Chapter 19:A Dog And Pony Show

"Mister O? You have an hour for your starting lesson,"Ms Cheerlie peaked out from her school house where Orion stood against a wall, waiting for his chance to teach,"I hope you know what you're doing here, I don't want my children corrupted by the thought of dark magic…"

"No worries Cheerlie… By the end of the lesson. They'll never want to go any where near dark magic."Orion promised her and stood straight before following her into the school house and into a chaotic classroom.

The man overlooked all the kids that ran about, throwing paper planes and chasing each other around. He sighed, and looked to a nervously smiling Cheerlie as he pulled out a shard of crystal. He then put it to the chalk board and started to grind it downward, hurting every pony's ears. The children were quick to stop their shenanigans and hold their ears to endure the screeching chalk board. They looked forward to Orion as he finally stopped once he had their full attention.

"Take your seats, all of you! This final lesson for today requires your full attention,"Orion commanded before all the children were quickly taking their seats, following the roles of the crusaders,"Now, thanks to Ms Cheerlie. I have been given permission to tutor you all on the dangers of dark magic!"

The children were already buzzing about the lesson, their curiosity was key to the lesson's efficiency in scaring them straight. He sat the crystal down and took a pace around to see each and every student in the class room. He then took up a fresh apple and showed it to Cheerlie as he assumed the obvious.

"Apple Bloom I'm presuming?"He asked while putting it down.

"Yes, I think it was meant for you Mister O…"Cheerlie answered while taking her seat to see Apple Bloom waving to them.

"How nice… Now! To start, I want all of you to tell me what you all know about dark magic,"He stopped for a moment and saw blank faces full of confusion and nervousness on their faces,"Well come on now. Don't be shy, tell me what you know…!"

"Is dark magic the kind of magic that's dark and evil?"Came the tiny white and brown spotted hoof of a tiny colt from the back of the room.

"Uh…sort of. It all depends on how one chooses to use it, but it is illegal for good reasons,"Orion explained after a decent starter question,"Dark magic, was formed mostly from ponies that descended into madness, exploring the darkest of ideas that should never be explored…!"

"So dark magic is sort of like a misunderstood magic that simply needs control before it can be accepted perhaps?"Sweetie Belle was kind enough to ask a question that was quite the bold thought.

"Perhaps… I do know of some pony who was permitted to use dark magic for selfless means,"Orion nodded, but then took up a normal piece of chalk,"But even still, dark magic remains illegal. And I'll show you all why with a little something I call, curse spells…!"

He could see Apple Bloom's head raise high at the very name, curse spells. For she still very much remembered his talk about them back when they got to know Zecora. Now he could see excitement mounting in her, since he was now keeping his promise to show them to her. Though he knew that by the end of the second curse spell, she would not be smiling much. He turned to Cheerlie before the teacher brought out a caged Ever Free star spider as his test dummy.

"Curse spells are one of the most deadly of dark magic that has ever been created by pony kind,"Orion made that part perfectly clear as he looked over the spider he would be using,"So… Any of you know how many curse spells there are out there?"

"Four Mister O!"Apple Bloom raised her hoof and remembered the answer he gave her back then.

"And why are they called curse spells?"He followed up with another question.

"Because curses are the most unforgivable of magic, and using either one of them would-"Apple Bloom earned the right to no longer answer the entire question, as Orion picked it up.

"It will earn you an eternity in prison, if not a trip to the old gallows to be hung by your necks till death, correct Apple Bloom,"Orion finished and sat his chalk down for more serious talk,"Now normally I would never show you any of these curses, but thanks to recent events. I feel an obligation to show you the dangers of dark magic and the beings that would dare to use them."

"And… You will show them only the first two, correct?"Cheerlie wanted to make sure he stuck to the deal they made a while back before the talent show.

"Certainly Ms Cheerlie, one of them of course I can't even do for… Personal reasons,"He agreed before he finally opened the cage and took the spider out from his cage,"So…! I will only show you the more light hearten curses. Inferious, and Toretronicus…!"

The children all sat up and began to pay attention, the thought of seeing illegal curses interested them. This was his intention, and knew he had the kids within his grasp of knowledge. He held the spider in his hand and sighed before looking to all the excited children.

"We will start with the inferious…! Simple, but no less an atrocity to nature itself,"He hinted at the fact that this was nothing for them to actually enjoy as he hovered his hand over the spider,"Let your mind become my own… Feel the inferious…!"

His hand trembled, and a small white funnel grew from the palm of his hand. Surrounding the spider as his eyes began to grow gray and blank like the stone victims of a cockatrice. The spell appeared to be over, it appeared simple enough from the looks of it. At least before they saw Orion simply standing there as the funnel disappeared and the spider explored its surroundings. It was like he was turned into stone from the inside, and his soul was completely missing.

"As you can see, this is the inferious curse spell in all of it's glory,"Orion's voice sounded, but not from his body, as the spider suddenly jumped to the front desk of Snips and spoke,"Yup, concentrate on me children…! My mind is now in control of this creature…!"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhh! Talking spider!"Snips jumped from his desk and hugged his buddy Snails for comfort.

"Yes…! The inferious allows your mind to take over the mind and body of an inferior creature or person,"He explained as Orion crawled around the colts desk and aimed straight for Diamond Tiara," Which means I can make it do anything… Including this…!"

He then suddenly jumped from the first desk, right to Diamond Tiara's forehead. She was already hyperventilating and ready to scream as he crawled around on her main. She screamed like a pig to see the spider in her mane before she swung wildly at her mane to shoo him away. Only for Orion to jump to Silver Spoon's left forearm, causing her to faint. He rolled his eyes and jumped straight to Apple Bloom's face, causing her to jump, but end with a round of giggles.

"Fun isn't this?! I could make this spider do anything I want! I could bite the teacher,"He suddenly said before jumping to Cheerlie's desk and snipping at her to scare them nice and serious,"Or… I could simply drown myself in her glass of water…!"

He crawled to her cup and dunked his head into the water to simulate drowning. The kids were immediately silent and a bit scared that the shift in mood changed so dramatically. He quickly took his head out from the water and jumped back into the hand of his real body. With a glow of white and red coursing from the spider to his real body. Orion's eyes went red and white, and he was back in his own body while the spider was back to it's normal self.

"Quite a change I see on all your faces… Knowing just how far you can take it when you're in control of another life,"Orion explained in a morbid tone to a now intensive crowd of kids,"You could make them do anything… even taking their own life…!"

He looked around, and had the children's full attention and respect. He then sat the spider down on the desk and gave a sigh, knowing the next curse would indeed disturb them. He looked to Cheerlie, and then back to the children before he found his voice.

"Now… Time for the final curse spell… I warn you… It may be disturbing to all of you,"He made sure they were paying close attention as he hovered his hand over the spider once more,"Through pain and force… Your secrets will be revealed… Suffer… The Toretronicus…!"

His command came with a strong blast of his own personal red magic. The moment it entered through the spider, every one was spooked by an outburst of screeches. The spider had then began to twitch, shriek and groan in sudden invisible pain, it stumbled all over the desk. It was as if an invisible force was putting the spider through the most horrific and darkest means of torment. Some of the students had to look away while others closed their ears to filter out the screeches of pain.

"This is the nature of Toretronicus…! Torturing a chosen victim to the verge of insanity,"Orion explained as his hand trembled to focus on the curse to the point that Snails was suddenly having a panic attack,"Once it is done, death will seem like a gift for the victim of this curse spell…!"

"Mister O! One of the students is having a panic attack, stop the spell right now!"Cheerlie warned as Orion looked to the hyperventilating colt and immediately stopped the spell.

His hand moved away from the spider before he approached Snails. He tilted his head to gesture Snips to part from his friend for a moment before kneeling down to Snails. The shaking of the colt's head, his quick and uncontrolled breathing and fear. It all said one clear and particularly thing, the colt recognized the curse spell and was stricken by it's memory. This was a disturbing and point of interest for Orion as he placed his hand to the colt's shoulder.

"You alright there…? I know the curse spells are scary, believe me I know,"Orion patted his shoulder and got the colt to look at him,"You saw that spell before haven't you? That kind of fear is only shown by some pony who's seen the spell before…"

"A…a… A pony in a cloak… He used that…spell… on a pet of mine from the edge of the forest…!"Snails trembled as he explained his knowledge about the Toretronicus.

"I see… Go with your friend and soak your head in cool water… Snips…!"He looked to the chubby colt and made him get out of his seat to take Snails to the bathroom.

"Ok… Mister O…! I think that's the full extent of your lessons correct…?"Cheerlie was a bit solemn, but almost relieved that it was all over.

"Yes… I hope you all learned a lesson about dark magic…! It's not magic that is meant for the reckless and the insane,"He closed his lesson with a warning about the magic they had just witnessed,"Cheerlie… I apologize for any inconvenience or harm this lesson may have done to the children…"

"It's quite alright… I have some lessons that may pick their spirits back up tomorrow."She waved to him as he decided to leave the school house much to the surprising groans and disappointment of the children.

"Wait…! What about the Graver curse!?"Apple Bloom suddenly blurted out and made Orion pause and clench his fists.

"That curse spell is too dangerous to show to children…"He denied the idea of showing them the spell of death.

"Exactly, besides… Mister Orion has other things to do at the moment children…!"Cheerlie tried to reason with the children that suddenly began to beg for more.

"Please…! Please show us…!"

"You're probably the most intense and awesome teacher yet…!"

"Please show us more…!"

They all begged for more magic, and it made him tilt his head and groan. He unclenched his hands as he began to think of what to do in this situation. Finally he held his breath and let his hands glow red before the magic then went green.

"Your time has come… Death is imminent… Embrace your end… Embrace the Graver…!"He suddenly spun around and pointed a finger at the spider before shooting an arrow of green magic like a cross bow.

The blast of magic struck the spider, forcing a sharp shriek from the insect. Before it fell to it's back and curled it's legs up, before it suddenly went cold and still. The moment silence took over, the hearts of every pony went cold and dropped like stones, for they realized that the bug was dead. Apple Bloom sighed, for even she was terrified and regretting her curiosity. While Cheerlie held a hoof to her heart out of fear and guilt to see the spider die so abruptly before her.

"The Graver curse…! The curse of death. No matter how big or small you are… No matter how strong or weak you are,"Orion quickly explained before he fully lost the students to the fear etched all over their faces,"This curse is instant death to all that it touches…! End of lesson…! I apologize for those of you that have been a bit disturbed from today's lesson…"

"Thank you Mister O… Now if you could please… Leave me to speak to my students…!"Cheerlie glared at Orion after ignoring their deal, and he kindly respected her personal work she needed to do with the children now.

"No problem… I'll just…go…"He quickly shut the door behind him and groaned, feeling a stern letter coming his way.

He went to quietly go back home, knowing that he may very well have just lost his job. He sighed, just in time to suddenly trip over a shin high object and topple right on the object. Only to hear loud groans and muffles after face planting into the ground. He shook some dirt off and looked under his body before he saw a purple scaly claw pounding and flailing in a panic. Orion was quick to roll right off what turned out to be Spike, finally able to gasp for fresh air.

"Oh thank Celestia's soul! You almost crushed me you cluts…!"Spike tried his best to catch his breath while slowly standing up.

"Well, next time, don't stand under pony's hooves like a giant bump in the road,"Orion spat back at Spike before finally getting to his feet and brushing himself off,"What are you doing here any way…?! I thought you were getting your book smarts from Twilight…!"

"O! We need your help…! We're sorry to bother you, but we have serious trouble!"Orion looked to Twilight as her and every pony minus Rarity arrived in a hurry.

"Why? What happened, and where's Rarity?"He questioned before they all looked to a path out of town.

"Spike will explain later, just come with us. We'll need your muscle for this."Applejack gave him a plain and simple answer before they all took off with Spike getting up on Twilight's back.

"Well… I guess since I've lost my job here. Might as well fall back to fighting."He sighed and raced to catch up with the group of mares on their way out of town.

Before they knew it, they were running out into a clear mining field. Orion could already see the shining white gem stones that interfered partially with his crystal sight. They were all over the place, their mere shine from beneath the ground turned the ground almost completely bright white. He could barely see, but thankfully, Twilight and her friends were a perfect array of color. Their colors of which, helped to balance the spectrum his crystal sight struggled with shiny colorful gems.

"So, any pony wanna tell me what's going on? I can't see a thing in this field of gems!"Orion called to the group while slumping to see Spike breathing in a paper bag for unneeded drama.

"Spike, can you breath now?"Twilight asked her panicking baby dragon before he finally found his voice.

"Yes… I think so. I think bumping into O kind of killed my panic before…"Spike breathed one more time and simply tossed his bag away, finally feeling his dramatic panic was over sold.

"You should have heard before. Didn't give us a whole lot to go on…!"Applejack explained a bit of Spike's predicament from before and his lack of words to the mares before they came to Orion.

"Well in that case, spit it out Spike!"Orion demanded the baby dragon to cease his over dramatic panicking.

"Sorry, Rarity and I were here looking for jewels when these creepy guys showed up."Spike explained the situation as they neared the scene of the crime.

"Creepy guys?"Orion and Twilight questioned Spike's general description of the people he saw.

"They called themselves the Diamond Dogs. They grabbed Rarity and disappeared down a hole in the ground…!"Spike finally clarified for them to understand properly.

"Diamond Dogs…? Never heard of them."Orion thought, but did not recall the Diamond Dogs at all in his time.

"Well that's awfully unsettling, and a bit surprising. You were suppose to be our experienced guy,"Applejack took notice of the development, but did not lose confidence,"Well, it don't matter I suppose. One hole? No problem. Just take us to that there hole and we'll save Rarity."

Unfortunately, Applejack was going to eat those words as they finally came to the scene. Rather than the one hole that Spike spoke of, there was an entire minefield of holes all over the area. So many holes now, Orion began to have doubts about this complex situation. He could barely see as it was, and was forced to shut down his crystal eyes for this. Now he and his friends had numerous holes all over the field to look through in hopes of discovering these kidnappers.

"Holey moley that's a lotta holeys!"Pinkie stated the obvious before they made their way down.

"You don't say… This may be a bit of a problem."Orion looked around to all the holes, and only could assess that the assailants did this to prevent pursuers.

"Come on every pony! Let's get started,"Twilight got every pony moving and investigating the holes,"Hello?"

Suddenly a dog had then growled from within the hole before it suddenly filled with dirt. Many holes were being filled rapidly from all around them, the Diamond Dog tactics have changed. They were now filling every hole up to prevent them from entering their lair. Orion quick stepped left and right, swiftly evading dirt blasts while the mares got faces full of dirt. They almost looked like they were getting mud facials at the Ponyville spa, even Spike.

"They mean to keep us from entering their underground lair!"Orion called out the dogs strategy after back stepping away from another hole.

"Quick! We gotta get down one before they're all filled up!"Twilight changed their own strategy just slightly as they all mobilized to find a clear hole to go down.

Every pony did their best to spread out and find a hole before it was filled with dirt. The Diamond Dogs however, proved to be deviant and persistent as they proved their digging skills. They were already all over the place from below, sending a hill of dirt up to plug the holes. Orion even got heaps of dirt blasted right onto the shoulders of his red outfit Rarity made for him. He brushed the dirt off as he reared back and punched down the hole and felt his fist hit the cold wet nose of a dog.

"That's for messing up my outfit…"He mused at the dogs as he looked to his friends struggling against the dirt.

"We can't muscle through it!"Applejack assessed further after trying to push her way down a dirt filled hole.

"We'll see about that!"Rainbow said before trying to dive down a hole at full speed straight down.

She was immediately dispatched by the strong wave of dirt that knocked her away from the hole. The mares and the baby dragon were already weary and covered in dirt. Their failure so far began to settle in as they thought of their options and their assessments they made on the foes.

"Whew, heavens to betsy. Now I'm used to picking myself up and dusting myself off,"Applejack sighed and began to think of their lost friend deep underground,"But Rarity won't even touch mud, unless it's imported…!"

"Oh Rarity…"Twilight began to worry, as well as the rest of the mares.

"Hey…! Come on, lets not fall into despair. We just gotta have some faith in Rarity's will to survive,"Orion explained sternly, secretly releasing pent up stress from earlier at the schoolhouse,"We won't do her any good if we grieve like this rather than exercising our wills to save her!"

"He's right! We ain't doing any good moping about. We gotta save her!"Applejack agreed with Orion's pep talk and stood back up with a stronger will to continue.

"But they blocked all the holes!"Fluttershy pointed out the new problem.

"It don't mean we can dig them out, come on!"Applejack took the lead and started to dig out a hole.

It wasn't long before they all followed her league and began working on a hole. Doing their best to dig out the dirt to go down and enter the domain of the Diamond Dogs. However, the dogs continued to be persistent as they popped out from the dirt filled holes. Slapping them and grabbing at them to distract the group and keep them from digging. They grabbed at their tails and manes, tripping them, and slapping at their flanks, their plan seem to be working.

At least until they tried to nit pick at Orion, who began to make head way with a hole. One medium sized dog slapped Orion in the flank, and swiftly received a boot to his nose. He yipped and quickly sank back in the hole, he shook his head before noticing a larger dog trying to trip him. He ceased digging and brought an elbow down on the big dog's foot. He howled before going back down a hole, only for a tiny dog to jump from a hole to attack from above.

"Yeah… Just because I can't use my crystal vision, doesn't mean I don't have five other senses to find you with,"Orion's ears perked before he spun and caught the runt dog by the neck and held him high in the air,"I got one of them!"

"You! You are a trouble maker! We got special ways to deal with trouble makers,"The small dog looked to the mares that quickly approached him before making a silent whistle,"We deal with you more personally down below…! Bye bye!"

"What…?"Orion was momentarily confused before the dirt suddenly began to tremble underneath him.

"Bye bye!"The runt dog chuckled before taking advantage of a loosened grip and squeezed free of the prince to dive back into the dirt.

The dirt rumbled beneath his feet, small clouds of dirt lifted around him before it happened. The dirt collapsed into a wide circle around Orion, consuming the prince before he was tumbling down the hole. He roared and flailed as he felt himself covered and pelted with dirt. While Twilight screamed his name and reached in vain to try and grab for him. He flailed before all went dark, and he felt himself slam against solid stone head first, falling unconscious in a pile of dirt.

His mind was shaking rapidly, knocking memories loose from the corners of his brain. He sighed and did his best to find control in his mind as he fought to awake with swiftness. He turned his head before he then began to dream, with the influence of his lesson to the children from earlier. The curse spells he showed them were a fearsome and infamous magic. And now it had unraveled one of his most infamous memories of their power, in the form of the worse curse he ever knew, Black Graver.

"Oh no… Not this…"He groaned and gripped his chest after opening his eyes to a massive bedroom made of the night and day itself.

He saw himself standing before a grand bed made of gold and clouds. At the foot of the bed laid a dead mare, majestic, but now limp with a withering mane and tail that slowly flowed like Celestia's. Her coat mimicked the sun itself while the tips of her hooves, tail and mane was purple. Her large crown laid shattered at his feet as the young adult Orion held his sword with both hooves. His legs trembling and tears threatening to flow from his eyes as he stared to the bed.

"I'm sorry mother… I wish I could have saved you… At least you won't have to see what comes next…!"Orion's voice trembled before he took a deep breath and walked onto the bed.

His eyes then locked on to none other than his king and father, the god of the night. Sleeping calm and casually as if nothing appeared to be wrong, but Orion was no fool. His arms almost felt frozen as he tightened his grip on the sword he wielded and slowly approached the large stallion. A tear finally escaped his right eye and rolled down his cheek, his feet almost sinking into the bed. His heart was cold and heavy with pain before he finally stood over his slumbering father.

He didn't want to do it, but he knew it had to be done after this curse finally took his father away. He slowly lifted his sword and aimed it over the chest of the great stallion. His hands shook as did his blade as he struggled to find the strength to do what must be done. His arms still felt frozen solid, his heart begging him not to go through with this tragic deed. His head then leaned against the hilt as he felt his urge to weep over powering, until the king had suddenly awaken so peacefully.

"Orion…? Are you going to do what you came here to do?"The king opened his eyes that were suddenly pitch black with stream line purple pupils with static flowing through the blackness.

"I… I have to… The Black Death has already s…settled within your mind and heart,"Orion continued to tremble with the tip of his sword hovered over his father's chest,"By tomorrow… Your true self…will be gone…! And you'll destroy… EVERYTHING…!"

"I know… I've already strangled my wife…and your mother… I can feel this wretched curse screeching in my head,"The king's eyes trembled and twitched as the static in his eyes brought pain and insanity,"It commands me to kill you and your sisters… And... I can no longer resist it any more. You know what you have to do…"

"I… I thought I did… Knowing that Celestia and Luna could never do this,"Orion understood what he had to do, but the struggle was still very much strong from within,"But now that this has happened… I'm not sure if I can do it…!"

"I know you can son… You'll be putting me at peace… Don't let me become any more of a monster than I already am…!"His father suddenly begged as a tear streamed down his left eye and into the pillow.

"I will father…!"Orion did his best to prepare for a strong and sharp pierced through the chest to end his father quickly.

"And… Please… Take good care of your sisters…"Cosmos gave his son his last request as he gazed into his son's tearful crystal eyes.

"I will… Always…"Finally with his hands shaking and tears streaming to his chin and dripping upon the bed

"No matter the mistakes, or the differences we've had in the past... I was always proud to call you my son... No matter what you looked like,"Cosmos tried his best to say everything he every wanted to say to his son before all this came to pass,"No matter what happens from here on out... Know that I... Will always love you... Son..."

He gave his final raise to his sword, as he choked on a sob and a whimper for this deed. Before his mind went blank, the moment he brought his sword down and felt it piece fabric and flesh. He heard a sickening grunt and groan of death before his body shook violently and his heart finally shattered. Slowly he looked to the king as he gave one last trembling breath. Right before the king relaxed his body and accepted death like an old friend while black fog slowly left his mouth.

The prince finally felt himself lose all strength and will to continue after witnessing his father's death. He fell forward and let his head rest against the king's chest before the tears flowed freely. The black fog dissipated into nothing, leaving the prince to mourn and cry for his father. The reign of his mother and father had now come to a tragic end, and the rise of his sisters had begun. This memory carried on to this day, and it never stopped being painful to Orion as he finally reared back and roared with pain to the heavens.

"Why…? Why did this have to happen…?!"He asked himself before the wind was suddenly blowing around him and his dream had finally ended.

Before he knew it, his dream had faded away to nothing and his eyes truly opened. Only to see a bunch of burly dogs in iron armor gathering around him, sniffing at his clothes. While others poked him with sticks to check if he was dead or alive, and the moment he felt a stick touch his nose. Orion shot up, and forced the dogs to back for a moment before they all began to growl. Slowly they went to approach Orion with a rope muzzle and a saddle to tame him.

"You dogs made a big mistake dragging me down into your domain…!"Orion warned before he stood up and glared to the dogs that surrounded him.

"You are not a pony, but you are strong! We use your strong back to haul gems!"The armored dogs made their purpose clear while Orion slowly cracked his neck.

"Good luck with that…!"Orion mused before the first dog jumped to his back to get the rope muzzle on him.

He was given a sharp fist to the nose to force him off before they all began to pounce at him. Orion was quick to avoid and evade, swiftly quick stepping and high kicking. Cracking the wet black noses of the Diamond Dogs with each hard round house he swung. He swung hard hooks left and right, flipping over groups of dogs while stomping down on their heads. The back of his fists served as collateral damage as he spun and cracked open the heads of the attackers.

He side flipped over the back over another dog and kicked one into the stone wall. He spun, and cracked his fists three times against another dog's head, shattering his helmet. He watched the dog fly had first into the wall before doing a three sixty leg sweep, tripping up dozens. He rushed into the ranks, stomping on bodies before throwing a strong hook to one dog and swinging his body to elbow another between the eyes. Only to be grabbed by a smaller dog, who tried to fit the iron yolk on the hidden prince.

"Yeah… Like that's gonna happen…!"Orion growled and reared his head back to head butt the dog in the mouth.

He then gripped the yolk and pulled it off his neck before turning to the regrouping dog soldiers. He lifted the iron yolk and slammed it down like a giant club to intimidate. He then slammed and stampeded towards them, swinging the iron club like yolk before one swing sent dogs flying. He could feel their bones and armor crack and shatter with each hard strike. Dozens flew into the walls and ceilings, howling and yipping in pain as Orion performed flawless crowd control.

Finally, the dogs began to retreat down many different holes, cutting their losses. Others stayed behind to try and combat the enemy, but Orion was near impossible to touch. Finally after slamming the yolk down on several dogs, he tossed the iron yolk away and put his fists up once more. He quick stepped jab sent one against the wall before kicking another that gripped his arm. He ducked under the dagger of yet another and delivered a strong hay maker to the chest.

"I have had it with you dogs…! I have already lost my job! And had more annoying dreams,"Orion yelled after his last punch cracked open the dogs armor and put him half way through the ceiling,"I was not in the mood to deal with you filthy mutts!"

More dogs began to retreat as he lifted one more dog up by it's collar. He glared with his regular eyes, deep into the plain black eyes of the armored dog. Just before throwing a strong jab that sent the dog smashing right through a wall and straight into another tunnel. The dog twitched and rolled to it' side before it went unconscious, conveniently before the hooves of Twilight and her friends. They all gasped, seeing the dog battered and broken while Orion stepped through the hole in the wall.

"Well…it's good to see you're in one piece."Rainbow Dash admitted while kicking the armor of the beaten dog.

"We got all worried about you once you took a tumble down the hole…!"Applejack reminded them a bit of their worry for Orion after seeing him fall into shadow.

"Well, I'm still here and breathing aren't I? How did all of you get down here?"Orion questioned before Spike cleared his throat and tugged on the man's robe.

"I… Kind of gave up a gift from Rarity to trick the dogs into pulling us down here by fishing rod."Spike mused, not even wanting to boast since it involved giving up a prize possession.

"Well, wasn't that a clever and self sacrificed act you did?"Orion questioned before Twilight noticed a drop of blood leaking from a small wound upon his barely visible forehead.

"O… O you're bleeding…! You're head is bleeding!"Twilight pointed out his wound before he touched it and quickly wiped up the little bit of blood that he could clean off.

"I'm fine…! I'll wash and clean it when we get home. Let's just find Rarity and deal with these wretched hounds so we can go home…!"Orion was now running low on patience for the Diamond Dogs after his issues from earlier started to bother him.

"Ok…? We can do that, but… You got fired from the school house?"Twilight suddenly asked, proving that they could hear him ranting from behind the wall.

He froze, sighing that they overheard his rant full of rage, learning a lingering problem. He wanted to remain silent for personal reasons, but Twilight already broke the ice with her question. Finally as she lit the path they needed to follow with a gem finding spell, he decided to come clean.

"Yeah… I broke a deal about a lesson I wanted to teach the kids about… It was on those curses I told you all about,"He sighed before their ears perked up and curiosity took over rather than fear,"I showed them the first two curses like we agreed on… The kids were completely scared and fully attentive, but they wanted to learn more…!"

"All the kids wanted to learn more? It's normally difficult for Cheerlie to teach them normal lessons."Fluttershy incited an unknown fact to Orion about the children of the schoolhouse.

"But they actually wanted to learn more from you? Well shoot, you must really have a way with teaching!"Applejack added and even complimented his style in tutoring students.

"Yeah… So… Since they wanted more… I… Showed them the Graver curse spell,"Their ears drooped at the mentioning of the curse he deemed, the death curse spell,"I did it on just a spider… And Cheerlie… If you could see the look she gave me… It was almost a guaranteed, You're fired look…!"

"Oh… I'm sorry about your job… It looked like it was going to be your first time sharing old knowledge with the new generation,"Twilight deeply apologized to her friend as he fell silent,"But… The fact that you actually made children WANT to learn new things. That takes a whole new means of talent."

"Yeah! You basically teach them from experience. And an experienced and heroic pony like myself, are the greatest sources of inspiration for kids!"Rainbow Dash jumped in with her assessment on how Orion worked.

"And If your lessons are teaching my sister to be safe and know the world outside of town, then I trust you with her life."Applejack made an honest and kind statement to the hidden prince.

"So maybe just talk to Cheerlie, because she may really really need you to work your magic with the children!"Pinkie ended the pep talk they truly felt he deserved to get for his work.

"Beats moping about it and dwelling on your failures, at least…"Spike added one more detail to the talk.

"Maybe… For now lets just focus on finding Rarity and heading hom-"Suddenly Orion was interrupted by Diamond Dog guards dropping from the ceiling and tying rope muzzles around their mouths.

"More work horses!"The lead dog growled from on top of Applejack while Orion heard the cries of Rarity.

"Rarity's down the next hall!"Orion called out while Applejack had some choice words to say.

"Hoh, doggies. If you can take this bull by the horns, you better be ready for a ride,"Applejack warned before suddenly starting to run and buck like a viciously enraged bull,"Come on, ponies. Kick em up, kick em out. Knock em up, knock em down!"

"You heard the lady! Knock em down!"Orion simply lifted the dog on his back off and tossed him into a barred iron door.

He yanked off his rope muzzle while the mares took the dogs for a rodeo ride. Finally, they were able to buck the hounds off their backs and launch them into the door as well. They freed themselves from their captures, and now they were on the home stretch to Rarity.

"I'm coming for you mi lady! Hi ho Twilight! Away!"Spike climbed to Twilight's back and wielded a piece of low hanging cave piece like a sword while Twilight served as his steed.

"And just what do you think you're doing?"She questioned Spike, using her as a steed.

"Please Twilight, just give me this?"Spike begged for a chance to look like a noble knight.

"Ugh… Fine…!"Twilight decided to let Spike have his moment as she reared back a neighed before charging to the door.

"Come on!"Orion got the others to follow him and Twilight as they went through the door to Rarity.

They all went through the door like a stampede of angry cows, ready for a fight. They entered the next room and quickly investigated the area to find any trace of their friend. Along with any more Diamond Dog heads they could beat in for their crimes against pony kind.

"Rairty! I am here to save you!"Spike called forth, only for dogs to be crying and running in all directions in a panic.

"Save us, please save us. Make it stop, please!"The dogs screamed for an unknown force to cease it's torment upon them.

"Excuse us?"Orion and Twilight questioned the dogs painful begs.

"So picky!"

"And critical!"

"She won't stop talking!"

"And crying!"

"We uh, give her back, yes!"The dogs concluded after a rant of what certainly sounded like Rarity on a bad day.

"Rarity, your safe!"Spike exclaimed with deep happiness to see the unicorn safe.

"Why yes, hello girls and gentlecolts! You just arrived in time to assist me."Rarity chirped and waved to every pony safe and sound.

"Assist you with what?"Applejack questioned.

"With those…!"Rarity pointed out the massive carts and collections of gems within the thousands.

"You're letting her leave with all these… Jewels?"Spike asked with his craving for jewels and gems coming back strong.

"Yes! Take them, and her with them!"The lead dog begged.

"Please!"His runt friend begged as well.

"Wow… This was a very anticlimactic rescue…"Orion thought as they all decided to help Rarity haul her load of jewels out of the tunnels.

Finally, after an hour of gathering jewels, and finding their way out of the caves. Orion and his friends finally made it out of the Diamond Dog's lair, and were now on their way home. Hauling enough gems to feed a family of dragons, or financially saturate Ponyville's economy. With their rescue mission complete in the most unorthodox fashion, Orion could at least go home. After he finally decided to take his friend's advice and perhaps talk to Ms Cheerlie.

"I can't believe you found all these gems!"Pinkie Pie admitted, thinking of Rarity's pro gem finding tricks.

"Heh, I can't believe you tricked all those dogs!"Rainbow felt impressed with Rarity's sly tactics she used on the Diamond Dogs.

"Just because I'm a lady, doesn't mean I can't handle myself in sticky situations. I had them wrapped around my hoof the entire time."Rarity explained her stance on sticky and even dangerous situations.

"I told you girls to have some faith in her. You never underestimate your friends,"Orion agreed and backed up Rarity's statement with a means of understanding their friends,"She knew how to handle herself and survive long enough for us to find her. That's very impressive for a lady."

"I can't wait to write to Princess Celestia, to tell her what you taught me today."Twilight rejoiced, happy to have a friendship lesson to give to Celestia.

"Me? What did I teach you?"Rarity asked out of interest.

"Just because some pony is lady like, doesn't make her weak,"Twilight began to state her lesson about Rarity,"In fact, by using her wits. A seemingly defenseless pony can be the one who outsmarts and outshines them all!"

"Hm… Outshines is right! Now you have enough gems to cover Sapphire Shore's costumes."Spike pointed out while eating gems out of Rarity's cart.

"Not if you eat them all Spike…!"Rarity snatched a gem from the baby dragon while he got a gem thrown at the back of his head from Orion.

"Yeah, stop eating the jewels you greedy pig!"Orion hollered while the girls just laughed while Spike shot Orion a sour look.

Several hours later, He had taken a hot shower and taken a walk back to the schoolhouse. The sun was beginning to set as Orion made his way to the school. Knowing that Cheerlie would be out any moment. He sighed, knowing that the conversation may very well end up getting heated. He gulped and finally found a spot next to the door, he silently put his back to the wall and waited. Thankfully, it didn't take long before he heard the clopping of Cheerlie's hooves coming to the door.

He lifted his head and looked to the door before it slowly opened. The red mare slowly walked out, humming a gentle tune as she locked the door behind her to close up the school completely. She sighed in relief, and was ready to leave before she froze, spotting Orion off the corner of her eye. She breathed out through her nose and turned to him. He lifted off the wall and cleared his throat before finding the right words to say.

"Hey… Getting ready to head home for the night?"He asked as Cheerlie sighed in a more stressful fashion.

"Yes. It's the weekend, so I'll see the kids on Monday,"Cheerlie spoke quietly while Orion stood before her silently with his head lowered a bit,"Is there something you need to speak to me about?"

"Well… I wanted to start out with an apology for what happened earlier in class,"Orion apologized while Cheerlie sat down and crossed her hooves,"I did not expect the lessons to be so intense for the students, and I didn't expect them to react the way they did."

Cheerlie remained silent as she closed her eyes for a second to think about this. He was apologizing at least, and she knew his intentions were good. Secretly, there was a more important reason that she felt upset about what happened, and it wasn't the reason he thought it was.

"I know there's nothing I can do to change your mind… I know I'm pretty much fired by now,"He admitted how dire his situation was with his job as a teacher,"I just want you to understand, and hope that the kids will understand why I can't be around them any more…"

"You don't need to… Because I'm not firing you,"She suddenly spoke impossible words that surprised and lifted the head of Orion,"If anything, I may need you more than I thought I did before…"

"Really? But I thought you didn't want me working with them after what happened…?"Orion wondered with confusion before Cheerlie cleared her throat to explain.

"I did…at first. But after you left, I looked into the eyes of my students and saw them growing from within,"Cheerlie admitted the events that transpired after he left the school,"Never have I seen such enthusiasm, and such a desire to learn from the children in their life. Then I came to realize something."

"Really?"He asked.

"They respect you, not just for your more serious lessons, but because you teach them from experience,"Cheerlie explained the case even further while putting on a coat,"What you taught them was not something from a book, or a piece of paper. Your teachings came from your experience out there. In the vast world we live in."

She pointed her hoof out into the plains of Equestria between the town and Canterlot. Together they did outline the central piece of Equestria, and the most historical part. He looked to the view and to the sky that gleamed with orange, red, and purple from the setting sun. Nodding as she lowered her hoof and opened her eyes.

"So… Since you've proven so effective at teaching the children real world lessons. I need you as a actual teacher,"Cheerlie suddenly made a new and surprising request to Orion,"Not a substitute any more, but a full time teacher. Some pony who can teach the future of Ponyville real world lessons…!"

"I see…"Orion lowered his head and gave himself a moment of thought on the preposition

"So will you be a full time teacher for the school, and help me grow a strong generation of ponies for Ponyville?"Cheerlie asked of Orion with an extended hoof as he opened his eyes and had his answer ready.

"I already accepted the offer of being a sub. I suppose I can accept this new bump up in my career."He took up her hoof to shake it and agree to a full time job as a teacher.

"Thank you… You can start Monday at one pm sharp."Cheerlie smiled and made his schedule out before letting his hand go.

"No… Thank YOU Cheerlie…"He felt more grateful than she was, knowing that not only was he keeping his job, but now he was a full fledged teacher now.

Yeah, a ton of Orion here rather than the episode, but next episode will be Typhoon once again. And this will be quite close to the episode this time. Hope you're all enjoying 2017, and I can't wait to write more for all of you, there is so much more story making I have planned for all of you. Stay pony every one.