room, weapon drawn. He looked to the cowering dog in front of the strange bipedal creature and demanded an answer

“What is this you have brought to me Teddy?” the diamond dog in front of Merry bowed

“This creature has caused some distress and is looking for a small orange pony he said went down one of our holes.” The Alpha looked over to Merry then back to Teddy

“What do you mean, distress?” the huge Alpha raised an eyebrow

“He um... he killed everydog that didn’t have an answer for him... b-but I told him you should know!” The huge diamond dog sat up from his seat with some anger in his voice he spoke

“Was that what all the shouting was about?! How many did you kill creature?” Merry just gripped his sword

“I lost count after 12...” the diamond dog growled and barked back at him

“We have not taken any ponies! If one of my dogs did they would of notified me! We made a pact with CELESTIA for protection, as long as we never take slaves!”

‘’He’s lying you know...”

‘’‘they are all against you...’‘’

“Don’t Lie to me Dog, I saw her enter one of your holes! Shortly after I heard her cry for help!” the diamond dog raised an eyebrow at that

“She yelled for help? If she did my dogs would of reported such a thing. Sound resonates for miles to us within our tunnels.” Merry’s heart skipped a beat at that

‘’‘Don’t listen to him!’‘’

‘’Yeah! They are all working together! I bet they are in league with the griffins!’‘

‘’‘Yeah! He already said he was in league with Celestia!’‘’

‘But...’ then he heard it again, from behind the diamond dogs throne, her scream.

“DADDY!” Merry’s eyes shot open as he looked at the diamond dog. The dogs mouth turned into a big toothy grin

“That fool filly doesn’t know when to shut up...” Merry gritted his teeth and charged at the huge diamond dog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soul had been running down the tunnels looking for Merry. She eventually bumped into some diamond dogs who looked at her confused until they saw her orange tail.

“Orange! Is this da pony that creature was shouting for?” they looked at each other then back to her.

“Quickly we must go to Alpha with the pony that has orange! Come with us pony!” Soul nodded her head figuring they were talking about the same Alpha her Master thought about and followed in suit with them. She eventually entered a large chamber room and saw Merry standing in front of a huge diamond dog, probably the Alpha.

‘But...’ Soul heard her masters voice, it was full of confusion and self doubt, until it all suddenly turned into a Fury. She had seen demons and devils rage about when they were mad about something. But the fury and rage she could feel resonating from her master was so thick it was tastable upon the tongue.

The huge diamond dog brought up his arms that were covered in armor and was able to deflect Merry’s 1st swing with sparks flying through the air.

“RELEASE HER NOW!” Merry kept swinging rapidly with no skill involved what so ever. The guards from around the room dropped down on all fours and began to charge in Merry’s direction to protect their leader.

“Behind you Merry!” Merry spun around at the sound of Souls voice and saw the diamond dogs charging at him. He immediately made a wide sweeping arc at the dogs as they leapt at him killing two. The other 4 got him into a dog pile.

“MASTER!” Soul jumped into the fray seeing her master in danger. She charged up to the dog pile and began smashing her front hooves onto the faces of the diamond dogs. Breaking teeth and jaws alike. After knocking the two dogs on top down she saw the bottom two diamond dogs.

Their bodies were withered and looked as if they had been dead for years, and Merry looked like he was younger. He shoved their dead bodies off and stood up, cracking his neck. He nodded at Soul with a smile, then back toward the Alpha.

“I wont ask again you Overgrown Mutt. RELEASE MY DAUGHTER NOW!” Soul looked over to the huge diamond dog who just had a look of fear and confusion on his face.

“I don’t know what you're talking about! We don't have ponies in our mine! Why do you keep attacking unprovoked like some crazed beast!?” the diamond dog barked back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You will never see her again fool! She is being taken to the teleportation circle to be taken to the Griffins as we speak!” Merry’s eyes widened as he said that.

“I’ll Fucking kill you, YOU STUPID BITCH!” Merry raised his sword up and ran at the diamond dog who just laughed at his anger.

Soul watched as Merry began to attack the diamond dog Alpha. Merry was putting up a relentless assault against the alpha who was simply defending himself from his seemingly crazed opponent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Help! Help me! Send word to Celestia we are under attack!” Many of the diamond dogs began to jump into the fight while a few ran out of the tunnel. Soul was hit with an even bigger wave of rage, and the emotion of betrayal for some reason.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“HELP ME YOU FOOLS! AND SEND WORD TO CELESTIA THAT OUR MASTER PLAN IS IN EFFECT!”

Merry made quick work of the inexperienced dogs who jumped into the fight with the help of Soul. The Alpha had retreated to behind his throne and had gone through a door.

‘’Hes trying to escape!’‘

‘’‘GET HIM!’‘’

“YOU CANNOT ESCAPE!” Merry cut down the last diamond dog in his way and ran to the room behind the throne to give chase.

Merry kicked the door in and saw the Alpha standing near a pentagram in what looked like a treasure room. Scootaloo was being held by some Diamond Dog inside the pentagram.

‘’‘Quick! Before he sends them away!’‘’

‘’Cut him down before they send her off!’‘

“Daddy! Don’t let them take me please!” Merry could see a look of fear with tears in Scootaloo’s big lavender eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soul was confused, she couldn’t figure out who Merry was talking about. She didn’t know Merry's child had been with them. Let alone was taken by the diamond dogs. But here she was fighting along her masters side to get his daughter back. It didn’t matter though, her master would never lie to her. Even if he did lie, she couldn’t disobey. It was her duty to serve him until the end of time.

As she finished the last diamond dog in the throne room to ensure nothing would sneak up behind them. She was hit with fear, anger, and oddly enough, Hope. She ran to the back room that the Alpha and Merry had run into.

She saw it was a room filled with gems and gold coins. In the back was the Diamond Dog Alpha and Merry. The diamond dog had taken a fighting stance because he was cornered now, He knew there was no escape now. If he wanted any chance to get out of this alive, he would have to fight this strange creature.

The diamond dog pulled out his own sword from under a pile of gems. It was smaller then Merry’s but it was a weapon none the less. Merry charged at the alpha and brought his blade down only to have it parried to the side followed by a swift kick to the chest from the Alpha.

The Alpha had his fangs barred and his eyes were filled with a blood lust. With Merry still on the ground the Alpha leapt at him and landed on top. The dog placed his feet on Merry’s biceps pinning him to the ground.

Merry wasn’t looking at the Alpha who had him pinned though, he jerked his head up and looked between the Alphas legs, to the back wall they were standing near when Soul had entered the room.

Soul felt frustration as Merry struggled to break free, and then his hope died. As some tears had begun to form she was hit with a huge wave of sadness.

“Why must you take her from me again? What did she ever do to be treated like this?” the Alpha just looked at his opponent who was on the ground. Merry had tears running down his face.

“Take who? You have been talking nonsense the whole time. I heard you yelling in my tunnels about wanting your filly back. I’ve told you before. We don’t have ponies in these caves. We do not take slaves, we live peacefully as best we can.” For some reason, as the diamond dog spoke. Merry’s face had begun to twist into anger. Merry’s hands gripped the Alphas ankles, and he looked in confusion until he felt a pain he had never experienced before.

“GRAAAA!” The alpha attempted to pull away but for some reason he couldn’t break the grip on his ankles. He was feeling weak and his mind was failing him. It felt like a hot cord was being pulled through his body toward his ankles and was leaving him.

It was a sickening feeling. He looked at his once beefy hands, they were now thin and frail looking. His teeth were being sucked back into his gums. Everything was in pain. It wasn’t until he looked down at the creature who was holding him down did his eyes open in fear.

Merry was giggling in pleasure. His incisors and premolar’s were being replaced with sharp canines and his jaw line was getting bigger to accommodate the new teeth. The muscles in his neck and head were becoming thicker and stronger. He gained in bulk while the Alpha was losing his muscle mass.

When the alpha thought he as about to die Merry let go of him. The once powerful Alpha collapsed under the weight of his own armor. Merry stood up and began to stretch and crack his neck.

Soul was shocked at what she witnessed. Did her master just steal that alphas strength? But that’s impossible. She heard about stealing another creature's magical ability, but never their physical ones. Her Master looked more like the diamond dog now. His muscles were thick and powerful looking. His head was bigger and so was his neck. His front teeth had all be replaced with razor sharp canines that resembled the Alphas.

She looked over to the alpha who laid in a frail heap on the ground. He could barely move now, he looked like he was nothing but skin and bones. Merry walked over and picked the Alpha up by the scruff of his neck, and smiled in his face. Merry’s voice was considerably deeper now.

“I Will track her down, you were foolish to tell me you were sending her to the Griffin Kingdoms. I now have a new reason to head there now, to save my little girl.” Merry then threw the diamond dog into the corner of the room and began to walk out. Soul followed behind him and looked up to his eyes.

“Merry, are we on a quest to save your daughter?” Merry simply nodded

“Yes we are Soul... I, I thought she was dead, but I saw her! She was alive and well! Then the diamond dogs took her, they are working with Princess Celestia and the griffins...” Merry shook his head “... I don’t understand why she would work with them to keep her away from me, But I don’t care. Not anymore, I will kill everyone in my way. And when I find her we can be a family again.” Merry put on a small smile as a tear rolled down his cheek

‘’We must be a family again’‘

‘’‘yes, we must do everything we can to make our family whole again.’‘’ Soul nodded her head

“Of course Merry, I will always be by your side. I will help you find her and get her back.” Merry just patted Souls head as they headed out of the diamond dog tunnels and back to the camp.

Author's Notes:

you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain