Fresh Wounds (Warning dark themes and violence)

[Red Charge]

The instructor soon had one of the squires fetch him the quiver and arrows. He took Baxter through the halls, "What level are you looking at? Beginner? Intermediate?" The instructor asked, as he led him past a room where burning arrows were shot at portraits of the Princesses from the ages.

He finally lead him to one of the larger halls where there were several free targets, all he had left was waiting for Baxter to indicate what level he wanted to train on.

[Baxter]

Baxter took the quiver and arrows from the squire, putting them in place on his back. It felt good to finally have a "full" weapon again. As they walked through the museum, the wolf smiled at the burning arrows sticking out from the paintings of various pony princesses. He was starting to feel very much at home.

"Intermediate is fine," Baxter said as they stepped into the larger hall. He didn't want to start on something too easy, not to mention that he wasn't a beginning archer. He had some level of experience with a bow.

[Red Charge]

The instructor took him to where a bust of Destrier the Royal Battlemage was. A fitting target to practice on. "Alright, let's see what you got." The Collie instructor said, pointing at the target, "Chest 10 points, head 25, ears are 50 each, knock off his horn and you get 75. You need 250 points to pass and you get 6 arrows." The instructor explained, a simple technique measuring test. Apparently this instructor wanted to help Baxter out with his bow and arrow skills.

[Baxter]

Baxter pulled out the bracer that had come with the bow, putting it on as the instructor walked him over. He hadn't been expecting someone to coach him, but he wasn't going to turn the dog away. The wolf nodded after hearing the instructions, pulling his first arrow out of the quiver.

A few seconds were spent examining the target before the arrow was put into place. The wolf aimed and pulled back the arrow on string, keeping his hand and the rest of his body as steady as he could. Once he had the bow aimed carefully how he wanted it, the wolf released the string, remaining still as the arrow flew forward.

The process was repeated five more times, each arrow carefully aimed and steadied before being released to fly towards the bust of Destrier.

[Red Charge]

Baxter managed to knock one of the ears off, hit the head several times, and he even glanced an arrow off the horn, but it didn't break it off. All in all, he got 225 (He got 50 for hitting the horn). Not a bad shoot, he was at his level, but now he had to improve.

The instructor quickly corrected Baxter's technique, giving him pointers on aiming and proper grip. The bow itself was master-craft, but in the hands of an intermediate archer, its potential was wasted. The instructor spent some time improving Baxter's technique before he was able to pass the trial. He wasn't an expert yet, but he had the principals, all he had to do now was practice them. The instructor left him to do just that.

[Baxter]

Baxter wasn't terribly satisfied with how he had scored, but glad he hadn't been far off from passing. The wolf listened to what the instructor had to say about improving his technique, following the dog's instructions as he gave them. Internally he found it awkward to have a dog showing him the better way to use his bow, but if it improved his technique than he couldn't really complain.

After enough time, Baxter was able to successfully complete the trial, and the instructor left him on his own to practice. The wolf continued firing arrows at the Destrier bust, remembering and reinforcing what the instructor had said each time. He was determined to make at least some amount of progress, and for the most part practice was usually the way to do it.

[Red Charge]

Baxter was able to practice his bow and arrow skills quite a bit in the short time he was in the museum, the experienced instructor's tips went a long way in improving his aim, especially with the master-craft bow. But the evening was nearing and it was time to get back to Ice Fang with the polished bow.

He noticed that all of the archers dispersed as evening approached, probably to eat. He still had a bit of a walk back to the where the general meeting was taking place.

[Baxter]

After spending a good amount of time practicing, Baxter began to notice the other archers beginning to head out. It was probably time for him to leave as well. The assembly was probably getting close to starting and he didn't want to be late. The archer gathered his things before making his way back to the museum entrance, exiting through the same double doors he had entered.

Back on the streets, Baxter headed off towards the location of the assembly. He now had the polished bow in hand, whether Ice Fang would ask for it or not. He still wasn't sure whether the command had been part of the act or... part of the act that he still expected Baxter to perform? Either way, if Ice Fang asked for the polished bow, Baxter had it. His bases were covered.

[Red Charge]

Baxter reached the assembly area, a small camp outside of the city where only the Generals and himself were. None of the other Generals seemed to have brought escorts, so it was indeed puzzling why Ice Fang chose to bring Baxter along.

As he arrived, all turned to look at him. "This the one?" Asked the Red Armored General, pointing a fiery claw at the Winter Wolf. "Such a precious collar he has on." He commented.

"Shut up." Ice Fang muttered, sending a look of disgust at the Warg general, chewing on a large bone and easily splintering it in his jaws. Apparently verbal communications on the levels of speech were unavailable to the Warg, as he merely snarled at the newcomer.

The robe wearing female, Malachite, was meditating some distance away, her gems levitating over her head in a circle, each shining in turn as she examined them.

"Sharp's late." Ice Fang commented, no one replied.

[Baxter]

Arriving at the assembly area, Baxter found himself alone with Ice Fang and the other Generals, which also meant all eyes were suddenly on him. The wolf began to feel nervous, wondering why Ice Fang had wanted him to attend when so far this was a general-only meeting. He was clearly the odd-one-out.

In addition, it seemed like the generals had been talking about him, which meant they all probably knew what he'd done. At least based off what the red-armored general had said. The comment about the collar only made him feel more lowly. Anywhere else it might have slowly elevated the wolf's anger, but not here, and not in front of Ice Fang. Baxter took a place next to the other wolf, a pace or two behind him. He didn't dare speak, not wanting to get chided for talking out of turn, not wanting to give one of them something else to say about him.

Baxter looked around at the other generals, Malachite levitating gems a short ways away, that thing chewing on a bone it had just splintered. Baxter had seen it snarl at him after he arrived, just another indication of how unwelcome he was here. Or maybe it did that to everyone. It was hard to tell.

[Red Charge]

"Actually, I think I am right on time." Said a heavy bass voice, as Warlord Sharp arrived into the now very small circle of light cast by the campfire. Despite the fact that every Diamond Dog was talking about Sharp, no one had ever described him to Baxter, not even Ice Fang. They all simply spoke about him with awe and some level of discomfort. Now it was finally apparent to Baxter why.

To say Sharp was big, was akin to saying the Dreadnaught was just an air ship. Sharp, a wolfhound of unknown breed, was massive. He was possibly the biggest Dog or Wolf Baxter had ever seen, easily dwarfing even the Warg general by several measures. If that wasn't enough, his body was littered with meticulously spaced bumps, aesthetically jutting out from under his skin. This was topped off by the many tattoos that adorned his body, and the skull tatoo covering his face.

It was beyond puzzling, all knew that Sharp belonged to the Silverback pack, how could he also be a Blood Fang? The Warlord answered the unasked question as soon as he noticed Baxter looking at him.

"In the Blood Fang Pack, if you kill a high ranking warrior, you obtain his rank, whether you are a member of the pack or not, is irrelevant." The collosal wolfhound explained simply. He was moderately armored at best, a breastplate and greaves (though of Silver Core standards). On his back was an ice colored hilt and scabbard of a sword, Though interestingly enough the scabbard was not made of leather, but of some other material. Winter's Breath, Silverback's weapon before obtaining the Warhound's Fang.

[Baxter]

The sudden sound of a strong, deep, voice within the group caught Baxter's attention, and the wolf soon had his first look at the warlord heading the Diamond Dog invasion. Sharp was gargantuan to say the least, his imposing size a stark contrast to Baxter's own (who was already smaller than average for a wolf). And to only add to his intimidating figure, the wolfhound was also adorned in tattoos and decorated bumps. Blood Fang.

How though? Wasn't Sharp already part of the Silverbacks pack? The warlord seemed to have read Baxter's unspoken question, giving a conclusive explanation. The wolf merely nodded in response, showing he had gotten the answer. The archer's eyes remained on the wolfhound, examining him with caution. Sharp's presence commanded respect, but there was a different kind of uneasiness he left Baxter with. It was hard to explain, but it was certainly different than that left by the other generals. Whether that was a good or bad thing, Baxter couldn't tell.

[Red Charge]

"Very well, let this assembly begin. You all already know where your objectives lie. We have managed to take over all major pony outposts, the roads are no longer being monitored or patrolled regularly, Manehattan is in lock down as well as Canterlot, Ponyville and Fillydelphia are no more. Which leaves only Cloudsdale to resist us. We believe that they intend to move Cloudsdale to assist Canterlot against the 5th fleet. Which would be the best moment for us to establish our tunnels underground, that would be Havoc's job." Sharp explained shortly and concisely.

"Ice Fang and his contributions aided us in taking out many pony military leaders so far, but it seems they keep their important personnel off the battlefields, which is a shame. But your time for glory will come, Winter Wolf, do not worry." Sharp explained, "I have already read your written reports in preparation for this meeting and I must say I find your progress exemplary. However, there is one matter left that I wish to discuss. A most recent develop--" Sharp stopped, and, Baxter noticed all the others too. They were all looking at something.

Baxter could hear it too, he already knew what it was before it even appeared. The heavy steps on the soil, the shine in the light of the moon, that familiar ivory finish to each of them... The marble soldiers had come back. This time, in full force, this time, different. A full set of of chess, appeared this time, white marble pawns coming into the dim light at the edge of the camp, followed by the specialized units, this time completely different than before.

The Knights, which were previously Feral Riders, were now Wargs in the image of Havoc himself, the Mages took on the form of the armored Blood Bearer, covered in an armor of what appeared to be metal. The Rooks were now bearing the featureless semblence of Ice Fang, and the King and Queen, in accordance, were Sharp and Malachite's counterparts.

Ice Fang shot Baxter a look that said, 'stand back' as the generals prepared themselves for battle.

[Baxter]

Baxter looked over towards the source of the heavy footsteps, his stomach immediately plummeting. The wolf's eyes went wide at the sight that waited for him. More marble warriors, this time taking the forms of the generals gathered at the assembly. The wolf stared at the approaching soldiers, paralyzed in a state of dumbstruck fear. No. Not again. Why was this happening again? Why was it happening again?!

Baxter had no idea what was going on, but he knew it was his fault. It was those chess pieces. He had helped them unleash one set of warriors onto the diamond dog encampment in Ponyville, and now they had returned stronger than ever to attack the generals of the invasion. The wolf looked to Ice Fang, his face a mix of apology and distraught confusion. The other wolf merely gave him a non-verbal command to stay back. Baxter did as he was ordered, taking several steps away from the rest of the generals. All he could do now was watch the events unfold in front of him.

[Red Charge]

The battle itself was rather unimpressive, Sharp merely laughed, and a single Gem from malachite was shot at the set of marble warriors, completely destroying the lot with a large explosion.

"Ah, I must say that was fairly nostalgic." The Warlord said, as the rest calmed down, looking at the rubble around their camp with unimpressed faces. "Ah yes, young Winter Wolf Baxter you must be wondering what is going on. See, the night where the chess soldiers attacked Ponyville, Ice Fang had his report delivered to me. See, that chess set had two sets, one was activated by you, and the other... by me." He presented his breastplate and greaves, "This armor served me well ever since, as you see, it is of master-craft quality. I knew of course what it meant, they attack at night, taking on the forms of whatever they find the most powerful in the vicinity. Sadly for them, however, they cannot truly take their powers. Now as it has been doing for likely centuries, the chess set will disappear and reappear elsewhere, with a whole new board waiting for someone to run across it." The Wolfhound explained, he did not sound kind at all as he spoke. He sounded rather pleased that Baxter had no idea what was going on.

"For defeating the chess soldiers however, you get your own reward, in that chest over there. I'll allow you to keep it, as none of us has any use for it. But do keep in mind that if any soldier finds you playing with powerful magic again, they've been ordered to do far worse than just kill you." That last phrase was said casually, Sharp's piercing glare on the Diamond Dog's eyes making the winter wolf feel as though he was being burned alive. "I assume there is armor of some kind in there. It was the case for me, a weapon and a set of armor. That's how it works."

And indeed, a chest had appeared unseen next to Baxter, open with a a suit of fine ring armor in it, offering far more protection than the rags Baxter was currently wearing.

"Now that this matter has been resolved, you are dismissed. Quickly now Ice Fang, take your little protege away before I change my mind and have him whipped again. I never could stand archery." Ice Fang nodded and quickly went to where Baxter was, waiting for him to take the armor so they could leave.