It had been a long night for Spike. His thoughts of another ambush kept him in constant fear. Unfortunately, his lack of security meant he wouldn't sleep a wink. He had gotten a response from Celestia a few hours ago. Nothing was ordered of him and the contents of her letter mostly said help was on the way. Spike tried nodding off again, hoping this time he could at least an hour of rest.
He had taken it upon himself to keep a fire going. Pieces of the ruined cabin were removed and used for fuel. The slow crackling being the only thing comforting Spike. It was hardly of any other use since the sun was now peaking over the horizon. Spike groaned, knowing the night was lost to his failure.
If I even see that bug again... He thought in annoyance. Evil actions filled his mind. Every idea had been a new and entertaining punishment for the wicked queen.
Spike's ears twitched ant an incoming sound. Many beats in the wind, he craned his neck to see the source. On approach was a small flock of Pegasi, each donned royal armor. It was a relief to see some allies, though he wanted to run and hide in his shame. Embarrassment aside, he smiled.
"Soldier!" One of them called out. Half of the group split off and landed a few yards from him while the others watched from the sky. There were at least twenty in the squad, mostly female. From the look of them they were a support class for the foot soldiers in the royal army. He trained with them briefly during his bootcamp. Archers and light blades men every one. The grounded half made a light jog towards him, looks of concern painted on their faces.
"Are you alright, dragon?" The high ranking officer in the front asked. Her armor danced with brilliant colors if gold and silver. She removed her helmet, showing not only respect for the spec ops dragon but also reassuring she meant no further harm. Now that her helmet no longer hid her face, Spike could see her dark blue hair, messy and flowing, and the sparking white of her coat.
"Tired and hungry, ma'am." Spike spoke, croaking slightly. "But mostly intact."
"Good to hear." She motioned her squad to stand down. "You must be Spike, where is your escort?"
"Taken, ma'am, in a sence." Spike's head fell from the captain's gaze. "He was brainwashed by the changling queen and set on a course to the east. We have to stop him."
"Yes, yes. I hear you brother. But for now you need rest and food." The caption nodded to a man in the back holding many satchels and bags. He hesitated for a moment, then quickly scurried to Spike's side. He was about a foot shorter than Spike, but made up the lack of height for muscles. "Make sure the lad gets an extra ration, looks as if he's had a bad night."
"Yes, ma'am." The bag boy replied.
Given to Spike was a loaf of bread, two apples and two rectangles of something he didn't have time to identify before he scarfed them down.
“Luna was informed you and Sir Echo didn’t check in last night and when neither of you sent a letter as to why; she got a little suspicious.” The Captain explained. She opened her bag and pulled up a little stack of papers. “We’re here to help you complete your mission.”
“Ma’am, what of Echo?” Spike asked, wiping crumps for the corner of his mouth. “He was the head of this whole operation.”
“His capture has been noted, even considered linked with our mission.” The Captain handed Spike the arrangement of papers and pictures. He opened the first of he documents and was greeted with a portrait of the French emperor himself.
“Vern Faure. I've already been informed of our goal. But what does the emperor have to do with getting to the East coast?” Spike scoffed. The document had various info of the target, his warship, High Queen, was posted far of the east coast of Equestria. "A target to eliminate?"
“Negative, soldier.” Her dark gold eyes pierced his scales. Spike had a cold shiver run through his core. “The princesses have canceled you're current mission for this one.”
A realization came over him as he’s sighed.
"Orders to defend him.”
"That is correct, Sir Spike." The captain donned her helmet. "And we're your strike force."
The Sun was just peaking over the horizon. Echo had been flying all night, yet he still felt his wings carry him onward. His limbs pleaded for rest, but only continued against his urge to stop. All attempts resulted in a massive headache.
“Egh!” Echo strained to shake himself out of it. Trying desperately to gain control of anything again.
‘Why must you be so difficult?’ A sickly voice rang out through his head, as if an intercom system was installed without his consent.
‘The young bat want-to-be sets out to disobey an order from his new queen?’ It jeered.
“I...can't...keep...g-going.” he struggled to talk, not knowing if he was speaking out loud or within his mind.
There was a sense of control regained. Echo slowed his flying and began to descend.
"I suppose you're no worth to me dead." The low voice croaked.
Echo collapsed to the forest floor upon landing. The muscles in his wings burned. Echo could only breath heavily as he looked around in the darkness.
"Where... Are you taking me?" He asked, almost not wanting to know.
"You're a pawn, a servant to the Queen." The voice growled. "Your body is on a route that doesn't concern you."
"Damn you bugs." Echo breathed. He began planning a way out of whatever it was the voice had tasked for him. If he could find a way to injure himself, there might be a chance to put a damper in things and with any luck, buy Spike some time to catch up. There were trees and big stones that surrounded the clearing he landed in but they were all too far to make a run towards them. His controller had a tight leash on his movements.
If I could just make it close enough to the tree line, a nice throw into a tree would be all I need to break a wing. Echo kept his thoughts to the back of his mind; in case the voice was listening in.
"Wait." the low voice spoke up.
Echo cleared his throat nervously. "W-what is It?"
"Quiet!" It snapped. Echo's head quipped around involuntarily and his ears focused on the sky.
Now that it was pointed out, Echo started to hear it too. A faint female voice yelling his name. It called over and over, each time coming closer and becoming louder. The voice was noticeably silent now.
"Princess Luna?" Echo couldn't believe how fast she was able to catch up with him. How did she even have a clue where he was? "HEL-!"
"YOU FOOL!" As Echo tried to cry out, his head quickly swelled with pain. Even in agony, his body refused to fall. Instead, his legs carried him to the edge of the forest where they anchored themselves in some brush. "You will let her pass or I will turn your mind to mush! Do you understand?"
Echo decided not to respond, eyeing up a nearby stump. The second his controller dropped their guard, he will plant that stump squarely into his back. Echo steadied his mind to accomplish just this if nothing else.
Luna scanned the early morning sky. Judging by her speed, she should have caught up toEcho by now.
"ECHO!" She shouted. She stopped to look around. "Dammit! How did I lose his signal?"
Her horn flared up as she scanned the sky again.
"It was If he landed..." She scanned again and glanced down to the trees. "In the forest?"
Luna could see the potential for a trap. Devious was the enemy for this kind of tactic, but it wouldn't be unexpected nor uncommon. She weighed the risk of landing and going after Echo on foot but she would be going to battle blind. She didn't know the size nor the capability of a hidden attack and with her as a lone rescue party, they would most likely find an easy victory. She noted the location and began to fly off.
"I'm sorry, lieutenant ." She spoke somberly. "I will be back to free you, I promise."
Echo's heart hurt to see his princess fly away so defeated. On the other hand, his confidence restored in his plan to break himself. He couldn't have his captures getting off the hook so easily.
"Good, very good Princess." The voice chuckled. Echo felt the chanson his mind loosen. "She had me scared for a little-"
"AAAH!" Echo screamed as he flexed and snatched his body back from the trance. With all his might and with every fiber he could muster; Echo dove himself back-first into the stump. Hearing a blood-curling 'snap' as he landed on one of his wings, Echo winced in pain but quickly felt joy in accomplishment. Joy was short lived unfortunately.
"IMBECILE!" The voice bellowed in anger. "What have you done?!"
Even through the added pain of the mental chains tightening back up, Echo still found himself snickering.
"Whoops," He laughed to himself. "Looks like I'm grounded for a few days."
There was a deafening silence as Echo came down from the adrenaline high. He wanted to reach for his wing but was frozen in place. Waiting for a response was making him nervous. Each second of quiet rattled his soul more than the last.
"Very well, bat." The voice hissed. "We'll have it your way."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Echo asked trying to hide his fear.
It was now the voice's turn to laugh but instead it gave only a command.
"March."