I don't know why i keep revisiting Vlad being in Equestria. But the ideas just came and would not leave me alone till i put words to paper. I do not own any of these caterers.
Chapter 2
Mines of Bowton. Silver pov.
I opened my eyes to see I was in a cell once more, oh how I detested these things. At least my last one was clean. But this one was just a hollowed-out cave that had bars on one end. I could see many more cells and many more creatures. There were some ponies, mostly earth ponies but a few young unicorns or at least those that were to week to fight. A strong unicorn could blast her or himself out but it looks like they had precautions against that. Thought some of the stronger looking ponies that I spied have a stump on their heads. Indications of horn removal. It could not have bene a pain free process.
What surprised me more was some of the other captives. One was a large lizard man with greens scales that reminded me of some manga I read in the past. Another were a pair of dogs that looked more like the huskie breeds then the normal bull dog look that my captors held. Then there was a small blue dragon being held by a collar she looked a bit feminine so I assumed she was a girl. She also looked irritated beyond belief, scratches dents and some bruising told a rather harsh story about her time here.
All together we were about 20 people. I of course knew of Dimond dog but little is known about their culture other than the raids that occur. Thought harsh slavery in their mines seems to be their forte.
For a good hour, he just stared out at the bars of his cell. So, different yet so familiar. What had he been thinking? He was not hero. Phantom was always the hero. He was the villain. The one to make the plan while Daniel worked to stop him. He had no right to act heroic.
He was a cold hard villain. Unafraid to do anything to get what he wanted.
Eventually we were all brought out of the cages and into mines where we pulled carts to move gems and other rocks away. The first few weeks I was alone in my cell and gaged always other than to eat. Unfortunately, the whip marks on my back proved that it was a bad idea to open my mouth, yet I still did.
The first few weeks were just pulling and pain to the point that if I wasn't pulling I was sleeping. And I began to remember a feeling.
Ponies all are positively aligned and rarely show negative emotions. If treated badly they got angry but never more than that as it would soon pass. I however still had a human mind even if pony instincts, and I felt for the first time an emotion that I had not felt since I came to this world, Hate. And it was one day after a rather annoying guard decided to be a dick that it really flourished.
"Little Pony think he can keep silent, little pony think he strong, little pony be nothing, little pony need new lesson." I was strapped to a Planck with a piece of wood in my mouth. I arched and screamed as the hot leather of the whip put red welts on my back. Experience telling me It would not heal right. On this day, it appeared that they just got tired of beating me, While I did what they wanted I always made sure they knew just how much I hated them.
And hate them I did. I pictured every experience, every horror I had to endure here returned onto them tenfold. For every pony buried alive in a cave them I wished a hundred of their toes cut off. For all the whip lashes, a hundred more needles into their eyes.
But today was different. Today I was beyond tiered of the pain and the labor, spending an extra hour moving carts of heavy rocks from place to place all day, as tired as I was I didn't notice some rocks and cut open my hooves a few times. This exacerbated by blood loss and made me even more tired.
The mutts behind me swore saying something about hot and pain and teaching me a lesson but I could not make out what it was.
Then I felt it. On my flank a searing hot pain the likes of which I have not felt in a very long time. It finally made me yowl and cry as flesh melted off me. Tearing into my back as I went mad trying to get loose with my feeble strength. Curse my weakness and curse myself. The dogs did not stop there. They Lifted my bleeding hooves and closed them with the same hot iron as before. Tears long thought derided up flowed once more as my head hit the floor.
.. … .. .. …
"Are you alive?" I opened my eyes as I groaned at my body again. I haven't felt this bad since I took on both the ghost king, Phantom and the odd floating octopus. I got nearly disintegrated that time and still felt better.
I blinked away the blindness to see that I was in the same cage as that dragon girl. "Oh, you are alive, Im not sure if that's such a good thing here. My names Astrid, What's yours?" After my eyes cleared a bit I saw that she had an arm out ready to assist me up. Or eat me, I didn't really care.
"Silver, you can call me that." She didn't seem like she was going to eat me but I believe that more to do with giving in to the dogs then actually being opposed to it.
"Silver, sounds tasty, so what you in for?" She tossed a piece of stale bread they left for me in case I survived.
"Killed one of the mutts attacking my village, Apparently, they took exception to that." I took the bread into my mouth and chewed. At least my teeth were all still ok, if a little sore. With some effort, I did the pony equivalent of siting up.
"Ok, that's actually dang cool, I thought all ponies where are as harmless and sweet as bunny's. Couldn't kill a rabbit if they tried." She was surprised that I could do it. Witch to her credit most ponies abhorred the thought of violence. And a small colt taking out a dog was unheard of.
SO, I told her my story of biting the dog's and beating one to death for trying to stela filly's from me. "No one takes what is mine and gets away with it."
"Hu, with that kind of greed you might as well be a dragon, but now I know why they push you harder than everyone else, you killed one of them so they have got to be mad beyond belief." She then came over to hug me. I blinked up at that since that seemed like a rather odd thing to do in this situation. "Don't think this makes us friends but anyone that manages to kill one of these mutts is ok in my book." A dark look crossed her eyes as she imagined roasting the flee bitten mongrels that dared to call themselves part of the great dog race.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, how did these dogs capture a dragon, I mean I know your small for a dragon but you're still a dragon." Dragons were not known for leaving their young alone and were known to be ridiculously vicious, even in infancy. They guarded their eggs even more than they did their gold hordes. It takes a special kind of idiot to take an egg form a dragon nest of any clan.
"I don't even know, I went to sleeping my room, then the next thing I know I'm being sold to some dogs by a dragon I hardly know, drugged all to Tartarus. Then they bring me here and make me sniff out gems for them. I don't even get to eat any off zhem." Her voice got angrier as she spoke, with for whatever reason a French accent peeking out at the end.
Silver was good at lying and as such knew when others were lying. So, it was rather obvious that she was hiding something. Perhaps she knew more details about her capture then she let on. Silver can smell the stick of betrayal a mile out and this was no exception. Pony's and other people in this world tend to be really shit at lying so it's rather easy to tell when they fib. It's also a lot easier to know when they are in pain.
I don't know why I did it, maybe it was the sad look in her eyes, maybe the unshed tears. Perhaps stiff way she was holding herself, as if trying to block out the pain. But after seeing the look on her face as she remembered the past I walked up to her and curled up next to her. Sharing my warmth with the cold dragon.
She looked down at me in surprise but didn't comment as the soft fur made a good blanket. She laid her head across my middle and then went softly to sleep. The smoke coming out of her nostrils only making it somewhat warmer. In all honesty, I did enjoy the warmth as well. Soon I too joined her in the land of morphias.
… … …
The next few days were much the same as before with me being woken rudely by the dogs with the worst broken English I've ever heard. I'd spend all day toiling with the carts and hauling them away to whichever pile I needed to that day. My nights however were much more pleasant now. I would be thrown into the dragon cell with the dogs hoped of her eating me. But all that would happen was that we would talk for about an hour before going to sleep. Me getting a Furnas and her gating a soft pillow.
Those nights were far more bearable now thanks to some good old-fashioned friendship. Astrid was also a great person to talk to as well. We discussed everything from politics to fishing and hunting. Turns out the dragons have a ruling class and common class. Were you were depended on how smart you were, how strong you were and how well know you were. It wasn't a great form of government but since each dragon can sleep for a hundred years easily, it was the best they could do.
I was surprised by some things about the dragons. Like that they grew up faster or slower based off certain stimuli. If all went well an adult dragon could even change their size at will. Though if a dragon could achieve that they instantly could be bumped up to noble or even royal statues.
Astrid in turn was surprised that I knew so much about hunting and preparing meat. I used the excuse that I would occasionally cook for griffins and that I had tried meat in the past. Unfortunately, it made me somewhat ill when I ate to much of it. I could hold the equivalent of half a stake and be ok, but over that I get sick and any more than a full steak and I get rather ill. Making it into a sandwich dose help to digest it and extends my limit a little.
I learned she liked Green, she learned I liked blue. We went back and forth for a while before going into theory and plans and whatnot on when we escaped. Not if but when.
Over time I found that I had grown bulkier. After a near two years of this hell I found that my body was getting more and more lean. Muscles were being tightly packed against my body and my overall appearance was starting to look feral. My once short black hair was now log, wild and spiky. By only small legs were now stronger then rock. Under all the scars my muscles would make odd patterns and give an overall strong appearance.
This confused a lot of the dogs since they only fed me the standard amount. I suspected it was my latent ghost power coming to the surface. Starvation was making me stronger. It didn't make it any easier but at least survivable. I still didn't have any powers yet but I was patient. I learned long ago that relying on more than just my ghost powers was a safe idea. You have no idea how many times just being fit and healthy saved my neck in the only days when my powers were nullified my something or other.
Why bother blasting a ghost shield apart when you could just turn human and jump threw it?
I was not ideal during this time ether. I am not known as the greatest escape artist in the ghost zone for nothing. I escaped maximum security penitentiaries before. It was only a matter of time before I escaped this one. My time here was not a pleasant experience but I was able to get a grasp of the other prisoners. Most ponies seemed to die from depression after a year and the other races just dropped dead from exhaustion. I felt each time one passed on to the great beyond and even a special few that went to the ghost zone.
After a year of bunking with Astrid they finally separated us to our own cells once more. Most likely since they finally realized she was not going to eat me. It took them a little too long to figure that out. It's like they are just smart enough to keep us hear but too dumb to do anything else.
While I may work and act like a beaten horse, all the better. They believe me now pliable and dead inside. After a time, most people here stop wishing to live so it became easy to swipe some keys out from a dog guard when he wasn't looking. This place can zap you of your will to live and even I am not immune from terrifying nightmares. But I have survived far worse.
Now I could have used the keys to escape their and then but patience has its own rewards. For one, those dogs are not getting off scot free for doing this to us. I may be a better man, Pony now but I still want revenge.
Then the day came.
The dogs had a successful raid happen this morning. Large barrels of food and alcohol littered the ground while gems and silks. Along with these riches they had captured a large group of griffin children. I honestly did not know what they were planning with them but form the looks they were sending them I figured that it was best not to find out.
Today was the day to act. All the dogs and guards were a bit laxer with their vigilance and most of the colonies were down in a drunken stupor or on the floor. I waited till midnight when all the dogs are asleep. I took the key and opened the door ever so slowly. The dull look in my eyes turning into a ghostly red. No real power yet but still It was either today or never.
The guards watching the prisons were two lumbering gray bulldogs that had armor on most of their body. Looking over the unconscious lout I took out the small dagger that he had on his belt. I judged the weight and found it was a bad quality but would get the job done. I was about to do the deed when I momentarily froze. My blood pumped like ice and the dagger became so much colder in my hands. My mouth became dry and I shivered for a second. This had been a new start, an innocent start. If I did this then that innocence would be gone. Would I go back to being Plasmius, just another mad dog in a mad world. Could I sacrifice this new chance to redeem my soul for revenge?
I looked back at all the cells of sleeping pony's, Lizards, changelings and one little blue dragon. Yes, I would, For them.
I contracted my magic and made a bubble around the dog's head as I jammed the dagger into his spine. Killing him instantly. I sealed the wounded so that the blood would not alert anyone and went on to the next five guards.
I felt a punch to my stomach as I made a new sound barrier. "Little pony thinks he can leave? Little pony thinks we let him walk away? Little pony going to hurt today." Dogmond. A detestable and cruel task master that delighted in the suffering of others. Without a word, I charged at him and cut his arm with the dagger held by my magic. My legs then came up and smashed into his head causing him to fall. His head bogged down and he was unconscious.
I debated for a long time. But in the end, there was a dagger in this throat. Perhaps I was not as changed as I had hoped.
I went into the party room and started my gruesome work. By nights end I held onto the dagger with only my mouth and with no magic left to spare. My mind all but gone in the violence of it all. My white and black coat was now a copper red color and something told me that it was not going to be that easy to wash out. I walked back to the cells with all the keys I could find.
While this was necessary it still gnawed at me. When I have killed before it was always in battle with both sides waging war agents another. But this felt, Different. I will in no way admit to feeling guilty they were dead, but ending them like that in their sleep was just wrong. As the Very Last Dog died by my blade I felt my Ghost core finally synch into my body. The familiar rush of hot energy coursed through my veins, energizing me. I felt as my teeth sharpened and my eyes became silted and able to see in the dark. I looked in the mirror and saw the most feral looking of ponies I have ever seen. I smiled.
I was covered with blood and had glowing red eyes with the most feral look imaginable. Surrounded by the carnage of my kills, and I was smiling magickly. Latter I could have all the nightmares about this as I wanted but for now the feeling I felt was that of power. And I loved it.
After a minute of unadulterated laughter, I changed my shape back to that of my mortal pony self. I would eventfully change it over time to the wilder one but for now, no need to scare the slaves.
I made my way to the cells and banged on the cells. Most of the occupants knew the drill and sat up to begin. What they didn't expect was to see Silver, Favorite chew toy of the dogs, opening their doors, and covered in red liquid. None of the ponies could put two and two together but they knew something had happened.
Vlad opened every cage and then came to His favorite one. "Well Astrid looks like you got your wish." Vlad said wearily. A full day of assassination takes it out of you.
"Silver?" "The one and only". I opened the doors for her and she took her first steps outside without a caller or leash on in years. She smelled me and she knew I had done something and had a clue as to what. But she just smiled and let me continue unabated.
I chose to open every cell on my own so that I could see what all I did out there was for. "Stop, don't open that cell. Those are dogssss in there." A lizard man said along with a few ponies. The dogs in the cells were piled on together like a big pile of pillows. They were all bigger than the normal dogs and had a more refined husky appearance. They were however very malnourished and dirty. The first was a white and red coloring with a long bushy tail. The other was also red and white with a smaller but more puffy tail. The last looked like the classic husky with black and white furry, piercing blue eyes and puffy tail.
"We are all prisoners here, these dogs were put here for a reason, to leave any prisoners here for them to try to start operations up again would be a bad idea." With little fan fair, I opened the last cell and the dogs walked out.
"We thank you for our freedom young one, it has been to long since we have been free." All three bowed their heads to me in a show of thanks. Seeing this the other groups also lowered their heads as well.
"You may thank me when we get out of here. I have a plan but I will need all your help to do it." I looked on at them all using every vestige of my old public speaking skills to effective use.
"We will follow you what is your plan." The lead dog said.
"Very well what is your name fair canine?" The dog smiled a bit showing his sharp teeth. The ponies nearby took a small step away as images of sharp teeth flashed into their minds.
"I am Stoic of the Rider clan." He would be the leader of the three.
"Pleasure to meet you Stoic of the Rider Clan."
"I am Banner or the Sothern swamps." The head lizard men said. The two lizard men were about the same Hight with jagged sword slashed across their hides. They were both a dark green color and were a cross between lizard and human. They were bipedal and seemed to have wider backs then a human. He also looked like he only resented the dogs for what the others did but was not overly hostile.
"I am Wind Chaser of the Moss Changeling clan. We thank you for this and will provide our help." The changeling had a black exoskeleton green eyes and green beetle wings.
After a quick rundown of what everyone could do my plans changed a bit. The changelings could shape shift so I had them turn into dogs. The dogs could do some magic with their howls but preferred to use speed and tooth. The Lizard men were powerful and could breathe under water. But we were all in bad shape and could barely do anything for a prolonged period.
"Ok, we have fourteen ponies, several small griffins, three Dimond wolves with enough energy for one howl each, two lizard men that can breathe under water, 5 changelings three of witch that can shift for a minute each and one dragon that can belch some fire. I can work with that." I began to explain the plan.
"Get as many carts filled with gems onto each pony and the two changelings that can't change. Leave one cart open for the griffin chicks to ride in as we escape. Dimond wolves' lizard men and I will move all the explosives to the pavilion with all the bodies, if anyone sees anything that will burn throw it into the pile. I need the other unicorn to cast a detection spell to see if there are any more survivors. If there are you will go with the changelings to drain them if they are alone and to trap them in the caverns if they are in groups. Preferably behind a rock or boulder. Astrid go with them for that and be ready to jump into the cart with the Chicks as we go. We have twenty minutes." They all looked at me in surprise since I was technically one of the youngest even if I looked fit. "Any questions."
"Why would we want to cart more of these cursed gems?" A mare from the back with a green and purple coloring came forward. "Sumer heart, why should we listen to you ether, your just a young colt yourself?"
I pointed into the next room and had them look over the balcony. Down below was the lake of blood with the bodies of the dogs showing exactly what I can do. "I am Vlad Silver Hooves, I have killed every dog down there and released everyone here while orchestrating our escape. If you have a better idea, then I will hear it but until then ether contribute or buck it. I will have every slave topside weather you want to or not, AM I CLEAR." With a small amount of killing intent they all stood straighter and all but saluted me as I explained the rest of the plan. Some shook in fear while others looked on in admiration. In the end, they all listened.
… …. …
The carts were all loaded and lightly strapped to a pony each as the rest of the people were made clear. A few stragglers had been found and a few groups of dogs as well. We sequestered them all as close as we could so that air flow only went through this cavern. After living here for more than two years we all knew the roads like the backs of our flanks.
The explosives were put off to a corner and a triple line was set. Surrounding it was flammable wood covered in oils and after that silks, garments and anything else that could burn.
"Why are we setting fire to this place again?" Summer asked. I was wondering if we were going to have a problem with her.
"Two reasons. One we want to suffocate any dogs that might be in the cave by having the fire use up all the air. We really don't need any pursuers in our condition. Second the explosive powders will hopefully cause such a shock that the mine will collapse in on itself and burying both mine and dogs for good." We trudged the wagons with gems out a tunnel I had scoped out before and knew was the exit. As more of us smelled the fresh air we got more exited.
My argument was sound and no one wanted to be chased. After so long they relished at the chance to obliterate the mines once and for all.
The Griffins were getting more exited since they could feel the wind now moving across their feathers. Some chirped but others finally started to say human words. Even I must admit the sight was cute. They were of course still terrified as they huddled together in the cart.
With a last burst of effort, we came up and out of the cave and into a deeply packed jungle. Wide strong trees were everywhere and vines hung from each tree top. A river was next to the cave entrance but the cave was elevated above it, as to not let water in. Wild animals made sounds in the forest but it didn't look especially dangerous. In fact, it looked way tamer then even the woods back at my winter cottage back In the earth relm.
Everyone slowly began to make their way out and most chose to get their first real drink of fresh water after so long. Some of the ponies also just started to eat the flowers that surrounded the entrance to the cave. I was not going to stop them since they would need the energy.
We were there about ten minutes when the second team consisting of the Wolf, lizard, changeling and Astrid came out. "We may have a problem; the line can't reach that long and Stick said he heard some howling and thrashing happening down there." She panted out as she finally noticed the clearing, she all but jumped into the water with tears in her eyes, the rest not too far behind.
"Enjoy yourselves while you can. Its time I finish this." Walking up to the entrance to the mine I centered myself and reached deep into my core. As luck, would have it the dogs only made one entrance so this would be easy.
I focused on my magic, and then ignored it and focused on my ghost core. I felt it hot and wispy in my chest, beating like a heart still as powerful and comforting as I remember it to be. I drew on its power; the air began to sing with my ghostly essence. An invisible breeze blew my hair and everyone felt an intense pressure coming over them. I opened my eyes and screamed out a cry of rage anguish and desperation. The others joining in without even realizing it. A red and pink blast of fire ten feet wide and impossible long went down the shaft of the cave and just kept going. For five minutes, I kept it up will I was sure the fire had reached the explosives down below, and I kept going till no air was left and fire could no longer exits.
As I cut out the flame we could all here the sounds of rock crumbling from the entrance, destroying the mine forever. I closed my eyes and stretched out my ghost sense and felt no more living people down below.
"That's it, they are dead, we are free." There was no great cheer or loud exclamation but everyone shed a few tears and others just slumped down to enjoy a nice rest, silently crying.
I moved over to the Chicks and one of them hoped out of the cart and gave me a hug. "Can ve go home now mister?" She asked with the most adorable face I have ever seen. She looked like a regular griffin kid with a rounder head and green spots along her neck. I hugged her closer to me and said "Yes little one, let's go home."
Since everyone was still in shock and awe no one bothered to challenge me when I divided the gems between us all. The dogs and lizard men each agreed they would take what they could carry and I would take a couple saddle bags to set the chicks up when I got to Gryefrus. The Griffin capital.
The changelings had little use for gems but understood the value after an explanation. They agreed to take one cart since they still needed to defend themselves on the way and they did not need to be weighed down by gems. So, they transformed into a pony and left shortly after to their hive. They would trade the gems for supplies along the way.
The dogs and lizard men left shortly after and promised friendship and a feast the next time they saw me. The ponies still had six carts of gems. There was a small argument when I tied to divide that equally. They all seemed to have agreed that since I basically saved them all that half the gems overall should go to me. This would skyrocket me into being one of the richest men in equestrian. But for now, I just took one bag. I was hardly that generous before but these were the heist quality gems available. So, ten single high quality gem was the equivalent of the price of a car. If ponies used cars.
"Summer, please step forward." She came forward and saluted. "First off, I would like for you to take charge of the group, you asked all the right questions and seem like you still have some fire in you. I trust you to complete this task. I have to take these Griffins back home." I looked her in the eyes and let my happiness show. "After that I'll be going home back to Grand Trot. Can I trust you to leave my part of the gems in a bank vault for me?" She looked me square in the eye and nodded. I knew she would do it to. "I have one more small request."
"Anything" Everyone said that as they took a step forward.
"Can you tell my parents that I am ok, that I will be home and that I think of them every day. I love them and will come to see them as soon as I can." I gave the address of my house, hooked up the cart with the Griffins and headed north. There were some tears of farewell but their desire for civilization was greater than their desire to go with me. So, they headed south west.
