The Firestones: Of Dogs, Magic, and Mercenaries

[Bardigan]

Bardigan, Twilight Sparkle, Diamond Dancer, Spike, and Clara begin an adventure to retrieve a mystical gem known as a firestone. Their chosen course: visit a Diamond Dog cave system, which is rumored to have uncovered a vein of just such a mineral. Having reached the caves, they discover the situation is far more complicated than they first believed.

/=/

The journey, such as it was, wasn't particularly arduous. After all, all that was needed was a little walking off the beaten path... but as they got further and further away from it, and getting back to Ponyville itself became something of a journey, the landscape grew gradually more intimidating. The low mountains they came to through the woods loomed up like reclining dragons, and the trip to the nearest hole that would get them to the Diamond Dogs required a little careful navigation over rocky foothills. At last they stood in front of a gaping cave, with a single rusting mine cart sitting just outside of it. "It looks like this is the best place to try first," Bardigan murmurs quietly. They were far out of the way of pony civilization, in spite of being in the middle of Equestria, and that thought was rather daunting. He kicks a little wooden signpost on the ground, slowly rotting away, with a message scrawled in charcoal on it: "DimUnD Dogs heer. Keep OUT!" Whoever lives here hasn't used this portal in a long time.

Diamond_Dancer is utterly trembling with excitement- and why not? Her dream, her life long wishes are about to come true. Everything she's strived for, and everything she's suffered for- everything in her entire universe has all come to this one point; an enterance to the diamond dog caverns. "...Is...Is you'se guys sure you'se wanna do dis? I can go in on my own n' all, if you'se guys don't wanna deal with dem dogs inside. "The little filly announce, bolding throwing herself forward with a practiced pose of announce bravado. "AHEM, but, if you wanna come, I ain't gonna stop ya. "She exclaims, flashing a glance at Bardigan before leering into the cave. "I hope they'll be willin ta trade..."

Clara has been silent for a while. She's been walking quadrupedally since the rocks appeared, even crawling over them, her sack tied up against her back with the axe thrust through the knot. She says nothing when the hole comes in view, but when Bardigan kicks the sign, she finally offers her opinion. "ThIs Is noT whEre FfIrRetOnes arrRe. THhIs sySteM BeLlOngs to SanNdStoNe tRrAsSH." She looks off into the horizon, extending her neck and using a hand for shade. "It iS posSsible tHat the TuNneLS ConNecCt." She peers coolly at Diamond, blinking once.

Twilight_Sparkle's horn is alight, the tip of it augmenting and isolating the dim light of the cave, showing the pathway ahead. Spike is seated on her back, looking around a bit nervously. the unicorn he's sitting on looks back and forth between Clara and Dancer. "Are we not absolutely certain we're going to the right place? Because I want to know that before we go inside. We need to agree that this is worth trying." She looks back at Dancer, last. "If you go in, Spike and I are coming with you," she says, firmly.


"This is as close as we *can* get, unless we want to go hunting for tunnels that go directly inside," Bardigan answers, taking a look at the sketchy maps given. They rather unhelpfully say 'Warning: Diamond Dogs!' in the vicinity they've come to. Perhaps ponies didn't bother to closely survey these craggy hills due to the danger. "If we're going in, this would be the time to do it... I doubt finding the Dogs who have our stones first will make things any easier anyway. If there's as many different groups as Clara says, I'd rather run into the ones who are relatively friendly than the ones who have what we want and don't want to give it to us." He stuffs the map back into his saddlebag and looks down at Diamond. "There was never a question of whether we'd go with you," he says quietly. "This is what we came here for. Let's not turn back now." And he takes the first few brave steps into the cave.

Clara scampers forward, passing by Bardigan and taking up the lead. She also takes up a practice of sniffing repeatedly every so often. "TheY are nOt oOur stOonNes," she points out. "TheY have nO reEeaSon to Part wiTh the fiResStones, exCePt..." She doesn't finish that for a few moments. "EXcepT for BArrRteR. And tHey wiLl nOt CoMe chEeaP. As for fRiEnNDly DoOgS? The ToPaZ ClaN we aRe lOOkIng for wiLl proBaBy be tHe mOoSt FriEnDLyY...^aNd^ wiLl Not wanT to giVe us whAt we wAnNt." She barely looks back as she delivers this dire news.

Diamond_Dancer trots in quietly. "They'll barter for a pony. "She says brightly. "Dey'll most certainly barter for a unicorn. I've been dinkin' bout dis one. See, We offah dems one more set of hooves, or some magic. Me, I can work like no ta-morrow, Twilights got magic, and Bardy here has songs. Dey'll trade...now, ta dat end, I betcha dey'll bet... "She says quietly, and holds up a hoof. "I'm...I DINK I've got a plan. We's got one of da most magical ponies in da world here wif us. Dey'll trade a few fire stones for HER, no problem, den, Twilight Teleports out- and we're good ta go! "Sghe giggles. "Sure dey can have her... it's 'keepin' her dats gonna be da tricky part, am I right, or am I right? Easy peasy, Lemon Squeezy!

Twilight_Sparkle follows close behind, instinctively keeping close to Diamond Dancer, the most obviously vulnerable member of the group. Spike clings to her back. "So...we don't even know for sure we're going the right way?" the little dragon asks, anxiously. Twilight chides him. "Oh, Spike...by now you must know you're indestructible more or less, and *I* know what I'm doing." It's about then that her ears swivel and catch Diamond's explanation of the plan. "Wwwwait. What, now? I *could* do that, but it would be cheating them. We are not here to steal. Don't worry...I can teleport things in as well as out. I've got my own plan, and I'm pretty sure they'll be satisfied."

"None of our plans will hold up well if they don't satisfy the Dogs we find," Bardigan exclaims, keeping his voice down as well as the echo. "We should see who we run into first, and *then* decide if we run or trade." He watches their shadows play over the rocks from Twilight's horn light, shuddering. One of those could be a giant mole. Which almost ate him last time he was underground. He doesn't like moles much now. Good thing he has torches of his own! Just in case, of course. It's not long until they come to their first fork, down a gentle slope. "Whichever goes down is probably the better option?" he asks Clara. "We can't be too far from the surface, and I'm no expert, but I don't think *these* tunnels have been used in a long time."

Clara grunts and nods, ducking wordlessly into the tunnel with the more formidable slope. It's another three minutes before a crumbly junction of three options presents itself, this one harder to gauge. Clara stands upright and hones in on something unseen and distant. "LisTen foR the sMelL of firRRe," she advises. There doesn't seem to be any audible fire smell here, however. She eventually shrugs and indicates a jutty, corkscrewing route that looks like it goes down a fair bit and curves rightward. "FoOls MighT BaRrteR for sLaVves,' she says. "The ToPaz are nOot FoOolLs."

Diamond_Dancer Frowns quietly. "I figured Slaves was da best choice- considerin' what I know bouts Diamond Dogs lately. "She explains, pauses and glances at Clara. "...And de exception to da rule. "She murmurs, trotting boldly forward. She's doing this on purpose- keeping herself far forward than the others, on the look out for traps- and trying to spring them first if she finds any..

Pinkie_Pie has arrived.
<OOC> You say, "So many ghost pony followers!"
<OOC> Pinkie_Pie wooooos...
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "(woo)"
<OOC> Clara is physiomatically incapable of giggling.
<OOC> Solar_Solstice says, "You mean, 'physiologically', right "
<OOC> Clara says, "DoO I teLl PoOnNieEs how tHeEy are mAade?"
<OOC> Diamond_Dancer says, "Hi Pinkie!"
<OOC> Pinkie_Pie says, "I don't think most of them could handle the shock."
<OOC> Pinkie_Pie says, "Hallo, DD!"
<OOC> Clara says, "o.o"
<OOC> You say, "Soylent ponies is PEOPLE!"
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "Pose around me while I do dishes!"
<OOC> Pinkie_Pie shrugs. Okay!
<OOC> Pinkie_Pie poses dramatically by Twilight, arms in the air.
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "Since when do we have arms?"
<OOC> Bardigan draws her like one of those French mares.
<OOC> Diamond_Dancer says, "where are we?"
<OOC> Pinkie_Pie has a giant hand, too, with a finger!

"We're not talking about slaves... we're talking about barter," Bardigan says, cutting off discussion of that. He glances down the tunnel ahead, trying to keep up with Diamond. He too is making a statement: you can't get away from your BBBFF! The pathway continues down for a ways until they reach the first sign of what might be civilization, such as the Diamond Dogs know it: a simple marking on the stone, more scratches and scribbles than anything else that is pure gibberish to Bardigan. "Must be some kind of border marking," he murmurs. "Twilight, do you know any spells that could tell us where gems are? It stands to reason the highest concentration would lead us right to them."

Clara also continues to try and be in front. After a few episodes of this, the trio has stirred up quite a bit of dust, elbowed a few shanks and shanked a few elbows, and left Twilight and Spike some distance behind. "If tHe twO of yOu waNnt to LeEaD, it maAkeS me wOnder WhY I am heEre." Her ears flick with irritation. Slipping down to a relatively flat tunnel that seems well worked, Clara examines the scratches on the wall. After a while, she turns back to them. "WeE will Not be HaRrmMed if we fOllLow pRorOoOtoCoL," she warns the others. "FrOm Here in, Do not sHouT or mAke quIck moOvemeNts. DO not ScRrRRrrAApe the dirRt from tHe tuNNel waLlS." She looks doubtfully at Diamond Dancer. "AnD Be PrUuUdenT," she concludes. Then she sets the pace--again to the right.

Diamond_Dancer rolls her eyes and gives a hot little snort. "FINE if you'se guys wanna go first, and catch a trap to da face, be my guest. "She pouts, quietly, the youngest of the group sticking her tongue out. "Clara, You lead, you'se a diamond dog. Me n' Bardagin can hang back, and Twilight n' Spike can bring up da rear. How's dat sound?" She quips, peering quietly at the rock for a moment. "Don't scrape da...Fun. Ok. You'se, Clara, get to play da role of embassador!"

Twilight_Sparkle does in fact attempt one of her gem-finding spells; she learned one from Rarity, and has swapped a couple others with her dressmaking friend since. She makes a face; this may be notable to no one, since everyone present is either way ahead of her or seated on her back. "Mmmmf. I'm getting something! It's something that doesn't much want to be found."

Bardigan finds himself stuck behind Clara and Diamond, but that still puts him at the head of the group, if Twilight and Spike make up the torso. "Wait! Are we sure we're close to anything?" he asks quietly, trying to peer over Clara's shoulder. "Is there something up ahead? Which group are they?" He can't help his wings from flaring a bit with the excitement of the moment. Twilight's spell does manage to light up a few gems, probably left by the Dogs due to their low value, but they flicker uncertainly, as if something is actively trying to mask them. "Twilight?" Bardigan asks when she makes her announcement. "What is it?"

Clara nods sharply to Diamond. She trudges slowly past the others jockeying for point position. "If I am eNsNAaRed by a TrAp, it will Catch mY pAw if I am uNnNluUcky, or mY aXehanDle if lUck faaVoRs me," she says. She sniffs the air as a matter of course as she advances. "We are neaAr theIr sCoOuts," she reports. "TheY wiLl be uPpon us soOn." She plants her aforementioned axehandle in the dirt and looks back. "PreParRe to BarrTer." The masked gems catch her eyes, and she looks oddly at Twilight. "WhY are tHey flIiCkerIinG?" she inquires.

Diamond_Dancer draws in a deep breath- adreniline already starting to weave it's way through her being and the little filly, strangs as talk and stoic as possible- trying to look the part like she's meant to be here, like this is all going according to plan, like this was all perfect and ment to talk place. Yes, this is going to work and everything will be ok! "Barter! right! T, Twilight, you said you'se got stuff ta barter, right?"

Twilight_Sparkle closes her eyes. Her horn glows bright, and a large burlap sack, full of some indeterminate collection of objects, materializes beside her. "Spike," she instructs the small dragon, who seems only too happy to hide behind the thing. She shouts out, "We're here! We don't mean you any harm!" She tries to sound confident, but this is a tense situation; nevertheless, she extends a hoof horizontally, as if to say "I got this."

Upon them is an understatement. Clara's ears may pick up a faint scratching in the walls just before an entire section of tunnel collapses behind them with a resounding crack and a boom. Bardigan shoots into the air and hits his head on the ceiling for fright, and Diamond Dogs burst out of hastily dug side tunnels to block off the route forward. They don't look friendly, bearing spears attached to some kind of short iron tube, and armor on their bodies. "PONIES!" one of them bark. "StAAnD sTiILL. We FiRE. WeEe HhuuRRt you if you MooVe. NoOT alLoWeed."

Spike leaps behind Twilight , who rears up and instinctively flashes a protective forcefield around her small band of mixed creatures. "We mean you no harm!" Spike adds, tentatively, "And, uh...I'm also not a pony."

Clara is expecting trouble, but not like this. She whips around when the seismic vibrations start up from behind, and gestures forward urgently. Assuming no one is actually caught in the cave-in, she readies her weapon before her with both hands while smoothing her vest swiftly to reveal a shining brooch on its front--one declaring her independence from the tribe who lives in the badlands, who may be enemy to the Topaz Clan--just as they now are to Lady Rarity. "WeE aRe heEre in PEeaCe," declares Clara, who apparently doesn't know it's a cliche or doesn't care. "BuT we aRe nOot hElLpleSss." Her ears flick convulsively.

Diamond_Dancer sighs quietly. Well that was abrupt- and convienient. Ok. Now they're trapped, under ground, surrounded by these ponies pointing odd iron tubes at them, and spears and other sharp things. None of this rate specifically on Diamond's threat scale as anything higher than 'mildly annoying' but still, she bites her lower lip. Her being 'invincible' doesn't mean a thing if Twilight takes a spear to the face. "Kay. We ain't movin. See? We're just hear to have a chat? You guys like to chat, right? Must be pretty important if a groupa ponies, a dragon, n' a Diamond Dog come all da way down here for a visit huh?" She asks quietly...surrounded by these 'dogs'

( Diamond and Twilight's entreaties are mostly ignored. One of the Dogs notes Clara's brooch, and cautiously hops forward to peer at it. He then lopes back to the others, and they speak in stage whispers to each other out of the corners of their mouths. "NooT LooDeStooOnE!" "But nooT OnNe of UssS." "WhAaT do we DooO?" "Shh! Shh! Ask! Ask!" The first Dog comes forward again. "Wh... Who?" he asks. "WhOoo ArRe You? All of you!" )

<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "Pose around me for just a moment! Minor cat-related household chore demands my attention."
<OOC> Solar_Solstice says, "Cats are always demanding attention "
<OOC> Clara returns with sticky fingers.
<OOC> Clara has pancakes
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "Pancakes and cats!"

Clara steps forward with one leg and loosens her grip just slightly, a sign of... well, less aggression. "We aRe HaaAagGlers and TraAdeRs, but OnlY tODaAy," she answers poetically. "TomMorRow we Are MagiciAnS, HeaLthkEepErs, scRibes of fiCtiOn, and beAstS and fIguRes of LeGend." She gestures in turn to Twilight, herself, Bardigan, Spike and Diamond. "We hAve noO goAaL but to CoMe awaAY witH morRe of the eSseNce of fIIiRestOoneS--whether knOwledge, or a FiirEstOne in the PaAw."

Twilight_Sparkle looks to the others before she speaks. She takes a deep breath. "It's like my friend said. We're only here to talk." She unicornlifts the burlap bag into the air, and lets it settle. "And like my other friend here said. We're looking for firestones and we're willing to trade if you can help us."

<OOC> Clara says, "PanNcaAkes are TraAgiC. You EnjOy theM for Only MiiNutes, but the Time to PrePare and the tIime to rEgREt are LooOng."
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "My Little Pancake: Pancakes Are Tragic."
<OOC> Diamond_Dancer says, "it is a sad truth to be told."
<OOC> Clara giggles. For some reason.

Diamond_Dancer draws her head into a decided nod a- Wait did Clara just reffer to her as a figure of legend? Of for Luna's sake! "AHEM! We is jus here for a stone. Easy peasy, right? Right! We trade, do a lil busniess, we both come out on top, win win! You'se guys get some of our fabulous handy, dandy topside wear (Very chic dis year) And we get a firestone! Lemme tell you'se somedin, it looks like it gets cold down here in wintertime. Under ground n' all, bet some sweaters would be reeeeeal nice? We's just happen to know a pony who can knit aBAJILLION sweaters- and al for the megar price of one lil firestone!"

"Er, yes," Bardigan tries to interject. "We're not here for anything but the firestones we heard were in this area-" "STtoOOnE!" the first Dog says, and retreats again. They whisper stone to each other hastily. One of the tubes with a spear attached is jabbed in their direction. "YooU! You cooMmE WiTH us! Now! We brInNG yOu to Chief!" "Chief! Chief! Chief!" several of them chant in agreement, until one Dog slaps the first over the head. "NoOoT Chief! FEaTher FaNg. He is ChiiEff now!" "Fang! Fang! Fang!" the others chant instead, and move out of the way to usher them down the tunnel. One Dog lingers behind, retreating down a side tunnel, and for the sharp-eyed, a strange purple glow emanates from the same tunnel he went down.

Twilight_Sparkle exchanges glances with Spike, the small dragon looking thoroughly frightened, the unicorn trying to look tough for him...her horn is flashing again, more rapidly, her ears swiveling in odd directions as if trying vainly to pick up sounds. She shuts her eyes and tries to listen, tries to concentrate...abruptly she spins her head around to peer intently at the side tunnel. She stops, and turns, seeming suddenly to find that mysterious purple glow very interesting.

Clara nods and moves forward at the rate they seem to be demanding. She knows a bit about how to please other Diamond Dogs with body language, including the style of her walk. Wide hips, even pace, obviously upright. She doesn't relinquish her weapon because now it's serving as a walking stick. She seems too distracted to notice the purple glow, but does notice the purple team members dawdling. Typical purple behavior, really. Clara hisses thorniy at them to keep up. To their captors: "One stOone wiLl suRelY dOo." And: "WhaT beCaame of youR reeEcenT chiEf?"

Diamond_Dancer doesn't say anything. Her head is down and her ears are splayed. Small and frighted and weak. Timid- really, a subtle dip of her head behind her indicates she too noticed that bright light. Ok. She's the yougnest, the smallest looking, malnurished and covered in odd splotches and spots- in a word- a target if things get nasty. She doesn't have Clara's build or form (Or wide hips) so she's got to work with what she can. Hopefully if a fight breaks out, they'll seize the little one by either means of brute force, or to try and use Diamond as a bartering chip... Ears and eyes open, she's trying to take in every thing she can.

"No LooKiNg!" another Dog says, moving himself in front of Twilight and wagging his spear under her nose. "YooUu SeeE sOoon!" "That's no way to treat a mare," Bardigan protests, but an ill-tempered bark from the Dogs silences him. "ChiEf nooOT in ChaaRgE!" the first Dog answers Clara. He leads them down further into the earth, where it is warmer, and the air drier. "DiD nOt GiVee UssS FiRResTicKsss! FEeeAther FaAng MakE us sTrooNg. HEeE is ChiEf *OF* ChiEf now!" They are led along a trail that leads through a small chamber: on one side is a river of lava flowing into the ground, far below. "WeeE GeTs the StooNes for HiiIm. He giVves us PooNy Magic in return."

Twilight_Sparkle lets herself be led along, reluctantly. She frowns, at being rebuffed, and at the dog's words. "Pony magic?" She doesn't like the sound of that at all. "What do you mean, pony magic? Your species isn't known for having any sort of magical ability, and unicorn magic is, no offense, far out of your reach." She keeps close to the others as they're led into the chamber, along the edge of the lava, another element she eyes with some concern. "And how far are you taking us?"

Clara is also suspicious and puzzled. She rotates her pickaxe once in place before taking her next forced step. "IndeEd. Is FeEather FaAng in faAct... a PoOnNyY?" Her eyes glint. "I UndErRstoOd thIs syStem was uNder TOpaZ contrOolL. WheRe aRrre theY?" The emergence of the warm lava river room raises another eyebrow--this time at Diamond. "SomeHow, I doubt that SweEeatErs is what They most neEEed."

Diamond_Dancer keeps herself quietly. She's not gonna say anything regarding the situation. She's paying attention to the structure of the caverns. It's too tight to use any of her trade marked skills- and her ability to navigate out wil be hampered by the cave in. She's going to, sadly, have to rely on Twilight and Clara to get thme out of her- Intelligence over brawn in this situation. And she HATES that!
The first Dog gives Twilight a toothy grin. "OuUt of ReeEaCh? Not for HiiIMmm." More downward traveling, more evidence that things are hot and expansive down here. They come to a much larger cavern than before, bustling with activity and several tunnels leading here and there. Glowing crystals light up the large space, revealing a few bubbling, boiling hot springs that presumably provide much of the heat (apart from the lava) and the water. Diamond Dogs rush back and forth, and simple shelters and bedrolls are set up along the floor of the cavern. "NooO ToPaZ here," the first Dog intones ominously. "ThEeY kEeep the StoNes from us, in DeEpeR TunNelS! We gEt TheM bAcK soon. FeAther FanG helps us."

Twilight_Sparkle grunts, and shakes her head periodically from side to side, as if trying to shake something off. "There's so much magic being done here...it's thick. It's like I'm walking through soup. I really wasn't expecting this."

Bardigan reaches out lay a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Steady," he whispers. "You should probably prepare a spell that'll get us out of here... something unnatural is going on, I can feel it." He reaches out a wing to draw Diamond a little closer. "And who *is* this Feather Fang you keep talking about?" he asks the Dogs sharply. The first Dog opens his mouth, and then shakes his head and turns away. "SeE hiIm soOn."

Clara listens to Twilight's words and holds her lips tight together. She follows everywhere the dogs take them, not showing her emotional state any more than she must. She does offer a suggestion as they cross from warm reaches to hot: "PerRhaps wEee can HeeLLp AcQuIire theM." But that's just laying groundwork. Now the hot springs show up, and Clara wipes her brow and starts to occasionally pant. "I lOoK foRwaRd to meeEting youR new LEeader," she mentions, stepping carefully over the bedrolls and rocks and observing their industry.

Diamond_Dancer rebukes the offer to draw her closer at first- then relents, and slides into place, almost as if shepard and shealtered under Bardigan's wing. "Yeah I can feel it too. "She mutters quietly. There's something -wrong- down here, but she can't tell what it is yet. But she's walking into a trap- a set up. She can feel it, and it's making her wings heckle slightly.

Twilight_Sparkle's horn flashes, erratically, like a broken machine throwing off sparks. She nods to Bardigan, and tries hard to focus; she supposes she MIGHT be able to teleport this many people, of this many different species, out of a magic-filled cave and all the way back to the surface, but it'd be the most difficult teleportation spell she'd ever pulled off, and she'd best start assembling the pieces now...her eyes glow, as they scan the path ahead.

( "PeRhaPs you Can," the guard Dog answers Clara. "HeElp we need!" Many of the Dogs jump up and grab other iron tubes and spears once the group comes in sight. They seem to reserve most of their ire and angry glares for the ponies and Dragon. Clara is regarded more with benign curiosity. "Not Topaz! Not us! Who is she?" they ask among themselves. "Horn Pony! SheEe bRinGs MaAaGic!" one Dog shouts above the rest. He is older than the others with a greying pelt, wearing a cloak with an amethyst brooch that, for Clara, is instantly recognizable: this is the Chief of the Iron Eyes tribe... or was, given how he has to shove other Dogs out of the way. He approaches the group, puffing out his chest. "DiiD nOoT tEll us A Horn Pony was HeeRe! SheeE is cAsTiNg a SpeLl even NOW! STOP HER!" "FeAther FaAng knows!" the Dog who led the train barks back. "HeeE wIlL meEt with ThemMm. YoUuu are not ChiEf anyMooRE! He is!" "What is going on here?" a voice much smoother than the rest calls out. The Dogs' chatter quiets down.

From another, much more well-lit tunnel comes Feather Fang: not pony, not Dog, but a male griffon stalks towards them, almost twice as large as Gilda. He bears many strange bits of jewelry: bracelets made of an undientifiable material, and a torc with many gems set into it. Twilight can feel it even from here: there is magic in those artifacts, practically bleeding off them. "FeAthEr Fang," the guard Dog leading them says, bowing low.

Clara is doing her best to remain cool-headed and say what needs to be said in the midst of hot hubbub. "You wOuld KnOw mY affIlLiaTioN?" she asks as the shining, multifaceted and symmetrical arrangement of precious stones she wears is examined. "It LiiKely doeS not MatTer. But I am WElLstOone, if you Have hEeArRd of us. We aRe a spliInter GrouP of LooDesTone." She looks back toward Twilight and Spike, hoping they don't get groped, or the dragon unseated. She hesitates a moment, showing the tip of her tongue, and seems to be sizing up the unicorn or her efforts. But she says nothing of that. The deposed Iron Eyes chief catches her gaze; she sinks slightly, hunching in respect until her fists almost touch the ground, but rising soon after. Then the... thing hits the scene. Clara is now at a loss. She never seen a creature like this before. "...He... HellLoO?" She even forgets to bow, as if that would matter.

Diamond_Dancer Looks a tad confused when she spots the....is that a gryphon?! What on earth is a griffon doing in a place like this? Curiosity gets the better of the filly, and she steps forward, ignoring the protective wing Bardigan has placed over her, and tilts her head. "You'se...Youse is Feddahfang? You'se ain't no Diamond Dog...what are you'se doin in a place like dis?" She asks

Twilight_Sparkle exchanges glances with Spike. Spike and a certain other gryphon have been friendly, of late; this'll give the two of them a lot to talk about. She hangs back, for now, letting Dancer speak, but her horn lights up--she's poised for action should any be necessary.

Spike headtilts, squinting one eye and looking distinctly puzzled. It's hard to say what he was expecting, but a griffin *definitely* wasn't it. Still, his natural instinct is to try to connect with this creature by understanding its difficulties. "I didn't know griffins lived underground. Isn't it kinda claustrophobic for you down here?" His tailtip flicks as he has a sudden thought, and he doesn't wait for the answer before moving on and asking, "Hey, you don't happen to know Gilda, do you?"

<OOC> Clara says, "DAaNceR seeS a GryPhoN and SpiIke seEs a GrifFin. BoOth of You aRe WroOng. ThIs is a GrIffOn."
<OOC> You say, "Let's not get started on how they hate to be confused with griffens."
<OOC> Spike says, "Never could tell them apart."
<OOC> Diamond_Dancer says, "The only ones I like are Gryphons."

Bardigan can't help but back up a few steps as the griffon approaches. He's like Gilda if Gilda were all grown up and always looked like she was about to attack something. Violently. His sharp gaze rakes over the group with the disdain of an apex predator looking down from his perch, until Diamond speaks up. "Feather Fang is the title the Dogs gave me," he intones with imperious self-confidence. "My true name is Steno, and I am here on a mission. I did not expect to see ponies down here... least of all Twilight Sparkle and her dragon." He turns to the two of them, and despite being large enough to wrap a single claw around their heads, he dips into a low bow of respect. "I don't know any Gilda, little dragon, but I have heard tell of the Elements of Harmony, as befits one as traveled as I." "Traveled from where?" Bardigan asks a bit sharply, eyeing the griffon with clear suspicion. Steno draws himself up proudly once again. "A place you have never been, pony. I hail from Arcanter. The City of Magic."

<OOC> Spike says, "gr[iy](ff|ph)[oiy]n"
<OOC> You say, "And it must be enunciated with a large amount of weird lip movements!"
<OOC> Spike says, "Griffins don't have lips!"
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "Or fangs."
<OOC> Spike says, "Maybe this one made fangs. Out of diamonds."
<OOC> You say, "But they do have impeccable beak control."
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "Impeckable."

Clara isn't familiar with Arcanter and is only vaguely acquainted with the concept that Twilight occupies an important position having to do with unicorn magic. She's therefore caught somewhat off guard. She watches the griffon, the usurper chief, bow, and quakes slightly. ^Now^ she remembers to bow, herself. "StEnO. GreEtiNgs from the EverFreE bAaDlannds. We hAve come peacefulLy and beEn foRrciBly esCorrTed. Is tHere soMe emeeRgenCy?"

Twilight_Sparkle looks up at the gryphon. "Arcanter? I've never been there, but I've heard Princess Celestia speak of it. It's a long, long way from here...what are you doing in this cave with a bunch of Diamond Dogs?"

Diamond_Dancer seems to be considering everything thats happening before her eyes widen and she gives a pleased squeak. "Dis...dis is...dis is POYFECT! Hey, dis guy, he's -friendly- We can totally get him to help us! And He- Oh, yeah wait, is you a prisoner or somedin?" She asks tilting her head to one side. Ahh, theimpatience of youth...

Spike is not at all intimidated by the big griffin; his only experience with one so far has been Gilda, and while she has her moments, she's never really seemed *threatening*. He smiles pleasantly. "Nice to meet you!"

"'Some' emergency is an understatement," Steno answers Clara, and looks between Diamond and Twilight both. Bardigan noticeably hangs back from the others, watching the griffon intently. The former Iron Eyes chief just glowers at the ground with fists clenched, while the other Dogs either go back to business or stay to listen. Steno goes on, "I apologize if the Iron Eyes were a little... brusque. Before I knew it was you, I had to be sure the Topaz clan was not attempting some trick. They are in possession of a very valuable mineral deposit, which is the rightful claim of the Iron Eyes here." "Firestone," Bardigan murmurs. Steno nods, eyes narrowed just slightly. "Firestone. I have been sent in lieu of my employers in Arcanter to retrieve some, as it has very many applications in magical study. In exchange for a generous portion of the firestone for myself, I have agreed to assist the Iron Eyes in getting back their territory, augmenting them with a few new toys."

"PooOny MaGiiiC," one of the Dogs says excitedly. Steno takes the interruption in stride. "The Dogs believe any magic is 'Pony Magic,' but it is magical in nature all the same." "Those weapons?" Bardigan says, pointing at the iron tubes fixed to their spears. "You taught them how to *make* those? What even *are* they?" Steno shrugs at the bard's indignant tone. "They are what they are. The Topaz clan is utterly convinced that violence is the only way to defend their claim. I am surprised they haven't made a sortie by now... usually one comes around this time."

Twilight_Sparkle also looks at the weapons, disapprovingly. But Celestia would be very unhappy with her if she got in the middle of some other species's armed conflict. Politically, that would be very bad news.
Clara is back in her element. She eyes the attendants and passing Dogs, trying to gauge their relationship to the new chief and level of interest in the conversation. The one who pipes up wins a lopsided glare from Clara. She glances with a chin gesture toward herself at the others in her group, and then speaks to Feather Fang in a muted tone. "I feEl thaT we sHoulD coNVerrSe in priivAte," she suggests, with a flicker of her eyes toward the dethroned chieftain.

Firestone? OH- COURSE- it was firestone. No. He couldn't be able BabyBlue Eyes Sapphires, or Dragonlove Emeralds. No. No. No. HAD to be Firestone, didn't it? "FFffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffINE!" The little Filly suddenly rages, hoping up and down with a little shuffle of her legs. "So now we haff to play da trading game! NOW we have to fine da firestone, in da paws of da Topaz Clan, who I'm sure utterly hate everyding, so dings is gonna git worse before dey get bettah. Dats da way it goes. "She sighs, shuffles back onto her little invincible butt, and pouts in the middle of the hotsprings.

Spike starts a little, and stares at the sudden outburst. "Dude, don't get your feathers in a twist. We don't know that. And this griffon seems friendly. I bet we can work something out."

"As you wish," Steno says, with another bow. "But please do not mistake my intentions. I wish for this conflict to be done with as soon as possible, and we have been deadlocked for some time now. Casualties... are growing. A third party, an outside view, might be just what we need to put a stop to further violence." "We'll see," Bardigan mutters, and hurries the others off. He plucks up Diamond by the scruff of her mane, shepherding the rest of the group with his wings to a side tunnel at the edge of the cavern that seems abandoned. The Iron Eyes mill about, heading out on patrol or fiddling with their weapons while Feather Fang keeps an eye on them all, speaking to a few scouts that have just arrived. "If ever I've met an actor, he is one," Bardigan says decisively. "That griffon has hidden depths. Did you even hear what he said? Employers? He's a *mercenary.*" He stamps his hoof on the stone. "Something's up."

Twilight_Sparkle turns to Bardigan, and nods. "Maybe. But even if that's true, we're only here to get firestones, not to get ourselves entangled in Diamond Dog affairs. We're outsiders, and it's not our job to insert ourselves into this." She looks anxiously at her traveling companions. "We should get what we came for and get back to the surface as quickly as we can."
Spike nods. "Besides, he might be a mercenary, but he's being paid for the same job we're trying to do. It seems like we ought to be able to work together, right?"

Clara follows the griffon into the secluded hallway with spring in her loping steps. She exchanges a meaningful look with Bardigan, knees slightly bent, pickaxe supporting her. "HeE is a CleEveR one," she allows. "AcTor, merCenArY or tReeaSure hunTer, he is In coNntroLl here," she murmurs, cutting herself off when Feather Fang comes back in earshot. Whatever else she was going to say to Bardigan and Twilight is lost. "SiiR fAanG," she says. "I haVe AlwaYs had the imPressioN the ToPaz were Dogs of HonNoor. In whaT seNse are tHe FiresTone vEins rightfully the ProppertY of these IiRon Eyes?"

Diamond_Dancer Is just, well, she's sulking. Quietly. A little ways off, head down, ears laying on her back and she's grumbling to herself. Oh, shes getting to that surly age...

Twilight_Sparkle would like to know the answer to Clara's question, too, and swivels her ears in that direction. But she also turns her head to look at diamond Dancer. "Don't worry. We'll see to it that you get the firestones you need," Twilight offers, probably much too cheerfully for a surly adolescent filly.

Bardigan stands near Diamond, keeping a wing around her. He winces as Steno returns, everything about that griffon rubbing him the wrong way. "The Iron Eyes discovered it first," Steno says with confidence. "But their scouts did not have the time to fully mark and claim the entire site. The Topaz came next, and disputed the claim, wishing to take *all* of it, not merely the pieces they uncovered, believing that a partial claim was no claim at all." "So you gave the Iron Eyes magical weapons," Bardigan can't help but cut in. Steno glances at him sharply. "I am doing what I can," he says simply. "The Dogs respect and fear powerful magic. Twilight Sparkle. I understand this is not a situation you expected to walk into. You are here for the stone as well, yes? The Topaz will never let you near it. If you would but speak to them, use your influence as one of Equestria's greatest wizards-" "You want us to throw ourselves in the crossfire," Bardigan interrupts again. Steno sighs. "I'm sorry, and *you* are?" "Bardigan. Playwright," the stallion says with an upturned chin.

Steno raises an eyebrow. "Playwright. I don't imagine you know much about these matters." "I know about fair play-" "*As I was saying,*" the griffon says more forcefully. "Regardless of everyone's intentions here, the firestones are guarded by the Topaz and they will not give them up peacefully. I see you brought a Diamond Dog as well. She could be of invaluable use in negotiating. I can't make you help. But this is not a situation you can just walk in and out of."

Twilight_Sparkle nods, quietly. She looks at Bardigan's face, nodding once at his obvious disapproval, but goes on anyhow: "I'd like to at least try asking them, before we do anything else. I'm willing to trade, and they might listen to reason if I offered them something of enough value?" She looks up at the gryphon. "That would make everyone happy."

Clara raises her eyebrows when Steno describes the history of the site. She strikes a somewhat staggered pose and listens on. "ExcUuSe me," she says at last. "TwIlight SpaRrkle did not bring mE. Nor Did I briNg TwilighT SpaArkle. We were botH brought by the mulaatTo filLy aRround the BeenNd." She points toward Diamond Dancer. "ThIs is HeeR expEditioN. HhoWever, I doO knOw a faIr Bit aboOut these maaTters." She stands tall now, staring at the griffon. "Are we tO intiMiDate the llOngtiMe GuArdians of the FiIRe VeeiNs out of their charGe, on the Bassis of a claiM that Could be HistOorical at besSt? Or dO you have anoOother plan?"

Spike rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Could we maybe negotiate a compromise? And take a bit of the stone as a commission?"

"I see," the griffon murmurs, glancing Diamond's way. "And what, may I ask, brought *her* here..." He raises a claw, and the bracelet around his wrist begins to glow. "What is that?" Bardigan asks. Feather Fang just looks at Diamond, and a glow... a glow of *magic*... surrounds Diamond Dancer. "Stop that!" Bardigan demands, but the griffon ignores him. The inspection lasts only a few seconds, and the glow around filly and bracelet fade abruptly. "Interesting," Steno mutters, before looking back at Spike. "That is exactly what I am speaking of. We need only enough to satisfy all sides here. I do not need much. I don't expect you do either. If the Topaz can be convinced to back down from the parts of the vein the Iron Eyes uncovered, it would make us all quite happy, I think. But they won't listen to me or any other Iron Eyes Dog."

Diamond_Dancer grumbles something about 'butt sniffers' 'puppet strings' and 'mastermind' before that warm glow surrounds her form. She glances down at it quietly and gives a defeated sigh. "Oh, come on, what is dis?" The surly girl grumbles, and turns slowly towards the grypon who seems to be enchanting her. "Are you'se pokin' around in my head? You know you can jus -axe- me right? I'm right here. "She grumbles. "Where'd you GIT all dat fancy jewerly anyway?

Twilight_Sparkle looks back and forth between Diamond Dancer and the gryphon. This...this seems to be crossing the line from surly into genuinely odd. there's still a lot of background interference, but Twilight attempts to scan the room for spells. Being Twilight Sparkle, she's got as good a chance as anybody.

Clara starts to swing her axe when the glowing begins, but she checks herself, returning it to her shoulder. "One StOne WilL SuFfIce us, If it is a GoOd one, and ReaSonaly PoteNnt. I see youR poiInt. The TopAz haVe posiTioned theMseLves outisDe the norMal ProSpecting sTructure. TheY defiIne any FrieStone in this RegIon as TheEeIrs. Yet It is belIeVable that moRe should have beeN uncOvered by OTtheRs." She sets her jaws together and thinks, her expression a trifle wicked. She looks at the baby dragon in surprise. "ThAt is whT we mUts do, DragonlINg. Yet oUr NegotaTionS must be bolStered by FoRce." She looks again to Steno. "And FoRce, we hAve. You DO, and so Do weEe."


Twilight_Sparkle blinks, at what her spell detects. She looks around the room, scanning the various faces...the gryphon, the other ponies, her inquisitive expression silently asking "is that you doing that?"

Spike nods, grimly, at Clara. He tilts his head as he notices Twilight's apparent surprise, wondering what's up, but not wanting to ask and interrupt her concentration.

( The griffon seems more than a little amused at Twilight's inquisitive gaze and Diamond's snappy tone. He waves his bracelet about. "This? It is a gift from magic itself. Arcanter is generous with all of magic's gifts, and the power for a mere griffon to manipulate it is only one. I would love to tell you more, Twilight Sparkle. The world is such a larger place than even you are aware of. I can spare a few words for you and Spike before you go, if you like." He turns away, snapping his tail. "Right now it seems we are in agreement. I will leave you to discuss the best course of action... the Iron Eyes will take you to the edge of Topaz territory when you are ready." The former Iron Eyes chief huffs angrily as the griffon departs, staring at the group warily and loping over to them. "The GrifFooOn leAdS us DowWwn a dArk paThhHh," he says hastily. "I woUlD spEaK to-" "Hey, stUpID no moOore ChiEf!" another Dog barks. "Go do WoRK!" The Chief growls low and looks at them once again. "SpEaK toOo MEee befOrE yoU gOo."
And he hops away again.

Clara is not ready for Feather Fang to leave. She steps forward, trying to get his attention again. "WaAit. We nEed NuUmbErRs, and a LissT of our AsseEtss. We should... sSHould aLlSo--" But it seems this mysterious, magical griffon has places to go. Well. Frustrated, the Diamond Dog turns back to her comrades, igneous rock failing to flake under her walking stick. "WeE shOuld indEed speEak with the Not-ChIef," she suggests in a low voice. "I doubT the gRiffOn was teLling the ComPleTe truth, thouGH I cannOt Reead his BeEak and BirrDscEnt as I can rEead a felLow caAniIne." She crouches before Twilight. "WhaT did you DetEct, mAagic PooNy?"

Diamond_Dancer waggles a hoof. "So, in my head, dis Feddahfang guy betrays the buck outta us, we end up madly dashin' for our lives, and we end up on a wild crazy adventure, deep undahground, in which HOPEFULLY we end up wiff all of our limbs in tact, and da fiyahstone. "She sighs, rolls a hoof through her mane, and takes a deep breath. "...Bring it on."

Twilight_Sparkle says "That bracelet of his...it's a spellfinder. He was aware of every spell in the room...I wonder why that's important."

Spike says "Maybe he was afraid someone might use one against him? But that doesn't explain why he wasn't afraid of YOU. I mean, he clearly knew you were a powerful unicorn."

<OOC> Clara grins. DiIamoNd Dogs have grEat reSpEct for Sys-AdminnS.
<OOC> Diamond_Dancer Giggles

Clara pages, "Feather Fang would have recognized that Clara possesses a magical item. A bead in her vest pocket. It's a one-time use, and even Clara isn't sure what it would do." to you.

"He's glad we're here because we can solve his problems," Bardigan almost spits. He looks square at Twilight. "And he's glad *you're* here because you're a great user of magic, and he comes from a whole city of it. I've only heard a few things about Arcanter, but not all of it's positive. It's an old place that keeps its secrets, like mister 'Feather Fang' over there." He flaps his wings, clearly agitated. "Did you notice he dodged all our questions on what those weapons do? His intentions are anything *but* peaceful."

Twilight_Sparkle nods. "Celestia doesn't speak of the place often, but I get the sense sometimes that she's a little afraid of it, or at least suspicious."

Clara nods somberly to Bardigan. "He iS a WarRRior. PerHaps One who LeEads from behIinD." And she turns to include Diamond Dancer. "Yet, whY do you Assume he will BetRaY us? He may be craaFty, but He has LiiTtle to Gaain and mUch to Lose by deCeiving Us, wheN we can so EasiLy heLp him through StraighTforRward MeeEans." Her ears perk pertly. "Or am I miISssIng soOMething?"

Diamond_Dancer ponders that for a few moments and then grins. "I know da type. Fast talkers, smooth talkers, sweet talkers. I come from a city full o' em. But, if he's got all dose weapons, lucky for us, we've got a livin' shield! Heh...Maybe we can diffuse da situation peacefully. I bet...if dose Diamond Dogs use dose weapons and find out dey can't harm a lil pony like myself, what chance do dey have against another tribe...dey'll give up- we might be able to avoid a fight all together!

Spike eyes Diamond Dancer skeptically. "How do you know they can't hurt you? We haven't seen what they DO yet."

Bardigan raises an eyebrow. "I doubt Featherfang would tell us outright. But it wouldn't be too suspicious to ask for a demonstration, would it? After all, once he leaves, those things will probably still be here, right under our hooves. It's our land he's dumping them into, only fair he lets us know what they do."

Diamond_Dancer Grins quietly at Spike. "Cause I can survive anyding!" She chuckles dryly. "I mean, if I can slam into da earf at abajillion miles an hour, I can survive whatever dose dings do! "She exclaims brightly. "Sides- you'se got a better idea? It might be da only way we can diffuse dis!"

Clara walk-lopes to Diamond and curls her thick arms over her loosely, yet 'protectively'. "YoUu will bRaAvely taKe poOoint," she affirms. " I doUbt we wIll regreEt it." She frowns to Bardigan, clearing her throat. "ThIs is ^nOt^ ouur LAand. StIlL, perHaps we shhoulD commAndeEr oNe or TwOo."

"Well... *underneath* our land," Bardigan corrects himself, rubbing at his mane. "Still too close for comfort."

Twilight_Sparkle frowns. The situation's become delicate...she closes her eyes, and asks what she always asks in this situation: what would Princess Celestia do? She allows herself a brief eyeroll, as she reflects that the answer might be 'get Twilight to do it.' "I think before we do anything more we need to think about our exit strategy."

Spike doesn't seem too convinced, but shrugs at Diamond Dancer. "If you say so." He's never known anyone to talk Diamond out of anything.

Diamond_Dancer grins quietly at the concept of an exit strategy and feels a swell of pride inside of herself. "Well, da enterance we used is totally sealed off. Caaa-putski. BUT, we's got an ace in da hole. Clara here, isn't a diggah by natacha, but she's STILL a Diamond Dog. Dat, oughta be enough to get us outta here. But, to da end...didn't dat guy have to get in here too? Deres probably anuddah exit. All we's gotta do is find it. "She explains quietly. "I...I mean dat makes sense, right?

Clara appears somewhat skeptical. "So. YouR plan is to assk the fiIghtErs here to ShoOt you with theIr weapPons?" she asks Diamond. She turns to Twilight, a little less skeptical. "Why shoulD we exXit? We have founD ourselVes in a rEmarrkably fortUuuitous situatAtion. We need only coOperate with FeeatherfAng and we will have our goOal, without a chAallenging BarRter. BesiIdes which, your perSon-moving Spell has its LiiImits, does it Not?" She twitches at Diamond's latter suggestion. "I CoUld diG our way Out... but not if aN arRmy of Dogs is hOoUnding us."

"A clean break from this is what we'd all want, but that may be the most difficult," Bardigan remarks. "And I get the feeling if Featherfang was watching for spells, he'd be watching for anypony who might try to leave." He takes a deep breath. "If he is duplicitous, going back through Iron Eyes territory will be far too dangerous. The only way out appears to be through."

Twilight_Sparkle nods in agreement, and takes a deep breath. "Through it is," she says. She's visibly uncomfortable, though. There's too much magic here that isn't her own; it makes her nervous.

Spike leans in and mutters to Twilight, "This just gets more and more complicated! I mean, not that I thought reigniting a star would be easy..."

Diamond_Dancer says "Well...uh...yeah!" Diamond pipes up sheepishly. "Da plan, is to let dose guys shoot me in a face. When dey see da weapons dey don't have don't work, dey get demoralized, and den dey don't use em! Seems like a good idea...cept for da shooting me in da face part. "She says quietly, pondering it, before she shakes her head. "...No...no dis is awesome. "She mumbles to herself."

Clara nods slowly. Maybe it's not a nod, but just a grave resettling of her head. "Nor did I," she replies to Spike. "I see No reason to pLot againSt an alLy who offFers to gIve us what we Want," she tells the group. "HaviNg an EsCape plan just In caAse may not be unwiIse." Unlike ^some^ plans she could mention. Clara only raises an eyebrow at Diamond Dancer. "But in the Meeantime," she continues, "we should acQuire anoTher aAngle to all of ThiIs." She gestures to the poor former Iron Eyes chief, held captive near the wall. "We should sEe what he haAS to SaAy."

Bardigan extends a wing to gently touch Twilight's shoulder, in a show of silent support. "Nopony's shooting you in the face if I can help it," he tells Diamond sternly. "As for the chief..." He isn't shackled, but the old Dog doesn't look happy either. He shuffles back and forth, hauling crates of gems to an inspection team while a guard stands silent nearby, eyeing the chief and occasionally picking his own nose.

Twilight_Sparkle nods vigorously. "I'm making it my personal objective for this mission: nopony is getting shot in the face. Or the anything else. And for the purposes of this statement, Spike and Clara both count as ponies." She also turns toward the chief. "Can we get close to him without causing a stir?"

Spike hmms. "Good question. He seems to be pretty busy, an' the guards might not like it if he stopped. Although they don't seem to mind us much."

"But they might mind whatever the chief has to say about Featherfang," Bardigan says, rubbing his chin. "Anypony willing to be a distraction? ... Of the non-violent, non-exploding kind?"

Diamond_Dancer gives a silent little pout. Nobody else likes the 'shoot Diamond in the face idea.' But she also wasn't 100% keen on it anyway- so she lets it go. Silently, she follows the others to lend her gaze at the old gruff canine. "Hmmm..."

<OOC> Nettleglum peers suspiciously at potential carolers.
<OOC> Fluttershy um.
<OOC> Fluttershy , thinking quickly, devises a carol Nettleglum might enjoy. o/~ Sharks are everywhere you go, sharks are gonna eat you up... o/~
<OOC> Nettleglum hasn't heard that one since she was a foal, dear. Oh, how that brings back memories of long evenings around the burning yule clogs...
<OOC> You say, "It's beginning to look a lot like foul play~ A noose was in the den...~"
<OOC> Nettleglum says, "~Up on the roof/ with nails and saws/ I built a trap/ for Chancellor Claus...~"
<OOC> Nettleglum says, "Carry on, dears."

Clara gives Twilight a brief, twisted look at being classified as a pony. She doesn't remark on it, though. "Is a DistrAction nECessARy?" she posits. She then walks forward toward the transport chain and does her best to identify the foreman. She then addresses him (or possibly her): "As you HaAve heEard. FeatHEr Fang has gIven us LeEave to DiscuSs our sitUation and suborn Dogs as ApproPpriate. When theRe is a conVenient brEak in acCtion, we would like to InteRroGAte your forMer chiIef." Her eyes twinkles.

Twilight_Sparkle follows behind Clara, and tries to flash a big innocent smile, probably having the opposite effect.

<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "Suborn. That's a big word :v"
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "'HI GIIIIIRLS.'"

<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "No it isn't. It has fewer letters than your first name."
A mud weasel romps out of the bushes and bounces down the trail to the small clearing, pausing to sniff at the air, then it scampers off into the brush.

<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "Big as in complex Twi X3"
<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "Like...'ineffable', which is shorter than 'incredible' but conveys a more abstract idea"

The guard pauses with one claw halfway up his nose. His disposition seems to be one of apathy and uncertainty both. "AHhHhh... ChiEf noOo tAlk to StrAnGeeers," he decides upon, nodding as if he was remembering a script. "FeEEatherFanG's ORrrDers. ChiEf is... DaaAngErousss." The Chief huffs at that.

<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "Or like how 'accrue' is more complex than 'gather' even though they are synonyms"
<OOC> Fluttershy thinks you guys are mostly affable.
<OOC> Rainbow_Dash geeks out HOOOOO
<OOC> Bardigan stares at Rainbow. "Now who's using big words?"
<OOC> Rainbow_Dash finds this an abundantly parsimonious moment.
<OOC> You say, "Looks like you officially converted Dash to Eggheadism, Twi."
<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "NOOOOO"
<OOC> Twilight_Sparkle says, "One down, four to go!"
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "o.o"

Clara shakes her head patiently, as if dealing with a misguided underling. She does turn her head just far enough to wink urgently at the group. "But wEe are not StrAangers. As you have HeaRd, your NewW chIef has appointed us to LeEad the effort against the ToOpaZ and reclaim the FiITRresTone DepoSits that are Riightfully YoouRs. How are we to DOo that if we CanNot inTerroGate the PriSoneR?" It true that Stone didn't exactly say that, but Clara knows that what people remember hearing depends on what others tell them they heard. She does hope, though, that the others realize a distraction ^does^ seem to be necessary.

Spike drops down off Twilight's back, casually walks over to a crate full of gems...and stuffs a whole handful into his mouth. He looks a bit like a squirrel who just found a cache of nuts. Then he scampers off on all fours, headed for the nearest tunnel exit.

"Uhhh," the guard says, scratching his iron helmet. "FeEeatHerFaNg said..." He trails off, rather dumbly watching Spike nip their precious carog. "Uhh! No! THIEF!" he says, loping after the baby dragon. "PuUrPle LiZaaarD! STOOooOP!" The Chief chuckles grimly as they find themselves alone and surrounded by crates. "ShOuLdn't SwAlloW thooOose," he mutters as the noisy chase fades away. "BaAaD foR Him if hE DoEsss." "They wouldn't hurt him?" Bardigan says, worried. "NooOo. SpEciaaL GeemS. MaaagiC Gems. Might GiiVe tummy acHe," the Chief replies. "Ask QueStiooNs. Quickly!"

Clara hears the distant roc cry and looks discomfited. She looks around to see whether the other Dogs are on alert, or whether this is normal. Oop. Abnormality is contagious. She glances after Spike and swiftly decides to let him and his guardian take care of his safety. "You wanted To spEak to US," Clara points out, trying not to look out of place to anyone who may be watching. "Did you HaAve a wARrNing for Us, perhAps?"

( Spike is quickly turning into a far more effective distraction than hoped for. Gems are everything to Diamond Dogs, and seeing a little conspicuous critter making off with them is enough to create a domino effect down the inspection line until almost a dozen Dogs are rushing after the dragon in a big, barking ball of confusion. )

Though being Dogs, some of them are running and barking simply because it's what the others are doing.

Twilight_Sparkle teleports Spike to safety on her back, leaving the dogs who were chasing him down to fight amongst themselves; we probably have at least a little time before they discover there's no dragon at the heart of the kerfuffle.


Diamond_Dancer's ears perk, watching the little dragon race off and smiles quietly. That guy's got guts! "Yeah, whats da story. Whats da real reason Feddahfang is down here? What are all dose gems around his neck? Oooo, I know, I know! He put a spell on all you'se guys and made dem turn against, you'se, right?!" She asks bright eyed. Somepony's been reading way to many of Bardigan's books...

( The Chief leans close to Clara. "ThEeeSe wEapOnnss," he mutters. "MaaGic! DaAAangeRoUs! My PeoPlE hAve no bUsiNess with TheM! ThEy SPiT magic FIRE! KiLL In a BliNK. BuuUuRn throUgh StoNe, armOR! TheeEse gEms wiLl giVe thEem pOweR. Give FEatHerFang pOweR. HeeE wilL spArk a fiRe benEath your land with the fiResToNE! NooOT to Be TruuSted!" )

Spike reappears on Twilight's back, his cheeks no longer stuffed full of gems, having apparently either dropped them or eaten them. Actually, he nearly runs right off Twilight's back before realizing he's safe. He pants, catching his breath.

"You didn't swallow them, did you?" Bardigan whispers to Spike. "Apparently they're inclined to make a creature nauseous."

Twilight_Sparkle says "...if that's true, I want advance warning."

Clara frowns deeply. Her eyes watch the fiasco unfolding, and she doesn't miss the dragonling's reappearance. She glances at Diamond, trying to find the right question, given the limited time at hand. "WhaAT would you Have uS dOo, ChiefTain? BetRaaAy him and wArn the ToPaz clAan?"

Spike looks concernedly down at his stomach. "Well...I didn't swallow *all* of them...I left a few here and there as a distraction, 'cause I knew they'd stop to pick 'em up."

[Bardigan]

"FeAtHerFaaAng's MiSsioN is secRet," the Chief whispers in a rush. "He WantS poWer! His... CitY," the Chief actually spits saying the word, "WanTs PoweR. He mAy not betRaY you HerE. BuT he is NoOoT woRkinG foR you. So YES! Do NoT let him Get FireEsTones." "What do we do?" Bardigan asks. "We can't just destroy him!" "WeAk PoniEs!" Chief spits again. "He wilL kIll my PeOplE with poWer! AlMoSt kIlled me. KiLl Him or DoN't, he MuSt noT have the Stones! Great PoWEr iN thEm. He WanTs only a pawful. NeeDs onlY that. Must. NoT! HAVE IT." The scuffle is dying down, and the Chief clams up and goes back to work without another word.

Clara backs up a step, breaking eye contact with the chief only when she has to. She clenches her teeth hard. This isn't an easy situation at all--as Spike said, it gets only more complicated. "We haAve oOptionS," she says to Diamond Dancer. "We maAy want to ReCruiiT from the ChIeF's moSt lOoyal follOwers, if we can IdeNtify theM." She strides back toward their purple companions, hoping to quell any misgivings. "DragonLing! You mUst not eeEat freEly here--there is DeCorum and ProOotOcoOll to obserRve."

Twilight_Sparkle squirms. "I'm not comfortable getting all of Ponydom mixed up in a conflict, at least not on my own authority! I'm for whatever gets us the firestones and gets us out again--I need Princess Celestia's counsel on this."

Spike nods to Clara. "Yes ma'am." He takes the comment in stride -- he had no intention of stealing any more gems, anyway. He frowns and stretches out on Twilight's back. "I'm not feeling so good all of a sudden, anyway."

( The Dogs Spike distracted are, if anything, utterly confused and are even gnawing on each other a little. They soon break up and go back to their posts, too chagrined that not a one caught the thief to point out he got away. The guard coming back to the Chief just wags his spear at them. "YeS! NooOoo... EaAtinG!" he rebukes Spike. "UhhH. ExPensive. Yes." He lopes back into place and returns to more important things, like picking his nose. )

Bardigan speaks up. "As discouraging as that advice was, it seems the Topaz are the only ones we can talk to, now. Featherfang certainly won't back down, not if he's traveled hundreds of miles just to do this." He turns to Twilight. "Do you think Celestia would give us a reply in a timely manner? It *does* seem like something we should report to her, of all ponies."

Twilight_Sparkle says "I guess it depends what you consider timely! I say we get the firestones if we can and get ourselves back to the surface. If something big IS about to go down, I want Celestia's advice and I want more ponies than this."

Well, that's a relief! Clara backs away from the nose-picking guard and watches the former leader slaving away while she retreats to the company of the others. "To gET FiReStOne and LeEave is nO siMple matTer... noR is it the pAth thAt will Avoid ConNfliCt," she tells Twilight Sparkle. "FoRrtunateLy, if SteNo's weapoNs are weak without FireStones, he will have Trouble AcqUiring them. They are WeLl guarded. PerHaps we ought to LeEave as sooN as posSible... or perhaPs we should waRn the TopAz claAn."

Twilight_Sparkle bites her lip, and nods to Clara. "...perhaps we should." She looks to the others, particularly Bardigan; Spike is hard to look at because he's sitting on her, and Diamond Dancer, likely as not, will suggest something terrifying.

Diamond_Dancer doesn't have much to comment on when the conversation turns towards Celestia. She has a moderate level of distrust for the sun pony, so she makes it a point to keep her mouth shut, (this once) lest she say something stupid. "Maybe we should find Feddahfang. I bet he ain't sittin around waiting for us ta make a move. If all dis is true, he's doin his best to get dem gems wif or wifout us."

Spike hiccups. He's draped across Twilight's back, and looking a bit green. And not just on his green parts.

Bardigan stamps a hoof. "Steno's up to something and it isn't good for ponydom. It'd rankle me something awful to leave without at least telling the Topaz what he's trying to do. Let's get moving towards *them*, and then-" And then there's a loud rumble that makes every creature in the cave look up from what they were doing. There's a few moments of silence, Dog ears and tails twitching. And then Steno himself bursts out of his private tunnel nearby... a very familiar purple glow fading from within behind him. "Intruders in the eastern tunnels!" he roars. "Iron Eyes! Arm yourselves!" And then something astonishing happens. He reaches out for a pile of those strange weapons, too far to grab them... but the bracelet around his wrist begins to glow. As one, the weapons lift in a magical field, and settle in the paws of several nearby Dogs. "We have delayed too long!" Steno barks at the ponies plus Dragon and Clara. "It seems the Topaz are making the first move. I knew they would not let this be resolved peacefully!"

Clara's ears flick. "He mAy not NeEd to sit aROund at thIis rate." She straightens her weapon and steps forward. "PeEace is StIlL an oPTion!!" she roars. "AlLow my tEeam to NegoOTiate!" Now they're her team, it seems. "Wave the WhiTe hAanNdkerCHief and we wiLl see iF BloodshEd can be preVeennteD," she tells those Dogs who seem in a position of authority. And then she looks to Feather Fang. "ThiS is AccEptable, iS it nOt?"

Twilight_Sparkle keeps the other ponies and Spike close to her. She watches Clara, who seems to have a plan, but the unicorn is ready to act should things get complicated.

Diamond_Dancer hops around in place. IT's hard to keep her attention from straying. OH, she wants peace- she does, there's no question about that, but the energy is charged in the room, and she's a little pegasus itching to stretch her wings for one reason or another. Still, she settles (As best she can) by Clara, should the need arise for her to do...well...anything.

The griffon rears up on his hind legs, bearing one of the strange weapons in his claws. He runs a talon along the spear beneath the canister. "The Topaz have already *taken* first blood and broken the ceasefire," he says, speaking to both Clara and the Dogs around him. "My magical readings tell me they have killed three of our own in a rockslide. They plan to draw us into a trap, which I have already deduced the nature of. Now *we* repay them in kind, with interest!" He lifts his spear and *SCREECHES* loud enough to make Bardigan fold his ears back. Most of the Dogs follow in kind, barking and hollering bloodthirsty things in their gravelly tongue. "He doesn't have to get them so *excited* about it," the playwright growls quietly.

Clara is doubtful now. She does move toward the commotion, though, but won't go without her companions. Instead, she stands with one foot toward them, the other turned, with her body, toward the tunnel through which so many Dogs are filing. TheRe is conFusIon. We coulD most likeLY Escape NoW, if we wiShed. Or we Can tRy to warn the TopaZ and pErrRhaps... also BaRgain." The Healthkeeper's black lips are curled tightly, awaiting their decision.

Twilight_Sparkle steps toward Clara. "If we don't warn them...what will happen?"

Steno then uses his magic to levitate something towards Twilight Sparkle: a bundle of stone talismans with a tiny gem set in the middle. "Lady Twilight," he says, "I give you and your companions these Seeking Stones. It will help you keep track of each other... should worst come to worst." He points down a tunnel leading east. "Reclaim what is yours, Iron Eyes! Drive them back and bring your tribe glory!" And then, he and a large mob charge out, leaving a skeleton crew to guard the main cave as another rumble is heard from afar.

Diamond_Dancer is hoping in place, obviouslys VERY eager to intervine. She's supposed to be a guard (in training) right? That means she's supposed to protect, so...she can't just stand around and NOT protect. But then, WHO is she supposed to protect? Both sides? Her friends? She doesn't want anyone to get hurt over her silly dream. And Twilight's right, if they aren't warned..." And Diamond fires off like a rocket at that point. She can't hold herself down any longer, and goes racing forward, hooves tearing across the ground, and wings spread to take flight. She's not excatly sure-what- she'll be doing, but has to do something!!

Spike winces at the griffin screech, but doesn't react much otherwise to the dramatic speech. The poor little dragon is quickly losing track of the situation, his attention concentrated on his stomach pains. It's pretty rare for him to encounter something that actually makes him sick, and he's not enjoying the experience. "Stupid gems," he mutters to himself.

And so, as often happens at a turning point, the course of the many is determined by the most reckless. When Diamond Dancer goes flying, Clara follows, as she must. She takes a Seeking Stone for herself, slips her pickaxe through a pair of loops on the back of her vest, and goes dashing with the crowd on all fours.

Clara tries to answer Twilight with a growl as she goes. "The WeApoNs may Be uSed agaAinst your Land and kIn," she shoots back.

Bardigan looks gravely to Twilight. "I think Steno just made that obvious," he says as he takes a Seeking Stone... which shifts quickly into panic as Diamond takes off. "No!" he shouts. "Diamond! It's too dangerous!" And then *he* goes charging off after Diamond Dancer, hoping against hope the winding tunnels might slow her down enough to let him catch up. The Iron Eyes Chieftain watches all the commotion from afar, his expression downcast as he slumps against a crate.

Twilight_Sparkle whinnies! And races after Bardigan, which probably does not do great things for Spike's stomach.