Chapter 35: Train And Return

The next morning Dan woke up squeezed in between a big pup and Luna. He was amused by the sight and felt cozy more than anything. He was so comfy and happy with the scene that he had a hard time wanting to move. But Dan knew he had to start training the pup and had other things to do today. So Dan teleported himself from the middle of the two that were cuddling with him. This left the Pup cuddling with Luna now. Dan had to try not to laugh or go aww. He made a camera appear and took a picture of this cute scene, that Luna would get him back for later. Then Dan left to do the things that he had to do before he could start training Cebby.

Dan came back a couple hours later and saw that Cebby was now holding Luna in his paws like a stuffed animal. And Luna was cuddled into the big pups legs like it was a big pillow. Dan had to take another picture before he had to wake them. "Hey sleepy heads. I know you two must be comfy from the looks of it but he needs to get up and train. Then you can go back to sleep Luna. Man you two are just too cute together!" Luna was slowly waking up, as was the pup, as Dan spoke. Cebby yawned and Luna's eyes went wide. She teleported next to Dan and Cebby looked confused because he didn't know where the thing he was cuddling with went.

Dan laughed at the cute sight and how Luna was slightly freaking out. "Why did you do that!?" Dan calmed her and told her what happened and even showed her the pictures. She tried to destroy them but Dan had copies and made them indestructible just for fun. Then Dan told Cebby it was time to go start his training, and he knew just the one to help train him. Who better to train him besides Dan then the head of the guards. But Cebby was scared to train for the fear of failing. "Do we have to start so soon? And how are we going to train? Are you sure we should even try?"

Dan whistled loud at the last question. Cebby's ears fell and he looked at Dan with question and slight fear he did something wrong. Then Dan spoke in a calming voice. "Of course it is worth trying. Even if you fail at first you just keep trying. You never give up and you will win, you will succeed. We are doing this for you and even for your family. You want to see them and I know they want to make sure you grow up strong and happy. So yes we start so soon, and we are training in the ways that both ponies and Cerberus fight. I have studied some of those ways and I am sure my friend can help us with the rest. I will also ask the griffon king if he knows any ways of fighting that will help us."

Cebby was now more excited and calm than fearful. "Ok let's go start this so I can see my parents again, and become part of the pack. Thank you for this Dan." Dan smiled and hugged the big pup. "Anything for a friend in need. Now lets go meet the one that will help me train you. I will see you later Luna, love you." Luna returned his goodbye and went back to sleep, now feeling lonely in the empty bed. She wouldn't say it to Dan but she did enjoy cuddling with Cebby. Now she didn't feel bad about letting him sleep in the bed with them. She might just allow it again.

Cebby followed Dan through the halls of the castle until they came to the training area for the guards. John felt Dan's approach as usual and was going to keep training the guard until the guard froze with a look of fear at something that seemed to be over Johns head. John turned around in a defensive stance. Then he was stiff. He hadn't faced many things of this kind. John had rarely seen a Cerberus, but when he did he made sure to not piss it off. This one was smaller than most he had seen but that didn't make it any less of a threat. But then again Dan was standing in front of it with a smile, and no fear what so ever. Something had to be up with this.

"What is the meaning of this? What is it doing here?" Dan gave him a hard look in return. "HE is now under my care until he is old enough to join the pack. So until then we need to train him in the ways of fighting. Both in his kinds ways and ours. So I will be training him mostly, but I need you and your guards to help with this as well. With us teaching him it won't take long for him to become a great enough fighter to join the pack. So will you help us?" John thought about it for a moment and looked over the big dog behind Dan. The pup looked harmless enough.

"Why are you doing this for him?" Dan frowned. "His parents were attacked and he is alone. We found the pack leader and he told us he couldn't join the pack, even though his mom was with them, until he was eight months old and then he had to fight a pack member to join. And the griffons weren't going to do it and I wasn't going to leave him out there alone. Not this young and scared, and not with something that hunts Cerberus out there. So I took him in and will do all I can to help him until he doesn't need me. He will choose if he stays or leaves when we go back."

John then agreed that he would train this pup and use him to train the guards as well. That way he was not just getting the training but also helping with it. Dan agreed to that arrangement and Cebby seemed happy to help. After that it was left to Dan and the guards to train Cebby in as many fighting styles as they could in the short time they had. It went by fast and Cebby grew in size and intelligence quickly. By the time it came for him to go back, he was the size of a normal pony house. He was also as mature and smart as a 40 year old human. He was very disciplined and followed all orders without question. He was actually a part of the royal guard by this point.

Then it was the day that Dan was to return Cebby to the pack. Dan didn't know if he should actually go with him but he didn't care about the pack rules, he wasn't just leaving Cebby on his own. The two left the castle early that morning and Dan flew, while Cebby ran at full speed into the griffon lands. They went to the place they first met and followed the trail back to the place where they met the pack leader. Dan turned to Cebby who had a look of determination on all three of his faces. "Are you ready to be part of the pack and see your mom, and hopefully dad, again?" Cebby nodded all his heads and then they started walking deeper into the Cerberus territory.

It only took a few minutes before they found themselves surrounded by Cerberus that were growling at them. Then the leader that was huge walked in front of them. "I remember your scent. Are you the one that raised this pup just to bring him here?" Dan nodded. "I gave my word that I would take care of him and raise him until he could join the pack and I have kept it. now all I ask is that I can watch him join if that is ok with you. I do not know your rules or laws so forgive me if I break any without knowing it." The leader nodded his middle head. "You already have by being here in our lands. It will be forgiven since you were in a way welcomed to return. But you must fight me for your freedom."

Dan excepted these terms. Then Cebby asked his question. "Excuse me if I speak out of term, but when and whom will I be fighting for my right to join the pack." The leader looked to Cebby. "You will fight my second in command." Cebby nodded. Then the Pack leader started to walk to their cave for the fights. One of the other Cerberus asked him what he was doing? "If you take them to our home they will know where we live and can find it later. Are you sure we can trust this one?" the leader stopped and turned to look at Dan. "He has proven his worth by keeping his promise and raising this pup as his own. I can tell he will not do anything to harm us, or give us away."

Dan smiled and nodded. "I will not lead anyone to you. I will respect your customs and keep what secrets I know safe. Now let us go have a good fight. Cebby you ready for this?" Cebby nodded and smiled. "More than ever before. Let's do this together like you always said we would." The leader got and idea as he continued to walk. "If you wish to do this together then why don't we fight at the same time as well. A two on two fights is rare but not unheard of. What do you say to this?" Dan and Cebby smiled looking at each other. "Sounds like our training together will finally come in handy. We agree."

The leader was amused at Dan's enthusiasm and loyalty to Cebby. It took a few minutes of walking, or jogging in Dan's case, for them to reach a huge entrance to a cave. This was the home of the pack and where Cebby's mom would be. The group entered, then Dan and Cebby were lead to a large cavern. Dan took this as their training area. Then the leader and second walked to one side. Dan and Cebby took that as their queue to walk to the other. Then both sets got into fighting stances. Both large Dogs were impressed when Cebby and Dan both took Cerberus fighting stances. "You have studied our ways more than I thought you had. But let's see if you can actually use those stances."

Then it began with both sides attacking the other. Cebby and the second were close in size and strength so the fight was equal for the most part. Cebby had speed and thinking over the second, but the second had more actual practice fighting other Cerberus. Dan one the other hoof was finding it troublesome to fight something so big. Dan could handle the much smaller Cebby using these none natural fighting styles. It was hard to use because of the lack of size, lack of three heads, and lack of practical practice. It was a few miuntes of fighting later when Dan looked over to see how Cebby was doing.

Cebby had been flipped onto his back and the second pounced on him. Cebby kicked the second in the chest and flipped him over his heads. Then Cebby rolled and jumped on the second. The second had landed on his heads which disoriented him long enough for Cebby to hold him down and put each of his mouths around one of the throats of the second. Cebby growled and the second submitted to him. Then Cebby removed him mouths and helped up the second. Then the two sat there and watched the other two fight. Cebby was told he could help Dan but Dan told him to stay put. This was his fight for his freedom.

It took Dan a few more miutes to figure out the large dogs weaknesses. Then Dan attacked with his speed and attacked to weakest points and pressure points. The large dog shakily backed up tring not to fall. "You pay very good attention to your enemy when you fight. And that gives you the chance you need to win. Very well. You have beaten me enough for your freedom. Cebby has won his right to join the pack as well. If he wished since he actually beat my second in command he could take his place. Would you like to do this?" Cebby looked confused. "I do not know yet sir. May I think about it?" the leader agreed with this option.

Dan smiled as he walked up to Cebby. Cebby smiled down at him and hugged him. Dan hugged him back. "Good job pup, looks like you are a real grown up dog now. Now I think it is time to go meet your mom, if that is ok with you and the leader." Cebby agreed and the leader frowned at them. "I will take you to her, but do not be made at us for her state. She has been in and out of a coma since we found her. When she was awake we gave her food and water but that is all that has worked. All of our medicine has failed to bring her back from her sleep. She is in here." The leader had been walking though the halls as he spoke. Then they reached the rom they were told she was in.

Cebby was scared to see him mother again. both because he didn't know is she was awake or if she would approve of him now that he was grown up. Cebyy walked in and froze at the sight of his mother asleep on a large bed, and she looked horrible, but still beautiful to him. He ran to her side and hugged her. "Mom please wake up. Mom it is Cebby. I am part of the pack now. Please wake up." Dan walked in to see and hear this sad sight. The leader was standing next to him. "There was little we could do for her." Dan's eyes went wide. "But you don't have magic! Is it against your beliefs to let one like me who has magic to help her if I can?"

The leader thought about it for a moment. "No we don't. we have been known to go to those who can work in healings of different sources to help our kind. So if you think you can heal her, please try. You are free to come and go as you please as well. So if you can heal her, would you mind doing the same for others that have been hurt?" Dan smiled up to him. "I will do all I can to help, but I must try and help her first." Dan ran up to Cebby and put a wing on him. "Let me try to heal her. I should be able to help her. Please let me try." Cebby looked to Dan with tears in his eyes and nodded.

Dan put both hooves on Cebby's mother and started to let his magic flow into her. It took more energy than he was used to using at once but he wasn't going to let that stop him. Dan ended up going into chaos berserker mode to keep up with the demand in magic. It was about a half hour later and Dan stopped and collapsed to the ground. Cebby looked worried for him. "Dan are you ok!? Please tell me you are ok, I can't lose two parents at once, not again!" Dan opened his eyes and told Cebby to calm down. "You aren't losing me any time soon. And thanks to me you aren't losing her either. She should wake up in a few minutes after the magic settles down and her body adjusts."

Cebby gave Dan a few licks in happiness. Then he heard stirring coming from the bed. He looked over and saw his mothers eyes flicker open. "Wha-what happened? It's all a blur. Wait! Cebby!" Cebby held her down and told her he was alright and he was here for her. The leader came in and helped calm her down. Dan limped to the side so he wouldn't get crushed by the big dogs. He watched as the mother calmed down and was told what had happened while she was out. She then looked over her grown up son. "Cebby I can't believe you are ok. And you grew up into such a great young Cerberus. The leader raised you well." Cebby shook his heads, as did the leader.

"I did not raise him at all. I turned him over to a pony that tried to return him. I did so because I thought it was a trap. But that pony gave us his word that he would raise this pup as his own and prepare him so he could join the pack. He kept his word and raised him, taught him, and created a strong and loyal young Cerberus. So I cannot take praise for something I did not do. Just like I cannot take praise for helping you wake up from your coma. It was the same pony that did that as well. He did that for Cebby. So it is him that you should thank for your sons safe return and raising." Cebby was waging his tail and looking from his mother to Dan and back.

Cebby's mother slowly raised up and looked over to a small pony that looked like he had been beat up badly. "What happened to him?" The leader told her about how Dan fought him and could have beaten him, and how he used a large amount of magic to heal her. She looked at Dan with surprise. This pony didn't look like he was capable of any of this. "Is this true Cebby? Did he train you well enough to beat the second in command, almost beat the leader of the pack, and then heal me?" Cebby smiled and nodded. "Yes mother. He did all of that and more. He made me into a respected member of both pony and Cerberus kinds. He brought me back to you and then you back to me. He is like another father to me. Speaking of which, where is my father?"

Cebby turned to the leader when he asked that and got a sad look in return. "We know he is alive and where he is, but we cannot reach him. Every time we get close we are attacked by the monster that stole him and also ponies with great magic. We have tried many times, but each time we are sent home without him. That is why I asked this pony to heal others in our pack. Because they were hurt by magic." Dan frowned. "OK I know what I must do. But please stop calling me this pony. My name is Dan. I will heal those I can and then I am going on a mission to save your dad. May I bring my wife here so she can also help me heal those who need it? It takes a lot and I want to leave for the mission as soon as possible. If it means anything she was the suraget mother like I was the suraget father."

The leader agreed and then the plans were set in motion to heal the pack and save Cebby's father. But one more thing had to be addressed. "What will Cebby's new real name be?" The leader had forgotten about this and thought about it. "It shall be Cerebralus. It stands for smart Cerberus. But the short name or nick name for it is still Cebby. Do you like it?" Cebby nodded. "Yes thank you sir. And I am glad I can still be called Cebby. It makes it easier when following order when the name is short and all others already know it. Thank you." After that Dan brought Luna to the Cerberus cave and started healing with Luna so they could start the rescue mission.