A/N: i am sorry i am so late on posting i just realized i hadn't posted this week, then noticed i didn't last week either. got food poisioning so sorry it too so long. here is this CHap and the next will be up in a few after that. again sorry for the wait.
P.S. hope you like Dan's new friend!
Chapter 34: A Gruff Encounter
It only took a couple of hours for the griffon king to return the letter with permission for Dan to show up in two days time. That gave Dan more time to study their kind and culture, and gave him some time to spend with Luna before leaving again. but it still went by fast and it soon came time for Dan to head to the griffon kingdom. "I will let you guys know how it goes and what happens when I get back, or sooner if I need to ask you something. See you all when I get back!" Luna kissed Dan and told him to be safe and return with the new treaty.
Dan flew to the lands of the griffons and was greeted as soon as he entered once again. the griffon looked calm and very controlled in his actions. He was mostly grays but had some white on his wings. "Hello Sir I am here to meet the king of the griffons to go over a treaty." The griffon nodded. "Yes sir, please follow me." Dan saluted and followed the griffon. But then The pair saw something that would make Dan late to his meeting. It was a fight between three griffons and a large three headed dog. 'Are griffons fighting with a Cerberus!? I have to see what is going on.' Dan dove out of reaction with the griffon following him down.
Dan landed right in between the two fighting parties and spread his wings. Then he used his magic to create walls in front of them all. "Ok hold up! What is going on!?" the griffon guard that had been with Dan landed next to the other Griffons. Dan looked to him. "Can you tell the king I will be there shortly after I find out what is going on and fix it before someone gets hurt." The guard nodded and flew off to the castle. Dan then whistled loud enough to get the attention of all for creatures next to him. Dan looked to the big three headed dog first. "Sit!" the dog whimpered at him but sat down slowly. "Good boy. Now stay." The dog nodded.
Dan then turned to the griffons that were attacking it. "Ok can you please tell me why you were attacking this poor pup, at least I think it is a pup." The griffon in the middle nodded and began with his side of the story. "Ya that pup tried to eat me! I was sitting and started to eat my steak and he came up behind me and started snapping at me and I didn't want to be his lunch so I attached. These guys saw it to and helped me. But who are you and why do you care?" Dan nodded in understanding. "I am the king of the pony kind and I am here to make a treaty with your king. But when I saw this going on I wasn't going to let anyone get hurt."
Then Dan turned to the pup that had its ears down and looking sad. "Ok now it is your turn to explain your actions. Are you old enough to talk?" the pup nodded and started to tell Dan what had happened, which only sounded like barks and growls to the griffons, when the griffon had to interrupt. "Are you telling me you understand him?" Dan nodded. "Ya speaking to all animals is a special talent of mine, so if you will let me see what he says please." The griffon nodded and let the Cerberus continue. "I wasn't trying to eat him, just his food." Dan nodded and told him to tell him why he was here in the first place. The pup started to look sad.
"My mom and Dad were attacked by a big snake thing with wings and they told me to run when it attacked. So I ran and ended up here. I was hungry and he had food. So I thought he might give it to me, but instead he attacked me, and the others started to. I am just hungry and scared. I don't want to eat him I promise!" Dan walked up to the big pup and started to scratch his chin. Then used his wings to do the same for the other heads. "It is ok now. I will get this sorted out, then get you home." Dan turned and walked to the three griffons. "So what did he say?"
Dan frowned and told them what the pup told him. They looked sorry and even apologized for attacking. Dan thanked them and walked over to a vendor that was selling large stakes. "Excuse me, can I please get three large steaks about the same size?" the vendor looked at him like he was crazy. Dan then realized how it looked. "Oh no, it is not for me, but the big pup over there." Dan pointed to the pup that was now watching him intently. The vendor now understood and gave Dan the steaks, while Dan gave him the bits for it. "Ok pup here you go, now there won't be any more misunderstandings with you wanting food." The pup started eating the steaks with gusto after thanking Dan.
Dan turned to the griffon that was still there. "I am sorry for the mix up and inconvenience. Won't happen with this pup again." Then Dan heard wings behind him and turned to see the king of the griffons landing behind him. "Hello sir. I am sorry for me being late. As you can see we had a little puppy problem. And I am sorry to say that I must postpone our meeting a little while longer if that is acceptable. The pup told me his parents were under attack and that is why he is here. I would like to go return him to his family and help them if need be. I hope you understand this." The king nodded again.
"I saw you talking to that pup and helping my kind without thinking. So you are more than welcome to help him. Besides we griffons have had good relations with the Cerberus of this land for a long time. I would not like to weaken that bond if we can help it. I will send two of my guards to help you in case you need it." Dan thanked him and told him that when the pup was returned to his family he would be back for the meeting. Then Dan walked to the pup and asked if he knew where he had come from and if he knew where to go to find his family. The pup nodded and started to walk into the thick woods that was outside of town.
After about a half hour of walking Dan noticed that they were being watched. The pup was acting scared as well, so Dan knew they were getting close. "Are we close?" the pup told him it was in the clearing ahead. Dan walked up next to the pup so he could protect him if it was needed. Then a wall of fire appeared in front of them. The pup yelped and shrank behind Dan. Dan stood there as a large silowet showed through the fire. There was a loud growl and then a deep gravely voice. "Why are you here!?" Dan looked up and noticed it was a large Cerberus on the other side of the wall of fire.
"I found this pup in a griffon town and he told me that his parents might be in trouble. So we came back to find them and make sure they were alive, and to return this pup to his family." The large dog growled but looked at Dan unsure. "If what you say is true then you are two late. His father is missing, but his mother is in the care of the pack." Dan knew this was good news. "Then will you allow him to join his mother in the pack?" the Cerberus growled at him. "It is not our way to let pups join the pack. This is no exception. If you want him to be part of the pack you must raise him to the age of eight months and train him to fight, before he can rejoin his mother and join the pack. NOW GO!"
There was a roar and fire started to advance toward them. Dan stood his ground. "I will raise him and train him, then we will be back to unite him with his family. Just do me a favor and find his father in the mean time. Come on you three let's get out of here before we are fried! Fall back!" The pup was reluctant to leave but Dan nudged him to a safe distance. The guards were standing guard on different sides to protect Dan and the pup. Dan stood there and started to calm down the pup.
"Don't worry. You mom is fine and they are looking for your dad. And I will be searching for him as well. I will make sure that you will be ready to rejoin the pack. I will make sure you are safe until then. you will be raised as my own pup until it is time to get you back to the pack. Are you ok with this?" The pup whimpered but nodded all three heads. "Will you really take me with you? Will I really be safe with you until I can see my mom and dad again?" Dan smiled and walked close to the pup. Dan put a hoof on his chest. "You will be part of my family until you are reunited to your own. And as such, what is your name? I will not call you pup for as long as we are going to know each other."
The pup stopped whimpering and looked at Dan like he was a wise old leader of the pack. "Most pups are called Cebby until they join the pack and get their real name. So you can call me Cebby for now. Can I ask yours?" Dan smiled. "Ya I am Dan, co-king of the ponies. And now the one that is going to take care of you. I hope we can become close." Cebby then started to lick Dan but Dan told him to stop. "Ok guys we are all going back to the castle so I can meet with the king. And thanks for coming with us. Cebby do you mind running so we can fly and get there faster?" Cebby shook his heads and started to run. Dan and the griffons took to the sky.
When they returned to the castle Dan was lead to the meeting room to wait, with Cebby, for the king. Dan had made three large tennis balls appear with his magic, and was thronging them up and down the hall to keep Cebby entertained. Then the king of the griffons came in and saw this he was both amused and still confused. "King Dan what happened? I thought you were returning him to his family." Dan frowned as the pups ears sank. Dan made a bone large enough for all three heads to chew on and then told the king what had happened. The king frowned. "I am sorry to hear this, but am glad you have taken on the responsibility of caring for him. So shall we talk about this treaty?"
Dan and the king made the reinforced treaty after a few negations and then it came time to sign it. Dan signed it and then the griffon king. Then came time to go back to home to Luna and the other fellow rulers. 'They aren't going to be too happy about this.' Dan opened his mind to contact Luna. "Hey I am going to be home a little later than I thought I would. And I also figured out what kind of Dogs I am good with! We will see you when we get there! Bye!" Dan could tell Luna was now worried about what he had said but Dan wouldn't open his mind for her to yell at him. 'Bad husband I know. Bringing home a new pet and ignoring her when she tries to talk me out of it. I am gonna be in deep dodo when I get home. Oh well when she sees this face she will say yes.'
Dan took to the sky and told Cebby to follow him and bark if Dan went to fast for him or if he got tired. They made great time with Cebby being young and full of energy. And being big and able to cover a lot of ground didn't hurt either. Dan saw Canterlot come into view and landed at the entrance to the bubble. Cebby came up to him panting. "Don't worry boy. No more running, just a short walk and then bed time I promise." Cebby was very happy about that and followed Dan through the streets. Luckily there weren't many ponies out for the ones that saw Cebby ran in fear. Then they came to the castle gates and guards.
The guards started to raise their spears and other weapons, but Dan told them to stand down. "This is a new friend that will be raised in the castle so there was no reason to fear him." The guards nodded and let them both pass. Then the two walked to the throne room to see a worried looking Luna sitting there. Dan told Cebby to stay while he talked to her. Dan walked in and smiled wide. "Hello my love. I am back. And have a surprise for you to see." Luna sighed. "I figured that from how you sounded. Where is this dog you brought home?" Dan gave a sheepish smile. "In the hall."
"Come on in Cebby! Meet my wife Luna." Cebby had bounded into the room when Dan had called to him. And then he came up and sniffed a stiff Luna. Then he licked her and she snapped out of her stupor. "You brought home a Cerberus!?" Cebby's ears sank and he backed up when Luna raised her voice. Dan stood between them. "Yes I did. He is a pup in need of a home until he can return to the pack and his family. Let me explain." Then Dan explained how he had met Cebby and about everything that happened with the leader of the pack. "So I took the responsibility of taking care of him and training him until he is old enough. And that age is only eight months old. He is already three months old."
Luna had lightened up apon hearing about the pups hard times. "So only for five months? Then he goes home?" Dan smiled and nodded. "Unless he has permission to stay and chooses to do so. But that is a long ways away, so just for the five months then he goes home. Please let him stay. He has no one nor nowhere else to go to. He is a good boy and listens well. Pretty smart as well. So as long as we keep him busy he will not be any trouble at all. And a lot of his time will be training so he will be busy. Ok I feel like I am a vendor trying to sell you something. So can he stay please?" Cebby was laying next to Dan and was giving Luna the puppy dog eyes, right next to Dan who was doing the same thing.
"This isn't fair. I can never say no to you alone. How am I supposed to say no to you and three adorable puppy dog faces. Fine he stays, but you deal with telling my sister when she gets up tomorrow." Dan jumped with joy and hugged Luna. Then he gave her a quick kiss before Cebby gave them both a big kiss. Dan laughed as Luna gave the yuck reaction. "Ok time for bed. You ready for bed Luna?" Luna nodded and the three went to their room. Luna didn't notice the big dog until he tried to get into the room. "Oh NO! not on our bed!" Dan laughed and made a large bed appear in the corner of the room for Cebby to sleep in. "Better." Dan shook his head as Cebby curled up and quickly fell asleep.
Dan and Luna curled up together and fell asleep just as fast. Until Dan heard something being slid across the floor. He looked up and Saw Cebby had moved his bed next to Dan's so they were touching. The he curled up so he was half on each bed. Dan moved so he could put his wing over the pups paw. Then Dan fell asleep with one wing on Cebby and the other around Luna as usual. He was going to rest well that night. Luna had figured out what had happened but gave up on trying to tell a puppy that big and cute no.