What the buck happened here?? (open)

[Deleted]

It's been a few months that Kolor Scene had gone away. She had originally set out to go to the festival that was in the Griffin Kingdom, but it had been an almost complete waste of her time. She went to the talent show, but wasn't able to perform because of the solvents in her paints being "harmful" to the audience. Whatever. The Roc wrestling was interesting for a few turns, but she knew she couldn't take one on, nor can she stay there too long to watch other ponies have all of the fun. When she arrived to the concert scene, there was a lot of hype, and she decided to set up an airbrush booth right then and there since she brought her whole cart along. She sold lots of t-shirts, banners, hats, and whatever others requested, and closed up shop right when the show started so that she could join in. She hadn't heard of Starsong, but the mare did have a lot of hype about her, so she had expected a bit of energy. As it turned out, the concert too was a total waste. She kept waiting for the artist to show, and gave up. It wasn't worth it. She left disgruntled and returned to Ponyville with a bit extra cash and a somewhat lighter cart.

Instead of coming through the main way, she decided to cut through the woods that was close to her house. Everything seemed fine, except it was eerily silent. The blue zebra unicorn looked around in confusion. Where were the birds? The rabbits and squirrels? Why weren't there any snakes or frogs? Her eyebrows pressed together and her eyes squinted suspiciously, but she trudged forward.

Exhausted from the journey, her head was low and her sight was just on the ground in front of her. She soon saw the grass change to the cobblestone of Ponyville but she didn't think anything of it. It was all normal, so far. She passed by the bridge she had painted earlier in the year, and turned around to see how her paints had done against the wear and tear of the weather. She unloaded her cart and walked over to the bridge. When she looked up, she saw her beautiful masterpiece in ruins.
"Wow. If the government didn't like it, they only needed to paint over it. Doesn't destroying the darn thing seem like a bit over the top?" she asked to no one in particular. She shook her head quietly, unaware of being followed. She turned around to find a dark blue creature sitting on top of her cart.
It seemed to be wearing a jewel studded collar around his neck. He had a short stubby tail, but somewhat resembled a wolf.
"It's mine! Get off of there!"

Kolor said, starting toward the cart. The wolf-thing snarled and bared it's razor sharp teeth. She back stepped and snorted. She wasn't going near that thing, but she wasn't leaving without her cart. The diamond dog seemed mesmerized by the bright colors and the shiny coat of her cart. She turned and galloped quickly into the woods where she was hidden somewhat and could see everything. More dog-creatures were swarming to her cart, looking at the pictures and designs. She checked her pocket in her hoodie to make sure she had her key to the lock. She was grateful that she remembered to use the lock. Her fuschia eyes turned to the rest of town...or what was left of it. Dogs were everywhere. Not a single building was left intact. Even her home was a pile of rubble now. Smoke blew from behind town hall and she was almost sure that a dragon was behind it. She took a step back, fear icing down her spine. Now what? She looked back to her cart. How was she supposed to get it back?[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[jelani]

The North Wind had been bringing tidings to Jelani all through his journey, and they were tidings of ill omen and evil deeds. Fortunately for him, the South Winds had been with hmi when he left his home many months ago and bore hima cross the see, allowing him to avoid much of the land where Diamond Dogs dwelt. He had brought a small bag with gems to be used to barter passage should the need arise, or to stave off of a hungry dragon for a short amount of time, but he had long since found himself safely in Equestria seeking more news than what the North Wind whispered.

A map he had purchased told him where Ponyville had been, but refugees on the road that traveled in opposition to him warned him away. The once friendly and lovely Ponyville was now little more than ruins where Diamond Dogs proweled and bodies of the unfortunate remained.

Ill news indeed Jelani thought as he continued his way to Ponyville from the west. He had no doubts that the distrought and homeless ponies were telling him the truth, but to repeat a rumor was to alter details where as to recount what one saw for themself was to bring the most important information percieved to the forefront of thought.

What he beheld was worse than the worst descriptions given to him by the ponies he passed on the road. Dark and desolate and reaking of death, these ruins were not a sight Jelani ever wished to behold, and yet here they were. The presence of diamond dogs was abundantly clear and he deigned to go around the village and not through it. He would pick up the road west out of ponyville after circling around to the north.

As he headed around the village, the breeze added a new smell to the air, one less putrid than the disgusting odor of the diamond dogs, but it was faint. Jelani was no dog nor was he especially good with his olifactory sense, but he could smell the less foul air of something more pleasent than dogs and death.

By the time he made it back to the trail that would take him away from Ponyville and towards other, less desolate parts of Equestria, a purple maned mare was attempting to grab her things back from a greedy Diamond Dog. She was incredibly fortunate that it was more interested in her baubles than in her.

Jelani moved behind the pegasus and tapped her flank with his long wooden staff. He held up his hoof to his lips, gestering for her to remain silent, then nodded his head along the trail and away from her cart. She needed to rid her mind of what the beasts were now taking as their own so that she may live, and Jelani would knock her out and drag her away by force if it would save her life to do so. More to his liking would be if she followed quietly until they were a safer distance away.

[Deleted]

Kolor glared at the diamond dogs from behind some bushes. There were some the size of bears and she didn't want to take the chance of getting too close. There was no way in heck she was leaving without her cart. It was far too valuable, both money-wise and sentimentally. She studied the scene carefully. There looked to be about six diamond dogs. She knew she couldn't defeat them, but she thought that maybe she could scare them off. She jumped over the bushes and faced the pack.
"Hey!"

the blue zebra unicorn called out to the diamond dogs. One of them bared it's teeth to her, but otherwise, she was ignored. Her magenta eyes looked around for something, anything, that she could use. She found a few small sharp rocks on the ground, and whizzed them at the dogs with the blue magic of her horn. The rocks hit their targets and released a few yelps from the dogs.

Two of the smaller diamond dogs ran away, scared off by the pink maned unicorn's assault, however, her attack was returned with the rage of the big white wolf-like diamond dog with the blue jeweled collar. It snarled and snapped it's long jaw before beginning it's charge toward the half zebra.

"AHH!!"[/color] she cried as it chased her. She kicked up her heals, trying to hit the diamond dog, missed and decided to pick up speed instead. She turned and jumped back into the bushes to hide. Since the diamond dogs weren't too intelligent, once she was out of sight, the wolf-dog lost interest and returned to the cart that the others were already trying to open up. She was just getting angry about how they were scratching up the glossy paint job, but then she felt a soft tap on her flank. She jumped back into a rear, ready to defend herself, but was frozen by the sight. A zebra stood before her with a wooden cane. She had no idea that any zebras lived around here anymore. The last one she had seen was...well, none. Her father left before she was born. She lowered slowly to her feet and pinned her ears in mistrust. She watched as the other gestured her to be quiet and walk away.

"NO!"[/color] she said a little too loudly. One of the dogs looked up, but because she was hidden, he went back to trying to pry the door open with his claws. She lowered her voice. "I'm not leaving without my cart. It's far too important[/color][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[Red Charge]

"What's going on here?" The noise and commotion had finally drawn attention from the Diamond Dog forces. Two large diamond dogs wearing iron mails and with similar glowering looks progressed through the dilapidated roads towards the cart, escorted by three smaller soldiers, some wielding wicked looking claws and one a large spear.

"What's this cart doing here?" Snarled the other large Diamond Dog.

"Ponies!" Cried one of the Diamond Dogs, "Ponies here!"

One of the large diamond dogs laughed, "Good, I've been aching for a good meal! Find them!" He called to the rest of the diamond dogs, all scrambling about to find said ponies. "Here pony, pony... Here pony, pony!" The other large one called as he began searching for Kolor.

[jelani]

Jelani did not so much fear for his own life as he did for the lives of others. The Diamond Dogs present would cause much harm had they their way and for that they had little pity from him. The blue and black zebra, however, had a less menacing air and was less likely to harm others for personal gain than the dogs were.

He watched as her ears flattened. Clearly she distrusted him. That was fine, so far as Jelani was concerned. Mistrust was a common feeling when dealing with a stranger. He had to admit that it was more than a little humorous that in spite of having a pack of diamond dogs a dozen meters away she was going to give him a look of contempt.

Jelani smiled benignly at the lone mare. He was far too relaxed for either of their own good, perhaps, but all he wanted was to help her and he tried to get that across in his mannerisms. She clearly did not wish to abandon her property which was a common reaction to many peoples, but Jelani's desire to protect the sanctity of life was far stronger than any greed or personal desires she could possibly have.

In a soft voice he whispered "I understand that you may think your trifles and trinkets are important, but know this; there is naught more precious than your life. Do not gamble it on mere objects that can be replaced." He gestured for her to follow him again but then stopped; the dogs had begun to search for them. Again, he gestured for her to be silent lest the hunters find them. He wanted to creep away from them, keeping the bush between them and the dogs for as long as possible before they could vanish into the trees.

[Deleted]

Kolor was getting annoyed at this zebra guy trying to tell her what to do.
"Hey buck off."

she said in a low whisper for only him to hear. She looked over her shoulder only to see that he was gone. She rolled her eyes and turned back to the dogs. They seemed to be ignoring her cart now. She gritted her teeth when she saw the scratches they had made on her paint.
Oh they'll pay for that..[/color] she thought bitterly. She was about to run out toward her cart when she noticed why they had abandoned it. They seemed to be sniffing around for something. For her. She widened her eyes and stepped back, crouching lower to the ground. Great. That one zebra guy probably attracted them..[/color] she thought bitterly, knowing that her shouting at them was most likely the reason. Her magenta eyes turned toward the diamond dogs in charge. These ones seemed to hold a bit more intelligence than the others around. They wore what looked like armor and were standing in a more organized fashion than the others crawling around.

She held in a gasp and looked around quickly. Running was out of the question, she needed her supplies. They were all she had. She crept closer to get a better view of her cart. Suddenly an idea came to her. She concentrated on her cart, thinking about the spell that helped her wind up her air hose. Her horn glowed slightly pink behind the security of the bush and the cart began to shake slightly. All of a sudden it began to spin. First slowly, then very quickly until it was spinning in the same spot like a top. She smiled and released the spell, but the cart continued to spin, just as it was supposed to. The poles that were attached to the front would be dangerous for anyone to go near since they were swinging around violently. She smiled. Maybe that will scare them off![/color][/size][/blockquote]

[Red Charge]

The lesser diamond dogs seemed rather intimidated by the spinning cart, but the two big ones laughed. "What'd you pups do?" One asked, moving over to stare at the spinning cart. The other one stayed put, rather close to where Kolor was hidding and sniff the air. "I smell prey meat." He said loudly to the other, who looked back at him. "Yes, prey meat.. But there are two... oh yes... one went away, but..." He took a big whiff of the air again, "one is still near."

The second Diamond Dog lifted his snout in the air and sniffed too, quickly sending some of the lesser Diamond Dogs after the trail of the zebra. Not a few moments later, the obvious sounds of battle came along, and the obvious defeat of the equine was heard. This was solidified by the fact that the Diamond Dogs returned with bloody mouths and claws back to the same area.

"Strange pony not taste so good." Said one of the Diamond Dogs, "Not put up good fight either." The group of canines roared in laughter at the misfortune and untimely demise of the zebra, ignoring the other scent completely.

The distraction would have allowed Kolor, if she so wished to an attempt to sneak towards her cart, whether she would succeed or not however, was yet unknown.

[Deleted]

Her breathe got stuck in her throat as a diamond dog came way too close to her. The snuffling sound of his nose taking in her scent was heard just on the other side of the bush. She shut her mouth and backed up slowly. She saw the bush rustle and swore that her demise was near when a shriek echoed in the other direction. Kolor couldn't help perk her ears to the sound, wondering what was the wounded animal. The diamond dog on her trail returned to the others. When she looked through the bush, she saw the pack huddled around the bloodied and striped remains of a zebra, the very one that was trying to get her to run away with him. She was glad she hadn't followed the stranger. She could have wound up with the same fate.

Although, that fate was still possible. While they were all talking about their latest victory, she analyzed the situation. The spell on her cart seemed to have worn off and it was resting peacefully and unattended. Her fuschia eyes looked around the cart and saw a barely visible path leading off into the woods, away from the dogs. Her escape.

"Strange pony not taste so good."

she heard one of them chortle. They must be talking about the fact that he was a zebra. Zebras were much muscular, so maybe that made them not as tasty? She hoped they kept that in mind should they think about chasing her. She adjusted her hoodie and made sure that her airbrush and keys were safely secured in her pocket. She crept away from the bush, keeping an eye on the dogs to make sure she wasn't discovered. The forest floor was soft with moss and plant compost, muffling her hoof beats as she walked away. She was soon directly across from her cart. They were still laughing about the dead zebra. She made her way swiftly toward her cart. When she reached it, she slipped the harness over her head and buckled the strap on her chest, securing the cart to her body.

Kolor Scene pulled away toward the exit she had discovered before, hoping and praying that the diamond dogs will let the "bad tasting pony" go with her cart.[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[Red Charge]

The dogs were too busy laughing at the poor zebra to notice Kolor slink away with her cart, the coppery smell was enough to cover her trail as she escaped. The violence was probably more than enough to sate their appetite and thus Kolor has managed to sneak away unseen.

It was disturbing how Ponyville, once a haven of love and tolerance, has so quickly become a hive of violence and hatred. The damage to the village was apparent, and from what Kolor could see when she was in, Diamond Dogs and Drakes now ruled the area, happily rummaging through whatever remained of the previous owners' possessions. The irony of the zebra's death in the very same village that only recently was among the first places to openly accept a zebra into their midst was truly a testament to the cruel laughter of fate. Hopefully the Princess would soon claim back the village under her banner once more.